Tag: Horses

Snow and Thunder

    Last night’s sky…. just beautiful… 
 No sooner did I brag about the mild winter we were having when a good ole nor’easter blew in. I woke up this morning, fed the dogs, sat down to read e-mails with nothing happening outside my windows. Half hour later there was an inch on the ground already as I went out to feed the animals.
The flood light is on in the henhouse, it throws enough heat to keep them cozy and the water from freezing. 
The horses were fed, watered and given plenty of hay to keep them busy, they’re closed in while
the wind is blowing.  And boy is it blowing. 

This was 6 am-ish.  The scene is much different already….

I’ve got a call in to the bird feeder repairman….. half the roof is sitting in the snow. 
He’s out plowing and wasn’t amused. 
 We are actually experiencing thunder during this storm. Such a bizarre thing to occur with snow – sounds like someone’s bowling upstairs.  Say a little prayer for my boys to come home safe.  Oh and don’t I know the hypocrisy of someone asking for prayer when they aren’t religious.  I believe being spiritual and being religious don’t have to occupy the same space to be valid, how’s that for an answer.  


I drafted a letter to the President and made it a public post on FB just incase – here’s what I would love for him to read. 
Dear Mr. President (and mouthpiece Spicer) 

Your daughter knows the truth – ask her! Nordstrom notified her last January that her lines weren’t performing well.  It’s a smart business move to cut losses, won’t you agree?  Her products are still available in their stores though, she wasn’t Banned.  Believe it or not, it’s not about you.  As the so-called “Jobs President”,  you are contradicting yourself by maligning and attempting to topple a large American company for your own purposes.


  I want to stand by my President. I have respect for the highest office in the land. I believe in America and I love my Country.  If you want to stop seeing fake news, if you want the larger half of the Country to stop the negativity and rally on your behalf and ours – you really have to stop the daily lies – the little lies, the big lies, the fake news you and your cohorts perpetuate daily.  I’m tired of the political angst, the upheaval of everything, the frustrated posts on FB and blogs.   I’ve been looking for the clearing in the storm, a reason to have hope… but you keep lying and tweeting ridiculous rants. So juvenile for the leader of this great nation. 

Please – stop the lies and the tantrums and the unethical behavior.  Do that if there’s an ounce of you that gives a damn about the rest of us.  You work for us now, we don’t work for you.  I’m really trying to find a reason to believe in the President of My United States, won’t you please rise to the integrity of the office you were elected so that we ALL can move on. 

Sincerely – 






 Heading back out into the tundra to shovel the dog run for the second time.  Till soon, friends…

Winter in New England and a peek at Stellas Current Interior Situation

     I am eternally grateful for living in an area of the country I truly love. In my much younger years I believed I was meant to live in warmer climes, but as I matured I came to appreciate all that the four seasons have to offer, in particular the natural beauty that amazes with each turn.  We have beautiful farms,  historic homes, buildings, neighborhoods,  cultural exposure in our cities (both New York and Boston are within two hours reach), decent school systems and Universities.  The diversity of our people is the icing on the cake. Oh, I’m aware of the -snob or aloof- rep New Englanders have – truth is I haven’t seen much of it.  We have some real Salt of the Earth People in these parts and they value our homeland in the same ways.    Love where you live?  In the comments, share your location and it’s treasures.  
   Farm chores during the winter season can be trying, however. A Two week respite down south sure sounds great right about now.  These are the days when I look at my Florida folks pictures and say – oh, wouldn’t that be nice in the month of January or February, when the cold starts to grate.
      My  horse herd are all geriatric at this point. The three big amigos are still ridden when the ground allows it. I keep them blanketed in winter to help them keep weight on – a task that becomes more difficult for horses as they age.  If only that were true of people! It gets easier and easier to keep weight on as the years roll forward.. *sigh. 
Opie is now 20 years old.. 
Max is 21….
And little Max is 29-ish. 
The minis have coats but they are only used in temps below 20.These guys have a very heavy natural winter coat as you can see.   Coady and Lacey are 18 and 19 years old this spring…

My chickens are an aging flock too… the oldest two are six years old, no longer laying. In winter months I give them oatmeal sprinkled with fruit. If it doesn’t help them stay warm, it makes me feel better anyway.  Who woulda thought I’d become a doting chicken mama.

