Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Making do
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Almost normal
Yesterday was a disgusting day all the way around. I am disheartened. I went to the surgeon and saw my latest x-rays--the break is still very visible and nowhere near healed. I was told everything looks good; the angles are right and the plate looks right. But I shouldn't ride. It's still swollen and causes me nerve pain and although normal, it won't get better for at least four more weeks--possibly eight. Crap. I think because I can use it for most things, I thought I was pretty much healed. Not.
Alisa rode Odie to finish her riding class and she passed (of course). Odie was good (of course) and she was careful since she wasn't supposed to be riding either! I hear she is getting pretty skinny, too! I can hardly wait for the Bull and Gelding Sale. Hopefully Toni will come, too.
The boys have been getting one sheaf of alfalfa and one of hay for breakfast and dinner and they are looking good. They are also feeling good. Even Brady comes running and bucking up the hill. Although we have had lots of rain, they have had enough days with sun to be dry. The forecast is for a few super cold nights, so I am glad they are dry. Both Brady and Star are pretty furry, but the orange horses aren't as much. Jupes has a good layer of fat, but Zigs is all bones and muscle and he gets cold. Buster keeps warm running around getting away from everyone but Brady.
Lynn groomed the girls on Sunday and they are looking skinny and cute. It's too bad they don't get to hang out with Sammi when we all get together. Lee is going to babysit Z--imagine if he had all three. Talk about spoiled.
Alisa rode Odie to finish her riding class and she passed (of course). Odie was good (of course) and she was careful since she wasn't supposed to be riding either! I hear she is getting pretty skinny, too! I can hardly wait for the Bull and Gelding Sale. Hopefully Toni will come, too.
The boys have been getting one sheaf of alfalfa and one of hay for breakfast and dinner and they are looking good. They are also feeling good. Even Brady comes running and bucking up the hill. Although we have had lots of rain, they have had enough days with sun to be dry. The forecast is for a few super cold nights, so I am glad they are dry. Both Brady and Star are pretty furry, but the orange horses aren't as much. Jupes has a good layer of fat, but Zigs is all bones and muscle and he gets cold. Buster keeps warm running around getting away from everyone but Brady.
Lynn groomed the girls on Sunday and they are looking skinny and cute. It's too bad they don't get to hang out with Sammi when we all get together. Lee is going to babysit Z--imagine if he had all three. Talk about spoiled.
Friday, November 21, 2014
One-handed Joe
Dang it! Typing is hard with one hand. Okay, everything is hard. And pain pills make me sick.
This is my story and I'm stickin' to it. . .
We went to ride in Weaverville to celebrate Shirley's 83rd birthday. A few hours into a beautiful ride we decided it was getting too steep and we had probably better head back and go a different way. I think we were up on the way toward Weaver Bally. At one point we were in the Trinity Alps Wilderness; I said we'll end up in Canyon Creek! At least that's what it felt like. So we were heading back onto a road, then to a cut-off trail that we had already used to go around a green gate. We knew right where we were.
Well, the trail was steep and hard-packed. Me and Jupes were in the back. He stumbled/slipped to his left really hard. I thought we were going down. His head was so far down--I thought he was going to go down with me under him. He went so hard to his left, he jerked down, too. I think I yelled, "We're in trouble!" I know I thought it! Lynn thinks I yelled something, because she turned around and watched it happen.
Anyway, what I think happened next was I pushed off his neck to the right. (I was so sure I was going end up under him to the left!) I had gloves on. The reins in my right hand probably caught on the leather and pulled my hand back toward my elbow. I saw myself land right on my wrist before I rolled into an upright, sitting position up against his front legs. I heard it crunch. I have never known anything as instantly I knew I had broken my wrist.
More later. . .
This is my story and I'm stickin' to it. . .
We went to ride in Weaverville to celebrate Shirley's 83rd birthday. A few hours into a beautiful ride we decided it was getting too steep and we had probably better head back and go a different way. I think we were up on the way toward Weaver Bally. At one point we were in the Trinity Alps Wilderness; I said we'll end up in Canyon Creek! At least that's what it felt like. So we were heading back onto a road, then to a cut-off trail that we had already used to go around a green gate. We knew right where we were.
Well, the trail was steep and hard-packed. Me and Jupes were in the back. He stumbled/slipped to his left really hard. I thought we were going down. His head was so far down--I thought he was going to go down with me under him. He went so hard to his left, he jerked down, too. I think I yelled, "We're in trouble!" I know I thought it! Lynn thinks I yelled something, because she turned around and watched it happen.
Anyway, what I think happened next was I pushed off his neck to the right. (I was so sure I was going end up under him to the left!) I had gloves on. The reins in my right hand probably caught on the leather and pulled my hand back toward my elbow. I saw myself land right on my wrist before I rolled into an upright, sitting position up against his front legs. I heard it crunch. I have never known anything as instantly I knew I had broken my wrist.
More later. . .
Monday, October 20, 2014
Afternoon Delight
We did something we never do--we rode in the afternoon! Both days were lots of fun, although the boys were a little pokey. We interrupted their nap time. Nevertheless, we got them moving. We rode up Hennessey and took different trails in different directions to avoid the slippery slopes. I heard Lynn hollering at Zig to slide with his back feet not his front! He likes to slide downhill. Which is all fun and games until his front feet get too far away from his back ones! Silly boy.
Buster got to go both days, so he was happy. Jupes behaved and we had a good time, too. Ziva and Haley didn't have their ears taped, so we had dogs with ears flopping in the wind.
I almost forgot: we did have a motorcycle/dirtbike give Buster a thrill. The guy stopped to talk to us and turned off his motor. When we moved on, he fired up his very loud engine. Of course Jupes bunched up and sprung out, no surprise there. Buster was closest and according to Lynn--gave Shirley a quick rodeo ride for fun. But the big surprise was Ziggy jumped, too. Mr. Calm got a little ruffled.
It couldn't have been more fun.
PS Happy belated birthday to Haley and Sammi. :)
Buster got to go both days, so he was happy. Jupes behaved and we had a good time, too. Ziva and Haley didn't have their ears taped, so we had dogs with ears flopping in the wind.
I almost forgot: we did have a motorcycle/dirtbike give Buster a thrill. The guy stopped to talk to us and turned off his motor. When we moved on, he fired up his very loud engine. Of course Jupes bunched up and sprung out, no surprise there. Buster was closest and according to Lynn--gave Shirley a quick rodeo ride for fun. But the big surprise was Ziggy jumped, too. Mr. Calm got a little ruffled.
It couldn't have been more fun.
PS Happy belated birthday to Haley and Sammi. :)
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Turtle Rescue
It was a beautiful fall morning on Saturday and we set out to ride up the Hennessey. It has been cold enough that we have not seen any bees on any trails. Of course we are on the look out for hunters with buck fever and although Lynn and Shirley saw a group camping out last weekend, we haven't seen any others. We do hear rigs coming up the road occasionally, but we have been safely deep in the woods.
Jupes had a glitch in his get-along briefly on the road below the dump; he humped, kicked, and jumped around but I don't know why and then he lined out. Temper tantrum? A horsefly on his privates? Who knows. But other than that, we rode along at a good pace. We even loped some.
We came down off a trail on to the road and Happy was sniffing a very smooth round rock. Turtle! Lynn rescued it and carried in her pack down to the marshy area off to the right of our new steep trail. I hope that isn't where he started from on his way to the upper pond. That would be frustrating for him. :) However, he does has a good story for his family--not many turtles get to ride ahorseback.
The next day we rode on the ranch. It was uneventful and relaxing. Gorgeous blue skies and everything is greening up again. It definitely felt and looked like fall. Although Haley did not get to go on Saturday due to sore feet, she went on Sunday and did well. Life is good.
Jupes had a glitch in his get-along briefly on the road below the dump; he humped, kicked, and jumped around but I don't know why and then he lined out. Temper tantrum? A horsefly on his privates? Who knows. But other than that, we rode along at a good pace. We even loped some.
We came down off a trail on to the road and Happy was sniffing a very smooth round rock. Turtle! Lynn rescued it and carried in her pack down to the marshy area off to the right of our new steep trail. I hope that isn't where he started from on his way to the upper pond. That would be frustrating for him. :) However, he does has a good story for his family--not many turtles get to ride ahorseback.
The next day we rode on the ranch. It was uneventful and relaxing. Gorgeous blue skies and everything is greening up again. It definitely felt and looked like fall. Although Haley did not get to go on Saturday due to sore feet, she went on Sunday and did well. Life is good.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
A Banner Day
First things first--today was an awesome day! We have a had a great weekend. First of all on Saturday, we went up Underwood. We found Lynn's crupper from when Ziggy broke it crow hopping and bucking in the bees. We walked down through that area and I sprayed a hole where they probably had been, but were no longer in. There was a paper nest on the ground and it could be that it had fallen out of the tree and the bees were still in it at the time. The crupper was actually right where Alisa and I went down the bank as we skirted the bees. So anyway--yay!
We didn't ride far, but it was fun nevertheless. We even got to see Wood Duck boxes that have been recently added to some trees down by one of the ponds we ride by. Picture the last pond we see before we get back to the trailer. It was fun to see them. I hope we get to see the ducks one day.
