SEPTEMBER 2024

Welcome to September! It has been a hot and fairly miserable summer. I don't look forward to winter, but I really look forward to some cooler weather. We have been getting thunderstorms the past 2 days and we really need the rain. Our hayfields are not going to produce as much as usual. In the next dry stretch, we will be making what hay we can on our two fields.

Areion had an abscess blow out and isn't as gimpy as she was. She will be getting some synthetic rubbery shoes at her next farrier visit. She has thin soles and the rocks in our drylot where she spends so much time are hurting her feet. She can't be on grass, she is extremely fat and right next door to some major foot issues if we aren't careful...and lucky.

The chicks are growing up nicely. They really are pretty. We decided to call the one with extra toes, Fingers. He is a rooster, of course. The freebie from Murray MacMurray. That's one way to get rid of weird, male chicks!

Here's to a nice fall!

Ark, I have always appreciated you keeping this site going. But, I certainly understand if you decide to let it go. Yes, we can email each other to stay in touch.
It does make me sad to lose something that was so active and full of fun for so many years.

It was hot here until Saturday when it cooled off significantly. A cousin and his family were here from Friday until yesterday. He was kind enough to install a new door where the old one had a rotted frame from too much water. Just the frame could have been replaced, but apparently, that's a lot of work - according to everybody I've talked to. So, new door and frame it was. It is a door from my deck into the garage. The threshold had come out of the old door which left a gap at the bottom. Chipmunks saw that as an invitation to get in and make a mess.
I guess I have no further excuses for not giving the garage a thorough cleaning. Ugh. don't want to. gotta do it.
Before that, the new door frame needs a GOOD paint job. It comes primed but not painted.

Next week, my cousin, her gentleman friend, and I are going back to Lexington to visit her friend who has the race horse farm. She had 69 new foals this year. The Keeneland yearling sales will be going on, and they will have some to sell. I hope they bring good prices this year. When $100,000+ is spent for stud fees, the babies better sell for a LOT.

hmmm. Maybe you could invest in a horse sized treadmill for Areion. LOL Or a wave pool for her to swim in.
I hope you get to spend some of the nice fall weather on trails with her and Ivan. While spring is my favorite season, fall was always my favorite time to ride trails.

Fingers landed in a good spot. I wonder if he will produce chicks with extras.
Are they laying eggs yet? With the price of eggs going up, it would be nice to have a good on-going supply.

The lake was very busy this weekend. About 4:00 this afternoon, that will all come to an abupt end. Tomorrow, I'll take a jet ski ride and have all 7 lakes to myself.

ELLEN:
It isn't any trouble or cost to leave the site open, even if it isn't used much. Just kind of sad that so few are checking in. Try to keep yourself healthy, Ellen, or I will be alone in an empty room!


I bet the lake is busy today! I have seen a bunch of boats going towards Claytor Lake this weekend, including our next door neighbors' boat. It's a pretty day here today, so there will be lots of boats there. It rained a lot yesterday.


Fingers, the baby rooster, will definitely try to pass along his genes. We don't plan on raising any chicks from him, so his efforts won't add to the gene pool. When he is finished growing up, I will take his picture and try to figure out what kind of chicken he is. I suspect he is a crossbred something or other. He has a few feathers on his legs, but very few and raggedy looking. He may be part Cochin and part ugly rooster passing by.

Good luck with the garage cleaning and new door! I don't even want to step into our garage.

We had freshly made creamed corn at the dinner following Donnie's brother's funeral last week. We are going to try making some from fresh corn. It was really tasty. We got some corn on the cob at the grocery today to try it.

Ark, if you want to fix some just plain good corn on the cob, leave the husks on, microwave for about 3 to 4 minutes. Then chop of the butt end, grab the silks and husks and shake rather vigorously. The ear will fall out of the husk, the silks going with the husk. The ears will be clean and ready for all that butter and salt.

It was rather cool today, barely making it to 70°, so the boating was a little bit limited. Since this was generally the last day of the season for many people, they spent the last couple of hours shutting down their cottages. Many will come back on weekends for another month. Then all the boats will be pulled out and by the end of November the docks will too.

The fact that I WANT to clean the garage is no guarantee it will happen.

I will do my best to stay healthy. I've been going to the workout room at the community center to use their treadmill.
You do the same, staying healthy. PLEASE.

ELLEN:
I will try that with corn on the cob. Last time I made it I had silks everywhere.

It got up to 80 here today (Monday), and was a very nice day. Donnie is probably going to mow our upper hayfield tomorrow, so that will fill up the week ahead. Between the lack of rain this summer and the herd of 8 to 10 deer that visit regularly, our hay bale amount won't be very good, I suspect. We do like watching those deer, though. They also clean up all the apples from the tree in our yard. I have to grab what I can to give the horses before the deer find them.

