Before We Say Auf Wiedersehen

to the group of Germans (and one couple from Luxembourg) who were here to attend Horse Progress Days, I've got a final  happening to share with you, Viewer Dear.

The Yard Man and I were invited to join this horsey-happy group for one more dinner, this time at the home of a generous Amish couple, Melvin and Esther.  Reader Dear, we were in for a treat! And I'm not just talking about the food (as good as that was)!

 It's a shame, I have almost nothing to show you of the three-course meal, complete with three desserts that Esther served.
(Oh, how easy she made it appear, serving more than twenty people a sit-down feast in her kitchen!)

 


Following the meal,  we went outside for the real piece de resistance!  There, Melvin and Esther's grandsons, along with their miniature horse and foal, gave a show that could hardly be topped!

Have a look for yourself,  Dear Viewer!

 There were other horses to be seen, as well, but none with quite so adorable handlers.














And now it is time to say Auf Weidersehen, Viewer Dear. *
*Those from other countries fly home tomorrow!**
**(Last Friday in real time)


....................................................................................................

Day Two. Part Two.

Horse Progress Days.

It ended with a bang!  Several bangs, in fact.  And some streaks of lightening for added effect.
Yes, Dear Reader, a storm rushed in and abruptly ended the big event! 

I left HPD in the early afternoon,  just missing the first announcements of the impending storm. The Yard Man relayed to me that a state meteorologist had been on hand to inform the planners of the advancing weather disturbance (possibly tornado-strength winds, heavy rain).  When this meterologist gave an estimated arrival time of four o'clock, scheduled seminars and exhibits were moved to earlier time slots.  Announcements were made throughout the afternoon, giving all attendees information and warning.  Lots of people had already headed for home by the time the wind and rain moved in (precisely at four o'clock!) but The Yard Man described a mad dash for cars and buggies or (hopefully safe) refuge from the storm by all those remaining. 



As I was not far from the HPD location during the ferocious storm, I headed back during the aftermath to assess the damages.  Reader Dear, from what I could see, all tents remained in place.  But things were a muddy mess!  The parking area (across the road from the main event) was empty, but (what did I just say) muddy! I pulled just off the road and watched trucks with horse trailers and loads of equipment exiting  the opposite driveway.  

Also leaving were the folks who had waited out the storm and were now setting out on foot or on scooters or bicycles. 

 

Some were waiting on their hired drivers to pick them up.

Overall, it was clear this event had ended!  And that, Dear Viewer, pretty much wraps up Horse Progress Days!*

*The Yard Man reported that there were a number of trucks that got mired in the mud when attempting to exit the driveway.  Horses had to be hitched to extricate them!  Reader Dear, surely you would agree:  a very fitting closure to Horse Progress Days!                                   

Day Two, Part One

of Horse Progress Days.
Frankly, Viewer Dear,  I'm tiring of the tale.  So here's a whirlwind jaunt through most of my time at this horsey event, Day Two (the main purpose of my visit being to connect with a dear friend [she of the cheerful toenails] who had traveled from out-of-state specifically to attend this event).

Food.  There was some pretty tasty food at this event.  Forgive me, Viewer Dear, for taking very few photos of the food.  (Fortunately, I feel my faithful followers will fully forgive me).





Transportation.  I've got that covered (though mostly it's of the uncovered sort).

Games.  As well as horses progressing, there appeared to be a very large volleyball tournament in progress.

 And there were the people, the people, all the fascinating folk!

                                                                   






 I got to have a visit with old friends, and chat a bit with new friends.

And then there were the throngs of friends whom I'll never get to call by name (It's pretty certain I'll never have the chance to hear their jokes and stories, learn their little idiosyncrasies.  We'll never get to laugh together and say, "Wow, who would have thought we'd strike up such rapport while at Horse Progress Day?!")

Viewer Dear. There will be One. More. Post regarding Horse Progress Days...........
...............
(just one)

Foreigners and Fireworks

It's the Fourth!  That means, of course, that I've got a story of foreigners and fireworks, Dear Reader!
As he so often does at this time of year, The  Yard Man escorted a group of foreigners* around the county, inspecting donkeys and horses and mules, oh my!  I then joined the group for dinner at a local restaurant.

My multi-national dining experience was so delightful!  I shared a table with Monika--a German woman; Edna--a local Amish woman; and Mary Jane--a woman from Luxembourg. Alas, Reader Dear,  if only I could give you some verbatim snippets of our  super-engaging ( all English-spoken) dinner conversation!

(Of course, you would only wish to hear more.  You would be at least slightly, but possibly quite disappointed not to hear more! Perhaps it is better this way.)


Later in the evening, The Yard Man was fast asleep by the time I saw the fireworks from my privileged spot on the balcony of our house.  These particular fireworks are presented every year  at the same time and same place (for all I know, they are presented expressly for me [though it seems somewhat doubtful, as I am never notified in advance, nor is anyone assured that my pajama-clad attendance will actually take place). As I recorded this little clip, Viewer Dear, I pondered the fact that my compulsive desire to film the fireworks is a bit like my urge to photograph the moon each and every time its radiant effulgence is glowing in the sky! **


*They are here in this country expressly to attend Horse Progress Days, don't you know.
**Seeing as how one filming could so easily substitute for another!***
***No, no, Viewer Dear, I would not do that! (These fireworks have been freshly recorded for your viewing pleasure!)

Day One, Part Three

Horse Progress Days, continuing:

Everywhere I went at HPD I saw small groups of people dressed alike (men in shirts and women in dresses all of the same bright color!  They were family groups, it was clear.  I wish I could give you, Reader Dear, a colorful account of talking to one of these clusters and asking about their clothing. 
Oh, I wish that I could!

Now for some random photos.  (Truth be told, they were all random.  But these I'm about to show you will not be labeled or categorized.  They should be pretty self-explanatory.  That means, you know, that you, yourself, will be explaining them to yourself.  If you're not sure what to tell yourself, take your best guess.  Good luck, and (ahem) may the horse be with you!

(Helpful hint: Dear Viewer, there were several tents set up for vendors.  
You could explain to yourself that  they were filled with vendors hawking a wildly eclectic array of items.  (You will have to decide for yourself.  If I tell you that you are correct, it would obviously constitute more than a hint!)

  (Another small clue: There were fields full of equipment that was here for demonstration and for sale.   Viewer Dear, you may want to tell yourself that much of it was newly-invented equipment expressly manufactured for horse farming.  You might even want to add that part of this equipment was shipped all the way from France, and possibly Norway, too). 

And now we come to this final photo. 

 When you're clamoring to know, Viewer Dear, just what are you going to tell yourself is going on here?!

 (Oh, yes.  Of course!  I'll be back when Horse Progress Days has progressed to Day Two])