Today we rode up the Hennessey. Just past the first meadow, as we were starting up the road, we saw a rabbit! It jumped out of the brush and almost ran into Ziggy's back leg. Of course he didn't miss a beat, but the rabbit hopped as fast as it could go down the road away from us. Thankfully the dogs were all way ahead and did not see it, as they are much faster. It was the cutest thing.
Once we got to the top, we turned right and rode down to the big dirt flat that used to be a meadow. We turned right on the road again (always skirting those darn bees that are on our trails) and headed to where we drop down the mountain. However, today Lynn stopped and said, "Hold on. Let's try this." We went off on a trail to the right. She has said before that it leads to a dead-end road, but today she was up for an adventure. And what a great right turn it became!
It lead down and down and DOWN. :) It was a pretty clear trail--only a few near brush offs from swinging branches and thick branches that didn't give enough. At one point I said I had a whole tree in pants which got Shirley to singing, "I've got a whole tree in my pants. It makes me want to get up and dance!" to the tune of "I've got the whole world in my hands . . " Ha! I have a few more lines I'll have to add in later . . .
The trail widened into a meadow. There were upside down buckets on posts for cows. Is it some kind of molasses? No cows, but evidence that they must come up there. We rode to what we thought was an edge to look over, but it was more meadow. There we saw three turkeys run across and lift into flight. They were too far away for Haley, but she quivered as she watched them. We also saw two deer trot up the hill to our right (again too far away to be in trouble from Haley).
We did not see a house, but Lynn thinks it is Heidi Carpenter's ranch. Next time we'll keep going and ask for breakfast! Although it seemed like we dropped down a long way, going back up was pretty quick. We didn't go the whole way though, instead turning to our right along another good looking trail. We hadn't gone very far when it began to look familiar. Sure enough it comes out on one of our regular trails!! The trail we usually all lope up and then stop and eat some grass before heading up the steep, brushy trail that is a detour because of a tree that fell across the tight, wet area we used to ride. (I don't know if you can picture this or if it makes any sense!)
How cool is that? Now we have another loop to add to our trails. It was a very fun day.
Afterward, we shampooed the girls and both of them got groomed. Two beautiful babies.
We didn't ride far, but it was fun nevertheless. We even got to see Wood Duck boxes that have been recently added to some trees down by one of the ponds we ride by. Picture the last pond we see before we get back to the trailer. It was fun to see them. I hope we get to see the ducks one day.
Today we rode up the Hennessey. Just past the first meadow, as we were starting up the road, we saw a rabbit! It jumped out of the brush and almost ran into Ziggy's back leg. Of course he didn't miss a beat, but the rabbit hopped as fast as it could go down the road away from us. Thankfully the dogs were all way ahead and did not see it, as they are much faster. It was the cutest thing.
Once we got to the top, we turned right and rode down to the big dirt flat that used to be a meadow. We turned right on the road again (always skirting those darn bees that are on our trails) and headed to where we drop down the mountain. However, today Lynn stopped and said, "Hold on. Let's try this." We went off on a trail to the right. She has said before that it leads to a dead-end road, but today she was up for an adventure. And what a great right turn it became!
It lead down and down and DOWN. :) It was a pretty clear trail--only a few near brush offs from swinging branches and thick branches that didn't give enough. At one point I said I had a whole tree in pants which got Shirley to singing, "I've got a whole tree in my pants. It makes me want to get up and dance!" to the tune of "I've got the whole world in my hands . . " Ha! I have a few more lines I'll have to add in later . . .
The trail widened into a meadow. There were upside down buckets on posts for cows. Is it some kind of molasses? No cows, but evidence that they must come up there. We rode to what we thought was an edge to look over, but it was more meadow. There we saw three turkeys run across and lift into flight. They were too far away for Haley, but she quivered as she watched them. We also saw two deer trot up the hill to our right (again too far away to be in trouble from Haley).
We did not see a house, but Lynn thinks it is Heidi Carpenter's ranch. Next time we'll keep going and ask for breakfast! Although it seemed like we dropped down a long way, going back up was pretty quick. We didn't go the whole way though, instead turning to our right along another good looking trail. We hadn't gone very far when it began to look familiar. Sure enough it comes out on one of our regular trails!! The trail we usually all lope up and then stop and eat some grass before heading up the steep, brushy trail that is a detour because of a tree that fell across the tight, wet area we used to ride. (I don't know if you can picture this or if it makes any sense!)
How cool is that? Now we have another loop to add to our trails. It was a very fun day.
Afterward, we shampooed the girls and both of them got groomed. Two beautiful babies.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
5 days of good riding out of 10 Firs
I am always thinking of naming my house--like they do in England or Europe. People know a place by its name. In the US, sometimes roads/streets are named by the people who live there, e.g. Easy Street, or the people who have always described the directions to a place as such. For example, on Hennessey Road there is Old Mill Rd, Our Road, and Old Moss Mill. I have thought of calling my house something common like: Briar Green or Briar Rose (isn't that Snow White's name?). There's place going up Berry Summit that lots of locals call The Pig Farm (although Lynn never has) and there are not any pigs there that I can see.
When I describe where my horse lives (because everyone asks!?), I tell them he lives at Suzy Q. Everyone knows where that is. (I always wonder who she was. I should probably ask Shirley.) The old brown house that used to stand where Lynn's current house now stands was called The Place. Even though the "funny little house" that Lynn had built stands there, Shirley still refers to the whole property by that name. But one day, I counted the trees in front of Lynn's. There are 10 trees lined up--two rows of five. Her dad planted them I think. The name of the town in my favorite book series is Three Pines. The pines are symbolic of a safe haven to Canadians who were seeking refuge from their civil war. So I told Lynn she could name her house 10 Pines. She corrected me and said they were firs. So there you have it--Lynn's place could be called 10 Firs. Especially instead of Keyes' Peaches.
To be continued. . .
Well--this post was supposed to be about Alisa and Keota coming over to ride and it got off track a little and then postponed for a month. So hmmm. What was I going to talk about? We had fun. We rode our favorite trails. Keota was nearly perfect and as graceful as always loping along behind all of us. I say nearly perfect because he came down off the trail on to the road and bucked around--surprising Alisa for sure, but all of us, too. Alisa rode it out easily and in the process of getting him under control broke off some branches that needed cleaning out of path. So it all turned out good.
We rode up Underwood one of the days and we came down the steep trail near the pot growers, which always makes me nervous, but my pistol of a horse was really good and waited on Keota to come down. He didn't even care where Zigs and Buss were. He stopped and turned sideways and looked up the hill until Keota was in his sight, then he would turn and head back down again. Lynn and Shirley rode off quickly so the dogs (mainly Haley) would stay close and not go over that way. I so wish those people would leave.
A side note on the downhill is that Lynn went over to Quincy and rode for a few days last week and Alisa let Keota have his head and I guess he really moved down the hills at a quick pace. Zigs wasn't sure if he could keep up and that boy is downhiller.
I'll keep thinking. . .
When I describe where my horse lives (because everyone asks!?), I tell them he lives at Suzy Q. Everyone knows where that is. (I always wonder who she was. I should probably ask Shirley.) The old brown house that used to stand where Lynn's current house now stands was called The Place. Even though the "funny little house" that Lynn had built stands there, Shirley still refers to the whole property by that name. But one day, I counted the trees in front of Lynn's. There are 10 trees lined up--two rows of five. Her dad planted them I think. The name of the town in my favorite book series is Three Pines. The pines are symbolic of a safe haven to Canadians who were seeking refuge from their civil war. So I told Lynn she could name her house 10 Pines. She corrected me and said they were firs. So there you have it--Lynn's place could be called 10 Firs. Especially instead of Keyes' Peaches.
To be continued. . .
Well--this post was supposed to be about Alisa and Keota coming over to ride and it got off track a little and then postponed for a month. So hmmm. What was I going to talk about? We had fun. We rode our favorite trails. Keota was nearly perfect and as graceful as always loping along behind all of us. I say nearly perfect because he came down off the trail on to the road and bucked around--surprising Alisa for sure, but all of us, too. Alisa rode it out easily and in the process of getting him under control broke off some branches that needed cleaning out of path. So it all turned out good.
We rode up Underwood one of the days and we came down the steep trail near the pot growers, which always makes me nervous, but my pistol of a horse was really good and waited on Keota to come down. He didn't even care where Zigs and Buss were. He stopped and turned sideways and looked up the hill until Keota was in his sight, then he would turn and head back down again. Lynn and Shirley rode off quickly so the dogs (mainly Haley) would stay close and not go over that way. I so wish those people would leave.
A side note on the downhill is that Lynn went over to Quincy and rode for a few days last week and Alisa let Keota have his head and I guess he really moved down the hills at a quick pace. Zigs wasn't sure if he could keep up and that boy is downhiller.
I'll keep thinking. . .
Monday, August 11, 2014
It's a good thing riding is a reward in itself. . .
Shirley is off to Montana, so we decided to go to the arena in Junction City. You know Star would've been too bored with this adventure. First things first meant riding up a steep, I mean steep, trail/road above the arena. It just kept going and and going. There was no top to that hill. But the idea was to "take the soup out of them" as Lynn says, before we took them into the arena. Jupiter especially.
We went into the arena and practiced opening and closing a very heavy gate. Lynn and Ziggy did it twice on one end and once on the other end, but Jupes and I were never successful (we only tried a couple of times). Then we trotted and walked around in circles. I practiced figure 8s and turning where the barrels would've been. Lynn worked on side passes. I went over and she showed us how. Jupes was like, "I do not understand what you are asking of me." I didn't work on it very long.
