Monday Creek Publishing Digest: Ohio Author Celeste Parsons

 

September 2024

Featured Author & Illustrator

Celeste Parsons

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

STUFF and NONSENSE

Riding & Writing Interview

Available in Hardcover

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com 

Milliron Monday: The Journals July - September 1969

 

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith.

A continuation of Jody’s Journals. Summary: Fritz and Carolyn Bookman attend movies with Pete and Jody, Fritz is their farrier; Friendly Town is a highlight at Milliron farm; frequent swimming at Windy Hills; TV airing of Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon.

The Journals

July - September 1969

 

JULY

·        Rode Starboy bareback down to get mail, check electric fence

·        Left German Shepherd, Natural Method of Dog Training with the Father > Pat, John, slept in sleeping bag on porch > Mom and Dad here

·        Jim arrived, went on calls with Pete

·        Looked at new stove at Sears with Daddy

·        Alma Ann’s, Marshall’s birthdays > Dave, Jim, went on calls with Pete > fried chicken > 12 noon picnic, McDougal Episcopal Church [July 4^th] > Rode with Dave Evans, Gigolo; Jim, Pepsi; Pete, J, P

·        Went after Eddie > worked on bookshelves, took vet books to hospital > Daddy took J, P, swimming > took rug, couch, chair to Keirns > Sunday Church Good Shepherd, had dinner in “dinning room” and 2 card tables > Pete, Dad, J, P, swam at Windy Hills

·        Mailed blood samples > new stove delivered

·        Stove installed > kept John, Angela, Denver > mailed blood sample > took magazines to County Home > Dinner at Frisch’s > took cloths out to Becky

·        Jessica’s birthday > put Pete’s roll top, bookcases, etc., in study > dinner, Logan

·        Dinner at Ronnie Scott’s for Dale Scott, McDougal Church > Dinner, Blossers > Makwista’s here, returned skunk book > Went to drive-in, saw “Gone With the Wind”, home 2:30 am!

·        John, Angela here

·        Rose cleaned my house > John, Angela here part of day > washed goats, dogs in My Cadex > swam at Windy Hills

·        Rose began working in office > Sassy lacerated udder, Pete sewed her up

·        9:30, 10:15 Head Start Groups, put 2 rabbits in undivided hutch > picked up glass for sideboard

·        Took 4 kittens to Jeffers > Sunday church

·        Watched Neil Armstrong land on moon! > J, P, picked blackberries > 8 pm Friendly Town Christ Lutheran, 68 Mill Street

·        Sherry shod horses > Mom, Jessie here, brought chairs, tables > took J, P to see movie > Pete to Oak Hill

·        Cleaned up carts, harness > rode to Keirns, Johnny, Angela, J, P, Annie (Gigolo), Gill (Cricket); Silver, Starboy, cart > registered to vote

·        Put up more netting to keep goats out of alleyway

·        J. P., Annie Alden, Gill Whalen, rode up H.R., down lane by Eddy’s, thru Phillips, up oil well trail from Dutch Creek to Scatter Ridge, out gravel lane around trails to dam, around part of bridle trails, back thru Phillips place

·        Dr. Akers, Schultheiss, Kneipper– Marietta

·        Abbott’s birthday > 10 am swimming lessons begin > met Dorothy, Trudy, Bobby Glass > Mr. Swaim and son here > Pat, John overnight; Jessica, Angela at Hansons

·        Picked up reins at Hunters’

·        Shopped for gift for Annie > sanded, began painting horse, pony carts > farewell BBQ for Annie Alden

·        Dogs rabies vaccinations > to Columbus, Friendly Town, Sharon Sturbois drove, picked up Charlie Johnson, Robin McCoy, lunch in Lancaster (Dorothy G. too children to Mrs. Bill Henson, brought them here) > finished painting carts

 

AUGUST

·        To Sugar Creek, groceries > cart ride up McDougal, etc., J, P, Charlie, Mike, Gill, Annie > Swam at night, Windy Hills

·        Sunday Church McDougal Homecoming, took cake, deviled eggs, fried chicken

·        Dogs received 3 year rabies shots, Shane 0124 > took children to Dow Lake for swimming, picnic lunch

·        Lunch, BBF; children’s library, rode in elevator > picked up trailer > washed ponies, cleaned harness

·        Athens County Fair, 8 pm horse show, Jessica led Becky Theiss, lead-in; Jessica Western Pleasure; Pat walk, trot