I know what you mean about the garage. I have been threatening to throw out most the stuff in ours for years. Avoiding going in there has become a way of life. It's Donnie's domain. His extremely jam packed messy domain.

I am actually feeling better these days, so plan to be around for awhile. It's been a weird year so far. Covid knocked us down for awhile, then plantar fasciitis made it ever so fun to walk since Christmas, then I probably cracked a rib or two in the spring on my easy chair (sheesh), then I nearly broke my knee falling on the tile floor (while my foot was still killing me on the same leg). Thankfully, my foot is feeling MUCH better, the knee seems to be healed up and my rib doesn't hurt anymore. Getting the barn cleaned and animals taken care of was not easy or fun and was about all I did in a day. (No garage cleaning from me!) Ivan and Areion think they are on permanent vacations. I am hoping to change that very soon. I need some riding time!

Ark, here's a video about cooking the corn. You want to hang onto the silks as you shake the corn out the other end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EJ1lrDgaqs

Thanks, ELLEN!
I will definitely try that when I cook the corn. Donnie is cutting the upper field tomorrow morning and I may try to make the creamed corn he wants for a bit of a reward.... .... Gotta find a recipe.


Such a pretty day today! Cool and clear.

How was the creamed corn? Did it turn out well?
It's been a long time, but I used to mix a can of whole kernel corn with a can of creamed corn, and add a teaspoon of sugar. Very simple, but good.

It's been MUCH cooler today - high of 68°. Tomorrow will be even cooler. I don't think I'm ready for fall yet. We do have some warmer days coming up.

Next week, I'm going to Lexington to visit our racehorse friend. The Keeneland sales will be going on. It's fun to sit and watch all those high dollar yearlings find new homes. One of them might be the Derby winner in two years.

ELLEN:
  The corn is still sitting in the fridge in their husks... .... Thanks for that recipe, I hadn't looked it up yet and that sounds like a good plan.  I
l'll cook the fresh corn and add it to a can of creamed corn.  Great idea!

We've been working on hay...meaning Donnie has been working on hay and I have been doing most everything else.  I did spend a couple of hours yesterday picking up nightshade so it wouldn't get into the hay bales.   Not a fun job.
We may get the hay put up either tomorrow or Sunday.  The weather has been cooler, but lower humidity, so nice for working in the hay.

Another family death this week,  Donnie's uncle Noah, who was 82 years old.  Very nice fellow.   That leaves him one last uncle.   All mine are gone, but I have one aunt left who is 85.  

We went out for breakfast this morning to an old fashioned country kitchen restaurant,  not a chain.  Really good food.   Tasted home made.



I have been past Ky Horse Park probably a dozen times since the Foopfest, once actually went to see my sisters and niece run in a 5K near it. I still haven't managed to get back in the door there to see the horsey stuff .... sigh...I heard they have a wonderful display of Arabian stuff from Bazy Tankersly's horse farm. I need to take the time to stop in next time we go past.

I haven't been to the Horse Park in YEARSSSS. When I was there, it was a really nice place to enjoy horses.
The first time we went to Lexington we talked about going there on the way home. But we had seen and done so much "real stuff" that the park felt like a toy. So, we just came straight home.
That was the year Justify won the Triple Crown and we got to feed him carrots.
Friend Brandi knows LOTS and LOTS of horse people there, along with the managers of most of the farms. She can get in almost anywhere and will be warmly welcomed.
With about 70 mares to breed, they go to most of the farms that have stallions. They had 69 foals this year.

It will be good to get that last cutting of hay in the barn. Will you have enough to see you through until next year? There's nothing but hard work doing hay. Equipment does make it a bit easier.

Hello. Sorry I have been absent for so long. Trying to get things done around the farm before winter arrives. This is our busy time of the year. Other than than not much exciting stuff has been going on.

Except we lost another good friend on August 28. Now we are preparing for her memorial service. what a heart breaker losing Bev has been. It was wonderful for her but tore us apart. She has been ill for a couple of years but seemed to be doing better lately. She & Scot her hubby went swimming at the local pool, came home took a shower, sat down in their recliners to rest a little. Scot looked over at her and she was GONE just like that. Not a word...that's the way to go..

Yesterday received another message that we lost another friend. Glen was 94...

Too many funerals in my future...

ARK: I certainly understand if you want to end the forum. Just drop me a email once in while. I'll try to check in more often once are finished with all of the get things ready projects.
Love & prayers...

Trudy, it's so good to see you!
I'm so sorry about your friend. Sadly for us, we are at that age where we lose friends, hopefully to a better world for them.
Going suddenly and unexpectedly is good for the person going, but hard for those of us staying.

Stay in touch when you can.

