tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62488333367220163432024-03-12T16:08:43.382-07:00Dog Hair and Horse FeathersUrban ranching in Los Angeles.
DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-12193731519307284532013-06-24T15:40:00.000-07:002013-06-24T15:42:06.316-07:00OLDER THAN NOAH<br />
This is a post I found that I did not publish from last May. I have more to say about what we did and how it all turned out - here is the old post:<br />
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" We have this amazing horse.We have not one true idea of how old he is. All we know for sure is that he has no trace of a Galvaynes Groove and neither of us can ever recall seeing one.<br />
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MCH got him several years ago when someone he knew wanted to move up in roping and needed a younger horse. He had seen him work and he bought him without ever trying him.<br />
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Rocky taught him a lot about roping. Rocky could also haul ass through a Gymkhana course. He was probably a Jr. Rodeo horse at one time. Every once in awhile someone would recognize Rocky and tell MCH a story about ol' Rocky roping.<br />
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We continued to ride him up through Summer of last year. He was my go to horse for visitors and anyone timid with horses. We even took him to a couple of playdays last Spring. I also got married on him. He loves to work.<br />
He is real arthritic in the back hocks and now his back spazms so we just love on him and turn him out.<br />
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Today, after a lot of thought, I had his shoes pulled. His body can't keep up with his mind and heart and I just can not justify keeping shoes on him when he does not need them. I feel like I just cocked the trigger though and it took a lot for me to not have the shoes put back on.<br />
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Funny how we humans do so many things thinking we are doing it in the animals best interest when in fact, we are doing it because we believe it will prolong a life and therefore stave off what we fear most.<br />
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How does one choose with a horse? Will he be better off staying here in his paddock which is not small, but certainly does not keep him from abject boredom, or do I take him to a pasture to graze and be a horse for the rest of his days? I know how horses live - grazing and moving for 18 hours a day - to be in any stall - with only an hour or so of interaction with us a day is like a human being in jail. So my gut and my mind say pasture, but my heart and my habit of bestowing human emotions onto my animals is saying he would be better here. Pretty much - he is counting on us to do the best thing for him. With this many horses I can honestly say that I don't feel that I give him what he wants from us."<br />
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Now today - We chose to pasture him - he did fine without shoes and not 4 weeks later we took him up to a friends ranch in Bear Valley Springs. He has been there ever since. He has pasture buddies - including a younger mare who is his constant companion. He is thriving and looks to be one of those record breaking horses. If he had been used for trail and not roping, I'm sure we would still be riding him. I wish we knew what his breeding history was. Go with your gut when it comes to making decisions for your older animal companions. He was as clear as could be about what he needed and we chose to honor him rather than our emotional selves and it was the best possible deal. I miss seeing him everyday and he is an all day trip to go see him, but he is sooooooo happy, especially being able to physically interact with other horses and actually have his very own mare.<br />
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We are so blessed to have such great friends that we could do this for Rocky and not have to worry about his care and well being.<br />
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Follow your intuition not your ego and listen to your friend ......<br />
<br />DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-56945388974768850232013-06-24T14:55:00.000-07:002013-06-24T15:41:12.378-07:00THE LAST YEAR OF NEWS Clearly we have been busy. Too busy to keep up with a blog .<br />
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More has happened than I can remember but an overview from last May to this current June:<br />
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We sadly had to say good bye to our beautiful Loki - that was rough - he was only 2 years old, but he had something wrong with his brain. It came on suddenly and we made the decision to let him go.<br />
2 years is a common time for congenital brain defects to show up in dogs. He is sorely missed.<br />
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MCH went to Michigan to work on a movie and while he was away I took in a foster GSD, who we named Leroy, and who managed to wiggle into our hearts in the span of 3 days. He was a dump over on Peoria Street, just a block over from our house. Tim came up with the name and he just never left. He is a righteous Coyote chaser and a fierce protector of the house and yard. He also provides Babe a nice respite from Riley. He looks like he might be part Kangaroo :)<br />
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Beamer is now Beau. His leg appears to have healed nicely and I can now trail ride him!<br />
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We have a new youngster on the ranch - a nice 6 year old gelding Quarterhorse named Catman - he is proving to be a nice little rope horse and he has also gone through Mounted Patrol Training and has been on TV!<br />
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My birthday came and went - and when it came it brought 2 Dwarf Nigerian Milking Goats. They are Does and their names are Fiona and Layla. Pictures don't do them justice - they are ridiculous.<br />
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I opened my own studio salon with another hairstylist ( who is seriously, tha bomb - ya'll )specializing in Organic color and a low emission environment. We use absolutely no Ammonia, no Formaldehyde, no Lye and no Ammonium Thioglycolate. We are also and art gallery.<br />
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We have a Rooster named John Shaft and we are expecting baby birds in about another week or so. The birds have been 100 percent switched over to non GMO feed and I have been approached about selling eggs :) We also got 4 new hens - Heritage French Black Copper Marans - the eggs are out of control and so is John Shaft - Shut Yo Mouth!<br />
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Tim has spent the majority of the year in Chicago working on a movie called Divergent which should be out next March. He also did some amazing work on a disaster film called Twista (I think) back in Michigan.<br />
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KC came back to us after spending time with some friends who were using her for Mounted Patrol and Rangers. We have decided to keep her home from now on and I'm going to be using her for Mounted Patrol , Sorting and Gymkhana. I might even do a little reining with her since my Sister In Law has gotten into it and I love hanging out with her.<br />
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The garden is shaping up - the pallets are impossible - so now they are used as a compost holder. The pallet gardens are only good for about 3 weeks - don't waste your time.My Bamboo wall was a bust - so now I am trying vines and some other things - nothing stinking grows in this yard - the ground is so bad. Slowly, we are amending the soil and turning the yard into something nice.<br />
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I also started using Essential Oil therapy on the animals and us humans too. Stay tuned for updates!<br />
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Happy Trails!<br />
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<br />DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-50878836884593397992012-05-03T10:12:00.001-07:002012-05-03T11:23:29.495-07:00AND IN OTHER NEWS:Beamer and Dutch are not of this Earth -<br />
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Creepy - no more pictures taken of black horses at Dusk.DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-57871403092686707542012-04-30T12:36:00.002-07:002012-04-30T12:37:49.526-07:00What a way to jump back in the saddleSo this weekend I decided that if my stupid leg is going to hurt like Hell - even though it clearly has healed up enough to ride - I am just going to grind my teeth and start going to fun stuff again. F it! I am so sick of riding around in the round pen.<br />
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This Saturday the <a href="http://www.gibsonranch.us/">RANCH</a> I used to board at started a new event : Ranch Sorting. Its going to be the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month at 5pm and it's $15 for 3 turns. I highly recommend that you come out and try it if you live near Sunland/Tujunga and you have a horse. SUPER SUPER FUN!!!<br />
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Ranch Sorting differs from Team Sorting in that it is done in a smaller set up and you work in teams of 2 rather than 3. For people who just want to do something fun with their horse this is it. I like Team Sorting too, but it's more challenging and right now I need lower impact for sure. Plus I get to do something horse related with MCH that does not involve me standing in a hazing line for a few hours. Or him trailering me to a training.<br />
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We did not get any points this time around but we sure had fun and so did everyone else.<br />
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On Sunday - we went to the Corral 210 Playday and we brought Dutch for MCH to ride, as I still can only do about 20 to 30 minutes on him because he is so wide and my calf muscle just can't take it. Plus all that fits him now is my cutting saddle, which super sucks if you have a leg injury. If anyone has any suggestions on a good saddle for this beast to do Gymkhana in , I am all ears.<br />
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I rode Cisco again, and after the sorting he was none too happy to be back out. He's as unfit as I am right now, sadly. We made it through 4 events before he had just had enough and I was pretty fatigued as well.<br />
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All in all a great weekend, we hung out together, got to see some good friends, and my calf does not hurt any more than it did last week. I smell a patrol in my near future!DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-57044514764075714292012-04-27T20:45:00.000-07:002012-04-27T20:45:39.934-07:00The Bamboo WallBambusa Olhamaii # 1 seems to be pretty happy in its new home. I added Creeping Blue Star to some of the holes in the rock barrier and I planted a really pretty New Zeland Flax to start the grasses off that will be hiding the ugly repurposed barrier. It will stay fairly compact which is important because I don't have much space to play with. <br />
