Random Acts of Support

[SandyG]

Wednesday morning was a typical morning...tanks to top, blankets to adjust/remove/change, feed with meds to administer, litter boxes to change, Patches to feed, meds to give kittens (only 5), and shower to get out the door to open THE STORE. Arriving at THE STORE, they were at the door waiting for it to open - that's GREAT! I was behind, however, before I started. And the day continued with drop-ins, customers with special requests, and Tony to look at hanging the barn doors trying to minimize the outside air flowing into the sales floor. I was barely holding it together!

In walked a woman I somewhat recognized. When I finally could make my way to her, she introduced herself and reminded me that she - with some of her friends - had been at our Winter Applebee's Breakfast. Theresa is a local Menomonie business owner and Jan/Feb/Mar is a slow time for her. Could she, by any chance, help out and volunteer? It was all I could do not to throw my arms around her!! Theresa was a living, breathing, smiling answer to a prayer!

Not much time spent yesterday on showing her around or getting her feet wet, but she never flinched when I asked her to help a couple with an item in the window . . . or help a customer look at some coats in the window . . . or help the shop person from next door when a frightening customer was in her store. Poised, capable, and willing - all wrapped up in Theresa and we are so blessed!

So, Theresa, you are what I would call a "Random Act of Support". Know that I am grateful for you and THE STORE will quickly show the results of your presence.

And today? I have a pile of projects already identified and set out for you for today!!!

[SandyG]

It just keeps getting better!!

Today, a Marketing and Business Design Professor spent a good hour with me understanding our concept and the new planogram which I hope to complete prior to April 1st. She was full of questions and then she asked the best question of all:

"If I have three classes of Marketing Students that need to complete projects in existing businesses, could you use their help and ideas? And, of course, their muscle?"

My mouth dropped open and I hugged her while saying, "OH! Can we!!!! YES! YES! YES!"

So, we have students in three different teams helping us design the new windows, create the new planogram, and then simply just making it happen. And the goal is prior to Parent's Weekend on April 10th. Theresa and I will have young, thinking adults to help us create a magical experience in THE STORE. How truly very exciting this is!

So who says no one is listening to pleas for help!!!

[SandyG]

Take a deep breath and relax - this will take a moment to tell you . . .

Today, I was at THE STORE ripping up the carpeting in the windows preparing for the Stout class that will be redesigning the front of our retail store. Now that, in itself, is worthy of a story! But, the need to prep the space was what pulled me into THE STORE on such a nice, warm February day. And so when I am in THE STORE during non-open hours, I turn on the lights and if people want to shop, I explain I'm dirty and then invite them to shop!

Late this afternoon, two men from the Twin Cities area stopped in on their way to their car. It was after 4pm and all of the other stores were closed and so, as they walked by, I could hear them talking that they had always wanted to stop in. So, as I stood in the windows, I waved them in. And they did just that - they came into our little store.

I welcomed them, explained my dirty face, hands, and clothes, and then insured that they knew of Lucy. Turning myself back to the project I was working on, I kept myself aware of where they were and when the time seemed right to me, I started a conversation on "First time in THE STORE?" "Are you from around here?" "What brings you to Menomonie today?" "And do you have any horses - ever heard of Refuge Farms?"

Conversation began and I found both of them very interesting with stories flowing between the three of us. One of the men was trying on a pair of Chippewa boots we had for sale and the other was engrossed with me in a discussion of the loyalty of the big horses - the work horses - and his fond memories of "Tom and Jerry", his Father's loyal and hard-working team.

I spoke of Jerry, Big Jim, Bonita, Handsome, and then showed him Jeri-Ann. He looked at me and asked what it was that drew me to the big ones? I told him it didn't matter if they were big or small - if no one wanted them then those were the ones that stole my heart. The ones that no one wanted were the ones that I felt compelled to rescue.

For some reason, I began telling him the story of DukeDuke and how I was at a Jerry Andrews Auction - IN A CAR! - looking for tack and harnesses and maybe a cart when out came this team of horses to be sold. The right hand stout little red horse was sold to a horse puller I knew and the tall, sunken, vibrating draft with the bad feet and blind eyes was a lost cause. There was no one bidding on the horse and so a kill buyer from Mondovi bid $500. I stood there and tried to imagine the terror in front of that horse later on today. Raising my hand, I told the man, I looked at Jerry and nodded. And then, I told this man, Jerry Andrews did a wonderful thing.

To my sheer and COMPLETE surprise, the man took my shoulders in his hands and said, "And then Jerry Andrews said "Sold for $501. That horse is so lucky that it is going to Spring Valley"."

