Showing posts with label horseback riding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horseback riding. Show all posts

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Pony Farm's Top 10 Tips to Get Ready for Camp

We can't wait to greet you!
As summer approaches, are you wondering what the best ways are to get ready for camp? Just about everything and anything you want to know about camp is on the Pony Farm pages on our website.

However, as the time for camp gets closer, we thought you might appreciate some highlights – so today we present our Top 10 ways to prep for Pony Farm.

10. Come for a Tour – For newbie campers, a visit can be a HUGE help to quell camper anxieties. “Where do I go when I arrive?” “Where will I sleep?” “What are the bathrooms like?” “Where will I put my clothes?” Schedule a tour by contacting Becky Sanborn, Co-Camp Director, at bsanborn@touchstone-farm.org.

This is us, from the sky.
 
9. Fill Out Those Forms, Forms, Forms – Not nearly as fun as #10, but all the forms are important and help us get to know your camper before she arrives. Your camper's paperwork is due June 1. Getting your forms in on time ensures that we’ll be ready for your arrival. You'll find all the forms right here.
This is Becky. She is so happy when
she receives camper forms. Really.
 8. Refresh That Inhaler – Every summer campers arrive with inhalers, Epi-pens, or other prescription meds that are already expired. Now is the perfect time to check that your camper has current prescriptions filled for any medications that she needs. The camp forms contain instructions about sending prescription meds your camper needs with her and authorizing us to administer them.
Summer: time for trail rides, friendship,
sunshine ... and allergens. Be prepared!
 
7. Download the Packing List Our packing list is located on our website. This is our 44th summer of Pony Farm, so we kind of have what to pack down to a science! 
We even have a packing list for the horses!
(A zebra costume isn't on it.)
 6. What Not to Wear – No, not the TV show! Please don't send anything that you don't want to risk being lost or damaged. Summer camp is hard on clothes, jewelry, etc. Put your camper's name on anything and everything that you would like to return home with her. This is especially important for her riding helmet, boots, tights, and half chaps, which are pretty hard to tell apart.
See what we mean?
 
6A. What Not to Pack – You can read Pony Farm policies, but the highlight it is...leave cell phones – in fact, all your camper's electronics – at home. We encourage a different kind of connection — with each other, the horses and other animals, the outdoors and nature. Plug into Pony Farm!

5. Check out Arrival Info and Departure Info – You can make drop-off and pick-up days less stressful for your camper (and you!) by knowing what to expect.
We have a system.

 4. Bookkeeping Note – (No catchy title here. Sorry.) Don't forget that the balance of your payment is due May 1. You can send us a check, payable to Touchstone Farm, or pay online via credit card.

3. Read the Directions – To Pony Farm, that is! We have directions on our website. NOTE: If you are a GPS user, enter 818 Putnam Rd, Temple, NH, into your unit. (Some GPS units think 13 Pony Farm Lane is in the middle of the woods on the other side of town. It isn't.)
This isn't us. Not even close.
 
2. Find More Tips and Tricks to Get Ready for Camp – ACA New England has wonderful resources for camp families. This ACA article inspired our top 10 list.

1. Pack a Smile and a Great Attitude! – Your camper is about to have a magical experience! Be sure to send her off with a smile and a sense of adventure!
High five!
 Questions? Feel free to email Becky, Co-Camp Director, at bsanborn@touchstone-farm.org.

Friday, August 15, 2014

Pony Farm Session 5B - Rocking a Rainy Day

Dear Camp Families,

This is my last blog of the camp season.  It makes me sad to think that Saturday we return your children to you and start sending our visiting horses home. 

People often ask me if I am glad that Pony Farm is over for the year. I am never glad camp is over. When the final session is done, however, I will admit I'm glad the responsibility of camp is over.  I love it, but it is a lot!  (And that is what they call an under statement.)

You might be wondering what your cherubs have been up to this week. We have been busy with riding lessons, camping trips, trips to swim at the falls, catch riding, carriage driving, hanging out with the small animals, and swimming in the pool!

You might also be wondering what we do on a day like Wednesday when it poured all day. I'm happy to report that after 43 years, Pony Farm knows how to make the most of a rainy day.

Campers find out the rainy day plan of attack
 
In the morning we started with tack cleaning. That's a job that comes with the sport of riding, and every rider needs to know how to do it. It's no one's favorite task, but it that makes it kind of a life skill as well!

