I had a full day.
I was up with the dawn because the puppy needed to go out and the animals all needed to be fed before I headed off to be on a television show. I was co-host on Better Connecticut with Scot Haney again today and I couldn’t possibly have had more fun. Here’s a clip that I was able to lift from the web. I was given a DVD of the entire show and would like to figure out how to load clips from it onto the blog, because we had a woman celebrating her 102nd birthday on the show and she was amazing. She was beautiful and bright and lighthearted and she had hand-crocheted the most intricately worked lace doilies for us. I just loved meeting her. She was born in 1908.
Then I came home and had some fun taking photographs of animals enjoying the galley of my friend Julie Klam’s forthcoming book, YOU HAD ME AT WOOF. My favorite of the photos is this:
That’s my friend Jenny Carolan’s dog Rugby, above. He is quite the character, as you can see. I also like the photo below:
Okay, this is the best:
Alright, my favorite:
And then I went riding and found that I could videotape our silhouette – our shadow, on the grass, climbing up and down the hills with us. I could have done a better job editing. At one point we were cantering quite fast and I had to mess around with the reins. It was a beautiful day for a ride. Hope you like the video. If you can’t see the embedded video, click here.
Ann I LOVE the video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could see the t.v. clip but not the video. I guess Holly would have chewed the book up, is that why she not included in the pet pics.
I just love it… mark has nice ears too, on top of the eyelashes…. so beautiful.
I SO love these videos. What a beautiful day and it seems…a an absolutely lovely ride. Love the shadow display.
The duck picture rocks. Enough said.
what a full day! love the video. very clever to use the shadows. the setting is gorgeous. and the book photos are a hoot.
Candy, I think I fixed the video link.
That is an amazing video — absolutely love it – you broke new ground there. The farm is so, so beautiful.
If I ever win the lottery, I’m taking as many poor, deprived Nevada horses cross country as I can, to run in the lush fields. In fact yesterday I fantasized that I had won $250 Million like that lucky SoCal woman, and mentally I actually ran through the money pretty quick. $100 Mil (after taxes) doesn’t buy what it used to!
The photos are great, too! I couldn’t pick a favorite. . . well, maybe it is a toss up between Mark and the duck.
As for “Better Connecticut” it is so funny that you and Scot both cross your arms at the same time.
I want to mention that tomorrow is the Postal Service Food Drive. http://www.nalc.org/commun/foodrive/
My cupboards are a little bare, but I may part with some recent acquisitions to help the cause — the perfect opportunity to get rid of that box of Rice-a-Roni, or can of cling peaches that has been lingering.
great videos and love the interview. yum… all aboard the taye diggs train – whoo whoo!!!
Mary Lynn: when you fantasize about the lotto money – isn’t it funny how quickly it slips through your hands? So much to do after Uncle Sam takes their chunk………after the villa in Italy, the brownstone in NY and the hacienda in New Mexico……..geez!
Ann, Congrats on another job well done! My mom DVR’ed today’s episode without my even mentioning it – we’ll have to have a look when I’m over there for Mother’s Day on Sunday.
And by the way, a very happy Mother’s Day weekend to all our moms on this blog – moms to human, furry and feathered kids alike. From, quite possibly one of the younger blog posters. (Moi)
And that grassy field? Now *that* is a field. I’m drooling over here. I’d pay to ride on that field. Incredible.
I can also safely say that I don’t think I’ve ever had a horse I could gallop through a field and hold a camera, including Midnight, who I trusted like no other. I think I’ve asked but didn’t get an answer – what breed is Mark? I’d love to know!
Kim – exactly! Well, first I gave a million each to my mom, my brothers and sisters, my nieces and nephews, my best friend, and my employer — just to shut ‘em up, and keep ‘em out of my hair for awhile . . . then I started thinking about my home, my ranch, my horses, my cars, and assorted collectibles. Next, I fantasized about traveling the world . . . opening my museum, restaurant, casino, and relaunching my clothing line . . . then I totally forgot about making my movie, which I have budgeted for $30 Million. . . oh, and the charities, and leaving enough money in the bank so that I will always have enough to live on . . . suffice it to say, if I ever DO win a massive lottery, I won’t hesitate at all, I will know EXACTLY what to do with it.
Oh, and I will host an Anntourage get-away for all of us to meet and celebrate!
In the immortal words of Blondie . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl3iaTUQQvY
Or I could blow it all on a Picasso.
