Category Archives: Horses

Home School

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Lauren, Arianna and Libby

Lauren, Arianna and Libby

Something a little magical has happened for Lauren and I in our new home. While our years in Wharton might have seen horse visitors on the average of once a year, at our new location we are getting friends over a few times a week.  Our trainer, Dev, has even graciously agreed to come down from north Houston and give lessons at our barn. This keeps Lauren from having to trailer across town and enjoy being home schooled with her friends.  It is pretty great.  Also, we are meeting new people who are a good fit for Bruno and Snow.  It does my heart good to see these grand gentleman in the ring again. Today we enjoyed Amanda and her new super Quarter horse, Bentley, who I suspect will be something special.  Arianna and her mustang pony, Ellie Mae, jumped everything Feather did, including the intimidating barrel jump.  Former Sarah Petty rescue horse turned World Champion jumper, has joined us with his owner Libby and last, but not least, was Mia getting to know (and love) Snowboy.  Here are some great pictures, most courtesy of Arianna.

Amanda with Bentley who could be an ad for Nu Image supplement. Look at that shine!

Amanda with Bentley who could be an ad for Nu Image supplement. Look at that shine!

Arianna taming the wild Mustang.

Arianna taming the wild Mustang.

Mia and Snow-boys still got it!

Mia and Snow-boys still got it!

Cody is settling in well to life at Six Meadows.

Cody is settling in well to life at Six Meadows.

 

Feather still flying even as the heat and humidity bear down on Houston.

Feather still flying even as the heat and humidity bear down on Houston.

What would a day at the farm be without Kona making new friends and getting in a little trouble?

Kona watching over new friend Pippa.

Kona watching over new friend Pippa.

Kona escaping to the arena and giving Mia a little scare. Bad Kona.

Kona escaping to the arena and giving Mia a little scare. Bad Kona.

And that’s about it folks, I better go to bed so I can get up and feed.  Days running short- but happy.

Feather.

Feather.

Mia finishing up.

Mia finishing up.

Photog-Arianna

Photog-Arianna

New Farm-All Coming Together

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Can you find Kona's dirty ball?

Can you find Kona’s dirty ball?

The new Six Meadow Farm is coming together!  All the fencing is done.  The arena is very rideable.  The house has most of my pictures that I have collected, saved and treasured up on the walls.  The rooms look pretty complete.

My contractor just texted me that he has corrected the electrical problem in the barn and he is has the fans working on each horse’s stall.  And not a minute too soon as temperatures are headed into the 90’s today.

We have put in numerous flowers, loads of mulch, pavers and rocks.  We have spread “guaranteed to grow anywhere” grass seed in the bare areas around the farm and dragged off broken limbs, construction debris and rocks from the grounds.

Occasionally, when we finally stop long enough to sit still, we cannot believe we are lucky enough to live here.  When Amber visited she kept asking me if I didn’t feel like I was on vacation and no, at that point I did not.  We had been working like manic fools to get everything ready.  No vacation there but last week, when I finally did slow down enough to have that vacation feeling, I was so gratified to just sit and watch the horses graze, the wind blow through my numerous wind chimes and dogs lay close by.

And speaking of the dogs, broken back dachshund Lula is doing very well.  She has responded great to medication, rest and therapy.  She thinks she is back to her old self and the hardest thing is keeping her from running, jumping or playing.  I thought I had lost her and am thrilled at this turn around.  Meanwhile, Kena, the Doberman with the lacerated paw, returned for her last visit to vet today (number four) to have the remaining staples removed from her foot.  The infection is gone and she is finally bearing weight on her leg.

Kona got his hair cut yesterday and was so happy to be home.  He wanted to play lots of ball as I tried to get the plants all watered.  His answer-as shown above-just drop his nasty ball directly into whatever plant I am trying to coax along.  Then I have to pick it up and throw it again.  Freaking smart dog for sure.  Annoying, too!

All the horses were in back under saddle this last weekend, even Snowboy whose feet have been in bad shape.  Arianna rode both Mickey and Snow and they did not disappoint us.

