I took my first floor loom over to Michigan so Julie could try her hand at weaving. It is a 36", 4 shaft, 4 treadle, made by Harrisville. We finished dressing and readied it for weaving the day prior to my leaving. Julie was able to get a few inches woven and did very well.

A closer view of her beginning........

I took this photo from Julie's Facebook page which shows her progress.

Abigail is showing some interest in the loom, too......

I hope we have a future weaver !

Little Miss Busy Buns arranging her rocking horses, getting ready to ride.......

And away she goes! As you can see, she has a variety of horses to choose from.....and they all get a workout! ;)

"The Gloaming......"

Abigail finished riding earlier than Julie, so while Patrick took care of getting the horse unsaddled and put back into his pasture, Abigail and I walked to back of the house.

This little swing called out to us, so Abigail enjoyed some time on it as we waited for her parents. After swinging, I placed her on the trampoline where she had a great time, too, especially after Julie joined us and climbed aboard to jump with her. Grandpa kept his feet on the ground......although there was a time back in the day............ ;)

The sunset was gorgeous......and I love the word "gloaming". I think it evokes a special meaning to this time of day and , well, I just like it. :)

I was able to get a better view and photo of the foal while it nursed. As you can see, this is the 3rd pasture with horses in it. I don't know how many horses are at the stable total, but a good number for sure.

Tomorrow: my final photos of my Michigan visit.

"Abigail and Julie Ride......"

After grooming and saddling their horses, the girls (Abigail had a little help from Daddy) were on and ready to ride.

As you can see, Miss Kitty goes everywhere. I guess until Abigail gets herself acclimated, Miss Kitty goes into her mouth. ;)

Miss Kitty now has found her riding spot. Just prior to this photo being taken, a small engine plane flew over the stable, quite low actually, so Abigail was pointing and expressing her delight. Notice the adjustable stirrups that Patrick fashioned for Abigail? They can be lengthened as she grows........

The low flying plane made quite an impression and she chatted with us about that for awhile. If you haven't figured this out yet, Abigail has no fear about being up on the back of her horse and is quite at home. Patrick and Julie started having her ride on Julie's lap when she was able to sit up by herself, and then proceeded from there. I did mention she just turned 2, right? ;) Yeah........I'm a proud Grandpa. :)

Here is a little video I took while she was riding.......

"At The Stable......."

Late afternoon of our day seeing Claire in Traverse City, we drove to the horse stable where Julie and Abigail ride. Patrick has ridden there, too, but not as often. The entire day had been a beautiful one and the setting sun made it a glorious late afternoon, too. ;)

The numerous paddocks held groups of horses so Patrick and Julie had to go out into one and bring the horses to the barn to groom and saddle them prior to riding. It is a "full experience" stable. ;)

A close up of the group that the kids walked out to.........

Here they are with their chosen mounts.

Patrick had to stop so that Abigail could say "hello and good to see you" to her horse. ;)

While they groomed and saddled their horses, I wandered a bit and took some more photos. These horses are in another paddock. I was hoping to get a good photo of the foal that was out with them, but that one came later......

I took this photo because not only did I want to show you a view towards the east, but also because of the moon. As you can see, the sun was setting fairly quickly and creating very long shadows......this one from the barn.

Tomorrows post: The riders emerge........

"Morgan Riley...."

I'm sorry to report that Morgan Riley, whom I wrote about this morning, passed away tonight. Julie had let him out in the backyard and when she'd gone back to let him in, he was lying prone on the back step. She'd called Patrick at work but by the time he got home, Morgan had passed away. Patrick thinks he may have had a stroke.......

Our condolences to Patrick, Julie, and Abigail.........Morgan will be missed.

"The Guesthouse........"

After returning to Brethren from our lunch date with Claire in Traverse City, we regrouped and got ready to go to the horse stable where Julie and Abigail ride. My duty in this regroup, was to take the dogs out.

Abigail watching Grandpa from the front door wondering why she is not outside, too.......

Here is Copper with Morgan. Morgan was raised by Copper. Patrick had lived at the cabin with me for a bit before getting his position with the state up in Manistee. During that time, he'd found this little puppy running loose along one of the back roads......much too small to have been out and about with permission. After attempting to find his owner, with no luck, this little puppy was named Morgan Riley, and has been a part of the family ever since. As you can see, the little puppy grew into a much larger dog, surpassing Copper in size.

Here is the "Guesthouse", which I have posted on here before. I posted it this time so that you could see the colorful view which I had during my visit.

I made some changes inside the camper, too. In stead of pulling out the couch and sleeping there, I chose to lower the table and sleep in the booth instead. It is plenty long enough for my body frame, plus I like the looks of it, too. :) Although, after sleeping on it during this longer visit, I've come to the conclusion that I really should think about buying a regular mattress for more comfort. If I do buy a mattress, instead of sleeping in the booth, I will pull the couch out and have the mattress there in the permanent position. It should be able to be either a full or a queen mattress, and so much more comfort! ;) Maybe next trip..........

The "Jazz String" runner that I wove just prior to my trip fit perfectly, too! I was very pleased. As you can see in this photo, I have a "Looper rug" also.....that is right as you come in the front door. I imagine I will be weaving a small runner for the kitchen area, too, but it isn't a top priority yet. Too many woven items to do yet before Christmas! ;)

Abigail and Julie on horseback tomorrow........

"Birthday Present Opening"

After lunch and our walk through the marina, we headed back to the parking area so that Claire could get started for Glen Arbor to begin the wedding festivities, and we to go back to Brethren. But.......Abigail had to open her birthday presents from Claire. What could be better than a "mini tailgate party"! ;)

Abigail has opened a large bucket full Play-Doh!

And how about this tee shirt? I guess it is pretty obvious that Claire lives in Washington, DC, eh? Abigail, of course, has moved on to her last present.......

A box of Play-Doh! Abigail was quite taken with those little containers of Play-Doh and rode home with 2 clutched in her hands. They were opened, emptied, filled, and closed countless times from her receiving them until she went to bed. I don't remember how she was persuaded to "give them up" prior to bedtime, but Julie and Patrick were successful in doing so.

My MI visit to be continued.......