This 'n That

[SandyG]

This morning, for the first time in 2018, it looks like spring at THE FARM. The birds are busy, busy, busy! Pecking mud and straw pieces for their nests . . . listening for worms . . . singing . . . That is always such a joy to catch their movements and their noises. We've got a group of Morning Doves here this year - how calming and peaceful are they! The "cooo" is just like medicine. Makes me stop to listen.

The horses are also busy, busy, busy! Heads down catching the blades as they come up before anyone else finds that same blade of grass! Time now to start mowing the big pasture where the long grass is laying over - need to get that more like a lawn so it produces a good grass for The Kids. So this year, "mowing lawn" will mean I'm out mowing pasture!!

Spent a part of yesterday afternoon raking the leaves and pulling little weeds off of Lanna's Memory Bed. She was a big girl and her Garden is so very large! But there is evidence that she, once again, will be a wonder to behold! Just as she was when she was up here with us! Dead heading didn't take too long - the recent winds took care of most of that!

And Lanna's tree is strong and growing well. A new planting, it will take a couple of years before it begins to shoot up but soon Lanna will shield Liz-Beth from the winter winds . . . as she did for years in the pastures. That tree just completes their gardens.

Next will be the dead heading and mulching of Liz-Beth's Memory Bed. Now that girl has a JUNGLE for a Memory Bed. Last summer, her hydrangea blossoms were 17" from top to bottom! ENORMOUS! And just as beautiful as our Elizabeth! Her wind chime kept me company yesterday as I worked on her Sister-By-Choice. . . . reminding me to care for her, too.

I know this doesn't sound like much or it may sound foolish to some of you. But to Refuge Farms, we respect them as much when they are buried here at THE FARM as we do when they are in the barns. And we are behind in some of the Memory Beds but each year if at least one full bed is re-tended then we should be good by 2020. Frannie and Laddee (their beds are adjoined) are the project for this summer. Just 45' x 24' . . . in case anyone likes to get their hands in the dirt!

Desk work for a bit this morning and then outside to care for Liz-Beth - first the dead heading. By the weekend, the two girls will be ready for summer blooms and be clean, pretty, and freshly mulched! Showin' off again, eh, Girls??!!

Enjoy the outside while it is the perfect time of year - in my opinion! Regardless, enjoy the gift of today!

[SandyG]

Posted: Wednesday, May 2nd, 3:45pm:

I'm wound up tighter than an over wound clock!

I like to think I can work in a barn and get the job done. I can clean a tank until I drink out of it. And I can clean a barn floor until . . . what do I say to that? I'd walk on it barefoot. There. That works.

But me and the desk . . . we just do not get along so well. And today I've been at the desk since 9:50am this morning! And it is 3:45pm. Parts of me are numb . . . use your imagination. The head is throbbing. And I can hear the barn calling me!

I am able to lift my head and have confidence that the task at hand will get done because my volunteers are there to help. In fact, one just said, "It will get done. We'll get it. Stop worrying."

Remember when I tell you how rich I am? This is just a single example. I am one of the richest persons you will ever know - my back is covered by like hearts that believe in these horses and the work we do.

Thank you, Lord. And now - I'm heading out to that barn!!!

[SandyG]

Sure hope we all had a good summer!!!

Knowing the coming temps, I put a blanket on Gracie last night to protect her against the 30's overnight temps. This morning, Helen and PONY! were full-body shivering, and so they are in blankets, too. Odd for the middle of May, that's for sure.

It isn't the temps as much as the lack of the sun's heat and those winds!! Straight out of the east so going into the barn gives you no shelter. With blankets, these three will be set for the day and can focus on grazing instead of finding a spot out of the winds.

Their Mama came in for another layer, too. I had gone out in a turtleneck and heavy sweatshirt but came in for a heavy hoodie, as the top layer. I need to move some round bales for The Big Ones and that would just be too cold without that extra layer of protection. Oh. And winter gloves.

Like I said, sure hope we all had a good summer!!

[SandyG]

Great Saturday Morning!!

Just a short note to alert you to 3 (!!!) basket raffles ending this Monday morning in 3 different Menomonie retail stores!

At Erbert's & Gerbert's at the intersection of highways 25 and 29 is a beautiful "Cocktail Time" basket for you. A total of 5 (!!!!!) top shelf liquor selections with pickled mushrooms, Weaver's nuts & bits snacks & caramel snacks, and even a set of 4 vintage highball glasses! There are also included stuffed mushrooms to adorn the cocktails. What a great party starter! This basket is valued at over $40 and YOU COULD WIN!