We’re expecting more snow today…. the guys will be plowing and I will be worrying that they are ok out there. 
Meanwhile… down by the sea…
   The guys have moved inside now that the exterior is complete – grateful because the temps have dropped, even more so down by the water. Stella is getting some beadboard work and the kitchen wall has been pulled out, a counter with stools will replace it.  The counter area will be small…. so we’ll go to our granite and marble supplier to pick out a chunk of leftover something for a discount price. The kitchen itself is very small, but with that wall removed the whole cottage has a more open feel, the cooking space not  so claustrophobic. 
The pano distorts the way the cottage is laid out, put you get the picture…
 The old farmhouse sink is a gem we shall keep.  The counter will run along that stretch on the right, the small range will be where that white microwave the guys are using sits right now. Small fridge on opposite wall.  

 Till soon, friends… 

Blanket Season

       Indeed, we were spoiled with a most beautiful Autumn.  Yesterday, Winter let us know she is not far behind and I blanketed the horses to fend off the chill.  She’s sprinkling flurries and whipping winds up on the hill as I type this.   
 The girls have a heat lamp in the coop, because I can’t stand the thought of their little combs and wattles frostbitten when the temps really dip.  Not all chicken tenders (no pun intended!) believe this is necessary, but it makes me feel better.. so.   Henrietta is very appreciative. 
     I’m supposed to be out shoveling sh*t right now, but I’m feeling under the weather today – a combination of stress over the election and it’s fallout, a cold – the first I’ve had in about 15 years,  and perhaps a stomach bug last night just to kick it up a notch.   Of course, fibromyalgia, not wanting to be left out, kicks it up another notch for good measure.
    I keep trying to -reset-  —  Put  the election results behind me and move on. My friends are still ranting and arguing on Facebook, even the “winners”, although we all lost in my opinion.  I’m trying not to get into the fray, but it’s so damn hard when you feel so damn concerned about what all this means.  I was hoping for some Presidential Behavior to arrive with the incoming President Elect, but no.. the 3 a.m. tweets continue.  Doesn’t he have more important things to worry about now??   The whining continues ( Please Donald.. you reap what you sow, simple concept, google it)  He’s taking liberties already with his children, with his business interests,  The Draining of the Swamp didn’t happen, he’s picking from it.   And I called this one months ago…. The First Lady isn’t moving into the White House…. for now.  Yes I know she found a believable excuse but I don’t think for one minute she wants to live in the Big House.    So another special exception will be made for  his wife and one of his children.  What that means for the Secret Service detail and other occupants of the Ivory Tower remains to be seen, but for sure, it’s “un-presidented”.   
   What’s a girl have to do to get out of her own way?  Create.  I’m starting a new painting, an oil of my horse underneath that glorious old pear tree (the giving tree) that still gives about 1,000 pears per season regardless of it’s almost completely hollowed out core.  This is going to be tricky and will take a while, but I’m hoping it will soothe my soul.  My “studio” is now my son’s bedroom – the one he vacated this past year to live with his GF.   They’re doing remarkably well, by the way.. so proud of their accomplishments as they build on their education and career, and learn what living together responsibly and selflessly means.  It’s a beautiful thing. 
  