Arianna getting a little gallop out of the pony.

Arianna getting a little gallop out of the pony.

 

Mickey tucking his knees like champ.

Mickey tucking his knees like champ.

Bruno has been going well for Amelia and they will have their first lesson with Dev on Saturday.  We have moved closer to civilization and are really enjoying all our friends.

With all the pastures, arena and barn work to do, it was finally time to invest in a small tractor.  In Wharton, where tractors seem more plentiful than people, it was never a problem to get someone (beg someone) to come drag our arena (thanks, Scot!) or shred our pastures (thanks, Richard!) but here we will learn to do it ourselves and hopefully save money over the long haul.  Lauren had resorted to dragging the arena with my VW Golf and I may never remove all the sand from in and on the car.

Neither Lauren or I had driven a tractor before or knew much about it but we got a great price and great instructions from Shoppas in East Bernard.

Learning the tractor.

Learning the tractor.

I still haven’t driven a tractor and hope not to, but Lauren got right on her obsession of dragging the arena and it looks great.  She has yet to run into a fence or smash into the house.  I feel that is positive.

Of course, Kona had to get on the tractor, too.

Of course, Kona had to get on the tractor, too.

My mom is doing better.  I think she believes the hard pink plaster has been on her arm all her life.  I do not think she understands why it is there but just accepts it now like it is just the way it is.  Another month and we will hope to get it off for good.

Thanks to all of you who have been riding along with us through all our journeys.

 

On the Hunt for a Mare

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Ally riding Mac.

Ally riding Mac, a registered Quarter horse.

My daughter Ally, mother of Kendyll and Jordyn, gets mentioned frequently on this blog, but not that often in the context of riding.  Ally started riding in grade school in Florida at a hunter/jumper barn.  When we bought our first Florida horse, and then her first Quarter horse, a Rugged Lark mare, she rode under the direction of Kit Kope who is now a top Paint Horse judge.  Something about that time with Kit has always stuck with her because Paint horses are hands down her favorite.

Since the loss of our horse Kid, and since moving to the new house, I have been on the look-out for a horse.  I know, I am always on the look-out for a top horse for little money, its what I do, but this time it is different.  I have put off my riding for Lauren’s riding or for buying a horse that would be quick to sell.  I ride a lot but I have no horse that is mine.  The same is true of Ally.  She wants to ride more now that we are close.  We have Mickey and Bruno.  Mickey is fine for me to ride, just not a horse I connect with too well, same for Ally.  His major forte is jumping and we are not interested.

And riding Bruno, well, I am hoping one of Ally’s Florida friends hits it off with him.  I would like to see him ridden more.  If not, I will be buying a big girth and saddling him up in my western barrel saddle.  He needs to be worked and I am a chicken (and old) so just going to go with what I am comfortable with.  He will be the largest western horse in history!

I also put down on my bucket list to have babies born on my own farm and while my daughters might comply, I am referring to horse babies.  My cousin reminds me not to wait too long.  As does the owner of Flagmount’s Freedom (Feather’s sire) whom I want to be the father of said babies.  So, I need a mare.

It would be even be more awesome if I could find in the horse I want to ride and share with Ally, to also be the mother of the horse babies.  I didn’t think I was asking a lot but apparently I am.

Here are a few I have looked at:

Try Delta-you know maybe I should.

Try Delta-you know maybe I should.

This is a three-year-old off the track thoroughbred that is the granddaughter of AP Indy (just like Bruno).  I love Bruno and this way Feather and Bruno would both be represented in this mare’s baby.There is a lot that is good about this mare, except she is three.  The last thing I want is a three year old to work with, especially to ride.  But…I am still checking to see if she has been sold and still can see her nicking well with Flag and producing quite a magnificent foal.  Then my vet just had to send me the text the day after the Derby that California Chrome is an AP Indy great-granddaughter. One more thing in this mare favor, except, then I remember she is three.

