What's Happening?

Lots. I check on the horses every evening with a flashlight. My neighbors must think I'm a crazy person...out in the dark pointing the flashlight at legs and bellies. No new boo boos. Lots of cranky looks. Too cold, not enough hay. So they think. I feed 3/4 of a bale a day. Pigs.

The dogs are keeping me busy. Scruffy is always up to shenanigans. Bitsy is going downhill. It would be so much easier if she was not bouncing around with a smile on her face. She's old. She's stiff. She has trouble getting in her recliner. She gets the runs easily. But, she's happy and not in any clear pain. I wonder if she will see Christmas. Every morning I get up and expect to see her in a forever sleep. But no, she pops up and bounces around the house.

Speaking of house....I have walls and roof and windows and an a/c unit. No brick, yet. Lots happening. Paint today, electrical tomorrow. Will I have everything ready for move-in in January? Probably not. Working hard. Until next time. My life is blessed.

Dingleberry

I love him. He's gorgeous. He's comical. He's well mannered. He's lame. I really miss riding Diesel, aka Dingleberry. He likes me. He misses being exercised. His topline is awful. Problem- I can't exercise him...his foot hurts. He's wearing the hoof flat in front. I hope this isn't career ending. Trail pony career, that is. I'll get the farrier's opinion again next week. He was positive after the last trim. I have awful luck with pets. Accidents, metabolic disorders, arthritis, skin conditions, chronic ear mites, separation anxiety with the pisser. Scruffy is a challenge. That's putting it nicely. Until I get him better trained, I am missing out on quality time with everyone else. I make a concerted effort to give everyone attention. I'm neglecting Pumpkin, though. She's mad at me for keeping Blue and Scruff. I did get a few hugs today from her. She's not totally angry. I am totally tired. Maybe the house will really get framed this week. That's what they say. That'll energize me. For now, gotta get back to my mountain of papers to grade.

The Boys

I have several boys in my life. Let me tell you about them.

Squirt is a little red eared slider. He has issues...not sure if Seymour tried to eat him or if it is bacterial. He has extremely damaged peripheral scutes. Mild bleeding. He has been moved into the house where it is temperature and moisture regulated. Damage has not worsened. I hope he pulls out of this. He is active and eating well.

Diesel is my big boy. Very big boy. He likes to hang out with me. Today, he followed me around the round pen while I poop scooped. When I was done, I lunged him very lightly. He trotted around the 60' pen 3 times each direction. Just enough to know that he is still a bit lame on his foot and that his four foot tenderness is still there. He's always been a tenderfoot. Big baby. He loved the attention, though. Cued perfectly, even with cooler temps. Love that boy.

Blue is my kitty man. He always liked coming in the house. Since it has gotten cool he is almost always inside. He should've been born a dog. He follows me everywhere. He even goes out and follows me when I walk the dogs. Comes back in when I go in. Feeds the horses with me. Watches just outside the round pen as I lunge Bec. Crazy cat. And he has stolen Bitsy's spot on the recliner. Just as well...she hasn't been able to get up there for a few days. I will have to make a decision soon. I've been saying that for over a year. All I know for sure is that it isn't quite time, yet. She has a wonderfully plush blankie to sleep on right now.

Scruffy is my challenge. He hugs. He sits in my lap every time I sit down- including now. He is the sweetest little thing. Around here, 20 pounds is little. Here's the thing. He's a pisser. He doesn't mark the house. He unloads his full bladder on the wall. Once while I'm at school. Quite often, once again when I leave him to take care of the horses. Why not take him with me when I go out? He runs off. He doesn't respond to his name. He chases cats. He loves to get under the house...comes out brown instead of white. He gets out of his harness when chained up. Why don't I crate him? He pisses on the crate and gets the wall AND himself wet. He's bad. Bad to the bone. We are making progress. He hasn't pooped on the floor lately. Any given day you can find me outside walking Scruffy ten times telling him what a good dog he is...potty goes outside. Soon, I will have to let him go loose and trust that he comes back without getting run over. Scary.

Man, I wish I had a fenced yard. I have lots to look forward to. I should have that wish by Spring Break. And a house...if they ever get started. All of the supplies are there, everything except the workers. Framers will start soon. Last Monday was the day...still waiting not so patiently.

I am blessed to have the boys and girls in my life. All 13 of them. I am insane. I admit it.

What next?

