It was an average weekend and yet, something about it felt wonderful. We rode on Saturday and went up the road and across all our the trail cutoffs. We went backwards around the backside of the hill and we were careful to take trails that weren't too slippery. All the boys did really well--even when they did the splits a little trying to keep their footing. Buster was happy--he got to go and show Shirley how reliable and steady he could be. We all got a little wet from the branches, but it was a good day overall.
Sunday left me feeling very good about Jupiter--he is becoming such a good horse. We rode down to the meadow a different way. We went exploring and ended up near the trashy spot above the steep trail. Everyone did a great job and paid attention going through the brush. I guess Shirley and I flushed out a couple of rabbits that Lynn saw because she was down below us--but we never saw or heard them. We stayed left so as not to go down the steep, slippery trail and ended up on an old quad trail. Lynn says we've been on it before, years ago, but it wasn't real familiar to me. We wound our way pretty far up the mountain until we reached a dead end. When we came down we ended up back on the lower meadow. It was beautiful up in there and the trees were magnificient.
Then we tootled (like that word?) around the meadow and let the horses eat some apples. We went back and forth across the creek. We ended down the west side of the meadow to circle around and come back up and maybe lope a little going uphill (I'm practicing going faster.) We had been avoiding wire and fencing all along the way. Buster had been caught up in some wire earlier and we were on alert. Lynn saw some barbed wire and told us to change direction. Jupiter and I weren't that close to them, so I thought we could go below them to miss it. Instead we ended up in trouble.
I saw it just as Jupiter stepped into it--it wasn't just wire, it was the whole barbed wire fence that had fallen down. One side of it was still attached to standing tree! I made him stop and called to Lynn. I got off and she scrambled up to where we were. I told Jupes to just stand; I rubbed him and kept my voice calm. I rolled the log the fence was attached to toward him so it would relieve some of the tension; Lynn put a limb down to hold the wire down and make him step up and over, while I stood on the one that was loose and curling around and possibly catching his foot or shoe. Then I got him to step forward. He did so well! I am just completely proud of him. Although it was a bad situation--it left me feeling really good. He listened and trusted me to get him out of trouble! We are becoming a good team.
We didn't lope too much up the hill, but I guess Buster showed Shirley she had a horse under her. I am not sure if he was crow hopping or just wanting to bust loose and run--but maybe she'll give him a little more credit and not call him boring as much. He wants to make her happy that's for sure!
So it's Monday again. I have one more volleyball practice, one more game, puppies to feed for three days(my brother's), one more home football game, a boring day of inservice, Halloween to get through, and lots of major projects in all my classes. But, because of my good weekend with Jupiter (and friends), I think I will be okay.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Life's a Beach
Saturday was Jupiter and Ziggy's vet appointment. We drove out to get their flu shots and worming medicine. Both boys were on high alert because there were transients and their dogs laying under the trees in the field next to the vet's office. Nevertheless, they were both very good for Dr. Branch and licked up that apple-flavored medicine. Then we were off to the beach!
Lynn asked the vet if we could ride at Mad River's beach and we were told no, she didn't think so--being who we both are--we went anyway. It was no problem; we parked and could easily see how to get to the ocean from the parking lot. Remember: this is our third attempt of getting over the dunes and actually being on the beach and near the water's edge!
The wind was howling (of course!), but we saddled up and headed out. It was another day of firsts for the boys. Jupes did not like that water creeping up behind his feet. We never did get into the ocean. Zigs did and both he and Lynn felt a little dizzy by the movement. There were lots of horse-eating driftwood stumps and one very scary pink monster. She was dressed from head to toe in pink sweats--hood up and drawstrings pulled tight around her face. Jupes was like a coiled spring and when she suddenly grabbed her companion and pulled her out of the (scary) water--he was positive she was one of the most dangerous things he had ever seen in his life!
We trotted a ways and turned around and headed back--into the wind. Neither the horses nor the riders liked that ride back, which seemed like it took forever. However, I have to say my boy was looking pretty awesome: wind blowing that wild mane straight up, head high and ears forward, tail blowing back in the wind--you know he's beauty! (and I'm not prejudiced one bit!)
