You've come a long way baby!

Heading out tomorrow on a very special trip. I am so honored to  be asked along on this, in one way the final step of a long journey and in another way only the very beginning of another .
Angela Oakley (Known to some bloggers as DVM 2012) and to others as the daughter of Deb of Never too old
will be graduating from The Western College of Veterinary Medicine  on Thursday. Now she is finished school and working already , but this is the culmination of all of her hard work. and as her honorary Auntie Sherry (Deb is not my actual sister  but a sister of my heart all the same )I have been invited to attend !

I have known Angela since she was a tiny baby , was snuck into the hospital as a sister to her mom and allowed to visit very early on ,and have watched her grow and become the talented young lady she is today . Not only a brilliant student  but a talented artist as well

(borrowed from Never too old )Angela with one of the many Fern Valley Appaloosas foals she got to know 

 A pencil sketch she did of Fern Valley Phoenix as a Christmas gift for me 

somewhere in my trunk I have a color sketch she drew at  the age of 8 of Catana, I will have to find it and frame it for her 

And here she is now all grown up Dr Oakley DVM

Thanks to her folks Deb and Brian , for keeping me part of  the lives of their wonderful kids. And thanks to Angela for letting me share in a part of her dream ! Congrats kiddo,I will be the one in the row beside your mom &dad crying tears of joy! 

Stay safe everyone

it got away on me

The weekend ,the month of May, the post that has been rattling around in my head but  not quite gelling yet.And finally this pic of comet that would have been stunning if I had clicked the shutter a second sooner!Still not bad though , this boy has a nice behind!  

Looks like he is growing up as nice as big sister Catch a Dream (the fat baby!) 

Anyhow , had a great weekend, busy as always , put the young girls in with the big mares for summer grazing . Overall it went well though we did have a moment or two when "That Ritchie mare " was telling the kids the rules . That mare is a force to be reckoned with I tell you , but when she seemed to be getting a little rough , she still defers to me hollering EASY RICH!

Then Deb and Angela came over and we took the leg wraps of a little heifer  born last weekend with wonky legs. It worked slick and she is right as rain now. Mom is still a fire breathing dragon , which puts her on my list  for a truck ride this fall. There is someone out there younger and faster who might like her in his/her cow herd.But I am not that person.

Saturday night went to the Bronc Bustin at Wildwood, had a great time as always and got so see a few people I had lost touch with. Not built for late nights like that I tell you 2 am is WAAAY past my bedtime anymore, so I was dragging big time today.

Shuffled a few pens around and put the girls in the barnyard for cleanup. Also moved Cactus to a grassy pen. Poor Johnny got a slap in the ego, when I moved Cactus , he puffed up a bit and started calling . Cactus looked his way , and watched the gelding run down the hill, then yawned largely and began to eat grass. I nearly fell down laughing at the look on Poor Johnny's face!
Here he is on a better day

Still mulling over that post , maybe tomorrow...
Meanwhile stay safe everyone

Review and an uninvited guest

 When I  began the process of publishing  my new book , I was offered the opportunity to have it reviewed  by Kirkus Reviews   I was quite honestly a little hesitant , and nervous but I did eventually agree to have it reviewed. I received a copy of the review today . At first I was not sure what to think of it ,never having had a book review . I was just glad they didn't hate it ! Like I said before , gotta take a chance now and then .I think overall it is fairly positive.And at the end of the day , they are right , I did write  for me , so ...

TAILS, TRAILS, AND CAMPFIRE STORIES


BOOK REVIEW
A wholesome, innocent series of poems and photographs from the author’s farm life in the Alberta countryside.
In her second book, Sikstrom (Telling Tails, 2011) shares her reflections on life and loved ones on two legs and four.
There are poems in honor of her uncle and sister, her experience during a summer thunderstorm, light musings on
morality and tales of adventure on horseback, all generously interspersed with photos, mostly of her horses and dogs.
Both the photos and the poems are unrefined, at times jarringly so, especially when the lilting, childlike rhyme and meter
stumble. The little rhyming couplets aren’t quite rich or substantial enough to carry the writing. The pictures, however,
and the book’s layout in general, have something of a photo-booth quality, with each page fading into a crinkly, marbled
effect along the edges. The images are infused with such affection that cumulatively, a certain charm emerges. Taken as
a whole, the book becomes a kind of love song addressed to the creatures and beautiful landscape that the author so
cherishes. In general, the stories that involve a level of abstraction are the most engaging: the campfire tale of a locally
legendary cowboy or a reflection on the changing seasons. These trains of though are more relatable than the author’s
sentimental, familial musings, which are too personal to resonate outside of her immediate circle. But that may be the
point—the book seems to be more for her, and for them, than the general reading public. Through this lens, the reader
can experience tinges of the author’s joy and humanity.
An earnest, loving dedication, endearing—to the author’s home and family, at least—in its simplicity.
Kirkus

As to the uninvited guest,the neighbors  got peacocks a few years ago, and besides irritating me with  their terrible  calls (sounds like a child calling "Help me" they have begun to wander . I often see them in the horse pasture ,or by the garbage dumpster. These are the same folks who had been raising rabits, and turned them loose, which helped to cause a pretty bad wreck  for me and a horse a few years back . Not sure what the other  horses think of them in the pasture , mostly they ignore them . But Cactus DOES NOT  LIKE THEM ONE BIT. I am not looking forward either to

coming around the corner on a horse to meet this dude in all his glory! 