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I started to level off the ground here and I will be making a pathway with all of the bricks we have either dug up or pulled out while we have been fixing the various porches and planters.The previous owners really loved bricks. God love 'em!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBwtmsTG4dUpm66oR6Rl7QiW1nIqBEU3v0nTW-MPOqYtxkknFcoKjUTKzwFvULkYB6rrhw0aoWUxPBi9oIYksQ9shHupphCNJSgJvgr-nppYLJHGszZMV_Iz0J3L9TvN29LAmPZDNQcM/s1600/IMG_3660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBwtmsTG4dUpm66oR6Rl7QiW1nIqBEU3v0nTW-MPOqYtxkknFcoKjUTKzwFvULkYB6rrhw0aoWUxPBi9oIYksQ9shHupphCNJSgJvgr-nppYLJHGszZMV_Iz0J3L9TvN29LAmPZDNQcM/s320/IMG_3660.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Zeland Flax</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNugYe1YU0ajH55XFiqKTwjtgmbhy-0w-f2G4Gx4ph-5uwa8GVcLlVMVVRf567fSt6e8RDZxD0ZpYIuN3SNMl2wvkvhpn9bng-sfO754yAc4-TwnBbHSUa9XXmZQWGLM2qvKhubt_w5CM/s1600/IMG_3661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNugYe1YU0ajH55XFiqKTwjtgmbhy-0w-f2G4Gx4ph-5uwa8GVcLlVMVVRf567fSt6e8RDZxD0ZpYIuN3SNMl2wvkvhpn9bng-sfO754yAc4-TwnBbHSUa9XXmZQWGLM2qvKhubt_w5CM/s320/IMG_3661.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can really see how bad the base of the retaining wall is in this picture! </td></tr>
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<br />DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-63977469264364805752012-04-26T20:43:00.000-07:002012-04-26T20:43:12.349-07:00THE PALLET PROJECTThis has turned out to be a lot more work than I thought. If you want to see the original instructions go <a href="http://www.lifeonthebalcony.com/">HERE</a>. <br />
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Because of the horses, we have pallets for days. These are heat treated and not pesticide treated. This is super important if you are planning on putting anything edible in your pallet garden.<br />
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I had one that is super weathered, which I love. It also means that it is weak. I had to really work around the missing and broken boards and I also had to strengthen certain areas. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkkcozdydjZu-ZHXRf-UxIgru2bb-kvSl4KJqlJCvGECO5LiupN38TldA0GelXMrSxSrIxLta2nH65Vr9MCRfEkn7FdjudoEWSitEBRmNdAMjejtGBhhmXRlSaaeu_e2fwegdi-TR8R8/s1600/IMG_3646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkkcozdydjZu-ZHXRf-UxIgru2bb-kvSl4KJqlJCvGECO5LiupN38TldA0GelXMrSxSrIxLta2nH65Vr9MCRfEkn7FdjudoEWSitEBRmNdAMjejtGBhhmXRlSaaeu_e2fwegdi-TR8R8/s320/IMG_3646.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the landscape cloth attached - forgot to take a picture of the plywood backing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pallet in place before planting</td></tr>
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I doubled up my landscape cloth on the back , bottom and the sides. I used T50 5/16 " staples which are what is called for in this application, but I think next time I will use 1/2" . More heavy duty because that dirt and water will be putting a lot of pressure on the cloth and what's is holding it on. I also screwed on a piece of plywood to the back which gave me more support where there were missing boards and it also is helping to support it while it lies on it's back letting the roots take hold. <br />
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I love the look of overflowing cascading plants, so I used Petunias and Nasturtiums . I am trying my hand at Strawberries again , so those are on the top and first layer. I put in 4 kinds to see which does best. I saw another cool idea for Strawberries using cinder blocks , which I may try next year. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB_FjjMULNnlbd-cdTdxVhcORSgsZEg-VZyhXV4T7fV5SH0o5w1aKpekxxQyqYYzqwSx8pIh2dVKHjq44PNCXzFJm7baiz_3fB9ZMTLj_pqlf7fXGttRRomBRXel_y84nacGMECKnNjw/s1600/IMG_3654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB_FjjMULNnlbd-cdTdxVhcORSgsZEg-VZyhXV4T7fV5SH0o5w1aKpekxxQyqYYzqwSx8pIh2dVKHjq44PNCXzFJm7baiz_3fB9ZMTLj_pqlf7fXGttRRomBRXel_y84nacGMECKnNjw/s320/IMG_3654.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Putting in the dirt and getting the plants in is much more time consuming than it appeared to be on the instructions I followed. Maybe because I took the time to read all the user comments and took into consideration the pit falls each experienced it took me longer and I used more material than was listed. I used 3 full bags of soil and I made sure to really pack the dirt in after each row got its plants. I also used a soil amendment so really, 3 and a half bags of soil. I put the pallet up on a couple of pots to keep the dogs off it and to make it easier to pick up next week when it gets put in place. I also will not be putting the plants in to the top until it is right side up. <br />
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I really like it as a horizontal garden and think I will do this in my little garden plot that MCH built for me a couple of years ago. No weeding really appeals to me! <br />
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Once I finished planting it I watered it down with a mist setting on my hose and then I mixed one capfull of Superthrive into 2 gallons of water in a watering can to help the plants recover from shock. <br />
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As of today(4 days later) it has been laying on its back and the roots have definitely started to take hold. I will be putting it upright this weekend. Word to the wise - DO NOT try to move the pallet or place it in position by yourself unless you are a trained iron man. This thing is stinking heavy!!!DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-10697696490632307022012-04-23T08:53:00.001-07:002012-04-23T10:08:38.209-07:00Making The Neighbors DisappearI got inspired in Kauai at the <a href="http://ntbg.org/gardens/allerton.php">Allerton Garden</a> to finally tackle the issue of the hill and the creepy neighbors.<br />
I have been looking for something to plant since we moved here and I never knew there was such a thing as clumping Bamboo. Bambusa Olhamaii you are my new best friend. My expensive needy best friend, but that's okay. Below is a picture I took at the Allerton Bamboo Forest - this one is Giant Golden Timber Bamboo and does not do well in our zone.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3EaW-MJWzDTO6V_nq8qHay3s7SCDzGXHGgA-uiFxphORsC4fG0vxpt7XCCCcRQya_wOcuJ8UxhY4vtp7nwa_22fqwjsDUkfjeGriCzooani6OKBc50Qxh5oSU_pyL9N57a5i_F12sa4/s1600/IMG_0463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3EaW-MJWzDTO6V_nq8qHay3s7SCDzGXHGgA-uiFxphORsC4fG0vxpt7XCCCcRQya_wOcuJ8UxhY4vtp7nwa_22fqwjsDUkfjeGriCzooani6OKBc50Qxh5oSU_pyL9N57a5i_F12sa4/s320/IMG_0463.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
This stuff grows up to 55 feet ( probably won't get higher than 35 feet here) and spreads 6 feet wide. It needs maintenance 3 times a year and does not require a barrier. It will also hold up and in the retaining wall that belongs to my neighbors and with luck it will prevent extensive damage when their hillside detaches in the next few years. It also will provide an excellent privacy hedge. I wont even go into that creepiness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOc9itsbMTzidaZbxtvq87Qva_7Q8_HV5uRkA2a3P2X2Zt1Q6eZDotEd-cwYtI7lAotkL1gfB83uXhO-PVox6K_EmFboJ0nm98sAHy9T-tSkHukYOQGVHx-TkXfpG17HWhHmyvISQ34Y/s1600/IMG_0834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOc9itsbMTzidaZbxtvq87Qva_7Q8_HV5uRkA2a3P2X2Zt1Q6eZDotEd-cwYtI7lAotkL1gfB83uXhO-PVox6K_EmFboJ0nm98sAHy9T-tSkHukYOQGVHx-TkXfpG17HWhHmyvISQ34Y/s320/IMG_0834.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see how bad the retaining wall is.The neighbors won't address it, so this is my answer. I built up the bed wall using whatever we had lying around to go to the dump.There is even a bowling ball in there, ha ha! Better to reuse and recycle then put it in the landfill. I will eventually cover up the barrier with grasses and Canna. For the bed I dumped all of last years gardening attempts to build up the soil. Bamboo is a grass and needs a lot of Nitrogen and water. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzGKcSavRF2VmZEK_j_VQDmMkitu7w5xVowqfg-sorxYZczoZthBafnRslAMPYCgvCWCQKn-_MWYlAUFDIUBp1wyN-J_0jc6aEnx5U_QrzGDNEvSDG_H_vD8G_XyBSQ4h2mAG_7pG0e8/s1600/IMG_3645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzGKcSavRF2VmZEK_j_VQDmMkitu7w5xVowqfg-sorxYZczoZthBafnRslAMPYCgvCWCQKn-_MWYlAUFDIUBp1wyN-J_0jc6aEnx5U_QrzGDNEvSDG_H_vD8G_XyBSQ4h2mAG_7pG0e8/s320/IMG_3645.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the view now. Can you say Fishbowl? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hlxF6xF0weS8W-it7xWBptIqRQ1gewnAGJCkYrDh5lYQhAKeuwUreNq28SUnWUV53qSisHdEBk4R4SjIiBTRpiK0al9D-bgs8rn7olmg5wpTSy6ImWfjumNLBthoDTYLXbwl9UOVOCY/s1600/IMG_3652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hlxF6xF0weS8W-it7xWBptIqRQ1gewnAGJCkYrDh5lYQhAKeuwUreNq28SUnWUV53qSisHdEBk4R4SjIiBTRpiK0al9D-bgs8rn7olmg5wpTSy6ImWfjumNLBthoDTYLXbwl9UOVOCY/s320/IMG_3652.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My First Bambusa Olhamaii . I went with a smaller 3.5 gallon plant for this corner. I have to be really careful digging out the dirt here and there are some old roots and rocks that make it hard to get a big enough hole for a 5 gallon plant. </td></tr>
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On the other side of the yard where the gate is, we have chain link fence and another view directly into our other neighbors yard, plus the dogs see all the outside action and react accordingly. These neighbors we are on the same level with and they do a lot in their yard and when we are not home the dogs bark at them.<br />
I decided to use ideas I got from <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> to do a smallish container garden that will create a living fence. If the dogs can't see out they will be less stimulated to "guard" the yard. Yesterday MCH helped me get it started. Most everything is an idea I got from the gardening " Pins". I will report back through the season to let you know how each idea actually panned out for lil ol Brown Thumb !<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEmucftYvfw8rKGhLoUWrOO_mbGCqKXKYtjr6DrjqcE7EW0045G5PmvI48bPgqTK9lozjbJ_5FWerXlO3Z67WTH9zppAbn6F8iybsUxB7q5u4iDFYUDchJ865uXiabE1Vyn4zZ5QOslk/s1600/IMG_3643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEmucftYvfw8rKGhLoUWrOO_mbGCqKXKYtjr6DrjqcE7EW0045G5PmvI48bPgqTK9lozjbJ_5FWerXlO3Z67WTH9zppAbn6F8iybsUxB7q5u4iDFYUDchJ865uXiabE1Vyn4zZ5QOslk/s320/IMG_3643.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new redwood trellis. Great price at <a href="http://www.greenarrownurseries.com/">www.greenarrownurseries.com</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQFA1tRShGWkHe5rbHugwL7vFGA2zaWF2gLp1q_rHC1AqURuRZbOkZmNN7QaK0XXq3mMKwPUQqGpePmujJqEz100o26XeTQQzvbu8bU27LIhwsW__XioFBWI0u7eVsdL2hW8uyB_ktds/s1600/IMG_3644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQFA1tRShGWkHe5rbHugwL7vFGA2zaWF2gLp1q_rHC1AqURuRZbOkZmNN7QaK0XXq3mMKwPUQqGpePmujJqEz100o26XeTQQzvbu8bU27LIhwsW__XioFBWI0u7eVsdL2hW8uyB_ktds/s320/IMG_3644.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNDzx1CVq3MY8wgl-zs4s2-v2ViyoXpWwVNx_g_ttYGAZ0ghHYVOdXeXfbCInpr5FS8VI2Rnwsvd-zLCUiPyYWxrOP3s9WzrX7tpyrky2rnQ0cJcoO0_Ff0upsyKuqEPCZgR0a-h8Fu4/s1600/IMG_3649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNDzx1CVq3MY8wgl-zs4s2-v2ViyoXpWwVNx_g_ttYGAZ0ghHYVOdXeXfbCInpr5FS8VI2Rnwsvd-zLCUiPyYWxrOP3s9WzrX7tpyrky2rnQ0cJcoO0_Ff0upsyKuqEPCZgR0a-h8Fu4/s320/IMG_3649.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wine Barrel will eventually be tiered, but for now it is housing my Tangerine Beauty Crossvine which will cover the trellis and fence. Lots of Hummingbird food ! The pallet will have strawberries and flowers in it plus provide a much needed barrier for the dogs. More on the pallet garden next time. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLVBR6ifS0aVxef9J1IxnKRcylOVrq51ZgqlHWWU8JtscbO1njFLYKQFcJsZDFsGwdLftR17BDPUfIsKa5XVxhktwIbDuDQg3eQzKJg48jd9NI9v0E4Os91G1llidAGJuMzILRAsdUqc/s1600/IMG_0832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLVBR6ifS0aVxef9J1IxnKRcylOVrq51ZgqlHWWU8JtscbO1njFLYKQFcJsZDFsGwdLftR17BDPUfIsKa5XVxhktwIbDuDQg3eQzKJg48jd9NI9v0E4Os91G1llidAGJuMzILRAsdUqc/s320/IMG_0832.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last years Yellow Pepper plant which I am experimenting with . I used a wash of 4 cps warm water and 1 Teaspoon of Epsom Salts to revitalize it. I will spray it again in 10 days. It already has about 25 flower buds on it. The water bottle in the soil is for deep watering and feeding. I use SuperThrive. </td></tr>
