This 'n That

[jetmech]

Bless them for they no longer have hunger, thirst, or pain. They, in their beautiful place are running free with the others. Have their "health: back, and will never have another worry about abuse, starvation, water. Only freedom and contentment. How they have earned that peace and rest.

[tracy1]

I hope the new, improved, relocated Sandy party is great. Hemingway wrote about that, didn't he? A Movable Feast - about how wonderfully he could live on something like 20 cents/day in Paris in the 1920s, hanging out with other notable artists.

I won't be able to make it . . . I shoveled half the driveway out yesterday when I realized it was afternoon and the plow guy had never come . . . but then it was dark and I was shot . . . and 100 feet yet to go . . . this morning by the time I hauled my bones outta bed (the dogs that used to wake me up at 7 when the heat came on, are sleeping in) there just wasn't time/energy for the other half of the drive . . . I'm still stiff/sore from yesterday - a feeling I LOVE compared with trapped and restless, when I can't get outside and do something. But there's limits . .

I'm thinking of you and hoping a jolly time is had by all . . .

[Shar]

I also hope you all had a wonderful time! Sandy- you deserve it! I had to work today so couldn't make it, but I hope you had a wonderful birthday weekend so far and a wonderful lunch with all your friends!

[SandyG]

As I was beginning the chores this evening, I came to the conclusion that I cannot remember when I have last had such a pleasant afternoon with such great conversation!

We were unrushed and hungry. Now, starting out in those states of minds, how could things go wrong? The meals were great and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I could feel my shoulders relax and I was comfortable and in good company.

To top it all off, there were brownies for dessert and chocolate in my hot little hands to take home! You have me pegged, that's for sure!

Thank you, ladies. This was a wonderful day. Many thanks for your time, your efforts, and your thoughtfulness. I truly enjoyed each of you!

[tracy1]

I'm so glad you had a good time together yesterday, sorry to have missed it . . . I'm still not plowed out - got to half the remaining distance yesterday but still some big drifts. I woke up this morning with the sense of spring - something about the lighting in the sky/on the snow looked more like March than Jan.

But I had internal shivers that told me I needed to rest so I spent the day in bed surrounded by my furry friends, the 6 of us napping in one room, curled up little balls. I just got up and in from the barn - no hand warmers needed ! How swell. Time to work on setting up my spring classes for a few hours to tire myself out to sleep again tonight! Gotta get back on schedule. . .

[SandyG]

Impromtu Barn Day!!!!

I have a very special Friend of THE FARM visiting this Saturday, January 16th, for a visit with Laddee. And so, with the weather easing up a bit, I thought maybe some of you would also want to see Laddee and all of the others.

Saturday, January 16th, from 12noon to 3pm. Remember to dress in layers and bring good warm work gloves and wear warm barn boots. We'll brush some of our Ministers and we'll catch up after the holidays. And enjoy a nice winter's day here at THE FARM!

See you then!

[SandyG]

I keep hearing that there is a January thaw approaching...but the wind (not a breeze, wind!) this morning is like a knife! I will acknowledge that it is out of the south, however, and so should bring warmer air. So, I'll be patient a bit longer.

You know, I caught myself yesterday telling someone I was ready for spring.....

I'm taking 3 skidloader buckets of manure out of the barn every day this week. That way, by this weekend, you should be able to walk in the center, at least! This cold winter has really had an impact on the condition of the barns!

I am also letting the kids eat the pastures down. They have enough hay to sustain them for a month, but you'd think they were starving the way they look at you. "We want a new bale!" I can hear the whine!!!!

[tracy1]

You've been saying that for a while, Sandy, you're ready for spring . . .
it's four months away, but I notice that's something people in this part of the world spend a third of the year doing . . .

waiting for spring . . it gets into 2 digits in Jan. and it's a thaw. . . ;D

in Feb. they note it's almost March.

In March they say it's almost April . .

in spite of snow and bitter, raw winds and continued yuck with daytime highs in the 40s and 50s into much of May.

Compared to, for instance, saying it's going to stink for another 4 months . . .

Is that negative, or just acknowledging history? The saying is hope springs eternal, but here on the northern tier it seems spring hopes eternal.