White barrels outside of the arena are very scary. But Jupiter got used to them. Then Lynn brought in the barrels and set them up. While Ziggy was still tied up and Lynn was out of the arena, we did the cloverleaf successfully at least twice; albeit, the corners were too wide, but we did it on a slow trot. Then Lynn rode Ziggy around them. Ziggy took the barrels tight and easy and they loped back to "the finish line." It was pretty. Jupiter never did the entire cloverleaf in one easy, fluid motion again. He fought and fought and we had to walk and swing out into nothing close to turn. Somehow, we lost his left turn and he only wanted to go right! He'd had enough, I guess. If Shirley would've been there, she would have made me work harder--I should've used my spurs more or something.
I attempted to trot him around the area and then go into a canter, but when he started into it, once again I grabbed at the reins instead sitting back and he quit. I hate that it scared me for a second! I have lost confidence with him ever since he attempted to buck the last two times I let him go fast. Darn it. We never tried again. I wanted to, but then he started acting up--being stubborn and just stopping or fighting turning to his left at all and wanting to just go back to the trailer and eat some grain. I guess I have created a monster. Dang it. I have to work harder on both of us. Going off in the arena wouldn't have hurt as much as in the woods, so I should have just done it there, but we quit. I am sure it's frustrating for Lynn to have to watch my ineptness and his spoiled nature.
In contrast, watching Ziggy and Lynn was like poetry in motion. They looked good. He was stretching his long legs out and she just sat effortlessly on him. She didn't make him run like I thought she would, but they worked on stuff by the fence. I think she only did the barrels about 1/8 the speed she used to do them and I think she only did them once. We rode in circles side by side trying to get Jupiter to focus on something other than the trailer a few times, but only at a slow trot. With Ziggy on the outside, it forced Jupes to keep turning.We only did it a couple of times and never got fast enough to canter. Later, we found some poles after we decided to quit and we were going to set them up, but their bottoms were broken. Lynn got Ziggy to go into the bushes and let her drag out the pole. When she let go of it, I dragged the pole a little so Jupiter could get the feel of it, too. Lynn does stuff like that all the time when we are riding, but I haven't ever attempted to pull something or carry something big on Jupiter. We would simply fail trail trials.
The dogs were cute. They ran and jumped along the outside of the arena--sort of mimicking what the horses were doing inside. They were both good and stayed close, even though there were dogs barking somewhere over the rise.
So that was our day. We didn't ride very long and I don't think either of us accomplished or even attempted what we had hoped to do. I'm not sure either of us even worked very hard to reach our goals. It was kind of a bust. Good thing Star wasn't there.
We went into the arena and practiced opening and closing a very heavy gate. Lynn and Ziggy did it twice on one end and once on the other end, but Jupes and I were never successful (we only tried a couple of times). Then we trotted and walked around in circles. I practiced figure 8s and turning where the barrels would've been. Lynn worked on side passes. I went over and she showed us how. Jupes was like, "I do not understand what you are asking of me." I didn't work on it very long.
White barrels outside of the arena are very scary. But Jupiter got used to them. Then Lynn brought in the barrels and set them up. While Ziggy was still tied up and Lynn was out of the arena, we did the cloverleaf successfully at least twice; albeit, the corners were too wide, but we did it on a slow trot. Then Lynn rode Ziggy around them. Ziggy took the barrels tight and easy and they loped back to "the finish line." It was pretty. Jupiter never did the entire cloverleaf in one easy, fluid motion again. He fought and fought and we had to walk and swing out into nothing close to turn. Somehow, we lost his left turn and he only wanted to go right! He'd had enough, I guess. If Shirley would've been there, she would have made me work harder--I should've used my spurs more or something.
I attempted to trot him around the area and then go into a canter, but when he started into it, once again I grabbed at the reins instead sitting back and he quit. I hate that it scared me for a second! I have lost confidence with him ever since he attempted to buck the last two times I let him go fast. Darn it. We never tried again. I wanted to, but then he started acting up--being stubborn and just stopping or fighting turning to his left at all and wanting to just go back to the trailer and eat some grain. I guess I have created a monster. Dang it. I have to work harder on both of us. Going off in the arena wouldn't have hurt as much as in the woods, so I should have just done it there, but we quit. I am sure it's frustrating for Lynn to have to watch my ineptness and his spoiled nature.
In contrast, watching Ziggy and Lynn was like poetry in motion. They looked good. He was stretching his long legs out and she just sat effortlessly on him. She didn't make him run like I thought she would, but they worked on stuff by the fence. I think she only did the barrels about 1/8 the speed she used to do them and I think she only did them once. We rode in circles side by side trying to get Jupiter to focus on something other than the trailer a few times, but only at a slow trot. With Ziggy on the outside, it forced Jupes to keep turning.We only did it a couple of times and never got fast enough to canter. Later, we found some poles after we decided to quit and we were going to set them up, but their bottoms were broken. Lynn got Ziggy to go into the bushes and let her drag out the pole. When she let go of it, I dragged the pole a little so Jupiter could get the feel of it, too. Lynn does stuff like that all the time when we are riding, but I haven't ever attempted to pull something or carry something big on Jupiter. We would simply fail trail trials.
The dogs were cute. They ran and jumped along the outside of the arena--sort of mimicking what the horses were doing inside. They were both good and stayed close, even though there were dogs barking somewhere over the rise.
So that was our day. We didn't ride very long and I don't think either of us accomplished or even attempted what we had hoped to do. I'm not sure either of us even worked very hard to reach our goals. It was kind of a bust. Good thing Star wasn't there.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Beating the heat
Well, it's time to catch up again! We rode in Orick one Saturday and it was a beautiful day. The temperature was in the middle 60s and the sun was shining. You can't ask for more than that. Well, I guess Lynn can. She had a very disappointing ride--there had been sightings of two mama bears, one with triplets and one with only one, and although we heard a bear, we did not see it. Lynn's latest thing has been, "You know, if I see I bear I'm gonna run it!" No more just looking it at and being happy to see it--it is all about running as fast Zig can to chase the bear. As much as I used to enjoy seeing bears, I was very happy we did not--Jupiter is always as wound up as he possibly can be when we're at Orick and I am not sure I would be able to hold him if Lynn and Shirley took off as fast they could go. I would definitely be over the edge, impaled on a redwood and he would kicking his heels as high as he could and running like a wild man, free of my excess weight, trying to catch up.
Knock on wood--we have been bee free. Two days we have been around the Hennessey Ranch meadow and one we rode up the hill, skirting the trails with known bee pockets. Star went both days this weekend and I did not hear Shirley yell, "STAR!" once. Jupiter was a little tight yesterday, but managed to do some hard trotting without kicking his feet out and threatening to buck (I thought he outgrew that, but he did it again twice this month). Today he was awesome, even cantered a tiny bit. Ziggy was Ziggy. He did everything Lynn asked him to do, even though he pooped his way down the steep trail that makes him nervous (5x maybe?).
News on Alisa's side of the mountain--Keota went off the side of hill, but she stayed on and he climbed back up on the trail. Pretty darn scary! I am glad both of you are okay and I can only imagine how frightening it would have been to be your friend who powerlessly watched you. I think it is worse sometimes to be the one who is watching because the one it happens to is too busy concentrating on getting to safe ground to be afraid at the time. Maybe later, not usually right then.
I have been trying to find that cartoon car that careens around the corners and I cannot find it anywhere. This is the closest I can come to how Ziggy takes the hairpin turns. He swings out and comes back in like that old red car from possibly Woody Woodpecker. We went on two trails in Orick that had those corners cut into the hill. They are so fun to go on; of course they are not steep canyons like up at Granite Lake. Anyway it's in my head and want to find that car because it makes me laugh when Lynn describes Ziggy's long, tall self taking the curves.
It's 100+ outside, so everyone is inside. Dogs are sleeping and sewing machines are running. Lynn is having much more success than me--my latest project is quite disappointing.
I love summer.
Knock on wood--we have been bee free. Two days we have been around the Hennessey Ranch meadow and one we rode up the hill, skirting the trails with known bee pockets. Star went both days this weekend and I did not hear Shirley yell, "STAR!" once. Jupiter was a little tight yesterday, but managed to do some hard trotting without kicking his feet out and threatening to buck (I thought he outgrew that, but he did it again twice this month). Today he was awesome, even cantered a tiny bit. Ziggy was Ziggy. He did everything Lynn asked him to do, even though he pooped his way down the steep trail that makes him nervous (5x maybe?).
News on Alisa's side of the mountain--Keota went off the side of hill, but she stayed on and he climbed back up on the trail. Pretty darn scary! I am glad both of you are okay and I can only imagine how frightening it would have been to be your friend who powerlessly watched you. I think it is worse sometimes to be the one who is watching because the one it happens to is too busy concentrating on getting to safe ground to be afraid at the time. Maybe later, not usually right then.
I have been trying to find that cartoon car that careens around the corners and I cannot find it anywhere. This is the closest I can come to how Ziggy takes the hairpin turns. He swings out and comes back in like that old red car from possibly Woody Woodpecker. We went on two trails in Orick that had those corners cut into the hill. They are so fun to go on; of course they are not steep canyons like up at Granite Lake. Anyway it's in my head and want to find that car because it makes me laugh when Lynn describes Ziggy's long, tall self taking the curves.It's 100+ outside, so everyone is inside. Dogs are sleeping and sewing machines are running. Lynn is having much more success than me--my latest project is quite disappointing.
