New neighbor

While trimming the wisteria vine on the porch, I heard a clop-clop, clop-clop, and looked up to see a horse and rider. SWAC Husband was trimming a cedar tree near the road so the rider stopped to introduce himself as a new neighbor, a 26-year retired Air Force veteran, which opened a new conversation when SWAC Huband told him he was also an Air Force vet.

We are an equestrian neighborhood so occasionally neighbors go horseback riding on the properties but it's always fun to see and it was good to meet someone new to the area, especially a veteran.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
July 29, 2013

Augusta County's "Star B Stables" owner dies

I met Mr. Ellis Dale Bartley about five years ago when I visited Star B Stables in Fishersville. As president of the local home school group, SWAC Husband and I were checking out Star B to line up some horseback riding/hay wagon rides for our organization so we spent the morning with Mr. Bartley.

He was a gentleman in his 70s ... in excellent health ... and he toured us around the farm in his pickup truck. Horses were grazing in the meadows ... trails could be seen in the fields, disappearing into the woods, along the creek ... it was a gorgeous farm and he was proud to share it. His herd of Tennessee Walkers were used for horseback rides, wagon rides ... he even had a sleigh for winter. He drove Santa into town in his horse-and-buggy for the Christmas parade ... he supplied horses for bird dog field trials along the East Coast for 20 years ... provided horseback riding at Shenandoah Acres when it was in business ... and, of course, his home, the Star B Stables, where folks could ride anytime they chose.

He also worked with the SPCA in the rescue and care of area horses.

I saw his obituary in today's Waynesboro News Virginian announcing he had passed away at the age of 81 after being in declining health due to a horse-related accident two years ago. A photo accompanied the obituary of him on a horse ... not your usual obituary photo. And it was striking that this United States Marine Corps veteran passed away on Tuesday ... Veterans Day ... after entering the world on Valentine's Day in 1927.

A memorial service is planned for Friday. Something tells me a horse may be involved somewhere along the way....

Invasion!!

It was the invasion of the wild guineas in Tater's field today as she rounded up the herd of 20 fowl, feeling it was her responsibility to keep them in that corner.
It was hilarious ... 19 birds had somehow found themselves inside the pasture fence and could not get out ... and one was outside and could not find his way in.
No matter what they did, Tater herded them back into the corner and kept an eye on them. When I left, she was still guarding those guineas. She now has the title "herd horse"!

Photos by SWAC Girl
October 31, 2008

The Amish, pretzels, and the Farmers Market

My daughter and I had a date today to go shopping in Harrisonburg so, on our way, we stopped at the Dayton Farmers Market for a soft pretzel. If you've never tasted one of the big soft pretzels made by area Mennonites you've missed a treat. They are ... absolutely ... the best!

After buying pretzels, we went outside to sit in our vehicle and talk and eat before driving on to Harrisonburg. We were parked next to the hitching post (sign says, "For Horses Only"). While sitting there, an Amish horse and buggy pulled in and parked, four brethren unloaded, hitched up the horse, and went shopping at the market.

That's part of what I love about living in the Valley. How many people are able to enjoy the beautiful Blue Ridge, Alleghany, and Massanutten mountain ranges every day of their lives, shop at an old-fashioned farmers market, and park beside a horse and buggy?

Many wouldn't want to ... but I thrive on the slower pace of rural western Virginia.