Tag Archives: trail riding

Move Over Stompin’ Tom – Another Week at the BAR MW

There has been alot of hugging this week, alot of familiar faces, some new ones, alot of music and visiting for the people of the Bar MW. There has been some normal stuff too. The pictures tell the tale, the 1st one holds clues to the big deal events of the week.

On Monday Russell and Morgan rode with our new friends from Estevan and checked several pastures. That means assessing grass conditions, looking at all the animals and scouting out any problems, the most common ones are footrot, pink eye or a bull that appears to be keeping separate from the herd. This was unexpectedly a really long day, supper was at 10pm. Russ kept trying to give the newbies a chance to quit sooner than later, they always chose later and proved to manage hungers and weariness very well.
Tuesday morning had Morgan and Coffee dog heading to a field of green feed oats to start cutting. Before they left Morg and Coffee had a little play time, I totally enjoyed this moment when I overheard Morgan say to Coffee, “Well I don’t usually bring MY toys to the field but I guess you could.” Morgan is special in the way that he is the only guy in the house who can translate the dogs barks and noises into the english language, he does it fairly regularly. It tickles my fancy.
Russ spent much of the day dealing with cow problems that were emerging. We had Marcel out to do a minor procedure on a bull and help us with a cow that has eye cancer. I had a few small jobs to do to help Russ out in his day, including this moment where having brought the final calf of the year home in the trailer we cornered it, tagged it and castrated it. Russ had invited me to make named tag for these late calves, as we will have them around for a whole year. I opened my address book and found names in it for our tags. This calf is Aunt D in honor of my Aunt Danna.
Wednesday morning saw Morgan heading back to the field and Russ heading to the public pasture to help the pasture manager with herds there. He brought our friend Marisol with him and together they helped tackle some big jobs. You can see by this picture Russell took that the pastures are large and hilly, and quite beautiful. Russ would like it noted that next to the pasture manager he was the best roper there that day and that is not saying much. They roped and treated alot of cows.
Wednesday night at 7:38pm I was talking with Gina when I stopped her in midsentence to say “Gina! Jill’s play is starting right now as we speak, oh my goodness!” It felt so weird to be in my kitchen, so far away from this momentous moment for Jill, but I didn’t need to feel disconnected for long. My sister-friend Deb, from Saskatoon, had traveled to Regina with her daughter to see the play that night. At intermission she sent me the above texts.
Following the show this dialogue happened on Facebook. Karla is a super supportive friend of Russell’s from highschool. Donalene is one of my people from my earliest days in the Carievale area, she now is in Regina. We have big soft spots for both of them and our hearts were warmed at the thought of them cheering on our girl.
Thursday morning had us going at top speed to be ready to get to Regina. We had a new dog sitter coming to stay and that meant cleaning the house before leaving. We also had a peculiar problem. A stuffed animal (monkey) that had been in storage for years was pulled out last week. The day before we left it all of a sudden started doing its monkey skreeching at random times. It sounded rather horrrifying. Once we figured out the source we tried different things to silence it. We put it in the fridge overnight and that kept it silent. Once warmed up it started again. We couldn’t leave this random skreeching for our dog sitter to deal with. Morgan tucked it in bed (this picture) and it stopped. But I wasn’t sure for how long. I put it in the deep freeze and that is where it currently can be found.
Thursday afternoon there was a matinee performance of Seussical the Musical and at intermission we got this picture from cousin Laurie. He and ten family members had met in Regina to attend the show. Jill loved these moments. We were so touched to know that Jill had fans at every performance.
From north and south many family and friends came to see Jill’s show. We rented a large Air bnb and hosted folks for before and/or after show drinks and snacks. We were running behind getting to Regina, our friend Gina jumped into the kitchen with me and helped to get everything laid out. I was so very grateful to be basically ready as people arrived, because of her.
One of our Saskatoon family manages the Crumbl Cookie location there, my sister Linda brought this delectable box of cookies.
We were thrilled to have my sister-cousin and her family join us for the pre show party and the show. Afterwards Jimmy said, “I would definitely see that again.” I think thats a solid review. Also in this picture is my niece Brodie. Jodi started something hilarious after the show when lingering in the lobby she exclaimed “alright, talking about projects, when are we going to do a family musical?!?” We were all feeling a bit giddy and her question really took off, although none of our answers were serious. The security guard was just coming to kick us out when we came to our senses and realized everyone was out of the bath room and we could leave. They locked the doors behind us!
My sister grabbed this picture of Russ and I heading to our seats, I think you can definitely tell that we were excited. The title for this blog is a quote from Russ as we pulled into the parking lot at the Conexus Arts Centre, he said, “move over Stompin’ Tom – Jilly’s here!!” I absolutely loved that. When Russell first learned that Jill got the part and would be performing at Conexus he said, “my girl is going to be on the same stage as Stompin’ Tom Connors!!!” It was over 24 years ago that Russ attended a Stompin’ Tom concert there.
At intermission the characters were allowed to come out and mingle with the crowd but they had to stay in character. So we hugged Yertle the Turtle and Russ and Jimmy got her autograph. In these moments we caught sight of David and Linda Powell, they had raced to Regina from Carnduff after managing everything their afternoon held at home. We didn’t take a picture but definitely took comfort from their presence.
