It is impossible to know where you are going...
Until you know where you have been.
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Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Heading home...
It is impossible to know where you are going...
Until you know where you have been.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Back in Time...
How nice it would be to really be able to go back in time...
Yesterday I spent the day exploring Colonial Williamsburg. I have been there many times but on this trip I have no set schedule or time table. With no animals to care for for a few days, I get up when I wake up- not when my five dogs who usually sleep with me in bed decide it's time for me to get up. So, after a nice breakfast at a pancake house, off I went.
Strangely, but probably not surprisingly, the only photos I took all day were of horses and a colonial stable at the Governor's Palace!
A team of horses during their break. They have teams of draft crosses pulling carriages for tourists. The horses all look in excellent shape, good feet, well cared for. (Sorry, that is the horse rescuer in me!)
18th Century stables. I have always loved the curving shapes of old stalls- my dream barn would have stalls like this (but bigger). I believe these were actually called "boxes". Working horses were tied up at the manger...
Beautiful wood, brick floor...
Here are where the manager's quarters back by the tack rooms. These look good to me!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Yesterday I spent the day exploring Colonial Williamsburg. I have been there many times but on this trip I have no set schedule or time table. With no animals to care for for a few days, I get up when I wake up- not when my five dogs who usually sleep with me in bed decide it's time for me to get up. So, after a nice breakfast at a pancake house, off I went.
Strangely, but probably not surprisingly, the only photos I took all day were of horses and a colonial stable at the Governor's Palace!
A team of horses during their break. They have teams of draft crosses pulling carriages for tourists. The horses all look in excellent shape, good feet, well cared for. (Sorry, that is the horse rescuer in me!)
18th Century stables. I have always loved the curving shapes of old stalls- my dream barn would have stalls like this (but bigger). I believe these were actually called "boxes". Working horses were tied up at the manger...
Beautiful wood, brick floor...
Here are where the manager's quarters back by the tack rooms. These look good to me!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Raising my Sails...
I know this sounds weird, but I had my first meal alone in a restaurant this morning! I usually opt for a fast food drive through, but frankly, I was getting tired of fast food. So, I stopped at a Williamsburg coffee shop and had a great breakfast.
Stepping out alone is getting easier every day.
I came across a brochure at my hotel about taking a trip on a schooner on the York River out of Yorktown, so I went ahead and bought a ticket for a two hour tour. One of my Dutch ancestors sailed on a fishing vessel in 1573 out of Newfoundland, hey, maybe it's in my blood? I know it's not the same- but a journey is a journey.
I had a great time out on the ship, talked with the fellow passengers and even raised a sail.
As one of my relatives, Sherry VanOeveren Bouwman, told me- we have strong women in our family. I do have a long line of strong ancestors behind me, we all do. The motto of Zeeland, an area of the Netherlands where some of my family came from is, "I struggle and I emerge". I can feel myself getting more confident and balanced, my priorities are becoming clearer again- I am more encouraged about the future and I am looking forward to getting to it. I accept Tony's passing better now- he lived a long and full life, now it's my turn to continue my journey to my own long and full life. I know I will see him again, and what a shame it would be if I didn't have my own life tales to tell him.
Oh, and I ate dinner alone tonight at a nice restaurant in Williamsburg and I didn't feel awkward at all!
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Saturday, September 24, 2011
Journey to Jamestown
"A verie fit place for the erecting of a great cittie", a sentence used to describe the settlement founded in 1607 in tidewater Virginia. Jamestown- the place known for Captain John Smith, Pocahantas, Powhatan and the "starving time".
I have always found Jamestown to be extremely fascinating, even moving. Something has always drawn me there. Who knows, if we do indeed have past lives, maybe I was here at some point in some way?
Pocahantas. We all know her story- but the most interesting part for me is when she visited England in 1616 with her settler husband, John Rolfe. Sadly, in 1617, Pocahantas fell ill and died on her return trip. She is buried far from home in Gravesend, England.
Within the last 10 years, the actual site of James Fort has been found and excavated. Visitors can see the actual dimensions of the 1607 fort, it is amazing. I like to stand in the middle of what was the fort, look up into the sky or out over the James River and imagine what it was like over 400 years ago...
The statue of Captain John Smith looks out over the river.