Haylee had the best time of all! She loved the sand, the birds, the water--all of it. She was happy and madly running every-which-way. The birds were playing in the wind currents and just hung over the top of her (and not very high) to tease her. She loved it anyway. Nevertheless, I think all of us were glad to be back at the trailer. So there you have it; we finally made it to the beach.
Sunday, we did a short ride on the Hennessey. Shirley said she thought Star, who had his shots on Thursday, was having a reaction and not feeling well. Personally, I am worrying about both of them. Neither seem like they are in good spirits or good health. Star seems to slip a lot more than I ever noticed before and is more cranky too (like he doesn't feel good). Shirley worries me too. But I am looking forward to celebrating her birthday on horseback on top of a mountain with beautiful view of the world!
Lynn asked the vet if we could ride at Mad River's beach and we were told no, she didn't think so--being who we both are--we went anyway. It was no problem; we parked and could easily see how to get to the ocean from the parking lot. Remember: this is our third attempt of getting over the dunes and actually being on the beach and near the water's edge!
The wind was howling (of course!), but we saddled up and headed out. It was another day of firsts for the boys. Jupes did not like that water creeping up behind his feet. We never did get into the ocean. Zigs did and both he and Lynn felt a little dizzy by the movement. There were lots of horse-eating driftwood stumps and one very scary pink monster. She was dressed from head to toe in pink sweats--hood up and drawstrings pulled tight around her face. Jupes was like a coiled spring and when she suddenly grabbed her companion and pulled her out of the (scary) water--he was positive she was one of the most dangerous things he had ever seen in his life!
We trotted a ways and turned around and headed back--into the wind. Neither the horses nor the riders liked that ride back, which seemed like it took forever. However, I have to say my boy was looking pretty awesome: wind blowing that wild mane straight up, head high and ears forward, tail blowing back in the wind--you know he's beauty! (and I'm not prejudiced one bit!)
Haylee had the best time of all! She loved the sand, the birds, the water--all of it. She was happy and madly running every-which-way. The birds were playing in the wind currents and just hung over the top of her (and not very high) to tease her. She loved it anyway. Nevertheless, I think all of us were glad to be back at the trailer. So there you have it; we finally made it to the beach.
Sunday, we did a short ride on the Hennessey. Shirley said she thought Star, who had his shots on Thursday, was having a reaction and not feeling well. Personally, I am worrying about both of them. Neither seem like they are in good spirits or good health. Star seems to slip a lot more than I ever noticed before and is more cranky too (like he doesn't feel good). Shirley worries me too. But I am looking forward to celebrating her birthday on horseback on top of a mountain with beautiful view of the world!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Wow. I hope no one gave up on me--I know it's been awhile since I sat and wrote our adventures down. I have had too much sadness and then too many school-related activities going on in my life to be light-hearted and free enough to write on the blog. Even though I am still really busy at school and heavy-hearted without my best friend laying in floor next to me, I think I am ready to sit here and write. . .
Lynn and Alisa had a great week in Quincy riding to Buck's Lake one day and from the pictures, I am guessing, riding across from Alisa's place. The boys behaved and a good time was had by all. Zigs came home with a few scrapes from dinging around in the pasture and Odie added a new white stripe somehow (I didn't hear the story) and became a "paint" horse. (:
Although there has been a dearth of posts by me, we too have been riding pretty regularly. Last weekend we had a small adventure: gun shots! Although it was not our first time hearing gun shots, it was our most exciting. Some men were target practicing at the dump area as we were making our way down the Hennessey. Obviously, they were not going to hear us, so Lynn and Ziggy rushed down the trail from our cutoff above the dump.
Jupiter, who was raised near a cannon shooting range, shouldn't have been spooked; however, he has lived with me for a few years now and I am spooky, so. . . anyway, he stopped dead in his tracks to listen when it was loud and near. Star didn't seemed bothered, but Shirley said they were doing dai-dos behind us. When Zigs and Lynn took off, Jupes thought we should too. At the top of the little tiny chute, I stopped him to get back in some semblance of control. Shirley was yelling at me to "Go! We all need to be together!" I liked the together idea, but I wanted to be ON Jupiter and together, versus limping down the road without him while he was together with them. (:
Once I felt he was listening to me again, we started down the road toward where Lynn and Zigs were conversing with the shooters. Shirley and Star zoomed past me, but as we came into view, I am sure we were high-stepping and looking good. Jupiter had his head high and I could feel his fancy foot work and twinkle butt underneath me. The men were nice and even waited until we were at the trailer to resume shooting.