Mary Lynn: Absolutely – family and friends always come first – I will tell you this………..it does happen. I started playing “Take Five” after my girlfriend (who did not need the money) won $105,000 last October. She got $73,000 after taxes. I was SO happy for her. I then started playing – I won $500 3 months ago but hey – like they say – you gotta be in it to win it. What did that couple win in CA? $266 mil? Can you imagine? I would be like a drunkin sailor. You really have to pick and choose your poison after something like that because friends come out of the woodwork. I would imagine it would be somewhat frightening. Still………money does not buy happiness but it does buy freedom. I could live with that.
Perhaps a Van Gogh?
I LOVE MARK!
Marsha: Isn’t he to die for?
Ann – after watching the “Mark” videos and loving each of them – I think I’m just totally inlove with YOU. I love seeing the interaction between the two of you. Its just joyous.
Mary Lynn
While you win whatever it is you are hoping for, and about the Picasso… print some from the net… I have one of his on fb from the album where rodeo drive stuff is included… also there is a photo of him. I mean,why not?. An image is an image… (they had guards at the store ~like every each one of them!,) but I smiled and got photos of what I wanted ~ and the guards smiled too.
Wonderful post today, Ann! You had a very full day. The clip from the show is charming. You know Taye Diggs!!! Wow. The book photos are so funny. Rugby is adorable, but Mark’s my fav. The video is very creative. I’m with KC: I envy the fields and trails you have for riding AND your ability to use a camera while cantering fast. I think your shadow is wearing a helmet. I hope so, but hats off to you! I have been very lucky to have some wonderful horses, including the one I have now, but I can’t imagine riding and using a video camera. Mark is amazing. Would love to know his breeding/history. Also lonely for Holly. Hope to see her here soon. Thanks for all you do.
I watched the show last night, and thought you did a great job, Ann. You always seem so happy, and that’s what I think keeps the TV viewers coming. You truly seem to enjoy being there. Wasn’t that 102 year old adorable! Her secret to longevity – no alcohol, no cigarettes, and no kids. If that’s really the secret, I ought to make it to the ripe old age of 90. I hope that you will be the co-host when I am invited to the show. I won’t present you with a lovely crocheted doily, but I have a lovely collection of gold-toned macaroni vases.
I’m about to watch the Mark video now. ‘Looks like I’ve got a full day too!
Mark is half-Percheron, 1/2 Morgan. He’s got a solid drafty body, rather short legs and neck, a lot of energy and smarts (morgan) and yes, he’s special. He’s not always perfect, but he tries to take care of me. I’ve had him since he was three and now he’s 13 so we’ve grown to trust each other, though he will sometimes be scared out of his wits at something that only he can see and he has flung me out of the saddle in his frantic efforts to escape the monster. Right now my biggest fear when riding in the woods is encountering a black bear with cubs. There are quite a few around here and if we saw one, I know I would have a bit of trouble convincing Mark not to throw me and then …well, I just won’t think about that.
Awwww, Kim, thanks!
Julie’s book looks awesome. Ann, you know such smart, literate animals!
Thanks so much for providing the links for your videos. I’ve watched the movies of you and Mark cantering along those beautiful trails again and again – love your creative use of the camera!
I, too, miss Holly – what is she up to these days?
Just an FYI – The new season of Rescue Me begins Tuesday, June 29th at 10p. I was in another room, heard the music and slammed into the hubby in a frantic effort to get to the tv.
Thank you, Ann, for starting what is going to be a sad day for me – I say goodbye to my son who is going back to Switzerland – in a lovely, uplifting, enchanting way. That countryside is just breathtakingly beautiful. I am thrilled that you are so fortunate. As they say, “It couldn’t happen to a nicer person”.
Lupe, I won’t buy the Picasso . . . but I will buy some of Tony Curtis’ paintings, and help out Shiloh Horse Rescue.
Ann, I don’t think Mark will throw you on purpose . . . but he may spook, and want to fight off imagined attackers with a rear and a buck and a kick, and then get the hell out of dodge . . . If you come off in the process . . . well, it is instinctive for a horse to know that “he who travels fastest, travels alone.”
My first horse Jenny, once spooked on our sleepy country road, and I ended up on the ground with my foot still caught in one stirrup. She stopped and looked at me, with a “what are you doing down there?” expression. I’m not saying she was worried about my welfare, but I think it occurred to her that running off and dragging me between her legs me wasn’t going to benefit either of us. She once saved me in a halter class, from a horse that pitched a fit right next to us . . . again, self-preservation on her part, I wasn’t paying attention, she was. Horses are so much more attune to their surrounding than we are, and they are creatures of flight.