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Some of the above ideas came from these cool sites : <a href="http://www.curbly.com/">www.curbly.com</a> , <a href="http://www.weblogs.baltimoresun.com/">www.weblogs.baltimoresun.com</a> , and <a href="http://www.lifeonthebalcony.com/">www.lifeonthebalcony.com</a>DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-74714804867418207882012-03-31T11:31:00.001-07:002012-03-31T13:33:10.268-07:00We made it to Kauai!Any of you who have as many animals as we do know how stinking hard it is to go anywhere, even if it's just for a weekend. <br />
<br />
I need a vacation just from planning this vacation. <br />
<br />
It was literally touch and go if we were going to make it or not. As late as Thursday morning we were not going. Somehow we rallied and now I am writing this in Kauai!<br />
<br />
MCH has never been to any of the islands so he was pretty excited once we got here. <br />
<br />
The highlights so far: <br />
<br />
Old Japanese man on plane with apparent dysentery and balance issues which translates to he spent more time in the bathroom than in his seat and every time he got up he needed to use my seat and head for balance. <br />
<br />
The worst collective hair in history all seen at the Honolulu Airport. Within an hour - much to my delight. <br />
<br />
TSA agent very busy lounging and texting . <br />
<br />
MCH getting lai'd for the first time. <br />
<br />
The wee'st room in a very cool eclectic hotel complete with cat and chickens. <br />
<br />
Lillikoi pie and the discovery of the best Saimin stand in Kauai. <br />
<br />
Eating with the locals. <br />
<br />
The best Pancakes I have ever eaten in my life at Tip Top. Williamsburg needs this recipe. <br />
<br />
MCH's smile <br />
<br />
Good times! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhCz-KCIl-VW45cfdvJWqgCTUedi6wY8e_UG0BntI1PpNDT0BtVXiBc6VvgatXzeOHIV8rbqOzba6_WJHd743YRRfmj51ndhDlxGOuM9uVf09AqWHNA94BKftY5fs3Myz-UxfBCcTSh8/s640/blogger-image--1659767468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhCz-KCIl-VW45cfdvJWqgCTUedi6wY8e_UG0BntI1PpNDT0BtVXiBc6VvgatXzeOHIV8rbqOzba6_WJHd743YRRfmj51ndhDlxGOuM9uVf09AqWHNA94BKftY5fs3Myz-UxfBCcTSh8/s640/blogger-image--1659767468.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJZ4zQQOapLEgi4SsdtrxZpOasI7Ih3mz-6jNFyIVYViPtlBhB4dNLuZnxgZ5hEbjyuQu_ZkcGw2Zbmu9psV7HpzYX1C0p3bvteDcwGD0ygfgvB_cZMcrVjpvZMzdHQm8g6_UbW000aM/s640/blogger-image--847924272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJZ4zQQOapLEgi4SsdtrxZpOasI7Ih3mz-6jNFyIVYViPtlBhB4dNLuZnxgZ5hEbjyuQu_ZkcGw2Zbmu9psV7HpzYX1C0p3bvteDcwGD0ygfgvB_cZMcrVjpvZMzdHQm8g6_UbW000aM/s640/blogger-image--847924272.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj45gBkimd7IQ7jTtyltvyssqqzFtyoiBq4_TpxfJdh2c9-IPHHzDY_oB-Kn4o6xaq4A6VCv8aA66PnoNX2fD16lSYsTQgnFOY0JdaDgGBSZ57Kh3RWhpqR8Vex4lrjvMGZpt1h0A-t1U/s640/blogger-image--193399293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj45gBkimd7IQ7jTtyltvyssqqzFtyoiBq4_TpxfJdh2c9-IPHHzDY_oB-Kn4o6xaq4A6VCv8aA66PnoNX2fD16lSYsTQgnFOY0JdaDgGBSZ57Kh3RWhpqR8Vex4lrjvMGZpt1h0A-t1U/s640/blogger-image--193399293.jpg" /></a></div>DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-65657834658203910652012-03-24T11:44:00.001-07:002012-03-24T15:34:14.112-07:00The Beam aka Rufus, Boo Radley and on exceptional days RoscoeOh it has been a busy, busy year so far. As you can see by my extended absence, my torn calf is much better and I no longer need to keep it elevated for extended periods of time. <br />
<br />
One of the things that has kept me running is The Beam. You remember that pretty black horse MCH brought home last Fall? He's now mine. <br />
<br />
Turns out he came with a bonus body part in the form of a bone cyst. Right between the joint and the P1. For those of you not in the know, a bone cyst weakens the bone. He wound up fracturing the bone about 6 weeks after we had him. Who knows how, probably when he was turned out. <br />
<br />
So he has been on stall rest since then. Getting hand walked . He won't be a rope horse, but with a lot of luck and prayers I may be able to trail ride him. <br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUraGNf6AzldTu0MF30feBeXGxu6DB1LTvFw2n1gsPqlwThXASh9jixdeRaagEKfpkUBzIElvSZ7Bxi1NXOBONQPtX8XPLEuYKhVgSfowJE4XPK4jUeV-AgslnIArYZBC2sUanc9vKrc/s640/blogger-image--1773348838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUraGNf6AzldTu0MF30feBeXGxu6DB1LTvFw2n1gsPqlwThXASh9jixdeRaagEKfpkUBzIElvSZ7Bxi1NXOBONQPtX8XPLEuYKhVgSfowJE4XPK4jUeV-AgslnIArYZBC2sUanc9vKrc/s640/blogger-image--1773348838.jpg" /></a></div>DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0Toluca Lake Toluca Lake34.152284 -118.351428tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-38614393956665459962012-01-01T21:50:00.000-08:002012-01-01T22:41:14.451-08:00ITS A NEW DAY IN A NEW YEAR!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fG8Wz8ksBII/TwFMtsPDJLI/AAAAAAAAAS8/emDFuX8PZeQ/s1600/photo-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fG8Wz8ksBII/TwFMtsPDJLI/AAAAAAAAAS8/emDFuX8PZeQ/s320/photo-6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Well - 2011 went out with a whimper here at the Flying V . We barely made it past East Coast NYE.<br />
All the better to start 2012 off with a roar.<br />
<br />
We had some major happenings here at the ranch today.<br />
<br />
Now that the back area with all the horses in it is basically done ( it will never be DONE done) we are starting to focus on the rest of the place. I don't believe that I have ever stated here that our house is a testament to the dangers of using Meth while doing construction. This place is a travesty. Every time we start a project , we unveil absolute madness that is sure to add months and dollars to our original plan.<br />
<br />
That being said - MCH tore out the front deck today. The very one I have stepped through on one occasion and tripped on a new loose board on another occasion. Both times I somehow saved myself a faceplant. Just call me grace.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uzGlPcrQ1rk/TwFNAwxxIsI/AAAAAAAAATI/fcWlyqXRz6U/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uzGlPcrQ1rk/TwFNAwxxIsI/AAAAAAAAATI/fcWlyqXRz6U/s320/photo-2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who said Redwood won't rot</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LVsPqd3FQ5I/TwFNCAWI-aI/AAAAAAAAATQ/rbE7XrNkFp0/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LVsPqd3FQ5I/TwFNCAWI-aI/AAAAAAAAATQ/rbE7XrNkFp0/s320/photo-3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before </td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j32k9Hruu6U/TwFNDtAM77I/AAAAAAAAATY/WKeRAmpc3YE/s1600/photo-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j32k9Hruu6U/TwFNDtAM77I/AAAAAAAAATY/WKeRAmpc3YE/s320/photo-9.JPG" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The demolition bandit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jvysyvs_nnk/TwFNLqNosXI/AAAAAAAAATg/Zv4vuUj_Muo/s1600/photo-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jvysyvs_nnk/TwFNLqNosXI/AAAAAAAAATg/Zv4vuUj_Muo/s320/photo-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
In the back I was busy testing the limits of my newly healed, yet still misshapen and discolored, calf muscle.<br />
<br />
I actually had a nice roundpen ride on the Onery Cuss , Poncho. Could have gone any which way, being he has been stuck in his stall and barely ridden for the last 6 months. He was an angel. Figures - when I decide to sell him - he acts right with me. I have to use him for my FMP Quarterly training because Cisco has been off in the front for the last couple of weeks. Bruised sole I think. Sunday should be interesting.<br />
He got a new haircut - I kind of like him all Mad Max - it suits him. He got a little feather extension today to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7RUcvK9PfY/TwFNcBrCacI/AAAAAAAAATs/lbHLM3UL2Fw/s1600/photo-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7RUcvK9PfY/TwFNcBrCacI/AAAAAAAAATs/lbHLM3UL2Fw/s320/photo-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocking the Mohawk with some Feathers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I got Dutch out to ride today too. Well - guess who is going on a diet with me? Lord - he is immense. He probably did the last bit of growing, but mostly its fat. I felt like a Munchkin on top of him. I managed about 10 laps before my calf started to speak to me. Lucky him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mh_rduQ6eDM/TwFN2kR4f4I/AAAAAAAAAT4/5u6k-Q7S6xk/s1600/photo-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mh_rduQ6eDM/TwFN2kR4f4I/AAAAAAAAAT4/5u6k-Q7S6xk/s320/photo-7.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does this saddle make my ass look big?</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l9nyskXUWfk/TwFN-n0SnCI/AAAAAAAAAUA/ueBZlVhNPqg/s1600/photo-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l9nyskXUWfk/TwFN-n0SnCI/AAAAAAAAAUA/ueBZlVhNPqg/s320/photo-8.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Um, I'm pretty sure these stirrups are not flattering</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--uwl25XTt_k/TwFOAIEmZfI/AAAAAAAAAUI/cB_6bNQilZc/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--uwl25XTt_k/TwFOAIEmZfI/AAAAAAAAAUI/cB_6bNQilZc/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kick kick kick</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lWlpv_s69rg/TwFOBWyxyYI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/34ReFp-Rg5w/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lWlpv_s69rg/TwFOBWyxyYI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/34ReFp-Rg5w/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I swear I'm using my legs, and yes I'm wearing sweats - so!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
And last, but not least - I FINALLY got MCH to go for a walk with me after dinner. Had a nice little stroll around the park tonight.<br />
<br />
What a great way to start off the New Year!<br />
Oh and before I forget and it loses context, take a look at my neighbors Christmas decorations:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFgRWOT8KKY/TwFOYv113PI/AAAAAAAAAUc/OyBzNM9Y8sU/s1600/photo-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFgRWOT8KKY/TwFOYv113PI/AAAAAAAAAUc/OyBzNM9Y8sU/s320/photo-10.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a little creepy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-66297057150424718402011-12-30T09:21:00.000-08:002011-12-30T09:21:26.922-08:00Why yes, Honey - it is, as a matter of fact.....Me: Thank the sweet 8 oz baby Jesus!<br />
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MCH: Huh? Is that a new steak they are serving in Las Vegas?<br />
