Sleeping single in a double bed--NOT

I love that Ziva is a cuddler. I brought her up on the bed when she was little, knowing that she would get bigger. So I guess I deserve the loss of space. And I'm not really complaining. It's kind of funny. Last night for instance, she woke me up because I think she got cold. She's not like Haley, who likes to be covered up. Instead she spoons (which I know Haley does, too--usually with her behind nearer to Lee's face than her face). Last night, instead of just spooning--kerthump against my back like normal--she plopped down ON my lower back! So I moved over, right? This is what my bed looked like after we both got up.

The covers are of course kicked off because I am hot already and then I have her hot body pressed up against me. She probably moves up so high because my feet are always moving in and out of the covers, keeping HER awake.

Sometimes I wake up and I am stretched across the bed width-wise and so is she.Good thing I am not very tall.

Sometimes Ursula is next to us, too. She gets cranky if I move around too much. I end up between the two of them or she comes and lays up by the pillows before Ziva can.

I go to bed early and I get up early. But needless to say, in between, there isn't as much sleep as one would think.

The grass isn't always greener somewhere else--sometimes it's pretty darn green right where you are!

It's that time of year again--tall grass and hungry horses. The fields are green and beckoning. Although the horses have been getting alfalfa as well as hay every day, twice a day--they are ready for the fresh stuff. The problem is, that just like those of us who overeat when something tastes yummy, they will overeat and founder. Shirley tells me this practically every day. :)

So we start out slow; we bring them down and let them eat for a half hour or so every evening. It's a chewing festival. They never even lift their heads to move from one clean square to the next potential spot. Although the prospect of running does not seem like a good idea to them while they are eating--we are pretty sure that once the "time's up" signal is given, they probably would not let us catch them; so we hold on to their lead ropes. Except for Brady who is free to wander where he wants--old age has it's benefits.

Because of my work schedule and the fact that there are five horses, sometimes someone has to wait a little bit longer for his turn. It was Jupiter on Sunday. Guess how that went! He was upset that he had been left and everyone else was eating grass. He threw a bucking fit and had Shirley hugging a tree. He is the fattest of everyone. I mean he's ROUND. Shirley christened him with a new name: Jimmy Dean. He is going to get even rounder once they come down off the hill. Lynn will have to trim more brush so we fit on the trail.

Barry is planning on bringing his horses over to the pasture as soon as we get our horses acclimated to the grass. Although no one is happy about them coming, we are eager to see Dusty. Barry said he is huge now. He plans to ride him a lot this year. I don't think Nancy intends to get on him until Barry has gotten all the "bucking" out of him; but even then, she is shorter than any of us and will need a ladder to get on.

I like this time of year for a few reasons: first of all, I like standing around with Jupes. I get to talk to him and rub on him while he eats. He probably can't hear me over all that chewing, but it feels nice to hang out with him. Secondly, it also means standing around with Lynn and Shirley. We laugh over the day's events. You know Lynn is full of weird people stories! Finally, the dogs have a ball. The grass is way over their heads and they look so funny running and jumping in it. They roll around and weave in and out of the horses. It's easy to see the pure joy in their faces.

This together time is short and will come to a close very soon. The horses will be out in the fields and won't need us for a bit. Thankfully, they like us well enough and know that sometimes we bear treats, so they come to the fence to say hello. But the days of hurrying from school to feed are almost over for awhile. Although I like that I can stay at school longer and accomplish a few more things--I will miss seeing everyone. It also means that Ziva, the ball dog, won't be romping with her best friend and will expect me to play even more ball! :)

As I look forward to tomorrow's ride--I send good thoughts to Alisa and her crew. Six more weeks in the brace, but no surgery--Yay! We will be planning rides into Stanshaw and other fun places in no time.

Hmmm. Who's this?

Happy birthday, Jupes!

I fell in love with his picture. And then I saw him and rode him and it was all over. 

"Just pay the lady."

Then we got him home and I realized how little he was--his chest was as skinny as Indy's!

But when we turned him loose and he ran away in fear, I called his name and he came running back to me. He stole my heart right then.

He knows the sound of a camera and how to pose and show off his good side for sure.Shirley calls him "Little Lord Fauntleroy". 

But when everyone else is complaining about their boring horses--I am not. For all his "perfectness" he is a pistol who keeps me on my toes. 

He's kind of a big scaredy cat, but loves to be in the lead and charge uphill. He's surefooted on the trail (except when he stumbles!).

Although it feels like much longer, we've been partners for five years now. He's filled out to be the perfect Morgan specimen--even if he's on the round side. :)

Happy 10th birthday, Jupiter! 

I look forward to many more years on the trail with you.