There is a great museum on the site where hundreds of artifacts are on display. This is one of my favorites- a pair of dog paw prints (a big dog and a little dog) in a discarded tile. I love knowing that dogs were dogs- even 400 years ago!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I have always found Jamestown to be extremely fascinating, even moving. Something has always drawn me there. Who knows, if we do indeed have past lives, maybe I was here at some point in some way?
Pocahantas. We all know her story- but the most interesting part for me is when she visited England in 1616 with her settler husband, John Rolfe. Sadly, in 1617, Pocahantas fell ill and died on her return trip. She is buried far from home in Gravesend, England.
Within the last 10 years, the actual site of James Fort has been found and excavated. Visitors can see the actual dimensions of the 1607 fort, it is amazing. I like to stand in the middle of what was the fort, look up into the sky or out over the James River and imagine what it was like over 400 years ago...
The statue of Captain John Smith looks out over the river.
There is a great museum on the site where hundreds of artifacts are on display. This is one of my favorites- a pair of dog paw prints (a big dog and a little dog) in a discarded tile. I love knowing that dogs were dogs- even 400 years ago!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, September 23, 2011
Navy Dinner
I attended the US Memorial Lone Sailor dinner last night. The Lone Sailor is awarded to "those who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers and, in doing so, have exemplified the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment from their earlier service in the armed forces."
Tony received the award in 1994. This year's recipients were Jerry Coleman, the only Major League Baseball player who has seen combat during two wars as a Marine Aviator (he is now known as the voice of the San Diego Padres). Actors Beau Bridges, Jeff Bridges and their father, Lloyd Bridges for their Coast Guard service. Bob Feller, a Major League Baseball player who enlisted in the US Navy within days of the attack on Pearl Harbor and served as a gun captain aboard the battleship USS Alabama. Brian Lamb, founder and CEO of C-SPAN and Navy Veteran.
It was a great honor to attend the dinner, Tony was a huge supporter of the Armed Forces and I will continue that support for him. I met so many wonderful and friendly people- I had many people stop by my table to tell me how much they loved Tony. I had a wonderful escort to the dinner, Michael Quigley, who works at Navy Intelligence. Thank you, Michael!
I left Washington, DC today and am slowly making my way to Jamestown, one of my favorite places to visit...
So far, so good!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tony received the award in 1994. This year's recipients were Jerry Coleman, the only Major League Baseball player who has seen combat during two wars as a Marine Aviator (he is now known as the voice of the San Diego Padres). Actors Beau Bridges, Jeff Bridges and their father, Lloyd Bridges for their Coast Guard service. Bob Feller, a Major League Baseball player who enlisted in the US Navy within days of the attack on Pearl Harbor and served as a gun captain aboard the battleship USS Alabama. Brian Lamb, founder and CEO of C-SPAN and Navy Veteran.
It was a great honor to attend the dinner, Tony was a huge supporter of the Armed Forces and I will continue that support for him. I met so many wonderful and friendly people- I had many people stop by my table to tell me how much they loved Tony. I had a wonderful escort to the dinner, Michael Quigley, who works at Navy Intelligence. Thank you, Michael!
I left Washington, DC today and am slowly making my way to Jamestown, one of my favorite places to visit...
So far, so good!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Thursday, September 22, 2011
The Navy Memorial
I stopped by the US Navy Memorial this morning to meet up with one of my friends who works there. Tony was a big supporter of the Memorial, donating money to create a commemorative wall, etc and I am looking to continue his support in his name.
Tony's plaque.
I had a tour with tonight's Lone Sailor award recipients and their families and then a quick lunch. We will all meet later tonight for the black tie dinner.
While touring the Memorial outside, I came across the following quotes used on bronze plaques to commemorate various branches of the US Navy. I just wanted to share some!
Explosive Ordinance Disposal: "Initial success or total failure"
Navy Family: "They who wait also serve"
Navy Chaplains: "Eternal Father strong to save"
Medicine: "Standing by to assist"
Reservists: "Twice a citizen"
Navy SEALS: "Failure is not an option"
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011
I Made It!
I made it safe and sound to Washington, DC.
My plane made a very weird and alarming sound before taking off, which freaked all is passengers out- but after a few minutes, yes minutes, it stopped and it was smooth flying from then on.
