rajafacesbothways

Bikers Bash

An abundance of bikes and bikers descended on Georgetown Friday and Saturday for the Horsey 100 an opportunity for riders--many from out of state--to pedal on scenic country roads, around horse farms and through the hilly countryside. It was an enjoyable time for me and I didn't even have to get on a bike. Two biker friends, Ruth and Beth came from Chicago along with Eric, another Chicagoan on his first trip here.  And we all anticipate their return another year.

 After their rides, my rooftop became the hangout two nights for relaxing, eating and sipping. The most   fun was watching the reaction of a "nice Jewish man from the big city" (who asked about the designated breed barns on some farms). He seemed astounded when we described in detail the mare meets stud event.

No comparison to "When Harry Met Sally". Down here it's nothing but'(big) business as usual!

(Horsey) Party Animals

Last night the Kentucky Horse Park opened the Gift From the Desert exhibition with a gala cocktail party for about 600 guests, including the Royal family members from Saudi Arabia and KY Governor Beashere.  There was live music, an open bar, fabulous food and oh yes, the exhibition. I was one of the volunteer greeters but managed to slip in among the photographers to take a ribbon-cutting photo, enjoy all the goodies, observe people, all without paying $100 for a ticket. Living on the edge is great fun and takes up less room.

The men from Saudi arrived in a limo, were surrounded by body guards and greeted by officials. The Princess appeared a bit later, looking lovely, much in charge but without the pomp of authority. Tonight is an official dinner, overseen by a caterer from France. (no--I won't be attending)

Those from the horse culture in Kentucky certainly know how to throw a party.

Fly By Nights

After a few nights of bat watch, plugging up their entrance has proven to be effective. No bats.

However, amazing and disconcerting observation--no bats are seen flying from any of the nearby buildings, as they have done for years! Somehow members of the colony must send out messages that part of their environment is  disrupted. There are many old buildings and barns here open for relocation and plenty of free housing is available.

How do they communicate? Facebook is definitely ruled out. Could twitter be a possibility?

Not My Rooftop Garden

Before I start showing you "how does my garden grow?", I thought I'd share a couple more photos of Yuko-en, the local Japanese garden.

Of Horses and Bats

The Sunny 16 photo group went to to Taylor Made Farm, one of the larger thoroughbred farms in the area for a photo shoot. Here's a glimpse of what we saw:

Barn Interior:

And horses, of course:

Came home and sat on rooftop with friends waiting to see if any bats left from the eaves at dusk. Not a sign. Whew! Wonder where they spent their day?!

Bat Watch

I knew they had returned. I could hear them settling in to sleep all day in the empty loft space above my bed as I got up in the morning. Kinda' creepy. Their tiny entrance was a hole in a corner of the eaves on the roof, above my porch.

So Batman  (a.k.a. as neighbor, Day) came to my rescue with an extension ladder and a roll of foil to plug up the space. Dusk came.  The chimney swifts stopped their fighter pilot performance air show and dropped like helicopters into their chimneys.

We sat on the flat rooftop next to my porch, eating ice cream and waiting. Suddenly an enormous bat swept out of the entrance. Followed by another huge bat. And another! Oh my gawd--six launched out for their flight time.

Finally it was time for "Batmen" to climb the ladder (3 trips) and stuff their back door with foil. What happened when they returned? Don't know. I like bats, a great species that probably does more good in the world than most politicians and hated to throw them out. However, I've been forced to leave places I didn't want to depart. Let's see how they adapt. I just hope it isn't through a "side door."

Saturday night in a small town doesn't get anymore exciting than this.

Take a peek at the irises at the Yuko-en Japanese Garden:

Not Just Horsin' Around

With the election, Chicago and my "Secret Garden" taken care of, I now turn my attention to docent training for the "Gift From the Desert"  exhibition and the myriad info I need to understand about the Arab world--geography, religion, cultures, customs and of course, the Arabian horse. The exhibit, The Art, History and Culture of the Arabian Horse, opens next week at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Horse park has been flooded with people from the British Museum and others from 40 countries involved with putting this all together.

I've gone to some presentations and lectures, with more to attend for training. Security will be tight and it won't be open to volunteers or the public until after Thursday's grand opening reception, attended by the Royal family of Saudi Arabia, the Governor and others of (ho hum) importance. I'm going to be a greeter for that--basically to see what they are wearing, and possibly to scarf down some of the  exceptional food being served. I am sooo shallow.

It's hard to believe such a worldly art event is a few miles away from my lil' town. I'm beginning to think Kentucky is where the action is this year. With Rand Paul we'll have both the yin and the yang of attention.

Election Round-Up

Remember when our mayor went to her brother's house, furious because he was running for City Council in this year's election? She slammed his door in his face and damaged his nose. The police were called.

She was defeated in Tuesday's mayoral primary by 52 to 27 percent and will run against this same opponent in the November election. Her brother made the list of candidates for City Council for the fall election.

 Hmm. I wonder if she will eventually be restricted from ever being an election official, due to the qualification that you have never been in a duel.  Would slamming a door in someone's face after a verbal duel disqualify her?

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I have a bit of a quandary. One election officer who has served "forever" is old and has trouble hearing. She handed me the wrong ballot for my vote, and I needed to correct her. She admitted she couldn't see well. Should I report her or let her fade away. She possibly is related to someone with connections?

Election Disclosure

The insider's account of an election:

4 am:  Roll out of bed

5:15:  Set up voting facilities (e-slate, e-scan), hang posters, put out flag, coffee and donuts

6 am: polls open, early voters arrive

6:30: coffee and donut

7:00  check area for any illegal posters or electioneering--do this throughout the day.  Have a yogurt

8:00: carrots and celery sticks

8:30:  one last donut--more bad coffee

10 am:  bagel, mozzarella sandwich

noon: 3 slices of bacon cheese pizza

1 pm:  one more slice of pizza ( cold--no bacon)

1:45: candy bar, really bad leftover coffee. Only banana remains.

2:00: A voter brings us a huge bowl of popcorn.

Throughout the day a uneven stream of voters came through. Voter percentage was less than 30 percent. At 6 pm the polls closed and we tore down all we set up hours before.

Election Fever

I've received robo calls from Senator Mitch McConnell and Pat Boone today, urging me to vote for their senatorial candidate ( Trey Grayson) in tomorrow's primary. Boone had to first extol how cool he was back in the fifties. I find these calls helpful. Anyone they recommend is someone I will vote against.

 Hmmm. Is it supposed to work that way?