I have heard good reports from Quincy that there is lots of riding going on midweek; including lots of happy dogs and crazy bridges that echo. I am happy that Keota and Sammi (and Alisa) have found fun new friends to have adventures with.
I have four regular season volleyball games left and we are hoping for a chance to be in the playoffs; however, it will depend on how well my team holds it together without fighting amongst themselves (this is part of coaching I didn't miss). My students in my classes ask me every Monday, "Did you get to go riding this weekend?" hoping desperately the answer is "Yes," because then they know I won't be as cranky. (:
My little black ball of attitude is curled up on my lap, my grades are in, it's Thursday and I don't have an away game for another week, so all is relatively well in my little world. I hope it is in yours, too.
Lynn and Alisa had a great week in Quincy riding to Buck's Lake one day and from the pictures, I am guessing, riding across from Alisa's place. The boys behaved and a good time was had by all. Zigs came home with a few scrapes from dinging around in the pasture and Odie added a new white stripe somehow (I didn't hear the story) and became a "paint" horse. (:
Although there has been a dearth of posts by me, we too have been riding pretty regularly. Last weekend we had a small adventure: gun shots! Although it was not our first time hearing gun shots, it was our most exciting. Some men were target practicing at the dump area as we were making our way down the Hennessey. Obviously, they were not going to hear us, so Lynn and Ziggy rushed down the trail from our cutoff above the dump.
Jupiter, who was raised near a cannon shooting range, shouldn't have been spooked; however, he has lived with me for a few years now and I am spooky, so. . . anyway, he stopped dead in his tracks to listen when it was loud and near. Star didn't seemed bothered, but Shirley said they were doing dai-dos behind us. When Zigs and Lynn took off, Jupes thought we should too. At the top of the little tiny chute, I stopped him to get back in some semblance of control. Shirley was yelling at me to "Go! We all need to be together!" I liked the together idea, but I wanted to be ON Jupiter and together, versus limping down the road without him while he was together with them. (:
Once I felt he was listening to me again, we started down the road toward where Lynn and Zigs were conversing with the shooters. Shirley and Star zoomed past me, but as we came into view, I am sure we were high-stepping and looking good. Jupiter had his head high and I could feel his fancy foot work and twinkle butt underneath me. The men were nice and even waited until we were at the trailer to resume shooting.
I have heard good reports from Quincy that there is lots of riding going on midweek; including lots of happy dogs and crazy bridges that echo. I am happy that Keota and Sammi (and Alisa) have found fun new friends to have adventures with.
I have four regular season volleyball games left and we are hoping for a chance to be in the playoffs; however, it will depend on how well my team holds it together without fighting amongst themselves (this is part of coaching I didn't miss). My students in my classes ask me every Monday, "Did you get to go riding this weekend?" hoping desperately the answer is "Yes," because then they know I won't be as cranky. (:
My little black ball of attitude is curled up on my lap, my grades are in, it's Thursday and I don't have an away game for another week, so all is relatively well in my little world. I hope it is in yours, too.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Mudding in Orick
Saturday started off with high heads and lots of snorting. There was a bull groaning or growling or generally making noise that was WAY SCARY! It was over behind a tall fence and no one could see it, but it was pretty loud. Ziggy tried to crawl out from under the trailer dividers. Both Star and Jupiter blasted out to get away from him and then Lynn carefully stayed out of his way once she opened up Zig's section. We walked them over to the end of the fence so they could see what it was, but they weren't having any of it!
Jupiter and Star settled down once they got to eating green grass, but not Ziggy. Eventually we saddled them up and got on--although, neither Star nor Ziggy would get close enough to the really great mounting blocks. We took off up the levy toward the trail head with lots of high heads and tight reins. We had also been told that there had been a bear around the first two turns. It never materialized, but we did hear some crashing in the brush.
The trail was slick and many spots were made of deep mud. Star slipped around because he doesn't want to get his prissy feet muddy; Jupes plowed through with no problem, but Ziggy got himself into trouble a couple of times. Once, he straddled the trail as he attempted to go up on the bank and slipped. Another time, Mr. Calm and Unruffled got scared of a large, red tree stump. That time his back legs slipped off the trail and his front legs were sinking up to his ankles. It was not good. He was sideways in the trail and there wasn't enough room for those kinds of shenanigans! Lynn had to get off and walk him by the scary tree.