I am lucky to have a husband that values my family immensely. Here he is with my brother in law Stu and my cousin Jimmy in the parking lot afterwards.
After the show Jill came to the Air bnb and visited. We were glad to have that time with her. Something special…..she is wearing the blue shirt that Russ was wearing in the delivery room when she was born. We don’t let go of things easily in this family!
Grandma Shirley came with us for our Regina adventure. She really enjoyed time with members of my family, in this case Stu and my sister Margie. Margie often compliments me by calling me a Rockstar. I love that. It takes one to know one.
Jilly loves her Grandma Shirley almost as much as I do.
Friday morning my sisters and I visited our uncle and aunt. Their home behind us is a holder of many memories and they will be moving from it soon. This was a tough but beautiful visit as we were invited into their aging journey for a bit of time. This picture is not complete. Our sister Janet has a passion for music, performance and family. She lives in Vancouver. If she lived nearer she would have been with us and this visit would have been even more special.
I wasn’t shopping for an air bnb with a pool table but it was an excellent thing, it got lots of use. It looks like Linda and I were enjoying watching.
Russ and I visited a friend at Wascana Centre, there was lots more time with Jill, shopping and then another pre show gathering with Mark and Linda.
Friday night Russ and I saw the show again, this time Morgan, Jordanna and Grandma Shirley crowded into our little Bronco and headed to the theatre with us. In this picture my cousin Lisa is to Shirley’s side.
Intermission time….we caught up with the Mayor of Who-ville and his wife.
Yertle the Turtle with her fans…….Mark, Linda and Shirley.
About 5 years ago Jill and Gina did a special 4H project in drama. The woman beside Jill was their project leader. We loved knowing Jody and Marlee were coming to celebrate this musical theatre experience with Jill.
There are some fun inside jokes between Morgan and Jill. I sense there was something in the works here. Although Jordanna confessed to not being a real fan of musical theatre, she says she enjoyed the show.
Beside me are my cousin Lisa and her husband Brent. My Nanny and Lisa’s Grandma were sisters. It is really nice to have these extended family connections and with Lisa being in Regina we have the chance to nurture that. We had a good visit back at the Air bnb after the show.
Saturday morning Russ got up at 5am, got Morgan and Jordanna awake and going and they headed back to the ranch. They had a trailride to get to. In this picture Russ is modelling his new chaps. They were made especially for him in Nova Scotia and came in the mail this week. The pockets are large; his pocket knife, Copenhagen and phone are now safely accessible. They are alot lighter than his bulletproof other pair.
This is Sunday morning on our way to the Hubbards for the 2nd day of the trail ride. Coffee is helping drive. By the end of this day there was no way that we would happily sit that close to the dogs. They had come across a dead skunk towards the end of the trail and each wanted to make sure that Russ didn’t miss out on the experience. They each had a roll in it. As of now, 24 hours and three trips through a dug out later, they still have a slight smell to them.
Our donkey “Elton John” was part of the action. Morgan rode him up to the breakfast buffet and then back to the pasture. I wonder how Sharon felt about this? She and Bill work so hard hosting people in their yard all weekend. I often wonder if Sharon says to herself, “when are these people going to go home?!?!?!?” She never gives off that vibe, but I think in her shoes I would feel that way. She said to me yesterday, “if we stopped doing this (this was the 24th annual ride), when would we all get together?” She values human connection so much. Bill takes care of trail life and it is all very, very good.
I rode Dick and felt pretty darn relaxed on him.
When we are trail-riding random conversations often happen as horses cross paths over the miles we are on the trail. I had a few really good moments of visiting with Laurie, he told me his Dad (pictured here in the foyer at the Conexus centre with his great grand-daughter) really enjoyed Jill’s show. He reflected that his Dad had never been to a musical before so he just wasn’t sure what he would think. He was happy to hear that his Dad really did enjoy it. I found myself pondering with Laurie just how awesome it is that an 86 year old man can try something new and be open hearted. The show was crazy, non stop color and loud beautiful orchestrations, a typical Seuss storyline full of odd but deeply meaningful words and ideas ….. all of that was a good experience for Uncle George. Thats cool.
Russ brought “Elton John” our donkey to the trailride figuring we could pay this girl to ride him and get a start on training him. I thought this was a terrible idea. It turns out I was wrong. Clara, who turned 14 this day, rode our donkey with great success for two full days and said it was fun. Clara is Jordanna’s little sister.
As we were getting ready for bed last night Russ asked me, “who was the coolest person you visited with today?” He has never asked me that before. After a minute I said, “Braylee.” This three year old girl and I have connected. Here we are using Elton John’s ear as a microphone and singing “Crocodile Rock”. She seems to appreciate all the goofy stuff I come up with. (This is a 18 second video, click on the arrow for it to play if you are not already totally maxed out by this blog.)
When the ride was over it took me a bit to get off my mule. I stopped mid-way and decided to channel my inner trick rider, I tried to smile like Jordanna does and fling my arms wide like she does. Laurie was there and told me to hold the pose. It was fun. (Full disclosure….while Jordanna does this at about 50 miles per hour, my friend Dick the mule was standing stock still!)
Meanwhile in Toronto, Gina is living a combination of all of this, working with those beautiful medieval times horses amid the rigors of a show and like the trail ride, in the midst of a real heatwave. We love the pictures she sends us.

