Saturday, July 6, 2013

A day of play....

I was off work on Thursday, for the 4th of July ~ but worked on Friday, which leaves Friday feeling like a Monday! Huh?  I know, confusing.  It is.

So on Thursday we wound up going to see a local horse show for a while.... It was a HOT day (like all of them this week!) and then later, we decided to do something we just usually say we SHOULD do sometime.  We drove to Buzzards Bay (yes, real name of the town) and strolled thru the antique stores... luckily (?) I wasn't carrying much in the way cash.
First find?
A tiny little enamaled box.  Why? Cuz I love boxes... and it blue, and it's tiny! 
 
 
And then what you ask?
Oh sure, that's right, one of Gladys Taber's books.
 signed, did I mentioned it's signed?
and then we trotted off to next store.... and we wandered about... and it was getting time to go. I came upon a little wooden horse I wanted the hubby to see, so we went alllll the way to the back of the store one more time.  ~ and as we were leaving, something caught my eye...
I fell instantly in love.....Is that JoJo and I on the cover? How much is it? $2.00  ~ oh no, we spent our last dollars at the other store!! You can't put $2.00 on a credit card... that's pathetic.  Hang on... lets dump out the purse, change in the bottom... Uh huh. We've got it!!  (thankfully, as this is just what I need, a guide to equitation...) My equitation attempts sometimes don't equate.
Huh, that's just how we got JoJo in the trailer the first few times...
don't tell anyone I drew this awful picture, I'll deny it.  But I had to, as we couldn't take pictures of ourselves, and try to manually haul a large pony into a trailer.
It was a two person process actually.... again, no comments necessary on the quality (or lack there of) of the artwork... ha ha
At least now I know we were doing it right, they wouldn't put it in a book if it wasn't, right?
I discovered this to be a bit true on my first test drive... a big bouncy trot can be a bit unsettling, literally.
the book has LOTS of profound advice, I'm getting this one down pretty good.
Wish I had read this book in the beginning....
 Makes sense.
 Share and share alike. He actually prefers watermelon... but a popcicle will do in a pinch.
My apologies to the author... i know it says not to reproduce it in any way.... but perhaps you can think of it as free advertising?
Just to good not to share!!
 I see he has done two other books:
THELWELL'S RIDING ACADEMY
and
TOP DOG, Thelwell's Complete Canine Compendium
by Alan Thelwell
If you happen to have either of these moldering away, and want to lighten the load on your book shelf, I'd be willing to swap some art work for a book.... (don't worry, not the shabby arts above...) )
One last thought~
Something fun to do with your furry friends on a hot day...
Shadow art.
 
Love your pony.
Hug your pony.
 
Peace to all.....
and to all a good day.

24 comments:

  1. Oh this is FUN ... way fun and what fabukous finds. I love that book ...adore your sketches too. Can you believe that book had a picture of fence jumping initiation. (see that he hust needed a rose) ... jumping fences has to just be a big pony thing lol
    Your creative juices must be flowing two posts in the same week ~ quite delightful !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hmm yes "fabukous " an word made of over excitement when typing ~ means the same as "fabulous "

      Delete
    2. good grief I see more mistakes ...okay by now you know I am just a sloppy typer, but I mean well ;)

      Delete
    3. Worry not my good lady, I have an English to Willow's gadget phone dictionary I keep at my side! :))))) Your comments are fabukous!

      Delete
  2. Oh, the shadow art is so cool!
    I love the drawings from the last book that you bought: it really would be a shame not to share them with your audience... that's us:= )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, you just need a large furry canvas, a person, and the sun, and shadow art can be yours!!!
      That's right, I just want the best for my awesome audience!! :))))))

      Delete
  3. You spent your day well. The book is lovely. I am sure the author doesn't mind you 'using' his book in your blog. It must be such a relief for you to find out that you have always done it right with JoJo. You must be a natural talent. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, that me ~ a talented horse person ~ that must be why JoJo spends so much time rolling around on his back laughing at me! :))))

      Delete
  4. Dear Melody,
    Well... This post just lifted my heart! What beautiful illustrations in the book, and you look so lovely standing there with your beautiful pony.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by to see us! :)))))))

      Delete
  5. Oh dear, forgot to thank you for coming over to meet Harold.. How very kind of you to leave such a sweet note!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your felty creatures are AWESOME! :)))))

      Delete
  6. I will keep an eye out for a Thelwell for you, those little sketches were so popular, they are clever. Love your sketches, they have such action and feeling in them! Shadow art is crazy, have you seen the way you are being looked at?? So funny :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha, he's eyeing the popsicle! :)))) Thelwell is super funny (it's a wonder they didn't toss a net over me laughing in the antique store....) that would super if you keep an eye peeled!! I've never heard of him till now!
      My sketches? Ugh, but there really was a lot of action and feeling! (Not all of it good)
      AFTER the pony loading ordeal was done, it was pretty funny.

      Delete
  7. Money well spent! And some great advice too. I was just telling my mom how I wish I had known when I was raising my daughter that I should have treated her like a dog...in a GOOD way...more praises,more walks, more pats etc...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you should write a parenting book! (probably only suitable for pet lovers though?) :)))))))
      "You want an ice cream?" ~ "Sit"..... "Good Girl!" !!! :)))) Yeaaahhh!!!

      Delete
  8. Twere it me sketching....you would have been stick people! Ok so I don't know Gladys Taber, but an autographed book! Ain't nothing better! YOu probably could have found a few coins in the seats of the car too. One time my sister and her husband had to do that to buy a pizza at a pizza place that is cash only!

    Cindy Bee

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh your art work is superb I am much like Cindy crooked stick men:)
    That is a couple of amazing books I would have picked up both of them but I have come to the conclusion I am turning into a book hoarder:) especially with illustration and Litho prints. Seriously awesome books, awesome art, awesome ponies and this post just made me happy. B

    ReplyDelete
  10. book hoarder sounds so.....bad. (it may be true, but it still sounds bad...) :)))))) I sort of think of books like old houses; they are getting more and more scare ~ so we need to collect, appreciate and care for the ones that exist ! :))))

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Melody,
    First, I was looking at your sketches again, (I think they are wonderful) and your pony LEGS are great! I found the legs to be the most difficult part. It looks as if you do have that down..

    Thank you so much for your visit and most kind words.. Too kind, but thank you so much.. It is always a pleasure when you visit.
    blessings,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My pony's knobbly legs were all out at odd angles ~bracing himself ~ they draw kinda silly!!
      I'll have to get back to some drawing soon ~ your Honey Bee art is making me miss some crafty time! (and your felty mouse makes me miss having a real mouse...) :))))

      Delete
  12. Melody,
    Well I really like your pony knobby legs! I love wee mice also.

    Thank you so much for wandering over for a peek at Bella... The real Bella just made me laugh at her expression... You can almost hear her thoughts.
    fondly,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love your drawings...I think they are better than the ones in the book too...of course i love your pony the bestest!!
    d x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Good afternoon Melody, thank you for stopping by my blog. You are a very talented lady, love your drawings. I adore the works of Gladys Taber, I am reading Stillmeadow Daybook for the tenth time, how wonderful for you to have found a signed copy of My Own Cape Cod. Whenever I discover a Gladys Taber Book I snatch it up. Sending greetings from Maine, Julie.

    ReplyDelete