This 'n That

[tracy1]

Yes, it wasn't bad driving, but I didn't go for the Winter Carnival parade, it was pouring rain, total soup out there, everything was grey slush and no visibility, and standing out in that downpour wasn't my idea of fun, so I kept going, via Fleet Farm, and got home by 4, spent an hour out playing with the various critters, it's really lovely with the rain stopped. But seeing the rain slick on everything and imagining what it will be like when it freezes, I don't want to leave home til April. Too bad I have to . . .

[SandyG]

Do you remember when we were in grade school and we would stand in line for the water fountain? Waiting while Ken Burke drank and drank and drank. Then he would stand up and take a breath and darn it! He would start drinking again!

We had to quietly and patiently wait our turn in line for the pleasure of drinking that cold, clear, good tasting water.

Well, tonight we had a line at our own version of the water fountain. I unhooked the Helen Keller side and Laddee stood still in her stall - still dozing after her big meal. PONY! walked right over to the stock tank and began drinking.

Now, you can tell when PONY! is drinking. He kind of sucks the water through his teeth. His tongue is filling in the gaps between his teeth and he makes a noise like he's trying to suck a thick malt through a straw. My guess, is that he was drinking from a creek somewhere along the line and got a mouthful of snake.

Anyhow, Handsome stood patiently while PONY! drank. When he was done, PONY! turned and walked deliberately and in a straight line out the door. Interesting to see that blind horse march like a soldier.

Next in line was Laddee. She is this barn's version of Kenny Burke. Drink, drink, drink, drink. Stand up and take a breath. Then head back down and drink, drink, drink some more.

By this time, Handsome has moved in line behind Laddee and has told Blaise by his body position that she is after him! And since he is three times her size, Blaise is obedient.

Laddee finally finishes after dropping the tank 3" or so....Then Handsome moves up and takes his drink. When Handsome is done, Blaise moves in and takes her delicate little sip.

All in a line. No one pushing or hurrying the other. Pure respect and order. Patiently waiting for each other. No noises or nudges. I am impressed. I am also reminded of standing in the line for the water fountain in Mrs. Brintz's class!!!

[tracy1]

What a wonderful blog!

Colleen understates that she's 'done some fostering.' I took in two feral kitties, 3 weeks old, 10 years ago, and they are among the greatest joys of my life, unrelenting in their affection and incredibly well-mannered - people who have seen my furniture (back when I had some before I simplified and gave it away) can't believe I have house cats, for there's nary a scratch anywhere. I've known a lot of people who manage feral colonies in other places I've lived and worked, and the Alley Cat Allies and its TNR program are terrific.

Sandy, you must have lived a delightful childhood, to remember cool, tasty water. Of course the fact you were that eager for a drink sounds like you were all on a chain gang . . . Our fountains were broken, a place to leave boogers and gum . . . our 'line' was sitting in the hall with our heads between our knees on the nuclear bomb drills. . like that would make a difference . . :

Moving hay today before the arctic blast (and my full-time teaching schedule) return . . .

[SandyG]

You know, we could have a long and detailed conversation about Brett and his Prima Donna status and his inability to make a decision and his talent and his age . . . . . We could go on and on.

But I do kind of feel sorry for the man tonight. The front line has their hands more than full and he is getting pounded! His body will be purple and green and black tomorrow and his kidneys will be bleeding and he'll be a beat up hunk of human flesh.

Given all that, the man can play some ball, can't he?

Obvioulsy, I posted the above before he threw an interception over his left shoulder with 7 seconds remaining and within field goal range with a tied score of 28 . . . . . .!

[SandyG]

Many withers and backs to brush. Their hair is all matted from the rain and now it is cold enough that I can brush their coats out and they can then have some insulation against the cold front that is around the bend.

Not too bad out today. Everyone is hungry. Everyone except the two little mares in heat, that is. Josephina has kept vigil next to the Old Barn pasture gates since yesterday afternoon. Dude would love to come up to the fence to talk with her but Spirit keeps him away from "the other woman"!

And then this morning, guess who had joined Josephina? None other than Sandy (not me! The Twin, Sandy!). Seems these two little mares have an eye for a good looking man . . .

Oh, Dude. I am so sorry!!!

[tracy1]

So sorry he can no longer give the mares what they want, Sandy? or. . ?

