Good Morning,
It is another lovely day here in Lexington. I know it is pretty in Del Mar with very comfortable weather in the low 70’s. MY JOHN and Dottie went to Arcadia on Monday to spend time with the horses John currently has stabled at Santa Anita. They commented it was really very pleasant for this time of the year…in the low to mid 80’s.
I’ve heard the East Coast has been much more ‘comfortable’ the last few days and they’ve had a bit of rain. Several of the turf races at Saratoga yesterday were taken ‘off the turf’ as the course was listed as ‘soft’ from the earlier rains.
Weather is such an interesting thing to contemplate. I must say that I do like it a bit on the ‘cool’ side. I know MY JOHN always commented that is one thing we horses enjoyed so much when going to Del Mar. You can actually ‘feel the ocean breezes in the air’. This type of environment really ‘perks you up’.
A resulting part of weather that is truly so fascinating to me is a RAINBOW!
“A rainbow is technically an optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the SUN shines on to droplets of moisture in the Earth’s atmosphere. It takes on a multicolored arc. Rainbows caused by sunlight always appear in the section of the sky directly opposite the sun.” **
On this morning, I think I saw MY OWN RAINBOW in the water that was dancing around my hooves. I found it rather interesting to observe. As you may know, I am a very inquisitive horse so I kept studying the different swirls and paths of the water as they circled around my hooves.
The cool water felt terrific…and the RAINBOW image that appeared was fun and curious to observe. Dottie was commenting to ME that to many people seeing a rainbow image means so many different things. She happens to believe they are LUCKY. Throughout the ages, rainbows and various references to them have been a part of art, literature, music and film. To so many people, RAINBOWS have been defined in various ways.
On this morning, it was a joy to observe and examine my own ‘little rainbow’ prancing around in the water by my hooves. To ME, it is just another illustration of how much joy one can have when taking a moment to truly appreciate the simple…yet oh so beautiful…things in life!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
**Per Wikipedia
judy berube
Dear Judy Sims:
Thank you for the link on Sargent Reckless. Hugs, J.B.
Barbara Grimaldi
KARI: I’m not here as often as I would like, and since I arrived here a few months back, I have always been thrilled by your videos. New as I am, I noticed your absence. Now I know and understand, and I want to say to you with total sincerity that you are definitely loved by me and all the other dumplings here. I admire your courage, I believe in you, I send you love and hugs and–why not–healing rainbows. I haven’t met ONE dumpling in person yet, although I speak with many via email, yet it’s like I know them, they are down the block and I’m going to have coffee with them everyday. Kari, even though we haven’t met in person, just know that I’d love to have you over for coffee, that WE’d love to have you over for coffee, that you are in our hearts and that we love you. Maybe it’s silly to say to a person who’s so many miles away “I’m here for you”, but I truly am. God bless you every minute of every day.
judy berube
Dear Dawn Conrad:
Good to see you back posting. Hugs, J.B.
Terry Crow
@Dawn Conrad-Agree completely on Riva Ridge. The Secretariat movie kind of gives short shrift to Riva Ridge; however, if you read between the lines of other sources it was the success of Riva Ridge that enabled Ms. Chenery to keep The Meadow running.
Ollie
You transcend My Queen, rainbows dancing
around your hooves….so awesome!!!!
XOXOXOXO always.
barbara
zenny and dottie, thank you once again for reminding us how beautiful simple things in life can be. we need to remember to enjoy them all. too many things are taken for granted.
love you both!
Lucie Jasuta
When you were conceived God was thinking perfection because you are the most beautiful perfect horse I have ever seen in my life. I wish the same for your foal!! :)
Max
@judy berube. I hope that Uncle Mike’s wish comes true that the cousins Mo and Thirsty are winners in the KB and the Travers. I would really like to see Thirsty follow in Bernardini’s hoof prints in the Travers.
Very sorry to hear about Overdriven and especially Giant Surprise.
I checked out the website for Reckless. She liked scrambled eggs and drinking beer with her marines. What a great little horse that she was. Heroines clearly come in all sizes.
HappyHarriet
Dear Queen Zenyatta & the Royal Baby –
.
You bring to mind that it is the simplest of life’s experiences that can be most profound, like playing with a rainbow during a soothing bath. Your cooled down, sudsy self shines in the bright Kentucky daylight, looking healthy with your Big Momma glow!