I would say everyone was on high alert. Jupes was continually vying for passing Star and getting to the front. I think he was concerned about whatever it was out there coming up behind him--he didn't want to be last! We rode sideways most of the day. When everyone else seemed like they had relaxed reins--we did not. However, I was very proud of him--he did well.
However, for all that it was a great day! The temperature was perfect and no one performed any tricks. It was a good place to be!
**Off topic but I have to share: in Lake Tahoe there are many bears. They are thinking of adding a new activity here at the Spanish Language Institute: Running with bears, like in Spain, running with bulls. Then someone said, "Maybe it's running FROM bears!" (: Anyway, I guess the high school has three bears that like to lay on their warm sidewalks and one of the participants in the institute almost ran over a bear on her bicycle Sunday. I thought of Lynn and her love of bear sightings.
Jupiter and Star settled down once they got to eating green grass, but not Ziggy. Eventually we saddled them up and got on--although, neither Star nor Ziggy would get close enough to the really great mounting blocks. We took off up the levy toward the trail head with lots of high heads and tight reins. We had also been told that there had been a bear around the first two turns. It never materialized, but we did hear some crashing in the brush.
The trail was slick and many spots were made of deep mud. Star slipped around because he doesn't want to get his prissy feet muddy; Jupes plowed through with no problem, but Ziggy got himself into trouble a couple of times. Once, he straddled the trail as he attempted to go up on the bank and slipped. Another time, Mr. Calm and Unruffled got scared of a large, red tree stump. That time his back legs slipped off the trail and his front legs were sinking up to his ankles. It was not good. He was sideways in the trail and there wasn't enough room for those kinds of shenanigans! Lynn had to get off and walk him by the scary tree.
I would say everyone was on high alert. Jupes was continually vying for passing Star and getting to the front. I think he was concerned about whatever it was out there coming up behind him--he didn't want to be last! We rode sideways most of the day. When everyone else seemed like they had relaxed reins--we did not. However, I was very proud of him--he did well.
However, for all that it was a great day! The temperature was perfect and no one performed any tricks. It was a good place to be!
**Off topic but I have to share: in Lake Tahoe there are many bears. They are thinking of adding a new activity here at the Spanish Language Institute: Running with bears, like in Spain, running with bulls. Then someone said, "Maybe it's running FROM bears!" (: Anyway, I guess the high school has three bears that like to lay on their warm sidewalks and one of the participants in the institute almost ran over a bear on her bicycle Sunday. I thought of Lynn and her love of bear sightings.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
An oracle, a problem-solver, and the best friend anyone could ever ask for!
Toni and Mitch joined us Saturday for a ride around the top of Hennessey. Mitch warned us that Bristol, his mount that day, was a designated driver horse. Many a drunk or overtired passenger has nodded off, sleeping on the trail all the way back to camp, and been able to maintain his seat. Bristol has his own pace and couldn't care less what anyone thinks about it. He's a cruiser. So Mitch told us go ahead, he'd bring up the rear.
When we reached the road above the new trail section, Mitch called out to us that it was going to be a short ride today. He had broken his breast collar. I guess he doesn't know Lynn that well. She jumped down, assessed the situation, and proceeded to mend his problem. On we went. We got up to the road above the last steep in-between trail, and I decided it was a good time to get off and tighten up my cinch--there's a good get-on rock right there and Jupes knows the drill.
As soon I as was back on, I heard Toni squeal at Mitch. I guess she too had gotten off and somehow Buckwheat had stepped through or on his reins, broke them, and clunked Mitch. I'm not sure exactly; anyway, Lynn jumped off and fixed that situation, too. On we went.
We went all over the back side of Hennessey and had a good time. Zigman was happy when he got to lead as we blazed new trails. Jupes didn't mind having Buckwheat and Bristol along and I think he is getting used to having other horses with us. Mitch rode a lot of the way with his arms crossed over his chest and he seemed totally relaxed and happy to hang out with us. It was fun.
