This will come as no surprise to friends who wince when they receive their veterinarian's bill. On Nov. 2 the "Wall Street Journal" reported that the average American household "spent $655 on routine doctor and surgical visits for dogs last year, up 47% from a decade ago....Expenditures for cats soared 73% over the same time frame -- on pace with human health-care cost increases."
The article attributed the increased costs to the more advanced treatments available for animals today as well as "higher standards for routine care."
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I was #44
30%. 169 out of 566 people. That's what voter turnout was in my municipality, West Marlborough, on the general election last Tuesday. I really don't understand why it's not at least 90%. Sure, some people may be traveling, or ill, or have some other good excuse -- but surely not that many!
I can't remember the last time I missed an election -- possibly when I was overseas at school, but that was a long time ago. It's the way I was brought up, and I actually look forward to expressing my opinion (as you've perhaps noticed).
You really don't have a leg to stand on in any of the controversies raging in our little corner of the world if you don't vote. You don't like what's going on in our township? Well, you had a chance to vote for or against one of the supervisors. Same with the school board.
Plus, in West Marlborough, voting is fun. I took a lovely walk down to our polling place in the township garage, and I got to chat with several friends who were helping out with the elections.
I can't remember the last time I missed an election -- possibly when I was overseas at school, but that was a long time ago. It's the way I was brought up, and I actually look forward to expressing my opinion (as you've perhaps noticed).
You really don't have a leg to stand on in any of the controversies raging in our little corner of the world if you don't vote. You don't like what's going on in our township? Well, you had a chance to vote for or against one of the supervisors. Same with the school board.
Plus, in West Marlborough, voting is fun. I took a lovely walk down to our polling place in the township garage, and I got to chat with several friends who were helping out with the elections.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Hunt Cup
What a perfect afternoon for the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup on Sunday! It was warm and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Four friends and I piled into a big Ford truck, along with two corgis, seven collapsible chairs, two folding tables, pulled pork sandwiches and subs from Hood's in Unionville, home-made cookies, baked beans, split-pea soup in a Igloo cooler, a tub of drinks, a cooler of beer, and various chips and salsa. We got there at 11 a.m., scored the best parking spot on the entire course, set up our party and proceeded to eat, drink, socialize and watch the races.
It's pretty exciting to see the horses and jockeys galloping right by you and taking the fences almost in unison. The two pony races that started off the day were lots of fun to watch. Jody Petty, aboard the legendary McDynamo, paced the young riders around the course, and after the last fence they got to race to the finish. Those ponies really moved!
Paddy Young -- amazing rider and nice guy -- had a splendid day, winning both the Arthur O. Choate Memorial and the Hunt Cup races.
Unfortunately, in one race, a horse went over a fence and then simply dropped dead on the spot. It was a chilling sight and brought tears to the eyes of a lot of spectators.
In another race -- at the very same jump -- two jockeys came off their horses, and one horse went running off the course. Two outriders and a spectator got him under control, and they walked the beautiful animal back right past our truck, much to the delight of my equestrian friends.
"That," said one in awe, "is the Ferrari of horses."
As always, hospitality was the order of the day, and lots of friends stopped by our party. The two gentlemen in our party set up their chairs in the bed of the truck for a better view over the beautiful countryside and got a kick out of waving to us commoners beneath. They said they wanted scepters for next year.
One tailgate party near the finish line was held in memory of Gilbert V. Sheck, a dapper gentleman who was a fixture at every local equestrian event until his untimely death at age 52 in November 2009. His friends even brought Gil's classic Ford pickup, sporting an American flag.
This was the 77th running of the Hunt Cup races, and it's become an autumn ritual I look forward to. Thanks to the Hunt Cup committee for keeping this wonderful tradition going!
It's pretty exciting to see the horses and jockeys galloping right by you and taking the fences almost in unison. The two pony races that started off the day were lots of fun to watch. Jody Petty, aboard the legendary McDynamo, paced the young riders around the course, and after the last fence they got to race to the finish. Those ponies really moved!
Paddy Young -- amazing rider and nice guy -- had a splendid day, winning both the Arthur O. Choate Memorial and the Hunt Cup races.
Unfortunately, in one race, a horse went over a fence and then simply dropped dead on the spot. It was a chilling sight and brought tears to the eyes of a lot of spectators.
In another race -- at the very same jump -- two jockeys came off their horses, and one horse went running off the course. Two outriders and a spectator got him under control, and they walked the beautiful animal back right past our truck, much to the delight of my equestrian friends.
"That," said one in awe, "is the Ferrari of horses."
As always, hospitality was the order of the day, and lots of friends stopped by our party. The two gentlemen in our party set up their chairs in the bed of the truck for a better view over the beautiful countryside and got a kick out of waving to us commoners beneath. They said they wanted scepters for next year.
One tailgate party near the finish line was held in memory of Gilbert V. Sheck, a dapper gentleman who was a fixture at every local equestrian event until his untimely death at age 52 in November 2009. His friends even brought Gil's classic Ford pickup, sporting an American flag.