I have been all over the usual horse sale sites.  In a perfect world, I am looking for a 15.2 to 16.1 hand paint, quarter horse or thoroughbred that is not the heavy stocky look but the more refined, lighter boned variety.  Oh, and one that has great ground manners, is quiet and easy to ride.  Anyone have one of those?  Because it is not going well in my search.

I got real excited to learn a local thoroughbred breeder was going to close her business.  Off Lauren, Ally and I went to check out three horses that promised to be exactly what we wanted.

Ladifa

Ladifa

This mare had several foals.  Many were on-site.  She was said to be quiet and easy to handle.  She is 16.  I figured it would be a great fit.  We arrived at one of the most beautiful horse properties that I have seen, the rolling pastures and well-kept horses, it was amazing.  However, they had just separated this mare from her pasture mate and she was frantically searching for her.  Up and down the paddock she went and there was no way I would convince Ally that this was a quiet, easy to handle horse.  Check her off the list!

QueenLadifa-daughter of Ladifa

QueenLadifa-daughter of Ladifa

Then I easily went and caught this seven-year old daughter of the horse above.  I saddled her up and it was like I was back riding Kid. She was very quiet, well-mannered and easy to ride.  But Dev was texting he didn’t like her neck and shoulder.  Both Dev and doc Lynn thought something was going on in her hind end.  So much for the Queen!

She has a chip in her knee, how fast could she be?

She has a chip in her knee, how fast could she be?

Finally, I looked at this 11-year-old.  She was quiet and sweet.  She had successfully had babies. She was a good mom.  She could be ridden lightly as she had a bone chip in her knee.  I figured that would limit her running off with us.  But Ally had to get back to pick up kids and I didn’t ride her.  As we left I was pretty set on taking her.  But as time went on, I just haven’t felt a connection to her so the search continues.

Let me know if you have the perfect horse for Ally and I and one who can also be the bride of Flagmount.  If only Mickey or Bruno was a mare!  Then we would have a perfect solution.

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Thank you all again for the cards you have sent to my mom.  She is doing a little better day by day.

 

Closed!!

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The old barn is getting a new concrete center aisle tomorrow.

The old barn is getting a new concrete center aisle tomorrow.

After over 45 days of frantic activity when we found the farm of our dreams, to the sale of Six Meadow Farm in 15 minutes, to battles too numerous to count, yesterday we finally closed on our new farm!  Overjoyed is not even in right stratosphere with how Lauren and I were feeling as we opened the gate to the long drive and put the key in lock for the first time. There is a lot of work that needs to be done fast but we feel we have a great contractor leading the way and hope horses may be roaming these green pastures before Easter morning dawns.

The green carpet of pasture surrounding our old "new" barn.

The green carpet of pasture surrounding our old “new” barn.

Already we have seen more of Kendyll and Ally in the past 24 hours than we did in the last month.  We are seven minutes away from one another!  We have been taking load after load up and down the highway.  I did not imagine that my tiny little house held so much stuff.  Some how I have become the keeper of Amber and Ally’s childhood mementos.  From love letters from old boyfriends, to certificates, to baseball cards, they are all stored here. Lauren has one giant lidded tub that only holds her show pads.  At one point she thought it had blown out of the back of the truck and was deep into a plan to cut across the median and head back to pick the scattered pads off the highway!  Thankfully, everything has made it to the new house in one piece, so far.

The barn is a solid structure but we needed to clean it out and try to configure the space to make stalls for as many horses as possible.  Lauren and I have always wanted a center aisle barn and by tomorrow at this time, we will have one.  The guys are also hard at work running new fence lines, creating the arena and a small gazebo/patio from where we can watch the riders in the arena.

I am so pleased that everything has worked out so well.  We need to be there tomorrow morning by 6:00 am as the first cement truck arrives then.  I feel incredibly blessed to have this new,safe, quiet home far from any highway but closer to civilization.

Thanks to all of you who keep supporting us throughout all our trials and tribulations!

Parklike pastures with shade trees beats old farmland with no trees for miles.