After tack cleaning, we had a barn competition to get the barns (upper, lower, and outside) spiffed up.  The barn crew who cleaned the best, cleared away the most trash, and returned the most items to the lost and found won ... a whole candy bar.

Now you might think a candy bar isn't much of a reward.  But typically there isn't any candy at Pony Farm. A whole candy bar is a big deal in these parts.  In fact, the competition got pretty steep. Some campers took other team's trash and then were eventually disqualified because they continued to not listen to the rules when they were VERY CLEAR.  (Who knew trash could be so valuable? And that barn cleaning competition turns out to be a life skill, too!)

In the afternoon we played a horse trivia game with five teams of campers. The trivia topic was -- you guessed it -- horses!  (There might have been candy involved in this too!)

The horse trivia board: "I'll take Clydesdales for 500, Alex."

 Wednesday night we played Personal Scavenger Hunt, one of my favorite camp games. We divide the camp into teams.  Then, we ask a trivia question about the farm, horses, maybe pop culture, or the campers might have to sing or dance.  Each team sends one member up to slap the table to answer the question.  The first person to slap the table gets to answer.  We keep score and the team with the most points wins.  In good weather, we play on the back lawn, but it was too wet for that, so we played in the indoor arena. Not as pretty inside, but very dry!

Thursday, we swam with the horses and had lessons, and after dinner had another OAPF event -- Pony Farm's Next Top Model. Today your campers were busy with lessons, and packing, and working on the specialty they'll show you tomorrow.

We will be seeing you all really soon!

Best,

Becky
Co-Director, Pony Farm

PS Did you miss our amazing Session 5B campers taking the "ALS Ice Bucket Challenge"?


Friday, August 8, 2014

Pony Farm Session 5A - Eating Chocolate with Socks, and a Dog Worth 200 Points

Dear Camp Families,

If you've followed our daily schedule, you know that we played the Chocolate Game last night.  I often feel like a pit boss during this game.  It is a high energy, fast paced game, similar to what I imagine a casino environment is like.  But instead of dealers calling out, "Changing $100!" I have campers shouting for more chocolate bars!  Does this start to paint the picture for you?
The Chocolate Game moves so fast it's all a blur!

If you wanted to play the Chocolate Game at home, here's how you do it:

Materials:
  • A platter (to put the chocolate bars on)
  • 2 dice (or 3 dice to make the game harder)
  • A fork and a knife (use a spoon instead of a fork if you want to make it more interesting)
  • A pair of sock, preferable clean ones (Dirty ones could put an interesting spin on things.  We always use clean ones.)
  • Hersey's chocolate bars (freeze them to make the game harder.)
Directions:

Players take turns to roll the dice. The first player to roll doubles gets to put the socks on her hands, pick up the fork (or spoon) and the knife, and start cutting up the chocolate bar. She tries to eat as much as she can until the next camper gets doubles.  Then it is her turn to cut up and eat chocolate with socks on her hands. 

The game goes on until you cry for mercy, you run out of chocolate, or you have to roll the children away from the platters. (I envision a scene from  Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.)  At Pony Farm, we usually just run out of chocolate.

Gunner: find him & your
team earns 200 points.
But where did he keep
his ticket?
Last night we also played Counselor Quest, a Pony Farm specialty!  It's hide and seek with some twists.

All the counselors, including honorary counselor, Gunner the Black Lab, hide on the farm. Inside the barns and other buildings, and where there are animals, are off limits for hiding. One counselor always stays in the lodge for safety (no hiding!).

Each counselor carries a ticket with her point value on it. When a team of campers finds a counselor, she hands over her ticket. The game is over when a car horn honks obnoxiously for an extend period of time and everyone comes back to the lodge.  The team with the most points wins. 

Counselor Quest is a fun way for campers to learn their way around the farm. It is also really popular with counselors. Even counselors who have the evening off come in just to play. 

Emma the Great with Thunder;
maybe Thunder knows where
she hides during Counselor Quest.
Emma the Great, also known as Emma Milford, one of our long-time counselors, has never been found.  Just saying!

Today - Friday - we had lessons in the morning, afternoon activities, and then tonight we are going camping, having a ship wreck dinner, and playing personal scavenger hunt.

Never a dull moment here at camp!

Best,
Becky
Co-Camp Director (and Gunner's "Mom")

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Pony Farm Session 5A - What, Already?!

