Malo Rancho

Spring Has Sprung

2009-04-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

By golly, I think it's finally here! I didn't wear a jacket today, that's one sign. I didn't wear any overshoes or rubber boots today, that's another sign. No gloves, no toque. Yep, it's spring. Even if it snows again, I'll still think spring.
I'm going to go out and water the horses as soon as I have finished this. It's really windy here, but I really don't mind the wind. I think it is just part of Saskatchewan and we have to accept it. I really enjoy this time of year, it is my favorite, next to fall. My very favorite thing to do is making rivers. There is just nothing in this world that is more fun than making rivers. You can slop around in the water and float things and splash and create new rivers. There is just no end. Then of course there is the flowers and grass starting to take hold and the hills start getting green and the air is so fresh. And miracle of miracles, the baby animals start popping out! There is nothing like the baby goats, chicks, calves, colts, puppies, kittens, you name it. They are just like little human babies, just full of joy and wonderment. They have not yet met the harshness that can sometimes come with age.
The horses are losing their winter hair and my allergies are rampant, but I don't care, even the smell of the feed lot where the horses winter smells better in the spring. The horses just love it when you take the curry comb to them and scratch them all over. It makes me laugh to see them stretch out their necks and make funny faces and you can almost hear them saying "Ooh, that feels good."
The mares that are going to have babies are starting to look uncomfortable and I always imagine them thinking how good it will feel once the babies are born.
Speaking of babies being born, my baby was born a few years ago, (I won't say how many) and I know what a relief that was. But I wouldn't change anything about her or the time I have spent with her and am looking forward to spending many years more driving her crazy, (its my turn).
Happy Birthday Baby! Much happiness and many blessings in 2009. Love you bunches!
Mom

Mikey

2009-04-05T19:50:00.000-07:00

Mikey was born late. He arrived in late October. He is sort of a chestnut/sorrel color and has a white bum and a star and snip. He is a cross between an Appaloosa and a Pony of the Americas. I knew he was special the moment he his the ground. He just oozed attitude and he has never lost it.
Because he was born late in the fall, he and his mom (Sadie) were kept in the barn over winter. They were accompanied by another late comer, a cute little palamino filly, with white spots on her bum, (same breeding as Mikey). Her name is Mia and her and her mom (Cookie) also spent the winter in the barn. Mia is a little lady, she never does anything wrong and NEVER gets in trouble. Mikey, however, is a whole nother story.

We started out the winter by having to move all the halter, shanks and horsey stuff that was hanging on the wall to another spot. Mikey helped, he took everything down for us. Next came the baling twines that were attached to the corral panels as we undid the bales. Mikey helped with those as well. He took them all down and mixed them up like a dogs breakfast. Next came anything that was tied. No knot became to hard to undo, granted, sometimes it took a little time, but eventually they were undone as well. He was very, very busy all winter. He bit the goats, chased the chickens and terrorized the cats. The dogs hated him.
When he and his mom were turned out for exercise, he bucked and kicked at everyone and everything. Mia however, remained a little lady.
Finally nicer weather came and Mikey and Mia and their moms were turned into a paddock with their hay and nice shelter. Boy, Mikey and Mia sure had fun racing around and playing.
There was all kinds of stuff to do, he found some plastic pipe to throw in the air and a pail to throw in the air, or just carry around. What he did find and I have no idea where he found it, was an old round heater for the water trough that had the element and the plug in taken out. It just was the plastic part, just right to put his foot in and put it in he did. I was at my wits end as to how I was going to get it off. I had visions of having to get the vet out to sedate him to remove it and of course wondered how much that would cost. It wasn't on tight, it could move quite freely, so I thought maybe I could get one of the neighbours to come and help me remove it before I had to call the vet. Funny, but none of them seemed to want to get their heads kicked off. So I went to bed, prepared to call the vet in the morning. Thank goodness though, cause in the morning it was off. Whew, what a relief.
I don't know what is in store for Mikey this summer, but I have a feeling it won't be dull around here. My guess is that we may have a few cuts that just may need stitching or a head that needs to get pulled out of somewhere, but I know it will be an adventure for Mia, who will always be a little lady, Mikey, who I know will still be really busy, and me, who will love and enjoy them both.

