A Most Fortunate Event

Claire and her friend Nina were thoroughly delighted to sneak up

on Lemony Snicket as he signed books this evening...

A Day In the Hay (By the Bay)

James took Claire and Jack today to the second annual Blackie’s Hay Day, a fund raiser for the children’s library at our local (wonderful) public library. This kind of event is one of the reasons I’ve come to really appreciate the small town where we live, because it’s all about the kids. Pony rides, relay races, food and entertainment -- loads of fun in the field just below our house known as Blackie’s Pasture.

Blackie was a cavalry and rodeo horse who retired when he was 12 years old and then lived for 28 years in the pasture that bears his name. He was (and still is) a neighborhood icon and anyone who grew up here will tell you stories about feeding the old swaybacked horse carrots and sugar cubes. Nowadays, you can see the life-sized bronze statue of Blackie standing in his favorite spot, not far from where the real horse lies buried.

Some locals who remember when Blackie was still alive wrote a wonderful rhyming book called Blackie, the Horse Who Stood Still. (see http://www.blackiethehorse.com/book.htm) This is one of Claire’s favorite stories, and it’s such a pleasure to tie in the history of the place we call home. Even if you’re not from around here, it’s a delightful read for any age. And any time you want to be personally introduced, just come on down!