Wordy Wed

Remember a few days/weeks ago I posted a contest with an untitled poem?? "A little contest"
well first of all OOPS! I forgot all about it ! So sorry . The title I chose , just felt right "A Guy Like that" Suggested by Ann Nichols .Thanks to all for your suggestions, and I hope you wont mind if a few of them have possibly triggered my muse and may get poems of their own in time. I will give whoever's title inspired the poem credit of course.
So Ann , email could you and we will work out how best to get you your prize.

On to the next thoughts.Interesting insights on the last post, and certainly some excellent points. As far as breeding/overbreeding ,I agree to a point , a breeder myself ,I do not think we need to STOP all breeding , but we do need to be mindful of the situation and the state of the horse market in general . While I strongly believe Hybrid Vigour  is a very positive effect of  cross breeding , I am not sure part bred  stock ,unregistered  etc is quite as marketable, unless well trained.
That said , neither of the parties I talked about in my last post are currently breeding, nor have they for the past few years. The purebred breeder, has only 1 that I am aware of under the age of 3 and has not bred again this year .They have chosen to background their stock( raise them get them going under saddle )prior to sale .
Anyhow, I am still working on things and if anyone wants further info , email me K? fernvalleyappaloosas@hotmail.ca


What would you do
If you saw someone  needing
on any given day
Would you reach out a hand? or
just turn away?

Would you question the right  to be who they are
would you step up and help
or frown from afar

Would you leap straight to
judgement
without asking why
assume they are failing,
from failing to try

When you see someone needing
what would you do
ask yourself now
if that someone was you ?

Have a wonderful Wednesday , and as always ,stay safe

Where do you go ?

Bear with me all, you haven't been subjected to one of my "I have been thinking" posts in a while

This one has been some time in coming , a couple of situations have presented themselves in my circle of influence, that have me wondering . Both are about horses , and struggles , and both are too far away for me to do what my natural reaction would be , which is to just go and help where I can .
One , and elderly man with failing health , has several horses, varying ages , and not a lot of training . By that I mean , handled and well cared for , but due to his age and failing health , not necessarily broke to ride in any discipline . These are nice horses , in good flesh and quiet , but  not particularly marketable . And should this fellow , become more ill or frail , the situation can and likely will go down hill in a huge hurry .Family are not close by , and are while worried and wanting to do something , in a quandary as to exactly what to do .
The other situation is ,also far afield from me , horse owner and breeder of purebreds , good quality stock , well handled , shown trained . Has first been faced with challenges of ill family members, a economic sh*tstorm and if that was not enough a personal health crisis that  was very nearly catastrophic.
I am not "naming names " because  I don't really feel it is helpful to the situation, and also unlike the blog out there who purported to be "for the horses" and essentially was a huge cyber bully I am not here to "out " anyone or hurt them. I simply wonder if there is something we in this huge equine and blogging community can do .
Some of us have seen a situation, and done some fund raising, great work , to all who have done it! And I am not saying we cannot continue to do that. But one of the things brought to my attention , was the need for simple "hands on help" unloading bales , holding horses for vet care and farrier , filling water tubs etc.
Not every problem can be solved by us throwing money at it , and thank goodness for that , because , not to many of us have money to throw!
  I am lucky in that my family is close by , many of them involved in the horse industry themselves , and I have great friends who are also willing and able to step up as needed . We have worked together, many of us for over 20 yrs in the industry ,and I know , a phone call is all it takes to get a crew to help me, and the same in return. But what about those who are not as blessed to be close to aid?In my life it is practically unheard of to be far from family , but many folks have had to move across the country for work, or other reasons , and what of them?
So tell me about  your area, does Animal control offer any support services?
4 H groups?
A friend suggested a  high school program for equine studies  doing a project
I know there are rescues out there, and in some cases that is an option, but they are overloaded, and some cases are not yet at the rescue point. Can the industry support one another and become more sustaining ? or are we destined to have the wins , and losses , with no middle ground.
One thing that would be good to have is some sort of  ,I don't know data base (I am waaay to big a techno bumpkin to figure out how ) , or something that would link us to other horse folks in the area. In Alberta we have a couple of groups , horse clubs etc , and also the Horse Industry Association that sponsors a conference each year, bringing the horse owners and breeders together as well as trainers, and clinicians for a yearly conference. They also issue updates and education on management etc. The Mane event is a huge scale conference every year that also brings together the industry but in a different level. What I am talking about is a network of like minded folk who are willing to share their time and or knowledge in their region .
As I said , the situations I am talking about are far too distant for me to just hop in the truck and pitch in, though I am trying from my end to do what I can .
Just wondering if we could ? how we could ?Or am I just a silly Pollyanna  believing in fairies and rainbows.
Any thoughts would be appreciated, Meanwhile stay safe!