I'm baaaack!

2009-03-19T20:59:00.000-07:00

I have neglected this space badly, and will try to do better in the future.
I am so glad that winter is finally over. It was such a cold winter. I usually like the winter, but this is the first one I can honestly say that I didn't enjoy very much. Is this a sign of how cold it was or am I getting old????
Most of the animals wintered very well. I did lose a couple of old friends in the animal world. Both of them were goats. Little Blossom wasn't feeling good for a while, but she was getting old and she just went to sleep. Then Penelope (aka Nanny) our dear old lady also just went to sleep, she really hadn't been ill, she ate good the night before. She was an unbelievable fourteen.
Otherwise, life has been good. Did a bit of writing and a bit of painting, some reading and some visiting with friends. Took a glass etching class. It was interesting, would like to learn more about it.
Christmas is always a pleasure, now that there are more small children in the family, it is really interesting. Christmas and kids are a great mix. Sort of like Spring and foals are a great mix. Am expecting two babies this spring. They always amuse me to no end.
Yes, life is good and I will be adding my thoughts a lot more often cause I'm baaaack!

Takin' Time to Think

2008-11-25T20:10:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I haven't written for all this time. Must get in the groove.
I have been so busy that I haven't had time to sit and think and reflect a bit, so am taking that time right now!
Sometimes it seems like only yesterday that I retired. The time goes by so fast. It is hard to believe that three years have flown by. I can't say I regret retiring. At first I was skeptical, but as time goes by, I'm so glad I did.
I pity anyone who is not enjoying their retirement. I have never been so busy doing what I like to do in my life, and I seem to be getting busier.
I took on another part time job. I have a friend who is an electrician, a fellow who has been very good to me over the years, doing extra jobs when he came to do a job and such. He had aske me some time ago if I would do his books, but I declined and I already had a part time job I liked very much. However, he approached me again as he just couldn't find anyone to do his books, so I accepted. It has been quite an undertaking as no one has done anything for almost all year. I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but will have to put more extra time into it for a while yet. Once I'm caught up though, it will only be once or twice a month and that's okay as my other part time is twice a week. I'm lucky that both places let me choose my days so that one doesn't feel really tied down and it does keep me on my toes mentally.
I have been so fortunate all my working career to have always had a job I liked. I have always had great bosses, never had one I didn't get along with and can call them all good friends. The same goes for co-workers. I don't think many people can say that!
There is so much for a retiree to do. I just don't have enought hours in the day to get it all done.
Presently I am helping out with the Bethlehem Live that is being presented this weekend. It is a journy to Bethlehem to view the Baby Jesus. You encounter, fellow travellers, Roman soldiets, beggars, a market place, money lenders, inn keepers, animals, shepherds and finally, the manger scene. This is all outdoors and quite an undertaking by a tremendous amount of volunteers and so worth the trip. After the trip, you may go and have cake and refreshments. Oh, and before you go, while you are waiting for your turn to go on the trip, you are treated to local talent.
Then on Saturday is the Christmas party for the horsey group I belong to. It's always fun.
Then there is our weekly painting buddy get together where we all have a project to work on. There are some beautiful ones being done for Christmas gifts.
Yes, just thinkin', I am one lucky person.

Lost is Found

2008-11-16T23:28:00.000-08:00

I was really worried a few days ago, I went out to count noses and I was missing a horse. Kinder, to be exact. I thought at first that she might just be in the bush, but when she still wasn't there the second day, and her horsy friend Jinx was there and she wasn't, I just thought the worst. I tramped the bushes then, but no luck. I purposely didn't walk the creek because I was afraid if she had gone through the ice, I knew she would be dead.
I went over to the neighbours, and he offered to come and walk the creek with me. I think they were afraid I would fall in the creek as well.
Anyway, I was just about done walking my portion of the creek when I heard the horn honking, out agreed upon signal that she had been found. I hated to walk up to the truck, but I was asured that she was fine. She had gone through the ice, but she had managed to get to the other side. We drove around and after I gave her a big hug, I sure gave her heck for scaring me. It was getting to dark to come back to pick her up so we waited until the next day and got her and brought her home.
Today I put up my no hunting signs, I just live in terror through hunting season. I am so afraid one of my horses will get the bullet. It wouldn't be the first time, so I am on pins and needles through the hunting season. I know most hunters are responsible people, its the few that have me worried. I will be so glad when its over.

