Rochambeau

Black Beauty Ranch

If you love animals you will like the Black Beauty Ranch, in Murchison, Texas.

Unlike a zoo, where you can leave feeling depressed and sorry for the animals,

here you feel uplifted and joyful!

The Ranch has 1,300 acres  and homes more than 1,200 domestic and exotic animals, many of whom have been rescued from near-death situations such as slaughterhouses, biomedical research laboratories, and trophy hunting ranches. Others are discards from circuses or roadside zoos, or were former victims of the exotic pet trade. Still others have come from public lands where they were threatened with extermination by the federal government.

Bison and cattle, horses and burros, antelope and apes, camels and llamas, all have permanent, safe homes at the ranch.

It was founded in 1979 by Cleveland Amory, author and animal advocate.

This tiger and two others are foster cats (for now).  

Meet Buckaroo, what a handsome horse! 

 

After our tour of the Black Beauty, we went next door to the Doris Day Horse Rescue and Adoption Center and greeted all the beautiful horses.  There are around two dozen horses that are trained in hopes that they will find a GOOD adoptive family.  In the Visitors Center you will see touching photographs both of the horses when they first arrive all skinny and sad, then next to those photos are the one of the healthy adopted horses with their new people!!  It's just great!

 

 

Molly and Charles are dear friends who have dedicated their lives to promoting the humane treatment of animals.  They work with the Humane Society, speaking up for our fellow creatures who have no voice, particularly horses rights.   This is why I was invited to visit the Black Beauty Ranch.

 

 Ben Callison is the Director of The Black Beauty and The Doris Day Rescue and Adoption Center.  His passion for animals is evident and spending time with him was inspiring.  

I have the great opportunity of assisting Ben and Molly put together a Humane Society fundraiser on the evening of May 5th at the Doris Day Barn.  If you would like to be added to the guest list, please email me with your mailing address.  Thank you. 

 

xox

Constance

 

Jacqueline's Fifth!

This was an exciting celebration!!  But five is such fun, don't you think?

The night before, Noelle and company started cutting and cranking out the decorations...........

The next day they floated majestically from the trees~

It was extremely HOT but thankfully, we were mostly in the shade....

many swam.... 

even Laramie!

 

There was a pinata.......

 

and even silly string!

 

Every one got to shower Jacquie in confetti..

there was a Barbie cake~

and very special cards.......

There were gifts.....

but most importantly.......

there was love~

Study in Oyster and Coral

A silk bolero is in the works, created out of two embroidered pillow shams, and piped in some dark coral colored silk (purchased at Goodwill in New Orleans).  It's lined in some coordinating fabric from Thailand, a gift from my friend Phil.  Also on the sewing table a matching dress,  fashioned out of an oyster color dust ruffle that matches the pillow shams.  Piecing it together has been a mind twister.  A good mental puzzle.

 

An oyster colored velvet drawstring bag ~

With a galloping horse medallion.  There are tassels also embellishing the bag, repeating the idea of a horses tail.

Also a Coral drawstring bag ~

Both have been boxed up and sent to Dallas, as they will be part of a silent auction raisning money for the Humane Society.

All net proceeds from the first annual Spotlight Humane: Dallas gala will benefit the campaign to Stop Puppy Mills.  Spotlight Humane: Dallas will feature cocktails, a gourmet dinner, as well as entertainment and a silent and live auction.  Date: March 26, 2010
Location: Dallas, Texas.  For more info please email:  RSVP@humanesociety.org

Vintage Printable

If you haven't already made the discovery for yourself, Vintage Printable is an incredible website offering a plethora of rare, interesting, exotic and FREE printable and  downloadable art.  Here are just a few of the thousands of images you will find there:

 

 

The site navigates slowly, but be patient, you will  be rewarded.

The anonymous author of  Vintage Printable,  has another site devoted to the brain and neuroscience of dysfunctional human behavior called Neurological Correlates, also a very interesting site.   What an fascinating person!

Things I Learned Last Week

We finally got to meet in "real life"and I now know that  Elsa for certain, is a true gem!   How fortunate that Bloglandia brought this lovely lady into my life!

To experience the gentle soul behind Elsa's writing and feel her powerful hugs,  to witness what a good mother she is and spend time with her smart and adorable son M, was a gift!  

~

It pays to make the effort, to meet a new friend!

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

At the Human Society reception Thursday evening, we were made aware of what it takes to save abused and mistreated horses.  I love  the company of animal lovers ~ my people!   Molly spoke eloquently, as an advocate for these horses (one's needing help, but have no voice of their own) !  I am proud to call Molly "friend".

(above Molly, Charles and Winston)

Keith Dane, spoke of the types of abuses that horses endure in the United States and how to STOP the mistreatment!!  It takes takes a vision, actions of many people, finical aid, but also especially a political voice, which the HSUS has been diligently working towards!

For more information on ways YOU can help save abused horses, visit the Human Society Equine Protection Program.

Winston was tuckered out after working the crowd!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

"WE DO NOT INHERIT THE EARTH FROM OUR ANCESTORS, WE BORROW IT FROM OUR CHILDREN."

An ancient Indian Proverb

We live in East Texas close to the Caddo Lake and in my opinion, near one of the most mysterious and enchanted places on the planet!!  It happens to be the only natural lake in Texas.  The Caddo Lake resides half in Texas and the other half in Louisiana.

(above images, The New York Times)

On Saturday morning I had the privilege of witnessing the opening celebration of the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.  The Caddo Tribe performed a ceremonial blessing during the opening. 

~*~

Did you know that the word 'Texas' is derived from the Caddo Indian word táysha  meaning "those who are friends".  The word Texas, means "friend".

Many people spoke, but none more engaging than Don Henely (from the group: The Eagles), who is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Caddo Lake Institute.   It took seventeen years to designate this special and endangered place, a National Wildlife Refuse!

While listening to Don speak, I again became aware, that it took not only the vision for this sacred lake, but the people in Washington who finally signed a bill and made it happen, legally!  The same thing the Humane Society is currently striving to do for horses! 

**Two instances where it finally sunk in, that politicians and government can create good policies and make important things happen, for the greater good of all of us here in the United States.  To including animals and lakes!

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Last (but not least) my mother had a wonderful birthday celebration!  It was magnificent to see the way other people adore and appreciate her!  In the morning, she had a blessing at church, then came home and read all of your kind comments, later in the evening, our friends Bill and Sharon of the Stillwater Inn gave my mom a surprise party!

Guests brought poems and odes. 

(My favorite is Bill Gleason's verse, above).

One more thing.  My mom was given a fishing rod for her birthday by one of the guests.  Funny huh?  Guess you're NEVER too old to get one of these!