Thank you, Marilyn. Nicole, the saddle in that picture is the second one I bought. The first one was bought within a week of my getting Teddy. It was not a very good one. It was cordura so it was lighter but it wasn't balanced. I could never get it cinched up just right. The second one was a Circle Y Topeka. That was a dandy. It was so comfortable for me and it was very well balanced. But unknowingly it did not fit Teddy as well as it should have. He was just too much of a gentleman to let me know that. :) So my friend was having a guy come who was a saddle-fitter. I asked him about my saddle and he told me it didn't fit Teddy. So my third saddle was a Circle Y High Horse with a wide tree. I actually did notice that Teddy had a "freer" walk and easier trot with the third saddle. My friend's horse actually stopped throwing her when she got her "magic" saddle, the same one I got for Teddy. LOL I had that third saddle and used it on the Big Red horse I got to ride after Teddy died. But once Big Red passed away and I didn't have any other horses I could ride, I ended up donating it to a horse rescue that I follow on Facebook. They are about 3 hours away and a friend and I made a day trip out of taking the saddle and all my brushes and various paraphernalia out to the rescue. They were thrilled to get it. I figured that unless I win the lottery, I won't have another horse. And if I do, I can afford to get a new saddle, one that is fitted to the horse. So making a long story longer, here is the third saddle. While it wasn't "custom" made it was custom fitted. Thanks for asking about it. It brings up lots of great memories. :)

I am thankful for family and friends. This wonderful, inspiring friend left life 2 days ago. She was ready. I am thankful she is free of the suffering she endured with so much courage the past few months. So sad to loose her, but I know she is in a better place and spreading her good cheer around. Here she is with her fabulous tree decorated with all the decorations she made herself over many years. A closer look at some of them

I really don't know whether the colour attracts them. The yard at that house had a lot of native flowers and since lorikeets are nectar eaters, I suspect that was the real draw.  As you can tell, they're also very gregarious birds so if one shows up, more will arrive and join in.

11 years ago already! I was asked to do a Vermicomposting workshop at a kids camp. Our coffee chain Tim Horton's hosts under-privileged kids for 10 days each summer. Customers donate money of course towards this. I took Tom to take photos. We and the kids had a blast. The bunkhouse (not too shabby!) They treated us to lunch.....they don't skimp on portions. The kids can ask for seconds any time; they don't want any kid to go hungry.