Lost is Found

2008-11-16T23:27:00.000-08:00

Helping Hands

2008-11-09T00:10:00.003-08:00

Today I found out the age of chivalry isn't dead. I was working outside all day today, trying to get things done before winter decides that it's time.
One of the jobs I had was some fencing along side the road. I loaded everything up in the truck, including the dogs, they were back up in case I really needed help. Anyway, I hauled everything I needed over to the fence and was just hauling the last thing, which is sor of a box thing that I use to stand on when I'm pounding posts in. While I was draging it down into the ditch, a white half ton drove by and the fellow waved and proceed by. A little while later, I was busy pounding the posts in and the white half ton came back and stopped. It was a former co-worker I had when I was working at the Nursing Home.
He said he just had to come back cause he wondered what the heck I was going to do with the box I was pulling along. He grabbed the post maul and had those posts pounded in record time. Bless his heart! The age of chivalry is alive and well!
It was actually quite a nice day out today. I got alot done, that is we (me and the dogs) got alot done. I burned the paper garbage and clean up a bit in the barn. Got my fencing done. Carried out the bags of garbage. Broke the ice on the water trough. My heater wasn't working so got that straightened around. Would you believe, there was about four inches of ice on that trough. I broke it all up with the post mall and shovelled all the ice out. My troup (the dogs) and I went up in the big pasture and counted noses. Everybody checked and accounted for. My, the horses look good. It has been such a good fall, plenty of moisture has made the fall pastures really good. I don't think I will have to start feeding until the end of Novemeber, maybe, with any kind of luck, later than that. The colts are so cute. Mikey is really getting dark, he was a real sorrel when he was born, but is turning a dark liver chestnut. He is so cute. Little Mia, the new baby is just as bright as a penny as well. She is a golden palamino. I am so lucky.

Helping Hands

2008-11-09T00:10:00.001-08:00

Lazy Days

2008-11-06T16:09:00.000-08:00

I guess I shouldn't call it lazy days, I actually haven't been feeling all that good so haven't done to much, therefore 'lazy days'.
I slept most of yesterday, woke up feeling a bit better, watched some TV then went back to bed and slept like a baby.
Today, I did get some stuff accomplished. Went out to do chores and believe it or not, the hydrant in the barn was froze up. I hope that isn't a glimpse of things to come. The barn door was open and the wind was really blowing in. It didn't take long to thaw out, but I wasn't expecting that yet.
The goats and Madilynn, the llama elected to stay in today, so I threw them some hay and shut the door. It is rather chilly out.
Came in and started the dishes and am building what smells like a delicious stew. Swept the floor, let the dogs in and out ten times today, then sat down and finished a poem I had started on some time ago and wrote a new one that I have been thinking about for some time.
I must sit down and write more often, once I get started, I can't stop. I do enjoy it.
I didn't get to my remember group at the Nursing Homes today. I felt kind of bad as today would have been the last time our group would meet in the old Nursing Home. They are moving everything over to the new facility on the twentieth. I will miss the old buildings, I know it will be nice to be in a spanking new building, but I did spend twenty some years working in the old one. Lots of happy memories there.
I didn't make it to painting last night either. I have to get back on the wagon as I have so much I want to get finished before Christmas and I don't seem to get at it unless I'm with a group.
Will head back to work tomorrow, enough of this lazing around.

