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!
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!
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