I have a couple of rhubarb pies in the oven at the moment. I was supposed to make them last night, but I was so tired that I just didn't. But I'll get there in a minute. First, let me tell you about Wednesday evening.

I loaded myself into the car as it was going on five (I meant to leave a little earlier) and headed off to Ruth's house. I ran into some rain on the way down--including a little hail. I realized after the first couple 'whack!'s that sounded like rocks hitting the car that it was hailing. Thankfully, that didn't last long. It bugs me how people in this state don't turn their lights on in the rain (or twilight). It's not safe. But anyway...

I arrived at Ruth's and I really should have taken my mud boots--because I ended up with wet boots and my jeans soaked half-way to my knee. The main purpose was to introduce me to "the girls" (as she calls her horses), but I also wanted to see if I could help out around her place any. However, all I ended up doing was scooping one of the horse-stalls. According to Ruth, just working with the horses (which she doesn't have time to do much) would be help.

Alright, so there are three horses--but only one to be ridden. First, there is Beulah, a sweet little quarter horse. She can't be ridden because her knees. She's about the same color as Snip, though a little darker. Second, there is Rose...this is the one who can be ridden. She is a Halflinger--a little short draft breed. While she is around 4-6 inches shorter than Snip, her feet are twice as big! After watch Ruth do a little ground work with her, I tried (with helpful commentary and instruction from Ruth--she actually explained what things meant!) a little bit. Rose was confused because I was confused, but I think we got along okay for a first time. Third, there is Annie (also Halflinger). I like Annie; she reminds me of Snip. She's the youngest of the three and the worst behaved. Ruth worked with her a little bit and then I worked with her a little bit more. I was starting to get the hang of it...

Ruth also has sheep--they all have names, but I couldn't tell them apart...even though she does and has names for them all. There is also an old male Llama...those guys are kind of interesting looking. :) He seemed nice enough.

Then...there are the dogs. Jacob (an old dog) and Amos (both are Great Pyrenees). Amos is around a year old and his so full of life! Such a BIG puppy...the only way I could semi-control him was by taking a huge hand full of his fur at the back of his neck and attempting to steer him like that. He didn't seem to mind at all. (I came home with dog slobber all over me. You should have seen Abby sniffy daintily at my pant leg...and then Runty doing the same thing! It was hilarious!)

Anyway, I had a good time, got home after dark, and am supposed to go back sometime next week during the afternoon, as Ruth has her vacation next week.

Yesterday, I spent most of the day on the Bolins, tilling the garden. Nothing very exciting about that (in the telling), but I enjoy running the machinery. I was very tired by the end of the day, but I feel fine (except for stiff muscles in my shoulders and neck this morning). After these pies come out of the oven here in around fifteen minutes, I'll head back out to try to finish up. I probably would have gotten finished yesterday, except that the ground was too wet and you simply cannot get mud clumps smoothed very well, because everytime you come back over it, it makes new clumps. Hopefully, I turned it up enough that it will be dry enough to really finish it up today.

I did get a little more sunburn yesterday on my forearms where they hung out of my sleeves all day...and a little on my face. Golf caps work alright for a sunshade over the eyes, but don't keep the face from getting a little fried. So...I pulled out my old big brim straw hat (I got it at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, way back in '03; it's seen a lot of use and is still in pretty good shape) and brought that downstairs this morning. I really don't want any more sunburn on my ears, thank-you very much! ;P

Anyway, I'll be off to the barn here in a few minutes to grease the Bolins up again (that is a job--particularly getting to the rear U-joint on the upper drive shaft (there are two; one runs the machine, the other runs the attachment). I wasn't quite sure I actually got on the grease port back there yesterday...

See ya later!

I was already awake at 6:15 when Savannah pushed open my door. I hadn't realized that I'd gone back to sleep after waking up at 4:30...

I rolled out of bed, made my coffee and read my Bible (I think last time we worked cows I didn't get my Scripture read). Then I crawled into my clothes and meandered out to feed the animals and saddle Snip. I thought for a minute I was going to have to go get him, but I guess he heard me singing (I figured he'd hear me better if I was belting out Irish and Folk songs than if I tried to keep whistling at him) and realized that I had "FOOD!!", so he came running up.