THIS MAN KNEW THE STORY!!! I was in total shock with tears flowing down my face. How did he know? Had I already told him the story? Had he been in THE STORE before? How did he know the story of this auction and that sickly, blind Belgian gelding?

This total stranger looked me right in the eye and said, quietly, "I know how it went because I was there. I was in the audience that day and saw a young girl buy that horse. I told my wife that I agreed with Jerry that this horse was one lucky, lucky horse."

We both just stood and looked at each other. Finally, I put out my right hand and said, "I'm Sandy and I'm pleased to finally meet you after all these horses."

This stranger extended his hand and said, "I'm Dell. And I am happy to finally meet the little girl that has never left my mind. I always wondered what happened to you and that sick horse."

And so our conversation continued for another 20 minutes while I told him of DukeDuke and his recovery, his appearances at camps for children with disabilities, the work with the broken family and the son newly in a wheel chair, and his getting frightened during deer hunting that first year and how I had to find him in a field of corn. "Have you ever tried to find a BLIND horse in a field of dry standing corn???" That made us both laugh!

By the time these two men left, I had a friend. We hugged and I told him I looked forward to introducing him to the current horses at THE FARM and then, before he left that little patch of land, I told him I would take him to the Memory Bed of that $501 horse, DukeDuke. Knowing eyes looked back at me as he said, "My wife will be amazed that I found you but not surprised that you took good care of that ragged horse."

What a day and what a joyous meeting of someone I would have missed if I hadn't been at THE STORE. If conversation hadn't started. If we hadn't talked about the drafts and, for some reason, if DukeDuke had not made himself present in my heart at just the right moment.

Thank you, Dear DukeDuke. You are still working your magic from the other side!

[SandyG]

Bless their hearts!!!

The students that are leading the project to redo our windows and also establish the formal boutique area stopped in THE STORE yesterday afternoon and asked, "Is there anything we can help you with?"

Three hours later, we were saying good night after we had:

ripped up the floor in GP's old booth space
moved the birdhouse booth so we could rip up his floor
ripped down the paneling "line" on the west side of THE STORE
moved the kitchen area into limbo
disconnected and moved the try-on booth up into the boutique area!!!
removed old wallpaper in preparation for painting these walls

An amazing amount of labor completed. AND they'll be back this evening! We need to pull staples and begin the first coat of painting these walls!

What an enormous help they were! I would STILL be there without them dropping in and lending their young, strong backs and hands!!

[SandyG]

THE STORE was overflowing with random acts of support today. It has healed several fresh wounds and caused me to pause and say a prayer of thanks. I am truly the richest woman on this earth. Read on and see why . . .

Yesterday afternoon, Duane and Audrey stopped by THE STORE. Duane is staying in Menomonie for the next 6 days to support his Aunt-in-Law after she is returning home from a very serious bladder infection. During his "off" hours, Duane appears at THE STORE and quietly begins painting. Just like he did today, he applies coat after coat of chocolate brown, golden tan, and yellow on those walls. This old building - so desperately in need of paint - is becoming fresh and clean and newly painted thanks to Duane's dedication and willingness to work at it. You cannot believe the transformation this man is creating in THE STORE!

Early this morning, Joanne stood in front of me and said, "These hands want to work." And so they did! This woman has a natural talent for arranging items for sale. There are no right angles or straight lines with her. Joanne arranges groups of things and they look cozy and inviting and then they sell! This woman worked until almost 4pm today and she transformed entire areas! The newly painted and relocated kitchen area is a masterpiece! Thanks to the willingness of this woman to share her time and energy and talents.

Not along after Joanne began her work, Jeanne and Brian appeared. "Is there anything we can do?" Oh, boy! Is there! The enormous and very heavy Disney display cabinet moved smoothly from the NW corner of THE STORE to the center east side of the building. And the inside was cleaned and items rearranged. Yes, another woman with talents to display items for sale! Then the hoosier was moved and everything that had to be moved so those two pieces could be relocated were put back in place. The new locations of both pieces are perfect! And I am absolutely thrilled with these accomplishments which required a strong one like Brian and a talented one like Jeanne!

And we had good business traffic and great guests in THE STORE today. A woman stopped by and told me how she had rescued four horses this winter . . . and was amazed at the work involved. Jen's son, Aaron, appeared in the doorway and donated another load of Jen's crafting good to our Missions. And a Mother-Daughter team stood and listened about the blind horses and riding them without bits . . . and smiled through their tears. That little bit of real estate impacts people that are ready and willing to listen. And I, of course, cannot get enough of telling their stories!

