Good Morning,
I hope you had a very nice weekend. Our weather is still ‘nice’ here in Kentucky and I am able to enjoy my time outside with my paddock friends each day. Well, I wanted to tell you about some of my other friends…back in California. This morning, Dottie was going over the update on how the “ZENYATTA LOUNGE for Women” is doing at Santa Anita. We wanted to share the progress with you.
Firstly, A BIG THANK YOU to all of the people who brought products and items to donate to the Lounge on Secretariat Award Day! These items are greatly appreciated…and the women are very thankful for your thoughtfulness.
Secondly, we are getting several different types of classes organized to help the ladies with various academic skills. Thus, as you can see in the photo above, we all have so many different things to learn in life. For us to do our best, we need to have people around us who care…and want to help us learn. In this photo, I am ‘schooling at the starting gate’. Because I was a BIG GIRL…the starting gate took quite some time for me to feel comfortable in it. I needed to learn these lessons and fortunately “the people around me took the time and patience to teach me the skills I needed to succeed.”
With the Lounge, we are trying to do the same thing….HELP PEOPLE TO LEARN things which will help to make their lives easier. We are now offering educational classes for the ladies. Sister Soledad is teaching the English Classes. We have 2 different levels offered: beginning English and then an intermediate type class. We also have an availability for some 1-1 in this area. Additionally, the Rosetta Stone Program is offered on the Lounge computer for extra practice. We are also fortunate to have Al, who does the computer tech work for Santa Anita, volunteer his time to teach COMPUTER SKILLS to the ladies. He comes out every 2 weeks and teaches a lesson….and then gives ‘homework’ and ‘follow-up’ activities for them to work on until the next lesson.
It is so special when people CARE and WANT TO HELP OTHERS. As I was fortunate to have people around we who worked to help me achieve….it is so gratifying to see others extend this helping hand. We are so fortunate!
The ZENYATTA LOUNGE also offers fun activities like BINGO (where we have pizza and sodas in addition to playing the games). The Ladies had a Valentine Exchange Get-together, and then there is the Once-A-Month…GIRLS NIGHT OUT to a restaurant. Here we celebrate the birthdays for the ladies for that month. Each birthday ‘girl’ is given a FACIAL as her gift!
Things are really moving along beautifully with the LOUNGE. It is so special to hear that these LADIES are really getting involved in LEARNING and TAKING SUCH AN INTEREST in doing all of these wonderful activities. Also, it is great to note, that they are sharing these activities with their friends….and HAVING FUN!
I am so PROUD of everyone who is helping, volunteering their time….and participating! I’d personally like to THANK EVERYONE who is striving to make the ZENYATTA LOUNGE for WOMEN a SUCCESS!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Jenna
Good for the girls! Zenyatta has brought so many people together…she’s an angel on earth.
I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend.
Be good, Zenyatta, and sleep tight.
Thank you, Dottie, for all that you are.
Nighty night. :)
Jenna
OMG
Rachel Alexandra was bred to Curlin today.
Zenyatta and Bernardini are meeting soon!
Tere Thomas
The Zenyatta Lounge is a wonderful gift and you made it possible due to your inspiring spirit Miss Z. You seem to bring out the best in everyone that becomes aware of you – you are a gift to all of us! Love you bunches!!
Julia B
Dottie and Zenny the ladies lounge sounds great- what an awesome gift to give back to these women…the gift of education, that is pricless for sure. So wonderful to have volunteers sharing their talents! That is what its all about! Thanks to all who are making the Lounge special!
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
What a precious pic of you Zenyatta, schooling in the gate. You were educated very well, as we all know. Nice to hear that your namesake lounge, The Zenyatta Lounge for the ladies is doing so well-all that is being provided is fantastic and it sounds like it is really a nice place.
Really enjoy coming here and reading your updates and keeping us informed of the goings on. Thankyou oh so very much! Take care sweetie!
Love & Blessings to you Zenyatta!