The Thread Lab is located on the corner right across from the post office and they are hosting our beautiful basket for your sweet Mother, Grandmother, or even yourself! It is a "Spring Basket" with large bottles of fresh honey and creamy, delicious hot chocolate, honey spoons, the Ahmad tea boxed fruit selection, plates, napkins, note pads, and oh, almost forgot . . . a bottle of Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc wine! Now, this is a basket to celebrate spring and it is valued at over $60!

The third basket is at Tabby's Catfe just south of CVS Pharmacy. This is a sweet basket that we called "The Margarita Basket" and so, of course, the basket starts with 4 different flavors of mixed margaritas - ready to be chilled. The margaritas are surrounded by 2 new sets of salsa bowls, bottles of salsas, colorful glass plates and paper napkins, and a selection of Weaver's nut delight mix! This is a $40 basket and is a great School's Out celebration gift!

Tickets prices are 1 ticket for $1, 6 tickets for $5, and 15 tickets for $10! Drawings will be Monday morning (the 16th) and you need not be present to win. The winners will pick up their baskets at the supporting retailers in Menomonie. Thank you, Retailers!

All funds raised from these basket raffles will help Refuge Farms purchase our spring vaccinations. We must vaccinate and our spring fundraiser to purchase those meds was held on April 14th . . . Remember??? The Saturday of the biggest blizzard of the season???

With that fundraiser being held on that disaster of a weather day, these baskets were donated so we could hopefully fund the purchase of the vials we need to keep The Herd healthy and protected. Thank you to our generous donor, Linda J.!

Hoping your errands and shopping this weekend will bring you close to Erbert's & Gerberts, the Thread Lab, or Tabby's Catfe in Menomonie . . . or all three stores!!! Every single dollar raised comes to THE FARM in support of our horses.


GOOD LUCK!!! And Thank You!

Sandy and The Herd of Refuge Farms

[SandyG]

Happy Monday, Everyone!

It has been a while since Refuge Farms has posted to this bb - just busy with horses, fencing, readying for THE STORE to open here at THE FARM, and then Ella, our rodeo penning champion, just had surgery on her eye and so the extra cares and extra bed checks tend to make the days shorter! However, I see baby horses coming in to the world and so I thought it was time I got this piece of information out to the world!

Refuge Farms was gifted an assortment of feeds last fall and one of the half-pallets was a Buckeye product called Foal Starter Pellets. Here is what the StateLine catalogue tells us about this pelleted feed for the babies:

Foal Starter by Buckeye Nutrition is an easily digestible milk-based pellet scientifically formulated to meet the intense nutritional demands of the young foal during transition from nursing to solid food. This creep feed is designed to be fed free-choice.

Product Details:
• Easily digested, highly palatable milk based pellet
• Mineral-dense starter feed
• Contains prebiotics to support a healthy microbial flora in the hind gut
• Aids in compensating for the natural decrease in production and quality of milk during lactation
• Elevated vitamin E, C, and selenium levels to help optimize the foal's natural immune defenses
• Antioxidants proven to support immune function and to increase the body's natural defenses
• A precise blend of amino acids, milk and soy proteins
• Provides essential vitamins and bioavailable trace minerals to help support healthy growth & development and aids in minimizing the occurrence of DODs (developmental orthopedic diseases)

• Foal Starter Pellets 50 lb
• $42.50
•
• Weight: FOB 50.0 Lbs
• Oversized shipping charges of $20.00

Refuge Farms has 26 bags of Foal Starter that we would like to find a home for as quickly as possible. The feed has been stored inside and the half-pallet is shrink wrapped for easy transport. We also have a skid loader with fork for easy loading onto a trailer, too.

This will be a first-come first-served sale with the price per bag set by you. Please email or call to insure bags are still available before you head to THE FARM for pickup.

email: [e-mail]
telephone: [phone]

Thanks! Buckeye makes a great product and this feed comes highly recommended by the vet I discussed it with. Our population tends to be on the other end of life's spectrum, however!

