May 2013....

It is just a light drizzel here. We decided not ,not , to cut and so we will see next week if we make hay .

sorry bout all the storms; I am going to just sit and have another cup (coffee) in a spot of mine under the garage door. Virginia has gone for a serius "snooze". We had our morning (review of thigs) , ---after 51 yrs it sure is nice . Two together seem to get a lot more done. Isn't that right CB

sometimes that is true OL MAN, sometimes we needs our space! sometimes 11 acres just arn't enuf!

Y'all stay safe in the storms spreading across the states.....heed warnings! Be alive to do things another day!

Take care! EVERYONE! we have a friend in Oklahoma....am hummin' my best!

Twas 100 here today! We loaded pallets this morning, went to the DADUMP, and got hay...tomorrow we go grocery shopping and maybe a yard sale or two....

It rained just a little last night. So far, the lake level has come up a measured 12 inches since midnight last night. I have my dock tied to the posts, hoping it won't float away if it comes up more. Lots of other people have put tubs of water on top of the docks, or concrete blocks. There is a possiblity of more rain, but I don't think it will be like last night. Last night's rain was the aftermath of the tornadoes in Oklahoma and Missouri.

Right Ellen................whew, glad you didn't have tornadoes. Hope your dock stays put.

all I can say for the rain, is that some of the drought areas needed it, but some of the other areas didn't! Guess they have lots of water in the mississippi river now..probably more than they will want!

Keep an eye on your dock ellen....and you be careful. Everyone be very careful. Heed warnings about flooded areas...don't take it lightly. Be safe.

Jessi, her youngest, Bailey and Pop Pop went for a short ride.....pffffftttt....I have a sore bum so couldn't go and ya don't wanna know....believe me! makes me very sad! Maybe next weekend I'll get a good ride in.

We have 8 days coming up that will be over 90, several right at the 100 mark! Thank goodness for the AC....

Been hearing all about those storms in Oklahoma and around, hoping all on here are keeping safe.
CB - I'm also keeping a close watch on TX weather, though so far there don't seem to be too many extremes. My son says, there has been a bit of wind and rain, but nothing too bad. And it's getting hotter now!

I'm been reading posts on here too, glad to hear about your amazing ops, ARK! What a fabulous outcome! Bet you just LOVE going around without glasses and seeing everything so clearly. I wear contacts when I'm riding, and it makes a great difference. I can even spot monsters before Zaristo does.

The last month has been really busy with TREC... first was organising a 3-phase competition ( all 3 phases of TREc in 1 day). I think I mentioned it on here before, but my friend and I were running the competition and also we were the 'Traceurs', that is planning the Orienteering routes. That was really fun because we got to ride through some fabulous private woodlands and forestry, belonging to a big landowner here, although of course we couldn't ride on the day of the competition since we were organising it.
The place where I keep Zaristo was the central venue and everyone could park up and have tea/coffee/biscuits and generally socialise in between riding, so that was fun too.
So... (trying to keep this post shorter than my usual essay ), to sum it all up, it all went well, no one got lost or fell off, and everyone was happy!

Then last weekend it was my turn! Off we went for the weekend to the Midlands of Ireland, to the TREC Open championships. My TREC partner and myself were only doing level 1, since she has a new young horse (4 years old). The orienteering was fine and straightforward, mostly on the roads and a great big circle back to where we started out.

Well, next day (Control of Paces and the cross-country Obstacles) brought us right back down to reality!
The 150m corridor for the control of paces went right by the HUGE roots of a HUGE fallen tree!!! The best I can say is that Zaristo did not duck out and spin half way across the field like many of the other horses, No, he just stopped dead as if to say 'There is NO WAY I am going past THAT!' But at least I made him walk past it, so that on the way back he was OK.
Then on to the cross country Obstacles. Unfortunately, the first one was Immobility - he stood in the circle for only 2 seconds, just too keen to get going! Then the 2nd obstacle was a jump with a drop behind - I chose NOT to do that one!
So far, so not so good.
The 3rd one was Low Branches - upright posts in a row, with bars across the top to duck under. As this was a serious championships, they had painted the posts, glaring white of course, and woven them with lots of little branches sticking out. So... could I get Zaristo (who normally does this easily) go near it? Noooooo, thankee!
So far, so even worse.
But thank goodness that was indeed the worst... next came the Water crossing, which he stepped into and through nicely and from then on, all went well. And I was very proud of Zaristo walking over the Footbridge, which was just a wooden platform with no handrails, sitting on some sloping ground - he could just easily have said 'why walk across that when it makes more sense to go ROUND it!'.
At the end of the day, when all the scores were added, my partner and I came in 2nd place so we were very pleased. Her young horse did well too, very good out on the orienteering and calm through the obstacles, so she is hopefully going to have a good TREC horse for the future.