All about the little ones

First and foremost, by the time most read this post it will be September 11,2011. The tenth anniversary of a day we will never forget . A day of tragedy, and loss, and a day of heroism and renewed faith . A day that although many years have passed is never far from any ones mind and heart . To my friends in the USA, I will think of you all on this day, and always remember .

My post today though is about things that bring me joy, the little ones , foals , kids, kittens, any baby of any kind! I have shown you the kittens before, and last weekend you saw some of my nieces and nephews.I finally got the photos  of Miss Abbie . 2 of my favorite things together, kids and horses!

As you can see Quinn and Abbie hit it off well!And Ritchie ,adores kids , when Abbie reached for her , she put her head down , closed her eyes and sighed as if to say "Oh yes a child for me to love"

Also took a few pictures today of Comet and Quinn (more of Comet , because Quinn is often too close having  his behind scratched  or neck or whatever body part he can get you pay attention too. He prefers if you put the camera down and get to work rubbing him all over with both hands! )AS you can see Comet is shedding his baby hair too now, and wow is he coming in a dark gold!

As I said , it shows in the photo above the last , Quinn's bum right there!

Something else that has brought some joy and smiles just lately is our "Redneck Pool"

We have a portable pool we could put up , but it was such a cool summer we didn't bother, till now .Well no point in dragging it all out and setting up for a couple of days , so we improvised

Stock tank,+mounting block=walk in pool!

Stay safe everyone!

Campfire Stories

Campfire Stories

Sit and listen to the guys

Tell their tales

And tell their lies

Revisiting the

 Youthful glories

Disguising them in

 Campfire stories

As the nights grow late and old

The bigger stories now are told

The fish, the bear, the 10 point buck

The day they nearly rolled the truck

Faster horses bigger climbs

As they relive, those good old times

Adventures they had in their lives

It’s a wonder any one survived

The ladies sit there all the while

Quiet with a knowing smile

Not saying much agin or for

But when the men begin to snore

And just us girls we are alone

Well, we have stories of our own!

Have a wonderful weekend , and stay safe!

Wandering Wednesday

First of all , I would like to let you all know Deb, of Never too old has at least for now come back to the blog world. She has been through a lot this year, and I am pleased to see her back, after all the love and support I have received here, I know this will be very healing for her. Please do stop over and say hello.

So on to today , I have recently cut down my work hours to 3 days a week.Between work, and the farm, I have been feeling a little overwhelmed and not accomplishing all I need to .Especially when Martin is working away.I have been pretty spoiled this summer as he has been home for much of it , but all good things come to an end and he will be returning to work Sept 21 ,in Fort MacMurray for a 14&7 schedule (14 days away 7 home ) it is not the worst in the world, as when he is home , he is at least here longer than a day and a half , but...
Anyhow , today was my first Wednesday off .Martin and I purchased a 1/4sec of land a couple years ago as an investment property and a place for him to go hunting . I had never been there, and wasn't particularly interested in going to be honest. But recently he got an opportunity to move a cabin up there , so he needed to go up and plan a site. Now I am not now , nor will I ever be a hunter , nor am I likely to take up fishing (tried it , not really me) but if he is going to be taking extended trips up there, I am kinda fond of the guy so ,I guess I better get interested! It is a nice piece of land , similar to here , with a very pretty ravine running through it .Typical bush 1/4 with about half cleared for pasture . Picked a nice site , just south of the ravine with a nice windbreak of trees, and a good view
Vallyview is about a 3 hr drive from here, so we loaded up the boys Winston and Skeeter early today and away we went . Arrived a little after noon and did our walkabout . It we screamin hot today so we didn't linger . Stopped on the way out at a pullout by the Little Smoky river .Skeeter is convinced he is allergic to water ,but Win, well he hopped right in for a cool bath , the Little smoky has a fair current so we were pretty watchful that he didn't get carried away(literally!) But he was happy to coast along the shoreline for a bit till I called him in.Good Boy Win!

(Photos courtesy of google ,someone namely me forgot a camera!)