Parklike pastures with shade trees beats old farmland with no trees for miles.

A Good Last day

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A last ride, a last time.

A last ride, a last time.

Decisions about life and death do not come easily.   My horse Kid turned 32 this year.  A lot about him is good.  He is sound. He eats well   But a lot is not.  His eyesight has failed to the point he has difficulty finding his way around.  A new pasture is an impossible voyage for him.  He has had some small strokes or neurological issues that cause him to constantly bob his head like one of those dolls that used to go on your dashboard of the car.  He is scared as the other horses pick on him and he cannot see them coming. I have owned this off-the-track Quarter horse for almost 12 wonderful years buying him from Sarah Petty when she retired him as a champion 1D barrel horse at age 20.  We had left our horses in Florida and he was our first Texas horse.  Sarah called him Texas Twister, an apt name for a barrel racing king. I credited Kid, and then Mickey (also from Sarah) with putting my little family of Ally, Lauren and I back on the track to life after a rough divorce and move from Florida.  Kid was Ally’s horse in the beginning.  She rode him well and often.  I went each day with her and Lauren to the barn where we were just had partial board to clean his stall, water and feed him.  We met new families.  We joined the world again and had a place to belong. Kid was the perfect quarter horse.  If you go to the AQHA site, their representation of a Quarter horse looks exactly like Kid.  His sorrel coat sang in the sun.  And as the versatile breed proclaims, there really wasn’t anything this horse couldn’t do. He blazed on the racetrack.  He went to National Team Penning finals, he could smoke a barrel pattern and when I asked him to be a jumper and an English horse he did that as well.

I had made the decision that it was time to let Kid go.  I especially did not want to try to move Kid to a new barn and pasture.  With his limited eyesight and all the pastures, it was not fair to him to move him from his home.

I tried to give him the best last day, full of treats, a good bath, extra Senior, and finally I saddled him up for one last ride.  He tacked up like a champ.  We simply walked around the arena and turned around a few barrels. I stopped him in the middle of the arena and gently said, “back”.  Immediately, with my hands quiet and still, Kid backed several steps.  What a guy!

This afternoon we took him to the vet. Of course, he loaded into the trailer without issue.

We got him settled in a stall.  I hugged and hugged him.  Lauren and I cried.  I hope he is now running in the green fields of heaven.  I will miss my beautiful boy so much.

Thank you for riding along and keep us in your prayers.

Mr. Kid 32 years young.

Mr. Kid 32 years young.

Marching On

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Guess what this is?

Guess what this is?

It has been awhile since I wrote about all the goings on at the farm and in the family. We have had a frantic month of selling our farm while dealing with the sellers of our new place that have been less than benevolent in working with us.  From oil and gas leases from the past to multiple surveys to adequately depict the property, we have been flying around.  This has all been coupled with trying to pack everything we own, a busy work schedule, and problems with the animals.

At this point, today, we are scheduled to close on Six Meadow Farm tomorrow and our new place on Friday.  Then a new set of fun begins when we start the construction of the barn and fences.  Lauren has wished for her father numerous times, as she says, “he would make sure this place looked great”.  He was/is a great craftsman and she is right our barn would look infinitely better if he were the contractor.  But, alas, I don’t see him coming to town to take over the job.

The sand and gravel being set down for our new driveway.

The sand and gravel being set down for our new driveway.

It has been a rough and tumble month for the horses, dogs and cats.  Roland was here six weeks ago.  Bruno tore the shoe from his bad foot five weeks and six days ago.  He has gone all this time with no shoe on the foot that must be shod at all times.  The rain and wet conditions have made it difficult to get anyone out to help us.  Snowboy, in a classic Snowboy move, decided to load himself up the couple of steps to the tack room where the feed had been set out for all the horse’s dinner.  He ate at least 18 pounds of feed; high carb, high sugar feed.  Dr. Criner was appalled.  Is he alive?, she asked.  He should have colicked and died.  I don’t believe he even got a belly ache.  He was angrily asking where his dinner was when we did not feed him that night.  Now, his feet are looking horrible and I am hoping it is due to the horrible wet weather and not a result of his binge eating.

