Hurricane Sandy

Long Island and the surrounding region are still reeling from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy. Gas stations are running out of gas because people are panicking and filling up their tanks and getting extra gas for their generators, thousands and thousands of people are still without power, and many have suffered irreparable damage to their homes and vehicles. The situation in NYC, Staten Island, NJ, and parts of Connecticut is horrific. Homes, neighborhoods, and businesses have been destroyed. If there ever was a time when communities needed to come together and help one another out, it's now. Local communities, national community, and even the global community is the best resource we have to recover and rebuild.

If you are reading this from another part of the country that was untouched by the hurricane, or even from another country altogether, I urge you to make a donation to the Red Cross to aid relief efforts.

Donations can be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, online at redcross.org, or by texting REDCROSS to 90999 (donates $10). 

It doesn't feel right to me to blog about things that you can buy, when there are people out there who have lost everything waiting for help. I was one of the only people I know who didn't lose power as a result of the storm, and I'm suffering a bit of "survivor's guilt." Thank you in advance for any help you're able to give.

Field Trip: Bayard Cutting Arboretum!

A few shots from my hiking and exploring excursion yesterday, as always wearing my trusty Dubarry Galway boots. Fall is a beautiful season... get outside and enjoy it before winter comes!

Field Trip: Trail Riding!

I'm always pretty antsy to get outside, but the first couple weeks of Fall when you christen your light jackets and sweaters are probably the most intense for me. After a long and stressful work week, my friend Samantha and I decided to go trail riding. Going out in the woods to ride is also a nice break from riding in a ring most of the time. Though our trail guide and companions were admittedly not as great as the last time we went to this particular barn, it was impossible not to enjoy tromping through the woods on horseback.

Ariat Quantum Devon Pro Zip Paddock

Leaves are still pretty green!

Sam riding Phil -- gorgeous Paint!

Post-ride with Tex.

Partially due to the chill, and partly because the last time I rode Western with half-chaps the insides of my knees were sore, I opted to wear my full-length chaps. I haven't worn those since I was in high school, so I was definitely pleased that they still fit. My new-ish Ariat paddock boots are so handsome that I've been wearing them for street purposes, but I decided that I was wasting their functionality by not riding in them. Also -- I don't care if you ride English or Western, trails or lessons, it does not make a difference. WEAR A HELMET. My Charles Owen GR8 has served me very well over the years and I will not get on a horse without it.

While it's easy to order riding gear online from big sites, I always recommend taking a trip to your local tack shop and seeing what they have to offer. If you're on Long Island, the Country Riding Shop in Stony Brook has always been my favorite, but if not, a quick Google search will certainly find you the tack store nearest to you. Shop small and local!

Field Trip! Greenport Maritime Festival

This weekend was the annual Maritime Festival in Greenport, NY. My favorite part is looking at the big special boats they have docked there, but there are some interesting vintage finds and antiques to be had in the street fair part of it as well. The drive east to Greenport is dotted with farmstands, so we stock up on homegrown goods before the season is over. I DID drive by the Wm. J. Mills & Co. shop in the hopes of seeing some of their awesome bags in person, but they unfortunately close on Sundays.

Farm stand friends!

It doesn't get much more local than buying produce from someone's front yard.