Enjoy today!
Sandy and The Herd

[SandyG]

This week began with a life and death situation for our dear girl, Helen. Below is the Letter to the Editor of the Spring Valley newspaper which tells you of the situation and the surprising group of people who came to Helen's rescue. A lot of reading but, I think, worth the time and it really is a cool story! But then again, look who's talking! Here it is:

Letter to the Editor:

Refuge Farms Horse Rescue & Sanctuary is up on the hill just east of Spring Valley. We’ve spent the last 17 years rescuing the horses the other rescues will not accept – the “diers”. And Helen, a retired track cart horse that was found living in a cement silo, is one of our diers.

Helen is in her late 20’s, blind with both painful eyes surgically removed and also a user of a trach since the black mold she ate to survive has begun to deteriorate her nasal passages. This mare is one of our Sanctuary horses used in our program for at-risk teens. Helen is relied upon by many program graduates to listen as they encounter challenges in life. And Helen is part of our parade unit, too. If you have ever seen the Refuge Farms Blind Horse Parade Unit, the first horse in the unit pulling the big wooden wagon is Helen!

This past Monday morning, when I went to bring Helen into the barn for the day and out of the flies and nasty gnats, Helen was without her trach, in a total state of panic, and in severe shock. Her tongue was light grey and her gums would not support a refill test. It appeared she was drowning as there was a foamy substance in her mouth and coming out of her trach access.

Once in the barn, the timings told me she was taking 10 shallow breaths every 10 seconds. This stellar creature needed oxygen or she would suffocate and die. So, I began the task of calling hospitals, clinics, respiratory services, nursing homes, respiratory supply companies – ANYONE I could think of that would have oxygen tanks. I found tanks and yes, we could set up a new patient but when I explained the patient was a horse, they would hang up. All this time, Helen was standing quietly struggling to breathe and stay alive.

A quick call to Matt at the Spring Valley Drug Store and he gave me the name to call at the Spring Valley Area Ambulance Service. I called, left a message, and they called. After our brief conversation the oxygen was flowing into this desperate horse’s lungs within minutes. In fact, the tank was delivered to THE FARM! I was trained in the administration of the oxygen and we began regular treatments for the next 24 hours. We saved Helen’s life.

I’m writing this letter of appreciation and recognition because we, that live in this Spring Valley area, need to appreciate the dedication and compassion of this ambulance service group. I promise each horse that I will care for and medically treat them and to not be able to save their lives when I cannot get the materials I need just because the patient is a horse is pathetic, at least to me. This group did not hesitate. They understood completely. They told me that they were “just pleased to be able to help”. And it shows!

Please remember these ambulance people when it is time for fundraisers and Christmas cookies and spring flowers. Just take a touch of your time to drop in and say “thanks for being here”. They are #1 in my book because they readily and compassionately supplied their services to a horse and that, in my opinion, is going above and beyond. They, too, could have said they did not serve horses. Thank God they have big hearts!! And I guarantee they give great care to a human being in need based upon the care they gave to Helen, the horse!

THANK YOU dear Spring Valley Area Ambulance Service from Helen, me, and the volunteers of Refuge Farms. Helen has much yet to teach us humans about forgiveness, trust, and being beautiful. Please, if you have the time, stop in to meet our Miracle Healer, Helen! See this Beauty that is still able to help humans heal, thanks to your own compassion and commitment to healing!


In Gratitude,

Sandy Gilbert
Executive Director
Refuge Farms Horse Rescue & Sanctuary

[SandyG]

My hand hit the barn door at 6:45am today. And at 9pm, I just closed that same door for the night. Our dear farrier, Isaac, was here today and trimmed all 17 horses, we dewormed all as well, and 6 were boostered with vaccinations.

Every horse's foot was examined and notes made on bruising, old abscess holes disappearing, dryness of hooves, cracks, or improvement in shape of the hoof. We take notes - and pictures - during every day of trimming and so we can quickly recall dates of wounds, cracks, new shoes, reversed shoes, etc.

It is great to see Isaac narrow Jeri-Ann's front shoes again today - both of them! And sad to see little Gracie's front feet bruising rather deeply from her July 4th seizure. Joseph is showing a bit of rotation and the cushings in Alexius is making itself shown in her front feet.

The greatest discovery, however, came with Hollie. I have been treating Hollie for 4 weeks now for arthiritis, bone chips, and soft tissue damage - also from the July 4th episode. Today, though, in a deep inspection we found a spot of moisture located under the frog. Odd how it was under what appeared to be a healthy frog. With careful digging, we discovered some thrush which explains her tenderness on her left front and no improvement with any of the previous treatments.