With our good traffic and the steady efforts of Duane, Joanne, Jeanne, and Brian THE STORE was transformed today! We are all tired and some of us are a bit sore. But tonight, as I turned out the lights, I was so grateful for their support. We look good! And we are getting better every day thanks to the willing hands!

Thanks, Duane! Thanks, Joanne. BIG thanks, Brian! And thanks, Jeanne! You all made an enormous difference today!

[SandyG]

AMAZING!!!

Duane has been in Menomonie since last Friday and has been at THE STORE painting a minimum of 8 hours per day. Some days have been 10+ hours painting but he has been diligent and well-humored as he painted and painted and painted!

Today, he finished painting all walls and the changing room two (2) full coats of our color scheme, which is comprised of three (3) different colors. AMAZING!!!

The place looks cleaner and brighter and now it is up to me to get the front desk area cleaned out and that wall painted. And that will happen as nothing looks so obvious now as that ugly green wall in that area compared to our lovely walls elsewhere.

Now understand, that to do this painting Duane had to move all kinds of furniture, glassware, wall hangings, and even Lucy's food and water. Then he had to clean the walls, removed old 1970's wallpaper and scrape the plaster to remove loosened flakes. Then he had to tape. And THEN he could begin painting. Two coats. On everything. What a job!

Without Duane's help, I would still be back in The Dorm Room trying to get out of the original corner. But with Duane's help, we are rearranging the new kitchen area and the new dining room area to make room for Bonta's Boutique. The place looks amazing! Just in time for the summer time visitors!

It seems hollow and trite, but thank you, Duane. I've enjoyed your company, your humor, and your dedication is most greatly appreciated. What a kind and generous man you are! And like I said today, I'm going to be lonely when you aren't there on Monday!!!

Thank you, Kind Sir!

[SandyG]

Final preparations are completed, I think....let's see, the trailer is on the truck, the tools and hay and brushes are in the trailer....corral panels are loaded.....the all-important wheelbarrow and shovel are ready to go ..... I think the only thing missing would be the horses!

Refuge Farms is making it possible for two young 3rd graders to ride as "Grand Marshalls" of the Wild West Summer Daze Children's Parade today. Because we have volunteers willing to help and we have marvelous horses willing to do the work, these two young humans - who excelled in a scholastic challenge in order to win this honor - will "ride high" on two of our Blind Horse Parade Unit horses and most likely be on the front page of the Dunn County News!

None of this would have been possible if volunteers had not done just that - volunteered. We will set up the horses, brush them out, saddle them up, and go to the staging area. Our riders will get settled in and the first pictures will be taken. Then off we go for the walk through the historic downtown district! I'm betting there will be smiles on their faces!

Refuge Farms is present today, at this community event, because of the people who are willing to support the Missions. Thank you, volunteers, for being there and helping to impact these young humans today. Our goal for the day is simple: impress upon these two young Grand Marshalls that not-so-perfect creatures are wonderful and loveable creatures, too.

[SandyG]

L . . O . . N . . G . . D . . A . . Y . . . !

BUT!

Faith and PONY! were stellar! Neither one of them too happy to feel the wrap of the saddle on them and around their tummies. And one of them has gained about 6" or so around the midriff! Holey Moley PONY! Maloney!

Owen and Andrew were the stars. Sitting atop their horses with one hand on the reins, another on the horn, and then - as their confidence was building - starting to wave at the crowds! All smiles and truly respectful of the horses. I'm very proud of them all!

Jeanne and Brian were everywhere and never once stopped smiling even in the heat, the crowds, the gnats, and the length of the day. I am honored to be affiliated with these people.

Needless to say, the job as the pooper scooper was a most sophisticated experience! Especially after Faith and PONY! had a bit of lawn time before we departed!!!

[SandyG]

Last night, before calling it a day, I checked facebook where I had posted the contents of our Hospital Wall Raising invitation. Laura, one of our friends, had posted an encouragement to all of us and then pressed the "DONATE" button for people to support us financially. How very kind and thoughtful of her! And yup, some people are responding!!! Here is the posting I put up last night to thank Charlie and Nick for the efforts and L O N G day they gave to the hospital and the users of that building - both equine and human:

Thank you, Laura, for your posting! I'm heading out to the Big Barn right now for the nightly bed check and yes, I'm a little earlier than usual as this body is totally and simply pooped! Actually, I'm hoping that as I stop at the hospital building on my way back inside I will locate my calves, ankles, and feet which are so tired I think they fell off my legs!!! Charlie began working for Refuge Farms at 7am! And Nick saved the day by arriving at high noon to help the two of us who were definitely dragging! The wall to the hospital is fully built, the double door for passage to the hay and feed storage area is framed in, AND a custom work bench was made for our white oak so we can square the ends and cut the size we need for each layer of wall. And in one last burst of energy, the enormous and frightening cement saw was started and we - read that as Charlie and Nick - cut the foundation wall to make room for our 1891 double milk house doors that were in the original barn when I purchased this property. How appropriate to have something as old as the homestead be a part of our hospital steel building. All of this is SO exciting! To be able to actually treat Clyde Mare and help Gracie survive the winter cold in 36 degree air . . . and to be ready for the frozen precious ones that we discover all winter long. This is a 15 year dream about to be a reality and it is one beautiful sight to my tired eyes! My Mom told me patience was a virtue and this time, she got it right on the button!!! The week of Country Jam will have some Madison Police Officers at THE FARM for lining the walls with our donated lumber - I get to supervise on this one!!! Thanks again to all who continue to support this place of healing up on this hill - we could not do any of this without all of you! Sandy and The Herd

[SandyG]

So yesterday morning, I called for Dr. Rande with a fear of something amiss spreading in The Herd. Joseph had been battling a swollen neck but he had seemed to stabilize. Clyde Mare had a bit of one but it was going down. However! Yesterday morning, Alexius came in with a new bulge after having a smooth neck on Tuesday. Something was cooking in this barn and it needed to stop.

I asked that Dr. Rande call before she arrive, however, as I needed to ask for this visit to go on account. We have no cash right now. I felt better asking for time to pay rather than just wait it out and risk the horses. I was pretty sure Rande would be good with us but never did I anticipate what we got.

So 2 hours later the phone rings and Dr. Rande is in the barn asking, "Which ones am I looking at?" I showed her Clyde Mare, Joseph, and then Alexius. Simple answer - I had somehow contaminated needles or a vial when we gave vaccinations about a month ago. These were pockets of puss in their necks that needed to be drained and then continue the hydrotherapy while the tissue granulated in. After literally thousands of vacs, I had messed up. I got sloppy.

Alexius BLEW when the area was lanced. Dear Heavens! But the relief was immediate. She is very simple to wash and even this morning, I can wash her in the driveway with her just standing in front of me. I wash her wound, her chest, her legs . . and then dry her and braid the mane over her wound. Cool mare. Cool as a cucumber. Love that little dalmation.

Joseph is newly fully blind so he's a bit more tentative but will come with me where I ask him to go. Into the shoeing bed we go and we try to rinse but his neck needs more time to "cook" before it will flow openly so we are doing hot packs right now to get the area to open up. He, too, loves the grooming and the hopes of getting the full range of motion returned. Dr. Rande will most likely have to return to get the area fully open for Joseph.

As Dr. Rande was cleaning up and getting ready to go, I mentioned to her that I had asked that she call prior to arriving. I told her we would need some time to pay as we were "just broke right now". It happens - the needs are greater than the envelope and so you stretch. You conserve and you just don't buy treats! You buy feed but no treats. No Mountain Dew and no chocolate. Ugh. They need their feed and some of them are on meds. It all comes around - remember, we have a FAITH bucket hanging in our barn so we believe it will all come around.

Dr. Rande works very hard. She is SWAMPED with an entire valley that depends upon her for dogs, cats, ferrets, cows, horses, bunnies - you name it! And she FIGHTS for every life! She is practical and so darn smart that I find it hard to keep up with her and must continually ask her questions and questions and questions! But her response yesterday stopped me cold and made me work very hard to hold it together:

"I have faith in you."

[SandyG]

My body is telling me to shower and rest . . . no messages or posting tonight but focus on getting some rest . . . . and I believe there are eight (8) other people in this area feeling the same message from their bodies.

An enormously dedicated and determined crew assembled at THE FARM today to work on the hospital build-out. And to say we exceeded all expectations is putting it so mildly!!! We were planning on getting the eat wall (the wall Charlie and Nick built on the July 4th holiday) line with white oak but that was just the start!!! The south wall has wooden lining over the purlins and is also lined with white oak. AND the east wall has wooden lining over the purlins and is also 3/4 lined with white oak. AND!!! The rollup door on the west end is complete with a door!!! AND LASTLY the header is on the stall posts to begin to stabilize that front wall of the two box stalls.

ENORMOUS accomplishments by wonderful and generous Human Beings who care about the horses and the programs of Refuge Farms. I am humbled and grateful. And a bit tired. So, I'm listening to the little inner voice and going to shower and head up to Lucy for a night of relaxation and dreams. Dreams of brushing horses and cleaning horses and administering fluids so easily to horses in the heated barn. . . . a fifteen year dream becoming a reality because of people who care enough to share.

Thank you, Crew! Thank you.