Dear Camp Families,

It has been a while since I have written.  I do apologize.  I can only make so many excuses for why I haven't written -- but here is my list!
  • Hanging out and getting to know your daughters! (Who are fabulous, by the way. Maybe you already knew that.)
    You know, just hanging out with Jordan
  • Helping out at our home horse show
  • Playing personal scavenger hunt
  • Playing the Chocolate Game
  • Holding community meetings with campers
  • Going swimming
  • Taking pictures of camp activities
  • Playing Counselor Quest (I always get found.  What's with that?)
  • Petting ponies, horses, dogs, goats, sheep, and the donkey
  • Talking to the chickens!

Oh and running a camp. I forgot to put that on my list.

In all seriousness, Session 5 has arrived. It's hard to believe it's come so quickly. Your daughters are a terrific group of girls!  Horse matching, the first order of business, went very well on Monday, with only 4 re-rides in the afternoon.

Heading back to the barn: the only drama is in that sky
 While re-rides happen, the rest of the campers play with small animals and take their swim test.  We have a jam-packed week coming up with a fashion show (the Pony Farm version, of course!), riding lessons, bag skits, Counselor Quest, the ice cream trough, swimming with the horses, carriage driving with Boo, and a whole lot more.

Guess what's the quickest path to a pony's heart?
 So, if you'll excuse me ...

Session 5A has an agenda!
 Best,

Becky
Co-Director, Pony Farm

PS: Speaking of the horse show, check out some photos on Facebook:





Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Pony Farm Session 4 Has Arrived!

Dear Camp Families,

AHHHHHH - Session 4 has arrived!  This is very exciting news for me, because session 4 is my favorite session.  I know I am not supposed to have favorites, but session 4 wins me over every time. 
 
Why? Well, mainly because by now, camp is operating like clockwork, and our already-great staff, counselors, and CITs are working together in tight-knit teams. It makes a camp director's heart very happy!
 
And if that weren't enough, session 4 also means it's time for our annual trip to Cheshire Fair! Not to mention swimming, riding (of course!), a trip to meet the Budweiser Clydesdales, the horseless horse show (OAPF), and on Saturday, a Touchstone Farm horse show -- with actual horses -- and so much more.

And this is just week 1!
I think I'm not the only one who loves session 4. On Sunday, I saw you all lining up early in your cars for drop-off. After we moved our truck and let you in, I saw campers running to greet one another!  
 
Waiting for camp to open for drop-off
Your girls are doing an amazing job of taking care of each other, the animals and the land.  There hasn't been a drop of homesickness, even the first night!  The campers were sitting and ready to go for our community meeting on Monday morning.  It was like I didn't even have to call it.

If you don't hear from me for a few days, it is because I am out playing at camp!
 
Time to play with Dunkin the donkey, Becky the mini-horse (no relation),
and the other small animals
 Session 4, I am so happy you are here!
 
Best,
Becky

Monday, July 14, 2014

OAPF - Battle of the Boy Bands

Dear Camp Families,

In my last post, I told you we are too busy having fun for me to write. Now I will try to make up a little by explaining another OAPF (Only at Pony Farm) activity.

You might have heard us mention Battle of the Boy Bands. While that's a weird phrase for an all girls riding camp, it is in fact a really fun game, which naturally we made up.

It goes like this ...

1.  We divide the camp into 6 teams based on campers' riding experience, so that each team has a variety of riding experience among teammates. 

2.  Each team comes up with a Boy Band name for their team.  This year's names are Green Day, Maroon 5, Plain White T's, Jackson 5,  NSYNC, and Backstreet Boys. (Sometimes "boy band" is a term we use loosely.)

3.  During their session, Boy Band teams can accrue points for about 10 different events.  These include Personal Scavenger Hunt, a Hunter Pace, Stable Management, Counselor Quest, Capture the Flag, Talent Show, Fashion Show, Gymkhana Games,and  Pony Farm's Next Top Model.

Session 3 Leaderboard for the Battle of the Boy Bands - NSYNC has the edge!


4. Each Boy Band team has a signature item that they wear during an eligible event in the competition. This might be a blue bandanna, a green shirt, a white shirt, a red ribbon tied in their hair, etc

5.  We host a final awards night - with a dance off!  Each Boy Band prepares a song (sung by their Boy Band) and dance for the award ceremony.  We award prizes!

