Just Horsin' Around - Thoughts on Central Texas Real Estate and More

Every Sunday morning, we have a ritual.  At 8:00, we turn on Sunday Morning, with Charles Osgood.  It runs until 9:30.  At 9:30, I go out and feed the critters.  Then, at 10:00, another favorite show, one of the best ways to learn about the people and places in Texas, comes on - my beloved Texas Country Reporter.  Bob Phillips takes us to visit people all over the state, doing interesting things - and once a year, in late October, quite a few of them are brought together at the Texas Country Reporter Festival in Waxahachie, Texas.

From Texas Country Reporter I've learned about such varied Texas treasures as Skidboot, Doug Smith, Homestead Heritage Village (we've been to their Thanksgiving Festival and I recommend it), Michael J. Bainton, The Grand Ole Oplin, and, today, Chicken Earl's in Leakey, Texas, (no website available and the video isn't uploaded yet), home of fried chicken just like Mama's that's only open on Tuesday and people drive miles to get. 

Plus lots of other people and places and things that I never knew existed over the years.

If you're new to Texas, or contemplating moving here, you'd do worse than to watch Texas Country Reporter, on the air or on youtube.  They've also got a pretty good events calendar, statewide by region, if you're looking for something to do. Check it out!

The first Saturday of every month, in downtown Georgetown, in the courthouse square (note Courthouse on right) , for several months out of the year, there is Market Day.  Vendors, food, music, people - all the ingredients that go into making up the recipe that creates a classic Central Texas event.

Today, November 13, 2010, is the final Market Day of the season, and what a grande finale it is!  In addition to the usual fare, today is the Inaugural Chili Cookoff and Beer Garden.  Cooking started at 8:00, chili and beer will be available at noon.  We've got a brisk, sunny, windy, cool day, just perfect for chili! 

In addition, the event is a fundraiser for the annual Christmas Stroll (we're very fond in Central Texas of making our parties into fundraisers for worthy causes, and making our fundraising into a good time for all). 

Plus, during or after the Market Day, you can check out all the local shops surrounding the courthouse square, and that's a great thing to do any day of the year!

Every year I miss these by a weekend or two.  And every year, I tell myself I'll remember the next year.  Silly, since they're held 10 minutes from the ranch and I'm probably one of the few people you know who is absolutely convinced that haggis is food of the gods, the pipes are music of the gods, and whose daughter, when hearing that the educational tour we were going on to Scotland would include a ceilli, said "Men in skirts with pipes and swords!  I'm going to have to get you a leash!".

Well, maybe this is the year!  (But no leash necessary, my husband would be with me).  Tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, the 49th Annual Salado Scottish Clan Gathering and Highland Games will be held in Salado, Texas.  I don't have anything in my clan tartan to wear, but maybe I'll go anyway.

Perhaps I'll see you there!

                                                                                         Photo Courtesy Alan Crawford via IStockPhoto

UPDATE:  These horses all found their Forever Homes back in November, 2010!  Each week there is another Morgan or Morgans at risk, however. 

*****

As y'all know, I'm involved in (on the Board of) Morgan rescue with ForeverMorgans.  Most weeks, there's a broker-owned Morgan or part-Morgan or two or three that need to be rehomed showing up at ac4h where the majority of the Morgans we rescue come from (though we are spread out across the country these days).

This week, there are 7 - yep, that's right, seven.  We have until noon tomorrow to find homes for all of these Morgan horses.  So we're spreading the word far and wide.  If you think you might know of a forever home for one or more of these guys, please have the prospective home contact us and fill out the application (we do check references) at the ForeverMorgans website under "Give help" - it's there in both Word and PDF format, whichever works better for you.  Quickest way is to print it out, fill it in, then scan and email it to ForeverMorgans@hotmail.com, and paypal in the application fee. 

Even if you don't adopt one of these Morgans, getting on the list of approved adopters in advance of immediate need is a great thing to do, as well, so that you'll be all set when your Morgan shows up - and there are always more Morgans at risk showing up every week, both at ac4h and across the country. 

Here's the list of the Morgans available this week just from this one batch.  We have word of a MUCH larger batch - basically, an entire herd - becoming available next week. 

BLACK FRIDAY SALE- Early!  Don't wait any longer, get your gorgeous Morgan now! Have you been waiting for that special someone to come along? Thinking about giving the gift of love for Christmas? Check out these wonderful horses! Here's your chance to do a good deed and get some Holiday shopping done at the same time. These prices are outstanding for some VERY nice Morgans! Don't delay- they don't have much time!! Contact us at ForeverMorgans@hotmail.com  and we'll help you find your way to happiness!

( PHOTOS at http://ac4h.com/BrokerOwned3.htm)

11-9-11 – REG Cream Ridge Hallie foaled 5-10-03   $600.00  Black Morgan mare

162053 CREAM RIDGE HALLE  http://www.creamridgemorgans.com/

11-9-13 REG Tes Tequila Rose foaled 3-15-98 $450.00  Bay Morgan mare, note with her states she is a great riding horse, has been driven and used as a broodmare. Wonderful disposition and loves children. Was used to mow the yard a lot

TES Tequila Rose is by Sunday Vision out of Kriskroft Kaitlyn

11-9-15 - REG Caum Exotic Ellegance foaled 5-26-2001 $700.00  Black morgan mare, star, rides and drives. Copy of papers with her.

CAUM Exotic Elegance is Futurity's Ellusion x Dream Acres Sweet Caroline

11-9-16- REG Hampshire Special Effect foaled 4-14-2003 $650.00  Bay gelding Morgan  Note with the horse states Registered man's horse & a firebrand trotter

Hampshire* Special Effect is by Ultra's Special Agent out of KB Key to My Heart, by Key West

http://www.hampshirefarm.bizland.com/History.htm  (pictured at bottom of page)

11-9-12 -Liver Chestnut morgan gelding approx 15 hands approx 11 yr old  $600.00

Gorgeous boy!! Good looking legs, well tended feet. I would bet this guy is pure and has papers somewhere. He’s got the “look of eagles”- he KNOWS he’s someone!

11-9-10 - Morgan Bay gelding was used as a road horse rides quiet very gentle. $500.00 

11-9-21 - Black gaited mare approx 6 yr old 15 hands star and two white rear fetlocks $500. Sure looks to be Morgan or Morgan X

(The horse in the photo is not a rescue - that's my own beloved Manny (Morannon Man of La Mancha), watching the mares in the next pasture as best he can.)