But last night was really balmy, about 8 pm it was downright toasty. And the snow etches the branches so beautifully today. So, as you say, enjoy the journey!

[SandyG]

The sun is out and it is a nice winter's day. In the 20's and, if you are out of the wind, actually nice. I, however, was in the metal barn raking and picking poop.

Nine wheelbarrows in 3 skidloader buckets - they were full! But the Helen Keller side is at least good around the edges. Tomorrow I will tackle the Gelding's side (edges only!) and then later on in the week attack the Corral Shelter....

Thank heavens the bank agreed to help with the skid loader!!!! ;D

[SandyG]

After 18 (?) wheelbarrows and 9(?) skid loader buckets full, I can start to see the barn floor! Really! I am focusing on where the Humans walk - which means the perimeter - and also on removing the frozen mounds.

Let me tell you, after Lanna has been standing on a "mound" for a few weeks it takes some chipping and some pressure to get it unstuck. And when it comes loose, watch out! "It" flies everywhere!

Maybe this is where the phrase about "it' hitting the fan came about!!! ;D

[SandyG]

The world is crystal white this morning....on the fencelines, on the trees (the pine trees are flocked!), on the eyelashes of the horses...crystals everywhere.

This is truly the January thaw...now, if we can just move to the March Muds, I'll be singing!!! ;D

[tracy1]

You mean the May Muds, Sandy - you keep having this confused with some other climate . . . you remember green grass in March . . . that's in another life, or a very warm year . . . you're like the kid in the back seat, "Are we there yet?"

Having stood outside with horses at Applebee's in some very cold April snow storms more than once. . . and seen someone on campus in rapture over seeing a bud on Earth Day - April 26 - and remembering me on the phone in tears to the owners of a nursery in 2005 asking if I could please come touch their greenhouse plants, I was so desperate for a sign of life, only to hear the lady say "But it's only May . . ." she was so confused by my impatience . . .

In late May of 2006 I was so desperate to fit in a ride between snow and deer flies that I took Blaze out and in the process sank him in mud in the field across from my house which led to his bad leg that he re-injured the following winter on a frozen turd and that then never did heal.

If it was over in March, I wouldn't have put the house up for sale in January of last year. Last year, looking for a time to clean the carpets when it was over 40 degrees at night so the dogs could stay outside, the soonest I could reliably do it was . . . Memorial Day.

So enjoy the journey . . . or take some meds, as my parents fed my dog and me so we wouldn't get car sick on long rides, which resulted in our sleeping through it . . . we've got months to go . . .

[SandyG]

Walking out to the barn this afternoon to clean a bit more and it was like someone had waved a magic wand over the pastures. EVERYONE was spread out in the hay. Dear Lanna was snoring, of course, with Miss Bette propped up on a partial bale like she was in an easy chair. The Twins were shoulder to shoulder with Laddee not far from them. Even Blaise was resting her legs, which is very unusual.

Once the skid loader started and a chain rattled on a gate, however, the nap was over. Everyone was curious as to what was going on in the barns....maybe it was time to eat.....?

[SandyG]

What a nice winter's morning outside. Frosty everywhere. Warm air. Very little breeze. And horses that are fiesty in the warm weather! Everyone is a bit "full of it" this morning...some more than others!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Showing you Laddee and how well she is doing. Introducing you to The Twins. Getting your opinion on Appaloosa Mare's tummy....is it hay? or is it a set of hooves? And having you watch Dudely with his harem....slowly but surely winning all of those big, beautiful women over.

Dress in layers! See you from 12noon to 3pm tomorrow!

[jetmech]

Had a wonderful time yesterday. They sure can poop, even the little ones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was good to be outside and see the improvement. Just like having babies, you know it will be needing to be done again and again!!!! The horses are wonderful, and it was very moving to beautify Miss Bette to Elizabeth. She is an elegant Queen and lives up to the name. I am amazed at how much was accomplished in the time that we were there. Again, the nice thing is the "Job Security" they all provide. After moving horses around, it was wonderful to see the "KIDS" in the west field running and playing and getting reacquainted. Running and playing and chasing. Even Beauty was running and playing. She has such a beautiful gait and is beautiful to watch. They were all having fun and Unit put Dude in his place right off. After the order was established, things settled down, but watching all that was really a very special experience.