tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:40:24 +0000Musings of and goings on at the Ranchhttp://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Lesley)Blogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-341671668050785546Mon, 02 Jul 2012 01:58:00 +00002012-07-01T18:58:11.099-07:00 This is the site that greeted us 20 years ago - October 1992 - the day we moved in to Blue Fountain Farm.  Mr Skunk was very unhappy that we were kicking him out of his territory, and the buildings were barely done (see the wood still piled on the ground).  A LOT has happened since that day, so we decided that we need to have a big soiree to celebrate our 20 years at BFF, and http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2012/07/we-have-huge-extravaganza-planned-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-6584841270529589223Tue, 26 Apr 2011 04:08:00 +00002011-04-25T21:08:06.490-07:00 This weekend we had the privilege of hosting a "Cowboy Dressage" clinic with Eitan Beth Halachmy, who resides here in Grass Valley.  Eitan has been a two time exhibitor at the prestigous World Equestrian Games, both in Germany and in Kentucky, as well as a many time champion in the show ring.  He shared with us his "Light Hands" techniques of riding and training. &http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2011/04/cowboy-dressage-clinic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-782797159772362974Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:59:00 +00002011-04-18T13:59:55.198-07:00Yesterday morning was one of those perfect mornings - the air was crisp and clean and smelled of freshly mown grass from the workday the Saddle Pals volunteers put in yesterday weed whacking and mowing (many thanks to everyone for all your hard work!)  The fickle weather had decided that Sunday was going to be a beautiful day, so - since I woke up much earlier than I needed tohttp://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2011/04/join-me-on-morning-stroll-around-blue.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-6339126683491979395Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:58:00 +00002011-03-20T19:58:06.226-07:00 I'm sure that most of you here in Northern California probably got about as much sleep as I did last night due to our extremely windy and rainy storm!  We clocked 50+ mph winds here at the ranch, and there were several times I thought for sure the roof was going to blow off the house!  Luckily, I awoke to find that there was no damage anywhere on the premises - the shingles http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2011/03/musings-on-another-rainy-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-139061853753553266Sun, 13 Mar 2011 02:28:00 +00002011-03-12T18:28:11.544-08:00 Yes, our friend Joellama has gone to a new home.  Joe L. has been here for about 2 years, and has, in the words of his vet been, "An exceptional llama!"  Joe has gone to his new home to keep another llama, who  lost his friends to old age, company.  He will be getting lots of loving attention, so we are happy for that, but he will be missed.   Joellama (http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2011/03/bye-bye-joellama.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-8542333074331641195Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:36:00 +00002011-02-24T16:40:35.970-08:00would you expect something crazy to happen like what happened here last night and today.  Yes - you see a photo of a water buffalo at the top of this post...... that's because we had two of them visiting us last night until this morning!  They were renegade run-aways from a new neighbor about a mile away. It all started at dusk last night - I was sitting here in my office http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2011/02/only-at-blue-fountain-farm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-6083242821049890282Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:10:00 +00002011-02-19T12:11:37.034-08:00 It rained heavily and steadily all night long, until about 3 AM or so, then things got quite.  That either means it just stopped, or it snowed.  I couldn't tell which until I got up this morning at 6:15, and looked out my window to see snow on the surrounding hills, and yes, a little dusting here at the ranch.  Our elevation is 1200', so it's a rarity to get snow here. http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2011/02/snow-well-little.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-8921696545506196985Sun, 06 Feb 2011 03:16:00 +00002011-02-05T19:16:07.664-08:00OK, so I guess the coyotes around here didn't get the memo that they aren't supposed to go wandering around the ranch at 10:30 in the morning!!  These photos are courtesy of "Bob Robert", who happened to see them wandering down the back lane.  They think no one has seen them Then, Bob calls, "Hey!  Coyotes!" They decide maybe it's time to exit through the fence Well, http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2011/02/coyotes-in-morning.