Found him sitting on Angelas truck after supper. Bold as brass , no interest in moving  even when I stepped out to take his picture . He did leave when Skeeter spied him  though !

Any how , that's whats going on here . 

Stay safe 

whadda ya say Wednesday

Not that kind of bed Skeeter! 

We still haven't mastered spinning straw into gold Rumpelstiltskin, but we are getting some pretty adorable results trying!

Stay safe everyone  

FV SPARKS IMAGE Update

So , most of you will remember Maggie (FV Sparks Image) some of my long time followers  were in on the foaling contest the year she was born 

Together we watched her grow

 And her sweet  temperament shone through 

 Last spring I sold Maggie to a young lady  named Kat.In a fun coincidence , I discovered that her mom and I had attended high school together !

Kat and her mom , have kept in touch  and let me know how Maggie is doing,which is so nice. 

Maggie has a great home and great life, I knew this going in ,but if I had any question the call I got last  winter from Kat's mom to let me know Maggie was injured  but they were taking care of it , and were prepared to go the distance for her ,made me ever so sure . 

Thankfully their fast thinking and good care paid off and Maggie  is just fine 

as the following pictures , sent by Kat will show ...

this collection of photos is over the past 12 months , as you see they are a great little team 

Yup, I think they are doing just fine together. Maggie is, btw full sister to another favorite from the blog.FV Dandy Line , who also is doing very well, hope to hear more on him soon as well.

Meanwhile thanks so much for sharing Kat. and enjoy! you are looking great together .

Stay safe everyone 

Some "goings on "

Thanks to all for all of the good wishes and support. I am feeling much better 

A few things going on this weekend . Saturday was yard work, and getting things set up to process calves today . The we attended a dinner for a lovely lady on her birthday. Dolores is  my BIL Mikes mom and we were invited to attend with all the family . Wonderful dinner and a great evening visiting .

Up this morning and ready to get to work. 

Because of my arthritis and back issues , I was kind of sidelined today , the crew we had was not letting me get into the thick of things like I usually do. The did let me help bring the cows up, and sort , but beyond that I was relegated to vaccinating , and staying out of the way . Sigh 

 This fellow  was watching the activity from a safe distance 

Winston , and Abigail  ,watching and supervising  

 The crew,Martin , Cory , Cindy, and of course our very own Dr Oakley

 Beer and BBQ after a workout! 

 All smiles, this little supervisor, she seemed to have a good day , training , my friend Cindy and I to play fetch among other things

 After everyone left I did have some work to do ,Martin went out ahead to patch the fence in a couple spots , and I gathered the  herd up and took them out to the field .Shirley asked on FB if I took them out with a horse. Sigh ,head hanging in shame I did not . Johnnie and Wilder were , pretty eager to help and followed along the fence too, but as I was by myself ,it seemed easier to hop on and off the quad as needed for gates and such, and to  go hurry up the slow ones. Could have got Angela to stay and ride with or I really could have likely done it alone with Johnnie but I did not . Next time I had better saddle up! 

 I did however get some good photos.

In other news , I got an email from Kat, the young lady who  bought Sparks Image (Maggie )She and Maggie are doing well, and she sent several photos as well. just waiting for her permission to post them on the blog . She looks great! so nice to see the "kids " do well 

Falling behind

No Fridays for sale post from me today , but check out Shirley's post at  Ride a Good  Horse   there are some darn nice  horses !
I am just falling behind this week, falling behind posting and reading . Picked up a bug last weekend , and I thought I had kicked it till Monday when it hit me full force again . I wont get into  super details other that to say it was a full body experience! Yeesh! I feel like a worn out dishrag today , but I am in fact on the mend .
Will be  processing the calves  on Sunday , and turning the bulk of the herd out  to pasture , or at least all but the last couple. Normally this late in the year I would just let the stragglers calve on pasture, but it has been an odd season,(understatement  of the week! ) And I would prefer to see the last  couple up and going before we turn them out .This season has severely kicked my bum!All farmers know we have good years and bad, and this wasn't as bad as some folks have had .The wet spring brought scours to many farms and other issues as well. All in all it hasn't been to bad , I just have gotten spoiled with some very good years lately.
But as I quoted my late Uncle a few posts back . If you have livestock ...