Next, I tackled driving my little rental car through a dark and rainy night to my hotel- that got a bit hairy too. I drove like what I am- a tourist!
Now, am off to have a drink with friends of mine and Tony's from the Navy...
I am doing it! :0)
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My plane made a very weird and alarming sound before taking off, which freaked all is passengers out- but after a few minutes, yes minutes, it stopped and it was smooth flying from then on.
Next, I tackled driving my little rental car through a dark and rainy night to my hotel- that got a bit hairy too. I drove like what I am- a tourist!
Now, am off to have a drink with friends of mine and Tony's from the Navy...
I am doing it! :0)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
My Journey...
Today I headed out on a journey. By myself, no one with me. Just me, alone.
I have never actually really traveled alone before. I was with Tony since the age of 24 and now, at 41, maybe it is high time I learned how. I am very shy at heart and can feel very awkward around strangers and the thought of traveling alone is quite scary for me. Even the first time I went to a movie alone a few months ago was a big step for me.
Here is how this all happened, a few months ago I was invited to attend a dinner at the US Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. Tony and I had often attended this dinner in the past and I really wanted to go to represent Tony with his friends at the Memorial. At the time we made the plans to attend, my regular traveling companions were going to go with me. But, as the time grew shorter, they both realized that they would not be able to travel. I had a choice- cancel my attendance at the dinner, or take a huge step, and go alone.
Tony was a longtime supporter of the Navy Memorial and had been honored there multiple times. I felt it was my duty to continue his support, so I had made a donation in his name and RSVP'ed. I couldn't really back out now- the day before I was scheduled to depart.
So, early this morning, as Tony would say, I climbed into the "belly of the big iron bird" and flew to DC. As I have done all of his past year whenever I traveled, I cried in the airplane. Traveling now makes me miss Tony very much- after all, we traveled the world together. But, in an attempt to not be the weird crying girl in the plane and make my seat mates extremely uncomfortable, I took deep breaths and tried to encourage myself to be strong and to be excited about my adventure ahead. With Tony's one year anniversary of his passing fast approaching at the end of the month, I have been feeling extremely depressed and having a very difficult time.
It is an adventure because I actually am not just attending the dinner and then flying home- I have also rented a car and am going to spend a few days seeing the sights. I LOVE history and am planning to drive from DC to visit historic spots.
After all I have gone through in the past year, especially the past few weeks, I think it is time for me to find out who Jill Curtis really is. Not as the wife, or widow, of a Hollywood Icon- but as a 41 year old woman who is now on her own. I no longer have the protection of my husband, who was beloved wherever he went.
What do I want my life to be? How do I honor Tony and yet move ahead with the second half of my life? What will my life be like now? I need to spend some time alone and away to try to figure it all out.
So, I will be blogging from the road for a few days and I will be learning about myself. And, I think I have a lot to learn! Maybe together, we can all learn to step out of our comfort zones and keep on moving forward in our lives...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I have never actually really traveled alone before. I was with Tony since the age of 24 and now, at 41, maybe it is high time I learned how. I am very shy at heart and can feel very awkward around strangers and the thought of traveling alone is quite scary for me. Even the first time I went to a movie alone a few months ago was a big step for me.
Here is how this all happened, a few months ago I was invited to attend a dinner at the US Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. Tony and I had often attended this dinner in the past and I really wanted to go to represent Tony with his friends at the Memorial. At the time we made the plans to attend, my regular traveling companions were going to go with me. But, as the time grew shorter, they both realized that they would not be able to travel. I had a choice- cancel my attendance at the dinner, or take a huge step, and go alone.
Tony was a longtime supporter of the Navy Memorial and had been honored there multiple times. I felt it was my duty to continue his support, so I had made a donation in his name and RSVP'ed. I couldn't really back out now- the day before I was scheduled to depart.
So, early this morning, as Tony would say, I climbed into the "belly of the big iron bird" and flew to DC. As I have done all of his past year whenever I traveled, I cried in the airplane. Traveling now makes me miss Tony very much- after all, we traveled the world together. But, in an attempt to not be the weird crying girl in the plane and make my seat mates extremely uncomfortable, I took deep breaths and tried to encourage myself to be strong and to be excited about my adventure ahead. With Tony's one year anniversary of his passing fast approaching at the end of the month, I have been feeling extremely depressed and having a very difficult time.