That was the week. Thank you for hanging in. It has lots of details that not everyone would give a hoot about but it is a record for us of a very important set of days. We have so much to say thank you for.

Circle Time

“Kathy you are in ‘Circle Time’, you might not know it, but that’s a big deal.”

These are the words that Russell spoke as we sat atop our horses in the driveway of Evangeline Trail Rides near Stanley in the province of Nova Scotia.  We were about to head out on an evening ride.  But first there was a pause, after the busyness of saddling up.  A chance to look at each other’s faces and introductions made for those who had just joined in the day.  There was a check in about my stirrups and a last word of instruction where needed.

And we were off….

An evening ride thru the changing landscape of fall in Nova Scotia, making our way past a tidal river and thru the woods….how gorgeous.

After a while we pulled up in an opening and gathered into a circle again.  We lingered longer this time.  Stories were shared, my stirrups got lengthened, we experienced something together. It was different than the procession of horses we had been when we were heading down the trail. 

I was intrigued.

We rode some more.  We went thru an opening in the woods and found ourselves at the edge of the Stanley airport field.  We circled up again. Crystal posed a question.  Crystal.  You haven’t met her yet.  She and her partner Ron own and operate Evangeline Trail Rides. 

Crystal and Ron

Crystal who has always been from Nova Scotia met Russell in 1987 thru family events.  Their paths crossed again in 1990 and then many years passed.  Facebook brought them back onto each other’s radar.   When we planned a trip to Nova Scotia there was certainly going to be a visit with Crystal.  Her big and tender heart was brimming over with a welcome to experience her world.

What is her world? Well…….Crystal is a genius.  She has taken her love of horses and found a way to make a life from it by having strangers come and pay to ride, “Evangeline Trail Rides” is the family business in addition to some ranching.  The work at Evangeline is shared by a faithful group of horse lovers who come help with trail rides and horse care and earn themselves a place in the barn family. 