So sorry if I have been absent from your blogs, I have read, just not always commenting . and as for here , updates with pics will come . And soon enough we will begin to watch for the foals!
Meanwhile stay safe my friends

"Fixed up"

 The Phoenix, waiting on the farrier 

 Hanging out  with (let me proudly introduce to you all finally ) Dr Angela Oakley DVM!!!

who Phoenix  believes is his own personal doctor should the need arise 

 After his much needed pedicure , we loaded him up and took him to his  new trainer 

Geoff Hoar  at Innisfail AB
 video

Does someone want to tell me how this road trip took 4 hours to get there, and a little over 2.5 to get home?? he is not that big a horse! 

Anyhow he traveled well , and I am looking forward to seeing him progress

Before the trip, I hosted a little barbecue . All of the Oakley kids (honorary nieces and nephew) were home do the family came over ,also my sister Heather , and BIL Marc . We enjoyed BBQ roast beef, potato salad that I prepared , Deb  brought coleslaw, and beans ,and fresh corn.Angela prepared grilled veggies and Kale  Heather ,her yummy macaroni salad , and apple cobbler . This all was washed down with Marc's homemade wine ! 

A wonderful meal , and evening spent with wonderful people .

So that pretty much wrapped up our Victoria  day weekend , other than the regular  farm work, and a calf , that is at least temporarily  needing some extra TLC, and her fire breathing dragon of a momma! 

life is pretty good here

Hope all is well  with everyone 

Stay safe 

Fridays for sale (taking a shot)

This is a bit of a different take on Fridays for sale. Yes I still have 2 horses to sell, but have yet to really begin to promote Comet and Quinn, other than here on the blog and in  flyer's at the Mane event .Hoping to clean them up a bit and get after it this weekend. But meanwhile I am trying something a little different. I have my books and photo cards to sell, and I do  by times take in outside mares for breeding so I need to promote my business. Most print advertising  seems to be cost prohibitive and , what we are willing to pay for (1/4 pg ads or smaller , really seem to get lost in the shuffle .
I have come upon an opportunity this month though that while a  bit more than I would normally choose to spend, is a screamin' deal for what I am getting!
Fern Valley Appaloosas are going to be  featured on the front page, and also on a 1/2 page ad inside of Saddle Up Magazine !
June will be an Appaloosa feature, so it seems to be just the right time to get my name in there.
Again , not something I might normally do, but I have to take a chance now and then. The add will also feature my books and a link to them. And the Editor has agreed to read and do a  review and article on both books in the next while.

The picture, we are hoping to put on the cover is a favorite of mine.

edited to add this photo is the one I was hoping to use, however I really like them both

FV A Shocking Comet

This picture is one I was never really sure if it would turn out , with the odd lighting and the  movement . Glad I took the shot as it has truly become a favorite so ,like with the photo , I am going to "take a shot " with the add and see where it takes me

Wish me luck, and  as always  my dear friends

Stay safe  

  

Looks like I need to do some spot cleaning

 Finally found some grass that I could let Comet and Quinn out  on 

 As you can see they are nearly shed out

 but it appears before I can  do the online ads and flyers I want 

 I need to spend a little time removing  the spots that don't belong

 Quinn is pretty clean , but Mr  Cutie pie  has some really unique  patterns going on. 

 Palomino with a blanket, white spots, green and brown stains...

Looks like the boys have been "spotted" by a couple of lady "spotters"

Have a great week, stay safe! 

Happy Mothers day

For all the moms, and grandmas 

A mother

Whether she is near or far

Or in the light of a   star

Your mother is with you always

It the things that you do

The traditions you knew

And the life that you live

 all of your days  

The lessons you learned

And the grey hairs she earned

Those moments she held on to tightly

The way that she smiled

With love for her child

And worried and prayed for you nightly

In the way you keep house

Or run from a mouse

She is there in so much of

Who you are

 She is there in your eyes,

In the way that you try

And all of the things that you do

The tilt of your head,

The words that she said

Will forever keep her so close

The woman who’s love helped to form you

With the sun on your face,

Remember her grace

And let her  love still warm you 

Picture this

This is another of my little walks,mostly a picture post . I always try to take the camera, sometimes I get great shots, sometimes none at all , but this evening as I went out to check cows...

 The late day sun in spring sets the world alight  

 coppery reds

 golds and green seem lit from within

 the grass seems to  somehow have  an emerald tone 

even more muted colors seem to be crisper & brighter 

Definitely a good time of day to be taking pictures. and it doesn't hurt to have such  beautiful  subjects to photograph, though  I might be a little biased .

Not much new here, hope to get some things done over the weekend with the horses. Comet had an odd injury high in his inner hind that needs a bit of follow up cleaning(he is not sore any more just watching to be sure it heals well ) Also I am going to work on my flower beds too(those who know me and  my gardening skills try not to laugh)   

Stay safe everyone, and have a wonderful Mothers day .