I love summer.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Skunked
Well today I broke in my new-had-to-have-it pink bucket. At 5:30 this morning, I was screaming like a banshee as Ziva first stuck her nose in the behind of a baby skunk and then chased the mama all the way to backyard patio. Oh yeah, she did. Then she came to me with her head hanging and I dragged her into the bathroom where we promptly took a bath in Tecnu. Lynn suggested Listerine, so she also has had Listerine on her face all day. Later I remembered I had some stuff called "Odormute" so I made a bucket full of it and I have been washing her down with it every little while.
So, yep, we stink; but I'm happy I had my bucket.
So, yep, we stink; but I'm happy I had my bucket.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Do you know this one?
I have always had a record player and when I was little: 5? 6? 7? this was my one of my favorite songs. I had it on a 45. I was singing it to Ziva yesterday and couldn't remember the words. . .
Sunday, July 6, 2014
First weekend in July
The bees took a little of the enjoyment out of the ride for awhile for me as I kept looking at the ground instead of enjoying the ride. I was worried about the two other places we've seen bees, but thankfully there weren't any. We walked across the tarp again, although only Ziggy will do the shiny one, Star and Jupiter walked on the other one. Coming off the top of Hennessey on the new steep trail, Shirley had her hands full with, "Star! Star! Quit that you old fool!" He went down jigging a little sideways off the very top. I am not sure why--we were all right there. (Although, Shirley did have to get off a couple times because her saddle slipped either forward or backward and had to be adjusted, so maybe that was it.) We bypassed our bottom trail on the trip back and came out on the road, but otherwise we had a fun ride in spite of the bees.
Sunday Lynn asked, "How about we go across the river?" Cool! We haven't been there in awhile--so we drove over to the Denny road and climbed that mountain. Those trails are pretty steep, but it isn't brushy at all. There were no bees, but there wasn't much water for the girls either. I thought it was a fun ride.
We were back by 10, so Lynn opened up her grooming box and two hours later, both the girls were looking beautiful. It's been a nice three-weekend and since summer school is only Tues/Thurs, I get tomorrow off, too! Summer is good.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
All good things must come to an end
Our riding vacation came to an end yesterday. As I sit here, I am missing my horse (oh, and you guys, too). Ziva and I have been playing soccer and chase the tennis ball for an hour. I said, "Are you ready?" and she instantly cocked her head and was heading for the door. I think she is missing going, too.
Doggone bees ruined our last trip. The hoop-de-doo trail used to be fun, but we have not been able to do it for awhile. For one, we don't want to have to see the damage done to the lower meadow by trucks spinning brodies (and all their trash left behind). Secondly, there have been bees along the trail unless we go in the winter. Finally, there is a tree down at the end and lots of brush surrounding it, blocking our passage to the end of the trail. I can't remember the last time we made it the Underwood road and headed up the trail from there!
Anyway, it's been fun. We are lucky that we can stay home and ride everyday. (Sorry Alisa--I hope you don't mind not being home.) Just like Shirley says, "We live in the prettiest country. Nothing can compare to what we see everyday."
All the riding we did was good for Jupiter. We worked on walking with others, standing and waiting until I said we could continue, crossing bridges, stepping over logs, and navigating over rocks, rocks, and more rocks. He got better every day. Shirley says he listens to me. I guess I have won enough battles of the will that we are forming a solid team bond. He does shy at silly stuff, but I don't expect him to be perfect--after all, I am definitely not. And of course, right or wrong, I still reward him with what he wants to do occasionally.
Keota also seemed to be enjoying his days on the trail. He didn't hesitate at the bridge; he never misstepped on the rocks; he didn't do anything to get yelled at all week (at least that I noticed). He was in the front, in the back, and even sometimes in the middle without worrying about Jupiter or Star being behind him. I think he did great. I love that he lopes along without any effort. I just wish I could see him do his perfect jump again.
Both Buster and Star gave Shirley some sideways jigging. I am not sure why they got upset--we stayed pretty close together so Star couldn't worry where everyone was and why Buster acts up is always a mystery to me. Maybe he wants to be in front! When Lynn rides him, he gets a taste of being the leader and seeing everything first. Shirley rarely takes the lead, so maybe Buster is exerting his desire to be in front. Shirley was a little nervous in the rocks with Buster, but I reminded her that Star is the one that has slipped the most and Buster has only been sure-footed with her.
Ziggy must be in his defiant teenage years. He has been so good for so long, maybe he testing the waters--just like a kid. He got in trouble everyday. I don't think he will continue to test Lynn as much, since he really is "the good kid" who doesn't like being in trouble. (Maybe Jupiter, the true bad boy, makes fun of him in the field for wanting to please Lynn so much. Just like a bully who teases a good kid into being less compliant.) Anyway, he is such a sweet boy and Lynn thinks when he gets in trouble he stops thinking and makes more mistakes that cause him to be yelled at again. Once he figures out how to break that cycle, he won't get yelled at and everything will be good again. One funny thing I heard Lynn say was that he did his cartoon stretch-car-zoom over the curves coming down from Granite Lake; the visual is pretty funny. He's a lot of horse to be making hairpin turns. :)
Thankfully we only had bees twice (three times if you count that we went through one set two times). No one was really hurt--Ziva, Sammi, Jupiter, and Zigs got stung, but not badly. We got to see new country, albeit disappointing because the trail wasn't open, and we played around with the black tarp/trail trial crossing. Riding anywhere with my horse, my dog, and all our favorite equine, canine, and "peeps" works for me.
Thanks, Lynn, for being our tour director.
Doggone bees ruined our last trip. The hoop-de-doo trail used to be fun, but we have not been able to do it for awhile. For one, we don't want to have to see the damage done to the lower meadow by trucks spinning brodies (and all their trash left behind). Secondly, there have been bees along the trail unless we go in the winter. Finally, there is a tree down at the end and lots of brush surrounding it, blocking our passage to the end of the trail. I can't remember the last time we made it the Underwood road and headed up the trail from there!
Anyway, it's been fun. We are lucky that we can stay home and ride everyday. (Sorry Alisa--I hope you don't mind not being home.) Just like Shirley says, "We live in the prettiest country. Nothing can compare to what we see everyday."
All the riding we did was good for Jupiter. We worked on walking with others, standing and waiting until I said we could continue, crossing bridges, stepping over logs, and navigating over rocks, rocks, and more rocks. He got better every day. Shirley says he listens to me. I guess I have won enough battles of the will that we are forming a solid team bond. He does shy at silly stuff, but I don't expect him to be perfect--after all, I am definitely not. And of course, right or wrong, I still reward him with what he wants to do occasionally.
Keota also seemed to be enjoying his days on the trail. He didn't hesitate at the bridge; he never misstepped on the rocks; he didn't do anything to get yelled at all week (at least that I noticed). He was in the front, in the back, and even sometimes in the middle without worrying about Jupiter or Star being behind him. I think he did great. I love that he lopes along without any effort. I just wish I could see him do his perfect jump again.
Both Buster and Star gave Shirley some sideways jigging. I am not sure why they got upset--we stayed pretty close together so Star couldn't worry where everyone was and why Buster acts up is always a mystery to me. Maybe he wants to be in front! When Lynn rides him, he gets a taste of being the leader and seeing everything first. Shirley rarely takes the lead, so maybe Buster is exerting his desire to be in front. Shirley was a little nervous in the rocks with Buster, but I reminded her that Star is the one that has slipped the most and Buster has only been sure-footed with her.
Ziggy must be in his defiant teenage years. He has been so good for so long, maybe he testing the waters--just like a kid. He got in trouble everyday. I don't think he will continue to test Lynn as much, since he really is "the good kid" who doesn't like being in trouble. (Maybe Jupiter, the true bad boy, makes fun of him in the field for wanting to please Lynn so much. Just like a bully who teases a good kid into being less compliant.) Anyway, he is such a sweet boy and Lynn thinks when he gets in trouble he stops thinking and makes more mistakes that cause him to be yelled at again. Once he figures out how to break that cycle, he won't get yelled at and everything will be good again. One funny thing I heard Lynn say was that he did his cartoon stretch-car-zoom over the curves coming down from Granite Lake; the visual is pretty funny. He's a lot of horse to be making hairpin turns. :)
Thankfully we only had bees twice (three times if you count that we went through one set two times). No one was really hurt--Ziva, Sammi, Jupiter, and Zigs got stung, but not badly. We got to see new country, albeit disappointing because the trail wasn't open, and we played around with the black tarp/trail trial crossing. Riding anywhere with my horse, my dog, and all our favorite equine, canine, and "peeps" works for me.
Thanks, Lynn, for being our tour director.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Sun, Rain, Time
A little rain, a little sunshine and a nice day to ride close to home. After the drenching the trees received yesterday, we knew we would be knocking water off on ourselves as we rode this morning. Shirley went into the doctor today because she was battling a couple of lines of itchiness across her neck, so it was just the nine of us. We drove up Hennessey in Alisa's pretty truck because Lynn was in trouble again--left the window down on Shirley's truck yesterday and the seat got wet.