The concrete work on the house got postponed until next week. Rain in the forecast for the first time in months. All it takes is a bundle of moolah and time put into a project for the rain to come and scare us away. Who knows? Maybe it will miss us and the pastures with crumble into dust while my house goes up in record time. Maybe we will get it and rejuvenate the grass while making a mess of my house. Win-win.

I came home today ready for my holiday tomorrow. Scruffy made it through his neuter just fine and came home sore but a better man. And Dad was on the phone...my Grandmother is in acute renal failure. I have a bad feeling about this. My life is blessed and faith will get me through this one- either way it goes.

The Latest

Scruffy ran after a lady last Saturday night. Just ran off. I found him Sunday unable to walk with puncture wounds all over his front legs. He is healing nicely. Most were just direct punctures. One spot has an ugly rip but is healing without infection. He let me clean the wound sites without a complaint.

Scruffy has had his first vet appointment. He is strongly heartworm positive. The vet recommends giving him some time to settle and learn the routine before we treat. He's a very active dog and must stay confined after treatment. We'll schedule something after the first of the year. His snip, snip is scheduled for this Tuesday. Don't tell. It's a secret. He's really beginning to like it here and I wouldn't want him to change his mind :)

And now for the biggest news. Becca, the Queen of All Chunky Monkies, has all of the symptoms of Equine Metabolic Syndrome. The diet and exercise has not been successful. She has lost gas but not real weight. She is limited most of the day to the round pen. Grass is in short supply due to drought. She is on Low-Carb feed. We exercise 4-5 times a week.

Now we exercise 30 minutes a day. Last night, I tried lunging in the dark. It was a good night to start- nearly full moon. She was disturbed a bit at first but settled down and cued well after a few minutes. It is very important that I can lunge at night since I don't get home until near dark most days. I really needed one more thing to do every day.

The house has forms with plumbing and rebar ready to pour concrete. The house is going to progress very fast, now. It is a good thing. I check on the place after work every day. Then, I come home and walk Scruffy on a leash. Lunge and feed or feed and lunge- depending on how late it is. After dark, I come in and finish work for the paying job. And after that, I work on the online course I am taking for GT certification. Usually, I get up with animals twice a night. It is no wonder that I slept most of today instead of working on the class. I hope things settle down soon. I'm too tired to ride. I'm too tired to socialize. But, I do have a wonderfully blessed life. I try to post regularly but it has been difficult. Until next time....

Where's Devra?

She's staying busy. The house construction started this week. In the meantime, grass needed to be mowed. Curtains needed to be hung...strangers on the property. Brush piles needed burning, weeds needed spraying, concrete chunks moved. My parents have been here for over a week. They have been working like dogs every day while I go to work.

Speaking of work....I've been doing alot of that, too. Things just haven't been normal since Ike. And I'm taking an online course. I did manage to squeeze in a fishing trip. Had a blast.

Becca is still on grass restrictions. She is much happier, though. She spends nights in the round pen but does get out during the day. I have jumped on her bareback a few times to exercise her. She is doing quite well. Still hurts to extend her front legs out much. No canter. Priss is cranky- from the mosquitoes or the arthritis, I don't know. Could be either. Diesel scraped his leg. Minor scrape all the way down one leg. On what, I have no idea. He can hurt himself on nothing. He's still lame on that hoof that he sliced way back when. Some improvement, though. It's not like I have time to ride. Just groom and spray them down with the skeeter repellent. I get plenty of hugs. That will never be scarce.

Now for the big news. Two months ago someone dumped a dog nearby. He has been running with the other dumpees that live two doors down. My neighbor has been feeding them leftovers. Last week, she broke down and bought flea meds and real dogfood. I cannot get involved without getting myself in trouble....

Mom caved. She no longer threatened my life if I took in Scruffy. She went so far as to tell me that I could consider keeping him if Bitsy were to pass away. A friend and I bathed him on Thursday. We had to do it in the bathtub so he wouldn't get chills. And then we had to wait for him to dry. And then, he liked the house so well he spent the night. He's housebroken. Someone loved him, just not enough to keep him.

