You want Me to do What?

Have you ever been asked to perform a job you felt was far beyond your ability or know how?

If so, you might relate to the way I felt when my boss asked if I would clean up the three Civil War saddles in our Stonewall Jackson Museum.

A cold shiver passed through me. Museum saddles from the Civil War? I have never even dared to touch one in that beautiful museum, never-mind the thought of cleaning one!

Certainly working ten years as a docent did not qualify me for this task. However, I am a horsewoman. I have cleaned my own tack hundreds of times over the years and been inside many harness shops talking to and learning from the men. But, as they say, “That’s a horse of a different color!” My tack is not on display nor full of historic value.

“You know about saddles, Mitzy. They need attention.” Her confidence surely was greater than mine.

May I tell you how my mind started churning? Like the little gizmo on the computer when it is ‘thinking’, so turned my mind. What do they need? Do I have the proper supplies? How can I be sure I won’t damage them?

The tote bag was full of every leather cleaning product I own along with several white cotton cloths. Some for clearing away dust, others for oiling. As I mounted the stairs to the second floor where the saddles were on display, past conversations with harness/leather men over the years flooded my mind.

There they were, beautifully displayed in this fine museum. Setting the supplies down, I gazed at these wonderful pieces of American history. Plaques on each display told their story.

After examining them, I decided the best thing was Neatsfoot oil. Like my hands in winter the leather was dry and cracked. Obviously soap cleaning was out of the question. These saddles needed oil. Some areas were dry-rotted. This means it is beyond repair.

I began with the one that appeared in best shape. It was Turner Ashby’s saddle.

Did you read that last sentence? Only known example of this type in existence?
Turner Ashby’s saddle. It is beautiful.

Gently, gently did I apply oil and wiped softly with the cotton cloth on the leather in the seat. The response was an answer to prayer. The leather took it beautifully! A peek on the underneath revealed mold. Mold on leather is like rust on a car—deadly. My boss held the saddle up so I could apply oil and remove the mold. Another score!

Feeling a bit more confident, I started on the other two. To my great joy and delight they responded as well.

I do not know how long I was there so full of careful thoughts towards the care of these historic pieces. I do know I can thank the memory of conversations with those smart harness men that knew far more than I. It was as if I could hear them speaking to me, guiding my thoughts and hands.

The owner of this amazing saddle.
Bradley Johnson had to have been very proud of this saddle.
This is on the pommel. Gorgeous!

I saved the worse-worn saddle for last. It was pretty well dry-rotted, however, it did respond to the Neatsfoot oil.

The provenance of this one.
See the star on the pommel? Lovely!

Here is a photo of each one after oiling. Are you able to see a difference?

I oiled all of it, leather, wooden tree and metal.
Looks better.
This one was in the worse shape, but still looks better.

If ever in town, take time to visit Stonewall Jackson Museum. You will be glad you did.

Pond Living

Have you ever watched and listened to life around a pond? It has life, stories and sounds all its own. It is far different from a lake. As different as the city mouse is from the country mouse.

Our farm, we purchased nearly 10 years ago, has a grand little pond on it. One of its best features is that it is fully visible from the back of our house. I watch it daily from our big kitchen window. In summer both east and west porches reveal its wonderful, special sounds as well as lovely view.

Scarcely 8-9 feet deep, nothing big can float on it nor live in it. Yet it has its own wonderful ecosystem as well as giving us loads of big fun.

Our little farm pond has given us big fun.
Happy catch!

We have had little boats on it, fished from its banks, watched snapping turtles, painted turtles, dug up crawdads, listened to happy bull frogs in summer, bird watched, and even had a supper provided to us from it.

Birding is great fun around it.

But the most fun it offers is ice. We have ice skated on it only once. We mostly scoot around on it in our farm boots.

Mostly we scoot around in our farm boots.

Our grandsons are enthusiastic fisherman. Fishing year-round, brings many hours of excitement for them. They do not care the fish are small. This great joy has been taught to them by their dad (who always has a fishing pole ready).

They happily invite me to join them, which I always do. I watch while they do everything. My only job is snapping photographs.

Reflections of two happy fishermen.

Ice fishing is especially fun. Partly because it does not happen often and because it is WAY fun to ‘walk on water!’

This past weekend provided such a time. Our grandsons are just like their dad. They would rather fish (and hunt for that matter) than eat. So, directly after a “have to eat” breakfast they make a mad dash for the pond all the while gulping down their final mouthful of food.

Ice fishing is especially fun.

The ice is amazing. Clear, glass-like, smooth as butter. A pebble would slide across from shore to shore.

Waiting patiently for a bite.

We stay on the tree-shaded colder side as there has been a bit warmer weather recently. The ice on the shaded side is thick and trustworthy.

As a precaution however, the rope is for emergency.

My grandson fusses at himself for bringing the incorrect pole this time. He told me ice poles are much shorter, but this was the only one he could grab quickly enough on the way here and that sure was not going to stop his plans.

My hand ‘froze’ as I watched the boys pick ice out of the hole with their hand.

But it paid off! The boys caught a few fish!

Always a thrill!
The boys call them Green Ears or Red Ears.

I can feel the cold finally creeping up through my farm boots. Time for this granny photographer to head to the house.

‘But wait’, Honey-Pie says!

Where did dat fish go?

Ice fishing is fun. Have you ever gone?

A Question for You

So I suppose this does not qualify as a ‘blog post’, nonetheless I thought it would be fun to ask you, gentle reader, this question.

Do any of you own or have been given a monogrammed item of any sort? It seems so out of fashion these days. My mother was the only one to ever give an initialed item to me.

When I ordered a monogrammed tote bag for our daughter for her birthday this year, I had her initials put on it. It was a surprise to arrive in the mail for her.

Boy! Was she tickled pink upon receiving it. She has never had anything monogrammed before. It made me wonder, does anyone do this anymore? Obviously I never had!

I grew up with glasses and towels engraved. Did you? They seemed so special. Think it’s time to order some monogrammed glasses for my home! How about you?

Our hippy daughter loved her monogrammed tote bag from LLBean! I choose green because that is her husband’s favorite color! Oh the fun of it!

Valentine Fun

My husband is a coffee snob. It must be strong and freshly brewed. And triple shots! Oh my! I could not pass up this ‘Morning Coffee Cat’ I found at a local store in Harrisonburg this past week-end.

I couldn’t wait for Valentine’s Day to give it to him. He stands in our coffee station!

Good morning coffee lovers!

He makes me smile. Does he you?

Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️