Megan
That is why the Zenyatta lounge is named after you Z.A constant reminder of you & all you represent.You are a winner,you are an achiever,you are intelligent,you are fun & you are beautiful.It must be truly wonderful for you to have this lounge contributing so many positive & needed avenues for the women who work behind the scenes.Not to mention the fun they are having.This is great news.If you didn’t exist Zenyatta then I’m quite sure the lounge wouldn’t either.So you are truly a blessing,I know to watch & follow you has been one for me.
KIMBERLY
Hi Z, You and Team Z are amazing. Always thinking of others… And thanks Dottie for the daily updates.. You are truly special. Queen, you are too cute as a baby!!
Kathy
Love how you keep giving and giving!
Dani
I’m so glad to hear what a success the Secretariat Day presentation at Santa Anita was for the Zenyatta Lounge and that so many contributed to make it a success. I want to personally thank ‘J Smith’ who spear-headed a drive in two Diary entries to have people who post here on the site help with contributions of many different items that might be needed by the ladies. She had a nice response from several of you who donated both from the Santa Anita area, as well as people who mailed packages to the ladies. Like one person here said – it feels good to give. Reading this post has to be a very feel good moment for them.
.
So I was speaking with a friend about today’s diary posting and she said it might be nice to suggest to people, in the spirit of Zenyatta’s post today regarding helping others better themselves, why not look online for a women’s shelters/organization in their communities, give them a call and ask what their needs are, books, stationary, toiletries, etc. Then, email their friends, let them know what they are doing, collect the items, and drop off in the name of Zenyatta. They could even print today’s diary page to let people know where the inspiration came from. We both agreed it would be great to get people involved in their own communities and spread the love of Zenyatta around the country as the Mosses have done. And it’s easy enough to google your zip code and find these shelters. (As a suggestion, it might be a good idea to let them know you are putting things together to deliver sooner rather than later so people don’t keep putting it off). As Dottie has let us know how wonderful things have gone with the Lounge there, people could email in their stories about the shelters they donated to – there might be some really nice stories to share with us and it might inspire others to follow suit. In any case, following by the example of Mr. and Mrs. Moss and Dottie and John, we can make the same kind of difference that they do in other people’s lives. And that is a feeling that is good for the heart and the soul. I hope you will consider this.
Julie DuVall
Can you please a list of what the ladies need for the Zenyatta Lounge again, and where we can take things? I work for a high school and we *might* have some older ESL textbooks that we can’t sell back to the textbook dealers. I will check!
Paula Higgins
What a wonderful thing for you to do for these ladies. Learning English will help them in many areas of their lives. You are right, we never stop learning and it doesn’t matter what age you are. Frankly, I need to get a Rosetta Stone for Spanish. Quite a few of our patients only speak Spanish. I wonder if Zenny understood Spanish as well? I bet she did.
Shirley Nolan Al-mlaiti
Wow you were a big beauitful girl at a mear 2 years old in the starting gate You learned alot and it helped make you the Queen Zenyatta you are today …Love the picture, thank you for sharing it with us..LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU
nina
The Zenyatta lounge sounds like a great idea. I bet the ladies of the backstretch are very thankful.It should be extended to all the tracks in this country. Congratulations to all involved including the great Z.
Sunny Boyd
Good Evening Zenyatta,
you look like your looking at Hootie for confidence in the picture. If the Hooter fits so will I, huh. Oh, I’m certain that the making of a bonafide genuine high-caliber racehorse is no happenstance, but hard work, diligence, tenacity, patience, good will, whole lotta love for horses/humans.
I’m kinda at a loss here, why do the ladies of the Zenyatta Lounge need all this help, are they runaways, homeless? What is their story, why are they in this predictament?
The Zee-strut makes big strides :) :) :)
Well, ya gorgeous, have a swell night and sweet dreams… wheehee
Thanks for the new up-date, always happy to hear from you, uhuh.
Barbara Wood
Wow, Z– I just love the picture of YOU in the starting gate. I love even more the fact that you appear engaged with the horse next to you. We could almost imagine what you were saying to each other! You are adorable in whatever you do, and yes, I would vote you in as President in a heartbeat!
The Z Lounge sounds like a great success.