Friday, he was nowhere to be found. He was all Dad talked about. Where's that Scruffy dog? He's such a good dog. I was very concerned. After I went to bed Spooky started barking. Scruffy was outside. He spent the night again. Today, Mom told her sister that I got a new dog. The neighbors are paying for all of his start-up costs. All I have to do is agree. He's going in next week for his preliminary work. Snip, snip to come. The other dogs like him. They all share the bed. They play around in the house. I can't pass this one up. Bitsy is doing fine. I can't believe that I have 4 dogs. In the house. The inn is full. Four dogs, four cats, three horses, and two turtles. I have surpassed the crazy animal lady designation. I'm nuts. He's a neat dog. The name stuck. Gretchen is no longer the scruffy dog. He's got her beat.

Meet Scruffy.

Baby Steps

The first cool cold front of the year has been here for a few days. EVERYONE feels great. I've had the windows open since Monday. The result is frisky horses. Not stupid frisky, just feeling good- move a little faster-frisky. Priss took out of the front pens like a mad woman today for no reason. No one started it. No one followed. Just feeling good. Diesel trotted out to Bec when I released her for the evening. It really is a big deal for the lazy boy to trot out unless someone else does first. The big news....not quite as lame. Still a bit lame. Baby steps towards soundness. I'll take it.

Another baby step happened today. I went out to the new place to take the boards off of the barn windows. A miracle happened. I have electric poles. I applied the first week of June. Now, we just need to get them out again to wire the temporary pole. You know...the pole that Tilson hasn't put up, yet. I did get to the title company today to see about fixing the mess-up on the title policy. There is no pipeline on my property, thus, no reference to it on the survey. They are going to revise the policy. I'll be moving into my not-yet-started home soon. Just you wait.

Relief

Tonight, Emmie came to visit. I hadn't seen her for over a week. She was very distracted by Pumkin. Pumpkin proceeded to attack. They rolled around a bit until my yelling interrupted them. Pumpkin got a spanking. Emmie got some soft words. Everything settled down and I gave everyone hugs. I'm just glad that Emmie is doing fine. She is actually gaining weight since her spay. She needed it.

All is well here. My crew of 12 is doing fine. I did pull 6 ticks off of Diesel. We'll see what he looks like tomorrow. One spot is already starting to swell. So, when I say the crew is all well...I mean all is normal. Always something. Regardless, my life is blessed.

Imagination? Not so chunky?

What do you think? I swear that she is losing weight. Not enough, yet. Making progress. Restricted pasture, diet food, and exercise. Much harder to get weight off than on. Funny how that works.

Before

Now

There is still a rather thick layer of fat. She has mostly lost gas. She farts nonstop. We're getting there, though. She is ready to get back on the grass. She gets 2-3 hours a day right now. Not nearly enough for sanity but she is holding up well. Plus, she is getting better with the herd-bound issues. Win-win.

Scared the Poop out of Everybody

Ike was headed straight for us. We evacuated. On the way, the horses pooped and pooped. Mountains of it. But, everyone behaved. They knew. Travel, both trips, was uneventful. I have discovered that 3 horses and a 2 horse trailer are not a good thing. Had to leave too early so I could make 2 trips. Next time we wait an extra day. We went toward where the storm ended up landing. It turned.

70 mile/hr winds and rain. No one hurt, no structural damage, not even a tree limb down. Amazing. We only lost power for 2 hours. Wharton County Electric Coop is amazing. They went out in the worst of the storm to restore our power...used spotlights to find the problem.

It was still safer to be at my parent's house than at my rental...landlords have junk piles of tin and lumber dangerously close to the pasture. This stuff is left over from Hurricane Claudette in 2003. I live in a land of exquisite beauty and occasional devastation. I do not hesitate to leave.

All 3 cats peed themselves. Blue is a house kitty. He had to have a bath. We did the pillowcase method under the tub faucet. Baby shampoo and quick rinse. He took it like a champ. I dried him off and gave him extra hugs. Mom found a pile of poop in the corner of the pillowcase when all was done. None on him, thank goodness. Two baths would have done him in! Scared the poop out of him. I was unable to find Emmie to take her along. I still have not found her. The neighbors have seen her and have been feeding her. I'm still worried about her.

I took both turtles. They pooped due to stress during the ride.

I didn't sleep at all during the storm. I didn't sleep well when all was over. I kept thinking of all the people of Galveston and Bolivar Penninsula who didn't leave. I kept thinking of the people who had no home to go home to. When you live on the coast you know it will happen. Just not when.

I am building a home in a coastal county. I bought land in one of the highest places here. It has never flooded. Ever. I am 4 miles from the nearest bay...and it is an inland bay. My house will be built on a 3 foot concrete slab. Extra hurricane straps. I will still leave for the big one. No question.