  Are you getting ready for the big Thanksgiving Feast?  Most years I have cooked the meal here and various family have been invited. This year my SIL is hosting and I will be bringing a few desserts.. I plan to make an apple pie and a maple cheesecake, which is new in my repertoire… because SOMEONE ELSE IS BRINGING A STORE BOUGHT PUMPKIN!! – WHAT?? GAH!!…  The recipe can be found here if you’re interested.  For the cheesecake, not the store bought. 
    An update on my father and his  life at Apple Rehab- while there are things about him I will never understand or condone, I have to give him credit.  He has adjusted well to nursing home living, something I didn’t think would happen.  He’s made friends.  He has a “coffee clutch” – I call them the rat pack, who hang out in the front hall and watch people come and go.  They play cards, they order take out and have pizza delivered, they flirt with the nurses, they watch football and complain about the candidates.  My dad is one of the “winners”… we don’t go there because in his previous life he was a racist and a womanizer. I can’t tolerate his fist pumping over this one and so he has learned if he doesn’t shut up I’ll walk out.  Sounds harsh, right?  But it is the reality. 
      The one area that is still a struggle is  this –    He is supposed to share his room with another.  So far, he’s been through three room mates – He’s not very considerate, leaving the heat at greenhouse temps (uncomfortable for anyone but him) and never shutting off his TV, not even when he leaves the room for a while. His reason is he doesn’t like the inconvenience of having to turn it back on.   They’ve tried talking to him about being considerate of his roommates, but ultimately they’ve had to separate them.  The home has been very considerate up to this point, but there’s just so much shuffling they’re going to be willing to do.   He lies to me about the reasons for the squabbles so I no longer ask.  They gave me permission to -stay out of it- so that our visits can remain cordial.  for this holiday  I will pick him up and bring him to my SIL’s house, and bring him back home when he peters out.  It’s not the ideal, but it’s what we’ve got. 
  Not the ideal, but it’s what we’ve got.  Wash, Rinse, Repeat…
    There is much to be Thankful for, tis true.   I’ll be back with updates on Stella over at Once Upon a Tide soon enough..  Happy Thanksgiving! and  Peace be with us all. 

Rain and Relationships with a Garden Tour for good measure

 Come take a walk with me as I mull over family issues and do morning chores here at the farm… I’ll show you how my garden grows, or doesn’t… too.

First stop is the hen house and rabbit hutch.

Harley (black bunny) had an episode of colic recently and because he looked like he was about to die in ten minutes, off to the vet we went.  Did you know that too much of a commercial rabbit pellet diet is not good for them?  I sure didn’t.  Collard greens, celery, carrots sparingly, parsley, berries, and lots of Timothy Hay are what they should be eating. The pellets you see in pet stores are not meant to be their main diet.  I’ve always given my bunnies lots of greens and such, but they always had a big bowl of the pellets as well.  Hence, the colic.  Harley is better now, and loves his collard greens.

The girls want OUT into the lush grass, but it’s only allowed when I’m out there paying attention to hawk whereabouts. Not happening on a rainy day like today.   Their egg laying has been prolific latelely, have I mentioned how much I adore chickens? 

 Next stop is the barn, where horses have already been banging buckets because they’ve heard me down at the coop.

 They don’t like being in, would prefer to be standing out in the rain, truth be told.. but when it’s still this chilly I keep them in until the rain clears.  Admittedly, it’s more for me than them. Kinda like their blankets in winter.

The ancient pear tree that is half-hollow is full of blossoms again this year.  I loath the day it keels over, but for now it still appears very happy up there on the hill.  Thank you powers that be.

After barn chores now that spring has arrived, I head over to the garden to do whatever needs tending. The Arugula is coming up, but not much else.  I’m concerned all the rain and cold air temps have thwarted the seed efforts.  Time will tell.

 Same thing happening in our little greenhouse… slow growing.

 I planted six purple sweet potato plants… we’ll see how that goes, first attempt at potatoes.  Any advice?

 The ancient stand of lilacs are thriving.. Mike limed them last year and it helped.

 Will anyone move in to this $7. bird house? 
So far, nuthin. 

My grandfather was a gardener.. and oh, what a spring tulip
garden he had across his front lawn. 
I remember each spring he would take his scissors 
outside with me and careful cut a bouquet for me 
to bring to my teacher the next day. 
When I look at my garden beds this time of year,
I am reminded of him and his love for his gardens..
and the birds, even the squirrels, who he fed peanuts 
out of his hand while sitting on the back porch. 

