October 2012

We are still here....until Next Monday...but thanks for the well wishes on the trip.

Eileen, safe travels and have lots of fun and riding!

Graymare, Yay for your friend...I'd be gunshy too....once she is back in her saddle she'll be more comfortable...

Ark, how ya feelin?

I found two lil kitties that crawled out under the trailer today...so they are in a kennel in the house with litter pan...if I can tame them down, can find homes for them....hubby just rolled his eyes and said "sure" and went back outside!

Carol
How is your cold? And Ice's lameness issue?

Eileen
Thanks! After my little brush with mortality these past few months, I decided to chill out while riding Ivan. It seems to have helped us both. I didn't let his occasional nervousness upset me and he seemed to have an easier time calming down. Falling off didn't even bother me. I had a good time.

Graymare
Good for your friend for getting back into riding! I bet she will be back in the mtns soon.

CB
I am pretty sore all over, LOL. My scalp doesn't hurt...
It will start getting better tomorrow. The second day after a ride is usually the worst.
Congrats on the new kitties! Everyone needs more cats...;-)

according to my husband NOT! LOL...allour kitties are wild as march hares...they just showed up, but of course I had to feed them. I can't stand for anything to go hungry (unless I'm mad at hubby, then he can just starve to death for all I care..ahem....back to kitties)

Some good hot soaks in the tub and gentle exercises will help those muscles resume to normal Ark...deep knee bends will also help...it warms up those muscles you used the most while riding and helps the soreness go...I've been slammed so hard to the ground, even my scalp hurt!..oh wait, that was the time, my head got split open!....sometimes i wonder why we keep doing it, honestly...I do wonder that as i'm riding down the trail!

Ran in to one of our border cities to get vet papers for horse signed by fed vet. I really don't know why this second vet sig is necessary, after all he does not see or care if I have a horse or an elephant. Just hand over the $$$ and he signs it...big deal...make me travel 60 miles for a stamp and signature that takes all of 5 minutes to manually do...Oh of course I could leave it for my vet to run the papers but that will cost close to another $100 or so maybe not that much but close enough...urgh,,,just pi$$es me off.
anyway that will be most of my day, other than a few last minute errands to run.

I know THAT Eileen..we got coggins and brand inspections on everyone .....over $300 and nary once has anyone looked at our paperwork for going thru state/port of entry places or the border patrol check either....if ya wanna smuggle illegals or illegal stuff just use a horse trailer! Seriously.

Well, hubby ran into town to get that blown tire replaced and a new spare for the other horse trailer...funny thing...we were told the tire that blew wasn't a ten ply tire like we thought we had....hmmmm...I have a feeling hubby will be raisin' some he!! today. Me, I have a sore throat and I'm getting some extra rest...and then its up and running and packing....

Hi guys..I ran across this poem today and thought I would share it with you. It's by Don Bishop..We have all been there and this ittle poem says it all...

Now Angles Ride Him

When Father Time caught my gelding
the leaves were turning brown
He was suffering and couldn't eat
It was time to put him down.

It's hard to do what you need to
when your eyes are soakin' wet.
I thought about my childhood
and waited for the vet.

I held his halter, talked to him
and looked him in the eye. .
He had no way of knowin'
what was making his friend cry.

I guess I wasn't ready.
When he fell it made me weep.
I rubbed his nose and sang to him,
He slowly went to sleep.

A breeze blew down from somewhere
and brushed away my tears,
like a kiss from Heaven
for all the happy years.

In my mind he's in a meadow,
the grass is long and green.
He teaches every kid to ride
and becomes their favorite dream.

For all the horses we have loved and lost.

Awww Man. Did ya have to post that? Now I have to explain why I'm crying watching the news.

While we're on poems,here is one from a guy in Michigan I have only met online.

This took place twelve years ago. Erin was graduated Magna cum Laude from high school this spring. Amy is attending veterinary school at Michigan State.