.
Thanks to everyone for links and new info. A special thanks to those who understand the difference between a post and a tome.
.
Ensign – where are you? You are living proof that wisdom comes in small, short, contained, pertinent offerings. I love self-restraint, as practiced by Mikey and the Queen during all their racing days. Proper energy, carefully channeled, is a thing of beauty.
.
Thank you, Professor Dottie, for our Equine Studies carefully mixed with lovely life lessons.
.
Horsey Hugs to All ~~HH
Abigail from Montreal
Hi big girl! Wow! It took me almost 90 minutes to read through your last diary and this one. I haven’t meant to be “distant.” It’s just that I’ve been writing my new article on for THE VAULT and it’s been pesky to get to where I wanted it to be. Finally, 7 + days later, it all came together. WHEW!!!!
I just loved the photo of you dancing, sweetie, because it says how content you are and how happy within yourself you feel. But today’s rainbow really took the cake! Such a beautiful photo, inspiring thoughts and adorable story….there you are, studying the shades and colours and patterns around your feet. Such a gift, to be that attuned to life! We can all learn so much from the way you come into each new day and from Dottie’s wisdom. And thank you so much, Sarah, for the wonderful photos. Every time I come here, I always feel that the message you share is just for me. That’s SUCH a special gift, to be able to reach out and touch someone the way you, Dottie and Sarah do.
We are all feeling very sad here in Canada. Jack Layton, the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) and of the official opposition federally died Monday after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 61. Before he died, Jack wrote a letter to Canadians young & old, partisan or not, sick or healthy and it was read on the news Monday night. Here is how he concluded his letter and I want to dedicate it especially to our friend, Kari, who has brought us all so much joy, while sharing it with all of you:
” My friends,
Love is better than anger.
Hope is better than fear.
Optimism is better than despair.
So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic —
And we’ll change the world.”
I believe in the power of LOVE. I believe it is the strongest force in nature and in our world.
I send you the power of that love, Kari. I can’t wait to see the video you do for Zenny’s baby’s birth-day!
Abigail from Montreal
New article on THE VAULT is about Will Harbut and Man O’ War.
ENJOY!
http://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/a-living-flame-will-harbut-and-man-owar/
Barbara Wood
To all: Just heard on the CBS evening news that the mounted pokice in Washington, D.C. reported that their horses became very antsy about 5 minutes before the earthquake hit. Just another confirmation of what we all know –that horses are smart…and intuitive. These horses have to be pretty bomb-proof, so they knew what they were feeling!
@judy berube–thanks for the race report and update on Lentenor.
Fern Gordon
Dear Queen Z,
I will be making my first visit to Lexington the first week in October and wrote to ask the folks at Lane’s End if I could see you in person. They said no one can visit with the mares, not even from a distance. What a disappointment. They did say I could see the stallions if I could come on a Thursday morning. As luck would have it, I will be returning to California on Thursday. Sometimes things just don’t work out the way one hopes. Anyway, I will be going to Del Mar which is where I saw you win no. 18 last year. I will never forget it. Much love to you always. Fern
Karen
Beautiful Zenyatta, you bring rainbows to my life and I am sure to so many. You are a blessing. I love you.
Susan in TN
@Judy B and Kathleen Kimber: Well, Beth told me to change the security setting on Chester and Friends Facebook page, so I did and hope it will allow anyone to view!
@Kari B: I can’t even believe it- Pat Summitt??? This sure seems to have come upon her quickly, doesn’t it? At least publicly, she seemed fine during play-offs. I hate that for her.
I haven’t looked back at the last diary post yet, so if I didn’t respond to something you said back to me, Kari, that’s why!
@Jake in TN: Welcome to Z’s wonderful world to a fellow Tennessean! And with one of Zenyatta’s shoes, no less!
@Trina N: What a lovely poem!
@Arlene: A belated happy birthday!
@Dawn Conrad: I’m enjoying your trip!
@Terry Crow: Johnny Unitas-wow! And the first Superbowl-how fun! Jerry Kramer of the Packers wrote a book that I read MANY years ago that was very entertaining. Can’t think of the title but it was good.
@Judy B: Meant to say Beth and Lou are doing well-thanks!
@Sharon in Seattle: Prayers and warm wishes being sent your way <3
@DJ: RE: the menu-YUM!
Need to go but will continue later-
Brenda S..