It is an adventure because I actually am not just attending the dinner and then flying home- I have also rented a car and am going to spend a few days seeing the sights. I LOVE history and am planning to drive from DC to visit historic spots.
After all I have gone through in the past year, especially the past few weeks, I think it is time for me to find out who Jill Curtis really is. Not as the wife, or widow, of a Hollywood Icon- but as a 41 year old woman who is now on her own. I no longer have the protection of my husband, who was beloved wherever he went.
What do I want my life to be? How do I honor Tony and yet move ahead with the second half of my life? What will my life be like now? I need to spend some time alone and away to try to figure it all out.
So, I will be blogging from the road for a few days and I will be learning about myself. And, I think I have a lot to learn! Maybe together, we can all learn to step out of our comfort zones and keep on moving forward in our lives...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, September 19, 2011
Back Out at Shiloh...
Finally we were back out at Shiloh after some of our travels. We do leave out of town again on weds, so the rescue is still closed to volunteers and visitors until September 30th when we will be back on our normal schedule.
Sad news as we had to have the vet out today and had to have two of our old guys, Gomez and Shadow, put down. Both of their conditions had just deteriorated and we did not want their quality of life to be affected anymore than it already was. Shadow was in his 30's and we think Gomez was almost 40. They were both euthanised in their barn stalls while they were eating food and they both passed very quickly and peacefully. As sad as we are to say good bye to these old Gummie friends, we thank them both for having been a part of the Shiloh Family for so many years. We pray for them as they continue their journey...
But, some happy news as little Dynamite was happily adopted to a family today! He hopped right into the trailer and headed on his way to his new home and future...
Some photos from today:
A shot of Little Vacation Village...
An "artistic" shot out the Barn aisle. I caught the dogs and Aztec watching Vic and his horses walk by...
Champ and Falcon, Assisted Living...
Lyfting and Jimmy Dean, living in harmony...
A new arrival at Shiloh- this is Graffiti. "Fitti" was owned and ridden by my younger brother, Clint, when he was growing up. She is in her 30's now and is retired at Shiloh. Welcome Fitti!
Wandering mule, Moose...
Big Pasture...
Bowie, Big Pasture...
More Big Pasture...
Tortilla and Taquito, looking for trouble...
More Big Pasture...
Okay Corral breakfast...
More breakfast in the Okay Corral...
Okay Corral...
Easy Street. The big paint up front is Wampum, that's Frisco behind him.
Orleans, Okay Corral. Orleans has Melanoma growths in her throat area but she is still doing well and living a good horse life...
Eden and Sully, Assisted Living.. Eden is sticking her tongue out at me...
Wanderer Concho stole some of Rabbit's hay in the Hospice area...
Seemore, Little Vacation Village...
Sad news as we had to have the vet out today and had to have two of our old guys, Gomez and Shadow, put down. Both of their conditions had just deteriorated and we did not want their quality of life to be affected anymore than it already was. Shadow was in his 30's and we think Gomez was almost 40. They were both euthanised in their barn stalls while they were eating food and they both passed very quickly and peacefully. As sad as we are to say good bye to these old Gummie friends, we thank them both for having been a part of the Shiloh Family for so many years. We pray for them as they continue their journey...
But, some happy news as little Dynamite was happily adopted to a family today! He hopped right into the trailer and headed on his way to his new home and future...
Some photos from today:
A shot of Little Vacation Village...
An "artistic" shot out the Barn aisle. I caught the dogs and Aztec watching Vic and his horses walk by...
Champ and Falcon, Assisted Living...
Lyfting and Jimmy Dean, living in harmony...
A new arrival at Shiloh- this is Graffiti. "Fitti" was owned and ridden by my younger brother, Clint, when he was growing up. She is in her 30's now and is retired at Shiloh. Welcome Fitti!
Wandering mule, Moose...
Big Pasture...
Bowie, Big Pasture...
More Big Pasture...
Tortilla and Taquito, looking for trouble...
More Big Pasture...
Okay Corral breakfast...
More breakfast in the Okay Corral...
Okay Corral...
Easy Street. The big paint up front is Wampum, that's Frisco behind him.