Speaking of dying, my brand new cat, the Burmese, that I had waited to get for so long, was attacked and killed by BrownDog.  Lauren ran out the front door to catch Muffy who had escaped the fence and BrownDog took that opportunity to storm the cat room and kill Hula.  I buried him in the back pasture and silently asked for forgiveness from his breeder that I did not protect him better.

If you go to the first, early blogs, you will see my description of BrownDog and that I trusted her the least of all the dogs.  She has become increasing aggressive.  She has attacked both the Corgi and Muffy, injuring them badly.  She has also snapped at my grandchildren.  I thought  about and tried out different alternatives but in the end, I stood with my beautiful BrownDog at the vet as I had her put to sleep.  I could not live with myself if she hurt a child.  She was the sweetest dog ever to Lauren and I.  It was a difficult decision.  But I am happy for my remaining dog family that they are not constantly scared.

So, a difficult time emotionally for us.  Lauren still has not been back in the saddle to jump, but physical therapy is going well and we hope to get her back to work this week.  The pain has diminished a lot for which I am grateful.

Jordyn was out this weekend.  She walked Snow around on his sore feet and then had a great time taking wildflowers to Bruno so he could eat them.  Bruno is so gentle and sweet to her.

Jordyn feeding Bruno wild flowers.

Jordyn feeding Bruno wild flowers.

My mom has had some health issues.  She is better now although her knees are bothering her again.  It might be time for Dr. Chau to inject them again.  It was like a miracle last time.  She has been happy and bright.  I think her memories diminish a little more each day. I am grateful to the staff and especially her sitter, Janet, who give her so much love.  She is safe and loved.  Not a bad place to be.

Thanks for riding along with all our adventures.  Hopefully, I will turning the lock on my home shortly.

_______________________________

Top picture is my water trough which sits under the dusk to dawn light attracting a hoard of June bugs. We moved the trough. Yuck!

Top picture and this one are my water trough which sits under the dusk to dawn light attracting a hoard of June bugs. We moved the trough. Yuck!

OTTBs-oh, what to do!

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Bruno and Lauren breezing down the track.

Bruno and Lauren breezing down the track.

We have had Bruno for almost 18 months now.  Time flies.  A year ago we were deep in his care wrapping, treating and working on his surgically altered hoof, day after day.

And each day we would marvel at Bruno’s great beauty and strength.  He is hands down the most amazing looking horse I have ever owned.   I have had some great ones over the years, including a mare by AQHA super horse, Rugged Lark.  She was indeed a beauty, but not as startling beautiful as Bru.

From the beginning, we dreamed great things for this horse.  I am part of the OTTB Connect group on Facebook and while I can’t speak for everyone, it is doubtful to me that any of us obtained our OTTB without some thought of what our new thoroughbred could do.  And many of them progress on to great, new things.  But some become more a cherished pet than a show horse.  That’s okay, too.

My friend Caroline has rescue horse Joey whom she got up to a safe weight, fixed his hoof issues and turned his dull coat into one that gleams.  She tried to find him a new spot where he would work out for another rider but Joey ended up shuttled around Texas until fate intervened, someone happened to read my blog and Joey came home to Caroline once again.  But in way worse shape than he started.

We have had HUGE dreams for Bruno.  He has the size, the breeding, the look and the conformation to make a top show horse.  Joey is a classic looking thoroughbred as well, tall, fast and smart.  Both of these boys could have great futures in the eventing or show ring.

Handsome Joey, hanging out waiting for something to do.

Handsome Joey, hanging out waiting for something to do.

Caroline and Lauren are excellent riders who can handle the antics and excitement provided by two, young, race bred horses.  Here’s the problem.  Both ladies have show horses needing regular, consistent riding.  Both of their other horses are further along and currently show great promise in the ring.  It is a hard dilemma.  Lauren and Caroline have both been intermittently sidelined with back problems.  Both ladies have school or jobs which take up their time.