·        Bill, Mrs. Hanson picked up Angela, John > went to Old Man’s Cave, Waterloo, took J, P, Charlie to see Fair fireworks, midway

·        Sherry Indestadt birthday > returned trailer, watched part of 4-H horse show > gave Friendly Town children and families “tour”, cart and pony rides, horse rides

·        Last swimming lesson, rained, Hanson’s drove > photographer here for Charlie > end of Columbus Friendly Town visit

·        Sunday Church Good Shepherd > lunch, Lancaster steak house, dropped Charlie off, went to Mansfield/cabin, Gary, and Aggie’s, left Pat, brought Tina

·        Barn duck hatching babies > rode Starboy, J rode Silver, Tina rode Angel > swam at Windy Hills, Mrs. Connor answered phone

·        Answered phone, Joan ill > brought ducklings (13) down to yard > rode Starboy, Tina rode Angel, J. rode Silver up thru hay meadow, saw skunk in cliff pasture

·        Drove Starboy, J. drove Silver, picnic lunch, hitched up, drove Angel for 1^st time > swam at Dow Lake

·        1 PM Quarter Horse Roses, Meigs County Fair, took J and Tina

·        1:30 House of Glamor, met Mom and Dad, picked up Dad at Pontiac garage, dinner BBF > 8:30 play “Stop the World”

·        Meigs County Fair > John, Margaret Adams 1^st Anniversary > Izors here for dinner, played cards

·        Baby rabbits! Scooter, 6? babies > finished rabbit cage > Denver here to play with Pat

·        Ride with Annie Schaub, rained

·        Pat went on calls with Pete > J rode Silver, I rode Starboy, rode down to Langels, tried to count cows

·        Shopping with Jessica, new shoes > took J, P, to Crystal Pool > Pete ill with back, chest, arm pain

·        Took Pete to hospital, Joan kept J and P, Joan took J, P to Crystal Pool, visited Pete in hospital > new answering machine > visited Pete, Mrs. Connor babysat

·        Took J. P. to Crystal Pool, visited Pete in hospital > Mrs. Connor babysat

·        Sunday Church of Good Shepherd > picked up Pete from hospital

·        Sheila Theiss brought cake, peaches for Pete > J and P to movies “Rascal”, “Hang Your Hat on the Wind”

·        Took Mercury to Russell’s Service Station, Bill took us to pick up Dad’s car, drove to Mansfield/cabin, Daddy drove us (left Jessica, brought Gary Franklin), dinner at Canal Winchester, Shade Restaurant, very good

·        Took Pat to medical center, hay fever very bad > lunch with Pat, Gary Franklin [GF]> picked up tractor parts for Pete > rode Starboy, GF rode pony, Pat rode Tinker Toy (and walked, temper fit) > Bill took us to pick up Mercury; GF, Pat swim at Dow Lake; Fritz, Carolyn Bookman here, Fritz reset Starboy

·        Car ride, Annie, Gill, GF, Pat > Aggie, Jessie picked up GF > swam with J, P, at Windy Hills > picked up Charlie’s watch at O’Neil’s

·        8:15 leave for Ohio State Fair > 10 am pick up Charlie > wildlife exhibit, horse, cat show, etc.

·        Rode Starboy, briefly, J rode/dropped Silver, Pat went on calls with Pete > horse show, cutting contests, Pete helicopter ride, drove home in fog, slept in

·        Sunday slept in, rode around farm, swam at Windy Hills

 

SEPTEMBER

·        Rode Gigolo, Pete rode Starboy, J. P. rode ponies – rode down to Langels, herded cattle into corral, 3 cows, 2 calves > went to see “Lion King” and “Wrong Number”

·        Starboy lame, piece of beer bottle in right front foot, put him in hospital stall, 2 girth sores

·        Put Cricket in stall to keep Starboy company because he tried to climb out of stall > Ruth Richmond here > Pete home 2 am from Charleston

·        10^th Wedding Anniversary

·        Worked cows at Langels, Fritz reset Starboy’s show with pad

·        Daddy’s birthday > J went on calls with Pete > Rode Starboy bareback, Pat rode Tinker Toy, Denver rode pony

·        Sunday Church Holy Communion Good Shepherd > rode Starboy bareback around pasture while J, P, napped

·        1^st day of school > rode Starboy around woods trails bareback > 2 guests/clients here for lunch > Fritz 6 pm shoe horses, put pad on Starboy, shod Cricket

·        Rode Starboy with saddle around woods trails, let him graze in alfalfa > ran errands, took repair work to Hunter’s