Significant digging on both front feet identified one place to begin daily cleanings and packing with iodine soaked cotton balls. And after today - even with all of the digging! - she is walking better already!

I am greatly relieved. My plan was to give this week to my attempts to identify the soreness in that foot and then - with no visible improvements - to take her in for x-rays. Then Isaac appeared and with his skillful touch and that ever so sharp knife, he uncovered the thrush way deep under the usual frog. Had he not dug, we would have trimmed her and never found it! Thank God for Isaac!!

The Herd is munching on green grass with fresh hooves, dewormed, some vaccinated, and everyone evaluated for overall condition and changes. Tomorrow morning will be a time to recheck everyone for good appetites, normal personalities, and anticipated behaviors just to insure no side effects are in the works. And then, it will be time to treat and repack our Hollie.

A great day. Isaac has been with me for 24 years this summer. He is my brother-of-choice and I trust him implicitly with these horses. And on days like today, I am so very grateful for the man's willingness to care enough to go the extra steps. Thank you, Isaac. Thank you very much.

And now - good night everybody!

[SandyG]

Bad boy, Bad boy, Whatcha gonna do?

Remember last week when we, so proudly, declared, "We got him!" Well, we didn't get him. Not as we had hoped!

When we let the captured raccoon out at the Rush River pull-off, I was very concerned for that little life. It was clear to me that what we had captured was a baby - now separated from its Mama and so very young and naive. Of course, there was guilt and worry all week long over that little life.

But the next morning, I was full-on angry again. And that is putting it mildly! The feed bags were ripped open and feed was wasted all over the place! The cat food tub was flattened on the floor and the barn cats were literally sitting on a truss - too frightened to come down onto the hay bales until daylight. The hospital barn cat food was scoured and the water had, obviously, been used to "tidy up" before going back to the den (in my garage!) to sleep.

Dang it! We needed to get this critter and get it gone NOW!

I began to hide live traps in feed bags, laying an abundance of wasted feed from the floor out to temp "it" into the trap. Nothing that I tried worked. NOTHING! I was about to call the Madison Police Force back up to Menomonie to capture our baby's partner!!!

Then I remembered something Emily had said: "They like marshmallows". My next trip to a store I purchased a large bag of tiny marshmallows . . and no, not all of them were for the trap!

So, Friday night, I wrapped the live trap in two (2) feed bags with gooey sticky sweet stuff on their liners. I placed a plastic plate and heaped it with feed and put it right on the trip shelf. And then, I took four handfuls of marshmallows and threw them into the trap. Nothing neatly placed, just thrown into the corners, on the plate of feed, and through the trap grids on to the floor. If this didn't work, I was hiring someone who liked to hunt. Really!

Yesterday morning, I was half into the setup for feeding and I remembered my trap. Walking over to the trap, I saw one (1) feed bag . . . where was the second bag? And I saw feed and marshmallows everywhere! And I smelled the little critter! Yup!

WE GOT HIM!!!!

So, I began to sing my morning song and then, when everyone was eating and secure for the day, I backed the truck up to the barn door. I was NOT taking any chances in moving the trap that maybe another hole had been chewed in the wire!

Laying more empty bags on the floor, I slid the trap over the bags and then lifted the paper "floor" up and set the entire contraption in the bed of the pickup. Time for a delivery!!

Knowing this was a family member of the little baby from last weekend, I drove the extra 8 miles and dropped this critter off at the same Rush River turn-off as last weekend. Hopefully they will find each other.

Lifting the cage out of the truck, I realized a couple of things . . The missing feed bag was in the trap. She had endured the wait by tearing and making a bed out of the first feed bag. And then, of course, marked her floor well so no one would want to invade her space!

But the big realization was that we had just trapped the baby's Mama. That live trap was VERY heavy for the size of her . . Mama was about to have more babies! "Thank you, Lord!" came out of my mouth as I realized what had just been avoided - an entire littler of horse feed eating, gray hair creating, mess making critters in the barn!!!!

I waited until this morning before posting the news. Just to be sure. This morning the barn is clean. The cats are on the hay bales. Their feed tub and bowls are intact. No horse feed bags are torn open with expensive feed wasted on the floor. And the caretaker is smiling and not cussing and threatening an invisible varmint.

And Mama, hopefully, has found her baby near the Rush River.