TRUDY:
I am so glad you checked in. I am really sorry about your friends' passing. So sad.

I don't plan on closing this forum until it just isn't used by anyone anymore. It isn't a big effort to let it run. Over the years I have accumulated quite a collection of photos to use for the month logos, so even that isn't a problem. I just wish more folks would check in and let us know they are okay. I have worried over GRAYMARE for months, but don't know if we will ever hear from her. NANCY LEE has been missing, too. I hope both are okay.


Our hay is dried in the upper field and ready to be baled. It was so windy today, Donnie couldn't make windrows to bale it. They just kept moving around. We will try to get it done tomorrow. One time a few years ago a big dust devil sprung up in the hayfield and picked up hay and carried across the field until it hit the trees. Donnie said it looked like a hay tornado. Donnie said hay sprinkled down like snow when it hit the trees. I would have liked to have seen that. I did see a small dust devil pick up a beach ball once and carry it across the front of the barn, turn and hit a fence, where it dropped the ball. That was incredible! The beach ball was about 4 feet off the ground.

Ark, I very much hate to say it, but I suspect that Graymare has passed on. I had sent her a package back in early February. She wrote to say that she had received it but would open it the next day. It was a small package and would have only taken a minute to open. I never heard from her after that.
She had lost the ability to walk for some unexplained reason and was in a bed or a wheelchair. I had made a little caddy that could hang on the arm of the chair and put some little things in the pockets that I thought could be useful.
In the past, she was always quick to call when I sent her things.
Her daughter and son-in-law had been living in her house to take care of her for a long time.

ELLEN:
I suspect you are right. I have thought the same for some time, but keep hoping for a recovery and for her to post and say what's been happening with her. I miss her....


We are into hay today. Pretty day for it, but it's still a lot of work.

212 bales of hay this week from our two fields. We got more than we expected in the upper field and less than we expected in the lower field. We did one field right after the other, so are VERY tired! But making hay on our land is over for the year!

Now we have to buy a couple hundred more bales to have enough to make it until late May. I hope we can get it soon so we can stop thinking about it for awhile. If I could leave our horses out on our fields , we would use a lot less hay. But when we do that, laminitis shows up. It's a balancing act.

I'm baaa-aaack.  We went to Lexington to see Brandi and to see some of the yearling sale.  They sold 2 for $200K and one for $125K.  They have 15 more to sell over the next week.  She and her husband are two of the hardest working people I know.  With 150 head on the farm, the work is never done.  They do have help, some of whom live on the farm.  But they are out there working every day.  They had 65 foals this spring.
Getting there was less than easy.  It seems that Indiana thinks it's a dandy idea to close all the roads at the same time for construction.  It took me an hour longer to get to my cousin's, then it took us an extra 2 hours to get to Lexington.  Fortunately, we found other ways to come home that didn't involve so many detours.
So, I'm home, tired but happy.

Next weekend is the Antique Outboard Motor Show, so I'd better be ready for that. I think cinnamon rolls for breakfast will do.

Oh dear, oh dear! I haven't been reading here since June, decided that it would take me another month to catch up on posts for July and August, and so jumped right into September. And, good grief! Somebody tipped us upside down and we've all fallen out! If I had the slightest right to ask, I'd say Where Is Everybody?? But of course I don't. I do know the prohibition against talking politics has kept me away, since I feel that that subject is so central to my interests today that to write without mentioning that is to present a fake image of myself. Of course, the same prohibition has held us all together here all these years, and I know that! Those that remain, anyway...I truly just now had to fight back tears on reading your assumptions, ARK and Ellen, that Graymare has died. Ages ago (when I was maybe only 70) I remember saying that I wanted to be Graymare when I grew up. And I still do, she was so sparky and upbeat. That makes me think of another reason I don't post: being old and trying to write posts that are upbeat! Oxygen! Squeaky knee! Brain lapses! Old friends all gone and new ones dropping off by the week!...At my 15-or-20-year-old (see? I forget!!) book club last month (where we mostly just eat and casually gab, only sometimes about the book), as the subject of age came up, somebody said, "I can't imagine being 87 years old!" And I (who am 87) yelled out, "I can't either." Still at home and still driving, though it's all getting very hard. Checking in today as still alive, and still loving you, ARK, as well as all the others I feel I've met here.

Beech! I'm so glad you checked in! It's good to know that you are still living independently, driving, and enjoying what you do.
Please check in more often.

To my dismay, I am pushing 80 really hard. 2 months. When I was young, I never gave any thought to being 80. So far, I am very lucky to be able to have my ailments fixed. Needless to say, I'm not as strong as I was, but I am still walking and getting around okay, though not as far. Still doing some exercise at the community center YMCA branch. What I do cannot be mistaken for a real workout though.
I'll keep going as long as I can, just like all the rest of our group members. I'm sad that so many have left the site for one reason or another.