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Have a very Happy New Year everyone! May 2012 bring you many happy trails!</div>DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-63158090048852848232011-12-06T20:24:00.001-08:002011-12-06T20:34:04.113-08:00Foothill Mounted Patrol<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOo1GlS7081smw0BSujU-sUQuvrdgZn6oWDw0PfB09StXs_KvDWgRNtl3QlPEyeE7yiYW4RRkl14AV5Dd0wcEey2cOik0e-9Y5HQmtP2eMjN8-_Ic73STSCRlCbSINrq-flgHXlwBp1E/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOo1GlS7081smw0BSujU-sUQuvrdgZn6oWDw0PfB09StXs_KvDWgRNtl3QlPEyeE7yiYW4RRkl14AV5Dd0wcEey2cOik0e-9Y5HQmtP2eMjN8-_Ic73STSCRlCbSINrq-flgHXlwBp1E/s320/IMG_1444.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm so proud of my group! A handful of FMPers was able to start and complete the LAPD's Mounted Unit Post Certification. A very big deal indeed.<br />
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The days were long and the entire Evaluating, Training and Testing spanned the better part of the last half of the year.<br />
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I wish I could have been there with them! Hopefully I will be able to do it the next go round!<br />
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Good job, Guys!! You are rock stars!!<br />
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P.S pictures are random - and do not depict the certified team as a whole<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxWnzuoyOsDu-DaH1MyW7eu4L8o8iSYtzFAIGw7fC2pKD3DLhJz50lraVeR2N0vHnT1TN51KLtyf9yYF6pl_j8B8rVwQjrnul50I68HLS6IkCzErWhB0JphpPYHtJzIXsCAeY2NDN8nY/s1600/shapeimage_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxWnzuoyOsDu-DaH1MyW7eu4L8o8iSYtzFAIGw7fC2pKD3DLhJz50lraVeR2N0vHnT1TN51KLtyf9yYF6pl_j8B8rVwQjrnul50I68HLS6IkCzErWhB0JphpPYHtJzIXsCAeY2NDN8nY/s320/shapeimage_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If this idea excites you and you would like to become a part of what we do please go to our website and check out what it takes to join : <a href="http://www.foothillmountedpatrol.com/">FMP</a><br />
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<br />DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-21483196081302999332011-11-30T22:00:00.000-08:002011-11-30T22:02:06.293-08:00My Chickens are SPOILED and I'm a crazy person<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ7XIZweFZDfElInR0hrqmzjo_qQkcEfTTcyX9Cq1rFOKMrepnbxPkJCUxuDVSOgk5tsgNadGYmYLnroHg__xcjIJ1yy_ySZcIQ6Oh6W6b_H6ZM_eyXmeMjSsq86Ym2tm49fDn-qzisE/s1600/IMG_3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ7XIZweFZDfElInR0hrqmzjo_qQkcEfTTcyX9Cq1rFOKMrepnbxPkJCUxuDVSOgk5tsgNadGYmYLnroHg__xcjIJ1yy_ySZcIQ6Oh6W6b_H6ZM_eyXmeMjSsq86Ym2tm49fDn-qzisE/s320/IMG_3082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>True story: I just now, right this very hour, went outside and got my chickens and put them in the guest bathroom.<br />
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In the shower with towels, of course.<br />
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It's Hella windy out there tonight.<br />
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Next thing you know I will be knitting sweaters and little tiny beanies for them like this crazy woman - I might need a 12 step program .<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQu6IF7u4ZkRyEwoTXdHMRqHpLnCFJVljw67zflMDVAH9phVgGhDX-9Q0NS1v4Gv31TeWsl8snMSrD2x91LaJMtmO75_Rv-t1oZqa6HWy4FICu-LbHH_EyZPQxh2P7hOJ6H2u1asXwkU/s1600/chickensweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQu6IF7u4ZkRyEwoTXdHMRqHpLnCFJVljw67zflMDVAH9phVgGhDX-9Q0NS1v4Gv31TeWsl8snMSrD2x91LaJMtmO75_Rv-t1oZqa6HWy4FICu-LbHH_EyZPQxh2P7hOJ6H2u1asXwkU/s320/chickensweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGgZeC5m576CrDO7QhfAo-dDPO3GyYSukQs1voxjMnrwLh7P8Sw6rFA2cAMjK-8bRMavMXCY6t5hvWQaTUeNX2THDQh2PIZYI3Az78Rg0joEtuH0KN1vACJ6-5xcZDlpfI5f5Av-xIu4/s1600/thumbnail-1.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGgZeC5m576CrDO7QhfAo-dDPO3GyYSukQs1voxjMnrwLh7P8Sw6rFA2cAMjK-8bRMavMXCY6t5hvWQaTUeNX2THDQh2PIZYI3Az78Rg0joEtuH0KN1vACJ6-5xcZDlpfI5f5Av-xIu4/s1600/thumbnail-1.aspx.jpeg" /></a></div>DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-16475560289839327132011-11-24T19:18:00.000-08:002011-11-24T19:18:50.279-08:00Giving Thanks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> I have to give Thanks for all the amazing random Thanksgiving texts we received this morning!<br />
The best text of all time has to be :<br />
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" Happy Thanksgiven!" From one of our new friends on the East Coast. A hunter and a construction guy. He has a drawl. I think I might have to adopt him.<br />
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Here is my gratitude list for the year:<br />
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1. My Cowboy Husband<br />
2. My Willow, the Preshes and Little Country<br />
3. The Horse Nanny and her Love for Panda<br />
4.My new family - by marriage and friendship<br />
5. Our amazing equines<br />
6. Our Pack of canines<br />
7.My 4 remaining Jailhouse Chickens<br />
8.My clients who are the best people in the entire world<br />
9.All of my friends<br />
10. My storybook life<br />
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Oh and pie and Captain BBQ!!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2U6ydBNfv4Q3sH3ci1pmjFMW-m7b0TXxuuvA9L1f4F6RnuKSwOt4RXaRLi3YXxeoW1abCZxfrlbbiMAd0CXTEwrQ5RXtg1IT3DuPTP6aAozj-nd9pnQohWC9K_5AfB1oLrkkPt8O2RU/s1600/IMG_3059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2U6ydBNfv4Q3sH3ci1pmjFMW-m7b0TXxuuvA9L1f4F6RnuKSwOt4RXaRLi3YXxeoW1abCZxfrlbbiMAd0CXTEwrQ5RXtg1IT3DuPTP6aAozj-nd9pnQohWC9K_5AfB1oLrkkPt8O2RU/s320/IMG_3059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My prettiest apple pie yet<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokqb8BOrh3WrJ_pfFC8WKSXCDbm0hdybRVLpxBOYd8FcM2eavsRx4OefIAZWMIgo8JJpTyWJdRXfFyhpE7uM8jnfg7jR8_9DlkuoOuCW0n8d1fzJbuWXqLN87Gki9Gxxg80K_u43Cs9w/s1600/IMG_3061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokqb8BOrh3WrJ_pfFC8WKSXCDbm0hdybRVLpxBOYd8FcM2eavsRx4OefIAZWMIgo8JJpTyWJdRXfFyhpE7uM8jnfg7jR8_9DlkuoOuCW0n8d1fzJbuWXqLN87Gki9Gxxg80K_u43Cs9w/s320/IMG_3061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ugliest Pumpkin pie ever, but it's all from scratch - so who cares<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTw0B7NBAP8qh5K25O0mIDd016a73xBL_zIZo-vzIaqQStazAGHruaH0UthH_duKXM-loarGQnI75VlODU9MDIHT2wvl3hTDegNKtApA6VARtKu9j1OKXO-YreiWHrp60t9veiznHsaI4/s1600/IMG_0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTw0B7NBAP8qh5K25O0mIDd016a73xBL_zIZo-vzIaqQStazAGHruaH0UthH_duKXM-loarGQnI75VlODU9MDIHT2wvl3hTDegNKtApA6VARtKu9j1OKXO-YreiWHrp60t9veiznHsaI4/s320/IMG_0593.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay! Captain BBQ!! </td></tr>
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What are you grateful for this year?DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-79059230233261039192011-11-22T21:12:00.000-08:002011-11-22T21:12:52.727-08:00Bixby Barnabus Ratkiller , Y'all<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGsFPBSqB73YdYDsvJ88SHu74dPAFSdwAgKoCrxP7TJNggO2oUn8J4gRKws5X9Hk4nFXaCi8A3eKhdI6KfjqThiQH4igLsXNh_a4nGDy6EYJdn0cjqX7jZFhUi6iD79OXM_yN4BfgO1c/s1600/IMG_1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGsFPBSqB73YdYDsvJ88SHu74dPAFSdwAgKoCrxP7TJNggO2oUn8J4gRKws5X9Hk4nFXaCi8A3eKhdI6KfjqThiQH4igLsXNh_a4nGDy6EYJdn0cjqX7jZFhUi6iD79OXM_yN4BfgO1c/s320/IMG_1215.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He eats rats. He excels at vomiting. He completes me.<br />
He also sleeps with a sucked dry rat in his talon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-44507155045588966972011-10-28T10:06:00.000-07:002011-10-28T10:06:36.299-07:00WHOOOOO Killed Ben?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjEmMvoEscVkeyaiCF4v5CtOosMjmV0Fkl3COBUWl33nPv-m7umgOMZIdHcWaT8P9BnmM8HPJHAqF0qk7N0iwC1tMuEMHcB7oZQVETmAoou7KoZCFdwbEWt_BOxNdBpKx_58W6zgmrjE/s1600/IMG_2359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjEmMvoEscVkeyaiCF4v5CtOosMjmV0Fkl3COBUWl33nPv-m7umgOMZIdHcWaT8P9BnmM8HPJHAqF0qk7N0iwC1tMuEMHcB7oZQVETmAoou7KoZCFdwbEWt_BOxNdBpKx_58W6zgmrjE/s320/IMG_2359.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Victim, Ben Doe #45</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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If you guessed that what is left of Ben Doe #45 is an Owl Pellet - you would be right. Yes - that's right - an Owl Pellet aka Owl Vomit. Appetizing, No?<br />
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For months I have been finding these balls of "stuff" in my front yard, but much smaller and darker and not quite so "informative"at first glance. Apparently my Hawks also vomit up these pellets, but thy usually vomit up Pigeons and they always leave me the wings,which is so disconcerting it's fascinating, so its very unclear what a Hawk pellet is when you come upon one.They look more like something a Squirrel would throw at you then a regurgitated rodent, and yes, I consider Pigeons to be rats with wings.<br />
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This one was on my car, surrounded by a vast amount of Owl poop. I must be very Lucky indeed. I really should go and buy a Lottery Ticket when these things occur.<br />
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So here is the really amazing part - and I'm sad now that I was not aware of it before, because it would make for a great Etsy store. I could have been retired by now. Of course now that I am aware of it - they will vomit elsewhere.<br />
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Schools BUY these things!! Learn all about it <a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/dirty-jobs-owl-vomit-collector.htm">here</a> . You can also order your very own Owl pellet dissection kit <a href="http://www.x-entertainment.com/articles/0715/">here</a> . I'm happy to send you the next one that lands on my car. Or just Google Owl Vomit and go to town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpbaHLI6169bRiWpEAuMl2N2dMtLU85MpF8v2jupKRDxJl3kgdsFgYvY4X9hHiHOCOyHouoh3xGBtCFx4AR9MSea5eUo9Y1wyNbIm0LKjifF5Le5ZIA0ZpMrMuS7-jyZDfr1ZZePbTyw/s1600/thumbnail.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpbaHLI6169bRiWpEAuMl2N2dMtLU85MpF8v2jupKRDxJl3kgdsFgYvY4X9hHiHOCOyHouoh3xGBtCFx4AR9MSea5eUo9Y1wyNbIm0LKjifF5Le5ZIA0ZpMrMuS7-jyZDfr1ZZePbTyw/s1600/thumbnail.aspx.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had we dissected the Pellet</td></tr>
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Happy Trails!!DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-1955266614525208972011-09-11T12:55:00.000-07:002011-09-11T12:55:53.084-07:00Remembering 9-11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbKdqaaoGLOgKVE2bs6C3_VC9CLwrI9slfQFgQ0tnp_QcMv_4Q-xprsr9DI0d9clZGq9-QZnj25rtciYHbJJP4z0DmgK1ynstoliwFuY8VxIcqxcvChTNtg_6bOmvdslkoxIYQ7I7dWY/s1600/patriotic_cowboy-7180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbKdqaaoGLOgKVE2bs6C3_VC9CLwrI9slfQFgQ0tnp_QcMv_4Q-xprsr9DI0d9clZGq9-QZnj25rtciYHbJJP4z0DmgK1ynstoliwFuY8VxIcqxcvChTNtg_6bOmvdslkoxIYQ7I7dWY/s320/patriotic_cowboy-7180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
10 years ago on this date, I was getting ready to leave for work and I walked past the TV set and saw my roommates shocked expression. I looked and sat down hard - it felt like I was watching a Die Hard movie - it was so surreal.<br />