[SandyG]

For the first time since early April, every single horse is outside eating or sleeping as I head to the barn this morning. Hollie and Gracie chose to stay put rather than come in for breakfast - and that's okay! The fresh air, green grass, and room to exercise is better for them than standing in the barn under the big fans waiting for the sun to set.

What a relief for them and their Caretaker! I'm going to clean barns and tanks today - take full advantage of the weather and the space in the barn! And, of course, spend time "leaning on my shovel", as my Mother would call me standing and just looking at them enjoy this cool day.

Hoping each of you is getting a breath of new air in your lungs today, too. I know it is the best medicine possible for me - goes a long way to bringing joy and a song back to the heart!

As someone near and dear taught me, enjoy the journey of each and every day. Today, enjoy especially! On purpose!

[SandyG]

It has been a very long time since I posted to this bulletin board. Please forgive the vacancy. Our dear Josephina is resting in her new Memory Bed, just as I believe she would want to be.

To her back is the horse that followed her everywhere! From the day he arrived, he loved the smell and the touch of that mare. He would persist in finding Josephina even though she did her best to evade him. The Ole' Man was blind, you see, and so he relied on her smell and the touch of her hind quarters with his nose to tell him he had found His Girl and could rest beside her. He covered miles looking for her. Calling. Smelling. Running. Calling again. Eventually, it would be quiet. He had found her.

When The Ole' Man crossed, I promised him he would be within nose reach of her forever. And so he is.

On Josephina's front is her Sister-By-Choice: Faline. Faline arrived as a fearful, naive older mare. Worked almost to death and unaware of stock tanks, feed, or even a blanket. Within a few months, Josephina had shown her to trust the horses that looked back at her in that pool of water in the barn. Instead of shying away from that water, drink it! Push your face into it and feel the coolness on a hot summer day. In the winter, drink of it and appreciate that you no longer needed to rely on melting snow in your mouth to quench your thirst. And feed . . EAT IT! It tasted good. Gave your body strength. And took away that gnawing in your middle section. And when offered something new and crunchy - eat that, too!

When Faline crossed, I promised Josephina I would put her beside her Sister, Faline. And so she is.

It has been only a short time but the remainder of The Herd needs support in the winter and with the frigid air coming, I need to be out in the barn. Quiet as it is. We all must continue even though, at the oddest times, we turn quickly because we swear we saw her in the corner. Or in her stall. Or in the hay. And so, out of habit and sheer determination, I force the old routines to return.

And so it is.

[SandyG]

Yet another day of "January thaw" in mid-December! And today, I will take full advantage and clean barns and stock tanks so we are prepared for the rain/snow mix of tomorrow night. There will be a round bale of hay in the center of the barn for the smaller horses so they can stay out of the weather outside and still have full tummies. It creates a dirty floor but, with the skid loader, cleaning the floor is simply a matter of patience and time.

Hoping all of you are well and enjoying this great week of weather we are having. I remember last year with temps over twenty below . . . oh, the stress and worry! I'll take this any day!

Shop and have fun! Be polite and hold a door for someone! Smile! Enjoy and spread The Joy of The Season!

[SandyG]

This weather prohibits my normal outdoor work so I am sitting at the desk. Ugh. Odd how I don't get cracked fingers from the cold air but I sure can get a load of paper cuts!!!

Anyhow, I'm mailing the 2018 Winter Newsletter as we speak. If anyone would like a copy that did not already receive one, please send me an email with a mailing address. I will gladly drop one in the mail to you!

We speak about THE STORE, the "Horses Helping . . ." program, new members of The Sanctuary Herd, crossings of members of The Sanctuary Herd, and a few other updates. Our twice-a-year newsletters should keep you current on who's who at THE FARM!

Thanks. And be safe on these roads and sidewalks. SLIPPERY!!

[SandyG]

I'm looking in boxes around here trying to find the alpaca foot sole liners that were given to me this fall and alpaca head bands just given to me. The forecast is for a brief dip into the arctic in the next few days and I want to get my things organized so I can focus on taking care of The Herd - locating their blankets, getting leg straps hooked on those blankets, and making sure I have enough blankets set out for those needing two layers to stay safe and warm.

So I need to say "THANKS" to Chris for the gift of the alpaca sole liners. I'm excited to try them. It isn't really cold out today and yet when I came in this morning, my feet were like bricks - solid, stiff, wet, and cold! I'm hoping these liners will keep my feet dry and at least a bit warm. It is a good thing to be able to feel the ground when you are walking among a bunch of horses, eh?