I rode him into the yard, tied him to the tree, and went into to fix my own breakfast. Once I finished that, I trotted out to un-wire a couple gates in the pens. I forgot to do that Saturday. I also used that as an excuse to check how wet the ground was and try to choose the best route for Tommy's truck--the only 4x4 out of the three we usually use.

Tommy and Ricky arrived about the time I was quarter of the way back. I trotted into the yard and said my how-de-do's and minutes later was on the way back to the pasture. It took a few minutes to get the girls moving toward the pens, but once they did, they did okay--though all told today, they were a little more boogerish than any other time I've worked them with the W brothers.

I tied Snip in the loading chute--since that wasn't going to be used for a while and it was in the shade (Ricky's suggestion--it worked great!) Ricky put me on the hopper gate this time. Savannah was on the beef gate (I'm afraid she had to work almost too hard today!) Tommy was our worming man again (as usual), and Ricky had the job of all the footwork of moving cows. I did a little of that too, but not over much--though it seems like I climbed that fence an awful lot!

I got a badly jammed thumb trying to help back Moon-Bat up the chute to put her in one of the holding pens. (She got by the beef gate.) I'm not exactly sure what happened but I do know that that red stick whamed me a good one and that my thumb joint still hurts. I know I didn't break it because if I had, I would have cried instead of just thinking about it, and besides, I could (and still can) bend it without any extra pain. Also, it didn't really swell up.

Anyway, we worked the cows through, leaving all the calves (including the heifers I weaned earlier this year--they need branding and ear-marking) and the two cows we were going to sell. Then we worked through the calves. I cut out all but 5 or 6, I can't remember exactly.

After that, we parted out the heifers--I decided to sell the lighter red one because she is kind of spooky. That leaves me with four: "Big Red", "August", "Whitey", and "Blondie"...nothing overly crazy on the names there. Most of the cows don't have names, but it seems like with me, if I'm around critters (other than chickens), they end up with names because I constantly talk to them.

Parting done, we headed back to the house. Tommy and Ricky went to see if Mr. Al's folks were done with the trailer (we always borrow his trailer) and I went in and watched most of Ironside before they returned. I didn't get lunch in between either.

We loaded the animals and went to market. Seems like everybody and his kin was there today. I don't think I've ever seen that many trailers there! (Maybe because we usually go Wednesday?) We've never been so low on the selling list either! Lot number 77! Whee! I think the lowest I ever remember was 50-something.

We got back, dropped off Mr. Al's trailer and truck (nice truck, by the way), and Tommy and Ricky brought me home. As soon as I waved them off, I sat down here and ate my lunch. (Okay, so 'ate' is a little mild. I scarfed down my lunch like a ravenous hound! I'm glad nobody could see me as I chowed down and read the lastest Proverbs Perspective.)

Once I was done eating (speaking of which, I think I could stand to dig something else up to eat), I went back out and hopped on Snip and went and opened all the gates. Since it is so wet, and I'm not going to be here, I decided that I would go ahead and take the cows out of their summer rotation schedule. That also means Daddy won't have that one extra thing to do on his list...

Then I unsaddled Snip (who by the way behaved himself pretty decently today--he didn't offer to buck with me--which I greatly appreciate!) By the time I had all the tack (except for the saddle) gathered up, he was happily rolling about, scratching his back in the grass.

I came in, showered, washed the dishes, and made my coffee and then sat down here to write this. I'll have to shove off and pick up the check sometime in this upcoming hour, unless Daddy does it--which since he's out that way anyhow...well...I might just call him and see if he'll pick it up (if they've gotten through to #77 yet).

Now, if y'all will excuse me, this cowgirl with a bum thumb is going to go raid the refridgerator...

For some reason, Friday the 13th's have a bad name...I've been on the verge of being crabby a couple of times today, but not enough to earn the 13th it's bad name.

Today was pretty busy...not counting the time we sat in the health department waiting room for Savannah to get a TB test (dr.'s orders) and me to get my tetinus shot. I was just going to get a plain ol' tetinus shot, but they were out of that so I went ahead and got the one with the whooping cough and dyptheria vaccinations included. Either way, it was still more expensive than Savannah's test. The nurse reminded me of Aunt Laurie...she kind of sounded like her and kind of looked like her (same dimples!) It's always rather interesting when a complete stranger reminds you of a relative.