Now, as usual, I see that I've written yet another long posting here. (note to self: post more often and post shorter! )

SNOOP says...I found this on another site I visit, and thought of the many smiles we've had here. Let's start another epidemic!!

"Smiling is contagious, you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner, and someone saw my grin -
When he smiled I realized, I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile, then I realized its worth,
A single smile, just like mine, could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin, don't leave it undetected -
Let's start an epidemic quick and get the world infected!!!"

Silver, keep going with those long posts. I love hearing about what you are doing, every detail. Thanks for sharing you rides with us.

I've been wearing contacts exclusively for nearly 50 years. I have reached the point where I'm wearing "geezer" contacts. One eye is set for near vision, and the other for ditance. Both eyes see middle distances. For me, it works very well. Just had yearly eye exam today and all is very well, no problems at all. I am very thankful.

Rick, that's a terrific poem. Love it.

SD your Trek sounds like a lot of fun. I think we've all experienced having our trusty steed refuse to something that is normally just another ho hum task. And it's almost always when we're out in public I did my own little mini trek Sunday when I rode Tiberius around the block. In the past, I've always been able to ride around the edge of the big field behind my property. It's owned by a church and last year they rented the ground out to a farmer and he planted corn. He left a nice big lane around the edge that I was able to continue to ride on without getting into his corn. Not this year. This year he planted his beans right up to the trees that surround the field. No riding there for me this year. However, he left his cultipacker (sp?) at the edge of the field. T. didn't know what to make of that! He reared, he snorted, he spun around and tried to make tracks. But finally he inched his way up to it and smelled it. Oh, it's just a hunk of steel. No biggee. So even though I can't ride in the field anymore, we had a nice training experience. At least I found out that when he spooks he is kind about it. I didn't have any trouble riding his jumps and spins, not like Monster's who when he zigs I seem to zag.

Have I ever mentioned that I really hate mechanical machines? The used lawn mower that I got a couple of years ago died. Not sure what happened, but it sounded like something broke in the engine. Something was clanking when I tried to start it and then it just screeched. Sunday I went on Craigslist and found a Craftsman 19hp w/42" deck and bagging set up that was reasonably priced. So I hooked up the horse trailer, went and took a look at it, liked it, drove it up the ramp into the trailer and brought it home. Freaked out the neighbors of the guy I was buying it from, they thought he was getting a horse or something. Mind you I was in the middle of this close packed housing development. It was a let down to the looky loos when I opened the trailer up and put a lawnmower in it. By the time I got home Sunday night too late to do anything with it so I left it in the trailer. Unloaded it last night after work and mowed the front lawn. It did a really great job. Better than the old mower. It took me a while to figure out and remember all the safety steps you have to go through to start it, or get off of it while it's running. A number of times it wouldn't start and I just had to look at all the levers and make sure they were in the right position. Very annoying.

Oh, well. The morning is advancing better get back to doing what I'm paid to do. I hope everyone stays safe and has wonderful weather.

Indy, they have built so many safety features into the lawn tractors they are hard to operate. The one I had in Speedway was like that. You could not get off of it and leave the engine running. If I leaned over too far to go under a bush or tree limb, it would die because the mechanism under the seat was triggered. I loved the mower, but the so-called safety was a nuisance.
I made the hole on the back a little bit bigger and put on a 2 inch ball so I could pull my little trailer around the yard with mulch or whatever else I needed to move. LOVED that little tractor and would have loved to have it up here, but this place is too small for a 17hp lawn tractor.

Sounds like your training weekend with Tiberius is really paying off now.