·        Rode Starboy around woods trails, picked wildflowers > rode Cricket briefly bareback, put Cricket and Starboy in pasture, then shed > Sherry Indestadt here for dinner

·        5:30 – 7 am rode Starboy dark until 6:30, rode around bottom, then around woods trail at sunrise > drove Pete to Columbus OSU to test bull; I looked for boots without success, shopped, met Pete at Lazarus, drove to Chillicothe on calls > returned home 11:30 pm, Joan kept J. P. overnight

·        Pat stayed at Hansons > Jessica rode Silver, I rode Starboy out thru Phillips place, down 690, etc., lunch up Marietta Run, stopped at Ed Sheridan’s for water on return > picked up Angela, stayed overnight with Jessica, Pat stayed at Hanson’s

·        Rode Starboy around woods trail, J rode Silver, Angela rode Angel > Uncle Arthur Rhonemus’ birthday (82)

·        Sunday Church McDougal > Hamptons here to see bug collection, Ellen here, Pete rode Cricket, J. P. rode ponies, I rode Starboy thru corn fields, down other side, around Phillips, talked with Phillips, Eddy’s, rode home in dark

·        Rode Starboy around thru woods > picked up hay fever meds

·        Les Rivers birthday > rode Cricket to Windy Hills Ring, then rode Starboy around bottom

·        Mrs. Hines’ birthday > rode Starboy, led Cricket around bottom, Eddy Lane, back around, led Starboy up in hay meadow to eat alfalfa > went to Parkersburg after carpet

·        Rode Cricket on bottom around thru woods, put Jiggs, Starboy in hay meadow for day/rest of week

·        Jim’s birthday > Joan got kids from bus, picked up Mrs. Connor, drove up to Mansfield to operate on collie with Dr. Hank Akers, visited with Gary, Aggie, home 2:30 am

·        Angel in corn field, helped Eddy fix fence > Sunday Church McDougal > Ellen out, borrowed Angel for little girl “Kathy” > Pete took Cricket, Silver down to Langels

·        Rode Cricket after cows, Jessica rode Silver > dinner at Langels > Pete not home for supper > rode Cricket, J. P. rode Silver Dollar to look for 3 missing cows and calves without success

·        Herded in other 3 cows > dinner at Langels > helped sort cows > rode Cricket, led Silver home > Pete not home for supper

·        Went down to Langels, picked up car > Dave Evans here > Pete not home for supper

·        Rose cleaned my house > drive-in movies, Millview Inn – Bookman’s; Mrs. Connor babysat

·        Tina’s birthday > Starboy still favoring front feet; Pete pulled his shoes, put Starboy, Jiggs up in hay meadow for day > finally defrosted freezer > Johnny stayed with Pat overnight

·        Jessica went on calls with Pete > Chris’ birthday, 3 years old > Ellen rode, watched Chris for her > gave away baby bunny

·        Sunday Church > Starboy still lame > Pete, Susie, Ellen, rode around woods

·        Skitter returned > took Mercury to Russells > rode around thru Phillips place, Susie rode Cricket > John R shod Starboy with pads, reset Tinker and Silver Dollar

Please forgive typos, name or place misspellings; transcription from

vintage handwriting sometimes requires a magnifying glass and random

interpretation.

Enjoy the journey!

Connect with Gina

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian. 

A Commitment to Horses: An Interview with Barb DiPalma

Barb DiPalma, Equestrian

A Commitment to Horses: An Interview with Barb DiPalma
By Gina McKnight

No Duplication without Permission. 

Archived from the August 2024 Issue of Florida Equine Athlete. www.floridaequineathlete.com
 
Originally from New England, now residing in South Carolina, Barb DiPalma is an expert equestrian. A horse owner for over 35 years, Barb has “has been involved in the equine industry as an ARIA Certified Level 2 Dressage and Hunt Seat Instructor since 2004. Since 2012, she holds an Open Horse Show Association Judge’s Card LEVEL 3. Barb has been a Massachusetts Licensed Riding Instructor, Stable Manager, Trainer, Coach, and is an experienced scribe to Grand Prix. Barb currently works full-time for GGT-Footing ™ and specializes in ideal Arena Construction and Maintenance, the Biomechanics of the gaits, and the hoof, tendon, and ligament interaction with footing surfaces.”
 
Welcome, Barb!
 
