July 27, 2007 I am so popular – I'm getting e-mails like crazy from everyone. Just got one from Garth. He's so silly; he thought I didn't like him. How could I not like him? He's so handsome. And tall. And bashful. It's so cute how he doesn't like to pee in front of anyone and has to try several times before he can actually go. We mares sure get a giggle about that! Anyway, here's his e-mail: "Hi, Pippi, It's Garth here.  Checking to see what's up with you.  You know, you really surprised me the other day when I came to visit and you were actually, like, nice to me!  Is it because my human moved me to our pasture so you don't get to see me as much?  Something about absence makes the heart grow fonder?  Or is it just that you finally realized what a terrific horse I really am?  I've always been everybody's friend (or at least I like to think that I am), so I'm really happy to find out that I can be yours too.  And, hey, don't worry about that butt thing your neighbors are all talking about, it's what's on the inside that counts – or at least that's what I've heard.  Say Hi to my friend Bravo for me, please, and let everyone know that I'll be coming to visit again soon.  Tell them all that I miss them.  Oh, and Tommy says to tell everyone Hi for him, too.  He seems to be enjoying his pasture here and I've heard rumblings that if he keeps acting all nicey-nicey to me over the fence that he might get to join me in my pen soon.  I sure could use a playmate.  I wonder if he'll be ready to play . . . Garth"

July 25, 2007 Do you know what happened? I just can't believe the injustice of it. Nugget and I were both in the crossties, and he got carrots and I got nothing. NOTHING! Not one tiny, teensy little nibble of their delicious orange crunchiness. Amelia fed them ALL to Nugget and even though I was looking my cutest, she didn't give me a crumb. My feelings were very hurt. I can understand that she has a favorite horse and it's Nugget (although if she had really good taste in horses, it would be me), and it's OK to feed your favorite horse carrots. But you should at least offer one small piece to the cute little Paint that's directly across from Nugget in the crossties – the one that's about to faint from hunger. My human made sure I got some horse treats, but it wasn't the same. Why, I had to go to a secluded spot out in the pasture and have a good cry.

July 23, 2007 My copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that I ordered from Amazon arrived on Saturday. I read all night using the flashlight my human keeps in her tackbox, and then all day Sunday once the humans were gone to the show. And I finished it. Best. Potter. Book. Ever. It's over. Sigh. Or is it?

July 21, 2007 I heard that it's my human's birthday today!!! Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear human. Happy birthday to you!! We're gonna party like it's your birfday. Sip apple cider like it's your birfday. We're gonna party like it's your birfday! If she comes out to ride me today, I'm going to be very agreeable. That will be my present to her. I was going to buy her something off the Internet and use my credit card but since she pays my bill, it wouldn't have been much of  a surprise. So I will give her a good ride today. Hope I can remember that.

July 17, 2007 Raindrops keep fallin' on my head But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red Cryin's not for me 'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin' Because I'm free Nothin's worryin' me. Nothing makes me feel more cozy than being all snug in my stall and hearing the rain drumming on the metal roof above me. I ate my breakfast, and now I'm going to take a nap and listen to the rain fall.

July 16, 2007 Story and I sure had a big day. We went on a trail ride around the pond pasture, just the two of us. Well, our humans were there, but it was just us for horses. First we did some arena riding and I think my human was pleased with me. I've been trying to be more agreeable and not break gait as much; I know it just drives her crazy when I do that when we're loping. So after we had worked for awhile, I thought we were done but instead of getting off of me, my human rode me out and around the outside of the arena and down the road behind the barn to the pond pasture. Both Story and I got a little nervous once we got through the gate and out into the actual pasture, but the grass was really long and tasty so we decided we could go forward. It was kind of fun to be out in the big world all by ourselves. And you know what I found out? There are horses everywhere! We were walking along and got up over the hill and there was a herd to our right. They came running over and Story and I said hi, but we were both glad there was a fence in between us. You just never know if they're friendly or looking for a fight. They could be gang horses. We haven't seen any graffiti around the farm and none of those horses had any ball caps on, but you just never know. I was glad when we turned to go closer to the pond and got away from them. Then at the end, I got real brave and went ahead of Story to lead the way. As we got closer to our barn, we came upon some moms and babies. Story said she's had two babies but doesn't know where they are now. That makes her sad sometimes. I told her that she's lucky they're gone so she doesn't have to worry about them, but she said once you're a mom, you never stop worrying. I've never had a foal myself, so I just don't understand. Even though Story got a little melancholy at the end, we had a real nice time. It's good to get out into the world.

July 13, 2007 My human rode Boomer during our weekly lesson and I had some guy on me – Bob, I think it was. I'm not sure what to think about that. On the one hand, it's not like I want to go out and work with her, but yet I don't want her picking some other horse instead of me to ride. I asked Boomer about it once we got back to the barn, but he didn't know anything. I hope she isn't mad at me or, oh my gosh, what if she's thinking of getting rid of me? Maybe I should be a little nicer to her. Cooperate a little more while she's riding. I heard her laughing while she and Boomer were loping. She hasn't done that with me, not in a long time. I can be good. I can be fun. Just give me another chance, human.

July 10, 2007 I had some fun with my human last night. You see, it was really raining out and I was minding my own business, eating some hay, and enjoying the rain running off my body. But here came human wanting to ride me. So I acted all willing and nice, let her get me tacked up, and then walked around the indoor arena like it was a normal evening. But it wasn’t because I really needed to roll since I was damp.   Didn’t bother me that she was on top of me. I just put my head down looking for a good spot to drop down and human didn’t have a clue what was coming. I heard her ask me what I was doing and then I bent my knees, knelt down, and you should have heard her start yelling. It was great! She seemed very concerned about her new saddle, but I wasn’t mean enough to totally roll over on it. It fits me better, too, so I’d like her to keep this one. But I got a little roll in. And she found out that she can move pretty darn quickly for an old gal.

July 9, 2007 It's hot, hot, hot. All I do is sweat, sweat, sweat. I don't like Bravo seeing me this way. I want him to think of me as a sweet young thing that just glows and gets dewy when it's hot out. Got an e-mail from Sundae. Sounds like she's having lots of fun with the geldings at her new farm: "I'm telling you geldings are annoying!  It was fun being the center of attention for a while but it's getting old.  Every time my girl comes to see me, my pasture pal runs the fence line and whinnies while I'm trying to work. I overheard the barnmaster say we are getting 4 new horses.  I sure hope there are some mares!  There is this gorgeous black thoroughbred stallion named Charlie that moved in about a week ago.  He has more manners than the geldings!   I hear my girl calling, she always calls out to me from that weird box on wheels she comes in before she ever gets to my stall.  I poke my head out of my window and answer her.  It seems to make her happy and usually gets me an extra treat! Gotta go. Sundae"

July 5, 2007 Story's such a silly mare. She just bought her own laptop off of eBay, so she sent me an e-mail. I mean, we live right across the aisle from one another, but she wanted to try her e-mail out. Here's what Story had to say: "Hi Pippi – I heard your human has been really busy with a sick cat and flooded basement. It sure has been quieter (is that a word?) around the barn the past few days. Part of the herd left on a trip. Of course, that should mean more food for me, but I haven't noticed that. Darn rations! The trail ride around the pond was fun, but I sure wish someone would do something about the bugs. It's no wonder they're called bugs – they bug me! I think I have lessons tomorrow. Wonder what kind of tricks I can come with? :) Story"