When Erin Met the Goats

We'd visited the feed store, where Erin saw some hamsters,
A ferret, parakeets and other birds
And little fishes in a tank, the look upon her face
Was more than I'll describe with just plain words

As we rode back home she said she'd be a country girl some day And then she'd have some creatures of her own
Especially some ponies, she and Robin and Kristine
Gentle ones that never get you thrown

I glanced out at an old friend's farm as we went down the road
And saw a bunch of critters all around
I asked her if she'd like to see some horses, sheep and goats
She told me, "Sure", and so I turned around

We pulled into the driveway of a place called Greengate Farm
I introduced her then to Mrs. Green
I asked if it would be all right if we looked at her stock
She told us yes; Erin thought this was keen

Her daughter, Amy Green, came out; we headed to the pens
And here they came, all looking for attention
A friendly stroke, a tasty treat, they'd nibble at your clothes
Erin stood stock-still with apprehension

She'd never seen this many goats, and so it took a while
To reassure her she would not be hurt
But pretty soon I heard her laugh, "Hey, Grandpa, take a look.
This little one is chewing on my shirt!"

Then Amy, like the champ she is, took Erin under tow
And started showing her around the place
Erin's six, and Amy's twelve, but wise beyond her years
I wish you'd seen the look on Erin's face

They went to see the horses, Erin got to lead a pony
They headed to the milk house pretty soon
They milked the does and fed the kids from bottles they had filled
In Erin's eyes, Miss Amy hung the moon!

While riding home I asked if she'd enjoyed our little trip
She said, "I had a great time, Grandpa Jack."
I realized we'd taken up three hours of their time
I don't know how I'll ever pay them back

But to think about the fun she had, and all the things she learned
It really brings a lump into my throat
And I'll cherish 'til the day I die the look on Erin's face
That summer day she learned to milk a goat

Here is another by the same poet.

The Cowboy Way

Old Cowpoke, you are gone now
You've taken your last ride
You saddled up and rode away
Across the Great Divide

We hope you found an easy trail
With water, grass and sun
With shelter when you need it
And a place to hang your gun

And a place of peace and stillness
Away from pain and strife
And other things that troubled you
A good part of your life

You've shed the heavy cloak of life
You're standing straight and tall
We'll stay here and take care of things
And we'll miss you, one and all

We won't forget you, cowboy
That's not the cowboy way
Something will remind us
As we do things day by day

A thought will make us chuckle
About something long gone by
Of things that made us laugh like fools
Or things that made us cry

We hope you left an easy trail
For us to take some day
Just leave a horse at the Rainbow Bridge
When we journey up that way

So, peace be with you, Pardner
Just go enjoy the ride
And know some day we'll meet again
Across the Great Divide

Good morning.
Yesterday afternoon, I managed to get the leaves mowed about 15 minutes before the rain started. Other than that, there's nothing much going on around here.

I guess Eileen is well on her way to TN by now.

CB, how's the packing going?

Where is everybody? It's been really quiet in here lately.

I had to take Sam to the hospital yesterday with severe chest pain. After hours of tests and several specialist examinations we found out that she has Pericarditis and will be in for 2 or 3 days under intensive treatment.

They gave her a shot of morphine for the pain and she want me to get her a quart of that. She was ready to ride Starbuck right away but the cardiologist thought differently about that.

SANTA, big prayers for SAM, her healing, and her comfort. Hopefully she will be well and home soon..............let us know.

There's nothing new here......Faith is just getting better and better............the more spoiled she gets the finer she is in work.................she is now "push button" and calm calm...........took her awhile to gain her confidence but she is really in her game now.

My orphans are so wonderful.........what cutie pies they are and, whew, sharp and quick...............they soak up info like a sponge. By the way, what do space cadets eat? LOL, noone knows......................I thought that was hysterical.

God bless. Prayers for ALL.

prayers comming your way for a complete recovery for Sam, what is Pericarditis, neverherd of it before, hopefuly it is not dangerous, please keep us informed Santa,

SANTA
Please tell SAM we are all cheering her on to a full recovery!!! Yep, that morphine is good stuff, LOL.
I hope to hear she is back on Starbuck very soon.