Despite having a long, stressful evacuation, I still enjoyed spending time with my family. Below are pictures of the horses in the backyard, there. Not too stressed. Lots of fun things to watch. More grass than they needed. Bec was very limited in grazing time.

Still a Lady

Becca is confined to the round pen. I expect this to be a relatively long-term arrangement. She has lost a few inches of gas belly. It is the blubber layer that is of concern. She has eaten every blade of grass within reach. And now she is resigned to eating that nasty hay I left for her. Much of today she pouted and refused to eat.

Of course, she was undoubtedly tired from last night. The farmers burned the corn field behind the house and next to the pasture. I got home yesterday evening to find it burning with no one watching it. I kept an eye on it all night. It still smolders this evening. Thanks. Thanks alot. Who cares if we burn down the neighbor's house and horses? The fire is safely in the middle of the field, now, with no fuel to spread. Last night, it inched it's way toward my house...disturbingly close. I am all for controlled burns...just disc around the field, please. The horses were all on edge today. Rightfully so.

Bec is getting exercise every day. Lunging or light riding...bareback, of course. Fatty patty. She is acting like a lady despite her imprisonment. Gotta love that gal. She is too sweet to describe. And never pushy. She walks toward the gate when I enter or exit but never tries to get out. I love her responsiveness. Touch her and she gives. When riding, a little leg has her sidepassing nicely- bareback in a halter.

I know. I can't afford to get crunched. She is solid. She is responsive. She is not crabby or jumpy. Even when the tractors and combines go by and the other horses are running around. She doesn't miss a step or change her pace. She's a great horse. Except for the constant weight issues and the sore back. She is fine walk, trot. Even with the weight of a rider. I never work her hard when I ride. She is not ready for that. Mostly walk. Lunging is different.

How could such a fit horse be so fat? Lunging, she hardly breaks a sweat. It is 80- 85 degrees in the evening. She doesn't even breathe hard. 5 minutes walk, 20 minutes trot, 5 minutes canter, 10 minutes trot, 5-10 minutes walk- changing direction to work each direction evenly. That's quite a workout. And yet, no weight loss. Just lots of farting :)

Gotta stick with it. Poor gal is lonely. I may have to let her out to graze with her buds a bit in the evenings. She has never been a problem to catch, even after confinement. We'll see. Still too much grass in the pasture to let her out for long. Diesel is hanging out near her and grooming over the top of the round pen. She's not completely alone. Not bad for two horses that used to hate each other. She rarely pins her ears at him and shows her teeth. Not true love, but friends, maybe.

Nothing Like It

Nothing in the world compares to watching the sun go down from the comfort of a horse. Today I cooled off Bec after a good workout in the round pen. She's completely sound walk/trot but is sore at a canter. She's back to living in the round pen. Chunky elephant. Chunky hippo. Chunky whale. Chunky monkey just doesn't cut it.

Diesel is still lame. But doesn't hurt so bad that he can't buck and run in the pasture. Figures.

Blue is spending more and more nights inside. No problems except the dogs are mad at me for letting him in bed.

And as for me...I am struggling to keep myself in good spirits. Work is so frustrating. The kids will do anything that allows them to sit and be entertained but ask them to prove their understanding and it is another story. Some will not even attempt a simple assignment. And then they get offended that I call them on it. They are embarrassed. Just try already. Jeez. Why can't we kick some butt? Why won't their parents kick their butts?

Time

Where does it go? I understand that managing a rented property/pasture and preparing my own property is a big job. Why can't I find daylight hours to work with the horses? I found a half hour today.

Diesel is lame on his good front leg. What #%&? I am concerned that he'll need shoes once his hoof grows out. That's the non-lame leg. He lunged wonderfully around once each direction. One lap. No buck while reversing. Good boy.

Bec is a fatty patty. The recent rains have made extra grass. No good. Tonight the horses eat down the round pen. Tomorrow, Bec gets locked up. Again. Fatty.

Blue is sleeping on the blanket next to me. He's a house cat. No denying it. His girlfriend, Emmie, is getting her stitches out tomorrow. Maybe I'll get home in time to lunge Bec. And grade 150 tests. Yeah....right. Regardless, my life is blessed.

Shake, Rattle, and RUN!!!!!!!