Coming down the cutoff trail above the dump, disaster struck. Buckwheat bucked Toni off. Lynn turned at the sound of Toni's squeal and saw her fly through the air and land in a pile of brush. Possibly the halter and lead rope swung under and spooked him; possibly a stob on the madrone at the top of the steep little hill poked him; no one really knows. All we know is everyone is happy that Toni was wearing the white helmet and saved her noggin. She probably pulled one of the long muscles that connects her pelvis and thigh as it hurt a lot. Her back hurt some, too, but overall, she was fine. Mitch offered Bristol, but she said it was important to get back up on Buckwheat and finish the ride.
I asked Lynn privately if we should go on the road rather than down the new trail, but she not only sits a horse like her mother--she replied, "No. She needs to get her confidence back." Only later on one of the more steep sections she recapitulated and said that she hadn't thought about how steep some of the spots were. However, when I looked back up at them, I saw that Mitch and Bristol were in front and they kept Buckwheat from going too fast. Although I am sorry Toni went off--I was relieved to not be the entertainment part of the ride that day.
So here it is: the last day of July! I have had good rides this month and look forward to many more in August. As I told Lynn, our tour director, I don't mind riding here at home--I don't have to camp or find exotic places to go to have fun. Sitting on my horse and hanging out with my friends is all I need!
When we reached the road above the new trail section, Mitch called out to us that it was going to be a short ride today. He had broken his breast collar. I guess he doesn't know Lynn that well. She jumped down, assessed the situation, and proceeded to mend his problem. On we went. We got up to the road above the last steep in-between trail, and I decided it was a good time to get off and tighten up my cinch--there's a good get-on rock right there and Jupes knows the drill.
As soon I as was back on, I heard Toni squeal at Mitch. I guess she too had gotten off and somehow Buckwheat had stepped through or on his reins, broke them, and clunked Mitch. I'm not sure exactly; anyway, Lynn jumped off and fixed that situation, too. On we went.
We went all over the back side of Hennessey and had a good time. Zigman was happy when he got to lead as we blazed new trails. Jupes didn't mind having Buckwheat and Bristol along and I think he is getting used to having other horses with us. Mitch rode a lot of the way with his arms crossed over his chest and he seemed totally relaxed and happy to hang out with us. It was fun.
Coming down the cutoff trail above the dump, disaster struck. Buckwheat bucked Toni off. Lynn turned at the sound of Toni's squeal and saw her fly through the air and land in a pile of brush. Possibly the halter and lead rope swung under and spooked him; possibly a stob on the madrone at the top of the steep little hill poked him; no one really knows. All we know is everyone is happy that Toni was wearing the white helmet and saved her noggin. She probably pulled one of the long muscles that connects her pelvis and thigh as it hurt a lot. Her back hurt some, too, but overall, she was fine. Mitch offered Bristol, but she said it was important to get back up on Buckwheat and finish the ride.
I asked Lynn privately if we should go on the road rather than down the new trail, but she not only sits a horse like her mother--she replied, "No. She needs to get her confidence back." Only later on one of the more steep sections she recapitulated and said that she hadn't thought about how steep some of the spots were. However, when I looked back up at them, I saw that Mitch and Bristol were in front and they kept Buckwheat from going too fast. Although I am sorry Toni went off--I was relieved to not be the entertainment part of the ride that day.
So here it is: the last day of July! I have had good rides this month and look forward to many more in August. As I told Lynn, our tour director, I don't mind riding here at home--I don't have to camp or find exotic places to go to have fun. Sitting on my horse and hanging out with my friends is all I need!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
The adventure continues
Remember the fun Lynn and I had stringing the electric wire across the mudhole section of the pond? Remember us almost getting the four-wheeler stuck? This is the site of our latest adventure!
Every summer Barry's horses, Shadow, Willy, Robby, and "that white thing," are sectioned off away from our horses next to Shirley's house. Willy is mean and would hurt Brady--he's already hurt Indy and tried to get Star. Well, they have the pond in their domain.
Our horses often go and lay in the mudhole, which is a section of the pond that stretches over and into the middle pasture. I am sure it helps keeps the bugs off and is a cool spot on warm summer day. Up the hill, the spring water is running over the tub and down into the trees. On one of her sleepless nights, Lynn came up with the idea that we could run the black pipe (that Don had pulled out and left stretched along the road) from the spring hose down to the empty section of pond and fill it up--using the spring water that was simply going to waste. (: Piece of cake, right?