GM: Your presentations are fabulous and I learn so much from you. In the Ohio Equine Affaire program, it states you are "bringing up a half-Arabian sport horse gelding as an endurance, dressage, and low-level event prospect." Tell us about this up-and-coming horse and his progress thus far...
BD: Time goes by so fast! I raised Hot Shot from birth, I had his mom, a Paint/TB cross and she was bred to Lu-Nor HotNBlack of Mosher Meadow Horse Farm, Rothbury, Michigan. Hot Shot just turned nine! He has been successful at 25 mile endurance rides and has two top-ten finishes at Biltmore AERC sanctioned rides. He loves to Hunter Pace, and jump, and we are focusing more these days on Dressage. We are just having fun on our journey of learning together. He has a unique and funny personality and would be most likely voted class clown. He is curious and brave and I have been successful at the beginning steps of training him to paint.  
 
GM: When did you meet your first horse?  
BD: My grandparents, on one of our camping adventures, took my brother and I to Six-Gun City in Jefferson, NH, when we were very small and put me in a pony ride and I didn’t want to get off! I think I was about five years old! From then on, all I talked about was horses! On another adventure, when I was about seven, we visited my second cousin Susan and she let me ride her horse in an open pasture adjacent to the barn. With zero experience or instruction, I ended up getting run away with and Grandpa grabbed me off the horse before he ran back into the barn! I think that instilled in me a great respect for horses and also spurred on my lifelong desire to challenge fears and to be a better rider.
 
GM: Throughout the years, we usually encounter one horse that helps us to grow and learn. Have you had a special horse in your life?
BD: Yes! I was blessed to have my beloved Mystery To Me aka MAC. I purchased him as a just castrated coming three year old from a local sales barn after following from an auction where I had seen him purchased. He was a thoroughbred with no tattoo and thus I named him after my favorite album. He was my first real training project and he was a wonderful trail horse, who even did beach rides and parades and was ridden in a friend’s wedding. When he was nine years old, it was discovered at a potential buyer’s pre-purchase that he was a mild wobbler. Undetected by my own vets for all the time I had him! I ended up retiring him soon after that discovery and I had him till he was 17. He was a graceful and generous soul who was a wonderful mentor companion to a lot of my project horses. He was very special and taught me that not every horse HAS to be ridden to be loved and to be useful.
 
GM: Your equestrian resume is long and impressive! Of all the disciplines, which is your favorite competition? Which is your favorite to teach?
BD: I have taught English and Western lessons for a variety of facilities, all catering to multi-discipline, and from beginner to advanced riders. It’s hard to pick a favorite genre because the general foundations of learning how to ride effectively and with feel and with empathy for the horse is the same across disciplines. I do enjoy teaching private, dressage and jumping lessons the most. I have developed a systematic style for explaining the directives of lower levels of Dressage and enjoy facilitating gymnastic exercises that improve horse and rider understanding.  In the past I would say Eventing was my favorite competition but today I am exploring other modalities of enjoying horses and have interest in Equine Assisted Learning. I think it is important for good horsemanship, to always expand your possibilities.  
 
GM: As proprietor of Frog Field Farm Equine Clinic, what programs do you offer? What is the best way to apply for a clinic or consultation?
BD: From1995-2015 respectively I contracted as Frog Field Farm Equine Clinician and Consultant. I have basically retired that name, currently work for GGT-Footing ™ as the USA Retail Sales Manager, and at this time I am only judging Open Horse Show Association affiliated Horse Shows. I also just adopted an eight year old Arabian Mare named Ava from Grune Heidi Farm Rescue in Lakeland, FL. I literally just got her within the last month and am getting to know her, furthering her training, and getting her conditioned for Endurance Rides. We just sent her hair in for DNA testing and hoping to find her true identity soon. I have interest in pursuing a not-for-profit rescue endeavor of my own, with a mission of rehabilitation, retraining, and re-homing unwanted Arabian Horses at risk of slaughter. BARB’S: Barbara’s Arabian Rescue Barn & Sanctuary. To be honest, I am still working on getting past The Vision Board stage and networking with potential investors and board members.  
 
GM: Do you have an outstanding equine adventure/anecdote that might inspire others to keep going even though they may get discouraged with their horse and/or riding ability?
BD: Don’t ride your friend’s horse named Bucky or Rocket for the Key-Hole race at Tuesday night Gymkhana. No really, don’t.
 
GM: How do you handle stubborn, uncooperative horses? 
BD: I am not above asking for help. I am very particular who I ask to help me but when you reach a plateau you have to get down to get to the next mesa.
 
GM: What is your best advice for those looking to purchase their first horse?
BD: Aside from the obvious things like good confirmation, soundness, and suitability, I would say surround yourself with positive people that can help you learn in such a way that is not condensing but is challenging enough to measure accomplishment.
 