Battle of the Boy Bands: a lot of fun, very silly, and - did I mention? - a lot of fun!

Best,

Becky

PS In case you're curious, Wikipedia defines "boy band" here. Strangely enough, the definition doesn't mention Pony Farm!

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Pony Farm Session 3 - A True Confession

Dear Camp Families,

True confession...I have been too busy having fun and hanging out with your wonderful children to write.  It is a rough life I lead, I know!

We have been busy and the weather has been amazing. (You really couldn't ask for better weather!)

We have been going on Trail Rides, Personal Scavenger Hunts, Catch Riding, Vaulting, Carriage Driving, Trips to the Falls and more.
Yup, another Shipwreck Dinner! (Remember that?)

The worm - during Personal Scavenger Hunt
(not sure I could explain this if I tried!)
And then there are horse friends and human friends, happy together!

Now do you understand why I haven't written?

Best,

Becky
Co-Camp Director

P.S. Maybe I haven't been writing, but I have been posting lots of photos on Facebook! You can check out the first batch here:


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Pony Farm Session 2 - We Have Momentum!

Dear Camp Families,

It is a warm day here in southern NH, and your girls are champs!  They did a beautiful job at our horse show on Saturday! All but two campers decided to show, and the two girls who did not kept busy helping their friends and cheering them on. We had many local riders showing with us well.
Boo expertly braiding Sophie's hair before Saturday's horse show

Ava & Ellie at the show
Sunday, we had fun sleeping in (no morning barn chores!), watching a movie, cleaning rooms and then hanging out at the pool.  We were surrounded by small animals, books, arts and crafts and friends.  The horses always have Sundays off.
Gruffy staying cool on his day off

Monday, we had lessons in the morning.  Choices for afternoon activities were Pair Jumping, Vaulting, Driving, Trail Ride, Swimming at the Falls, or Catch Riding.  The evening activity is Fashion Show, which is like no fashion show you've seen before (OAPF!).
All the ways we're having fun this week!

We have a busy week ahead of us, as you can see from our schedule!  We are camping overnight twice because everybody wants to go!  It is hard to take 28 campers camping at once, so we are going to take two separate trips!

Best,

Becky

Friday, June 27, 2014

Pony Farm Session 2 - Working for the Weekend

Dear Camp Parents,

We have been busy!

But first, I know that I left you hanging about Ship Wreck Dinner.  On a ship wreck dinner night, the campers don't get your typical spoons, forks, or knives.  Nopers!  They get ladles, funnels, serving spoons and tongs, and more outlandish implements.  We like to get creative!  Have you ever seen a camper eat mashed potatoes by sucking it with a funnel? Well, it is a hoot!

On Wednesday night, we played the Chocolate Game and Counselor Quest.  During the Chocolate Game, I always feel like a bit boss in a casino!  There are campers screaming with excitement, yelling for more chocolate bars, dice are being thrown, children are eating chocolate Hersey bars with spoons and socks on their hands, ... you know, typical camp stuff.  It is never a dull moment here!

We have been doing group riding lessons in the morning in anticipation of the show on Saturday morning.
Isa and Princess working on their technique

This week, painting jumps has been a popular choice on the afternoon activities list.
Painting jumps: It takes a village  summer camp.
This afternoon, we are washing ponies, cleaning tack, and polishing boots.  Tonight, we are having a cook out.  Boo is going to talk about show etiquette and possibly tell some "Boo stories." (O.A.P.F.!)

Cleaning Kiddo!
Cleaning tack in the upper barn
Cleaning boots on the porch
We hope to see some of you at the show. First classes are at 9:00. I know all of camp will be up bright and early.  It is a lot of work to get all the children and ponies ready to show!

Best,
Becky

Monday, June 23, 2014

Pony Farm Session 2 - Keeping Busy

Dear Camp Families,

Yay! We passed the swim test!
Session 2 of Pony Farm Summer Camp has started off with beautiful blue skies and amazing weather!  We haven't had a drop of homesickness, which is always nice.

After our trial rides this morning, we had 5 re-rides for the afternoon to make sure every girl is riding the best horse for her. 

During re-rides the rest of the camp take their swim tests and play with the small animals.  We stay pretty busy here at camp.  It is a little bit different than sitting at your desk at school.