The horses were excited and ran all around both fields. They heard the plastic bag of fittings and had to come and see what kind of good stuff we brought them. Ziggy rested his heavy head on Lynn while she bent over the pipe and Jupiter and Buster stood nearby with expectant faces, "Got carrots? Got apples? What cha got?" Star kept an eye on things because it's his job and Brady just stood a little off to the side basking the knowledge that he was "the man" for his part in stealing the hay bales. Indy? Not sure exactly where he was--but he is not one to miss out on anything, so I'm sure he was nearby.
It was too easy. We stretched the pipe and only had to put it together in two places. And the couplings were already there. Lynn barely got wet while putting the hose and the black pipe together up at the tank, and it was a warm evening anyway! Then we took Haylee for a run up and around on the trails (I love riding the four-wheelers!).
Long story short--fast forwarding through the Keystone cop-like antics of checking everything and collecting the necessary tools again--we found that there wasn't any water coming out the end, but there was a fountain spraying in the air. She was sure there was water in the pipe, so that meant something was blocking the flow somewhere. "Salamanders crawl up in there and die and then they block the pipe," she said. Gross! We fixed both the holes without getting too wet and walked back down the hill to the soon to be filled pond. Still no water. Ready? This is the good part: pipe cutting tool in hand, Lynn says to me, "I am going to cut it right here."
"Are you sure? Right there?" About that time, the blades cut into the black pipe--instantly, dark brown, thick water blew out in both directions! It was like we had struck oil! A geyser blowing north and south as Lynn held on to the pipe trying to get that last bite through the plastic. Instinctively, I had turned away, probably squealed, probably said the s-word, but I started laughing thinking about how Lynn would laugh when she saw my face that I could feel was speckled with mud, which was also speckled on my shirt and pants and everywhere else.
Before I could turn around Lynn said, "Look at my face." I am laughing right now as I think about it! I turned around and there was Lynn: imagine the cartoons with a character's face completely covered in some sort of slime, with clean eye holes where their glasses had been! Imagine a movie of a woman at a spa with mud all over her face except where the cucumber slices had been! Imagine the sight of an oil derrick with men drenched in black oil, the only nonblack part are teeth showing through because they are grinning as it drips down their face--shirts plastered to their chests, wet with the dark substance! She reached up and scraped a layer of dark brown mud off her face. Then I really lost it and I almost peed on myself! She had a layer of reddish-brown mud from her head down to her toes. She was able to wipe most of it off her face with her good, green-striped shirt, but it was on her neck, down her front, in her hair, well--you get the picture. Oh my gosh--it was hysterical (I'm still snorting at the memory!). "It's not that funny! I hope you do pee on yourself!" she said to me as I was doubled over--shrieking with laughter.
I love that I get to be in the front row for all this entertainment.
And the horses got water on their side of the pond! (:
Every summer Barry's horses, Shadow, Willy, Robby, and "that white thing," are sectioned off away from our horses next to Shirley's house. Willy is mean and would hurt Brady--he's already hurt Indy and tried to get Star. Well, they have the pond in their domain.
Our horses often go and lay in the mudhole, which is a section of the pond that stretches over and into the middle pasture. I am sure it helps keeps the bugs off and is a cool spot on warm summer day. Up the hill, the spring water is running over the tub and down into the trees. On one of her sleepless nights, Lynn came up with the idea that we could run the black pipe (that Don had pulled out and left stretched along the road) from the spring hose down to the empty section of pond and fill it up--using the spring water that was simply going to waste. (: Piece of cake, right?
The horses were excited and ran all around both fields. They heard the plastic bag of fittings and had to come and see what kind of good stuff we brought them. Ziggy rested his heavy head on Lynn while she bent over the pipe and Jupiter and Buster stood nearby with expectant faces, "Got carrots? Got apples? What cha got?" Star kept an eye on things because it's his job and Brady just stood a little off to the side basking the knowledge that he was "the man" for his part in stealing the hay bales. Indy? Not sure exactly where he was--but he is not one to miss out on anything, so I'm sure he was nearby.