Anyhow, 6 hrs in the vehicle in one day is more than I care for too often , so it I think the cabin is a great idea! It is currently White, and what I can only call "Pepto Bismol Pink" but hey ,it is unique and more importantly the price is right! A little elbow grease sanding and a coat of something a little more subtle , and we will be just fine. Now all we have to do is arrange piles, transport, etc all before hubby heads back to work! I can just see my new found time off vanishing at the speed of light !

Hope all is well for everyone! Stay safe!

Short and Sweet

Short and sweet is what he is , and what it was

Finally ,today after having ,  not time , no motivation , poor weather etc.I decided enough already and GOT ON MY HORSE !

Today esp , was a day to do it , as we had some tears yesterday saying goodbye to a sweet horse Deb's Blue has moved on to greener pastures , I will write an honorable mention about him, soon , because that sweet beautiful boy more than deserves it ,but for now I will just say ,from me to him,"Good night Sweet Prince " (my personal pet name for him for his whole life)

Got up this morning , and even though it was going to be hot ,I threw on my jeans, thinking Deb would be over for a ride , to dry her eyes and clear her head. She was , but much later in the day,I had assumed she wasn't wanting to go ,and put on shorts. My back and well, whole darn body has been sore so I had talked myself out of it .

Mentioned it when she got here, and she said , she did want to go after all . At first I kinda though ah, next time , but Brian kindly offered to help get my gear out , so away went ! Just a short ride ,a s I am sore and Johnnie is well , um, a little plus sized these days himself ( as am I ) so start small right ?

Be gentle with me, we are just proving  that round is in fact a shape!

As always ,I am reminded how much I love this little horse of mine. In from the pasture , saddled up, put him in the round pen just to see and he looked at me as if to say "Seriously?OK I will run in a circle and show you that I know what I am doing , then can we just GO?"

Didn't need the round pen today anymore than I would need it any other time .Silly me .At least in Johnnies case , broke is broke , and he never changes .

You may notice Deb is wearing a helmet, I have been a die hard  for a long time , but here I am ending every post with stay safe , and ...

Talked about it thought about it , now it is time to just step up and do it !

Anyway , Stay safe , hope it was a great weekend all round!

Fur, fun, and family

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend Thought I would give you a few updated pics of the kittens

 

Had our yearly family BBQ this weekend

Getting ready

Kids , cats and dogs , seemed to be the theme!

Went very well, Crab legs BBQ beef , shrimp, potato salad , Ceasar salad .The works.

Not everyone was able  to attend this year, but we sure enjoyed the ones that came .

Had a last minute panic, as my sister ,who always remembers to make a yummy dessert was on holidays , but a quick call to SIL Cheryl , fixed it . It wasn't Heathers famous rhubarb crisp , but it was yummy stuff all the same!

Hoping to add more pics if my niece Rene will send them , got some great ones of Abby petting Quinn!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

And as always ,stay safe

Meandering Muse , and an update

First of all, thank you everyone for the continued prayers and support for mom. She is doing well. The Surgeon who originally cared for her 17 yrs ago , took over her case yesterday. Called dad at home to have consent signed and completed the procedure to permanently place the shunt last evening. Mom
sailed through her surgery and is doing well. Could be back home as early as next week!
The stress of the past few weeks has had an odd effect,I find I am not sleeping much and my mind is racing (pretty normal) but the thing that I have found most calming in the wee hours of the night , is writing!
An idea will pop into my head and I will jot it down , and mull it over .Soon enough I have written another poem! SO forgive me if I deluge you all with poetry  over the next while , they are random and pop into my head , well, just when they do . For now here is one that "hit me " while driving yesterday
Lessons From  Nature
If we listen to Gods creatures
We find they are amazing teachers

You rarely see a stressed out cat
Or for that fact a sunburned bat

Squirrels know to plan ahead
and are never short a safe warm bed

A momma bear cares for her babies
Protects them ,no ifs ands or maybes

Unconditional love , most folks can't reach it
and yet a good kind dog can teach it

Yet some people tear others to pieces
and call ourselves the wiser species?

Just for fun

Just for fun and something to be a brain teaser I thought I would try to write a verse using as many of the blog titles out of my side bar as I could. What I wound up with is a silly little verse , but kind of fun. to those I missed, I am sorry , but I will try agin with you titles as soon as I unravel my brain from this go round!  

To find your happy

Grab a Fern Valley Appy
Stay on that course,
And   Ride a good horse
Just one that is colored brightly

The well groomed horse

 Is a start of course.