 So, the rain in this post is obvious, but not the reference to relationships.

 Rain IN relationships is inevitable, we’ve all figured that out by now, haven’t we.   I have always been a worrier and as a mother that is tenfold in my being.  I don’t like it, as the old saying goes… worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere.  But it’s not something you can just set down like a heavy purse.. if you’re a worrier.  No, it’s more like an extra skin that you can’t shed.  
 
   Being a mom, and particularly  that mom... when my kids are hurting, I hurt.  I always believed the teen years would be the most difficult, and they did have their challenges.  I niavely  assumed as they got older the worry would subside, the protective instincts.  But ooh, nooo… the circumstances just change, not the concern.  As they grow into adults they have their own relationships and they need to learn as they grow, just like we did, how to make them work, what doesn’t work… who is worth the effort, who isn’t.  It’s painful to watch them struggle when things aren’t going well, but as my wise mother said, no one gets through life without struggle and pain and loss.  It’s part of living.  The hard part is leaving them be, letting them sort it all out without interferring, because you want to FIX IT for them.  Raising children to be good, strong adults means letting them do for themselves, not just being there to FIX.   As it should be… but Lord, it ain’t easy.

51

  Today I am fifty one years old.  I can honestly tell you that number doesn’t bother me.. I feel blessed.  Life is so short, it is so fleeting.. we are just a speck on the earth and our time here is so limited and unknown. To fret over a number seems like a big waste of precious time.

   My daughter gifted me with this today…. isn’t it just the truth… * love it

 
  Max gifted us with coming up lame this week… I turned him out two days ago and this is the look I got…

   Upon further inspection and some movement on his part, he is absolutely lame. So we sent a video of his movement to the vet, who thinks it’s an abscess in the hoof because there’s no heat or swelling to point to a leg injury.  Soaking ensued…

 and some wrap/poultice. The shoer comes out today to pull the shoe and dig around to find what we hope is a simple abscess.  This is the horse who had the colic surgery six months ago.. the big guy has had a rough year.

  Blog and Birthday Buddy Sally sent me this lovely gift… we share the same birthday and have shared each other’s woes over the years, a virtual shoulder to lean on through the internet waves. Amazing, some of the friendships we develop, sometimes without ever meeting face to face.  I hope to meet Sally, though… perhaps when the big guy and I start scouting out Florida in the next year.   (So he says)    Sally also happens to have moved in recent years to a street with the same name as my beloved grandmother. Mike and I named a road after her too, thankfully before she passed so she could see it.  I’ll never forget it… Her 84 year old self  giggled when she saw the sign.  Made my day, my week, my whole month!

  Anyway.. back to Sally’s gift…

Thank you so much, Sally,  – and Happy Birthday to YOU!!

 I’ve been sprinkling SPRING around the house for the past few weeks.. so ready for it.

 SNOW to arrive on Sunday, I’m hoping it’s just a dusting.   
Have a good weekend, all – and as always, thanks for stopping by. 

KMax comeback and About That Quarter Horse

   
      My daughters show horse, Max, had colic surgery five months ago.  If the horse survives the colic and surgery, the recovery is a long process. The cost of colic surgery nowadays can be upwards of $12,000. and some folks opt to put the horse down simply because of the cost, let alone the recovery process.  We had medical insurance on Max, so we proceeded with surgery, even though he was 19 years old.  Max has done very well, thankfully, and at the five month mark, K can begin to ride him again – just a ten minute walk at first, building up to regular work routine within a few months.
 
      On Saturday we took a walk around the ring. I expected him to be jumpy, spooky, high as a kite after such a long hiatus.    Nope – he showed his quiet well behaved nature through and through –  I loved this horse before for taking good care of my daughter in the show pen, and I love him more for coming through this ordeal like the super trooper that he is.

