Just One

One crowhop, that is. Not so bad. Prissy is so funny. Bec cut her off and she had nowhere to go but up. We had fun. W-T-C around the place. No cracks, just mosquitos. Made 3 laps. The only one sweaty at the end was Diesel. We left him in the round pen. Boy does not like his ladies leaving him. But boy kicks. Gotta leave him at home.

I need a bigger western saddle. Not gonna happen. I'm more likely to get skinnier. Scary.

A ride doesn't cure a broken heart but it sure helps. Thank goodness for horses. My life is blessed.

Ups and Downs

Life wouldn't be normal if things weren't going crazy. Last week brought good and bad.

I started the week on Sunday with a migraine that would last 3 days. Tough stuff. Monday there was another freak attack. Now, you'd be a fool not to see it coming. Two dogs who were once best friends and they cannot even go out in the yard to pee together. There were 4 punctures in her neck before they could be separated. No one saw it begin. One could wonder if Scruff started it when he got excited about the lawnmower. Crazy dog likes to chase it. Of course, no one saw it, we'll never know. Spooky is dangerous. By Wednesday there was infection. Thursday morning, first thing, the vet put a drain tube in. Drip, drip. It drives me crazy to see her in pain. It will be removed tomorrow, it's job done.

The thing about bad luck is it is always followed by good luck. I've had a taste of the good. We'll see if it lasts. I sure hope so.

The horses are doing fine. The cold fronts are pretty hard on Prissy. I imagine they will get harder. But, it continues to rain a little here and a little there. The cracks are filling in. Soon, we'll be complaining that it's too wet. Oh well. My life is blessed.

Blessings

Got about 3 inches of rain this weekend. It is not enough but will help close those cracks. Dad brought HIS tracter back and we filled in some of the worst holes. I should have plenty of grass for winter. My neighbor had hay on the ground when the rain started. Lost most of it. Mixed blessings. The horses have plenty to eat. I've been seeing very little of them at the barn. Diesel has a snotty nose but is feeling alright otherwise. Always something. My life is blessed.

Oldtimer Moments

Priss is finally acting normal. One day last week she refused to move or eat breakfast. She wasn't hanging with the herd. And, she spent alot of time napping in the barn. I'm very relieved that she is back to her normal grumpy self.

Today she hurt herself. Both her left legs are stocked up. This, too, will pass. These animals drive me crazy!

Got Bit!!!!!!

Good news and bad news. Bad first- I got bit by something in the dark. My finger is swelling. I'm thinking spider. I hope!

Good news- The round pen is mowed and ready to use again. It is amazing how fast that grass grows! I lunged Diesel a bit and he was sound. Just a couple times around, walk-trot. He remembered his manners. I love that big, orange boy. I'm itchin' to ride Bec. Tomorrow is the day. After I mow and weed-eat the yard.

Things I Hate

Hate is a big thing. Powerful. I hate that Diesel is still lame. I hate that Bec is still lame. I hate weed eating. And snakes.

Threes

Bad news comes in threes. So they say. This week has been rough. I went to work on Tuesday to find all but one fish dead in the saltwater tank. I lost Snappy, who has been with me for about a year. He was one tough fish. Wednesday, we got news that Ron died. He was our new Chem teacher. Just eleven days in the classroom and now he's gone. So sad to lose the good ones. I came home that evening and only one dog came to the door. Scruff had gotten scared of the bad weather and hid in the bathroom. He somehow got the door closed and was stuck. He somehow LOCKED the door. And then he crapped himself and ran around in it. And damaged the sheetrock. In my new house. I've gotten very little sleep this week. He is panicky. Sedatives aren't doing much good. He is finallly relaxed this evening. Hope it lasts. Today, I get news that Rhonda shattered her arm. Bad news. And my grandfather has cancer. And Brian has a staph infection. Next week will have to be better. I got double dose of bad this week.

What does this have to do with the horses? They are my saving grace. A few hugs will cure anything. I haven't decided which is the best. Becca offers sweet, gentle snuggles. Diesel has the puppy dog hugs. And Priss has the love of a lifetime thing going for her. She may grunt and growl but her love is powerful. Combine all three and you have a cure all. My life is blessed.

RAIN!!!!!!!!

So far I've gotten 1 inch. But, there are chances all week! Hooray! Only 35 more inches to go to get back to normal. Darn. Take what you can get with a smile :)

True Love

She blows me away. What a perfect animal. I've said it before. Prissy is special. There is something that sets her apart from every other animal I've ever known...and there have been some good ones! I have brown britches and a smile on my face. Bet you don't hear that very often. I am in love with her. There is no way to describe how wonderful she makes me feel. Sorry boys. She is the one.

The Bugs are back!

Ticks and skeeters. Lovely.

Hay for Horses!

I found hay!!!!! Big relief. Not that the ponies were worried. The dude took a midmorning nap up close to the house. He was not happy that I disturbed him. Check out that stretch.