Catch Up

2008-11-03T21:18:00.000-08:00

My goodness, I have been really tardy. I didn't realize I hadn't written anything for so long. A lot has happened.
Baby Liam was born, all eleven pounds, three ounces of him. So, I am a great aunt again. He is almost ready for college. He had a rough time though, cracked his collar bone and damage some nerve ends while trying to come into the world. The doctors are quite positive that everything will be fine.
Had another colt arrive. A lovely little palamino appaloosa filly. She isn't mine though, so she doesn't have a name yet. Her name has to start with an "m" as it is the "m" year. We have Mikey and Meg so far.
Started another job, am hoping it will be just a day or two a month, once I get it all caught up. Wasn't planning on doing anymore, but he just couldn't find anyone to do his books and he had always been very good to me, when I needed electrical work done.
Went to Moose Jaw this past weekend to the OSAC showcases. It was their 40th anniversary and I hadn't gone to any for a few years so thought I would go. Sure am glad I did. Met some old friends I hadn't seen for a long time. My daughter was there also, so had a good visit with her and also met with my aunt whom I hadn't seen for quite a while. Had a few drinks and saw some fantastic show cases.
I just can't understand people who can't find things to do and complain about being bored. Are they just hard to please or are they just plain lazy and really don't want to do anything???

Birthday Time

2008-10-18T23:18:00.000-07:00

Well, another birthday has come and gone. Spent it quietly, had lots of phone calls and cards. Read a couple of good one liners today pertaining to age.
Don't count the years, make the years count
Don't resent growing old - many are denied the privelege
I thought they were both very good and very timely.
Did some fencing today, sure was nice outside. I actually worked up a sweat. Had lots of help, 4 dogs, about 6 cats and 5 goats, all were lending moral support. No help, just moral support. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon, got lots done, had good fresh air, did a little cussing and felt rather pleased with myself when I was done for the day. Have to have another go at it tomorrow. Got to get some housework done one of these days as well. Seem to always find something else to do instead. Sometimes it's just reading or writing, but it gets me out of housework. I really hate it. Would much rather spend my time outside.
My mare is acting like she is going to have her baby any day now, my niece will sure be ticked off if Cookie has her baby before she does. Angi is getting mighty tired of waiting, I must remind her that it could be worse. Cookie has had to wait for her baby for eleven months!!!

Thanksgiving

2008-10-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

Today is Thanksgiving Day. I have so much to be thankful for that I don't know where to begin. I am thankful for my family, my friends, my job, my life.

I think I am one of the luckiest people alive. I have and am living my dream. That is having my daughter whom I love very much, my family, whom I love very much, and some of the most amazing friends, whom I love very much. On top of that, my lifelong love of horses and basically all animals, has been a reality for most of my life.

Yesterday was a really ugly day, it was rainy and cold, so I decided I had better go and check on a mare that is due pretty soon. (It is an oops, she and Silas had an affair that was not in the cards). Come to think of it Meg and Mikey are also oops. That Silas is sure sneaky. Anyway, it was terrible out so I brought everyone home and put them in the little pasture for the night and I cut out Sadie and her baby Mikey, (he was shivering) and put them in the barn. That Mikey is such a little cutie. Then locked everyone in the little pasture and proceeded to my nieces for a delicous Thanksgiving supper.

This morning I went out to separate Cookie, (the expectant mom) and Jane and her baby Meg. The horses co-operated beautifully, and after some coaxing in patting and a bit of pleading, got everyone where they needed to be. Then I stood there and drank in their beauty. They were a bit upset because some of their buddies couldn't come with, there was some calling back and forth and a bit of galloping with mains and tail flowing (as much as Appaloosas manes and tails flow).
Two of my favorite things in the world to listen to is anything by Strauss and the sounds of horses neighing a friendly call or anything they do as long as it isn't the sound of them being afraid or hurt. I could watch them for hours and all they have to do is swish a tail a time or two or come over and say hello.
Yes, I have much to be thankful for.