Small animal parade
This evening we play bag skits.  It is a fun and funny game!  Each room of campers gets an empty bag and goes to their room and puts 10 items in the bag.  Then everybody comes back out, and we switch all the bags around.  The campers go back to their rooms to make up a skit using the items in the bag they were handed.

Everyone has a certain amount of time to make up their skit, and then it's showtime!  As I said, it is fun and funny - to pick the items in the bag, to figure out your skit, to see what another room did with your items.

Tomorrow night is shipwreck dinner. You just have to wait until next time to know how that one goes.

Best,

Becky
Co-Camp Director

3 out of 4 campers prefer this T-shirt.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Pony Farm Session 1 - Friday Already??



Dear Camp Families (Especially Session One Families!),

Thank you for entrusting your children to us! We have a had a wonderful session! Thank you for doing your job as parents, because you have terrific kids (for real, not for fake), and thank you for letting us as a camp do our job.

Terrific kids such as these three! (P.S. They clean up well.)
I am sad to see this group depart, but I am thankful  they are the way we started our summer.

I think your girls have learned a lot in this one week, and I hope you notice the changes as well.  Here are a few things that I think they will take away from camp this week.

Perseverance - when your counselors hid really well during counselor quest.  The group that stays together as a team, works as a team, and looks for the counselors until the horn blows will win.  The group whose members give up quickly because it is hard won't find the counselors.

Winning isn't everything. You won't always win every game and that's ok.  The important part is you tried your best.

Great things can come from putting down the cell phones, TVs,  iPods, laptops, iPads and everything in between.  Those great things are called nature, horses, sunshine, friends, and so much more!   

Driving lessons with Boo & George, AKA "learning how to fly with Peaches"
From my perspective, these girls have a lot more confidence in themselves.  I hope you notice these changes and more in your children when you take them home tomorrow.   For these reasons and more, camp is so important. 

Newest members of the Gruffy fan club!
All of us are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Your girls have worked hard at their riding lessons and their “specialty,” and they are so excited – WE are so excited – for you to see what they’ve accomplished.

Best,

Becky

Monday, June 16, 2014

Pony Farm Session 1 is Off to the Races!

Dear Pony Farm Camp Families,

Roxy was up bright and early
this morning too!
First, your girls are fabulous!  What a lovely, outgoing, polite group of kids!  There was no home sickness last night as everyone got ready for bed, a sure sign of a great session.  Naturally some of them had a hard time staying quiet until 7:30 this morning.  (But really, who can blame them? I would have a hard time, too!)

It is a gorgeous day here in southern NH.  The sun is out, and it is a little cool. But it's going to warm up in time for swim tests this afternoon. Jordan Reynolds, our Barn Manager, is also a certified life guard. She takes care of swim tests on the first day to make sure everyone can be safe in the pool -- and when swimming the horses, which happens later this week!

Meeting at the big red rock for barn chores
This morning the campers are working on barn chores, and then we will have breakfast.  After breakfast, the girls will get dressed to ride and clean their rooms.  Yes, you read that right. They clean their rooms here!  
We have too many moving parts not to try to stay organized, and that includes camper rooms.  I will tell you our secret to getting our campers to clean their rooms:  We have a competition for room clean up, and everyone in the cleanest room gets Connolly's ice cream.  (Some people may call this bribing, others might call it positive reinforcement.  I just call it smart.)

After they are dressed we will have a community meeting going over how the day will run!  Then we send them down to the barns to get tacked up and test out those ponies and horses!

Best,
Becky

PS Like Pony Farm on Facebook and check out lots more photos. We'll be posting through the week!

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Boo's Update

 [Editor's Note: As many of you know, Boo is recovering from injuries due to a fall last month. She's making great strides in her recovery, and emailed us this update.]

The sun is shining bright down here at the Rehab Center where I am getting all strong and ready for the Pony Farm Reunion weekend in June...and for Pony Farm's 43nd summer of camp...my favorite time of year....I am calling my physical therapy Boot Camp and applying every smile and muscle to get better and get back to the farm I LOVE...and you all!!!

I am soooooo sad to miss the Pony Farm Gathering in Natick tonight.  I shout out a thanks and a 'love you' to John and Anet for hosting this fun evening for us.

 I HOPE lots of you show up to celebrate the farm and our 'farm family'.  This was such a super evening last year that I am just so sad to miss it. I will be there in spirit and will be toasting you from afar.  Maybe you all could call me sometime during that night. It would be sooooooooooo fun to hear your voices and make missing it a little easier.  Do take a look at the website for address and details.  Here's to PF Strong!