3 weeks later , I met an Officer who had lost his Canine partner in the first building. His command center was in the basement and his dog was in his kennel when the first plane hit. It's a miracle that this officer made it out alive. He did not have time to go back down to get his dog. When the plane hit - he felt a jolt - but nothing that would alarm him enough to bring his dog with him. He went upstairs and saw the debris falling from inside the lobby. At that point it was too late to go back down - he had to do his duty and get people out of the building to safety. A short while later - he had to leave the building himself.<br />
I also knew a lot of the Canine SAR teams that went.<br />
Today I am remembering that dog and that officer - and all of the service personnel who lost their lives saving others. My heart is sad for all of the families who lost their loved ones. My heart is proud of the Americans who did all they could to help.<br />
The one quote that sticks with me is this :<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;">"Are you guys ready? Let's roll!" -- Flight 93 passenger Todd Beamer, just before he and other passengers attacked the hijackers and saved a hit on the White House, Sept. 11.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px;"> Yeah - AMERICA - that is how we do it </span>DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-43458086178104066482011-09-10T23:33:00.000-07:002011-09-10T23:33:57.213-07:00Reason Number 87 : Why I LOVE where I liveBitches - I ask you - Where else can you be on your way home and be able to stop and try on hooker shoes on the side of the road?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYiZdWvKloZolMdhNZfTFQo8vNNDtp9hGKERMD3swiCHKno3eTFDdouuuhcMS3fij-GrB-TjjKjnTieG_3vauRYG5nDXrWS7XuSuZw_Gi6iUtkprqm2GTYlZNU5riuxY60EoWg08LDvA/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYiZdWvKloZolMdhNZfTFQo8vNNDtp9hGKERMD3swiCHKno3eTFDdouuuhcMS3fij-GrB-TjjKjnTieG_3vauRYG5nDXrWS7XuSuZw_Gi6iUtkprqm2GTYlZNU5riuxY60EoWg08LDvA/s320/image.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
Size 11 Stiletto Drag Shoes just screaming to be wrapped around a pole<br />
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Red Velvet - and I do not mean cake<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpC8AhWUvr4bfrzOjGFaSLkSuThfkfDunCMoOBF48klIiX6gta0PMG7qJ99QsF5M0o_g623_kqza9sUiUtDrBhlf8xRw3HeZYaHgADnRbgCUAUVUbovsfLDtj7U92aazahF1zzJBkQgs/s1600/IMG_1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpC8AhWUvr4bfrzOjGFaSLkSuThfkfDunCMoOBF48klIiX6gta0PMG7qJ99QsF5M0o_g623_kqza9sUiUtDrBhlf8xRw3HeZYaHgADnRbgCUAUVUbovsfLDtj7U92aazahF1zzJBkQgs/s320/IMG_1584.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Yellow Disco Feather extravaganza<br />
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And the lovely "custom made for some lady up in the hills" sparklefest glam boots<br />
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All of this loveliness - 10.00 each - on the side of the road - literally spilling out a U-Haul . Hmmm- shadey? Not shadey? You decide. All I know is not a dime left my wallet - but much entertainment was had . Therefore - my Hood Rocks!DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-32549998576400647632011-09-04T23:03:00.000-07:002011-09-19T10:14:51.606-07:00A Normal Person Would Have Started Physical Therapy By NowYes - truer words have never been spoken. That was said to me on my umpteenth visit to my home away from home : URGENT CARE , where I am on a first name basis with the girls at the front desk.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViH3na_V8ioztf6WOghectwstwpblnxh5iyzF1KdsCR6jSqWwGZh7b06U6fni5XmY9LjgDOdpaPF_wWEF6DChi4oyNmM-0oi9wOUsZQO8me2FELWK5hoLgxL0HeKqR48nvfrw6xzwS7E/s1600/IMG_1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViH3na_V8ioztf6WOghectwstwpblnxh5iyzF1KdsCR6jSqWwGZh7b06U6fni5XmY9LjgDOdpaPF_wWEF6DChi4oyNmM-0oi9wOUsZQO8me2FELWK5hoLgxL0HeKqR48nvfrw6xzwS7E/s320/IMG_1599.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>There is a sign outside that makes me laugh every time I see it - like it is directed at me specifically -<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRXOfVC0HRUp7qogZhWqUTRW-nepANBeH4gRd5oQU_kXq9FeAeoCeca7yh7irVZ3A4-aQDmnzSygnBbQwId0oz0qKdU_dkg0ADH41mT95nnj3Z-NLbJsPxjKnEloiwH78OGPOx_82hqM/s1600/IMG_1600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRXOfVC0HRUp7qogZhWqUTRW-nepANBeH4gRd5oQU_kXq9FeAeoCeca7yh7irVZ3A4-aQDmnzSygnBbQwId0oz0qKdU_dkg0ADH41mT95nnj3Z-NLbJsPxjKnEloiwH78OGPOx_82hqM/s320/IMG_1600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I make sure I only come in right after feeding.<br />
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After asking the doctor to define normal, I concurred and was taken straight away to the fabulously friendly Victor to set up all of my appointments.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIDNbrtWA9pA3vKxXEVCAdamIktD4Yn4zfyrREuvLLzibb_3lcHdoIVcfGsigWtQgh9KCBtgpfTH46-UPBfmb2pYUR9RijKfxaxx0GzYko_1Zy3ju3Mwd9RZQtj3lQASWU2vulqJ6FE8/s1600/IMG_1601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIDNbrtWA9pA3vKxXEVCAdamIktD4Yn4zfyrREuvLLzibb_3lcHdoIVcfGsigWtQgh9KCBtgpfTH46-UPBfmb2pYUR9RijKfxaxx0GzYko_1Zy3ju3Mwd9RZQtj3lQASWU2vulqJ6FE8/s320/IMG_1601.JPG" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victor at Performax Physical Therapy - who is also a great masseuse </td></tr>
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Here is how the leg looked before my team of demons began the process of breaking up the contusion.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhOLVVSERCpiGfW6OydZqHl2kkIxF6klhotxBYKE9InXH4rONF1NVQxHWEoRbbli-EVuTv8B0daa1H511ypTckGGmD6ubTCH-g-6_sBRFZa7XUpU62q3gRc3Mzaew7kjjiUsMuCG7F3Y/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhOLVVSERCpiGfW6OydZqHl2kkIxF6klhotxBYKE9InXH4rONF1NVQxHWEoRbbli-EVuTv8B0daa1H511ypTckGGmD6ubTCH-g-6_sBRFZa7XUpU62q3gRc3Mzaew7kjjiUsMuCG7F3Y/s320/IMG_1396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>That is at 10 weeks. Can you make out the hoof mark?<br />
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Here is how it looked after the tiniest demon, Thea, got ahold of me:<br />
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Sweet HayZues - I did not sleep until the next session.<br />
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So - I have a village of people working on this leg - I have Victor - who makes sure I have enough BioFreeze to get me through the next cold war and books all of my appointments, I have Steve who is responsible for creating the program that sends my fingernails through the cushions, I have Thea aka Tiny Demon , who has the strongest tiniest fingers in the world and can officially take the title of bringing me past my pain tolerance - which is ridiculously high.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmibkjOoOptJ4Dtsbc6_5_tF_zph1iPtr7GDuabgIe8ifM0J7a5tj4T9P7ZA7X3F6ZP2bAEyn_ocGHDc4F99KahLKKBf1VH2Lg_YaCC0qOMWkmz2u2yZfjXyIe7m4zhdqeVyFBjG8yKw/s1600/IMG_1721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmibkjOoOptJ4Dtsbc6_5_tF_zph1iPtr7GDuabgIe8ifM0J7a5tj4T9P7ZA7X3F6ZP2bAEyn_ocGHDc4F99KahLKKBf1VH2Lg_YaCC0qOMWkmz2u2yZfjXyIe7m4zhdqeVyFBjG8yKw/s320/IMG_1721.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thea, my tiny demon - who is in fact - just the sweetest thing - which is why it is so surprising she can bring me to my knees!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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I bow to her and respectfully ask for someone else to torture my leg and then there are Jorge and Chad who take turns doing the physical therapy. I feel very special indeed. All I am missing is Rei - who for some reason has not been assigned to me - really I think I need everyone in the building.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3dt9BYWHcRqUpFS7mboiGEm0Z-gz689E3XLpr0FbpnIw80lzBae8Uik4ESwfI_LfeaExkx0bFfu7PTkjtONFgVVczSuKa_tjrbfxFwTAmrpWtZpf-3jyuC_-9Q3aTqdhYcG-olXIiTM/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3dt9BYWHcRqUpFS7mboiGEm0Z-gz689E3XLpr0FbpnIw80lzBae8Uik4ESwfI_LfeaExkx0bFfu7PTkjtONFgVVczSuKa_tjrbfxFwTAmrpWtZpf-3jyuC_-9Q3aTqdhYcG-olXIiTM/s320/IMG_1606.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jorge, Steve, Chad and Rei </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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Here is what I found out in Physical Therapy : I have a tear in my calf, it was not always there, but by wearing flip flops for the first 10 weeks I tore the muscle above the contusion . Yay me! The one time I felt good enough to ride a horse ? Yeah - I tore it some more. The incessant burning in my leg should have been a clue. Did I mention my ridiculously high pain tolerance?<br />
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So - If I'm lucky I might be back on a horse next week - for 10 minute rides. Keep your fingers crossed. One more thing - this place is the best Physical Therapy I have ever gotten. They don't advertise, ya'll. PerformaX Physical Therapy - 818-953-4457 - tell your Doctor you want to go here. I wish I would have known about them when my head met the ground a few years ago.<br />
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In other ranch news :<br />
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MCH brought a new horse home yesterday - Beamer.<br />
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I spent the first half of today chilling in the ER because I got my hand caught in a dogs mouth whilst breaking up a dog fight. It's not that bad, just have not had a Tetanus shot in about 6 years - and peeps - little known fact - some of the worst Staph infections I have seen are from these little baby bites from dogs that people don't think are a big deal. My hands are my livelihood.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PRQYqvsGQcqUGiEg6Vy9_QYVq1Qn60UTKbhzS93k6-Bu3u9fV5TDI72e8mNEJaI4KqOGwSrmS9sG64puyGSW3RLr32Ypwfssnw1Z7RVrcw24pLmRR2z-4gICrHtrChrlwKrc5KkvWjk/s1600/IMG_1554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PRQYqvsGQcqUGiEg6Vy9_QYVq1Qn60UTKbhzS93k6-Bu3u9fV5TDI72e8mNEJaI4KqOGwSrmS9sG64puyGSW3RLr32Ypwfssnw1Z7RVrcw24pLmRR2z-4gICrHtrChrlwKrc5KkvWjk/s320/IMG_1554.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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And then the universe announced all was right with world and put a rainbow over the house. Or maybe Murphy ( as in Murphy's Law) moved down the road and this was the sign<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsluOZcOUjYbvHOtGtO6_j8rgY37daAK1KQOWDN46CwKPZR08aPZwy5mQ_HT2LyWQZuUtlHoPG62vyu0mYLy_pB7mES2auSHRUy4XTr1fHPsTLulUkQg9hKD1pehxssQJRQd0fbY9Qmc/s1600/IMG_1544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsluOZcOUjYbvHOtGtO6_j8rgY37daAK1KQOWDN46CwKPZR08aPZwy5mQ_HT2LyWQZuUtlHoPG62vyu0mYLy_pB7mES2auSHRUy4XTr1fHPsTLulUkQg9hKD1pehxssQJRQd0fbY9Qmc/s320/IMG_1544.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Good times and Happy Trails!!DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-50866446011806588862011-08-21T22:25:00.000-07:002011-08-21T22:25:56.478-07:00Hay-Hay-Hay - you say........Here is my beautiful fantabulous new hay tucked up into it's cozy little bed - I could have cried when I came home to this<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSrcazxz-mWUikTB2rv5JI-AX4dotsHDsFbca2hA140IjWMq8sKoYxA5OjWPBe9dGyDl566xzBHele3lCavIl0pI-HiJwfi8WyPZZ-xl7_deHU2_6aABMY9j76y72AAGIpwSR0LYVwvU/s1600/IMG_1383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSrcazxz-mWUikTB2rv5JI-AX4dotsHDsFbca2hA140IjWMq8sKoYxA5OjWPBe9dGyDl566xzBHele3lCavIl0pI-HiJwfi8WyPZZ-xl7_deHU2_6aABMY9j76y72AAGIpwSR0LYVwvU/s320/IMG_1383.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We figured out that I have 58 days worth of feed here - plus the trash that I WAS feeding for backup - which gives me an extra 12 days of feed if I so desire to use it( I'm thinking that the old hay is kinda like Spaghettios or Spam - you eat it if you absolutely have to - in an emergency). By The way - have you ever noticed how similar sounding the second syllable is in Spaghettios to Ghetto? Just sayin'.<br />