I got my shot before Savannah got her blood drawn. The last time I had shots I was around 7 or 8 (I think Katherine and I got shots when we moved to Fort Polk--but I don't remember if it was before or after we got there). The nurse told me to relax as she swabbed my arm a couple of inches down from my shoulder. She said, "You have hard muscles!" and I chuckled a little bit when I said, "That arm is probably harder..." "Are you left handed?" "No, but that arm is stronger." (At least I think it is...my left hand is definitely stronger because of the guitar--which I have not been playing very consistantly lately.)

Among the other things I did today was pick out my clothes and shoes and belts (can't forget those!) and make a list of things. I also dashed off to our place to grab our camping blankets and a few other things. I tried to work up a good list of things I should not forget. I gathered some of my film stuff and organized some papers...and I finally got the latest two pairs of socks listed on the Rebel Gray Socketeer website!

My plan of action for tomorrow (if I can keep myself from getting engrossed in the Saturday westerns--I'm going to try real hard...) is to do my usual stuff (i.e. bathroom, vaccum) as well as some non-usual stuff--like trapping the cows in preperation for working them Monday. I'll go ahead and saddle Snip in the morning and let him stand under the tree until mid-afternoon (the cows seem to pretty much go into the trap area of their own accord anyway). I won't mow because it will still be too wet.

The count-down to D-day has started and Lord willing, they'll be busy day's. :) You've already heard my plan for tomorrow; Sunday we join the church; Monday we work cows and there will also be a couple of doctor appointments; Tuesday is packing day; and Wednesday--we hit the road!! (You won't hear from me again after that until probably the following Tuesday or Wednesday--and expect reenactment pictures!!)

Maybe...maybe not exactly. Time will tell...

What on earth am I talking about? Well, I rotated the cows this morning, my bum knee braced up with an old scarf I've had forever (it's my favorite for tying over my ears when a cool/cold wind blows).

I had already opened and closed the 'wood' gates and was pushing the two old cows (I call them 96 and 98--those are their birth years branded on their hips), when I decided that I wanted to roll down my sleeves. Instead of stopping Snip in order to do so, I just wrapped the reins around the saddle horn and started rolling down my sleeves. I was doing a little directional work with my legs, but not much. All of a sudden, I realized that he was working the hindmost cow!

By that I mean he was weaving back and forth keeping her moving (roughly) straight along, while keeping himself at the correct angle to her rear hips. I've been doing this manually with him (and this particular set of cows) pretty much ever since I started the on-horseback rotation. I think maybe he's got it! In other words, I may not have to control him so much as I have had to do. I was also pleased that he wasn't crowding the old girl--that is something he tends to do.

All in all, I have been seeing improvement in Snip's behavoir; some of it more slight than others, but he's "got it", if you know what I mean. (I even think he knows when I want him to stop or slow down; but he just ignores me for whatever reason floating around between his perky ears.) I think that when he misbehaves these days, it's mostly that--bad behavior, not ignorance. (Now...how to break that bad behavior streak? My main guess, patience and constancy...)

No pictures...sorry. However, I can explain that.

I was out riding. The cows didn't feel like rotating at the moment, so I went ahead and rode around to open/close the gates into the wood. When I reached the north gate into the trap (y'all would benefit from a diagram when I talk about all these different gates! :D), I happened to notice a round, grayish, furry hump wandering around across the fence in the back 40.

I debated for about half a second as to whether I ought to ride on around to the wood gate (which is not wooden) and go after that familiar looking bump from there, or should I go through the fence (five strand at this particular place). I think I was already putting my earplugs in before I had completely made up my mind.

I was down off Snip in a matter of seconds and in a few more I was through the fence. I had lost sight of said raccoon by this point (due to the height of the grass), but generally knew where he was. As I eased around I slipped my revolver out of my holster and cocked it, so when I located the coon, I was ready.

He was presenting his rear end to me, but he turned slightly broadside and I let him have it. He streaked to the right and as I pulled back the hammer again I followed him with my muzzle. Right before he disappeared into a clump of grass I squeezed off another shot.

I found him moments later at the foot of a tree in spasms. I shot him again through the head. I'm postive that all three shots made contact. I'm actually impressed that I hit him on the run.

What is really weird though--I don't remember sighting. I know I did, but I don't remember doing it. It's almost creepy when you're that familiar with your gun. I also don't remember paying attention to the back drop, but that's ingrained in me too, so I probably did.

I was also impressed with Snip. He stood right where I left him the entire time. He might have acted up some the rest of the morning, but he was practically perfect for that episode.

