Arena Work Day

Here I am...back from an unplanned, unscheduled hiatus, feeling a bit sheepish. I'm determined, nonetheless, to renew my commitment to writing a daily post. While this entry is not focused on horses, it is connected through the arena. A month or so ago, neighbor Kristen, daughter Melanie & I were talking about a vision for the arena, and amidst other much more lavish dreams and plans, came the plan to put in a native species garden, which Melanie & I have discussed several times in the past.

The three of us planned an Arena Work Day, which was scheduled from 9-2 on Sunday, June 4th. The primary focus of the day was to till up a spot for the garden and plant some native species plants. Daughter Helena picked up nearly 100 plants from Shoreview Natives which is located near Two Harbors MN. The Ripley family turned out - nearly in its entirety, Kristen R and Jenny K both came and pitched in, and the garden became a reality. Even more satisfying than seeing the garden, is the feeling that I get when family and friends pull together to create something good and wonderful!