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Post by SandyG on Sept 21, 2016 8:22:32 GMT -5
So very glad for the good weather yesterday so some work could get done before the monsoons arrive again tonight!
Still have the Helen Keller side of the barn to muck out but right now - BEFORE it rains - there is still standing water in the entrance lane. Geez. However, the Gelding's side is coming along. I have only 2 tie stalls left to re-line with clay/gravel and raise the floors up about 4". The mixture is like cement when it sits so the longer it stretches out the more work to loosen the pile to spread but when it is done, they walk in without dipping down into holes. We'll see tonight if the 4 stalls that are re-lined stay dry with the coming rains! That's the idea of this project - to keep their feet out of muck and ice.
And Lanna's black dirt was leveled out so planting can begin - as soon as the rains diminish again. The therapy of that beautiful mare will be felt once again as her plants are arranged and the set into their permanent homes. I'm putting Lanna's bed right into Liz-Beth''s bed so there will be no division. As they were in life - the two were one big awesome mare. Sure do miss those two women!!!
Cleaning of the Skid Loader side of the garage continues. We are so close to being able to move the wagon over and then open up the garage to the skid loader and the truck this winter. Do NOT want to repeat the hassle and cold of last year with our equipment sitting outside in the weather!
And we are down to 5 more loads at the Laundromat and then all winter blankets that are still in use are washed and ready to be worn. There are about 6 blankets that need repairs and those have not been washed yet but I'll try to get them done so they can be put aside clean. Even the halters were cleaned and put into the clean barn. Yup - the CLEAN barn! I got the center of the barn cleaned with everything moved, the ground raked, mats cleaned, feed bin washed out, buckets washed, and even the halter clean for another winter. Feels good. Now, just need to get the feed tank filled. (That's a prayer, by the way.)
So it was busy and productive. Time to pull a few burrs but I'm giving up on that until they stay up close to the barns and the round bales. Otherwise they actually look worse when they come in the next morning. So frustrating!!!
Take care in the coming rains. Heavy rains - up to 4" tonight.
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Post by SandyG on Sept 22, 2016 9:59:29 GMT -5
Even though it is a land of lakes up here on the hill, we still are better off than most! No road closings and no major washouts but it is wet!!!
The kids are all clean from their long shower and heads are down munching on the newly growing grasses. Those poor blades out there don't stand a chance!
I am already noticing the absence of the birds singing....it was noisy outside most of the summer and in the barns it was almost deafening at times! Now, it is pretty silent. A hint of the winter sounds arriving a bit early this year.
Be careful in driving and walking - no fair slipping in the mud!! 
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Post by SandyG on Sept 28, 2016 10:07:19 GMT -5
Things are good at THE FARM - it is only the caretaker whose body decided to take a break. But after a bit of rest, that body is recovering nicely and will be back on the road by sunrise tomorrow morning!
Thank you all for the emails, the telephone calls, and the offers for help. It is so helpful and calming to know you have family who cares.
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Post by SandyG on Sept 30, 2016 9:56:21 GMT -5
Bare hands in warm water is getting brisk in the mornings already! How quickly the air changes! So watch for a call to set up the workshop for Gracie's warm stall this winter. Will not be a big job but will go away in 60 minutes with many hands!
I am so looking forward to planting our dear Lanna's Memory Bed next week. We've been given the final wave of summer-like air and I'm best to put everything else aside and use it to decorate that gentle woman's resting place. She and Liz-Beth will be ablaze in flowers and fragrances next summer!!
Have a good day today! Remember to smile at someone! 
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Post by SandyG on Oct 1, 2016 9:19:10 GMT -5
Yesterday was a full and beautiful day!
Mailed over 1,100 newsletters announcing the Dine-2-Donate events every Tuesday evenings at Menomonie Applebee's. Of course, we are bringing horses to the front yard of the most popular restaurant in Menomonie! Of course! And, of course, we have a wonderful raffle to offer! Of course! And, of course, the volunteers have stepped up to support the event, including the setup and tear down. I am a very wealthy woman with these others in support of the Missions.
The list for this last weekend of summer is a mile long - planting Lanna, mulching Lanna, begin the final round of mowing, empty the skid loader side and size up the parking situation so I have space to store pellets. And take advantage of the sale on feed for the kids. And then there are other smaller things - clean the massive bird cage for THE STORE, weekly housekeeping of windows, floors, and restroom at THE STORE, month end processing of sales, and DIne-2-Donate preparation and gathering of equipment needed (broom, manure fork, rake, wheelbarrow, water pails, brushes, etc.). But in this great weather it will be fun to do!
Enjoy this weekend. If you are a golfer, hopefully you are about 90 minutes west of here for most of the day. Wherever you are, enjoy and make a positive difference by your presence and spirit!