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Here is the very exciting thing about my new hay - very little shake and the bales stay TOGETHER once you cut the twine. I can not say how close this is to a Religious experience - it has literally been years since I have experienced this. Look for yourself - I have no idea how to use Photoshop :<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoOShn5icIiWdflcXvkt-Jrichy4xkHLyTGqQD_DiCGQk5kuK0KoACzHRavKkDBFeOGd3Ydcd_3aXdPYoWgWTfTqy7sRyhzrXVTiBKnRj1VBGbYpL1UEGs9mJsQ227a63D7B_SPXR0bg/s1600/IMG_1385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoOShn5icIiWdflcXvkt-Jrichy4xkHLyTGqQD_DiCGQk5kuK0KoACzHRavKkDBFeOGd3Ydcd_3aXdPYoWgWTfTqy7sRyhzrXVTiBKnRj1VBGbYpL1UEGs9mJsQ227a63D7B_SPXR0bg/s320/IMG_1385.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Seriously - this is Oat Hay. Ask yourself - when is the last time you cut a bale of Oat Hay open and it did not explode all over Hell and Creation? Obviously, I was so in awe I had to whip out my camera and take a photo of possibly the most inane of all inanimate objects.<br />
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So - after all this very scientific calculating and oohing an aahing over the GD hay - life goes back to normal. Until I wake up and realize that I left the fan on all GD night and I never took anyones mask off - here is my morning greeting ;<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG_TutWb1vUSLIgDMEv4Slsx_i0tv5P4E05NPkTFcTk-mfm8_WlbhtehOkrxl256PNe4CGYj6zEbVhDAxn4KheKPAlHnu8flLQe2nBHLdwf9KKUKjTkrpxSMJVPH3U8aP5Hv9O6-rFUc/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG_TutWb1vUSLIgDMEv4Slsx_i0tv5P4E05NPkTFcTk-mfm8_WlbhtehOkrxl256PNe4CGYj6zEbVhDAxn4KheKPAlHnu8flLQe2nBHLdwf9KKUKjTkrpxSMJVPH3U8aP5Hv9O6-rFUc/s320/IMG_1393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Can you not just hear them saying Good Morning Moron? UGH! Better yet - I am sooo distracted by my faux pas that apparently I forget to latch MPS stall gate. That would be the unflappable Pinto in the Lady Gaga Headgear you see pictured to the right. He was out and about on a 1/ 2 acre of unsecured horse yard until 3 pm that day - because MCH was in the front of the house with the dogs watching History Channel and our guy who comes everyday without fail at 12pm got a part time job and showed up at 3pm. <br />
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Guess what? I now have 55 days of really great feed and mucho DG work to tend to.<br />
AHHH Horses. If I did not love them to the ends of the Earth I might be supporting the black market in Europe. Ok ! Ok! Simmer down - it was a bad joke. I DO Not Support any of that - no matter how mad I get. But - Bitches - I KNOW you feel me on this.<br />
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So one more photo of a horse calling me out on my lack of consideration for their comfort that ill fated morning in August:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tUoqAUyUfTliB-_3HBcU8IdoVkWgJ6NXm2BUG13pi07BNVv9BuIJu_F0MhsSncWOcJIq-KsnQupjLZsKdBs_Y0Ubti3ZJdHGmuo8hGG4I0qzjheVCJs6mEqkXANEG4xZo9d-L-V6CAI/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tUoqAUyUfTliB-_3HBcU8IdoVkWgJ6NXm2BUG13pi07BNVv9BuIJu_F0MhsSncWOcJIq-KsnQupjLZsKdBs_Y0Ubti3ZJdHGmuo8hGG4I0qzjheVCJs6mEqkXANEG4xZo9d-L-V6CAI/s320/IMG_1395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>See - he was clearly waiting for me to mess up -<br />
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Happy trails until next time!DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-66542410071597774692011-08-15T22:02:00.000-07:002011-08-15T22:02:38.242-07:00Nothin like a hay rash to end the dayOy - I spend more time obsessing about hay. There was a time where it was easy to get, easy to buy and the quality rarely was bad.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeY1pNmZU5b_vfNGwg8J81wZPVwScLY7nI67p3ACY1WwGWRsWQBn_VDy9dalpXyiSWQ7gMiv5mbVYLtF7glOxvzKWVjrIn97JXA0xK8ku1EwsWqcfZ6zs3Fu5nMkbQfi8OJ0jY1xetvw/s1600/IMG_1376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeY1pNmZU5b_vfNGwg8J81wZPVwScLY7nI67p3ACY1WwGWRsWQBn_VDy9dalpXyiSWQ7gMiv5mbVYLtF7glOxvzKWVjrIn97JXA0xK8ku1EwsWqcfZ6zs3Fu5nMkbQfi8OJ0jY1xetvw/s320/IMG_1376.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLe0ryYpUonxm1OnULsjrVMz2zH7L_tOwo1u4p8arPFR_zTII31-0jzJQZJZphP5t_zIYtNz2JCNaGe3v6RZGPn-1zscRfrIj0iGd0kube1r9JJL1_8cdXwA9C2NtXY2PQQ_i4aeLTYTo/s1600/IMG_1379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLe0ryYpUonxm1OnULsjrVMz2zH7L_tOwo1u4p8arPFR_zTII31-0jzJQZJZphP5t_zIYtNz2JCNaGe3v6RZGPn-1zscRfrIj0iGd0kube1r9JJL1_8cdXwA9C2NtXY2PQQ_i4aeLTYTo/s320/IMG_1379.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Now - there is always some hay drama going on - prices up, all the fields being sold overseas, rocks, dirt, mold, dust. smooshed rabbits, tarantulas. It goes on and on.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIHi99g5pqoFUUWy9jDDZCujK0kvdp6ABfUbt6dHcGXUDs90CXaqBbGGGB_RsPQzh71rXftfl22uV3N8qoFF-nE8ec1JAfi0I7-1kX1o7Y2vK5Hm1TLOdhFN3Kq2vCErLwGcXUoSuE8M/s1600/IMG_1373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIHi99g5pqoFUUWy9jDDZCujK0kvdp6ABfUbt6dHcGXUDs90CXaqBbGGGB_RsPQzh71rXftfl22uV3N8qoFF-nE8ec1JAfi0I7-1kX1o7Y2vK5Hm1TLOdhFN3Kq2vCErLwGcXUoSuE8M/s320/IMG_1373.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new fabu hay on the left measly old hay on the right</td></tr>
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We drove 136 miles round trip to go get hay today. Was it worth it? Oh yeah!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHGTUSPnI2L8ZwLS31zEaesVDotG1JKFvgZXfgpmDH-KvE-SQZT6lienMh7FnEp9e_W4H49DTf1MmDoPsTfgozyS_eu75sCByxlIv62hgCZ_iz9te2rS5Uq7AHiow1IdYrhnCQb8JZ-k/s1600/IMG_1367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHGTUSPnI2L8ZwLS31zEaesVDotG1JKFvgZXfgpmDH-KvE-SQZT6lienMh7FnEp9e_W4H49DTf1MmDoPsTfgozyS_eu75sCByxlIv62hgCZ_iz9te2rS5Uq7AHiow1IdYrhnCQb8JZ-k/s320/IMG_1367.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It was so flippin windy when we got there it actually moved me off my feet a little. I have hay in my hair, wind burn, I have a nice hay rash and my leg is pretty much swollen. Still - totally worth it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-U12YTKh3hlr1s9RePNW1Bw0Xrzs8viqMarMBGI1wyhIVERBU4lvLNIO2jXpMCp9t1zbYPHXNFY5qUeAzkxhgofD1UYi5TLa17sJwnpsEaC7rL_-WuKTJvaloSWVrZvEvOPO97UhBykc/s1600/IMG_1364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-U12YTKh3hlr1s9RePNW1Bw0Xrzs8viqMarMBGI1wyhIVERBU4lvLNIO2jXpMCp9t1zbYPHXNFY5qUeAzkxhgofD1UYi5TLa17sJwnpsEaC7rL_-WuKTJvaloSWVrZvEvOPO97UhBykc/s320/IMG_1364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcP0CaciDnmHP2uMYqnyWc30XPSEGray0px804ZaE5CDX9aS0UGOc64uCMyUZNnuPLPNLx-h5zAAiDa8vgRPsuUsITf3TFNcc7pr_p6g2Etbz-fD3yVBk3fpnh9KGAGS70aLEVS-W7oo/s1600/IMG_1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcP0CaciDnmHP2uMYqnyWc30XPSEGray0px804ZaE5CDX9aS0UGOc64uCMyUZNnuPLPNLx-h5zAAiDa8vgRPsuUsITf3TFNcc7pr_p6g2Etbz-fD3yVBk3fpnh9KGAGS70aLEVS-W7oo/s320/IMG_1372.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I had no idea what to expect. Thank the Sweet Baby J that I actually had the presence of mind to call ahead and find out what entrance we had to use. We passed it anyway.<br />
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I don't know what I was thinking really. I used to help with haying in the NW. I should know better to not wear jeans and a long sleeved shirt. Oh well.<br />
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There were some people there buying up their 3rd cut Alfalfa and looking at me like I was crazy with my 3 way and Grass mix. This is some sweet Orchard, and the 3 way - nice!The Alfalfa was pretty loud, you could see the green from the main road. Not for me. But a killer price none the less.<br />
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Thanks to Simms Bumpy Road Ranch for the tip.<br />
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So what did I pay for an excellent quality feed? I got twice as much at half the price as my last 3 loads from my local dealer. I got a better ratio grass to alfalfa mix for 3 dollars less than the hay dealer who totally dropped the ball on me. Cost of gas and time? Still worth it. I'm a pretty happy horse owner right now!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjN79_rjB6jZ5-0zVdAL1B3jHgt3HS3fKjarezLyjBp9WpQZNv2K8cUGwMIj8HCqP9RL28y70MgI47cSebLQG-APGtrJzLZdMH_u44KWtDAxjqP6B7G9DO4Dow4bgn3Z32JHVDo0Suzg/s1600/IMG_1382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjN79_rjB6jZ5-0zVdAL1B3jHgt3HS3fKjarezLyjBp9WpQZNv2K8cUGwMIj8HCqP9RL28y70MgI47cSebLQG-APGtrJzLZdMH_u44KWtDAxjqP6B7G9DO4Dow4bgn3Z32JHVDo0Suzg/s320/IMG_1382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>One last Picture : this is 3 weeks worth of shake out of the hay barn. In another three weeks I will repost how well this new hay holds together. At least we have cows to feed so it does not go to waste - but wow - that kills me everytime I look at it.<br />
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DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-74902074978268906932011-08-14T14:09:00.000-07:002011-08-14T21:33:39.317-07:00What would you expect out of a pig but a grunt?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPY3s7eV76yZwPAdkKoAMGB6W-MOB47nl8MM6UegH-BbYw3rtcv2uNNe0No7G62PXnK0pwmQquU7UlgLVPjRWz7QHwsY63M2udxeZ5daEG_DmEr2Zg-RTOwOCK0QcGj7Kyy9nlTfTgGc/s1600/thumbnail.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPY3s7eV76yZwPAdkKoAMGB6W-MOB47nl8MM6UegH-BbYw3rtcv2uNNe0No7G62PXnK0pwmQquU7UlgLVPjRWz7QHwsY63M2udxeZ5daEG_DmEr2Zg-RTOwOCK0QcGj7Kyy9nlTfTgGc/s1600/thumbnail.aspx.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If The Ocean were Whiskey and I was a Duck - I'd swim to the bottom and never come up......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rye whiskey, Rye whiskey, Rye whiskey I cry...........................................................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My wee drunken Irishman come back to life as a Heinz 57 Terrier . I think of the Whiskey song (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA0TaMsp88w">www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA0TaMsp88w</a>) every time he does something remotely testosterone inspired.When I say that this dude is an Irishman reincarnated as a tough ass dog - I say it with as much conviction as the Dali Llama speaking about World Peace. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJkA5dtcCAZKPIrvEwqq1rLhpek1YVDfSrQo_11UrL8sV54LSVQ1e-X07IzgHVxRG__GeAafSrgl3hLvxa_nlPjtqnC_YDEJ1xPFeVWziVcWgvUcei0GrIWxTHcRFIAQHzUtyRboEM3Y/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJkA5dtcCAZKPIrvEwqq1rLhpek1YVDfSrQo_11UrL8sV54LSVQ1e-X07IzgHVxRG__GeAafSrgl3hLvxa_nlPjtqnC_YDEJ1xPFeVWziVcWgvUcei0GrIWxTHcRFIAQHzUtyRboEM3Y/s320/IMG_0090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">His name is Riley. Cute right? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZgjFZJvdEZwus0RDhFFLdr9nD10w98HRHfc21Jg07HBmhjWXz9ZPtmTXsQXrwNRC8RPeKIACeGbXuVCcRCZS0eKJfrMzUL_sEUWam6UsjbSbWhqN01bhu8ZBhQOuabxsLGmzeJm_hN0/s1600/47654-Drunk-Irishman-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZgjFZJvdEZwus0RDhFFLdr9nD10w98HRHfc21Jg07HBmhjWXz9ZPtmTXsQXrwNRC8RPeKIACeGbXuVCcRCZS0eKJfrMzUL_sEUWam6UsjbSbWhqN01bhu8ZBhQOuabxsLGmzeJm_hN0/s320/47654-Drunk-Irishman-0.