This could beg the question "what is 'normal'?", but we'll skip that for today and plow on with the updates.

With the departure of cousin David and his wife, Kayla after a slow, sleepy kind of week, I determined to return myself with full force to the tasks at hand. Monday afternoon was pretty much shot as far as work goes because Savannah and I both had chiropractor appointments and spent the rest of the day poking around Jo-Ann's and the Hobby Lobby we just discovered! I like Hobby Lobby better than Jo-Ann's; but Jo-Ann's has wool and linen which Hobby Lobby does not.

I might as well talk about what prompted that last comment...this upcoming October we shall be attending a Reformation Day Faire (Lord willing and the creek don't rise--er, the car works), and we 'have' to have costumes. (By the way, I really don't like that word because when Savannah makes something it isn't a 'costume'--it is a historically researched garment! See Liberty Seamstress for more information...) She is going to make me a 16th century Flemish peasant outfit.  I know next to nothing about the Flemish, but I really liked the look. To be accurate it needs to be constructed out of wool and linen. I'm not quite sure what Savannah is making for herself, but she bought some gorgeous brown and green brocade (I talked her into it--not that I had to twist her arm too hard). However, she has decided that that isn't going to work for what she was planning--so she's going to go back to making something out of the brown wool (which when we got the brocade she said I could have), so I get the red wool afterall!! (It has to be purchased...but she has a 40% coupon and we've made a deal that I'll buy it--like she bought the brocade.)

Okay, so anyway...Monday morning I rode Snip, yesterday morning I rode Snip and this morning I rode Snip. Of those three days, he behaved the best today. Patience and kind words work better than impatience and harsh jerks. I even turned today at a lope!! (Confidence returneth...)

Yesterday afternoon I mowed for about four hours straight. When I first started, the belt wasn't slipping in the high grass like it usually does and the engine sounded great.  After a couple rounds though it started behaving more like I'm used to--then it got worse. For some reason (providence you know), I remembered something that Daddy had said about not running right if the mower deck wasn't level. So, I went to the barn and realized that one of the back tires needed to be aired up. I aired it up and the thing worked better--and then the belt started slipping more again. I reached down and palpated the tire. It was soft again. After that I just left the air compressor on and made a pit stop every 15 minutes or so to air the tire up. I suppose it must have a puncture in it. Anyway, I got the grass mowed.

Before coming in for the evening...a very dirty Racheal and her sister Savannah moved the chicken coop. It was high time it got shifted. I came out with a grand total of 13 eggs and a gouge in the side of my thumb from the water tank mechanizism.

I was planning on building fence this afternoon...but just as I was fixing to get into the truck it started sprinkling--then I heard it start actually raining on the barn's tin roof, so I quickly hurried back to the garage. I decided not to go afterall...

Instead, Savannah and I went over together and brought back her sewing stuff. I, of course, had to sit and play "Dixie" on the piano. I like my arrangement best on that piano because it's more 'tinny'. At least, I guess that's why...

We also inventoried our reenacting stuff. This way we now have a real live check list instead of something I just scrawl down the day or so before we head out.

I saddled the beast up this morning and went for a fight...er, ride. He was an absolute booger most of the morning, fighting me nearly the whole time. I have discovered I start to really get grouchy with him about the time I'm in need of a drink--which happens faster when we're fighting with each other.

Anyway, I also rotated the cows--which is where the soggy boots come into the story. I had gotten the 'girls' over into the north pasture when I remembered that I needed to go take care of the gates into the woods. I grouched at Snip some as he kept poking his nose into the grass while he should have just been standing and waiting for me. He's started doing this a little more than he used to.

After closing the last gate, I remounted and clucked at Snip. I went down to the creek overflow and let him drink, then on the spur of the moment decided that we should go through the creek area. It's been a couple weeks since the last time--and the water is higher. I pretty much remember where the low spots are (the benefits of being very familier with the terrain) so I thought we could get through without too much problem. I rode through half a dozen spider webs and tried very hard not to freak out too much about it. I didn't see any spiders, so I didn't completely go nuts. :)