Progress is being made at our future home. We have been burning brush. 4 piles down, about 15 to go. No exaggeration. The house construction has still not begun. No electricity. And, I need documentation that the pipeline on the title policy is not actually on my property. You'd think the title company would get that straight. Or that the builder could clearly see that it is outside of my property line.

Now for the fun part. What lives in brush piles and rattles? We killed a 3-footer today. 9 segments on its rattle. Big lump in its belly. I will volunteer to drive the tractor in the future...sit up high. My new favorite job. We keep the tractor and sprayer close by to stop any runaway flames.

Gustav is heading east of us. There is no chance of rain in the forecast. I pray for the creatures in its path. And, I sincerely hope it sticks to the path they predict. I have a brand new uninsured barn. No one wants to insure it right now...can't even get a quote in between storms. Go figure.

I currently have 3 very cranky horses. They haven't gotten a good night's sleep in weeks. Mosquitoes are horrible. I spray them down with fly spray twice a day. Still, I hear them kicking the barn walls at night to knock off the bugs and voice their discomfort. No one wants hugs. They are in dire need of restful sleep. But good news, I think Diesel is ready to ride. Just a small scab left on his foot. If only I could find the energy. Not today. Regardless, my life is blessed.

Zzzzzz

I was so tired today that I was asleep by 5:30. Up at 7, finished with tomorrow's lesson by 10:00. It has been really hard for me to adjust to going back to work. I'm ready to go back to bed.

Adjusting is not so hard for Blue. He runs in every time I open the door. He even knows which door I am about to open. I think he is waiting under the house. As you can see, he is settling in well to the House Kitty life.

Can we ride already?

No.

But, we're getting there. Did I mention it rained ALOT again? I'll ride in my dreams for awhile.

Start the Day Right

How do you start the day? The right way is to begin with a relaxed and prolonged horsie snuggle. It is amazing. If I am rushed to get my hugs and kisses, the day is hectic all day. If I take my time and savor the moment, the day goes great. Funny, huh?

How do you end the day? You can see this coming. Relaxed, extended horsie snuggle time. Recharges the soul. Corny, but true.


Moments with our creatures is vital for our health. Today, I had the opportunity to nap with Spooky in a tight hug. Just a few minutes, but it energized me. Too bad I have to work all weekend to get ready for school on Monday. Doesn't matter. All I need is hugs. My life is blessed.

Where's D?

D is back to work. It is really fun these first few weeks. Demanding. Gotta learn everyone's names. Not my forte. I do recognize a few names. Great kids. It's gonna be a great year.

We got rain. Lots. The drought is over. Diesel's perverse swollen area is almost back to normal. Almost. And his cut heel is almost healed. Maybe a week or so more. The horses are all on the mend. Priss is sound. Bec is enjoying regular exercise.

The cats are all "fixed". Emmie was preggers. Blue is swollen and may not be aware yet that he is less his jewels. They both behaved like angels. And the best news- they still like me. Good thing.

Another good thing...starting back to work with a low-key week before kids. This work stuff is hard to get used to. I had an entire week of rest and relaxation. Six thirty AM comes way too quick.

Hope all is well with you. My life is blessed.

On a Positive Note

Diesel is coping. The swelling is the same. Still no pain. I think he'll be ready for a ride in 2 weeks. His foot is continuing to heal slow and steady.





Becca lunged today for 45 minutes with a great attitude the entire time. She looked great and even cantered a few times around. She looked sound. First time sound at a canter. I sat on her at a walk for 5 minutes of her cool down. Nothing better than sitting on a good horse. She is one wide horse. Completely sound bareback at a walk. I didn't push it. Felt good. What really felt good is getting on that gal bareback in a halter for the first time since the fall. She was not near as responsive as I expect her to be. Next time I will definitely ride with a bridle. Saddles are all too narrow. Love that gal.

Good Grief

Now what? Well, I told you that Diesel is allergic to tick bites. Guess where he got one today? I found the bite mark but no tick. That can't be comfortable. I hope he can urinate. He didn't look like he was in pain and didn't kick when I examined him. Just fluid. Poor guy.





I swear I cannot go anywhere. I visited my cousin this afternoon. I was gone 7 hours. I returned home to find diarrhea on my floor and a big pee spot on the couch. That's the second time this week. I think the couch is trash. Then I found Diesel's problem. It's late. I'm tired. My scrubbed floor still stinks. What else?