When we first started off, it was Haley, me & Jupes, Lynn & Zigs, Sammi, Alisa & Keota, followed by Ziva, all in a line. Well I guess we stirred up a wasp's nest and Ziva got stung on the side. On the way back down, I forgot about it and just took the same trail as always. We were back in the same formation, only this time I guess we really stirred them up. Ziggy was bucking and upset and Lynn yelled back at Alisa to go another way. Zigs, Ziva, and Sammi all got stung. Thankfully Lynn, who is allergic did not. Ziggy has a puffy spot on his side and Ziva is swollen a little over her eye.
Besides hitting bees--today was a really nice day. All the horses listened and behaved. We worked on our trail trial tarp crossing again and we went all over on the back side of the mountain. It was a fun day. The sun came out and I am glad we have had the time to ride together each day.
When we first started off, it was Haley, me & Jupes, Lynn & Zigs, Sammi, Alisa & Keota, followed by Ziva, all in a line. Well I guess we stirred up a wasp's nest and Ziva got stung on the side. On the way back down, I forgot about it and just took the same trail as always. We were back in the same formation, only this time I guess we really stirred them up. Ziggy was bucking and upset and Lynn yelled back at Alisa to go another way. Zigs, Ziva, and Sammi all got stung. Thankfully Lynn, who is allergic did not. Ziggy has a puffy spot on his side and Ziva is swollen a little over her eye.
Besides hitting bees--today was a really nice day. All the horses listened and behaved. We worked on our trail trial tarp crossing again and we went all over on the back side of the mountain. It was a fun day. The sun came out and I am glad we have had the time to ride together each day.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Three French Poodles in the Wilderness
It's vacation time! Alisa is here and we are riding everyday. We started up Underwood. As usual it was a good time; however, the girls were filled with burrs. Millions of them! Then we tried a new place in the Marble Mountain Wilderness: Stanshaw Trailhead. It took us three hours to trailer up there and we could only ride a couples of miles due to large, insurmountable trees in the way and no way around them. It was disappointing.
The next day we drove to the Trinity Alps Wilderness: Swift Creek Trailhead. Now we have been here before, but we had decided to ride into Granite Lake. I guess we should have paid attention to the name of it. There were lots of rocks. It was a five mile trail through some pretty stuff, but we climbed two thousand feet through a lot of granite rocks. Of course all the boys did really well and so did the girls.
Before we left the trailhead, some "eye candy" as Alisa called them, insulted our babies. First they asked if they were Portuguese Water Dogs, but after we told them poodles, they turned up their noses to us and dismissed us, saying the dogs were "Foo-Foo dogs" with "foo-foo haircuts"!!! We could show them a little foo-foo upside the head. After all they were the ones who picked up their cow dog and put him back in the truck when they saw our four running to greet them.
Later on we met some hikers who Lynn overheard saying to his family, "Wow! Three French Poodles in the wilderness! Who would've thought?" Ha! Foo-foo dogs my foot.
Wednesday was a day off for rest, but we'll be back at it tomorrow. It's raining right now, so the world will be fresh and clean in the morning.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
A short catch up
I am the chubby hamster running pell-mell on the wheel in her cage and getting nowhere! I have stories to tell and no time to tell them!
First, we spent Memorial Day weekend riding with Alisa and Toni and a good time was had by all. As usual! Toni got to ride Buster, Mr. Steady and Reliable. Alisa didn't have an 8-second ride, but it probably felt like it. Keota threw a fit for no apparent reason and broke the brush and bucked and skewed around coming off the cut off trail to the road. Alisa just rode it out (although she did holler).
The four girls, three black wild things and one tan one, all had fun, too. Ziva even learned how to be a rock climber! Boy was she tired.
The next weekend, Lynn was talking about how all of our horses are such good trail horses. She was going on about the down-fall trees and steepness of the trails and such. Yep, we could sure show ol' what's-his-name Cameron a thing or two about trail riding. Then going on a steep downhill trail, Buster stepped on a downed limb. It broke and one end of it flew straight up and at Jupiter. He reared and hopped and freaked out. I broke a nail and said the S-word. Small horse-eating monster on the trail. From that point on he was on alert. No white rocks or gray limbs were going to take him unawares. He had his eye on them and his butt swiveled out the way just in case. We came out onto the flat below the really steep part of our top trail and lo and behold--something was in the bushes. Something big. I thought it was a horse. It was an orange cow. OMG. It was a fast and interesting ride to the trailer. Yep, Jupes is real trail horse, and a good one, just a little scaredy.
Lynn and I went to Underwood without Shirley one day. We tried out new trails and probably won't do that particular one again--it was a mess. But fun to trailblaze. They went without me one day, but only went to the top and back of Hennessey.
Now it's time for the Expo! We are eagerly awaiting the fun. I hope everyone sleeps well the rest of the week, because we are going to be tired walking and walking and talking and looking and looking and more talking. :)
First, we spent Memorial Day weekend riding with Alisa and Toni and a good time was had by all. As usual! Toni got to ride Buster, Mr. Steady and Reliable. Alisa didn't have an 8-second ride, but it probably felt like it. Keota threw a fit for no apparent reason and broke the brush and bucked and skewed around coming off the cut off trail to the road. Alisa just rode it out (although she did holler).
The four girls, three black wild things and one tan one, all had fun, too. Ziva even learned how to be a rock climber! Boy was she tired.
The next weekend, Lynn was talking about how all of our horses are such good trail horses. She was going on about the down-fall trees and steepness of the trails and such. Yep, we could sure show ol' what's-his-name Cameron a thing or two about trail riding. Then going on a steep downhill trail, Buster stepped on a downed limb. It broke and one end of it flew straight up and at Jupiter. He reared and hopped and freaked out. I broke a nail and said the S-word. Small horse-eating monster on the trail. From that point on he was on alert. No white rocks or gray limbs were going to take him unawares. He had his eye on them and his butt swiveled out the way just in case. We came out onto the flat below the really steep part of our top trail and lo and behold--something was in the bushes. Something big. I thought it was a horse. It was an orange cow. OMG. It was a fast and interesting ride to the trailer. Yep, Jupes is real trail horse, and a good one, just a little scaredy.
Lynn and I went to Underwood without Shirley one day. We tried out new trails and probably won't do that particular one again--it was a mess. But fun to trailblaze. They went without me one day, but only went to the top and back of Hennessey.
Now it's time for the Expo! We are eagerly awaiting the fun. I hope everyone sleeps well the rest of the week, because we are going to be tired walking and walking and talking and looking and looking and more talking. :)
Monday, May 19, 2014
Shingletown
Once again work called me away from the fun! Here's Lynn's version:
Friday night got home, kicking off "good" clothes for "everyday" clothes (same stuff, everyday is too worn out for work). Called Mom said you ready to roll? Of course she is ready to roll, she was for sure watching me and headed out the door. Mom asked where is Vicki? I told mom she can't come she is in San Jose or San Rosa remember she is at a conference? Nope. Caught Buster and Star. Hooked up, through our crap in the trailer, loaded up horses, Haley and us piled in... on the road by 5:15...
We stopped at the Lumberjack in Redding for dinner, lets just say it was okay.
On to Loomis Ranch. We arrived and was met by Dave the hired hand. He was moving making everything perfect. Horses water, and cleaned out our trailer, and showed us our room. I ask if I could let Haley out. I was nervous, Kate has added chickens. They were between us and our accommodations. I seen Haley's keen eyes hone in on them, I told her in a low and I mean it voice NO, you leave them alone. She was really good and tried to ignore them, I could see her watching the whole time. I know she was thinking they could be fun.
Dave showed us our room. It was nice, quiet and unique. It is located in an out building. The Bathroom is to the left right when you go through the open air door. Continue on and the room in on the right. It has all the amenities you need, TV, Wi-Fi, love seat for your TV viewing. Angela text me many times, she is fast. I could not respond fast enough, I was laughing... WE went to bed... on the trampoline one little movement and your rock'n & roll'n for 5 minutes, it was a hoot. Definitely good for a laugh. Haley wanted us to hold still. Needless to say I could not breathe, allergies! Augh! After Mom tried to go to sleep and I was still trying to breath, of course blowing my nose. CRAP! That set mom off laughing. There was a knock on the door, Haley went nuts! Kate. She was checking to see if everything was okay. She said she was sneaking up to see if she could hear conversation she wanted to say hi and realized her spurs were jingling then she heard us laughing, she knew we where still up. She was just getting home from the rodeo. We visited for 15-20 minutes. She was leaving at 5:00 am she had entered her first bass tournament.
Finally, morning came. I went to feed and Mom shower. Then she asked when Alisa was going to get here. No Alisa is not coming. She also thought we were going to ride there. I said we got to get on the road to Shingletown. Meeting Angela at Reeds Market. Later on the road, she said Alisa is always on time. She'll be there or we arrive at the same time. I had to remind her that Alisa was not coming.
At Reeds market we had breakfast. Did some shopping, in and out of the store. Finally I told the checker that we were waiting for someone. In about 1 hour Angela showed up. We introduced each other. We took off following Angela to Claire's house.