Ark, I admire you and Donnie still doing your own hay. There is nothing easy about that.

ELLEN:
 What a fun weekend you had!  I can't imagine having the money to spend that much on a young horse who might trip and kill itself next week.   I would have more fun watching others spend their money on them!    Good for your friends and their success!
 I finally fixed the corn on the cob as you suggested, using the microwave.  Wow!  I will never boil corn again!  No silks whatsoever.  I usually get it all over the kitchen.  Then I put 2 cobs worth of fresh corn into a can of store bought cream corn and it was really great!! I didn't add any sugar, it was sweet enough for us as it was.  Thanks for the great corny ideas!

BEECH:
  So good to see you!!  I haven't worried about you quite so much because I see what you post on FaceBook.   Your politics and mine pretty well match up,  (gotta show you the purse my sister made for me, LOL).  However there is always a fight when opposing politics are discussed and such hard feelings occur.  I know CB left this site because I didn't go along with her politics.  Oh, well.  There are so few of us left here and on the other foop sites I am aware of, it seems a shame to chase the last few away because of politics.  I could be wrong.  

 I am very sad about GRAYMARE, too.  I loved following her stories of her friendships and their camping trips and rides.  It seems her health really suffered after her husband died.  I hope Ellen and I are wrong and she is just recovering somewhere with a bad computer problem keeping her from posting.  I don't know how to find out.  

 I am proud of you at 87 and still doing all you do!!    I turned 70 this year and cannot believe it.  Where did the time go?   In my mind I don't feel any older than ever, but my body occasionally reminds me that I could be fooling myself.     I need to start riding more, I feel better when I do and this summer I haven't ridden much at all.   Ivan and I have both gained weight.  

 Speaking of Ivan,  he turns 20 years old on Wednesday.  I got him when he had just turned 3.  My wild child is getting long in the tooth, too.  


Here is a photo of me at a pet store the other day, trying on a hat that I should have bought!  

Yeah.  You shoulda bought that hat.  Go back and get it.

Friend Brandi has a few horses on the farm that she gives some special attention to, by giving them peppermints.  So, I just made sure she won't run out for a while.  Amazon will deliver a 5 pound box to her on Friday.  LOL

ELLEN:
That was a great idea about the mints! I am sure your friend and all her horses will appreciate it. i go thru a lot of peppermints and candy corn with our horses. They get one mint in the morning when I first see them. If they are eager for it, I know they are probably feeling okay. It has also helped keep the stampede going out of the gate since they have to stop to get their mint. I mostly use candy corn when I am training Ivan, he would basically do anything for it. It has been the secret of my success with him! Wild child to candy addict.


Well I have voted. Virginia's early voting started on September 20. Donnie and I showed up at the county voting place and voted on the first day. I was hoping the tension would ease up about the election after that, but nope. Waiting on everyone else to vote is making me nervous and queasy. I wore a t-shirt with a cat on it to vote, just setting the mood a bit...


It was 86 degrees today and we had to unload sawdust into the barn. It may rain this week and we wanted to get the job done before it got muddy at the barn. I sweated like crazy. I am not into sweat...

My main riding partner informed me today that she has given up trail riding. She is 75 and feels she can't do it any longer, she will just ride a bit at home. She changes her mind a lot, I will wait to see how long this lasts...

Brandi has 3 or 4 horses that she gives peppermints too.  One is Red Ruby who won the Black-Eyed Susan a few years ago.  She has a foal by Uncle Mo by her side right now, although he will be weaned soon.  Then, they have a teaser stallion that is a big pet.  There is a paint that was supposed to be her riding horse, but isn't.  And, a retired racehorse that they brought back to the farm after his racing career.
She drives around the farm and they come to the fence when they see the car.  That is the best part of her whole day.    
When she saw what was in the package, she laughed - which is what I hoped she would do.  LOL

I hope your riding buddy changes her mind and will ride with you again.  If not, you'll have to find a new riding buddy.  There have to be more people around who like to ride.  Are there any riding clubs around?  How about Pony Clubs.  They are for kids, but those kids have parents who are willing to haul them around and who probably like to ride.  

I think it's going to rain on and off all week.
Last Friday, we had a microburst hit about 4 miles from me.  For most of the area it was just a hard rainstorm. For that one small area, it was completely devastating.  Trees down everywhere, on houses, on cars, major destruction.  There were 115 houses damaged and trees down all over the place. A disaster area has been declared.
I have a tree that is dying but taking it down will have to wait until the damage is cleaned up, since all the tree guys will be busy for a while.

Ark, did you get some of Helene's rain?
We are getting a little bit of wind from it and it is supposed to rain for a little while late morning.