All of that might just sound like a business model but when you are smack dab in the middle of it and privy to the background stories it is abundantly clear there is so much more going on.  

That “so much more” is something I get excited about.
I used to kinda scoff at the words I am about to tell you, but not anymore.  
What Crystal and Ron look to be nurturing, as clearly as I can see, is community and empowerment.  These are big words, vague words, what do I mean when I say them?

Community… having a place where you belong.  Where people know your name, some of your stories, some of your needs, you have people you share memories with.  The fact that a community exists at Crystal and Ron’s is irrefutable.   As we sat around their kitchen and living room before and after the ride Russell and I were wholeheartedly welcomed into the community.  We weren’t exactly strangers….

In 2019 Crystal started scheming to take a group of her barn friends and travel west to our ranch for a fall cattle move. Flights and hotels for nine women were booked. It was to be an October 2020 adventure. The plan meant that many became Facebook friends with us to get acquainted before the big trip. Then the reality of Covid hit. The trip was canceled but these new facebook friends remained. We have regularly seen their names and gained a small sense of familiarity with them. Spending actual time together now, matching faces and voices to names was fun. There was alot of getting acquainted happening.

I got to meet Crystal’s Dad “Pappie” who Russ had spent some days with in 1990.

At this kitchen party, once it was certain that there was enough space for the telling, we heard the broken toilet story. It was epic in its own right but told with such vivid skill we were able to laugh away all the stress of April 2022 I think.  Russell adds, “what good is a story without actions?” In quiet moments of conversation we were told about jobs and family members, and we found people and places we had in common.  Suddenly the world seemed smaller and more caring.  We shared stories about Covid and getting through it.  We learned, again, that we were not alone.  In short, we experienced the community that Crystal and Ron have been nurturing and tending.

And the other word….

Empowerment, isn’t that the word to use when people are welcomed to push their limits, to learn and learn more, to face physical and social challenges and come out stronger?  For example Crystal invites her teenage barn women to serve as trail guides helping tourists over 3x their age to handle their horses.  Wow. 

These girls in grade 8 and grade 12 do not hesitate to do what needs to be done in the barn or on the trail.

Does a family gain strength and momentum when they are all welcomed to the barn life and over and over again they practice together all the equine, social and emotional challenges before them?  I think so.  It was clear to see when observing the busyness in the barn, as all aspects of horse use and care were handled, that everyone on the team has been given chances to grow their confidence.  Does this matter?  100% YES.  Yes.  Yes.  Yes!

Look at Liz’s great smile. She took many of the pictures in this blog. Her great gram and my Nanny were born in the same year in Springhill. We pondered if we might be related.

I don’t know how Crystal and Ron arrived at this model for how they would run their business.   However, it honestly strikes me as brilliant.  It’s got to be tricky.  Most things that involve creatures that breathe, like humans and horses, are a bit complicated at least some of the time.  But the rewards…..

I think the wisdom that underscores all of this is useful to everyone.   There are things that are accomplished when humans meet in circles.  Isn’t this part of the appeal of campfires?  Isn’t circle time action a huge part of what makes meals at a table such a powerful practice for humans?

When I asked about “circle time” after we were all done, my questions were research for this blog.  The way Russ spoke of it at the start of the ride I felt like I was being allowed into a secret society.  But the experience…. stopping in a clearing and doing the moves to get our horses into a circle had a powerful intentionality to it. There is a time for moving forward and there is a time for circling up.  When these moves were followed up by Crystal’s invitations for stories and conversation I just knew there was more happening.  When I asked a rider about it I was told,  “it’s the foundation.”

What I take from that….. its that seeing each other,  literally seeing each other’s faces and focusing on what we share is powerful.   Its a foundation that allows a business to grow and thrive, humans to feel safe and included, and moments of rest for all.

As I write this I am on a plane, descending into Toronto, we haven’t seen our kids for days and days.  It’s time for the Bar MW version of circle time.  There will be alot of stories to share.  I hope Busterkat will sit in his high chair and Morgan will light a candle.  I hope it will feel cozy.  Cow chase season is right around the corner and soon that table will be stretched out to the max, ready to share circle time with the characters in our world.  I am pretty sure Russ and I will be thinking of Crystal as we savor the stories and moments and tackle the work.