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Post by SandyG on Oct 4, 2016 9:08:48 GMT -5
Took Helen in for a check yesterday and will follow-up with Dr. Terry again today by telephone. I've had some time to ponder the x-ray and want to try something that he will say is useless, but so was surgery on Laddee's painful eye. Or so many said. Useless is a subjective term - trying is the meaningful word.
Bugsy went with us to have his teeth floated so he is totally ready for adoption. The picture in his mouth validates his condition upon receiving - he had tried eating rocks for a while. His manure showed me that but I still found it too impossible but he showed us yesterday that we need to believe him. I am in total awe of this Paint gelding - the recovery is remarkable when you see what he has been thru. They never do cease to amaze me!!
Barn cleaning to get finished today - then feeders can go back on the walls with a bit of human help. Eating will be easier for some then. And I've got a bit more gravel in the Gelding's side to finish the raising of the tie stall floors. That I can do in the rain!
There's a sense of finality to today - the last summer air before fall settles in. And I still need to plant Lanna!!!
Hope to see you tonight at Applebee's!!! We'll have horses there - just not sure who will come when I call!!! 
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Post by SandyG on Oct 7, 2016 9:42:05 GMT -5
Man O' Pete! This morning is a great reminder of the winter winds, the cold fingers, and the feeling of numb feet! We humans sure aren't built for severe weather of any kind, are we? In comparison, Big Boy is asleep in the hay!!!
So many, many things happening that it is time to have a "normal" day, I'm hoping. THE STORE held together by Mandy and Chris and newsletters actually getting out due to an entire team of women who just stuck to it. What an enormously rich woman I am - true Ministers in the barns and angels in my life.
You will need a jacket today, for sure! And maybe a touch of heat in the car, as well! Just be careful!!
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Post by SandyG on Oct 10, 2016 9:37:05 GMT -5
A day filled with horse cares, projects, and good friendships yesterday. Clyde-Mare was prepared for the colder weather, Helen was treated, Faith was de-burr'd, and the corral is setup at Applebee's for tomorrow night. A good day of caring and many hands getting it all done! Thanks to those who chose to spend the afternoon at THE FARM.
And at noon, our Bugsy met his new little 12 year old owner and walked into a new trailer with her. I was so pleased as I know this family and know he will be cared for and loved as he gets old but still . . . the barn is a bit quieter this morning and no one is scooting into the middle of the barn when I come in to feed the others. I know this is all a part of rescue, but that little "pregnant mare" stole my heart last November and I'm happy for him. Just a bit lonely at the moment.
Must be time to go out and hug a horse, eh?
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Post by SandyG on Oct 11, 2016 9:31:10 GMT -5
Our Lanna is decorated and Liz-Beth was singing the entire time! Every time I planted a new plant on her pal, Liz-Beth's wind chine sang notes of joy! It was an awesome time in the yard with those two. They were so close while in the barns that I've decorated the two of them without a fence between them. Only the size of the Memory Beds will identify who is resting where. Otherwise, their flowers will cross over to each other and the big pine tree will protect them both from the afternoon suns in the summer and the winds of the winter. But then again, that was Lanna's job, now wasn't it!?
Today we will prepare for Dine-2-Donate and re-de-burr Faith's tail! Good thing she doesn't have a mane!
With the winds, I may be able to clean out a bit of the Helen Keller barn - will need to test the entrances for the depth of the mud. Regardless, I will move round bales with the cold weather coming. Time to get hay out to the big herd, as well. With the frost, the grass is no longer giving them anything other than a full tummy and Lord knows, we can't have anyone losing a pound around here!
No word on Bugsy so I'm assuming he is settling in. With that horse, I would be shocked if he isn't calmly standing in the barn - in the sun but out of the winds. He never liked the elements and so that told me he had no shelter or rarely had shelter in his previous life. Just like Faline and Budd - ALWAYS in the barn. Even on the nice days, they just like the comfort of a roof after years without one.
Enjoy today - long johns tomorrow!!
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Post by SandyG on Oct 14, 2016 9:23:51 GMT -5
I believe that this Sunday, when the volunteers are here, that we will move Gracie and Miss April over to the Gelding's Side and set them up in the end stalls (as one big stall). I need to get Miss April ready to integrate so she is not alone when Gracie needs to move up tot he warm workshop. To leave Miss April alone in the corral would not be good and it will take time for Gracie to renew herself with her "home" base pasture again. And that way, the corral can stand open for emergencies or medical needs of any one of our horses. Sounds like a plan but I'll check with our Specialized Farrier first to insure he agrees that the grass is harmless and the move is a good idea for his two favorites.
The promise of warm weather again this weekend - thank you! thank you! thank you! Some of those last minute tasks still need to be addressed and we have round bales we need to start moving - like yesterday! So the dry roads are a gift, for sure!