TRUDY
Sad poem, but so true....

GRAYMARE
Faith is sure a keeper! I am so glad you are having such fun with the girls.

ELLEN
Wow! You got those leaves up in record time this year! Our leaves are still hanging on for the most part.

EILEEN
Safe and very fun trip!

CAROL
How are you feeling? I hope that cold is gone.

SUNNY
How's it going down in sunny Florida?

We had a pretty day yesterday. About 70 degrees and brightly sunny. Perfect day. Jane the endurance rider brought her 3 year old Arab, Albert, for a lesson with Lori, my riding instructor. This was Albert's 3rd lesson with Lori and she saddled and rode him! Albert is obviously not closely related to Ivan. Albert is incredibly mellow and lazy acting. Nothing bothers him. It was fun to watch.

After Albert was finished, Ivan and I had our first lesson in months with Lori. We did pretty good at learning to move his shoulders where I wanted to. It was a fun afternoon.

I received my ACTHA scores from last Saturday. I averaged 9 out of 10 points on the five obstacles we did. Ivan averaged 7 points. Other than falling off and getting DQed at the second obstacle, we did better than we have at any other ACTHA ride!

I hope they can get Sam going again quickly, so she can ride again SOON.

Way to go on those scores Ark. Never giving up and those lessons with Lori are really paying off.

I don't have all the leaves cleaned up at all. That was just the first assault yesterday. Today, after rain and wind, it doesn't look like I did much of anything yesterday. But, I'll keep mowing whenever it's dry and then blow and burn some. I'd love to have them all done by the end of the month, assuming they are all on the ground by then.

that was great on those scores Ark, and taking lessons from Laurie are sure paying off now you both just need to relax and have fun, I still have hopes of riding again and are still planning on moving when it is possible, so far things are the same here, hurry up and wait for S.S.I to make up there minds we are still putting in applications for all programs out there for help.

well the snowbirds are arriving fast, it must be getting cold up north, here it is mild in the 80's and on a slow cool down, waiting on the night time temps to come down a little more to be perfect,

hope all are having a great week and stay safe

For information on Pericarditis click on:
Pericarditis

Santa, big HUMS for Sam! Keep us updated!


Trudy, we are just packing packing packing....I saw the gov't isn't doing any more bail outs for the PO...what will happen? A lot of jobs lost for sure....

Carol, you must feel better, as ya sent your cold to visit me....oh great...my nodes needs puffs...and I got some today! Doc says no bronchitis...but it sure feels like it....ugh....and in the midst of packing packing packing!

Graymare, your "kids" sound like lil darlins! very cute and inquisitive too...so glad Faith is doing well for you...she was a real godsend.

Sunny, it is cold here ....we had hard frost last night and ice on the water tubs outside. No wonder the snow birds are headin' south....soon I will be also!

ARK, those scores were great! Keep on and you'll be in the ribbons yet!

Ellen, have fun with your leaves! Man its time to shut the front door...I was cleaning things with bleach so had it open for ventilation.....great on my cold...

Beef noodle soup for dinner home made even made rubs..Sunny and Kent like my rubs! LOL....and I am ready to chow down...even if I can't taste it!

UGH to colds!

Here is a video about the Budweiser "horse whisperer". It shows little snippets of how he trains them to do the behaviors we see in the commercials. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InryQsa-mPs&feature=youtu.be

WAKE UP foops and foopettes!

thank you for that Ellen, they are my most favorite horse, it made my day, they are so smart, I didn't know that they could jump fences like that, I would own one in a heartbeat, but rejects from there stable cost a starting price of 10,000 dollars and that is for a weanling, ( ichecked in to it once) I was so sad when they took them from Sea World they used to keep them there for people to see in a pasture and a few in stalls and let you take pictures of them with you standing next to them, but they shut it all down when Budweiser sold there company. but I still love seeing them in comercials at super bowl time.

