Riding & Writing...: November 2023

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Books for Christmas: Monday Creek Publishing Ohio USA

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Books for Christmas: Monday Creek Publishing Ohio USA

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Books for Christmas! Monday Creek Publishing Ohio USA

Monday, November 27, 2023

Milliron Monday: Letters Home May 1 1960

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.

"...it's rather boring this part of the quarter so it's quite a grind to study for it."

― Jody Smith

Jody's letter home to Mansfield, Ohio. Backstory: Simmy is Jody's best friend and was her maid-of-honor.

917 Remington

Fort Collins, Colorado

Sunday, May 1, 1960

Dear Mom,

Just had a nice chat with Simmy - she's just returned from six weeks of student teaching in Denver. She and Bob Bole are getting married in July. Would you please send the wedding veil, dress, and hoop, as soon as it's convenient. She said she'd be glad to pay for the postage. We're not sure if the dress would fit her but it might be alright. It'd probably be best to send it here since she's living at the sorority house and delivering packages there might be more of a risk.

Certainly appreciated that aluminum "oven saver" you sent with the pizza pie pan a few weeks ago. I baked a rhubarb pie this morning and quite a bit of juice ran over - thanks to the little round pan, I only had to clean it instead of the whole oven. The pie turned out to be delicious - or at least Pete acclaimed it as such. We got the rhubarb from our own plants in the backyard - really handy. The pie was nice and tart but not a bit bitter so I was pleasantly surprised.

I am in the midst of studying for another English history test, it's rather boring this part of the quarter so it's quite a grind to study for it. Can't remember if I already mentioned it or not, but I got a 92 on the 1st test which was the highest grade in a class of over 60. I felt quite proud of that, but now I'll have to work to keep my grade up there.

Bye for now,

Love,

Previous Letters Home:

~ ~

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

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.

Saturday, November 25, 2023

This Week @ Monday Creek: Long in the Tooth

Jody Briggs, Equine Dentist with Zubedia @ Monday Creek Stables

Long in the Tooth

When my Quarter Paint mare, Zubedia, started drooling and dropping grain while eating, I knew she needed a float. A small bump on the left side of her jaw indicated she was long in the tooth and possibly growing a few hooks. Every horse owner knows you need to watch for signs of dental issues as they can lead to other health problems (just like in people), especially as they get older. Now at 20, Zubie was due for her dental exam.

Usually, Dr. Reiswig from Granville is my equine dentist, but he is several hours from my barn and scheduling can be far out. Upon the advice of my (fabulous!) farrier, Marc Setzer of Setzer Forge (you know, the History Channel’s Forged in Fire twice-contestant: learn more @ WOUB Emily Votaw's article here), recommended Jody Briggs.

Jody arrived with all the right equipment and was quick to her task. Zubie, not the perfect patient, was fidgety and anxious. After a bit of sedation, she settled and Jody went to work, rasping and grinding hooks and long teeth. It’s normal for a horse of Zubie’s age to have sharp hooks that cause issues when she eats. Hooks can press into gums and cause pain, which require rasping. In less than 20 minutes, Jody was finished. Zubie, still a little sedated, relaxed into her stall.

Last week was a horsey week at Monday Creek. On November 17, I visited John Hutchison’s farm. I interviewed John for my column at Florida Equine Athlete. His interview will run in the December 2023 issue. In January, the interview will be archived here on my blog. I posted a few photos on my insta page. You can view John’s upcoming Christmas Season Horse Wagon Ride schedule here. If you live in SE Ohio and you haven’t met John or his beautiful Percheron’s, you don’t want to miss a Christmas ride! The wagon rides are free to the public. Make sure you take photos!

Moose, Bill and John Hutchison @ John's Farm in Albany Ohio USA

Friday, November 24, 2023

Nelsonville From A to Z

This unique alphabet book explores places in and around Nelsonville, a small town in southeastern Ohio. Watercolors by local artist Hannah Sickles and short poems by area writers provide an ideal introduction to the town's history and attractions.

A perfect bookshelf addition for readers of any age.

A beautiful collection of award-winning poetry from

#seohio writers is available online and locally

from Stuart's Opera House #nelsonvilleohio

Illustrated by Hannah Sickles Saturday Darling Studio.

Edited by Celeste Parsons. Hardcover.

Purchase From Amazon HERE!

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving 2023

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving: I am thankful for...

Monday, November 20, 2023

Milliron Monday: Letters Home Apr 30 1960

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.

"I hope more and more that we can raise our young ones in the wide open spaces, with an ample supply of snakes, turtles, dogs, cats, horses, and what ever else suits their (and our) fancy."

― Jody Smith

Jody's letter home to Mansfield, Ohio. Backstory: At 21, Jody is pregnant, continues to ride Starboy, attends college, and keeps house.

917 Remington

Fort Collins, Colorado

Monday, April 30 1960

Dear Mom, Dad, and Jessie,

April certainly roared out of Colorado; we've had a couple of inches of snow on the ground for the last two days but the weatherman pretty well redeemed himself today with temperatures in the 50's and, of course, rapidly disappearing snow.

We have poor Starboy isolated in a pasture all by himself which is away from the creek so that he can't romp around with his playmates or stand in the water. His foot is better but he's still limping and the cut is still wide open and hasn't started to heal. So far, so good though, since it isn't infected. Pete or I or both of us have been out either every day or sometimes every other day to put on fresh medicine and rebandage it... keeping a bandage on a horse's foot is quite a task! Guess I can't complain though, we're lucky we didn't lose him since a wire cut is the worst kind of cut and this is in the worst possible of places.

We certainly splurged last night. One of Pete's friends who lives here is a forestry major and has been doing research on fish in the mountain streams. A few of the fish were "accidentally" shocked a little too much by the equipment which they use to stun them so we had delicious Rocky Mountain trout for dinner last night. Pooh turned into a veritable tiger when Pete teased him with the heads and tails.

Thursday night Pete and I both attended a banquet as guests of Phi Kappa Phi (free $1.65 meals, no less). I wore my blue suit to the banquet - looked as nice if not nicer than some others who were there in similar attire. It was a pleasant evening out together although we had much studying to do when we returned. I had a final in Modern British poetry the next morning at 9:00. Starting Monday we finish out the quarter with a two-hour course in modern American poetry (same instructor, same hour, different text).

Aggie's and Gary's house looks and sounds quite nice - of course. For me, it's too bad it's in the city. I hope more and more that we can raise our young ones in the wide open spaces, with an ample supply of snakes, turtles, dogs, cats, horses, and what ever else suits their (and our) fancy. I surely appreciate the opportunity and privilege of having pets while growing up. I hope our children will be able to also. Training Mike, Lobo, and particularly Starboy, has taught me more patience than all my other activities combined; and being owned, dominated, and at times, completely ignored by a cat has been a rather ego-shattering and sobering experience - which, needless to say, I much enjoy even if it's a bit discomforting at times.

Perhaps our letters crossed or something, but think that I already mentioned that the Easter bonnet arrived intact in plenty of time. I could use my good short white coat but there's no hurry so don't send it specially. The black Milgrim coat hasn't come yet.

I'm glad you did send the maternity clothes early since I knew then that I could quit worrying about where we were going to get the money to buy any. It's certainly been a pleasure to wear nice clothes to class. I ordered a pair of maternity denim pants and pedal-pushers from Sears, which have saved my black slacks much pasture mud and spring shedding hair.

Been feeling fine - a bit tired once in awhile, but nothing unusual.