spring clean up

Does anyone out there in blogland get this magazine?? It is a favorite of mine and has all sorts of good articles and tips for small hobby farms.. thus the name of it I suppose... but, if you happened to pick up the May/June issue....










and if you happened to go the animal section where they answer all kinds of questions....













There just could be someone that you "know"... our photographer friend/neighbor took this picture last spring during the vet's visit. And here we are... Tonka and myself, with out vet! The question had to do with vaccinations for horses and we are "famous" yet again!!!!








The guineas on the loose!!! I want to coop them up soon, just in case they decide to lay a clutch, I would really like to get some little keets this year. But, for now, they are pairing up and on the hunt for "bugs". I have to say, we have yet to find a tick on "anyone" this spring and I have already heard that many are dealing with the ticks. (that's Mr. G in the back "guarding" his gals)

I really do enjoy them. Yes, they are very loud, and they go pretty much where they please (including next door, where I don't think my neighbor is quite so happy)... but I love to see them walking around the yard and gobbling up all those "nasty" bugs!!!!

Sadie has been so anxious to get her garden growing again. With the prediction of a few days of rain coming, she worked on getting her garden cleaned out and ready for seeds. Abbie was more than happy to help, though it took a few tries to tell her that we don't walk IN the garden....

I turned the boys out in the round pen for a bit of grass and to give them a change of scenery. We have cut the pasture back so it has a chance to grow, and I know they feel a bit squished. They were so happy to get out here.

And after some rolling around, and looking for the sweetest spots, they fell into grazing and were the happiest of beasts. Silver has come thru the winter well, we actually got some weight back on him and hope to keep it up over the summer. That's the trouble with these ol' boys... it's often hard to keep the weight on them.








Ed and I went to work in the paddock area. Just because they are so big, the horses keep this area pretty well torn up. And then add rain and muck to it, and it's a pretty big mess. I know it can't be helped sometimes, but seeing horses standing in muck is one of those things that makes me crazy.

So, we took the tractor and dug out as much of the muck as we could. Taking it down to solid pack again....

We ordered a trailer dump of stone dust (which actually is fairly cheap right now) and replaced the muck with that. Stone dust is nice, because it will pack down and sheds the water pretty quickly. It should also be easy for me to pick up and poops that are left behind.








I didn't think we would actually use that whole pile, but we did. And when the rain did come, it seems to work well. We're actually going to get another load, because there are places around the barn that could use some good fill, and if there is a bit left over, I would like to get our walkway to the house done.

Busy, busy spring days.... but it's so nice to be working outside and thinking about those types of projects....

oh dear----- Cam!!!!!

Well... I haven't blogged in a few days.. things are a bit of a muck here on the farm. Last Friday late afternoon, I had one of those rare moments of sitting. Camille came over, went to hop up on the couch - and missed. Very odd... instead of trying to jump again, she went behind Ed's chair and I noticed something VERY wrong... she was dragging her left hind leg. Just about that time, Ed walked thru the door and I announce, 'we're heading to the ER with Cam"...

An hour later, we are seeing the vet, who confirmed that Cam has injured a disc in her back. It is pinching a nerve, and she has lost most of the feeling and control in her hind leg. The better news is, she still could wag her tail and get around, so they felt she will gain it all back. They send us home with steroids, pain meds, and strict orders that this little dog does NOTHING...

I had to work on Saturday, it killed me to leave her home alone like that. Not only did I work at the post in the morning, but then had to teach two dogs classes in the afternoon. When I got back she seemed "worse" to me, so I called our regular vet and asked to been seen by them. She did a complete exam and confirmed what the ER vet had said, LOTS of rest, continue the meds and be prepared for a long and slow recovery.

I also contacted our holistic vet who had treated Moxie a few years ago. I know that acupuncture would certainly aid in the healing process. Of course, she is away this week at a conference, but this morning, she returned my call and we are going to see us this afternoon.

I am seeing progress, Cam will now take a few steps and wants to be outside for just a little bit to see the world and watch the chickens. But, basically, she is living in a crate and seems about as sad as this picture looks.

It has been a long week for me, I am used to this little dog being with me every step.. attending all my classes, and keeping a watch over all that goes on. However, we are going to do everything that we are advised to.. and even more so. And if living in the crate, and carrying her is what they say.. that's what it will be....

I'll keep you posted....

PS... if you have ever questioned about "crate training a dog or not"... here's a very good reason to answer that question with a YES!!!!!!!!

just around the farm

This is the "picture" that we get every morning...in her pj's or not.. one little gal that can't wait to get outside. Certainly the weather is nice, and she loves to be "out"... but there is something that is just calling her name....