But training will help him Go lightly

 Ranch riding, can be a  puzzle

But with a good mount
The wins you will count and
Snuggle the Nuzzling Muzzles.

Just another day on the prairie,

is a grand one ,not scary
If you have a good Ranch Girl along

Go west feral woman,

The evening is coming

And Home on the range is our song

We’re living it up Country

And not going hungry
The Cheap Chef is just within reach.

Living it well

You can sure tell
That really, Life’s a Beach

My kind of pals

Ain’t for city gals

At least by

One old cowgirls view

The equine expressions

Leave quite the impression

At least to a Brown eyed Cowgirl
This verse has been fun
But now it is done.
Oh well. I gave it a whirl!


Stay safe everyone , and have fun!

Shots of spots

Just a few shots of the ponies  from the weekend . This first one turned out very well. Shirley suggested on FB that it would make a great header picture. I might ,but I have had a lot of trouble changing header pics in the past , and I really love the  one I have so...

You looking at me?

This is getting to be the type of shot I get of Quinn, he does looove to be close

A little distance here , I think they are both looking mighty fine!

And of course , in case anyone thinks I misplaced him or forgot about Johnnie...

A little contest

This poem is at present untitled . It is loosely based on a couple of guys my hubby and I know . And likely fits a lot of guys all of us have had the pleasure of knowing over the years . Good folks at the heart of them, but living life , just a little differently than many of us. The ones that I was thinking of when I wrote this are ,as I said good guys ,living their lives very much on their own terms . A bit rough around the edges , but hearts of gold .
Anyhow this poem needs a title . So I figure ,its time for another contest . Give it a shot and help me out if you can .

A farmer and cowboy

a hunter and such

You could tell to look at

him he didn’t eat much

A burger and some whiskey

He will never tire

A guy like that’s built

Out of old baling wire

Tall lean and lanky

With a fist like a mitt.

Call him out when he is drinking

And he will get into it!

A jab or a punch, and

Down on the ground

He will give it his all

on every go round

But tell him his friend

Has got in a bind

He will stop in an instant

 and leave it behind

He will show up to help

And bring along a crew

And whatever you need,

Well that’s what he’ll do

They don’t make them quite

Like that anymore

But the ones that are here,

Are good ones for sure

Hoping to get back  to the horses soon , and maybe take a few pictures . Possibly from a different perspective than lately too...

Stay safe everyone

An angel on her shoulder

Again to all of you , many thanks for the prayers and words of support for my mom and family . Seems like they worked!

Mom has been in hospital since lat Thursday after a suspected stroke. As it turns out , there was a small , rather inconsequential stroke, but lucky it happened ,I guess, because it got her to hospital , and admitted. Her condition seemed to worsen over the next few days , and as I said a couple posts back, the question of the shunt failing became far more pressing . Yesterday , she returned from some routine tests , totally unresponsive and was rushed to ICU .In the care of the neurological team now , it has been discovered that in fact the shunt is failing .

She underwent a temporary revision to release the pressure , and will remain in hospital until they are able to stabilise her and properly , permanently place the shunt . She is not out of the woods yet, but Oh my! It was a relief to see her this evening alert , lucid, bright and with her usual wit and humor! My sister and I visited with her for an hour or so, and had a lovely time , laughter,and  a few tears .
I believe I may actually sleep tonight!
This has been so hard on her and my dad, and us as well. Mom's health and struggles over the years have had us facing situations like yesterday, talking to ICU staff and wondering fearfully what the next day would bring many times over the year.Matter of fact ,at 3:00am I had it figured out , to 11 separate times we were in similar circumstances . And yet each time, somehow , there is an emergency intervention, last chance,or new procedure, that she  sails through and rallies, recovering yet again .
My mother has an incredible and unbreakable will, and determination.And I am beginning to believe , one of the most vigilant Gaurdian angels ever!
And while I am incredibly  proud both my parents  and adore them both , (daddy's girl from way back), one day I do  hope to be Tough like my mom!

Minor musings

Smiles

Take the time

Once in a while

To just be the reason
For a stranger to smile

 Give them your hand

Open the door

Or offer some shelter

From a downpour

 In a world that’s so busy

And hustling about
Our minds become selfish
We never look out

But take just a moment
Now and again
To open our hearts
Let kindness shine in

If each of us took  

This one little task
What could we gain?
Do you have to ask?