Where is Ark? We haven't heard from her for 5 days now.

wasn't ARK going to go to some race with her sisters coming up? I'm not sure about the dates tho, so I hope all is well in her corner of the world. so many are having weather problems...wowo

SD, yes it got hot here in our neck of the woods! Over a 100 several times already. I had to get some AC finally....it was a necessity to stay alive and not kill hubby! Animals seem to be finein the heat....dogs have shades for different directions of the sun shining so they are fine and often we find them swimming in their water tubs! All that sticks out are their noses! Even the Great Danes get in their big tubs and cool off. Smart doggies!

The horses seem a bit lethargic in the heat but otherwise seem fine. When we ride it is early in the day.

Well, have to get to the grocery store and stock up...so y'all have a great day, and stay safe, and have fun!

CB, I'd forgotten about the visit with her sisters. I'm sure you're right.

Mz Silver D. you can post all you want. We all like it and it gives us all a prestibus atmosphere!!! . My great great grandfather (Irwin)came to Canada early 1800 and we can only imagine as we have only a few records.



I think I asked once Why would one not feed hay cured less than 6 months old

No big deal cause i still hve left over bales . Will just put new on top of last yrs. stacking

Great riding Silver & Indy.

One day I had lunch with some friends. Jim, a short, balding golfer
Type about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant
Bunch.

When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and
Soups, except for Jim who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops,
Chocolate.”

I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along
With heated apple pie," Jim added, completely unabashed.”

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time...
But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.

I couldn't take my eyes off Jim as his pie a-la-mode went down. The
Other guys couldn't believe it. They ate their lunches silently and
Grinned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Jim. I lunched on
White meat tuna. He ordered a parfait.

I smiled. He asked if he amused me.

I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.
How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?”
He laughed and said "I'm tasting all that is Possible.
I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so
Short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.
This year I realized how old I was. (He grinned) I haven't been this
Old before.

"So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored.
"I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many trout
Streams I haven't fished. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and
Kites to be flown overhead.

"There are too many golf courses I haven't played. I've not laughed at
All the jokes. I've missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips
And cokes.

“I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want
To sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.

"I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want
Un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.

"I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain.
I need to feel wind on my face. I want to be in love again.

"So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should
I die before night fall; I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out
On nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate
Mousse before my life expired...”

With that, I called the waitress over… "I've changed my mind, I
Said, "I want what he is having only add some more whipped cream!"

This is my gift to you - We need an annual Friends Day! If you get this
Twice, then you have more than one friend. Live well, love much & laugh
Often - Be happy.


SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS including me if I'm lucky enough to be
Counted among them.

Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or
Prestige, but on relationships with people we like and respect.

Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SINGS!
And Strawberry Screams, or even a butterscotch sundae = OMG Can I get you some?

OL Man, I don't know why the hay needs to cure...sometimes we got our hay right out of the field after it was baled and fed it right away....so I'm at a loss to answer your question on that.

Graymare, for sure! Life is short...we need to live it to the fullest, do the things we would like to do before its too late...I'm with your buddy 100%! he has a great idea

Ellen, I hope that is where she is anyway... how is your dock doing? Has the lake receded at all yet?

WE had a thunder/lightning/pouring rain storm last night...I swear this camper was on two wheels at one time with the wind gusts....but we survived! Lightning struck a structure and we watched all the lights of fire trucks rushing to the scene...that lightning was a "light up the skies" kind....many bolts at one time.

Today sky is blue...and hubby is out picking up things that blew away! Good thing we have a fenceline!

I just herd on the t.vthat we have our first tropical storm of the season bearing down on us we have had heavy rains for the last two days and the news has confirmed that we have had 6 tornados in Florida fortunatley not near here just lots and lots of heavy rain and winds I don't watch the news much because it is always full of murders,robberies, and it is always the same every day, I do watch the weather but have been busy lately Keeping Kent from doing things he is not supposed to he is 4 weeks out from hip surgery and his bone is not healing yet, the doctors blame it on his smoking but I blame it on the fact that he has uncontrolled diabetes, the fact that he did not get proper treatment for his stroke and his body is weak, they are giving him 8 more weeks to show some bone healing or they may replace his hip which would mean another surgery I am not sure that I could take it again,Kent is not thriled either.