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I picture him like this(but with much bigger arms) previous to asking to come back as a dog. Or maybe like this </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Coming back as my dog was a good call - but he truly went on a firewalk to get to my house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Prior to moving into our current house I went for a visit to a friends house down the road a bit from our new house. I was horrified to learn , with my own eyes, that the rats here come with their own tack and they really are belligerent little buggers with us two legged sissys. Sauntering about, back and forth - loitering and leering ; they have opposable thumbs and prehensile tails too( I exaggerate for effect here). They have mastered the art of flipping the bird, which is so frustrating for me because I just have never been any good at it. The worst part is they reduce me - and a few of my friends into sissy, screaming, jump on a chair ,Tweedle Dee and Dums. I hate the sound of my girly scream - so embarrassing. I could use a little less estrogen in that department. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Enter my decision that we HAVE GOT TO GET ONE MORE DOG!! I just don't see how my two current dogs,Cash and Babe, are going to git r done. I won't think of a cat at this point. Not one of my brighter moments, by the way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I decide I want to get a Corgi or maybe a Border Terrier. I'm going to buy (GASP) one, dammit! Now - none of my dogs have ever been purchased. They all have come to me someway or another - mostly free and don't let the door hit you on the way out please and thank you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Out of guilt I tell my friend Jill about my plan. Now Jill must have been Saint Francis in a previous life. Ask and ye shall receive, not one hour later - I get an email with a picture of what appears to be a Corgi/Border Terrier. Oh my God - this dog is sooooo cute!! I call right away - because there is no way he is still available. He's at a rescue in Redondo Beach( <a href="http://www.roverrescue.com/">www.roverrescue.com</a>). Any of you who have called a rescue for any reason whatsoever, know they do not answer the phone. Its an unwritten code. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Imagine my surprise when someone picks up. I tell James all about myself and our life. That we want a dog who is a bit of a bastard because he needs to help me keep the rat brigade out of the yard. He has to get along with other dogs, blah blah. I also ask - what is wrong with him that you still have him - the answer : food aggression . I am in over drive now. This is one of my easier to manage canine issues. Great! When can we see him?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">MCH is not pleased with me - why Redondo Beach? Why on a Friday late afternoon? Why does he have to come? Why do we really need another dog? Why?Why?Why? He's going to cost how much??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We all load into the SUV, MCH, Cash and Babe. We drive almost 2 hours in traffic. We arrive and out he comes. Popeye legs and cute little beard. He is not pleased at first to see 2 extra dogs. We walk and talk and in about 15 minutes we are back at the house and they are all running around like old pals. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are sprung on this dog. But - does he get on with horses? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two days later poor James drives to THE VALLEY. Those beach people just don't leave the coast. Its a mild day by our standards, but he's dying. He meets me at Gibson Ranch (<a href="http://www.gibsonranch.us/">www.gibsonranch.us</a>) and I put one of our more dog friendly horses into the round pen and James brings him in on a leash. He's scared but not barking. All I need to see. Home Check done! Paperwork signed! Check filled out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">James is hemming and hawing a little bit, and he says to me that Riley can be a little territorial and we really have to stay on top of his obedience and that he can get a little growly at times. I wave him off - "it's all good James. I train aggressive dogs - it's no biggie. " He leaves. Riley cries at the door for almost 2 hours. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I have fostered and trained a lot of rescue dogs in my day. I have been the one to drop them off at the new owners home. I have never been on the other side of the door for one of the tougher placements.It was heart wrenching. I almost called him to come back and get him. Riley had been with James for 3 months. Before that he was being boarded at a dog care facility that works with Rover Rescue. Before that he had been with a family who adored him, but returned him because of his resource guarding (food aggression). Before that he had been with Rover Rescue after being pulled from The Baldwin Park Animal Shelter as a puppy. That is a not so great place - mainly because they have a very high number of strays in the area they service and not enough homes - which translates to a very high kill rate and they also were at one point selling dogs to research facilities. If a dog comes in as an owner surrender they have maybe 3 days, a stray will have maybe 5. Can you imagine? Ugh! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">James put an extraordinary amount of effort into making Riley the best dog he could be. Imagine my delight at having a dog that was already trained. He does it all. That NEVER happens to me. It was 3 months later that we found out what this dog had going on - he is a pretty gnarly dude. First he has throat damage - so he reverse sneezes - looks like an asthma attack or when a dog has something lodged in his nostril. He panics and you better stay away from him or he might snap at you. He also does resource guard more than food. He guards me. Or he did. I'm pretty sure I know why that family returned him. I can also say that my house is the best house for him. He does not communicate like other dogs do - he growls and bares his teeth all the while rubbing and rolling on his back and finding your hand to pet his head or belly. It's the craziest thing I have ever experienced. I initially tried to correct it, but I realized it was part of his ritual with MCH. He's a little more subdued with me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He is also one Hell of a hunter and he can peacefully co-habitat with the horses better then the rest of the pack. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He has become our ambassador. You should see him when my girlfriends come by - he has a million expressions and he will literally try them all out on each person until he finds the one that gets him the most attention. Each friend elicits a separate posture and facial expression from him. It is a riot! He also will not use his growly talk with any house guest. Men get a whole other experience - he will launch himself at them and invariably makes contact just below the navel - You know what I'm talking about...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjicnXbsMJSvUoQMpsDi-eSzKJOsqmPbRxYcqMzcMRCvWe34IlI7VBW1_6LWfUcQmWUrv97YvYc2-xUfTiDu2_EObnH9zd6fTJPOArKoH9DdNry8k-Qwkf109xjk5FQRq8aSIB2W_28I/s1600/IMG_1341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjicnXbsMJSvUoQMpsDi-eSzKJOsqmPbRxYcqMzcMRCvWe34IlI7VBW1_6LWfUcQmWUrv97YvYc2-xUfTiDu2_EObnH9zd6fTJPOArKoH9DdNry8k-Qwkf109xjk5FQRq8aSIB2W_28I/s320/IMG_1341.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Irishman reference you might ask? Without prompting each and every person who has spent any time with him equates him to the friendly yet somewhat belligerent and pushy drunken Irishman stereotype. I really must agree.......</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-61856137381820169422011-08-10T22:08:00.000-07:002011-08-10T22:11:09.111-07:00Poncho - the Great and Ornery Cuss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIa7MVqPU8QskV0RKheq_WKYyORHmqNEWfmfpwSgF3kc6gcec1BtLogsZddYlTl8eKc4U7EEWywvGoTCeXYyo8a3sirbQXXIcAisvJFvPF3rjqLfWoB6ysJfalezeNixmEmCpInxPV3Zg/s1600/cisco-kid-nk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIa7MVqPU8QskV0RKheq_WKYyORHmqNEWfmfpwSgF3kc6gcec1BtLogsZddYlTl8eKc4U7EEWywvGoTCeXYyo8a3sirbQXXIcAisvJFvPF3rjqLfWoB6ysJfalezeNixmEmCpInxPV3Zg/s1600/cisco-kid-nk.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy of <a href="http://www.kids-n-cowboys.com/">www.kids-n-cowboys.com</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now - just look at that photo above - Poncho looks like a pleasant enough fellow - while his equine buddy Loco looks , well, Loco. Someone never gave my wonderful 18 year old grade Sorrel Quarter horse the memo that he was supposed to emulate his namesake and not take the horses name to heart. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The American Heritage Dictionary defines Ornery like this: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><span class="hw" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">or·ner·y</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><span class="pron" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(128, 158, 131); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; cursor: pointer;">(ôr<img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/prime.gif" />n<img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/schwa.gif" />-r<img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/emacr.gif" />)</span></span></div><div class="pseg" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><i>adj.</i> <b>or·ner·i·er</b>, <b>or·ner·i·est</b><br />
<div class="ds-single" style="margin-left: 1cm;">Mean-spirited, disagreeable, and contrary in disposition; cantankerous.<br />
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</div><div>The Ornery American <a href="http://www.ornery.org/">www.ornery.org</a> gives us it's origin: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The word "ornery" began as "ordinary." In the days when you were either of the "gentle" class or merely "ordinary," parents would say to their stubborn children when they refused to do as they were told, "Don't be so ordin'ry."</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio98pZ4vTLDjvCoWKU6RChBx7P_w6GjnKkRFYQckMeyURB7RwbPr9RshN0zo_V0movC4LtlALjbdQEw3zevTDWedEGojktwPXmIePfcwKw5FZTxOIkd80inZrqH_V08L9xpLUrODbMEPU/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio98pZ4vTLDjvCoWKU6RChBx7P_w6GjnKkRFYQckMeyURB7RwbPr9RshN0zo_V0movC4LtlALjbdQEw3zevTDWedEGojktwPXmIePfcwKw5FZTxOIkd80inZrqH_V08L9xpLUrODbMEPU/s320/IMG_0203.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Funny. He is certainly an <i>ordinary </i>horse who is most certainly <i>Ornery. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;">He's also a <i>cuss. </i>The American Heritage Dictionary describes the word like this: </span></span><span class="hw" style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">cuss</span> <span class="pron" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(128, 158, 131); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; cursor: pointer;">(k<img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/ubreve.gif" />s)</span> <i>Informal</i><br />
<div class="pseg"><i>intr. & tr.v.</i> <b>cussed</b>, <b>cuss·ing</b>, <b>cuss·es</b><br />
<div class="ds-single" style="margin-left: 1cm;">To curse or curse at.</div></div><div class="pseg"><i>n.</i><br />
<div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;"><b>1. </b>A curse.</div><div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;"><b>2. </b>An odd or perverse person or creature.</div><div class="ds-list" style="margin-left: 1cm;"><br />
