Happy new year!

 We ended 22 by spending a a quiet day, going to evening Mass followed by a very good potluck supper.

The last 2 weeks of the month sure included a lot of deaths. My saddle maker friend, Brian Ironmonger (I have had 2 of his saddles: the Wade I sold and the other one that I ride most often that I got the fiberglass tree repaired on) - he passed away Christmas Eve just before midnight; then Ian Tyson, the Canadian singer songwriter, and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI  as well as two other people that we know. 

My key word for 2022 was mercy, and we did indeed receive mercy throughout the year, in our move and all the help we got from friends and family. We were blessed in many ways throughout the year. 

Jan 1 is my blogoversary; I have completed 15 years of blogging and am about to start year 16. I love being able to look back over the years so easily; not something you can do on other forms of social media. I sure do appreciate all you folks who have stuck with me over those years. 

This is Smoky, but it is also me checking to see if 2023 is going to be sane and safe....

We started off this year with Ted going to visit his dad while I went to see Shayla and Blake . I got to visit all the horses and help out a bit. Of course I just happened to have my good camera with me... 😁

Mama Belle is showing her age, she has arthritis in a knee now. Still one of my favourite horses. 

Jayne turns 21 this year and is doing really well. 

Gussie and her foal Evy hang out with a Percheron mare and her foal. I gave Shayla a hand holding Evy as Shayla trimmed her feet - Evy was very good!

She is going to look fantastic when she sheds out to her blue roan colour!

This is Rose, Shayla's half Arabian mare that some of you may remember from when she lived with my herd a few years ago. She has become a very good lesson horse for Shayla. 

My key word for this year is Faith. We can't see what the year will bring but we have to have faith that we will weather whatever storms, both literal and figurative, that life will throw at us in '23. 

May God bless you all and keep you safe.