So, anyways . . . Jerry Weintraub’s book is out. I’ve always wanted Jerry to produce my movie . . . and I hope he will. I obviously need to be more persistent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_oGoOTL_g0&feature=player_embedded
Ann you make me laugh filming yourself riding because you love it so much. I film myself driving my beloved sports car. I put it on the dash. I yammer and cackle at my own jokes during the entire filming process. I havent had the nerve yet to put them on my own blog. Maybe I should. LOL Such fun
As an avid eBayer (after a long hiatus, I am pleased to say my newly listed items are attracting bids — but I really need to get on the stick, and add many, many more), and interested observer of the Modern Art Market, I got a big kick out of this — http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/magazine/09FOB-Consumed-t.html?ref=magazine
I probably couldn’t have come up with the clever name “A Tool to Deceive and Slaughter” and would have simply called it “There’s a Sucker Born Every Minute”.
Hi Ann! Great job on Better CT. That Scott guy is hilarious (not sure if it’s intentional or not).
Thanks Ann, loved the video. What a beautiful piece of property that is. Lucky you to get to ride there.
Two talented, funny, stylish, and outspoken women on the Joy Behar show last night — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqgvfmS7xWI
How can Dionne make such a casual outfit look so good, and be so candid about her smoking habit? Hilarious. . . and Connie! Don’t you want to hang out with these anti-Divas?
What an interesting cross! I’ve looked around on the web and found some for sale. Also found this quote from an experienced horsewoman: “it’s possible that there’s a bad Morgan-Percheron cross out there somewhere, but if so, I certainly haven’t met it! All the ones I’ve worked with have been strong, balanced, intelligent, and sweet.”
I hope you don’t meet any black bears with or w/o cubs, but if you do, you might try putting Mark into a shoulder-in. Very helpful in iffy situations in getting his attention back on you. You and Mark are lucky to have each other. I’ve had Pascal the same number of years you’ve had Mark, and he’s mostly reliable and there is trust between us. A gift.
I think y’all know how much I love Dionne Warwick, so it was a real treat to see her on TV last night. So many great performances, she is the ultimate stylist — but I found this clip of her roasting Sammy Davis, Jr. that is a vintage gem – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tedjUX3FXHw&feature=related
Connie and Dionne—-2 true Jersey girls !!! Born and raised here. Dionne from East Orange/ Newark and Connie from Newark/ now living in Essex Fells. They are terrific…..and I’m proud to share New Jersey with them !!!
Thanks for the video Mary Lynn…
Ann, I just watched the clip you posted. You really have a knack for this co-hosting stuff. Arliss’s review (in yesterday’s post) was spot on! And I’m loving your videos. It makes me want to video myself in the kitchen pretending I’ve got a show on the Food Network.
Welcome to Amy! Shout out to Amanda and my thoughts are surely with Nashville.
Happy Mother’s Day everyone!
Thank you Catherine E. (and everyone else) for thinking of Nashville. You guys are great.
Wishing all of you a very Happy Mothers Day!!!!!
Barbara, I love their response when Joy asked them if they live in New York. Says a lot for New Jersey that they were born, raised, and still live there. I don’t know why Jersey gets such a bad rap. . . just fun to make fun of places you don’t understand, I guess.
I got a little video for the Manhattanites — hehehe –
Sing it Buck! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEe02hCiWmk
Catherine, definitely video yourself cooking. I used to video Jamie Nudie who is a fabulous cook and natural host, while she pulled a Graham Kerr, and hit the juice while she whipped up a meal. If I can ever figure out how to get those videos out of my Handycam . . . anyways, they are not as funny after you sober up, but as you have seen from Ann’s videography you never know exactly what you are going to get, and there are lots of happy accidents.
Ann, when Oprah ends her show in 2011 I think you should take that time slot for your own talk show.
The interview with Taye Diggs and his great memories of traveling long distances on trains made me think of one of my favorite movies… SOME LIKE IT HOT. The scene with Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe drinking and partying in his sleeping compartment is hillarious. The whole movie is so funny. I laugh till I cry.
Happy Mother’s Day to everyone!
Christine, I just finished “My Antonia” and am starting “The Making of Some Like It Hot” which was personally autographed to me by Mr. Tony Curtis. I talk enough about Tony . . . so I’ll leave it at that.
I watched Ann’s awesome video again, and it reminded me of riding Foggy in Golden Gate park and encountering this -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zte-ICw-vOI
This made Foggy absolutely insane, and his prescription was “more cowbell!” — only kidding — he had to run. I suppose it reminded him of the track and thundering hooves, or maybe like me, he just wanted to get away as quickly as he could. The drum circle was my biggest fear.