Well, we managed to get almost all the way through the bayhead before the wetting came. I purposely didn't go the way I go when it's dry back there because it would assure a swim for Snip and a soaking for me. Neither did I go the way I had the previous two times because last time I nearly boxed us in--and I wanted to avoid any more spider webs if at all possible. I should have known that the water was going to be deeper at this particular spot--we were shooting here a couple of years ago--but I plowed Snipper down anyway. All of a sudden I realized that there was no helping it...water was cascading into my boots and I was at least calf-deep in the water (which means Snip was in about half-way up his withers). I'm not sure he didn't even swim a stroke or two. Anyways, I kept pushing and he climbed out (kind of steep right there). I pulled him up, hooked one leg over the saddle horn, removed my boot and dumped the water out and then repeated the process with the other foot. I grabbed the boots by the spurs and carried them with me like that--sort of upside down, trying not to drip water onto my pistol. Then I headed to the house with my feet encased in soaking wet blue argyle socks. Those feet stayed out of the stirrups mainly--I can't exactly reach the stirrups bootless anyway (except with my toes stretched . I did find that it was easier to bump Snip with (essentially) barefeet than it is in my mud-boots. He behaved like a gentleman all the way back to the house, even when I dropped my boots over the electrice fence.

I'm going back to the bayhead now--but not with Snip. I'll be lugging my camera... :)

Might as well start Monday: I rode Snip in the morning per usual. Sometime after lunch, I loaded the boys into the truck and away we went to work on fence. Philip looked rather nice in his new cowboy hat. :)

The boys got most of the chainlink pulled out (without the truck because it was much to wet to use the it); the only reason they didn't get it all was because the one ditch was so full of water that they didn't want to work around it--understandably.

While they were doing that, I got the western portion of the area around the RV tent done. I had to retighten the top two wires. I called Daddy to consult and he remarked that it was probably most likely because the ground was so wet that I was just shifting the posts in the ground. I think I agree...

The boys helped with the southern side of the RV tent area. I passed the gray mule off to Joel as well as the final tightening while I took care of all the hammering and wire twisting work. While we were doing that, I sent Philip down the west fence (what I'd built back in March or April), to loosen the staples in preperation for tightening.

When we got to that, I had Philip work the dog. Joel was outside the fence so he got the job of final tightening with the wire pliers, then he'd hand them to me, and he'd hammer that staple in. This was after Philip went down the line and hammered the staples back in. At one point, as he was sauntering along, I looked back down from the growing number of darkening gray clouds and yelped, "Double-quick!" He had a bewildered expression for a second, then he grinned and picked up speed. He moved quicker after than in general. It was just funny.

Just as we finished, it started to pour down rain. Joel dashed into the cover of the RV tent, since "Aw! I'm outside!!" while Philip and I sprinted with the tools to the cover of the truck. Joel ended up having to get the gate. It didn't hurt him to get a little damp though. Thankfully, the windshield wipers worked. They seem to be working more frequently than not these days.

Yesterday...I rode Snip. (Does that ever get boring to hear?) I noticed that one particular trouble spot was not there like usual! See, most of the time when I head toward the house, Snip starts pulling. He didn't do that yesterday. He went nice and steady at the speed I wanted. He did try drifting slightly to the left, but even that wasn't as bad as normal.

I then rotated the cows. This took a while because some were off in the north-east corner though most of them were in the north-west area. I went up the trap to drive down six calves--three bulls and three heifers (Big and Little Red and Charlotte). Two of said critters, Charlotte and this adorable little black and white bull calf, had been there the day before...so I don't know if they spent the night there or not. At some point, I thought I might have a bull fight on my hands because Napolean Jr. literally came running up along the southern side of the airstrip bellowing as he came. I think the high-horn brindle must be seriously in heat, because he went straight to her and stuck there. I told Snip not to paw when Angus walked by...last thing I wanted was a bull taking after me and my horse! :D

Between lunch and 3:00, I played my instruments and did a little snickering at Festus...

About 3:15 Savannah and I headed out to go to Miss Debbie's...we stopped to pick up a bag of rice for her. Miss Debbie is going to give Savannah one of her mares. The one that Savannah rode and will probably end up with, is Diamond. She is shorter than Snip as well as a darker bay--her mane and tail are black and she has black socks up to her knees. Miss Debbie has about ten horses and I made friends with an old boy named Tadpole. He is taller than Snip by about a whole hand. (I learned that a hand is 4 inches.) He also has a Roman nose--like the Strawberry Roan!