     Max will be 20 years old this spring, so we’re not returning him to show.. he’ll live an easy retirement life here on the farm.  Oh, how I wish all horses had such luck.

     Both Max (left) and Opie (right) are Quarter Horses.  It’s my favorite breed and I’ve owned several over the years – the main reason is their temperament.  There are always exceptions, but the quarter horse is known for their steady, quiet, good natured no nonsense work ethic.  They have been bred over the years so that there is a wide variety of body types – Opie is old school – I call him my cow pony – he’s short and stout.  Max is taller and more refined, you can see it particularly in his head and neck, although those big ears are a throwback to… something else entirely.     His build makes him more versatile for different jobs in the show pen – he was ridden both English and Western and carried it off pretty well.

  P.S. … although it’s not the quarter horse culture way – I strongly recommend helmet wearing at all times when riding, no matter how sturdy you think your horse is.   Too many very seasoned riders have suffered dibilitating TBI’s from falls off their horse –  I discovered my helmet was taken over by mice in the tackroom, I’m shopping for a new one today.

 It’s a beautiful thing –

Home

     Something I have always believed in is how important it is to put effort into making your home a place of respite, a refuge, a welcoming space. My grandmother had a small house that she made so warm and inviting for family and friends and I appreciated it even as a child.
      We can’t control what goes on outside but whatever we face, being surrounded by things we love and feeling embraced when we walk in the door is so important. That doesn’t have to mean -money- or big elaborate spaces. A collection of beach rocks….feathers found on woods walks… The kids art projects, dog toys heaped in a big basket,  etc… All free, all add warmth and meaning. Choosing colors you find soothing or energizing for wall paint, sheets, pillows, etc. goes a long way and doesn’t break the bank. Switch up the furniture in a room, gives a whole new feel. Sometimes it gives the furniture a whole new purpose. 
     In my frustration over the horror show that is the news, I’ve taken a look around the house and de cluttered some, switched up furniture, bought a half price sale rug and put it in the bathroom. Feels like rejuvenation without spending much at all. Feeling down? Take a look around and de clutter, swap around, add a color. It’s good for the soul.
     The road home is more enjoyable when you know you’re landing in a place of peace. I wish that for all of you – 


This area held the kitchen table until a few days ago when we moved it over to the fireplace and swapped this stuff into the space instead. Now those chairs are actually getting used
and the kitchen table is in a more open and inviting space.  
It all works so much better now and it looks like we did the place over. 
More pics soon… 
Oh, what a half price sale rug can do for a bathroom… really
warmed it up.  And those two little topiary trees…
you wouldn’t think to put them in a bathroom but they
add just the right non-bathroom  anti-antiseptic touch. 
My Christmas Cactus haven’t even waited for Thanksgiving this year…



the boyz in raincoats…

Bailey with the look thats saying –  “Nooo, really? Now? But I’m comfortable, mom.”  – 
 not wanting to give up her perch so I can change the bedding… 

         The holiday season is upon us and I’m looking forward to sharing food and laughs and stories with others and I pray for peace to blanket the earth, for sanity and Good to trump all else. One can always hope.  As always, thanks for stopping by.

-CLICK –

       At 50 I’m still learning, still growing up  ( and out, just ask my jeans)… but this, I know, is true – you’re never to old for personal growth.. just have to be open to it.  For me that  means letting go of a few things and owning up to a few others.

        Who among us hasn’t experienced  anguish, stress, anger, disappointment, anxiety, loss, regret, embarrassment,   pain – both emotional and physical.   It’s part of the experience of living, can’t be avoided.  The key is to roll with it, not let it consume you, not let it waste the “precious”…… the time we have to enjoy the things that mean the most.  What that is to each of us is probably very similar even in it’s differences.  It’s the little things, the things we might easily put aside if we let the negatives consume us, that can enrich us the most and help us find balance.
       