@JSmith–thank you for all your hard work, as well as those who helped.
@Dani–great idea. There are no limits to what the “Z Phenomenon” can accomplish. As I’ve said before, “if we all work together”…
Good night, big girl. Love you always.
Barb G
Dear Z: you have taught me more about horse racing than being at the track! I just cannot wait until they make that fabulous documentary on your life that will include all these fascinating facts about how you had to learn to be on the track, in the starting gate, taking a bath, being shoed–All of us will buy a copy instantly. Meanwhile, I am very happy to know of the good works you are doing for the women in Santa Anita…giving with a sincere heart makes us feel so good!
Love to you, Z!
Barbara from NJ
Barbara Wood
I forgot to mention–at the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs, there is a replica of a starting gate that people can walk through. It is VERY narrow. It is amazing to me that any horse (especially one who is claustrophobic) would ever enter one, much less be closed up in it.
Sunny Boyd
PS:
an encouraging teacher/situation makes all the difference for students, no matter the age. I credit Ms. Oriet, my comp teacher for giving me/us( an adult class) the confidence to finish the da… class. Most of us were so scared of the computer, one wrong keystroke and you kill the thing. But she was okay, she never let up, but never came down us. Armed Forces wife & great teacher. :) :)
Susan
What great activities to better the situation of others. Your legacy just does not stop. Thanks to Team Zenyatta for doing the right thing and can’t wait to see the changes.
Love you Z
BTW: Saw that Rachael had her date with Curlin.Hope you are thinking marriage too.
Pamela J Hebert
Zenny – How wonderful you & your Team Z are, you have all contributed so much to so many horses & people, making all the endeavors you have taken on such a success. The Zenyatta Lounge- what amazing things you have done for the ladies of the Lounge. You are ALL AMAZING!!! Everything that has led up to the present is so touching. I am so thankful that I can be a small part of the world that you are in my lifetime. How uplifting it is in today’s world to smile & even cry some days while reading your posts Z. They help me during the latter part of my day Z. God bless you Zenny because soon you will enter a new chapter in your life. Thank you again Dottie
Holly Zemba
I love the Zenyatta lounge for woman and love everything you do for woman.
Cate
Hi Z ! This pic is amazing…thanks for sharing. To look at you learning how to get into the gate which you did so well and go on to achieve what you did ! I love your TEAM ! I am a couple of classes away from nursing school. It’s new to me but I decided on a change in carrers with the recession. When I get done, I can help out with hopefully retired racehorses and disabled kids. That can be my way of giving back too. I would be in a better spot in life to do this then. But in the meantime, there is a lot we can all do to help one another !
Cathy P
Hi Zenyatta, it’s so nice to hear that the Zenyatta Lounge is doing so well. Also glad to hear that the weather is sunny there. Hope you had a great weekend I did, it was me and my dads birthday yesterday, it’s so nice to spend it with him. He is 82 years old and I love to spend our special day together, just wonderful:) Enjoy your night and have a great day tomorrow. Lots of Love and Big Hugs.
Sharon in Seattle
It seems that we’re witnessing just the beginning of the Zenyatta legacy. It’s exciting to know what’s happening at the SA Zenyatta Lounge. I’m sure there will continue to be many events inspired by the Queen!! Que viva la reina, Zenyatta!
S
Looking forward to Hearing about your meeting with Bernardini!
Kitei
Zenyatta, you are such a brave girl to be able to learn to tolerate standing in such a strange looking contraption!
But you always make the hard things look so easy, you should be THE poster girl for positive thinking!
Everyone you touch just gets inspired!
I hope the next phase of your life is all good, too! ❤
S
Hi Zenyatta! My only friend! 8)
OraJean Stevenson
Queen-Z & Team-Z,
It was wonderful reading about the Zenyatta Lounge Women’s Ptojects in California, for the women who work on the backstretch. Hopefully this idea will spread to all racetracks. You are an inspiration to the whole racing industry!! God bless and keep you all.
Fondly, OraJean
ira
It’s fun to look at pictures from when you were a “kid”.
Maryyette
Hi cutie!