You'd make a good color commentator for a sports show - I have no idea what you said up there a comment or two ago, but . . it sounded like you did.

People wanting to be involved in turning back last week's Supreme Court decision that gave mega-corporations the right to spend money to sway our thinking to their point of view (reversing 100 years of practice - CNN said the decision assumes corporations are people and money is speech) might write to your congress person supporting Alan Greyson's Save Our Democracy reform package - H.R. 4431-4435 - he's a Democratic congressman from Florida.

[SandyG]

mega-corporations the right to spend money to sway our thinking to their point of view

isn't this called advertising???

[tracy1]

yeah, they do it all the time . . . but in this case, on political issues, there was a limit to how much could be spent in campaign donations (which was not part of the decision but now becomes a gray area to be whittled away), and how soon before the election the messages could be run . . . this reverses the McCain (former presidential candidate)-Feingold (Wisconsin Senator) federal election law.

Groups supporting the decision warned that if Congress could ban a political documentary (in this case about Hillary Clinton) because it received corporate donations, Congress could also ban books published by corporations.

Opponents warned that allowing for free speech by corporations could result in businesses turning on the political fund raising spigot.

Writing for the minority (losing) view, Justice Stevens said "The court’s ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions around the nation," presumably by making them easier (even than now) to be 'bought.'

This link describes the case as it looked in Sept. when the court re-addressed it . . www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2009/0908/p02s01-usju.html

[SandyG]

I need to stop listening to the news!!

They are digging up the grave of Da Vinci (in some castle in France, supposedly) to get to his skull. Then they will use technology to create a face on the skull to answer this question:

Is Da Vinci's creation, the Mona Lisa, really a self-portrait of Da Vinci in drag?

Oh, Lord. The mouths we could feed with all that money . . And if it is or if it isn't a self portrait, how will that create peace in the world?

I'm going out to the barns where things are simple and plain.

You can feel the change in the air - the coldness of it. So I will blanket the special ones tonight and then not remove those blankets until we hit the 20's on Sunday again. That's the good thing about this time of year, the cold comes and it leaves rather quickly - instead of hanging on for weeks!

Just bailed, cleaned, and refilled the stock tank in the Helen Keller barn. Seems that when PONY! is inside, he likes to back up to it to poop. Bless his little heart and his great aim!

Pam is coming over this afternoon to move round bales. We moved six bales to the big herd behind the old barn last Wednesday and we are down to two half-bales. Guess they knew the cold weather was coming, now didn't they!!!

[SandyG]

Okay....I'm off my soap box.....

Everyone is fed and quite a few have blankets on them. The temps aren't so bad but the wind is still pretty steady out here and it is sharp. Razor blade sharp on my face and so they won't relax to eat. Blankets will put something between them and those razor blades and help them to let those muscles get some blood into them.

Proof in the pudding: PONY! finishes his supper and stands at his bucket sound asleep. The most interesting part is that his entire nose is in his bucket....what a cutie. Even if he does poop in the stock tank!

20's by Sunday....20's by Sunday..... (that's my new mantra!)

[Shar]

Sandy- THANK YOU FOR THE NEWSPAPER PIC! I just got it today... And now... I would like to introduce the newest member of Mytalisha's Dream. The gelding formerly known as Gunner is now "Mytalisha's Spirit"... and if he is the spirit of the barn, we are doing amazing! He is calm, extremely sweet... almost like a grown-up Titan. I guess this is what it's like having a horse that has only had one owner in his life who worshiped the ground he walked on and only gave him love... If only every horse could be so lucky.

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[Shar]

The whole herd... =)

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[Shar]

And of course... can't forget our sweet baby Titan... who can resist this face?

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[Shar]

Another picture of the kids. Sorry... didn't know how to do it as a little photo album.

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[SandyG]

Oh, Shar! I am so happy for you! And your new love! What a wonderful present he is, isn't he? And what a looker he is! Handsome, for sure....

Little Titan is soaking wet and you just want to put your arms around him and smother him with kisses. What a little face. I do understand why people breed. They are so darn cute when they are babies!!! Just like puppies and kittens!

And, of course, Romeo is right there to check out the new guy. "Oh, no! Another man! I have to share my girls?"

Thanks for the pictures, Shar. Stay warm this week and take care of yourself, too. Remember to eat and sleep, girl!