Today is #MarketFriday initiated by @dswigle (Denise, that's me!!) Join me as we share our markets across the globe. I always look forward to seeing what you send me! It is amazing to see the different markets and cultures of our friends here on steemit. I have been pleasured by all of you, as you send in the most wonderful posts. Going places, doing things, buying merchandise. I have been surprised by many, not being familiar with the culture and I must say that it has been such an educational experience for me in so many ways and I hope for you also. This week, I am taking you to the annual Chincoteague Pony Auction, in Chincoteague, Virginia! Who's got their Steem ready to bid? They make it really easy! You don't even have to register to bid. All you do is raise your hand and you are in the bidding! Careful you don't raise your hand to scratch your nose! Oops! You just bid!
I am not sure how anyone could resist a little filly with a heart on her forehead. Le sigh. Isn't she the sweetest little thing you ever did see? I raise my hand to bid. After all, I collect hearts in nature. Surely that is a good enough reason.
Unfortunately, she was a buyback pony so there was no chance she was coming home with me. Every year, there are some ponies that are preselected as buyback ponies. They usually have unusual markings or have awesome traits of a Chincoteague Pony. They keep so many to replenish the herd and keep the good traits strong. The winner of the buyback will name the pony before it is released back into the wild. Buyback ponies have become some of the highest-priced foals that are sold at the auction.
At the end of the auction, the buyback foals are kept at the Chincoteague Carnival Grounds with their mothers until the fall, when the foals are weaned. The mothers go back to Assateague Island and the buyback foals are kept for the winter there at the Fairgrounds, the Volunteer Firemen watching over them until the spring when, they too, are released into the wild.
The more spirited ones come out bucking and causing a ruckus. And yet, he was a real looker, so, there is that. What to do. What to do.
Here is what the winning bid looks like! It is the most exhilarating feeling of being the lucky one to get the bid. The winning bid. Surely it was like winning the lottery. There was such happiness, joy written all over her face. I can remember winning the bid for my Henry, everybody cheering and congratulating me. It was like having an impromptu party, on a Thursday morning. Sublime.
In the midst of all the activity, there is such a wonderful feeling about it all. The foals will leave their mother, but, they will be taken home by someone who will love and cherish them forever and ever. This worker at the auction know and he is excited for the young girl who won the bid. Yes!!! Happiness is so contagious. The crowd gathers around her and is congratulating her. In this sometimes not-so-kind world, today... I feel the love of a stranger showing love to another stranger. It is exactly why I love coming. Le sigh.
Excuse me? Do you think you can pull the tag for me?
All the ponies are tagged and the tag identifies who they are, who is their mother, color, which herd they belong to and birth date, among other information. So, when they lose one, it is a challenge to reproduce all of that information.
Please leave the link to your post on here so it can easily be found by others. They will all be in one place!! Thank you! ❤
You paid WHAT for me????
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Don't forget to PAY the lady!!!
The Feather Fund was started by a truly remarkable woman and her husband. It sponsored a young person who wanted a pony, but, wasn't able to afford the cost of buying one or had no means to bring it home. This year, the fund sponsored three children. For those thinking that if they can't afford it if they cannot purchase it, Chincoteague ponies are easy keeps. They don't have to be grained and they graze, just as they do out in the marshes of Assateague Island. They don't need shoes and so that makes them very affordable to keep. Read more about this woman here.
The youngsters recovered quickly and began a game of chase. Much like children do. How funny is that?
I hope you will join us as we share different markets. It has been such a pleasure to see markets from all over the world. Who doesn't love to see what they are selling? There is always a curiosity attached to foreign ingredients, different produce or any product sold. So, yes! I would love to see yours! So don't forget to take photos wherever you happen to be shopping - whether it be the grocery, art galleries, wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Don't forget to use the hashtag #marketfriday and @dswigle.
It has been most wonderful bringing you to the auction. You are so quiet and I thought I would see a whole lot more steem flying around.
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He was going to be a fall pickup. He was born 6 days ago over on the island, but, he will not be released to the owners for months. There were quite a few of those this year and they will be spared the harsh winter out on the island and will be cared for by the Fire Department Volunteers.
STOP!! BRAIN TEASER AHEAD!!
****Question: One horse traveled for a whole day and at the end, it turned out that two of its legs covered 30 miles, whereas the other two covered 31 miles. How is this possible?
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Answer! Can you guess??? The horse was operating a mill and was traveling in a circle. Thus its outer legs covered larger distance than its inner legs.
As always, there must be a flower. Always. To color my world. This flower is dedicated to #FridaySkyBlue #ColorChallenge by @Kalemandra, who colors my world every day.
Is it possible, is it true, can one conceive the exquisiteness of her beauty? Oh, please! Forget-me-not!
And just like that, this post is done. I hope you enjoyed your visit! As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to visit #MarketFriday!! Thank you for supporting the challenge! Have a most fabulous day! Cheers!!
Let the sun shine in on your life So the joy may touch your soul
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Fridays are all about the #MarketFriday Challenge! Looking to take part in it? Here is how:
How to Participate:
1. Go to the market! Any market will do! Food, Clothing, Plant or Animal, if you wish. You can go to the zoo or an art auction. Anywhere or anything that you pay money for a service. I once went to a nail salon. 2. Take pictures! Be creative (or not) 3. Tell us a little bit about the market, what brought you here? 4. Post the picture(s) 5. Don’t forget to hashtag it! #MarketFriday by @dswigle 6. Drop the link to your post here so I can easily find them
It is always interesting to see the different markets around the globe! C’mon! Show me your market shots! I eagerly await them!
I love to share and be shared with! I am intrigued by different cultures. It is exciting and yes! I would love to see yours! Don't forget to take photos wherever you happen to be shopping - whether it be the grocery store, the local marketplace or even an art gallery, a kite festival! Wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Be different if you wish! It does not have to be a traditional market! We will love it! I promise you! Don't forget to use the hashtag #MarketFriday and @dswigle.
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Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Because of you, I come back to post again and again, I am encouraged by you, for the time you take to visit, comment or even upvote. For all of these reasons, I am eternally grateful. Don't ever forget what a wonderful world we live in, people. Let's hold hands around the globe and make this earth really spin. Some days, it is not as easy to see, how wonderful it really is. Kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.
I always post this poem down at the bottom of my posts. It is one that has become so near and dear to my heart. I only post the most famous part of it, but, wanted to post it in its entirety today.
they set my aunts house on fire i cried the way women on tv do folding at the middle like a five pound note. i called the boy who use to love me tried to ‘okay’ my voice i said hello he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?
i’ve been praying, and these are what my prayers look like; dear god i come from two countries one is thirsty the other is on fire both need water.
later that night i held an atlas in my lap ran my fingers across the whole world and whispered, "where does it hurt?" it answered,
"everywhere" "everywhere" "everywhere"
warsan shire
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