Oh, and speaking of Percheron crosses, Shiloh has an amazing big, beautiful buckskin (I want to adopt all the buckskins) filly up for adoption. Her name is Latte, and she was born at Shiloh out of a rescued Premarin mare (I think we all know the story there, right?). Check out her page and watch the video of her first ride. She is just a big (16.2 – not too big), calm, sweetie – 3 years old – and like Ann and Jane who got their lovebugs at age 3, Latte is looking for that special someone to spend her life with.
http://shilohhorserescue.rescuegroups.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=418995
Ann,
Wishing you and all blog mothers to have a very Blessed and Happy Mothers Day!!!!!!
Mary Lynn,
When I was in grade school I watched this interview with Tony Curtis and he said negative things about Marilyn Monroe. I was too young to understand what he was talking about, but it had to do with her drinking etc. Many, many, many years later I saw another interview with him and he spoke about Marilyn differently. He said back then there was no such thing as addiction. People were supposed to know how to handle pills, alcohol etc. Marilyn was viewed negatively because people didn’t understand she had an illness and he said he was to blame too. He felt badly about the way he thought of her then and during the filming of Some Like It Hot.
Let me know how you enjoy the book. I rarely get to read a book until summer time…long story…..but I love biographies, autobiographies. I love Tony Curtis in every scene in that movie, especially on the yacht…..water polo… 2 ponies drown underneath him…..catching herring that shrinks in the marinade…..type O blood. And Jack Lemmon dancing the tango and planning his honeymoon!
Ann, I am late to the party, but thank you for this post!SO enjoyable— I love the pics, the video AND you are a natural on TV!
Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Sunday to you ALL!
Great photos! However, knowing Rugby I think he’s more likely to be reading doggie porn. I think I saw a copy of “Hot French Poodle Bitches in Heat” hidden under his dog bed.
-Lisa
Hi Lisa, I think you’re right about Rugby, the cad! Flora thinks he’s devoted to her.
Happy Mother’s Day all!
Christine — Tony gets the most flack for saying “Kissing Marilyn was like kissing Hitler” – he was joking. They dated when they were very young. Of course, he always loved her, but they both had so many romances . . . and by the time “Some Like It Hot” was made Marilyn had all kinds of problems — she was pregnant for one (and would lose the baby). But for all her difficulties, she was definitely worth the inconvenience. I love to hear her sing. This famous dress will be auctioned in June in Las Vegas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y71hzDywOis
Oops, I think it is this scandalous number going on the auction block. Marilyn really did hate underwear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWk62WlpT1c&feature=related
Loving the rides, keep sharing!
While we’re waiting for Ann’s next blog post, I thought I’d share a little video that the animal peeps on here would enjoy! My mom’s Sheltie, Checkers, gave birth to four little puppies almost 5 weeks ago and we got to spend some time with them yesterday. They’re so cute I can’t stand it.
http://thundermoonfarm.blogspot.com/2010/05/puppy-love.html
Please don’t mind the Peanut Gallery behind the camera….aka Matt and I.
KC, I’m grinning from ear to ear from all that cute. What adorable and so fluffy pups! Thanks for sharing that.
: )
Thanks KC. I’m smiling on a gloomy Monday.
Cuter than cute, KC!! Checkers has some beautiful babies, there, and I see some future champions already! I had to laugh at Barkley. He does a pretty good straight up leap–looks like my Wheaten, Graham!! Thanks for the videos!!!!
Mary Lynn,
I had no idea that Tony and Marilyn dated or were involved. Those 2 dresses she wore in the movie must have been scandalous back then. I can’t believe they allowed it. As a kid I thought she was topless the first time I saw the movie.
Christine — I think the rumor (but not true?) was that Marilyn was pregnant with Tony’s baby during the filming of “Some Like It Hot” — I haven’t read the book yet, so I’m not sure how it is treated between the covers. When I saw Tony’s show at the library, he showed the famous kissing scenes from the movie, and I actually blushed — they are so HOT! Sometimes we forget how incendiary Marilyn was. . . check out this song “Some Like It Hot” that was recorded, but not used in the movie. Amazing what she could do with her voice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHaq_tljiZQ&feature=related
KC, Mary Lynn, etc, thanks for pitching in and keeping the blog going while I was distracted. KC, those puppies are adorable! I love the little “oops” and chuckles coming from you. SO cute. “Some Like it Hot” is one of my all time favorite movies. I’m thinking we should also all watch some classic movies and have live chats about them now and then. W Also, is everyone else loving My Antonia as much as I am? Thanks again Candy for this GREAT recommendation.
Mary Lynn, thanks for the clip! I never heard that song before. I wish they kept it in the movie.