Venting

It's Monday. The sun is shining brightly through my windows, and Lovey is soaking up sun on the edge of the patio. I'm trying to decide whether to wear my hat or sunglasses or both when I walk Remy and Rosie this morning. We had a black bear mama and cub in the North Boulder neighborhood where I usually house-sit this weekend. You can see their photos above. I hope to get a few good shots of the foxes and their kits during the next few months, also.
There is so much going on in the world - most of it bad - that I've been trying to ignore it. But ignoring it doesn't make it go away. I've been worried about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico since the fire and explosion were first reported. Now the spill is threatening ecologically frail marshes, wetlands, and coastal systems throughout the south. Since the announcement of the spill, I've thought about the Exxon Valdez accident off of Alaska; I am horrified that this nightmare is re-playing on a much larger scale once more. ... And the failed car bomb in Times Square in New York City - If you want to draw attention to a cause or a belief, do something other than trying to make a big boom. My suggestions? Go to the top of the Empire State Building and remove your clothes; chain yourself to the doors of the UN Building and remove your clothes; remove your clothes in the middle of Times Square.... Some people will look, others will laugh hysterically, some will call for the police. Tape your manifesto about your cause to your chest or genitals - that will guarantee some attention. If you want to blow something up, do it to yourself and yourself alone. Try not to pollute.
I'm finished venting for the day.

Aiko and Yoshi

Aiko and Yoshi on the rear deck steps

Aiko Munsinger, a client

Yoshi Munsinger, a client

Aiko watching Lovey check out the garden room door

Odds and Ends

I'm looking forward to checking out the fox den tomorrow - the black shoe and both leather gloves have disappeared during the past week; but a small leather strip and the wings of a robin have now taken the showcase spots. It's amazing to me to watch the "ornamentation" of a den entrance throughout the year. ... In commenting on Calvin Borel's three Derby wins in four years, I must mention the great Bill Hartack, who won three in five years (covering 1960 through 1964). Borel rode Hurricane Ike to win the Derby Trial last week, and Ike is being pointed at the Preakness; but if Super Saver runs in the Preakness, you can bet that Borel will be in the saddle. ... I'll be at my sister's for the next weekend, and then I'll gear up to stay with Steve and Indy for 16 days out in Niwot. I'll miss walking Rosie and Remy those days, but I can't make the trip on a daily basis without a vehicle - it's just too far off the bus route.
I thought that Lovey was larger that Aiko and Yoshi. She's definitely taller - but I believe that the two little boys both weigh more than the girl. She weighs 9 1/2 pounds - I think Yoshi hits the scales around 11, and Aiko about 14 pounds. Have a look at the above photos and make a guess yourself....

Super Saver Wins Wet Derby

On Thursday, I listed my four choices for winning today's Kentucky Derby. I listed the only filly running, and three boys. A colt I liked finished first; the other three horses finished 9th, 10th, and 11th. Super Saver won the race. He was guided on jockey Calvin Borel's usual rail-skimming path, saving ground the whole way, and only passing one horse on the outside. Ice Box was second, and Paddy O'Prado, whom Donna Brothers liked to win, finished third. My other picks of Mission Impazible, Devil May Care and American Lion finished in the middle of the pack. Todd Pletcher had tried to win the Kentucky Derby with 24 previous entries; today he had four; one won. Calvin Borel, on the other hand, has ridden in the past four Derbys - and won three out of four. He's the only jockey to be able to claim that - beating out Eddie Acaro, Willie Shoemaker, Gary Stevens, Eddie Delahoussaye, and Jerry Bailey.
It's a shame that Super Saver's sire, Maria's Mon, died the year Super Saver was born. In his short career as a stallion, Maria's Mon sired two Kentucky Derby winners - Monarchos, who won in 2001, and today's little bay winner - one from his first crop of foals, and one from his last.

Lovey on the Prowl

Seabiscuit and Buds

Seabiscuit and trainer "Silent Tom" Smith

Seabiscuit and regular jockey Red Pollard

Derby Day

It's just above the freezing mark, the sun is currently shining, and several birds are having a great time teasing Lovey out in a multi-boled tree. They settle in the highest branches, and wait for Lovey to climb up near them before they fly. - And they sound like they're laughing at her! - We're expecting a rain and snow mix late this afternoon, so I'm encouraging Lovey to go out and run around before we return home at noon. I put together the ingredients for, and baked brownies yesterday; and found 12 (new to me) ancestors/relatives while working on genealogy. Today the Dumb Friends League in Denver is having their annual Furry Scurry - a 5 mile walk/run (for people and their pets) to raise money for this worthy non-profit. (And the local sports casters are having a ball poking fun at how "excited" and how much "fun" Tim Tebow had yesterday in his first day at the Broncos mini-training camp.)
Rachel Alexandra was voted the 2009 Horse of the Year over Zenyatta because she beat three-year-old colts in her last several races; she was voted in over Zenyatta, even though Zenyatta beat the best male horses in the Breeders Cup Classic. This year, Rachel has raced twice and lost twice. Zenyatta has raced twice and won twice. I know that I'm prejudiced, but do you think the Rachel fans might begin to see the truth about Zenyatta?
And, today, at 6:24 p.m. (EDT), the hearts, lungs, legs, and will of 20 young Thoroughbreds will be tested in the Kentucky Derby. One girl, nineteen boys. Weather will be a factor; the forecast is for heavy rain, thunder and lightning, and gusty winds. I know I'm rooting for four horses out of twenty - but today, racing luck, a jockey's experience, past training to build up strength and stamina, and the will to win will be the winning combination. Here's to a day free of racing accidents and incidents!