And Luanne and Trish also need to hear "THANKS" from me for these alpaca headbands. I wore one outside this morning and it never left my ears! Usually, I am forever pulling the headband down and when I get back in the house, all that is warm is the tops of my ears! That would work if I were Dr. Spock! These headbands are soft, wide, thick, and toasty warm!! I absolutely love them! Thanks to the both of you for the headbands - I'll have one for the barn and one for public.

Now all of you understand a bit, I hope, why I tell people I am a very wealthy woman. It certainly is not in coin! It is in the love and care given to me by an entire group of Human Beings. People that care for me so I can care for them. Many of you - Colleen, Linda, Carol, Trish, Luanne, Chris, Tom, Rachel, Jen & Jeff, Jennifer . . I am warm, my house is warm, my tummy is full, and my sweet tooth is tickled thanks to this group of Humans.

Their support helps my body maintain but it also helps my spirit and my heart. I cherish their gifts and really struggle to find a way to say "Thank You". So this is one attempt to have them see I value their commitment and generosity. And as one told me today, "We just want to make sure you are taken care of, too,
because we love you."

Now do you see? Do you see that I am truly a wealthy woman? And a warm woman, as well!

[SandyG]

It is 2019 and the world is waiting for us.

Thank you for a 2018 that, honestly, I pray does not repeat itself again in my lifetime. It was financially strained and emotionally crushing. It seemed every attempt to raise money ended in a blizzard or rain. The threat of death lived in our barns all year and bit us hard. And the TO DO LIST never ended.

HOWEVER!

* Last night I moved Gracie into the workshop and turned on the heat. I and Gracie are grateful.

* While The Blind Herd at their breakfasts, I cleaned their barn since the winds have kept them inside more than outside. I am grateful.

* Yesterday morning I moved hay into both pastures and a fresh bale into the center of the barn for The Blind Herd. I and they are very grateful.

* Last night I hooked 14 vibrant horses up for a New Year's dinner of pears, apples, and soaked beet pulp. I and they were grateful.

* Later in the night, I stood in the empty end stalls and felt the peace that comes with passings. It wasn't easy, but I am grateful for having known Beautiful ClydeMare and Movie Star Josephina and our Queen Helen. And I am honored to have been given the joy of caring for and loving them. I am exceedingly grateful.

* After everyone was settled for the night, I came inside and felt the heat from the wood stove warming this old house. I am very grateful, indeed.

* When it became time to rest, I slept. Knowing our horses were protected and warm with hay in front of them, our barn cats have houses to keep them warm and food/water in front of them, and their caretaker has a house to keep her warm and food/water in front of her. Indeed. I am grateful for it all.

The prayer song last evening was that 2019 be the gift of grace and love and joy. That we feel their love and how grateful they are for food, shelter, water, and a blanket on their withers in this cold. That we watch and learn from them the rites of passage - the art of mourning and the will to continue. And may we use these God given horses to help Human Beings heal. Lastly but not the least, may there be a pool of Volunteers who see the magic of these horses and desire to be a part of it. For all of these opportunities and gifts, we are grateful.

Amen.

[SandyG]

It is pretty cold outside but, gratefully, the winds are very light. THAT is a very good thing!

All horses are up on their own power, eating hay, drinking water, and a couple were actually playing at sunrise this morning. After breakfast, NewMan decided to take a nap in the hay pad and Alexius decided to stand in her tie stall for a nap. Joseph did his rounds to all eating stations searching for any forgotten kibbles while Billy searched on his side for any tell tale signs that someone else was fed something that HE didn't get fed!

And, for the first time I think in my life of working with horses, I worked outside in sub-zero wind chills and my feet were warm. Not wet. Not feeling like hunks of lead. But warm. And for the first time I think in my life of working with horses, my hands were warm. Not so frozen and aching that I started the hot water running as soon as I came in the house and stuck my hands under the spout waiting for the pain of warmth to return.

Both of these miracles are from the generosity of supporters who understand the cold of winter and the heat of summer. That you just put your head down and plow through it. It is in those extremes that the horses need you the most and you will NOT let them down. As a result of this support, I sit here - only moments after returning to the house from the barn - with warm feet and warm fingers. And no pain.

For these people and the miracles they perform, I am most sincerely grateful.

Sandy