Coffee Clutch with Dutch Henry: Weekend

Showing posts with label Weekend. Show all posts

Monday, July 1, 2013

"Have An Enterprising Day"

Howdy Folks,

It's great to be back home, although a visit with our daughter and grandchildren can never really be long enough. Don't you find that true too? … We had a spectacular time, gosh do 7 and 5 year olds have a lot of energy!! A cook out Saturday night, sausage, peppers and onions on the grill, neighbors … and more children. Did you know those things they call "Super Soakers" hold about 20 gallons of water, and in the hands of 5, 6, 7, & 8 year olds can be very accurate?! Oh gosh, not a dry eye, or shirt was to be found on the patio ... Our grandbabies and I did manage to dry off for a few games of battleship.

Hannah, Ben and Grandpop playing Battleship

After the splashy cook out we retired to the house for a Star Trek "Enterprise" night. I'm Trekky, or Trekker, don't care what you call me as long as you call me in time for the show! A good friend of Abbie's is a big fan too and he brought all of season 2 (Enterprise) for a Star Trek party. The guests broke into 2 groups, those who care about Captain Archer, Trip, T'Pol and the rest, and those who are uninformed. The Enterprise series was cancelled way too soon, I personally think Scot Bakula made a terrific Captain, and as a prequel it had some mighty fine story lines, fine acting … and this series is tied in first place for my favorite of all the series with the "Next Generation" series …

To me, at the core of the Star Trek franchise, or universe, is how important it is to help each other, explore new ideas and set good examples. I like that.

Gene Roddenberry and the cast of Star Trek the original series at the space shuttle Enterprise

I borrowed the entire set of all 4 seasons of Star Trek Enterprise, so I might be a bit distracted this week, as I "Warp" through space and time. I told Kessy all about the episode I watched when Captain Archer's beagle Porthos got sick, and I think she was quite concerned. I know Saturday was listening.

Have an Enterprising Day!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Monday, December 10, 2012

"Weekend Fun & Christmas Adventures!!"

Howdy Folks,

HAPPY MONDAY! … Boy howdy did Raviashin' Robbie and I have a jam packed weekend! We hope you all had a chance to squeeze in a thing or three you did just for fun, too. Of course all of us are busy getting ready for Christmas, or thinking about getting ready for Christmas, and our weekends, to some degree, revolve around that.

My weekend started Friday at Heartland Horse Heroes, which sadly was the final visit for the children in this session, but was exciting for me because I was a leader and got to be part of the sessions and it was kind of a cool way to say goodbye to the children.

Saturday, now that friends, was a jam packed day! … Started of course with our normal Coffee Clutch then off for the first of 4 adventures of the day. A visit to the Museum Of The Confederacy where Robbie and I learned how to make period Christmas tree ornaments.

Then on to what has become one of our annual Christmas events since moving to Appomattox, going to see the "Virginia Christmas Spectacular" at Thomas Road Baptist Church; the church founded by Jerry Falwell, who also founded Liberty University. Folks the show they put on is Broadway caliber and has become a must-see for Robbie and me. (And apparently for tens of thousands of others!) This year's spectacular was, "Yes Virginia, A Christmas Letter"

We hurried back to Appomattox, for the Christmas show at Appomattox Court House Theater."The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!" Ravishin' Robbie worked the box office and sold refreshments. I was scheduled to do what I do best, sit and watch the show ... Some say I'm good at starting the laughter and applause, too. By golly this show had a lot of that! What a fine job they did putting on the show! Over 20 children and folks I think they are all ready for the big time!

From the theater, Robbie and I scurried to Baines Books and Coffee for an evening of Christmas carols, and other fun music. It's always a great time there, but Saturday night was especially lively. Of course I was wearing down a little by then, but the group sings sure recharged my batteries! From the looks I got from Robbie a time or two, I think she would rather they didn't recharge quite so fully ….

Sunday we set out for Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, his retreat near Lynchburg in the later years of his life. Robbie and I decided this year we'd visit as many historical locations as we can to check out the Christmas decorations. We really enjoyed the tour and were quite impressed at the progress they've made in restoration. Our last visit there was 5 years ago. We plan on going to Monticello before Christmas, too.

Robbie had to get back for the Matinee at the Appomattox Courthouse Theater … Kessy and I hit the trail for an afternoon ride. We had a great ride, even though Kessy was quite full of herself and demanded a few runs through the trees. I wondered if she somehow had picked up on the pace Ravishin' Robbie had set for me this weekend!

I think I'll take a few days and recover before we set out again on Saturday. We hope all your Christmas adventures are coming together and you'll have as much fun as Robbie and me!

Gitty Up

Dutch Henry

Welcome to the Coffee Clutch

Welcome to the Coffee Clutch, a happy place to visit. I write uplifting stories about a wide variety of subjects from horses to birds and nature, to love and family and friends. Sometimes I'll post excerpts from stories I've written for Equine Publications. Sometimes I'll post about writing itself. Coffee Clutch got its name because I often write while enjoying my morning coffee in the barn with my mare Kessy, and all our critters. Join us here for fun conversation and stories I promise will make you feel good.

It's For The Horses

This is not a book about riding, or training horses. It is a book on my thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how folks might find the joy in doing things for the horse, with the horses’ point of view as the leading guide. My hope is to help as many people as possible learn to hear the horse, feel their spirit, and in that way help horses everywhere. Over the years I’ve met and worked with remarkable people and horses who taught me about their feelings, their joys, their sadness, and their spirit. As a horse advocate everything I do is from the horse’s perspective, including this little book. Every story, idea, suggestion and thought on these pages will be to suggest and share thoughts and ideas on how to maximize a relationship between horse and human—from the horse’s point of view.

Tom Named by Horse

The only man ever to offer Tom respect is Red Cloud. The only woman to give him love is Red Cloud’s granddaughter. Struggling with his own personal demons, Tom finds himself wedged between honoring that friendship and staying true to the depths of his conscience. Amid a backdrop of tumultuous social upheaval, he finds nothing prepared him, the woman he loves or Chief Red Cloud, for the changes about to thunder into their lives, sweeping them helplessly into the tides of human conflict and historical drama. Available on Amazon.

From The Banks OF Little Bear Creek

The Tom Named by Horse Saga continues. Three years after the death of Tall Dog, Tom Named By Horse and Soft Cloud have turned the little soddy, the lands granted them by Red Cloud, and the lean-to barn into a thriving horse ranch, fulfilling Tom’s dream. The Plains Indians Wars, or Red Cloud’s war, is mostly behind them, and the lands have had their transformation as Red Cloud’s vision had warned years earlier. Trailing horses from the ranch to Denver city has become an annual event for Tom, Buck and the rest, and this is the story of that trail. In the spirit of a good old John Wayne movie, vengeance, cattle and horse thieves, a dirty sheriff and corrupt mayor, and a wedding make this year’s drive a ride you’ll want to tag along on.