Horse Racing on the Cusp

 On Saratoga's biggest day of racing (Travers Day), another 2 horses were lost - Nobel in the 5th, dropped on the gallop out after finishing and was euthanized on the backstretch of the turf course. New York Thunder dropped at the sixteenth pole of the dirt track and was euthanized behind the screen in front of the grandstand. (Having been to Saratoga, I cannot imagine that those in the upper rows of the grandstand had their view blocked by the screen.) I did not watch any races that day - have barely watched since we lost Maple Leaf Mel in the test - but did watch the replay of the Travers after reading that everyone was home safe and Archangelo had won. another feel good moment for Jena and her crew. She has not pushed this horse - he had not raced since his Belmont win - and she had taken some heat for that. But kudos to her for listening to her horse and having the backing of her owner. (Shades of Michael Matz and Barbaro in 2006 - he took heat for the 5 weeks between the Florida Derby and the Kentucky Derby.) 

 The emotional public outcry to cancel the remaining week of the Saratoga meet is understandable. Horse racing has a perception problem. But as my friend teresa pointed out in her writing yesterday, the numbers tell a different story. On track deaths have declined over the years. Will we ever be able to have 0 deaths? Likely not, because we are dealing with living, breathing beings. I am heartened by the action I have seen from the HISA group - trainers suspended (and not just the little guys at the low-level tracks). More technology-based initiatives. We can and must do better. (I also find it interesting that while people are writing their hands about Saratoga, one of the most scrutinized trainers on the west coast has skated by relatively unheralded with the deaths of 2 of his horses.) 

    On the creative front, I have 10 placemats and 2 runners ready to be layered and quilted. Slowly working through the pile of fabric I pulled to replace inventory sold in Brunswick. I have time but it always runs out before I feel I'm ready for the next show.

    

Historic Moments...?

 So the 45th President of the United States last night was processed in the Fulton County, Georgia jail on his 4th set of charges this year. I DO NOT (and will never!) understand how and why so many people still believe this man 1) is innocent of any and all of these charges; 2) actually won the 2020 election; and 3) deserves to run again or become President again. For those of you in the back (Yes, you who think he will save you from your miserable lives!) HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU!!! HE ONLY CARES ABOUT HIMSELF!!! Witness - he is fundraising, asking for and, sadly, receiving your hard earned money for his legal defense fund in exchange for a likely cheaply and foreign made tee shirt with is mug shot on it. How many hours did he practice that scowl so he could appear "powerful"? He is too concerned with his owns life to govern effectively. A second term would be a revenge term, at the expense of any meaningful legislation. Nothing to make anyone's life better, save his own. And so many people who worked in his administration have basically denounced him that I shudder to think who would be in those places in a 2nd administration. It has taken Biden almost 3 years to replace all the under-qualified office holders Trump appointed. I will; renew my Facebook posts about paying attention, doing research and making an informed choice. Because we cannot survive if we go back.

 And it seems as if this past Wednesday was RunARedLightWednesday in Maine. In the short time I was out on the roads, I saw 3 instances, all resulting in evasive maneuvers but no accidents. I know we are all distracted and should not be while driving. Please, please, please pay attention to the road and noting else. I promise to do the same. Oh, and while we're on the subject of driving, please slow the f___down!

 Another rainy Friday here in Maine - the 10th or so in a row. Good, now I don't have to feel guilty for playing in the studio today! 

Bravo Brunswick!

 This past Saturday's Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival was an unqualified success for LeafLady Quilts! Perfect weather, crowds of eager shoppers, easy load-in (well, who's up at 6 am really, other than us?), and an attentive crew of organizers made it an enjoyable day. I sold a couch throw right off so it was a good start and the runners just flew off the rack. I managed to move a few "dinosaurs" (items that have been in the inventory for too many years but I knew there would be an owner somewhere - turns out it was Brunswick!) and some smalls as well. I was making my last sale 30 minutes after the official closing which put me behind for packing up. Just as well, because then my timing aligned perfectly with my neighbors who I convinced to hang on until I could get my car and take their parking place to load up. I even lucked out with the left hand turn onto Maine Street and hardly had to wait! It was a long day but so worth it - my best one day show ever! And I'm already halfway to this year's goal to hold onto my Resale Certificate for next year!

    The only negative was the incredible amount of traffic noise. Because it was such a spectacular day, every motorcycle owner in the state cruised through downtown Brunswick and we all know how some of them just love to let the world know how great their bike sounds. I guess a small price to pay.