Wind and More Wind

2008-10-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

Boy, if we would have had snow, today would have been one heck of a blizzard. I opened the front door this afternoon just in time to see the wind blow a couple of big chunks of roofing off the garage. Scared the heck out of the goats that were laying by the garage.
My neighbour and his daughter came with a load of square straw bales and they helped me put them up in the loft. If you threw them just right you could almost hit the person standing ten or twelve feet away in the head.
I went to see a neighbour today that I haven't visited in a long time. What a nice visit we had. She had phoned to say she had a few pails of apples and did I want them for my pig. Of course I said I did. Bubbles is getting so she waits for me to give her a few apples before she ties into her oats. Is that the same as eating your dessert first?
I was supposed to be in Prince Albert today and tomorrow, but it got called off. My cohorts car is acting up so we didn't go. Kind of glad we didn't go, I would hate to drive in this wind. Boy, would that eat of the gas driving against it.
The dogs were glad I didn't go. I think they are really tired of me taking off. Spent a nice day just doing what ever I wanted.

Happy Dogs

2008-10-04T23:36:00.000-07:00

Today my dogs were in doggy heaven. I took them where ever I went and they were really happy. We went out and did chores and we went and counted noses of horses out in the pasture. Everybody was fine and fat and gathered around the truck for a bit of a pat and chat. Then we went to my brothers and took garbage out to the dump for him, came back and did a bit of shopping and then came home. We came in the house and they all relaxed while I did dishes and a few chores around the house and then we all went outside for a while and poked around the yard for a while. The dogs stuck to me like glue. I have been away so much that I think they were feeling like orphans.
It was a beautiful day out today, really windy, but warm. The trees look so nice, it was just beautiful up in the pasture today. Pictures are nice, but it sure doesn't beat the real thing.
Tomorrow it is supposed to rain but I think the dogs won't mind because I plan on staying home for the most part and visit a neighbour for coffee, but they can come along.
Oh, these poor neglected animals.
Was so pleased for the neighbors girls, they did so well at the horse show in Moose Jaw today. So nice to see all their hard work bear fruit. Must go and see the blankets they won tomorrow.
I went through some photo albums tonight and had quite a few nostalgic moments. Good times with family and friends, the pictures brought back a lot of memories. I still miss Mom and Dad so much.
Well, must hit the sack so I can be bright eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow.

Family, Friends, Food, Fun, Fantastic

2008-09-29T21:03:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think I must be the luckiest person alive, I have so much to be thankful for. This past weekend I had it all. Family, friends, food, fun. The dog show was so much fun. Met so many new people, and saw some breeds of dogs I didn't know existed, spent time with my daughter and some special friends and had some fantastic food.
Everyone should attend a dog show. What an experience. I have never seen so many content and happy animals at one time. They just seem to spew happiness. Dogs just want to be loved and they really show it. My dogs were so glad to see me when I got home that I felt guilty for leaving them. They haven't left me for a minute. All four of them are joined at my hip. Even the cats, in their own peculiar way seem to be glad I'm home. Now it's back to the old grind and that old friend, routine.

Dog Days

2008-09-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

Today I attended my first dog show. It was really interesting. Those dogs all seemed to be living the life of Reilly. They just lay there and have their eyes half closed and enjoy all the pampering. I am finding out however, that dog shows are a lot like horse shows and can be quite political when it comes to judging. It's a good thing that people don't give up and quit showing when this happens. Some of those dogs are so darn cute, you could just hug them to pieces. Tonight we are visiting, (I came to this town with friends who are showing and staying with my daughter) so am looking forward to a couple of drinks and lots of laughs. Life just doesn't get any better. Tomorrow we are off to some garage sales, visiting the horses that my daughter has here, going to a "Fur and Feather Sale", this is a sale of different kinds of chickens, turkeys, all kinds of birds and some small animals, then back to the dog show. Hope I can keep up. Yep, life is so interesting and it just doesn't get any better.

My First Entry

2008-09-16T19:23:00.000-07:00

I feel almost like this is my first day at school. I have no idea what I would like to talk about. Today was such a lovely day, the leaves are just turning and the valley is just bursting with colour. Tomorrow I must go and take some pictures before a wind comes up and blows everything down. I am really looking forward to this week, my daughter, Fairy Mae is here for the week and that means we will be doing some horsey stuff which will be such fun. We are also planning on trying some pickling. Neither one of us has ever done it before so it should be quite an adventure.