Carousel Ride

 

One of my granddaughters turned two in August, and the county fair just happened to be in town that week. 

Oh, my goodness!  The excitement!  How can a little person take it all in!  So much to see! There were huge cows and pigs of all colors and friendly goats and sheep wearing coats to keep them clean for their showings. There were so many roosters crowing and rabbits trying to sleep and turkeys not at all happy to be caged.  There were farm kids that even let you pet their animals!

Then came the midway! There were bright colors and flashing lights and whirling contraptions and happy squeals!

This little two-year old sweetie had eyes only for the merry-go-round. She went on the Ferris wheel with her momma and daddy, an apple spinner thing with her momma and sister, then wanted to spend her tickets only on the merry-go-round. She was living her best life high up and down on the white horse... get off... give more tickets... high up and down on the zebra... get off... give more tickets... high up and down on the giraffe... get off... give more tickets... high up and down on the brown horse... Eventually the last ticket was spent and it was time to go. Happy, happy, happy... well, after crying that all the tickets were spent... then happy, happy, happy.

***

*Fun Fact About Helen - I'm not a fan of horses.  Yeah... I'm kind of afraid of them, it's true.  They are so big!  Have you see how big their heads are! And they're smart enough to make their own decisions! I had a horse when I was a kid.  Bill. Bill Garfunkel Powell... a white Shetland pony... He was so cute. And, he was mean. He bit. He kicked. He stomped. He ran  away from us when he could. He was mean to the cows too. I know... probably not the best introduction to horses.

When I learned that my the Weekly-ish Challenge was "Horse," I kind of sank.  I did paint a horse once. I think I vowed never to try that again. What was I going to do? What kind of loophole could I find? How was I going to meet this challenge without having to paint a horse? Hmmmm.....

Original Oil Painting on 6"x 12" Wrapped Canvas

[NFS - can't sell a painting with my granddaughter in it!]

*If you're worried, yes, she was safe. In the reference photo, my handsome son-in-law was standing and grinning right behind her on the ride. And, because I know he reads my blog... Sorry you didn't make it into the painting, my dear.😉

Teddy, The Horse That Loved Peppermints

Teddy, the Horse Who Loved Peppermints

The story of how this painting came to be begins with another painting.
Three years ago, I painted a little peppermint around Christmastime, and I got to enjoy seeing it hang on my own wall for a couple of years.
When it sold in springtime, I thought it was a little odd... until the person who purchased it explained the reason...
It was a gift for her friend who had recently lost her beloved horse who loved getting a peppermint for a treat.
How thoughtful... it warmed my heart.
I assumed that was the last I'd ever hear about the little peppermint painting.
... But no...
A few weeks ago I got a message. "We received as a gift one of your pictures of a starlight mint.  Our beloved horse Teddy loved them...  I was wondering if you'd be able to painting a picture of his face... so we could hang them together..."
What an honor!
What an absolute honor!

I told Wendy that I knew the story of the paintings, but she knew the story of Teddy.  I asked her if she'd be willing share that.  I know you'll smile as you read her words below.

8:54pm EST

Message: 

Teddy, the Horse Who Loved Peppermints 

Teddy.....the friend a middle school girl had when she felt abandoned by her peers.....he’d listen and walk and trot and gallop and take walks through the woods of Camp YNoah. 17 hands tall. Great for adults and gentle enough for children, so he was used a lot. We leased him for her 13th birthday and bought him when it was time for him to retire from camp work. We moved him to Merestead Farm where he had a stall to stay warm in the winter and got special food because of his needs. He lived out the rest of his life being cared for and pampered with his friends Shrek, Glenda , and Ellie. When turned out, he would start to walk away even if you would call out for him to come back. Start to open a starlight mint, and he would stop in his tracks and turn.......silly boy. Silly wonderful gentle Teddy. Loved and missed dearly.

Original Oil Painting on 12"x 16" Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]