A little more joy,
Out there to be found  
And many more smiles
If you just look around

 But please don’t forget

To keep it on track
When they smile at you
You smile right back

Slow Sunday

 First of all , thanks so much for all of your kind words,thoughts and prayers for my mom.Long story short, it appeared she had suffered another stroke, but also she has a shunt to drain fluid  from her brain , an injury as a result of a case of meningitis several years ago, and there is a chance that the shunt may be failing (they are only meant to last 5-10 yrs and this one is well past that) . They are still trying to  diagnose exactly what is going on . So she is still in hospital, not happy about it , but is the best for now to allow the doctors to properly investigate and treat the problem. Mom has had years of health struggles, and is one tough little lady .Surviving a fairly risky liver transplant surgery over 23 yrs ago(and is apparently Canada's longest surviving liver transplant patient!

On to other things , I stayed home today ,several added trips to the city the past few days  have me a little worn down.
Puttered around doing a bit of housework, then had a visit from Deb, and Cara(Another honorary niece) Chatted for a while , then went for a walk , very hot for us here today ,so it was a pretty low key  kind of walk.Debs neighbor had given her some apples to use up so we went down to see if any of the boys were interested .I did video them running in to see us , but my hands must have been shaky because the video is pretty poor.Next time !

Chance and Cara, Chance never misses an opportunity to sweet talk a pretty girl!

Deb and her beloved Blue



 And of course my  guy Johnnie ! The all had a taste of apple , some more than others . Johnnie as you see ,is not one to miss a treat and is sporting some very fresh "apple breath "

Then on to the mares ,and babies. most were uninterested , till Ici had a bite , then Jazzy and Rich thought they should have another try

Comet is becoming a fan of having scratches when he sees me ,not quite as friendly as Quinn yet, but it is coming

 He is only just now beginning to lose his baby coat , it has faded some and in the right light looks almost like spun gold! cant wait to see what color he comes in with later



 I was on the phone when they went to see these girls , but I understand apple were not their "thing" Well not until I went down later and was eating one ! (Deb Peps prefers very small dainty pieces of apple to be hand fed to her if you please! )

 Hot as it was it was a bit buggy so the girls were using each other as scratching posts and flyswatters

Andee here is looking like the peanut butter between 2 chocolate chips!

Finally on to Dandy , who had been playing quite a bit with Wilder , helps though ,his color shows better when he is sweaty!

 No apples for this  boy, just not interested  

 But I would like to go see those pretty girls K??

Other than that, filled waters , did some edging on the lawn, and ran (drove ) back and forth to the field delivering cold water, bale string, popsicles etc to the guys while they were baling hay .Finished up the housekeeping in the later part of the day then had BBq burers ,hot dogs and corn on the cob with Martin,  my sister Heather, brother in law Marc, and nephew Brendan(who is nicely recovering  from sinus surgery last week)  A nice way to wrap up the day

Hope everyone had a good weekend

Stay safe!

Head above water

The past couple of days have been, well, a little episodic. Mom in hosp and my nephew Brendan also having just had surgery .Brendan is on the mend ,and hopefully the "team" investigating mom's issues will figure it out soon too. She is not happy to be back in hospital, that little lady has spent far too many days there in her life . SO for her , and others in my family , who's stories are in fact not mine to tell. I will continue to pray for peace and comfort .

See you all soon

and please as always

Stay safe!

A Dandy evening

Went out this evening to move a few horses around . Dandy , and his new pen mate ,the long suffering FV Wild Card (Wilder is the sweetest guy, never chases or challenges the young ones , but he will tell them when enough is enough)

Anyhow , we didn't move them , but the got the wind up when the girls were moved!

As you can see Dandy is growing up to be a big boy! Wilder is a 6 yr old and a fair sized guy at just around 15 hh.Dandy is not as tall as the pictures lead you to believe , but not as far behind Wilder as you would expect for a yearling.I will have to actually measure him  soon and see where he is going to finish up. I had thought around 15hh but... 

He is a good looking boy though! Hard to get good photos of him when the sun is shining , his white is sooo white and there is so much of it , his golden coloring washes out in the pics .Tried to change the contrast a bit , but I am not so sure I like the result . Have to catch him on a cloudy day (not too soon please for the sake of the hay)

All jacked up and showing off his power takeoff

Shows over ,time for some grub

Dandy is for sale and as you can see  well recovered from  his gelding surgery .Kid's got nothing to do  right now but grow , and he is doing a dandy job of it !

Stay safe everyone