This was the 77th running of the Hunt Cup races, and it's become an autumn ritual I look forward to. Thanks to the Hunt Cup committee for keeping this wonderful tradition going!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Stottsville Inn
How can it be that I haven't written about one of my favorite lunch spots, the Stottsville Inn?
I've been going there for years. It's a very comfortable spot and the food is really tasty, whether you order a sandwich (the salmon on pita bread is my current favorite) or a larger meal of, perhaps, fish or pasta. Their lobster bisque and snapper soup are particularly good and I love their vegetables, even the cooked carrots. The owner and chef is Jack Saleh; odds are good he'll come out from the kitchen and greet you.
I've also been to Stottsville for banquets and special events, and in the evening there's a very friendly crowd of locals at the bar. Legend has it there's even a ghost who lives upstairs!
Stottsville Inn is at 3512 Strasburg Road, between Weaver's Mulch and Parkesburg. The menus and hours are on the website.
I've been going there for years. It's a very comfortable spot and the food is really tasty, whether you order a sandwich (the salmon on pita bread is my current favorite) or a larger meal of, perhaps, fish or pasta. Their lobster bisque and snapper soup are particularly good and I love their vegetables, even the cooked carrots. The owner and chef is Jack Saleh; odds are good he'll come out from the kitchen and greet you.
I've also been to Stottsville for banquets and special events, and in the evening there's a very friendly crowd of locals at the bar. Legend has it there's even a ghost who lives upstairs!
Detour
Those of us who frequently travel on Powell Road in Newlin Township were delighted when the bridge near Route 162 was fixed and the road reopened, as I for one got a little tired using Scott Road as a lengthy, though scenic, detour. Why, then, are all the "detour" and "bridge out" signs still hanging around on the roadsides?
Because Powell Road is going to be closed again later this fall for pipe repair, according to the "Newlin News" newsletter.
Because Powell Road is going to be closed again later this fall for pipe repair, according to the "Newlin News" newsletter.
Solar Firefly Jar
You have to cut catalog writers some slack, but this crosses the line. It's a six-inch-high, lidded glass jar with a plastic vine and some round blobs inside. The ad copy:
"Bring back those lazy summer nights when you and your friends chased fireflies. These are faux, but they're every bit as magical... The five fireflies turn on automatically at dark. Complete with faux foliage to create a realistic environment."
Yuck! Lightbulbs in a jar is NOT the same as seeing actual real fireflies light up at dusk. Another example of how removed so many people are from nature these day.
"Bring back those lazy summer nights when you and your friends chased fireflies. These are faux, but they're every bit as magical... The five fireflies turn on automatically at dark. Complete with faux foliage to create a realistic environment."
Yuck! Lightbulbs in a jar is NOT the same as seeing actual real fireflies light up at dusk. Another example of how removed so many people are from nature these day.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Hunt Night
Stevie Hayes of Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds ruled at Hunt Night at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg on Oct. 17.
Stevie, riding "Clever," won the Field Hunter Class for Riders over 35 years of age (I told him he obviously lied about his age) and the Gentlemen's Hunter Under Saddle Class.
Cheshire also took first place in the team competition.
"Winning the Hunt Team competition was quite a feat as nine Hunt Clubs from the East Coast sent teams of six members to participate in the event," said a press release on the show's website. "It was truly a sight to behold as the teams of three riders jumped the course at the same time, following each other as if out on a hunt, and taking the final fence in unison. The team of Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds #1 with Hayes, Cindy Buchanan, VMD and Joy Slater, negotiated the course in spectacular fashion keeping a close distance to each other and jumping the last fence as a single unit."
Congratulations, all!
Reporting on the event, my fellow blogger "Horse Country Chic" said, "Fox hunting is a great sport but it takes a certain type of rider and horse. You need to be bold, aggressive, fearless, not afraid to fall off and most of the people I know who hunt are "brave" and live life to its fullest."
Stevie, riding "Clever," won the Field Hunter Class for Riders over 35 years of age (I told him he obviously lied about his age) and the Gentlemen's Hunter Under Saddle Class.
Cheshire also took first place in the team competition.
"Winning the Hunt Team competition was quite a feat as nine Hunt Clubs from the East Coast sent teams of six members to participate in the event," said a press release on the show's website. "It was truly a sight to behold as the teams of three riders jumped the course at the same time, following each other as if out on a hunt, and taking the final fence in unison. The team of Mr. Stewart's Cheshire Foxhounds #1 with Hayes, Cindy Buchanan, VMD and Joy Slater, negotiated the course in spectacular fashion keeping a close distance to each other and jumping the last fence as a single unit."
Congratulations, all!
Reporting on the event, my fellow blogger "Horse Country Chic" said, "Fox hunting is a great sport but it takes a certain type of rider and horse. You need to be bold, aggressive, fearless, not afraid to fall off and most of the people I know who hunt are "brave" and live life to its fullest."
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