My entire goal is to get back to the farm and fit & firm for the Pony Farm Reunion weekend (June 6-8). It is so fun seeing the attendee list building...I hope lots more of you join us for this fun weekend of "Grown Up Camp Fun"!!!! Be in touch with Kris and join us for a full weekend of farm, friendship and good cheer.

However, the thing I am long time most excited about it having camp get started. We have a super full camp with great horses and wonderful staff. We could be ready to open tomorrow. With the upgrades to the lodge and the new rings and fencing, the farm is in tip top shape.

One of the other exciting things is that we really worked hard this winter to create a full curriculum for each riding group. Andi and I divided up both the riding, horsemanship and stable management skills that we hope each level can achieve during each girls' stay with us.  We are just concluding with lesson plans, games, activities and obstacle or jumping courses to hone each mounted skill in  a fun, interesting and creative way.  We want to be known as a specialty riding camp that has top flight teaching staff and horses.  We are shooting to have each camper's riding instructor be delighted with the progress she has made when she goes home to her barn.

We have spent hours on this and we will be presenting the results on the Pony Farm pages on our website and on the Opening Day of camp for each session. We will also feature the proud results of each group's progress on the final riding exhibition demo for each session.  We want our parents to be thrilled with the riding and horse ability of their daughters.

So....with lots of time on my hands as I wait for the next therapy session, please email me (bmartin@touchstone-farm.org) and give me your news. I am hungry for news 'of the outside world.'  Hearing from people definitely keeps my spirits bright and happy.

With much fondness, good cheer and a big smile,

Boo

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Tuesdays with Boo

Mike & Ben are READY to get back to work.
I was so delighted to see everyone at the Open House for our spring lesson programs. Having everyone enjoying the farm and being together after this long, long winter, made my week. It is such a joy to stand at the barn door to greet old and new friends.

I don't need the ground hog to tell me that spring is on its way. Seeing all those bright and shining faces, eager to get on a horse, ushers in spring for me!

It has been many years since I have been this excited about the coming season and all the fantastic things that are happening at Touchstone, Pony Farm and Horse Power. We are truly 'on a roll' and 'on the move'. With such great staff, horses and the facility upgrades, it is a pleasure indeed to show people around.

Two weeks ago, we had a terrific group of folks who gathered to learn how to start their own programs for therapeutic riding. Being able to inspire them with what our team has accomplished over 42 years was moving indeed. How did I get so blessed to be surrounded by such a great team...and so much for look forward to in life.

I hope you are as energized as I am...and will come soon to visit to share the energy of the farm and the birth of springtime. Until then, stay well and know that the farm gates are always open for YOU!

With a hug and a big smile,

Boo

Tuesdays with Boo

We love our strong fences!
The sun is shining. The snow is leaving. Spring is here (on the calendar at least!). It is such a please to stay connected while we wait for spring weather and the return of YOU, our beloved lesson students of all ages, abilities and walks of life…and then YOU, our Pony Farmers and Day Campers this summer.

I truly don’t know when I have been more jazzed about the happenings at the farm. Between the beautiful horses, safely corralled by our new fencing, and the ring surfaces prepared especially for riding and driving fun, and our terrific staff, board and supporters, I feel so very blessed.

Someone asked me just yesterday to envision my dream job and life. I said, without a moment’s hesitation, that I already had both. My dreams have come true. I wake up every day to eagerly get back to making Touchstone, home of Pony Farm and Horse Power, thrive and bloom. Having you all as ‘farm family & friends’ sure makes the magic happen for me!!!

Ian on the AT
Alec on the slopes in CO
Speaking of magic, I had some at Disney World with Jamee and my two granddaughters…What a time we had, followed with a delightful trip down to the start of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia with son Ian who has begun his life’s adventure of a 2,000 plus hike to Maine, with its own blend of “Trail Magic”.

Then, to visit Ella in her glorious NYC Park Avenue apartment, living the exciting life in the Big Apple, only return home to see the pictures of Alec who has been out West skiing. Who could ask for anything better???

May magic be winging its way to you, bringing goodness and light into your life. Also, may the road lead you to the gates of Touchstone Farm. The Welcome mat is always out and magic is happening indeed!

Hugs,

Boo