Angela introduced us to Steve (Claire's husband). I asked Steve if I could let out my dog, and he said of course. So let Haley get out. Steve busted up, said wait right here... Than I started laughing. Here came "Woopie" Black and very tall Standard Poodle. She is a very happy dog :) I followed Angela to Claire Gaston's (?) house. Claire had broke her ankle the day before of course riding, not her horse and for the first time in 5 years rode with no helmet. I told Steve too bad the other 2 standards weren't here. By this time Claire had made her way out... poor thing. She asking about Haley and I told her about Sammy and Ziva. She just smiled. This is their third standard. She loves them.
Angela saddled up and we headed out. It was about 10 am. She was riding Dozer... :) We had a nice ride. The terrain is flat. They had a "hill" our drive way is about the same incline. Inside I chuckled. Haley chased a jack rabbit. She was not much larger than the rabbit. I seen a doe and turkey tracks. The weather could not have been better. Sunny and about 75 degrees.
We arrived back about 1:30 or so. We unsaddled put the horses in one side of their corrals. Then we went and visited with Claire for a little bit. At about 3 we loaded up and headed for home.
We stopped in Weaverville for our best meal of the two days at Marino's gassed up and arrived home at 7:00 pm. Good weekend.
Friday night got home, kicking off "good" clothes for "everyday" clothes (same stuff, everyday is too worn out for work). Called Mom said you ready to roll? Of course she is ready to roll, she was for sure watching me and headed out the door. Mom asked where is Vicki? I told mom she can't come she is in San Jose or San Rosa remember she is at a conference? Nope. Caught Buster and Star. Hooked up, through our crap in the trailer, loaded up horses, Haley and us piled in... on the road by 5:15...
We stopped at the Lumberjack in Redding for dinner, lets just say it was okay.
On to Loomis Ranch. We arrived and was met by Dave the hired hand. He was moving making everything perfect. Horses water, and cleaned out our trailer, and showed us our room. I ask if I could let Haley out. I was nervous, Kate has added chickens. They were between us and our accommodations. I seen Haley's keen eyes hone in on them, I told her in a low and I mean it voice NO, you leave them alone. She was really good and tried to ignore them, I could see her watching the whole time. I know she was thinking they could be fun.
Dave showed us our room. It was nice, quiet and unique. It is located in an out building. The Bathroom is to the left right when you go through the open air door. Continue on and the room in on the right. It has all the amenities you need, TV, Wi-Fi, love seat for your TV viewing. Angela text me many times, she is fast. I could not respond fast enough, I was laughing... WE went to bed... on the trampoline one little movement and your rock'n & roll'n for 5 minutes, it was a hoot. Definitely good for a laugh. Haley wanted us to hold still. Needless to say I could not breathe, allergies! Augh! After Mom tried to go to sleep and I was still trying to breath, of course blowing my nose. CRAP! That set mom off laughing. There was a knock on the door, Haley went nuts! Kate. She was checking to see if everything was okay. She said she was sneaking up to see if she could hear conversation she wanted to say hi and realized her spurs were jingling then she heard us laughing, she knew we where still up. She was just getting home from the rodeo. We visited for 15-20 minutes. She was leaving at 5:00 am she had entered her first bass tournament.
Finally, morning came. I went to feed and Mom shower. Then she asked when Alisa was going to get here. No Alisa is not coming. She also thought we were going to ride there. I said we got to get on the road to Shingletown. Meeting Angela at Reeds Market. Later on the road, she said Alisa is always on time. She'll be there or we arrive at the same time. I had to remind her that Alisa was not coming.
At Reeds market we had breakfast. Did some shopping, in and out of the store. Finally I told the checker that we were waiting for someone. In about 1 hour Angela showed up. We introduced each other. We took off following Angela to Claire's house.
Angela introduced us to Steve (Claire's husband). I asked Steve if I could let out my dog, and he said of course. So let Haley get out. Steve busted up, said wait right here... Than I started laughing. Here came "Woopie" Black and very tall Standard Poodle. She is a very happy dog :) I followed Angela to Claire Gaston's (?) house. Claire had broke her ankle the day before of course riding, not her horse and for the first time in 5 years rode with no helmet. I told Steve too bad the other 2 standards weren't here. By this time Claire had made her way out... poor thing. She asking about Haley and I told her about Sammy and Ziva. She just smiled. This is their third standard. She loves them.
Angela saddled up and we headed out. It was about 10 am. She was riding Dozer... :) We had a nice ride. The terrain is flat. They had a "hill" our drive way is about the same incline. Inside I chuckled. Haley chased a jack rabbit. She was not much larger than the rabbit. I seen a doe and turkey tracks. The weather could not have been better. Sunny and about 75 degrees.
We arrived back about 1:30 or so. We unsaddled put the horses in one side of their corrals. Then we went and visited with Claire for a little bit. At about 3 we loaded up and headed for home.
We stopped in Weaverville for our best meal of the two days at Marino's gassed up and arrived home at 7:00 pm. Good weekend.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Buster Bucks
It's the year of the horse! According to one website, the "Horse year is about freedom, returning to nature, and enjoying life and life’s adventures." Hmm. I'm liking that!
I am sitting here multi-tasking, reading Texas 10th grade paragraphs online (and every now and then I need a mental break!), writing this, and playing with Ziva. As I look down at my feet I see a bone, a zebra, a ball, another sort of ball, a rooster, an outside flying squirrel toy, and Ziva who is straining to get under the hutch to get the tennis ball she has put there. Do you think maybe she thinks I am boring? I am sure she had rather live with Lynn and Haley where she thinks it is about having fun all the time! :)
Saturday started off a little rough. Zigman had blood all over his left front leg and his knee was swollen. Lynn brought him down and cleaned it up and doctored him. We aren't sure what happened, but he seems like he's healing up; although, it was still a little swollen last night (Monday). Haley also ended up with a hurt foot. She cut it on something near the end of the ride. Poor little thing was holding her foot up and wouldn't put weight on it. After cleaning it real good, then a few epsom salts soaks, and having a wet Sunday off, she was much better last night and ran and played with Ziva the whole time.
So Lynn rode Buster and caught Star for Shirley. We rode out around the top of the Hennessey. It just never gets old! Lynn is currently working on a trip to Shingletown for a ride with her friend who lives there. It sounds like a good time! In addition, Lynn thinks she found another place to try when Alisa comes over, which will be fun, too, but honestly, every day is a different day when we ride and I just don't get bored. I don't think Jupiter does either.
Another thing that never gets boring is feeding the horses at night. I am sure Lynn is much faster when Shirley and I are not "helping." Because I am there with Ziva, it slows her down considerably. We laugh and mess around with the boys and then go for a quick loop up and around the hill so the girls can run. They are so much fun to watch. Then there's Lynn and Shirley. As you know, all three of us ride the 4-wheeler together (totally illegal and dangerous!). We all have on mud boots, big jackets, and hats so there is not a whole lot of room. Shirley is positive that we would be the team to beat on the luge! Because the hill is steep, Lynn needs to shift down to slow us down a little, although I am sure it's only because Shirley and I are on there, too--I am willing to bet she flies at top speed when she's alone. Anyway, the joke is that Lynn tries to shift Shirley's foot half the time. It's hard to get big mud boots under the lever, and with everyone's feet in the way, it's even harder. So she tries to get Shirley to shift. It's silly and we laugh.
Finally, we are adding a new way to support our horseback riding. Buster Bucks. Buster is Mr. Steady. He is the "go-to" guy when someone's regular ride is out of commission. Toni has ridden him, Lynn a couple of times, has Alisa? Anyway, Shirley has always called him the backup horse. So the idea is to buy shares of Buster. As an English teacher/word lover, this is a fun one because of the play on words! Get it? Shares like part ownership and shares like sharing (renting) the ride. ha ha I am always cracking myself up and no else thinks it's funny. :)
The sky is now bright and maybe even a little blue! so it's time to get ready for my real job. Happy trails!
I am sitting here multi-tasking, reading Texas 10th grade paragraphs online (and every now and then I need a mental break!), writing this, and playing with Ziva. As I look down at my feet I see a bone, a zebra, a ball, another sort of ball, a rooster, an outside flying squirrel toy, and Ziva who is straining to get under the hutch to get the tennis ball she has put there. Do you think maybe she thinks I am boring? I am sure she had rather live with Lynn and Haley where she thinks it is about having fun all the time! :)
Saturday started off a little rough. Zigman had blood all over his left front leg and his knee was swollen. Lynn brought him down and cleaned it up and doctored him. We aren't sure what happened, but he seems like he's healing up; although, it was still a little swollen last night (Monday). Haley also ended up with a hurt foot. She cut it on something near the end of the ride. Poor little thing was holding her foot up and wouldn't put weight on it. After cleaning it real good, then a few epsom salts soaks, and having a wet Sunday off, she was much better last night and ran and played with Ziva the whole time.
So Lynn rode Buster and caught Star for Shirley. We rode out around the top of the Hennessey. It just never gets old! Lynn is currently working on a trip to Shingletown for a ride with her friend who lives there. It sounds like a good time! In addition, Lynn thinks she found another place to try when Alisa comes over, which will be fun, too, but honestly, every day is a different day when we ride and I just don't get bored. I don't think Jupiter does either.