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-5748760760192085Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:05:00 +00002011-01-29T20:05:28.486-08:00 Kathy, on Amadeus, riding by the "Gang" OK, so it's not your normal, everyday type of group lesson - it's a special one that only riders at Blue Fountain Farm can enjoy.   It's a group lesson with an added geriatric contingent of three - Radar, Rhea and Lil Beaver!  Most of you know of our great old four-legged folks here at the ranch, and have followed their http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2011/01/group-lesson-bff-style.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-8711784271110293637Fri, 28 Jan 2011 05:21:00 +00002011-01-27T21:21:09.611-08:00 Or possibly "Her-bertha"??  We'll call him Herbert for now.  He's a Great Blue Heron who has decided to take up residence here at Blue Fountain Farm.  He spends a lot of time standing around - in the driveway, in the pasture, near the pond, wherever - and he doesn't seem to be terribly afraid of humans, or their cars.  I wondered about this lack of fear, then I "http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2011/01/meet-herbert.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-7782955595316022030Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:30:00 +00002011-01-23T07:30:52.462-08:00 "The Messenger" by Gregg Albracht It's official - Gregg Albracht will be coming here from Santa Fe in May (May 6, 7 and 8)to conduct one of his intensive weekend photo workshops!  As many of you know, I have gone to several of Gregg's workshops in Santa Fe over the past few years, and it is a great honor that he has decided to add a California visit to his busy schedule.  The http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2011/01/gregg-albracht-photo-workshop-at-blue.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-312346301300584731Thu, 20 Jan 2011 07:00:00 +00002011-01-19T23:25:08.383-08:00 Naggiar Vineyard next door Um, no?  We're having a real winter this year - 20 days of rain in December, and now our typical foggy and cold January.  A week ago I woke up to a 25 degree morning (yes in California), and as much as I wanted to snuggle back down into my polar fleece sheets, I knew there was a winter wonderland waiting outside for me to photograph.  Time is of the http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2011/01/sunny-california.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-6370472135153081611Mon, 17 Jan 2011 03:46:00 +00002011-01-16T19:46:34.193-08:00 I just finished this image of "Tristan", a Lipizzan gelding who has resided here at Blue Fountain Farm for many years.  Tristan is a very dear horse - he's somewhere in his early twenties -  and a great friend to both his owner, Dick, and me.  Tristan's two favorite things in the world are peppermints, and curling up in the shavings under the manger in his stall to http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-image.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-3332712785095915940Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:38:00 +00002011-01-11T16:41:57.123-08:00 "Tesoro" "Away" .......an art affair in Santa Fe, that is.  I recently wrote about winning 2 awards in a photo contest I was brave enough to enter, and I just returned from my quick weekend in Santa Fe to take part in the reception and opening night of a month long showing of the winning images. What a weekend it was!   My image of "Tesoro" (second place)http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2011/01/affair-to-remember.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-7213831742140776192Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:21:00 +00002010-12-22T17:23:05.102-08:00 No, it's not snowing here, but it has been in Santa Fe!  (The photo above is from the snow we received here last December.)   I received a great video from Jackie, at Cimmaron Sky Dog Horse Rescue, of her mustangs in the snow and wanted to pass it along to you.  Just click here (it will take you to a new page, so you will have to use your back button to get back to this page)http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2010/12/no-its-not-snowing-here-but-it-has-been.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-830559728638632978Thu, 16 Dec 2010 04:49:00 +00002010-12-16T05:34:43.525-08:00 is coming to get you!   It strikes fear in the hearts of all - young and old, men and women - no one can escape it's grasp.  The faint of heart can be seen running away from it's scary call.  However, it has been known to give a pretty "mean" riding lesson.......... Photo by Sam Newell OK - "It" is yours truly, with my Christmas Antlers on - how professional http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2010/12/great-christmas-monster.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-24041396690860446Fri, 10 Dec 2010 02:25:00 +00002010-12-09T18:27:41.301-08:00  I recently entered some images in a photo contest being held in my favorite (next to my own ranch) place to shoot photos, Santa Fe, and I won a 2nd place and an honorable mention!  