It was too easy. We stretched the pipe and only had to put it together in two places. And the couplings were already there. Lynn barely got wet while putting the hose and the black pipe together up at the tank, and it was a warm evening anyway! Then we took Haylee for a run up and around on the trails (I love riding the four-wheelers!).
Long story short--fast forwarding through the Keystone cop-like antics of checking everything and collecting the necessary tools again--we found that there wasn't any water coming out the end, but there was a fountain spraying in the air. She was sure there was water in the pipe, so that meant something was blocking the flow somewhere. "Salamanders crawl up in there and die and then they block the pipe," she said. Gross! We fixed both the holes without getting too wet and walked back down the hill to the soon to be filled pond. Still no water. Ready? This is the good part: pipe cutting tool in hand, Lynn says to me, "I am going to cut it right here."
"Are you sure? Right there?" About that time, the blades cut into the black pipe--instantly, dark brown, thick water blew out in both directions! It was like we had struck oil! A geyser blowing north and south as Lynn held on to the pipe trying to get that last bite through the plastic. Instinctively, I had turned away, probably squealed, probably said the s-word, but I started laughing thinking about how Lynn would laugh when she saw my face that I could feel was speckled with mud, which was also speckled on my shirt and pants and everywhere else.
Before I could turn around Lynn said, "Look at my face." I am laughing right now as I think about it! I turned around and there was Lynn: imagine the cartoons with a character's face completely covered in some sort of slime, with clean eye holes where their glasses had been! Imagine a movie of a woman at a spa with mud all over her face except where the cucumber slices had been! Imagine the sight of an oil derrick with men drenched in black oil, the only nonblack part are teeth showing through because they are grinning as it drips down their face--shirts plastered to their chests, wet with the dark substance! She reached up and scraped a layer of dark brown mud off her face. Then I really lost it and I almost peed on myself! She had a layer of reddish-brown mud from her head down to her toes. She was able to wipe most of it off her face with her good, green-striped shirt, but it was on her neck, down her front, in her hair, well--you get the picture. Oh my gosh--it was hysterical (I'm still snorting at the memory!). "It's not that funny! I hope you do pee on yourself!" she said to me as I was doubled over--shrieking with laughter.
I love that I get to be in the front row for all this entertainment.
And the horses got water on their side of the pond! (:
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
A ride of a different kind
Last night, Lynn called and said Shirley had headed to Montana and it was a good chance to find pictures for her next picture book for her mom. We spent hours pouring over old pictures of everything from Shirley and Ed's life: baby pics of the kids, early marriage pics, family Lynn knew and didn't, and tons of horses! It was fun. I will post some of them soon.
Haylee gets to run on the mountain every night as well; so the first thing we did was go out and get the four wheelers. Lynn rode one and I rode the other. What a blast! We ran all over the trails on the hill with Haylee running and jumping through the trees. Lynn flies up and down the trails like a wild woman, sliding around corners and pouring it on. I could not tear the smile off my face as we whipped through the trees both before and after our venture into Shirley picture closet. It's one more example of what I missed out on being a "town girl!"
As I followed Lynn down the trail, it made think of being a kid. (I think about it when we are all piled on the thing in winter feeding the horses, too.) I have to laugh because at 53 and 52 (and 80 for Pete's sake!), we are still doing things that kids would think of as fun. I don't think we will ever outgrow stuff like this. Thank goodness. This is the side of my life that would probably surprise a lot of people--especially my students who see me in a dress every day, being a responsible and boring person. (:
Haylee gets to run on the mountain every night as well; so the first thing we did was go out and get the four wheelers. Lynn rode one and I rode the other. What a blast! We ran all over the trails on the hill with Haylee running and jumping through the trees. Lynn flies up and down the trails like a wild woman, sliding around corners and pouring it on. I could not tear the smile off my face as we whipped through the trees both before and after our venture into Shirley picture closet. It's one more example of what I missed out on being a "town girl!"
As I followed Lynn down the trail, it made think of being a kid. (I think about it when we are all piled on the thing in winter feeding the horses, too.) I have to laugh because at 53 and 52 (and 80 for Pete's sake!), we are still doing things that kids would think of as fun. I don't think we will ever outgrow stuff like this. Thank goodness. This is the side of my life that would probably surprise a lot of people--especially my students who see me in a dress every day, being a responsible and boring person. (:
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