Our first raffle comes to a close tomorrow at THE STORE with a drawing at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Our winners will be called and then they can retrieve their gift cards to Marketplace Foods or their sterling silver jewelry or their gift cards to Wal-Mart or their custom made feather ring from the American Indians in New Mexico. How cool is that! The next raffle begins on next Wednesday and there are great prizes in that raffle as well, which is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Menomonie. GREAT supporters of our Missions surround us and we are grateful.
Enjoy the day and help one person sometime today.
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Post by SandyG on Oct 16, 2016 8:58:44 GMT -5
A tad difficult to head into work today with this weather! What a gift, eh? I'll work on Lanna a bit more today and tomorrow and then mulch her - that will be her winter blanket this year. And Liz-Beth continues to blossom right next to her - her hydrangeas, her wild roses are all in full bloom! These two will make a large and beautiful peaceful place on this hill. A good place for a water fountain and a few chairs. Maybe even a few bird feeders. We'll see. They'll tell us!
Volunteers will be here mid-afternoon and Bless Their Hearts! My duppa is draggin' and I've got my list of things I need help with to prepare for winter. We are moving Gracie and Miss April over to the big pasture so Miss April will have friends when Gracie needs to come up to the workshop for heat in the cold air. And, selfishly, having them all in one barn - packed, as it may be! - makes cares simpler and with less treading thru muck and snow.
Poor PONY! has no idea that he is in for a day at The Spa! He loves it but it will be a tough one for him and we gang up on him to prepare him for Dine-2-Donate on Tuesday evening. His new girlfriend, Hollie, however, stays so clean! Wish she would teach the ole' boy a few things!
Enjoy this day! This one is a grand gift! 
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Post by SandyG on Oct 17, 2016 8:30:56 GMT -5
H U G E day yesterday here at THE FARM. Nick and Brandon have Clyde Mare looking so very good! She is clean and lost 3 lbs of water after the massaging of her leg and lymph nodes. As I watched them working on her, that mare never once moved either rear left until, of course, I went to touch her! She keeps a close eye on us. Me, she is not so sure of, but. both of those two men have her so confident and safe that she sleeps while they clean her. Amazing to see the one who trusted no one begin to trust completely.
Zach repaired the broken fence feed line, moved Gracie and Miss April from the corral into the big barn and they are now living in luxury with shavings on the floor, their own water and hay supply and new friends. It will take a while for them to integrate but they are set for the fall weather and I'm so relieved and happy to have them be part of the rest of the herds. Too long for them to be so isolated but they've ended up so very close! Good to see Miss April have a pal after Lanna crossed.
Time to move round bales. So today I will prep the west lawn and move stacks of pallets over in preparation. Then, it is just a matter of making 35 trips with 7 bales per trip and creating those huge cigars of hay. When that job is completed, there will be a long, long breath of relief, for sure.
Enjoy the heat! Tomorrow we move into the normal ranges again!
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Post by SandyG on Oct 18, 2016 8:01:38 GMT -5
HOLEY MOLEY, Rocky! I was in the barn de-burring horses when a few sprinkles hit the roof. Seconds later, it was hail - or so I thought! Talk about a monsoon!!!!
Everyone was inside the rain was that intense and now our Thompson Lake is about 8" deep! And guess who parked the truck and trailer right on that spot before the rains!!! Geez . . . .
POINY! and Hollie look like show horses they are so sleek and beautiful. They will make a good impression tonight at Applebee's. Hope to see you there!!! We start at 4pm and will pack up at 8pm -
Sandy and The Herd
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Post by SandyG on Oct 19, 2016 9:39:17 GMT -5
I am going off-line for a couple of days. My ancient tower is making a constant noise and it isn't a happy giggle noise, either. So time to see if it can be repaired to live on for a while or not - ugh. So - telephone is 715-505-5626 while posting to this bb and email is not available.
In the meantime:
- prayers for our Helen, please!
- prayers for the ancient, emaciated Mustang, Reno, that arrived on Monday
- prayers for peace and understanding!
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Post by SandyG on Oct 23, 2016 19:16:05 GMT -5
So I brought the old tower computer home for over the weekend so I could catch up on emails. Good thing! Then on Tuesday, I'm bringing the computer back in hopefully for a repair. If not, then it is time to think about options - ugh! Technology has become just a component of everyday life but I'm still not excited about spending time on it other than in using it!! I've become one of "those" users!!
Great day today - windy and brisk but we completed the planting of Lanna's Memory Bed. Now, just to mulch her and wait for her to show off her treasures next spring. She and Liz-Beth will put on quite a show, I'm sure! And we put the new Mustang out with the bigger herd. He is crafty and has the advantage of sight however, Ella is keeping a very close eye on him (pun intended!) and at the same time keeping her herd away from this stranger. It already appears, though, that in-roads are being made with Josephina and Faline. The Mustang is sharp, bright, and just so content to FINALLY be in with horses again!!!!
A busy day of hauling hay tomorrow before the wet roads return. Please be careful and aware out there!!
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