Miss Debbie did some ground work with Diamond--that was amazing to watch. Then she got on her and rode her around a little bit. Debbie doesn't ride Western on this animal. The 'steering' is different. Savannah got to ride after that and thought the saddle (a Canadian trooper saddle) was very comfortable. I got on for a few minutes and a found the whole rig kind of awkward. :D It was like learning to ride all over again, because the reining was so different, the saddle sits different, and Diamond's gait is a little different than Snip's, though not much. It didn't help that the stirrups were a little long for me. I did enjoy myself regardless, but didn't stay on too long. Afterall, Diamond is going to be Savannah's ride, not mine.

Debbie showed us around her place and we made friends with some doggies--Sport being the most memorable. Apparently something is wrong with him because he has un-explainedly lost 30 pounds over the last couple weeks. Among the dozens of cats running around,  you can only pet one...then there were the roosters strolling about and constantly crowing. It was quite nice out there. Miss Debbie fed us supper--smoked pork and rice and tomatoe gravy. Savannah and I ate that, but managed to pass on the corn and the pie. I'll admit I pigged out on the rice. I was mighty hungry by that point and I figured I might as eat well since I was going to blow my diet anyway.

Let's see...we goofed off with her psalters and dulcimar for a few minutes...I talked to Miss Pat (who also came for supper) and Larry for a little--and watched a little TV with them. I was quite comfortable in Debbie's home--which is the center isle of a horse barn converted into a house. It was wide open, with high ceilings, and yet it feels very lived in...very comfortable.

It was at least 8:30 by the time we left...Savannah was starting to get dropey. I was pretty tired myself. I don't understand why socializing, fun and exhilarating as it is, leaves me so tired.

I was still tired when I rolled out bed this morning--late. It was all of 7:15! I stumbled out to the kitchen and had just poured the coffee when I realized I had about 7 calves in the yard. I didn't feel like being nice this morning (the two strolling through the barn bugged me for some reason), so I slipped to the backroom, removed my BB gun from the rack, put on my hat, and proceeded to creep out of the house barefoot and in my nightdress, hair down all over my back. I probably had something of a scowl across my face too. I landed a few good ones on the really pretty little sandy colored heifer with the white face before she took the fence with a bound. I popped the little tan brindle bull calf and he didn't think too much of it. Then I fired off at the black heifer. I hit her good--but the really neat thing was I saw the BB arc and smack her right in the ribs. Well, I wasn't getting the response I wanted, and Curiosity was curling herself around my feet, tickling my ankles, so I picked the cat up and petted the damp-footed fur-ball for a minute. After a little bit, I set her, my BB gun, and my hat on the tongue of the horse-trailer and let out a couple of those awful sounding bellows and took off after the calves on foot. I'm just glad I didn't slide in the wet grass and take a header. At least two of them went through the fence in the corner (as far as I could tell, they didn't pull the staples out), but most of them jumped the electric. By the time I got the rest of them out, that pretty little heifer was back in so I gave her a yell and boy did she take off.

I went back in, wiped my feet off (amazingly I only got one misquito bite out there--on my foot), and got my coffee--which Aunt had just poured into the thermos! I sat there and watched as she got her boys up so they could go to the beach. She mentioned that she'd be glad to take one of us (or both) with them--so I told Savannah to go. I stayed home--obviously.

I fed the animals (11 eggs this morning!), washed my hair, ate my breakfast, and got to work. First I washed the dishes, then I cleaned the bathroom. Somewhere along the line, I started the laundry. I vaccumed the floor and started on lunch. While making lunch--the inevitable carrots along with some version of eggplant parmesan--Granddaddy and I recieved some visitors. The ladies had brought Granddaddy a hunk of cake and they sat and talked for a while. It was observed, "You seem to keep busy." I laughed a little and said, "About the only time I'm not busy is when I don't feel very good!" That might sound bragadocious, but I didn't mean it like that. I know I do waste time sometimes, but when I work, I work.

Anyways, I thought lunch turned out pretty good, even if I do say so myself. Granddaddy seemed to like it, so that is encouraging. I started out with instructions from Savannah to cook some onion and the eggplant in the skillet and finish it up in the oven. From there, I decided to put the left over meat in between two layers of eggplant (how did I use to not like the stuff?). I put some cheese in it too. The carrots were normal--salt, pepper, and some cinnamon. I also heated up some of the left over potatoes and Granddaddy ate those. I don't cook very often, but when I do, I seem to make out all right.