It is sad but true that both of these OTTBs are pretty much on the back burner.  Neither Caroline or I want to sell these horses.  Too much love and care has gone into them.  But it is sad to see them lose yet another year as we cannot find the time or resources to get either of them in a regular training program.  I welcome ideas on what to do with the boys to keep their training going, start showing them and continue to develop them as sport horses after the track.

Thanks for riding along with us!

400 Blogs!!

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For the 400th time, I am writing on my Exechorseluver blog.  I started this blog almost two years ago and have enjoyed telling my stories about my family and the escapades at Six Meadow Farm.  I am so happy you all have chosen to ride along with  me!  It means so much to me when I get a comment from one of you after posting a story or have someone come up to me at a horse show and talk to me about the blog.  THANK YOU!!

Here are some stats for the year 2013-

Crunchy numbers

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people.  This blog was viewed about 19,000 times in 2013.  If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 7 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

In 2013, there were 206 new posts, growing the total 2013 archive of this blog to 397 (400 as of today) posts. There were 519 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 127 MB. That’s about a picture per day.

The busiest day of the year was July 22nd with 435 views. The most popular post that day was RESCUING-JOEY.  Which if I had to pick a favorite post, this certainly was a great one!

Here are some top photos of the year as well-you can click on the link beneath each picture to read that piece.  Enjoy the year in review and thank you again for being a part of Exechorseluver!!

New Year-New Heights-New Cold

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Pre-horse ride.

Pre-horse show ride.

I have enjoyed my time off from work during this holiday.  As often happens, your expected relaxation period fritters away in a host of activities you had not even planned.  Until the new year, we spent most days making a 200 mile round trip to Bruno’s trainer.  All very worthwhile, but it did little to relieve my angst over my daily commute to work.  Seems like most days found us headed up the highway, with or without some horses in the trailer behind us.

When we got home, there were barn chores to do, Feather and the other horses to ride.  I got to my mom’s every day and enjoyed some less hurried time with her. She loves her new pink warm-up suits (it is not clear what she is warming up to do but anyway she likes them) that she got for Christmas.

I was under the illusion that maybe Bruno might be ready to make his debut at the show this weekend, but I was clearly told, save your money, while he is vastly improved he is not yet show worthy.  At the last moment, we sent in the entry form for Feather to go.

A year ago, we headed into one of the lowest height divisions with Feather.  Now, she was deemed ready to enter the highest height division of our schooling show association, Open Jumper, with fences to 3’6″.  Mickey in his prime, had won seasonal titles in this height division a few times over but it took Lauren years of work to get there.  Feather headed into the ring yesterday, the last horse to show, in the last division of the day.   Lauren professed to be cool as a cucumber.  As my videos will attest, my hands were shaking, my heart was thumping, and my brain was on a constant prayer loop of “God, let them be safe, let them be safe”.

I looked down in the ring to where the jumps had just been re-set to the new height and wondered what we were thinking.  This little (not even 16 hand) mare was not ready for this.  Little did I know that back in the warm-up ring Feather had just eased over a four-foot oxer.   Dev doesn’t tell Lauren how big the jumps are until Feather clears them.

Lauren came in like a pro but more amazing was the calm, confident horse she was riding.  The same one who, just the other day, had broken the cross ties, rearing when I tried to trim the hair on her legs.  Maybe she just hates me, a possibility, or maybe some magical genetic code deep in her breeding, knows when she steps in the show ring, turning on her show horse persona.

This is the video from their first round in Open Jumpers.   They were second fastest. But I like seeing just how quiet and business like they both are.  And clearly, we still have not gotten close to the top end of what this mare can jump.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–ro68rZ3NI

So, a new year ahead, great new opportunities for Feather and Bruno.  What I would have given to have known this part of the story last year as we struggled along.   But I do understand and appreciate that our joy is greater for having had the struggle and the unknown as we came through 2013.   I only dreamed that Bruno would be fit to ride and Feather actually loading in a trailer to go a show.  How far we have come! And I think this coming year will be one where we take a lot of new first steps.  After all, 2014 is the year of the horse!