 So now I'm taking a break for a week to catch up on house and yard work then diving back into creating more runners, placemats etc. I'll start including some holiday fabrics as it's never too soon to get into the holiday mood and I suspect the show in Topsham in mid-November will be just as busy as this past weekend. (Lots of retirees with lots of disposable income in that area I suspect.) 

Moving Along

 Less than a week before the Brunswick show and I'm finishing up a half dozen lavender sachets to add to the inventory. The previously mentioned placemats never happened but I'm okay for now. I suspect that will be first on the list next week, at which time I can add holiday fabrics to the mix. And I'm busier than ever with UMC membership queries as we put the word out for non-members. I've decided that we're only about 20% successful in converting those to actual show applications as most people are looking for the $25 table shows. I get it. The first time I did Artistree I gulped at the about of money they wanted for a booth but it was so worth it. I found my audience and some good friends. 

 I put on my big girl pants on Friday and watched a race from Saratoga - a horse bred and partially owned by an FOB. The mare had won an allowance last year at the Spa in an upset that had people talking for days. Good connections, local trainer, his daughter is the jockey - what's not to love? Anyway, Val didn't have the same result this year but it doesn't matter. She came home safely, is loved and that's what really matters.

 We went to see Theater Camp yesterday. Loved it. Took me back to my drama-rama days at IC. Not a fan of the new "improved" Maine Film Center (aka Railroad Square). It's now a soulless glass and cement barn with little to recommend it beyond its newness and better seats. 

Updates

 Took some time out from creating inventory to take in some culture this week. Monday evening we attended a concert on the lawn in front of the Lithgow Library in Augusta with he Dunlap Highland Band. (https://www.dunlaphighlandband.com/) While we watched the dark rain clouds roll in from the northwest the band entertained with some classics (Amazing Grace, Scotland the Brave) and some other unfamiliar tunes. It was an unusual and enjoyable evening but we left early, in part to beat the rain which never materialized and in part to be home in time for Jeopardy.

 Thursday we trekked out to Monmouth for the Theatre at Monmouth's production of Shakespeare's As You Like It. It was a well-produced, acted and directed show although likely somewhat confusing for those unfamiliar with the story. A couple of over the top performances were the only distractions. And I've always loved that intimate theater in Cumston Hall which appeared to have had some renovations since I was last there. A true gem of a theater! 

 The rest of my week was spent either at the sewing machine or in front of the television, creating and completing more inventory. So far, since the Belfast show, 10 bread cloths, 7 wall hangings, 5 runners. I have 2 more weeks until the Brunswick show so will try to sneak in a couple of sets of placemats. Plus I still need to tag/package things and add to the inventory spreadsheet. And I have gardening to do - my beds were neglected during all of July because it was far too hot and humid to even think about being out there. Still, things have flourished, mostly because of all the rain we had.

Addendum: As I often do in the summer, I was watching racing from Saratoga and sadly witnessed the horrific breakdown of Maple Leaf Mel in the Test Stakes. Just two strides before the finish line, she appeared to stumble and then crumpled to the track, throwing jockey Joel Rosario to the dirt. FOX thankfully cut the camera away immediately then went to a commercial break while everyone gathered themselves. I lost my desire to watch any more races today but I see that the positive energy that was Mel and her connections has left for the time being as the trainer who won the Whitney later on the card is someone who should never have regained his trainer's license in New York or anywhere. His blatant disregard of rules and cavalier attitude towards the horses in his care should have banned him for life. Perhaps if HISA had been in effect back 10 years ago he would have been. His victory meant that the other positive energy of the day, Cody's Wish, was denied another win. 

My sincere condolences to all of Mel's connections, especially those who were hands on with her. I know they will feel the loss for a long time and continue to wonder "What could have been?" Also, condolences to anyone else who witnessed the end of this race, whether online, on television or in person. 

Addendum #2: In an extremely classy move, Brendan Walsh, the trainer of Pretty Mischievous, the winner of the Test, showed up at Mel Giddings shed row Sunday morning with the blanket of flowers awarded the winner. He said essentially that he knew Maple Leaf Mel won the race. Her empty stall has become a shrine and the blanket is front and center. Walsh's gesture comes on the heels of his decision to forego the traditional winner's circle celebration and presentation the day before. No one at the track felt like a celebration. 