After lunch, I washed the dishes before turning my hand to making a loaf of banana bread. I managed to break the canister with the coconut flour in it. I had to throw it all out because it was on the dirty floor and the glass shattered pretty bad. That didn't make me very happy, but I didn't bawl about it. I just cleaned it up and went on with life.
 
Since then, I've had my coffe, taken care of some computer stuff and have nearly finished the laundry. I put the clean sheets on my bed...and have spent way too long on this post. :)

So, I'll leave you...farewell for now!

To start off with, I rode Snip this morning. He behaved so-so. The biggest problem I'm encountering at this point (or at least that I noticed today!) is his refusal to respond to 'whoa' pressure. He turns fine (unless he's tugging off to his desired destination) and he is responding outstandingly to leg and heel commands (even at higher speeds). I got a fairly good work out this morning as I really pushed him. I got several good lopes out of him too.

I came in, thirsty and hungry, and flopped down on the floor to watch Ironside. Joel had got up by this point and Philip rolled off the couch sometime early on in the show. We ate lunch...and I kidded the guys about not eating vegetables and putting sugar on their rice. (Rice needs salt...not sugar! Like grits, you know.)

Aunt washed the lunch dishes. I was going to; I even had the silverware in the water and was fixing to start...but the water was so hot and it bothered the raw place on my index finger. Still, I would have done it, but once a year it's kind of neat to pass off the dish washing to someone else! :D

After a while [I wish you could see these guys...it's so funny! They are sitting on the couch in an identical pose--one with an ipad, the other with a phone! :D], anyway, like I was saying...after a while, we went out and started working on the chicken coop. I drilled holes in the back board so we could wire it onto the frame. Then we decided we'd better put diagonal cross bars on it for support...that definitely helped. About the time we got to the second one, my phone rang.

I was expecting a phone call, so it didn't throw me off to much. I answered the call--it's always rather interesting talking to people you 'know' yet don't really 'know'. Miss Bethany and I talked about music, filmmaking, siblings, chickens, accents, and the word "Floridian". She'd never heard it before!

Meanwhile, I was also "bossing" the boys around. I had to put my phone down a couple of times to help out or demonstrate what I wanted done. Throughout the whole building processes, Curio was hanging around and someone almost always was holding the little ball of purring fur. I managed to only get my spurs caught in the wire seriously once.

(Savannah's talking to Philip and he's smiling that silly little smile of his--which is kind of like he's trying not to smile--why do 17 year old boys not like to smile?)

Before supper and after we were done with the coop for the day, I gave Joel a ride on Snip. I didn't have him crawl up behind me like I did Philip, but I just led Snip around. When I went to put him up, I tied him to the gate post like usual so I could un-saddle him and he freaked out. I don't know what caused it, but he reared up and I caught the falling hoof on my left leg. I'm rather sore and have a thigh long red and purple streak all the way to the top of my knee. I honestly thought he was going to fall down tied to the post, so I was trying to steer clear of his feet yet get back up to his head to hold him down. Anyway, he calmed down and didn't fall down (thankfully). I went ahead and removed the bit from his teeth first so he wouldn't tramp on the reins. I didn't want to risk that...not after I'd just been kicked.

So, it is with two limping legs that I write tonight. :) The right one because I need an adjustment and the left one because I got accidently walloped by a freaked out horse. I get the adjustment tomorrow...but it'll take few days for the bruising to go away in the other. I don't think I'll sleeping on my stomach tonight! :D

Yes...I know...Katherine and I did a lot of this back in March. (It was March, right? If not, it was April.)

However, due to circumstances, it became necessary to dismantle the A-frame coop. The fellas helped with that. Then we started working on the construction of the new "nesting box coop". We didn't get finished, but we did get the frame constructed. I really did most of the work, but that's okay because I'm the 'forewoman'...and besides that, I know what I'm after, having planned the thing.

I rode Snip this morning, then a short trot down the drive to check the mail after lunch, and then before supper (both equine and human), I took Philip for a short ride. The reason for all this riding...Snip is getting a new sort of training. We'll call it 'boredom' training. On top of the riding, I'm leaving Snip tied up all day (making sure he gets some water occasionally). It's a different kind of discipline...and it sure isn't his favorite. He has the base of the tree I'm tying him to all pawed up....

At this point, unless something else comes up, I'm figuring on finishing up the coop tomorrow...so...until then, I'm off to scratch my misquito bites! :D