My second place winning image is known to many of you - it's "Tesoro" (which was shot in Santa Fe)........... Click on the image to see a larger size And the honorable  mention went to http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2010/12/good-news.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-6718697406324988898Sun, 05 Dec 2010 07:29:00 +00002010-12-04T23:29:21.670-08:00 Yes, foggy days are cold, and the horses are fresh - but they sure are great days to take photos!  So, camera in hand (even during my lessons) I made a fun day out of the recent fog.  It was difficult to see Victoria  and "Draco" enter the arena for her lesson and even tougher to see Susan and "Annie" leaving after theirs! Find the hidden horse and rider! Click the image http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2010/12/walk-on-foggy-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-7918411077474710267Mon, 22 Nov 2010 02:45:00 +00002010-11-21T18:49:51.829-08:00 Sounds pretty good to me!  This is my favorite time of year - the dust, heat and flies are gone...........yes, it's now getting cold and muddy, but I'm not tired of that - yet.  We've had some glorious days in between our early fall storms, and last Sunday we took advantage of such a day .  Joe brought his Lipizzan team  over to Blue Fountain Farm, along with his gorgeous http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2010/11/vineyards-horses-and-autumn-days.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-8959020719441607234Mon, 15 Nov 2010 19:10:00 +00002010-11-15T11:10:37.860-08:00 Most of you who know me know that my primary focus with  my photography is horses, but I've gotta tell ya, I had a blast photographing Aurora's 4th birthday party this last Saturday.  It was over 3 hours of semi-controlled pandemonium (at least that's my perspective as one who's not often around 25 - 30 young children!) but at the same time it was just a lot of fun and very http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2010/11/auroras-birthday-party.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-4788543641163952909Wed, 10 Nov 2010 03:53:00 +00002010-11-09T19:53:07.656-08:00 Is she cute or what??  This young doe came for a little visit today.  At first she was pretty timid.......... but then  her curiosity got the better of her, and she came right up to me......... She even let me touch her.......... She seems to think she's one of the cows, and there was no mom around anywhere.  When the cows moved off, so did she.  I http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2010/11/ears-to-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-8279613693127036056Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:51:00 +00002010-10-27T17:12:48.016-07:00.................. was enjoyed  by all  on Saturday, Oct 16th at our 2nd Pumpkins and Ponies Fundraising event! Saddle Pals Therapeutic Riding program and Blue Fountain Farm teamed up to put this event on to raise funds for the students of the program. People showed up from everywhere to support us and enjoy the day with us!  The weather gods were with http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/very-successful-and-fun-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-8522623291271335367Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:52:00 +00002010-10-21T17:55:40.354-07:00 OK, you're wondering why I have a horse and rider in Western attire to start this post about our dressage show at the beginning of October??  Well, if you happened to read a few posts ago, we offered, for the first time, Western Dressage classes (also called Cowboy Dressage) at our schooling show on October 3rd.  The whole show was a great success, and the Western http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/finallynews-or-olds-from-our-october.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-3001736477054645979Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:07:00 +00002010-10-11T23:10:31.264-07:00I was down at the barn a quite a bit today (my day off) going over all the preparations with Joanie and Jane of Saddle Pals for our big weekend coming up, and all I can say is - WOW!  There's a lot to do to get ready for The Saddle Pals Fundraising event, (this Saturday, Oct 16th) and the usual suspects are pitching in and really doing a lot of work.  We're getting the http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/more-pumpkins-and-ponies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862147840037041252.post-3717101218817562652Fri, 08 Oct 2010 00:54:00 +00002010-10-07T17:54:59.470-07:00 We host a lot of events here at Blue Fountain Farm, but I have to say that this is by far the most important event of the year - our 2nd Annual Saddle Pals Therapeutic Riding Program Fundraiser - "Pumpkins and Ponies" - Saturday October 16th! Last year was a great success, especially considering it was the first time that Saddle Pals and BFF  had organized such a huge undertaking, http://bluefountainfarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/pumpkins-and-ponies-fundraiser.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Lesley)0