Orleans, Okay Corral. Orleans has Melanoma growths in her throat area but she is still doing well and living a good horse life...
Eden and Sully, Assisted Living.. Eden is sticking her tongue out at me...
Wanderer Concho stole some of Rabbit's hay in the Hospice area...
Seemore, Little Vacation Village... Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Jill on Fox 5 News More Access
Jill was on Las Vegas' Fox 5 More Access yesterday discussing Tony, the upcoming Esatate Sale (a portion of which benefits the animals at Shiloh) and Shiloh. You can watch the interview here.
Photos from Woodside
For those of you who are not on our Facebook, these photos are from our previous show, The Summer Even at Woodside.
Entering the Dressage arena...
Doing our test...
Afterward...
"Well done, Jedermann!"
Stadium, we pulled one rail...
Double clean Cross Country and Jeder gets a well earned pat.
Entering the Dressage arena...
Doing our test...
Afterward...
"Well done, Jedermann!"
Stadium, we pulled one rail...
Double clean Cross Country and Jeder gets a well earned pat.We ended up in 7th place in our division at Woodside.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Odds and Ends
As you know, I have been out of town, so I have fallen behind in the blog...
This past weekend, Jedermann and I competed at Copper Meadows in CA. We scored a 22.5 in our Dressage on the first day, went double clean on Cross Country on the second day and went double clean on the third day's Stadium round. We began and ended in First Place in our Division! I ordered videos of all three phases of Copper, as soon as they are posted I will add them to our blog and Facebook.
HUGE thanks to everyone for their support and encouragement. Thanks to Shiloh Friends, Sharil and Megan, who came, pitched in and groomed for me at this show. Special thanks to my horse show mom, Sally, and my sister/trainer, Sarah, for helping Jeder and I finished at the top. Next show, November's Galway in Temecula.
Thank you also to our wonderful volunteers and hard working guys, Leo, Felipe and Diego, who held down the ranch while we were gone...
NOTE: Sally and I will be out of town for the remainder of September, so Shiloh will be closed to all visitors and volunteers until September 30th when we will reopen.
More good news as Will left this past weekend for his new adoptive home. Will was born at Shiloh 3 1/2 years ago and is now beginning his new life's journey...
Speaking of horses in their adoptive homes, here are some new photos of Cairo/Apollo in his new home:
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Saturday...
A very crazy and busy day today. It was just one of those days when from the moment you start in the morning, things just keep happening and you never get a chance to sit down!
In spite of the craziness, on CityCenter, the dogs and Aztec kept their cool...
Curry, Sandi and Capone and John and Kerkorian headed out for a nice trail ride...
Aztec showed his softer side...
And Sharil spent time with her horse, Cochise...
At one point I was told, "Don't go in your tack room, Jill. The Burros were in there." Of course they were! Here is what I found...
Eden was groomed by a new volunteer...
The Hickey Family enjoyed the day together with their horses...
Will had some admirers and possibly found his new home!
Vanessa and her horse, Oenomaus (Formerly Slash)...
Constance and Gentry headed out on trail...
So did Sarah and Sansa...
Mojo helped Anna hose of her horse, Beau...
Moose wandered through the Barn aisle...
A view of Assisted Living...
Beau and Anna in the arena...
We had a special visitor today- Jenny and Wishes trailered in for a trail ride. Wishes was born at Shiloh and it was fun to see her back and all grown up!
In spite of the craziness, on CityCenter, the dogs and Aztec kept their cool...
Curry, Sandi and Capone and John and Kerkorian headed out for a nice trail ride...
Aztec showed his softer side...
And Sharil spent time with her horse, Cochise...
At one point I was told, "Don't go in your tack room, Jill. The Burros were in there." Of course they were! Here is what I found...
Eden was groomed by a new volunteer...
The Hickey Family enjoyed the day together with their horses...
Will had some admirers and possibly found his new home!
Vanessa and her horse, Oenomaus (Formerly Slash)...
Constance and Gentry headed out on trail...
So did Sarah and Sansa...
Mojo helped Anna hose of her horse, Beau...
Moose wandered through the Barn aisle...
A view of Assisted Living...
Beau and Anna in the arena...
We had a special visitor today- Jenny and Wishes trailered in for a trail ride. Wishes was born at Shiloh and it was fun to see her back and all grown up!
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