GM: Traveling to share your knowledge, where in the world has been your favorite place to visit/ride/teach?
BD: To be honest, I haven’t travelled that much, and most of my teaching experience is in Connecticut and Massachusetts and I am grateful for it, the people I have met, and the kids I have taught and watched grow up, and I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anywhere else, or for any other students. My favorite thing though, was judging for TROT (Therapeutic Riding Of Tryon) year-end Horse Show a couple times since living down south now.
 
GM: The equine industry has changed a bit since the pandemic, or at least it has here in Ohio. What are your thoughts about the current equine industry, the kill pens, the BLM and the horse scene in general?
BD: That is a can of worms I devote a lot of thought to, actually. It is no coincidence to me that supposedly the Social License to Operate concept was introduced into equestrianism in 2017, except I cannot find it referenced to animals until 2018 vaguely, and the Horse Welfare board was established in 2019. 2020 saw the SLO being discussed at the FEI Forum, and in 2021 the Ethical Framework for the use of Horses in Competitive sport was published. Within the construct of the COVID “crisis” this, to me, seems like shareholder speak. Seems like we didn’t hear about SLO until after 2020, for most of us anyway*. Just like “Social Distancing”, the origins of these phrases have their origins in sociological processes and agendas that should be considered as technology, social media, AI, and things like BIOSECURITY protocols and mandatory RFID microchips all merge. There are a lot of new terms now, like ONEHEALTH, Bio-Digital Convergence, and The Internet of Bodies most horse people aren’t aware of yet.  The frenzy over kill pens and the BLM should be directed at higher governances in my opinion.
 
GM: What does horsemanship mean to you?
BD: The commitment to putting the horse first, above ego and personal desires. The seeking of knowledge and the continuation of learning what benefits the horse.
 
GM: Will you be presenting at the 2025 Ohio Equine Affaire?
BD: Most likely yes! My presentations at The Equine Affaire have all been regarding Equestrian Arena Building, Footing Installation & Maintenance, and the Biomechanical Benefits of Fiber and Geotextile Arena Amendments for Equestrian Surfaces.

1. * Gehman, J.; Lefsrud, L.M.; Fast, S. Social license to operate: Legitimacy by another name? Cdn. Public Adm. J. 2017, 60, 293–317.
2. Hampton, J.O.; Jones, B.; McGreevy, P.D. Social License and Animal Welfare: Developments from the Past Decade in Australia. Animals 2020, 10, 2237.
3. Campbell, M.L.H. Animals, Ethics and Us; 5m Publishing: Sheffield, UK, 2019; pp. 69–97.
4. Duncan, E.; Graham, R.; McManus, P. ‘No one has even seen… smelt… or sensed a social licence’: Animal geographies and social licence to operate. Geoforum 2018, 96, 318–327.
5. Heleski, C.; Stowe, J.; Fiedler, J.; Peterson, M.L.; Brady, C.; Wickens, C.; MacLeod, J.N. Thoroughbred Racehorse Welfare through the Lens of ‘Social License to Operate with an Emphasis on a U.S. Perspective. Sustainability 2020, 12, 1706.
6. Jones, E. Major Change Needed to Prevent Future Pentathlon Issues. Horse & Hound. 2021. Available online: https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/major-change-needed-to-prevent-future-pentathlon-issues-758542?fbclid=IwAR3Zm7ubGEL1iWwetmy-6R7mCXW265v-GX1CjXm3m6QiASaGRFBbn0cdvoU (accessed on 8 February 2022).
7. Fiedler, J.; Thomas, M.; Ames, K. Informing a social license to operate communication framework: Attitudes to sport horse welfare. In Proceedings of the 15th International Society of Equitation Science Conference, Guelph, ON, Canada, 19–21 August 2019; p. 52.
8. Prno, J.; Slocombe, D.S. Exploring the origins of ‘social license to operate’ in the mining sector: Perspectives from governance and sustainability theories. Resour Policy 2012, 37, 346–357.
9. Arnot, C. Lost in Translation: Learning to Speak “Consumer” in a Way That Builds Trust. 2011. Available online: https://vimeo.com/32552398 (accessed on 9 March 2022).
10. Raufflet, E.; Baba, S.; Perras, C.; Delannon, N. Encyclopedia of Corporate Social Responsibility; Springer: Berlin, Germany, 2013; p. 82.

Connect with Barb…
www.ggt-footing.com