     One of my pure joys –  I take a lot of pictures.  Remember the little boy in the movie Sixth Sense and his famous line….. “I see dead people”.    If you’re a shutterbug, you know what I mean when I say… ” I see Pictures” … everywhere I go.  Meaning, I see things I want to capture, hold on to, stash in the memory file because I love them so…. in the slant of light on fallen leaves… in the regal stance of my dog on a stump in the field…. in the red hues of the trees behind my red horse.  You get the picture…

….because she looooooooves her cat. 

                            … I get to walk this lane daily… in all seasons its a beautiful thing…

…these halloween geeks.. I love them so. 

   So go.. take pictures mentally or physically, see the beauty in all that is around you. It’s there in the steam off your morning coffee… in the light slanting through your windows, in the crayon scribble masterpiece your toddler left on the newly painted wall,  in the smile from a stranger just because… in the “thank you” your father mouthed as you turned to leave.    –   CLICK  – 

Fixing the broken….

  So… this summer.  *sigh.

  Mom broke her arm, it was ugly.  She was a trooper, and  that has healed nicely. She’s driving again and living life as it should be lived. Although I still catch her holding that arm out to the side like it’s a defective piece of merchandise that might spew filth on her being at any moment.  (Hi Mom!)  

  Max the horse is home and loving retirement life, he’s living the good life for sure, healing nicely. Amen.  (Diane this one’s for you 🙂

  Dad suffered a heart attack the other day.  His second, plus a stroke about 10 years ago.  He must have nine lives.  Right now operating on 20 percent heart function, breathing on his own again after being intubated for 24 hours, but still there is the congested (congestive?)  heart failure issue.   He’s flirting with the nurses so I know he’s still who he is.  What he will be, though, moving forward, is a question mark.  Will he be able to go home and live on his own?  How long does a congested heart stay clear of the fluid buildup. Should he be driving?  He’ll answer yes for sure, but that doesn’t make it right.   Our relationship .. that’s a tough one.  I am the only person (plus my husband) who is there for him at this stage of his life… and I keep saying to myself.. Kindness, Karen.  Find it.. show it.

   Rudy the dachshund bloated this afternoon after digging in the dog food bag and pretty much submerging himself in there until we noticed.  He’s been acting odd lately and has had a voracious appetite for food and water.  Had him tested, – nothing.  Not diabetes, blood work good, heart good, not cushings positive, just borderline.. and yet the behavior.  So tonight he was gorging himself and bloated out.  A trip to the vet, stomach pumping, some morphine-like stuff, and he’s home and resting sorta comfortable.

  *good times.    

The good, the bad and the hilarious

   We’ll start with the bad and work our way up.  A few nights ago, my daughter’s horse Max had a belly ache.  Meds didn’t help.  More meds didn’t help… and it was determined he was very sick and needed immediate transport to the Equine hospital (1.5 hours away) if he were going to survive whatever was causing the colic.  At 11:30 p.m.  Our vet had to sedate him because he was so distraught by the pain by the time his chariot arrived to take him to the hospital.  I have never seen a horse in so much pain that came on so quickly, it was a horrible, helpless feeling.

    He had surgery, where they found a large fatty tumor (melon size) wrapped around his colon.  It had shifted, and pushed his colon over. That’s why all the horrible sudden pain.  *sigh.  

   Survival is iffy with these things… and I am happy to report, three days later, Max is doing very well considering what he’s been through.  Thank GOD for equine insurance.  I won’t tell you what this cost… but most people who don’t have equine insurance put the horse down because they can’t afford it.  

Team KMax once again…

  I’ve been out in the garden today trying to wash off the stress with fresh air and sunshine… it’s a beautiful thing…and if you don’t already know it, gardens are restorative, they are healing.  If you haven’t started one of your own yet, when the season is right in your neck of the woods… for heavens sake, get out there and plant, nurture, tend.   It will do the same for you, I promise.

Saw this on Facebook.. and I just love it. Might even make a t-shirt
out of it.  I’d love to give one to each one of you, too…..