Our first weather challenge of the year is upon us with temperatures below freezing for several hours, off and on, the next couple of days.  As a preemptive strike against all my pipes freezing and breaking as they did several years ago, tonight before bed, we turn off our water well.  All pipes will be drained.  An empty pipe does not freeze.   We will be without water until the temperatures come back up above freezing.  I should be looking top-notch to head back to work.

As the temperatures start to plummet and the north wind soars, I am filling troughs to the brim, setting two full buckets in each stall and preparing for a farm with no water.  And yes, the pipes are wrapped, and no, running water all night does not work except to overflow my septic system.  The house and its plumbing are too old and we are just too exposed to the cold on this plot of land.

Thank you for riding along, pray for warmer temperatures for all and be safe!

Happy reunion?

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Jim seeing momma for the first time in a year. She was not quite sure who he was.

Jim seeing momma for the first time in a year. She was not quite sure who he was.

 

Jim explaining to mom that she was his wife and he loved her so much!

Jim explaining to mom that she was his wife and he loved her so much!

Well, she was clearly remembering something!

Well, she was clearly remembering something!

We got to the nursing home early this morning wanting to make up for lost time from last night’s missed rendezvous.   First thing Jordyn, Lauren and I noticed was that no one was working the desk and the usually bustling lobby was empty.  Uh, oh!

We were told by the aide that all but three residents had some horrible strain of stomach flu.  My mom was one of three that was well.  I hoped that maybe fifty or so years of special occasion stomach flu had built up my mom’s immune system and was helping her throw off the flu.

Jim and Jay arrived before we could think much about it.  Mom did not know Jim.  No question, but he slowly convinced her he was her husband and she seemed pretty happy to have him by her side.  Jim had brought a lot of great pictures.  We all enjoyed visiting.  We left mom just before lunch with a promise to pick her up later in the afternoon for the family dinner.

My stepfather, Jim, is quite a man.  He was the first person I ever met.  Literally!  He was my mom’s OB-GYN and he delivered my sister and I.  He and my mom were reunited years later after they both had lost their spouses.  One of the first times I met Jim again, was in Florida.  He went with me to Ally’s riding lesson.  He informed me he had served honorably in the US Cavalry!  Do you know anyone who rode in the Cavalry?  He jumped horses over things that would make Feather and Lauren faint at heart.  He is a real horseman.

We went back to the farm so Lauren and Jo could ride for their grandpa.  It was sunny and relatively warm, but that north wind was gusting across the prairie at about 25 miles an hour so it was not the best time for a 96 year old to hang out with the horses.

Jim making a new friend.

Jim making a new friend.

First, I found Jim making fast friends with my Irish mare.  He was slipping her apples and she loved him!  Then it was off to meet big Bruno for the first time.  “Now, that looks like a horse who could jump!  He is really amazing!”  Jim noted.

Bruno was playing to the camera and enjoying his old and young visitors.

Bruno was playing to the camera and enjoying his old and young visitors.

They watched the girls ride some and headed out for some soup and respite from the chilling wind.

 

We planned dinner early with Ally’s family and Blake joining us.  Ally and I headed to my moms to pick her up shortly before dinner.  I will spare you the details, but my momma was now in the count with the residents with the horrible flu.  We cleaned her up as well as we could (while trying to hold our breath) got her in bed and hurried out of the sick ward.  She was feverish, fluish, and barely able to allow us to get her back to bed.

We had the family dinner.  It was nice, but not they way it should have been.  Jim comes all the way from Arizona, gets to see mom for an hour, gets exposed to some violent flu strain and is to head home in the morning.  Man plans, God laughs.

I and all my family are having deep discussions with God tonight regarding stomach flu.  I know I am!

Thanks for riding along!  Really say a prayer for my momma tonight.  Thanks and God bless.