</div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;"> I mean that in the most loving way of course. Kind of how you would possibly refer to a lumberjack frat boy in the outskirts of Siberia - you don't want to know about that kind of mischief, but he's your boy, so you just gotta love him despite the fact that some of his pranks just border on downright mean spiritedness. You know what I'm talking about - like some of those Deadliest Catch Boat Captains. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;">After I bought him and had him safely tucked away on my property-in my pasture - the father of the man I bought him from says to me - "Yep , you want to watch out for that one - he's gonna kill someone one of these days. I told my boy that was a bad apple" and I just laughed at him and thought what a silly old farmer. This is a GREAT horse. He shucks everyone around, he's always lagging at the end of the line. Sure he'll kick another horses teeth out if it gets too close, sure he'll buck out when you ask him for a lope - but really - he's a good ol boy. I'm only using him for mountain trail riding anyway. Hmfph!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;">Weeeeelllll, he was great when he was living on a 10 acre pasture, free feeding Timothy to his hearts content to the tune of 300 lbs overweight, and only being asked to go for a few trips a month, and he was the guest horse - no one EVER asked him to do anything but stay slow and steady except for the guy who sold him to me, and he LOVED that horse and it was mutual - so he would ride with me most of the time or I would pack my stuff on him when I took off for the day up the mountain. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;">Fast forward to moving him to California into the High Desert. Gone were the trees, the creek, the good clay soil, the grass. Enter the wind, the rocks and the scrub, and a 2 acre pasture. All we had on a good day was a blustery cow pasture and some utility roads. Poncho was not happy. Enter the goofy trainer who told me I had to be aggressive in my movements with him in order to get him to mind - ha - yeah right crazy Gorilla man. I wound up moving him to Ojai (<a href="http://www.osopaintsonline.com/">www.osopaintsonline.com</a>)where we had better feed and trees and much better weather. I am asking him to cart me around an arena every week, and go out on trail - BY HIMSELF ! I am also asking him to do things he's never been trained to do . I have MCH (my Cowboy Boyfriend back then) who knows how to ride and how to ask for things, unlike unsophisticated me, who just rode game trails and had done some speed events back in the day. Lordy, the pressure was on. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;">I finally settle in a place and bring the horses close to home (<a href="http://www.summerhawkranch.com/">www.summerhawkranch.com</a>). He is now living in a 12 x 24 for the first time in his life. Did I mention he has a tough time making friends? OH BOY! He gets himself all banged up - and then I realize that its not his shoulder - it's his feet - his coffin bones have turned an 1/8 th of an inch - this is where I learn how bad Alfalfa can actually be. So no more Alfalfa and 8 months off from the trail. I get my stalls built, I move him home.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;">So what happens when you take one Bully and you have no pasture, a healthy dose of fear of all the traffic in the park where we ride,and no more barn traffic ? You got it - Bad Bad Leroy Brown, the baddest cat in the whole damn town. He has bit, backed up , spun, tried to roll and rear, bucked in place, bucked up a hill and lastly fired both guns at not one head ( me) but two heads ( MCH). He was shipped off to a trainer and put on cattle. 60 days later I had an amazing horse who will Head, Heel and Sort. Until we got to the part of the trail where the bicyclists are allowed - he regressed in no time flat. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;">Now his back is out. He also has a couple of bicycles keeping him company around his stall. Turn out every night all night and I am starting him on clicker training. Just like I would a fearful dog.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;">Yesterday was his first session - I taught him not to mug for food . After about 25 reps I can now use my verbal cue and he will flex his head to the right away from me. Today - I turned him out and walked a bicycle around the round pen. He only freaked when I was obscured from view and popping out - he then exhibited all the behaviors I have had to deal with out on trail and occasionally in the arena. I also found out that my Percheron/Fresian needs to get sacked out on bikes as well. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;">If you want to learn more about Operant Conditioning this is my favorite for Horses : <a href="http://shawnakarrasch.com/blog/">http://shawnakarrasch.com/blog/</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: x-small;">Happy trails</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div></div>DeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6248833336722016343.post-32330163715275671072011-08-09T22:32:00.000-07:002011-08-09T22:32:47.725-07:00What having a jacked up leg will do for you and other fun facts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoTY6EV-9GJ8obqSC09_YUCyZynFiO-6MBq_wm6b7vPaSS6_7oz-UQY0vfhxf5Q3Jdkes9uVVgKjPalrACrDruU9hYAM_VLiwIBsutnGlCxRzlWXkRepMarEd8GH1sd69DQ8dXmkWdyo/s1600/IMG_0670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoTY6EV-9GJ8obqSC09_YUCyZynFiO-6MBq_wm6b7vPaSS6_7oz-UQY0vfhxf5Q3Jdkes9uVVgKjPalrACrDruU9hYAM_VLiwIBsutnGlCxRzlWXkRepMarEd8GH1sd69DQ8dXmkWdyo/s320/IMG_0670.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>8 weeks ago , Monday, my unflappable Mounted Patrol Steed( hereon in MPS),Cisco, got flapped. He's the one laying down. You can see how flappable he is - CLEARLY. It stands to reason that if you spend at least 1/8th of a ride speaking of horse related injuries, you just might have tempted the Fates. All I can say is thank the sweet 8 oz Baby J , that I got in a lovely 5 hour trail ride before it all came crashing to a very interesting end.<br />
Let me say now that this whole shabang was due to the fact that I just had to - and I mean REALLY had to - check my smart ( ha) phone whilst deciding whether I would be crossing the street and going the longer way home( as agreed upon with My Cowboy Husband - MCH ) or ..... staying on the bridle path on the super busy street that doubles as the Indianapolis 500 Speedway 24/7.<br />
I started off strong - getting off my horse before the Elementary School - which was very close to being let out - buses - parents - you know - super horse friendly folks and equipment. I also thought my kneecaps might actually begin to remove themselves from my body if I did not change position from seated to upright. Good Ol Cisco, was doing all the right things - which we have trained incessently for - he was at least 2 feet behind me maybe even 3 feet - head down, dragging his feet. We made it past the school, air brakes, adults running across the street , a loose banner on a fence, 15 screaming children running at the fence alerting me that I had a horse on the end of a lead rope - all good - he was just about sleep walking. I get to the next street - and then my epic fail - my knees hurt - should I go ahead and break my promise to not walk down the raceway or should I cross the street and do what my gut says is the right thing to do - I think my screaming knees must have been pointed down the raceway while my torso and head were twisted towards the right way- at that moment I decided that I simply must check my text messages and at that same moment the Ginormous Black Schnauzer picked his moment to lunge at the fence forcing my MPS to go into survival mode - kick out and run like Hell - sadly for both of us I still had the lead rope and due to my dog work - I automatically planted and put my lead rope hand to my center of gravity . His head turns - and mid stride the front of his back hoof nails me right in my planted calf. OH MY GAWD - I have no words - except for whatever escaped my potty mouth at the exact moment of impact. I made it to the moment in life where I am truly grateful for my Russian side - big and strong like Ox.<br />
Soooo - I now have the thought that he may have broken my leg, the bridle is on the ground under prancing hooves, my oh so important phone is still in my free hand ( really?)and I'm wondering if MCH is going to hear his phone because he was planning on doing dirt work with the Bobcat. The choice is now clear - thank you FATES - that I will be heading home via the Raceway. Mind you, Ginormous rude dog is absolutely rabid behind his fence, the trash truck is coming and I still have to either try to get up on my massive horse who is flapped quite badly by now, or put weight on the offending limb. I man up and put weight on the leg, delighted that it is clearly not broken and he did not get me in the joint. All of this in probably a 10 second or less span -feeling like a month of Sundays. I hoof it ( ha ha) down the road, pleased with my progress - except that my MPS is very needy now and will not remember that he is supposed to be 3 feet or more behind me. I'm 4 houses away from home - and dontcha know - there is a loose Pit Bull who is dodging everything until she lays eyes on my horse - locked and loaded - could care less about the cars - people - just wants some horse flesh - yay...... I pull out my pepper spray... place myself in front of my jacked up horse - and a kind hearted pick up truck drives in front of her, giving me enough time to ..... wait for it........... JOGGGGG home.<br />
Good times. We make it. I can barely think straight at this point. MCH takes my horse away from me and I go into the house and Elevate and Ice - which I have been doing for the last 8 weeks and am currently doing now.<br />
It is much better - I got really lucky.<br />
So here is what my leg has forced me to learn - in lieu of riding or doing ground work, I groom and do low impact things like clicker training and nightly rotation turn outs. Alfalfa - while never my feed of choice - is used as a treat or to supplement wretched Oat Hay. Ever handled a hot horse in clogs or flip flops? I do not recommend it.<br />
Yesterday was my first day on horse back - I have been able to handle doing ground work in the round pen for the last week while wearing tennis shoes. Yesterday - I wore boots. Oh - I did wear boots about 3 weeks ago for my wedding reception and I danced too - I also was out of commission for the following week and went to Urgent Care. Nice.<br />
What I learned however, is that I was making much too big movements when doing groundwork prior to this - lots of acting up in the round pen - my leg has forced me to slow down and really concentrate - hence - the worst offenders - are surprisingly docile and willing to work. My saddle caused me a great deal of pain in the calf yesterday - so I dropped my stirrups for comfort and was surprised by the fact that my MPS followed my cues willingly. Today I used my Barefoot Cheyenne - pretty much a really fancy bareback pad - switched out the endurance stirrups for a pair of cutting stirrups and I had one of the nicest round pen sessions on him in forever.<br />
I have very high hopes for my onery cuss Poncho now. I was pretty sure it was me - and now I know for a fact it was me.<br />
Til next time - Happy TrailsDeirdraVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07520661305286687306noreply@blogger.com0