"WEEEEE" as she calls it. Miss Abbie has a new swing, and if she could.. she would be in it for hours!!!! Ed and I set out to find her a swingset.. I had no idea how expensive some of them are.. and began to get disappointed. Then we found this little swing that can be added to a swingset, and Ed said "why don't we get just the swing and hang it on the front porch". Great idea. So that is what we did. And I have to say, Abbie is just so happy with that swing.. she doesn't need a whole set (well.. not yet anyways) and is just as happy with the simple version... (sort of makes you think - what's wrong with the "simple" things in life!!!!) Any ways, most every morning, we first have to do some "weeee" time.. even before breakfast...

Dean and Ben arrived this week to get the horses feet done....everyone is in good shape and it's nice to see nice, neat feet once again...

I still can't get over the size of Duke's feet!!!!

and here's the other "old guy".. can't wait to see Abbie on this little pony.

Abbie absolutely loves to be at the barn...

chasing the "bucka, bucka's" around.....

"hey....does this belong here, do you need me to pick this up??"






Maybe... just maybe, spring has finally found us!!!

Easter blessings..

Easter was this past Sunday, late this year. We had a wonderful Easter Day and I am reminded yet again, at how blessed I am. This is the most important holiday... when Jesus Christ, after having died for our sins, rose again and because of that, we can be forgiven and make it right with our Lord. I hope that all have the forgiveness that God has offered us.














Because this is such an "important" holiday, we do not put much stock into the Easter Bunny. Never have with our family... but we do have spring baskets filled with surprises. Course, Abbie doesn't have a clue yet, as to what this is all about.. but she certainly couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the goodies waiting for her on the table.








And once in awhile.....














It's OK to begin your day with candy......










After church, we went down to my parent's house for a family get together. Abbie and Naomi shared a little egg hunt....

Abbie is used to looking for eggs... she does it almost every morning at the barn....

We had a wonderful meal all together....

and enjoyed a day that was almost like spring..

Easter Blessings to one and all....

remembering Logan

Well, this isn't exactly the weather we were planning on last Saturday morning!! I think we must live in a little snow belt or something, because everyone else got rain, and we ended up with two inches of new snow. Good thing, though, it didn't last but a few hours, and spring came back once again.

But in a way, the dreary weather felt "fitting".. because several friends got together to remember a wonderful service dog.. Logan. Suzan was Logan's partner and on March 28th, it was her decision to let her beautiful dog "go" after months of battling with cancer.

Suzan wanted to do "something" to honor her beautiful girl, and to say thank you to all her friends that have supported and encouraged her thru these past few weeks. A dog training center (where Suzan and Logan spent many hours together) donated the space...and we all came together. It was really a celebration with lots of talking about Logan, service dogs, and dogs in general.






Friends brought food (did you notice the cake at the beginning)... and shared stories and met up again. I met up with several "dog friends" that I haven't seen in a long while and it was fun to catch up with them. Plus I got to talk a lot about Chester and show off Ginger...

Suzan was very brave and held it together better than many of us....

We had a "doggie" honor guard....














And Chaplin Nina did a "Blessing of the animals" for all the doggies who attended...

Rick and Mindy

Camille, Ginger and I during the blessing (look at how serious they are... I think they knew)














Logan's working vest and ashes will always be carefully preserved... and Suzan's favorite motto will forever be in my heart...

"don't cry because it's over.. smile because it happened"..

see you one day again, Miss Logan and keep you angel guidance on all our canine friends....

52 and counting....

April 19th... a very special date with this family..... a celebration, that was "worthy" of a turkey and all the fixin's... and Abbie even sported her "turkey eating shirt".....

the occasion???









Our Mom and Dads' 52nd wedding anniversary!!! It was so much fun to have the whole family come to the farm and celebrate with them. Kas even made a cake just for them.....










And it's rare treat (in these days of busy-ness) that we can pull everyone together!!! But we did.....12 in all, and my dinning room table, even with an additional leaf, still squished us all together.









The day was full of good conversation, good food... and celebration.





visits out to the barn....













Cousins... having fun playing in a mud puddle!!!!

And the absolutely joy of having our parents with us. We are so blessed, because we know how "rare' wedding anniversaries such as theirs are now a days!!!!!






Our parent's have been a shining example of what a marriage is all about, how to raise a family and love the Lord, and embrace life thru the good and sometimes, not so good.......

Now... you know (if you have been around me long enough) everything ends up on the blog...

so, when Becky, Ed and Kelsey went to leave, Bec just pulled her little car around to go out the drive.....

and stuck it in the soft grass....





We are a family that believes in doing things well... and yes, she "stuck it well".... the guys tried the pushing thing, the pulling thing, and just about gave up and went for the tractor....

but our gator managed to give it the extra nudge she needed....

and they got her back on the drive and headed in the right direction.... Kelsey said she was happy not to be the one driving at the time!!!!

So, a wonderful, wonderful day, that ended with a bit of extra "excitement"... and a chance to say VERY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD --- and we are expecting many more!!!!!!