Country life

A tall, dark stranger came into my life on Saturday morning.
I was working at my desk when I heard whinnying. I knew that the foxhunters were meeting nearby, but this sounded REALLY close.
I looked out the window -- and there was a black horse standing in my driveway.
I'm an avid spectator of equestrian events but not much of a participant. But I did know enough to realize that I'd better try to get hold of him.
Without even saving what I had on the computer screen, I threw on jacket, hat and boots, walked outside and greeted my very handsome, very well-groomed visitor. He let me take hold of his lead rope with no fuss (thank goodness) and as I walked him down the driveway and onto the road I pondered where this guy might have come from and what on earth I should do with him. I knew he didn't belong to the ladies at the end of the road, because I know their horses well. Maybe he belonged to the trainer down the road?
First brilliant idea: I took his photo and posted it on Facebook, asking if anyone recognized him. A friend immediately chimed in, "Never look a gift horse in the mouth!" (So helpful, Rob; thanks.)
We walked up and down the road for about 15 minutes when I heard the sounds of a horse approaching -- sure enough, it was the grateful trainer down the road trotting up to collect his wayward horse. He told me that "Mr. Universo" is something of a rock star, likes to have his own way and has bolted before.
"This'll give you something to write about!" he said with a grin as I turned over the lead to him.
For sure! It was definitely an exciting morning for me -- much to the amusement of my friends who have all-too-frequent experience as horse catchers.
A pal of mine checked out Mr. Universo's pedigree and found that this Brazilian native has both Northern Dancer and Native Dancer in his bloodline. No wonder he's fast!

Wegman's

Wegman's has applied to build a supermarket in Concord Township, Delaware County, on the south side of Route 1 east of Route 202. The chain will need conditional use approval from the township supervisors before it can break ground. I'm not sure that this Wegman's would be a lot closer than the Downingtown one for me, but I'll bet it will be for a lot of my readers.
(Thanks to my friend Rich Schwartzman of "Chadds Ford Live" for this tip!)

Postponed

If only I got paid by the meeting like I did at the beginning of my journalism career! On Jan. 17 the West Marlborough supervisors had a conditional-use hearing that lasted all of two minutes; their only action was to postpone the Russell Jones spent compost hearing until 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21. One resident came in a few minutes late and missed the whole thing!
The court reporter, Bill Handy, had been forewarned that it was going to be a very brief meeting, so he brought his wife along and the two of them headed out to The Whip for dinner as soon as he packed up his court reporting machine.

Tires and turtles

Sure, a lot of places boast that they offer their customers "free Wi-Fi," and that's great, but really: how many have waiting rooms with two turtles and a great big South American fish swimming in a huge tank, overstuffed chairs, and a coffee table piled with current newspapers and magazines? Colledge Tire on West Cypress Street does, as I found out when I got a tire repaired there yesterday. The cause of the slow leak (which was quickly becoming a fast leak) turned out to be an inch-and-a-half-long nail. They fixed it and had me on my way in a half-hour. Loved those turtles!

Chasing

Last night I had the great pleasure of seeing "Chasing," a short documentary about steeplechasing and specifically about Unionville's own Jake Chalfin. 
According to the press release: "The 23-minute film, produced for horse racing cable channel HRTV’s “Inside Information” series, looks inside the world of American steeplechasing through the eyes of an injured former jockey learning to cope with his new reality. The uplifting film features the beauty of steeplechasing and Thoroughbred racing as well as one person’s struggle to deal with a life-changing blow. An amateur jockey, Chalfin was injured in a fall at a point-to-point in 2010 and paralyzed from the chest down."
Jake is the true star of the show: he's articulate, inspiring and genuine. But it's also fun to see several locals on screen, as well as lots of shots of the Willowdale Steeplechase and some "helmet-cam" footage. The gorgeous green fields and hills of summertime Unionville are on full display, a welcome contrast to our current boot-sucking mud.
The premiere, hosted by Jake and filmmaker Kristy Cecil, was held at the Stroud Water Research Center in West Marlborough on Friday (complete with popcorn!). The film will be aired on the cable channel HRTV at 8, 8:30, and 11 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27.
Congratulations to everyone involved in making this beautiful and deeply moving film. At dinner afterward a friend of mine said he could have sat there and watched it several times in a row, and I completely agree.

Time to de-decorate

Not to sound like one of those zero-tolerance homeowners' associations ... but, really, it's nearing the end of January. Your Christmas wreath and garlands are turning brown and depressing, and it's high time to take them down. Christmas lights I will tolerate a little longer just because I love that super-bright gaslight blue color. Thank you.

Silver lining

I decided to clean out my jewelry box, getting rid of anything that's not wearable or that no longer carries any sentimental value, and this afternoon I boxed it up and took it all to Kennett Square Jewelers at 123 West State Street. They quickly sorted out the "good stuff" from the costume jewelry, peered at stones and chains under magnification, did an actual acid test on one antique piece (it was indeed gold!) and paid me a surprising amount for the whole kit and caboodle. The cozy little shop sells lovely things, including some nice amethysts and opals in vintage settings; definitely worth a visit whether you're buying or selling.