Ages ago, Harry and I were invited to a fancy dinner party in St. Louis. Louise is a magnificent hostess and her meals are beyond compare, so we were thrilled to be included. It was quite a time, and quite a shock to be with many people again. Everyone at the party was fully vaccinated, and we were delighted to see friends who came from much farther than we did (Chicago and North Carolina!).
Taken with a self timer just to prove we dressed up
As a result of this momentous evening, I was just too tired to blog last night. Earlier in the day, Oisin was too tired to do his job.
Later, when he came to, we had a jumping school, thanks to Jane, trainer and photographer par excellence.
The big news yesterday was a bear sighting not far from here! The neighbor sent us a picture taken just up the road a few miles.
Today, Jane rode over on Derry and we set off to the ring, but it began to rain, so we returned to the barn and put the horses away. Later, with rain showers finished, Jane came over and we schooled Stone. Jane is a wonderful help. We jumped him through a different gymnastic exercise. He is a little too keen, and needs to learn to slow down, so we have decided repetition will help. We are keeping the jumps low. We know he can jump, he needs to relax a little bit.
Not many pictures today, but the female tanager made an appearance, and some pine siskins, I think.
Female tanager 
Cardinal and pine siskins
Finally, in the studio, Mater continues to evolve. It is such a privilege to live with an artist and watch clay come to life!
Stay safe, stay well. Peace.
Wow, Mater is marvelous
You two clean up really well.
All of your horses are such good jumpers!
Peace
Yikes! I’ll be thinking of that bear when I’m out walking at Innsbrook.
The picture was taken near N & Z !!
What a nice looking couple.
One of the “best dressed” couples I have seen in a long time!!!
Is the sculpture Harry is doing a portrait of someone special? It is beautiful!
You both are so talented and a great looking couple, always smile on Harry’s face so you must be keeping him happy!!!
If you ever travel North do try to stop by….Love to you both Aunt Pat
Hi, Aunt Pat! The sculpture is a depiction of Mater Admirabliis, a Sacred Heart favorite. The sculpture is based on a fresco done by a French girl at a church in Rome. The Mother Superior had asked her to paint the Blessed Mother, but thought the colors were too bright, so covered it up. When Pope Pius IX insisted on uncovering it, and saw the fresco, he named it Mater Admirabilis (mother most admirable) and said it was never to be covered up again. The French girl, Pauline Perdreau, became a Sacred Heart nun.
Harry’s sculpture is for a Sacred Heart school in Maryland. Villa Duchesne, where I went to school, had a big statue of Mater in the main hallway. The original fresco has been associated with several miracles. I am hoping Harry’s version will have that sort of power, too. It will be done in cast marble, so will be white stone eventually. The one at Villa was painted, but I think Harry’s will be beautiful in simplicity.