And to those on social media who are trolling posts about this sad day, know that karma knows on bounds. In the words of Don Henley - learn to be still.

 

Social Media updates

I recently signed up for the new Meta app, Threads. It will take some time for me to find "my" people over there as many have not made the jump yet. This is perhaps the third different Twitter alternative I have tried and it might be the best, One thing I don't like right off is the lack of a desktop option. I am old and do not like conducting my life on the small screen of my cell phone. I enjoy scrolling as opposed to swiping. Time will tell if I become very active on Threads - waiting for the horse racing community to make a choice here.

    Speaking of which, I had recently followed a racetracker who is part owner of a horse I follow as he seemed to be totally smitten with this horse and I loved seeing the daily updates and pictures. However, this morning I unfollowed him as he had mocked another member of my online community for something I felt did not deserve his disdain or derogatory title. This had been coming for a while as he has also been a very vocal critic of a writer for a national racing publication for what he perceived of as an uber-negative comment about a trainer and also been very vocal and not very respectful in his pleas for the New York racing Authority to assign his trainer better stalls at Saratoga. I did not find the writer's assessment to be off the mark and while I agree that NYRA should be more sympathetic to the trainers who base their operations at Saratoga all the months the track is open for training as well as racing I think there are better ways to approach the problem than pleading on social media. Hence the straw that broke the camel's back today and resulted in the unfollow button being utilized. I don't follow people for the dramas they thrive on and this crossed the line for me.

    Still working on new stock for the upcoming Brunswick show. Another new show for me and one everyone has said should be a good one. We'll see. My first show in that area in several years so maybe it will be great. Hope the weather cooperates. (Thankfully, my last outdoor show for the year.)

    The weather is still gross. Too humid, too hot on the sunny days too wet on the cloudy ones. And today we have wildfire smoke drifting down from Canada which I can already smell this morning. Relief is coming in a couple of days - drier and clear. Cannot wait. Will vacuum and wash the kitchen floor. 

Racing updates:

 Re-reading previous posts has yielded the following updates:

1) Caravel did not make the trip to Ascot. Cannot remember the reason but it was all good as I was distracted by getting ready for the Belfast show and did not have ready access to the coverage (NBC decided to place most of the week in their Peacock streaming platform and I was reluctant to pay for an entire month). Saturday was available on regular cable channels but I was in Belfast with no way to watch. There was one shining US moment - George Weaver, in what I think was his first trip to Ascot, won the Queen Mary stakes with Crimson Advocate. He was accompanied by his wife, Cindy, who is still recovering from very serious injuries sustained in a fall from a horse at Saratoga last July.

2) HISA is in full effect now and already there have been "preliminary suspensions" for several trainers after failed drug tests for their horses. None of the big names but still a step forward. 

3) Churchill Downs Inc. just announced yesterday that they have extended their ban of Bob Baffert through 2024. Response from Baffert's camp was swift and contained the usual denial of any wrong-doing and subtle slams against CD. Baffert is sounding more like a certain GOP presidential candidate with each passing post.

On to other things - one of our neighbors must have spent an entire paycheck at the fireworks store last week, judging by the length and volume of the display they shot off Saturday night. Sunday was too rainy and they were quiet last night when it was dry - hoping today's weather or their lack of further funds keeps the neighborhood quiet this evening. They went until 10:45 Saturday- I thought the cutoff was supposed to be 10 but then what do I know? I would never impose such noise on my neighbors, which makes me think these are newbies in Sidney. 

Working this week on new pillows for the Brunswick show. Then on to more wall hangings as I'm very thin on inventory in that area. Than more placemats and runners. I've already replenished the bread cloths. Brunswick will be an exercise in patience because of the location and logistics of a show on downtown sidewalks. We'll see how this all works out - still no idea where my booth will be. I need to know this soon folks!

After Brunswick, I'm out of the spotlight until the end of October for the UMC Harvest show in Portland. A new show for UMC, we'll see how this location and date works for us. Then another new to me show, the SSMC Maine Made Christmas Show in Topsham. I'm familiar with the venue as I checked the show out last year. It was busy and bustling and seemed to have lots of sales going on. It's the first show for me with that group. Then I fins=ish up the season with the UMC Holiday show, again a new location this year. We loved the space at the Portland Expo but the parking was not workable for our patrons. So we're trying out the Italian Heritage Center this year. Then I think I'll work on getting the top that Alliene gifted me several years ago quilted - I have the batting and backing, just need to put it together and quilt it up.