Another thing that never gets boring is feeding the horses at night. I am sure Lynn is much faster when Shirley and I are not "helping." Because I am there with Ziva, it slows her down considerably. We laugh and mess around with the boys and then go for a quick loop up and around the hill so the girls can run. They are so much fun to watch. Then there's Lynn and Shirley. As you know, all three of us ride the 4-wheeler together (totally illegal and dangerous!). We all have on mud boots, big jackets, and hats so there is not a whole lot of room. Shirley is positive that we would be the team to beat on the luge! Because the hill is steep, Lynn needs to shift down to slow us down a little, although I am sure it's only because Shirley and I are on there, too--I am willing to bet she flies at top speed when she's alone. Anyway, the joke is that Lynn tries to shift Shirley's foot half the time. It's hard to get big mud boots under the lever, and with everyone's feet in the way, it's even harder. So she tries to get Shirley to shift. It's silly and we laugh.
Finally, we are adding a new way to support our horseback riding. Buster Bucks. Buster is Mr. Steady. He is the "go-to" guy when someone's regular ride is out of commission. Toni has ridden him, Lynn a couple of times, has Alisa? Anyway, Shirley has always called him the backup horse. So the idea is to buy shares of Buster. As an English teacher/word lover, this is a fun one because of the play on words! Get it? Shares like part ownership and shares like sharing (renting) the ride. ha ha I am always cracking myself up and no else thinks it's funny. :)
The sky is now bright and maybe even a little blue! so it's time to get ready for my real job. Happy trails!
Saturday, April 19, 2014
A donkey to love
Rode up Underwood today. What fun! We are starting to ride fast quite a bit these days. I am staying on so far; however, today I got a surprise. We were trotting fast downhill on one road to the fork of another that turns and goes uphill quickly. Jupes was trotting for all he was worth and was just breaking into a good lope when: WHOOSH! He shied hard at something and twisted his body into a U while loping and thinking of maybe running! I squealed and my boot came out of the stirrup, but all was well. Lynn and Shirley had a good laugh. From that point on he was a little wired--he was totally sure there was something scary out there. Silly thing.
Last Sunday Shirley and Lynn rode up Hennessey. Star let himself be caught and Shirley rode him for the first time in a long time. He was jumping down the steep hills and going sideways, I guess. Good thing Shirley can ride!
A man who was my neighbor all my life (well most of it) passed away and a local mogul bought his land. On it is a donkey and cart that I want to own--I just love it--for lots of reasons. The new owner kept putting me off, but finally said no, I couldn't have it because his wife wanted it. My brother wanted me to have it and didn't know that the new owner had said "no." It showed up in my backyard when I was away at my uncle's funeral. I asked my brother to take it back. But in the meantime, check it out--I think he belongs in my backyard.
Happy Easter!
Last Sunday Shirley and Lynn rode up Hennessey. Star let himself be caught and Shirley rode him for the first time in a long time. He was jumping down the steep hills and going sideways, I guess. Good thing Shirley can ride!
A man who was my neighbor all my life (well most of it) passed away and a local mogul bought his land. On it is a donkey and cart that I want to own--I just love it--for lots of reasons. The new owner kept putting me off, but finally said no, I couldn't have it because his wife wanted it. My brother wanted me to have it and didn't know that the new owner had said "no." It showed up in my backyard when I was away at my uncle's funeral. I asked my brother to take it back. But in the meantime, check it out--I think he belongs in my backyard.
Happy Easter!
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Loping!
Yay! Saturday was a fun ride. We went early and rode up Hennessy. We didn't see anyone or hear any chainsaws--it was just us and at least one deer. There were lots of wild flowers and tons of color all around us. It was a beautiful morning.
We rode pretty fast and Jupiter even broke into a smooth lope. I was proud of both of us, I stayed on and just let him run and he didn't buck in happiness or anything else. We even jumped lots of little logs and did tight turns around trees and stumps. It was a banner day.
Lynn said it was one of her favorite runs with Ziggy as well. Although in the beginning of the ride, he lived up to his name, swerving six feet off the trail because Lynn was turned around and talking to us. I laughed as she yelled, "Ziggy!" like she does. I think he does it to be funny.
The boring horse, Buster, didn't buck while he was running up the hill either. I think everyone had fun--dogs, horses, and people. Nothing could be better.
We rode pretty fast and Jupiter even broke into a smooth lope. I was proud of both of us, I stayed on and just let him run and he didn't buck in happiness or anything else. We even jumped lots of little logs and did tight turns around trees and stumps. It was a banner day.
Lynn said it was one of her favorite runs with Ziggy as well. Although in the beginning of the ride, he lived up to his name, swerving six feet off the trail because Lynn was turned around and talking to us. I laughed as she yelled, "Ziggy!" like she does. I think he does it to be funny.
The boring horse, Buster, didn't buck while he was running up the hill either. I think everyone had fun--dogs, horses, and people. Nothing could be better.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Stump Animals
Yay! Two beautiful days and lots of riding. Saturday, Jupiter seemed like he was acting up. We all know he has to be ridden a lot or he is difficult. I told him his birthday is coming and he needs to start acting like he's nine and more mature. I had to spur and yell at him as we were going down a steep hill; I thought I was going to be a projectile and I didn't like the possibility--although the ground was soft, there were lots of logs and limbs.
Finally I paid closer attention. Poor baby had a carrot stuck in his throat and he was just trying to get it loose. I am not a good mom after all! No more carrots for him and I apologized for yelling and spurring him. Shirley said it made up for times he needed it and I didn't do it. Thankfully he is much better now!
Sunday we rode Underwood. We are all liking our new parking arrangement--good job, Lynn. We had a beautiful ride looping up and around. They boys got to eat their favorite grass and the girls had fun, too. Ziva is becoming a great trail dog! Hailey is staying close, too. Buster tried to get out in a bog to eat some special grass and sunk down to his knees in the black muck! It sort of scared me, but Shirley just rode out of it.
Most of the morning, we were in back of the line, just cruising, and I swear I saw a mountain lion (or two), a bear, and a giraffe! (: Those stumps are all different colored and laying (or standing) in ways that look deceiving. My imagination was running away with itself! Jupes and I are a definite match.
It was a great weekend and I look forward to the next one.
Finally I paid closer attention. Poor baby had a carrot stuck in his throat and he was just trying to get it loose. I am not a good mom after all! No more carrots for him and I apologized for yelling and spurring him. Shirley said it made up for times he needed it and I didn't do it. Thankfully he is much better now!
Sunday we rode Underwood. We are all liking our new parking arrangement--good job, Lynn. We had a beautiful ride looping up and around. They boys got to eat their favorite grass and the girls had fun, too. Ziva is becoming a great trail dog! Hailey is staying close, too. Buster tried to get out in a bog to eat some special grass and sunk down to his knees in the black muck! It sort of scared me, but Shirley just rode out of it.
Most of the morning, we were in back of the line, just cruising, and I swear I saw a mountain lion (or two), a bear, and a giraffe! (: Those stumps are all different colored and laying (or standing) in ways that look deceiving. My imagination was running away with itself! Jupes and I are a definite match.
It was a great weekend and I look forward to the next one.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Exploring
Today we went exploring. What a good time! We drove up Underwood and parked way up the hill. It was steep and rocky and a little narrow, but Lynn just motored us on. Piece of cake (although she worried about it all night!). The elevation where we parked was 4200.
After we parked, we headed up a skid road. There wasn't much brush to stop us, although there were a lot of down trees.We rode on both roads and through the trees. There were some beautiful views overlooking the river gorge (South Fork) and back at Ironside. We had to skirt some down trees, but all the horses just did what was asked of them. They are all such good mountain boys. We hit some deadends, but somehow ended up making a loop back onto our first trail. Ziggy knew where we were, but I think the rest of us were surprised.
We got back to the truck and kind of rode around looking for another avenue to explore, but decided to load up the boys and head downhill to another spot and ride out of there. Although it didn't seem like it, we had put in about 3 hours at that point, but no one was ready to stop. The boys loved eating all that high mountain grass and definitely wanted more, so they were okay with going on another trail.
Once we got out and on another skid road, we found ourselves in some prickly brush. I saw Ziva jump up and over a small bush rather than let it touch her. The trees have grown over the road some, but it was a nice ride. Unfortunately, we came to a log that wasn't high or low enough to navigate and both sides were too steep to go around, so we headed back.
The boys were happy to see new trails and the dogs all stayed close. Ziva really want to chase some quail down a super steep hill, but she listened and stayed with us. Hailey was a on a dead run after something--high above us on the hill--but she came right back when Lynn called her. We heard a big wood pecker or two, but didn't get to see them. I saw some tracks of something else, but I am not sure what it was. I don't get to go tomorrow, but I'll relish this one all week. It was a great day. (as usual!)
After we parked, we headed up a skid road. There wasn't much brush to stop us, although there were a lot of down trees.We rode on both roads and through the trees. There were some beautiful views overlooking the river gorge (South Fork) and back at Ironside. We had to skirt some down trees, but all the horses just did what was asked of them. They are all such good mountain boys. We hit some deadends, but somehow ended up making a loop back onto our first trail. Ziggy knew where we were, but I think the rest of us were surprised.
We got back to the truck and kind of rode around looking for another avenue to explore, but decided to load up the boys and head downhill to another spot and ride out of there. Although it didn't seem like it, we had put in about 3 hours at that point, but no one was ready to stop. The boys loved eating all that high mountain grass and definitely wanted more, so they were okay with going on another trail.
Once we got out and on another skid road, we found ourselves in some prickly brush. I saw Ziva jump up and over a small bush rather than let it touch her. The trees have grown over the road some, but it was a nice ride. Unfortunately, we came to a log that wasn't high or low enough to navigate and both sides were too steep to go around, so we headed back.