@ Terry C – Loved your thoughts about the Superbowl. I always like to taunt my friend especially when he asks me how the weather is in Cleveland. However, I could end up in trouble with my daughter who is a totally rabid Packers fan in spite of the fact that her husband is equally fervent about NE. Could be some domestic issues on the horizon in the future!! Thanks for the tip about the first Super Bowl – I may not win though – HE puts together a lot of the questions for the school’s fundraising Trivia Night but if I beat him he would be obliged to use my question for the next Trivia Night.
Denise in AZ
@Lisa G– goats are named Peyton and Eli (yes after the Mannings..) They are a riot, but think they are dogs or people…
Debbie G
@Kari Bussell – I enjoyed your video on yesterday’s post, even though I am a die-hard Kentucky fan. (Do you guys have any idea how much that “Rocky Top” song drives us crazy?) I am praying for both you and Pat Summit, Kari.
@Susan in TN – I visited Chester and Friends on FB yesterday. They are too cute!
@Terry Crow – Thanks for the joke. Another great one!
The Kennedys in San Diego
Looking at the beautiful photos of Zenyatta being bathed reminds us of another Mario gem. When we asked what it was like to bathe her, he replied, “Different from other horses — it’s like washing a semi (semitrailer). Takes much longer than other horses.”
Debbie G
@Abigail in Montreal – Thank you so much for the link to the Will Harbut story. I got teary-eyed reading it. That’s such a touching story. I work with Mr. Harbut’s great-granddaughter. She never knew him, but she said her grandmother told her some great stories about him.
Brenda S..
@ Abigail, Thank you so much for posting Jack Layton’s words to all Canadians, they resonate for everyone. I wish that I could be in Toronto on Saturday for his State Funeral which I prefer to see as a joyful tribute to a very caring man. Am now going to The Vault to read your latest masterpiece.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Zenyatta, you are such a sweet and adorable horse! You truly are a rainbow! I love you so much!
Nancy
Zenyatta, you are all that is good. My husband had a pacemaker put in him today and all is good. I wish he had you at the end of the rainbow to lick his face for healing powers!
Your gal pal, Nancy
Janet Cutting
Well, again I have to say,”LOVE THE PICTURES” Zenny, you just look outstanding!! Those fellows are giving you — The Royal Treatment. What a life!!! You and Little Z take care.
Abigail from Montreal
@ Debbie G — You work with Will’s great granddaughter???*** That is SO EXCITING!!! I would love to hear these stories. The article I just wrote took 5 years to research because there’s still not much about Will, or Will & Man O’ War, out there. Do you think I could email her? Would you be good enough to ask her for me?
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: A rainbow, Zenny! That is wonderful. A little blessing right there at your feet. I am glad you took the time to notice it. So often blessings come our way and we are so busy we didn’t take the time to notice or appreciate their beauty.
@Maureen B: Hi Maureen – I am so glad you read my post. That was my first trip to Saratoga. It was such a great race. I still have the newspaper articles from that race. I had a great time. I am a big fan of Larry Jones too. I am so glad he’s back. I was at the Preakness and the next thing I knew I saw this cowboy hat I said Oh, my gosh, that’s Larry Jones. I couldn’t believe it. I also couldn’t believe I got tickets for the Travers. They are hard to come by. I have an extra ticket, so if you want to go let me know.
Brenda S..
@ Nancy – Your husband is going to be just fine Nancy. I had a pacemaker six years ago,see the Dr. every six months and saw him just last week. I’m “good to go” for another three years and the heart and gadget are both working just fine. Your hubby will be good as new Nancy.
@ Abigail – Another masterpiece!!
Debbie G
@Abigail from Montreal – I’ll be happy to talk to her. I’m off work tomorrow, but I’ll talk to her Thursday.
Signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
TOO CUTE. You and the rainbow around your
Hooves; sounds like a song. You are definately
With foal, hope those delicate TB legs are very
Strong. Nothing more beautiful than a pregnant mare
Other than a mare with a foal at her side. Can’t
Wait; gorgeous. Hope you had a restful healthy day;
I know you are staying cool.
XXXXOOO
Signofthetimes
@Dawn C
Thanks for sharing your trips in such wonderful
Detail. Love the info about AP Indy. Glad he is getting
Lots of love. So amazing to be close to both Slew
And Secretariate.