well the weather channel just issued a tornado warning for polk county which is where we live but I don't see it happening here, polk co. is a verry large county and we are pretty protected in this area, I guess that the weather men are right about this being a busy hurricane season this storm is named Andrea, so the winds are at least 50 or 60 miles per hour,not here though

Homemade ice cream with chocolate or butterscotch! YUM

CB, the lake level is slowly dropping now. Other than one section being slightly out of alignment, my dock is still in place. At the moment, there are two turtles using it for a sunning spot.
Last evening, Nextdoor Travis and I put another neighbor's boat in the water. We had to wade in a little more than ankle deep water on TOP of his dock. The water is warming up, so no cold feet. Another day or two, and I might consider trying a swim.

Our CAROL is very ill in the hospital...............please pray for her.

Thanks guyss I appreciate it just got tired typing ...should have copied but didn't. Improving some tody but a long ways to go...... Keep me in your prayers..... POOOOOR little Midge is a little wreck.

Carol, you take very good care of yourself, Midge needs you and so do we! I know my lil Shortstuff has anxiety disorder when I go away...she is just beside herself when I return and has to be loved and she snuggles with me and follows me wherever I go! My lil shadow. Anyway, hope you feel better soon!

Graymare, thanks for keeping us posted...how are you doing in this heat wave? I sure enjoy my A/C..but feel guilty as we don't have sunshades up yet for the horses...the dogs have theirs, several in fact so they have shade different times of the day. They do love to sit in their water tanks and cool their hineys! (the dogs, not the horses! )

Sunshades are on the list of to do things...takes time...lots of time! With hubby having that stroke, I don't like him pushing in this heat.

Sunny, stay safe! grow some fins, sounds like ya need them, and web feet to boot!

Ellen, don't get cold in the lake...make sure there is someone around for first time dip. Getting cold can cause all kind of probs, but I know you know that! Have fun!

WEll, got to finish the tacos so hubby can eat soon...today was laundry day at Jessis' place. Can't wait til we get our washer and dryer up and going...but that will be a bit...at least no laundramats.

Sweet Dreams everyone!

((((CAROL))))))...you get well fast! Ice needs you to ride him, it's that time of the year!

ELLEN:
I am fine, just been incredibly busy and also having computer connection problems.
The 'race' was fun. I got up at 5 a.m. last Saturday so I could get down to Bristol by 8 a.m., raced, brought Annie home and got here by 1:30 pm, then helped with the last field of hay until dark. We got all the hay up before it rained on Sunday! Donnie was on that tractor for 40 hours getting up hay. The baler makes cute little round bales that I can roll around and tip up on higher levels to stack. The bales are working out well. We did get a neighborhood boy, 14 years old, to help me load and stack the hay while Donnie was baling. Thankfully. We have 220 bales in the barn, which are about a third larger than the square bales we used to buy.
I spent several days trying to recover my strength!

My youngest goat, Phantom Pan Periwinkle, died on Monday. He was 12 years old. He has been sick off and on since getting into nightshade last year in the crappy hay we bought. I only have one goat left, Lightning, who is 16 years old. He is a lonely goat.

SILVERDANCER:
I love your posts! I wish everyone would do the same. Your Trek rides sound wonderful! Riding on that estate must have been great fun.
I am signing up for an ACTHA ride being held the last weekend of June. We will be at this ride for most of three days doing little clinics, riding the trails, and doing the competition. Ivan has a stall reserved and we will be camping out. My riding instructor, Lori, is taking her mustang to the ride with us. Should be fun!


Sorry the monthly thread hasn't been change. I am going to try to do it in a minute. This is the first time I have had a computer connection in a week. Donnie's cellphone isn't working as well to provide a connection lately.

INDYAPP:
Tiberius is doing great!! I have got to get busy with Areion. Hay sort of took over our lives in recent times.

CB:
Stay safe in your hot weather!

SUNNY:
You stay safe in that weather, too. We had rain all day today and will have it tomorrow, too. My riding lesson got canceled today. Our pastures are growing again.

OL'MAN:
Cured hay is supposed to be better, but we have been using ours out of the field, too. We ran out of hay right when we got ours up.

RICK:
Got your cute pix! Thanks!

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