The boys were happy to see new trails and the dogs all stayed close. Ziva really want to chase some quail down a super steep hill, but she listened and stayed with us. Hailey was a on a dead run after something--high above us on the hill--but she came right back when Lynn called her. We heard a big wood pecker or two, but didn't get to see them. I saw some tracks of something else, but I am not sure what it was. I don't get to go tomorrow, but I'll relish this one all week. It was a great day. (as usual!)
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Easy rides
Two beautiful mornings dawned and smiled on three happy riders. Saturday we rode up Underwood. It was uneventful (Jupes behaved) and the dogs stayed close by. It was warm and sunny and aside from lots of traffic on the road, we rode all over and enjoyed the day. It has dried out and the slopes weren't too slippery.
Saturday afternoon, Lynn and Lee drove up Underwood. They drove up the road we usually ride to see if we could park the truck and trailer off the main road. They also drove up past where we cross it. Lynn says there are a couple of good trails we can explore on up there. Next weekend we will try it out.
Sunday we planned to go down to the meadow and ride the loop around it. We met a couple of regular walkers who told us that it had been totally torn up by vehicles. Julie said that they had even gotten two or three trucks stuck coming up the hill where the roots are. They fell some trees and had a tow truck come down to pull them out. Both meadows had fallen victim--even down by the barn. We heard enough. We did not ride down there. Not even seeing the new calf was worth seeing the devastation.
We rode up to the top and made a quick loop. We gave the boys a snack and on the way down, fixed one of our trails. The boys are out of shape and Jupiter stopped often to catch his breath. But it was fun. I think I can now handle whatever life throws at me next week!
PS Ziva now weighs 42.6 lbs and is 43 inches tall at her front shoulder. She'll be 8 months old next Sunday. She is becoming a great trail dog. Also important notches on my timeline for this week: I will have had Jupiter for 5 years on Thursday! My how time flies when you're having fun. :)
Saturday afternoon, Lynn and Lee drove up Underwood. They drove up the road we usually ride to see if we could park the truck and trailer off the main road. They also drove up past where we cross it. Lynn says there are a couple of good trails we can explore on up there. Next weekend we will try it out.
Sunday we planned to go down to the meadow and ride the loop around it. We met a couple of regular walkers who told us that it had been totally torn up by vehicles. Julie said that they had even gotten two or three trucks stuck coming up the hill where the roots are. They fell some trees and had a tow truck come down to pull them out. Both meadows had fallen victim--even down by the barn. We heard enough. We did not ride down there. Not even seeing the new calf was worth seeing the devastation.
We rode up to the top and made a quick loop. We gave the boys a snack and on the way down, fixed one of our trails. The boys are out of shape and Jupiter stopped often to catch his breath. But it was fun. I think I can now handle whatever life throws at me next week!
PS Ziva now weighs 42.6 lbs and is 43 inches tall at her front shoulder. She'll be 8 months old next Sunday. She is becoming a great trail dog. Also important notches on my timeline for this week: I will have had Jupiter for 5 years on Thursday! My how time flies when you're having fun. :)
Monday, March 3, 2014
Sidestepping
We got to ride up the Hennessy on Saturday! It was a glorious morning. The sun broke through the clouds and it was easily in high 50s/low 60s. Lynn rode up front and broke trail which kept Shirley and I drier. However, we have not had the rain the lower part of the state has received, so the branches weren't too full of water. None of us got drenched like we have in the past.
We rode up to the top, turned right and went down along the ridge. Instead of continuing on down to the lower meadow (which would have been slick!) we turned up the rode and came back up to the left-hand road which brought us back to the top. Then we headed back to the trail head. Jupes spent the whole way up and around in the back, but he didn't fight me too much. However, once we got to the top and headed back to the trailer, he'd had enough--it was time to trot out.
Coming down the steep stuff, he did really well; he just let his back feet slide down nice and easy. I heard Lynn telling Zigs to "keep his head up and pay attention," but they too just slid down. It was Mr. Boring, Buster, who came down the fastest. I think he is tired of being considered boring and he wants to lead, but if he isn't going to lead, he at least wants to be in front of Jupiter.
As we were headed down the road, I channeled Alisa and Keota. I have been hearing how cool it has been in the arena where they have been working on things. I know Keota is a great side-stepper (among other things) and I remember hearing Alisa talking about how she moves her leg to get him to do it. Well, Jupiter once was trained to do all kinds of good things too, that is, before he came to be with me! He has probably forgotten most of his good training. Anyway--we were too close to the edge of the road for my comfort. I had been trying to lead him with the reins away from it. Then I remembered Alisa & Keota. I used my right leg and pressed into the middle of his belly and wah-la! He stepped away from the edge! Thanks Alisa. :)
Ziva went with us and did fantastic! She stayed right with us and paid attention to the horses. Lynn groomed her yesterday and she looks beautiful as well. So happy Monday and happy birthday to Lynn. I wish we could be ahorseback to celebrate instead of at work!
We rode up to the top, turned right and went down along the ridge. Instead of continuing on down to the lower meadow (which would have been slick!) we turned up the rode and came back up to the left-hand road which brought us back to the top. Then we headed back to the trail head. Jupes spent the whole way up and around in the back, but he didn't fight me too much. However, once we got to the top and headed back to the trailer, he'd had enough--it was time to trot out.
Coming down the steep stuff, he did really well; he just let his back feet slide down nice and easy. I heard Lynn telling Zigs to "keep his head up and pay attention," but they too just slid down. It was Mr. Boring, Buster, who came down the fastest. I think he is tired of being considered boring and he wants to lead, but if he isn't going to lead, he at least wants to be in front of Jupiter.
As we were headed down the road, I channeled Alisa and Keota. I have been hearing how cool it has been in the arena where they have been working on things. I know Keota is a great side-stepper (among other things) and I remember hearing Alisa talking about how she moves her leg to get him to do it. Well, Jupiter once was trained to do all kinds of good things too, that is, before he came to be with me! He has probably forgotten most of his good training. Anyway--we were too close to the edge of the road for my comfort. I had been trying to lead him with the reins away from it. Then I remembered Alisa & Keota. I used my right leg and pressed into the middle of his belly and wah-la! He stepped away from the edge! Thanks Alisa. :)
Ziva went with us and did fantastic! She stayed right with us and paid attention to the horses. Lynn groomed her yesterday and she looks beautiful as well. So happy Monday and happy birthday to Lynn. I wish we could be ahorseback to celebrate instead of at work!
Monday, January 27, 2014
Junuary
Saturday we enjoyed the "Junuary" weather in Redding. It was 80 degrees for Heaven's sake--it feels like June rather than January. Even the cherry trees are starting to bloom. However, once we got up over Buckhorn, the temp dropped 40 degrees. Well, we can't change the weather and we can't change the threat of drought. But we can go out and enjoy the sun with our "BFFs!"
Alisa, Shirley, and I had our hands full. No "boring" horses for us. Keota was dancing and prancing and acting like he hadn't been ridden in awhile, even though he has been. Buster continues to become more and more of a handful every time he is ridden--twirling and prancing. Thankfully, that is what Shirley likes. Jupiter--well that's another long story; I'll just suffice it to say, "Whoo-hoo! I stayed on!" Of course the best rider with us, has nicest mannered horse who never gets worked up or misbehaves.
Ziva got to go on her first real ride and she did wonderfully. I told Lynn she stayed on Haley's "4" rather than her "6." (: She slept the whole way home, but then was ready to run with the 4-wheeler and feed the horses when we got there. She's just a few days over six months and weighing in at 32.8 lbs. At one point (which doesn't happen very often), she and Haley stood motionless together and it was the first time I saw how much bigger than Haley she has become. Because she takes up so much room in the backseat, Haley had to stretch across Ziva's hip in order to lay down going home. Sammie and Happy were great on the trail, although Happy had a few times she "upset the apple cart" with her barking.
They say it's healthy to have something to look forward to as it helps smooth out the rough patches of the week. Well, last week it was going riding; this week it is the Bull and Gelding Sale! I can hardly wait.
Alisa, Shirley, and I had our hands full. No "boring" horses for us. Keota was dancing and prancing and acting like he hadn't been ridden in awhile, even though he has been. Buster continues to become more and more of a handful every time he is ridden--twirling and prancing. Thankfully, that is what Shirley likes. Jupiter--well that's another long story; I'll just suffice it to say, "Whoo-hoo! I stayed on!" Of course the best rider with us, has nicest mannered horse who never gets worked up or misbehaves.
Ziva got to go on her first real ride and she did wonderfully. I told Lynn she stayed on Haley's "4" rather than her "6." (: She slept the whole way home, but then was ready to run with the 4-wheeler and feed the horses when we got there. She's just a few days over six months and weighing in at 32.8 lbs. At one point (which doesn't happen very often), she and Haley stood motionless together and it was the first time I saw how much bigger than Haley she has become. Because she takes up so much room in the backseat, Haley had to stretch across Ziva's hip in order to lay down going home. Sammie and Happy were great on the trail, although Happy had a few times she "upset the apple cart" with her barking.
They say it's healthy to have something to look forward to as it helps smooth out the rough patches of the week. Well, last week it was going riding; this week it is the Bull and Gelding Sale! I can hardly wait.
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