Lame-O

The big guy is lame, lame, lame on his left fore. Hard to tell what is wrong with so much going on. He tested great with the hoof testers. No tenderness. What is wrong with this horse? He's lame-O. Good thing he's a hottie. I guess I'll keep him around ;)

Spot the Love

Stupid Boys

Disappointment is the word of the day. I learned the boys-are-stupid lesson long ago. Sometimes, I guess a refresher is necessary. Seriously, they are all assholes with a good story to tell. I can see through this fairy tale.

I feel the same way about geldings. Diesel is a butthead. He's lazy. And tenderfooted. He really does not want to GO. I can't tell if he really is sore or if he is just not ready to work (repeat, butthead). Just further proof that they are all stupid boys.

The Truth in Pictures

Isn't it funny how some people are show offs. So are some horses. Diesel had an audience while I lunged him this evening. He was perfect. Nice transitions, nice stops. Fully attentive. This is not unusual. I really do think he performs, though. He watched them while still giving me the attention I demand when we're working.

I also rode Bec bareback W-T. She is so much fun to ride. Not ready to head out of our comfort zone, yet. We got pics of Diesel and Bec. The camera really does not take actions shots well. This is why I am not posting my pics. Ha! I have piano hands and chair leg. The legs have always been my issue. The hands...I need a good slappin'. I have great hands. Until I quit riding regularly. Next week I am going to make some calls for lessons. I need help. I'm gonna work on it and take some more pics in the meantime.

On a side note: In the last 24 hours I have kayaked in Keller Creek and fished at Swan Lake, done yardwork, and had horsie\riding time. And, last but not least, I have spent some time getting to know someone I know but don't KNOW. How cool is that?

Mornings

Not a big fan. At all. However, I got up early (for summertime- 6:30) after a late night just to show off my ponies. I got to see the sun low on the horizon and sit and enjoy the calm. I showed off the crew to someone who at minimum is interested because I am interested. It was nice.

Great Days

Isn't it great to have a day where everything goes perfect! Diesel is on! No tantrums after requests to speed up. Hopping quick 'ho'. All attention on me. He is so hot. If he were a man, I'd marry him. And that's saying ALOT. I am in love with his horsey self. Remember those days when he's spazin'. We've had 2 good ones in a row. And Bec has been great, as usual. Prissy has minimal swelling today. She will be back to normal in no time.

Update

Scruff is past the worst of his treatment. He got his last Immiticide injection this morning. By 4 pm he was able to rest with no panting or intense back pain. He's up and about and eating but understandably, still weak. I'm glad the distress is gone.

Prissy's swelling is much reduced and the heat is gone. Thank goodness.

I took Diesel for a walk this afternoon. He behaved but was a bit nervous. We need to practice this more often. I then put him in the round pen. He was fired up. He immediately picked up a canter and flew and bucked. I let him work it out and then pushed him until he relaxed. He was 100% sound and stunning. He used his hind end beautifully. It didn't take long for him to figure out he had to listen to me if he wanted to slow down. Then we had a good 20 minute cool down. He enjoyed a nice bath afterwards and made no attempts to join his herd when released. He loves the attention. He will be almost as special as Prissy 15 years down the road. Knucklehead. I am reminded of the early days with my girl. She was a hot headed wench. Love her.

As for my teaching assignment woes...I have this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that I will be studying all things French very soon. Gah. What did I do to deserve this? I hate history, music, math, and chem. Hate it. And I will be living it.

Big Families

I have a big family. I am single with no real kids. But, there are 9 mouths to feed and care for. There is always something wrong. This week has been rough. Prissy is still very stocked up. The swelling is going down in the knee but is spreading. She felt good enough after her hydro and linament to trot away. Crazy girl.

Scruffy had a rough day. He began his second round of heartworm treatment today. The first six hours were bad. He's sleeping, now. Last shot in the morning. I hate watching him in pain and feeling bad. He needs it.

I am resting well this summer. Recoup-ing. Getting ready for the next school year. I have been unable to relax the last few days. My superiors have seen fit to assign me to teach a class WAY outside my comfort zone. The class is completely bogus and until recently was an extracurricular activity. How did I get stuck with this? It requires after school practices and competitions away. Where will I find the time or energy? I am already committed. A decision will be made next week. Why don't they understand? I am alone here. I don't have a family to take care of so I must have plenty of spare time, right? But, that's the point. I have to do it all. There's no spouse, no extended family. What did I do for these guys to throw this at me?

Pick 3

1) Priss heard that she was going to give a pony ride this week. She stuck her leg in a crack and wrenched it. Her knee is swollen and hot.

2) The earth opened up and swallowed Prissy. She tasted bad so she got spit out. Her knee is swollen and hot.

3) Priss ate a grapefruit but her tummy was full. So she is storing it in her knee until there is room.

Personally, I like #2. Love that cranky old bat.



My new 54" girth came in this morning. If fits Diesel wonderfully. I am excited, I can ride. Sort of. In a small area where I have scouted cracks. Maybe I should start watering the round pen again.

I don't know if it fits Becca. She saw me tack up the boy so she and Priss high-tailed it out of here. And I said Diesel was the smart one.