Sunny, I didn't know they took them away....how sad! I love those gentle giants.
Ellen, thanks for sharing that...
I had a quarter horse, he was marked just like the Clydes
just in minature and no feathers of course! I think that breed of horse has always turned me on to horses with four white stockings or socks and a blaze...

Well, back on my head, breaks over!

we just took the horses to the fairgrounds and put them in pens so we could tear down the fence here and get it loaded....and hubby had just gotten out of the tub when our oldest kiddo calls and says "are your horse in"....well, good question! they are 7 miles down the road. She then said there had been an accident west bound on I84 between my exit and the fairgrounds....my heart about sunk to my feet! so we go tearing to the fairgrounds cuz her radio said 3 vehicles had hit something big like a horse or cow, its dark out there tonight...Randi ran out to check on her horses and we drove to the fairgrounds where our gang was peacefully nibbling on hay...WHEWWWWWWWWWW! I thought they had gotten out and were trying to come back home! We came back on the interstate and amidst the flashing lights of cop cars and ambulances .....there was blood all over the place for about 500 feet! 3 vehicles and they all said it was something big! We didn't see what they had hit tho..but one was s car hauler, one a pickup, and one a car that flew over the guard rail by a bridge and then hit the bridge...that car was totally totalled! That ambulance had already left with those folks...WOW....this is a bad stretch of hiway for wrecks and breakdowns, blowouts, car fires....like a devils triangle! I hope everyone will be alright....at least the people...I don't think the animals will be. Ugh...

Am going to bed this time!...g'night y'all.

Hi guys...another busy week has flown by. Busy trying to get things ready for winter. The garden is all torn apart and tilled under, ready for spring time and planting season. Put up the last of the peppers yesterday.

SANTA: Big prayers for Sam, hope she is doing better.

CB: OMG girlfriend...your life scares the socks off of me. It's a wonder you can think straight...glad your horses were OK. Not sure what is going on with the PO. We will be the last to know. Our big town hall meeting is Nov 5th, then 2 weeks later we might have a clue what is going with us. If the government would give back the money they made the PO pay in advance, we might be able to survive. But we know that AIN'T ever going to happen. Once they get a hold of money, it's gone wit the wind. They wouldn't have to bail us out if they would stop the insanity of making the PO pay in advance. What a mess.

I'll just keep working as long as the doors are open (maybe)....depends on what the new hours are going to be. I'm not working some whacked out nutty schedule.

Have a wonderful fall weekend everyone. I'm off to walk Ace and see if the deer can scare us to death as we walk thru the fields. They look so big in the light of my spot light. Then off to the PO.

Love & prayers to all...

WOW CB .... try to stay safe please. Hope the rest of your move goes smooth.

Prayers for Sam .....

I am finally starting to feel better. (knocking on wood)

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Ha, skinned my knee..........boo boo. Seriously, I look 5 yrs old.......no hurt, no limp, no sympathy..............lI didn't draw enough blood for a "Hello Kitty" bandaid................life really is unfair............................desert gravel is slippery.........you would think I'd know that by now............

Praying everyone is on the mend.......................

Prayers for ALL with real issues. God bless.

CB
I am with TRUDY. Your life scares me to pieces! I'll be glad when you get all moved to Texas. Did you ever hear what got hit? One of Donnie's brothers got off work at midnight one time and ran his car through a herd of black steers loose in the road. One steer flipped over the hood of his car, caved in the windshield and roof, and three steers were killed. He never saw them until he hit them. Luckily he was not hurt but his car was totaled. A nightmare!

GRAYMARE
Ouch! Sorry about your booboo. Did you fall off your horse or fall off your own feet? Any witnesses?
LOL

SUNNY
That's sad the Clydesdales were removed. I saw some at Busch Gardens several years ago. The had a foal there who was HUGELY cute!

Tomorrow we are hauling Ivan to Pandapas pond park for a ride. I hope he stays in the good mood he has been in lately!