Happy Halloween

The other day I was helping J sort a calf out of the field when I looked over and noticed this group of trees. 

 The sun was hitting one just right. 

Hope it doesn't scare anyone too much. 

Meanwhile, while we were getting the calf up, J told me to run ahead and open the gate.  This was uphill, over rocks and down trees.  I thought I was running when J yelled, "hurry up!"  With the little breath I still had I hollered back, "this is me hurrying." 

Just Kit Sunday #141

Kit likes to hang out with me while I am doing yard work.  Sometimes I have to quit because he is wanting so much attention.  It's hard to pull weeds with a cat rubbing on your hand trying to get you to pat him.  Well, Tuesday I had to stop to get his picture.  He was poising so nicely. 

Saturday So Far

It's not even 3:00 and I already have several successes.  I managed to fix my leaky kitchen faucet!  Surprisingly, I had the springs and washers necessary for the job.  It had gotten to the point where J was putting a pop bottle under the drip to catch the water.  So I figured it was time to do something about it. 

 We had a beautiful sunrise that made it look like the mountain was on fire.

 I decided it would be a good day to ride Draper.  Of course the horses were all up on top of the steep hill in front of the house.  Just more farmersizing I guess.  Some goats were hanging out up there also.  Sad update on the coyote goat.  She died that first night.  I never like having to give those updates.

  It was a little odd to see the five old horses all laying down and Draper being the one standing up.

 And piggy Otoelene still eating.  I had a really good ride on Draper.  Walk, trot, canter, working on lateral movement and I brought the tarp out to work on spooky stuff.  She has absolutely no fear of the tarp.  The biggest problem is trying to get her to walk over it without putting it in her mouth.  Then a short trip down the driveway and back.  She didn't even try rushing down the hill back to the barn, lovely. 

 I have been checking out Pinterest for some projects to make.  I sort of morphed two ideas into one for the welcome sign.  I made one of these before but in black and no cow head or twine accent (seen HERE) I think I like this one better.

Then I tried a smaller HOME sign.  I already had the pained board.  I tried black letters first, then white.  I settled on the white with black outline.  Not sure if I like it or not.  It may end up at a Secret Santa.
Off to bake some cookies.

Horse Picture For Attention, and Update to Previous Comments

I noticed that I haven't posted anything about the horses lately.  So here is a picture of Draper.  She really isn't that fat, I think it is just the angle where I was so far down hill from her.  

 I have cut back on riding her so much.  She was doing really well, she is not even 2 1/2 yet, I didn't have any event I was working toward and I didn't want to sour her out before she was 3.  So instead of 3-4 times a week, I am doing more like once every 7-10 days.  She is super sweet and I really want to get back on some trails with her.  Meanwhile, I am trying to ride her obese sister Otoelene to try to keep her from becoming more obese.  She is too easy of a keeper.

Then on a different  subject completely.
I got a bill from my insurance company saying they overpaid me and wanted their money back.   Notice the number of slots for "amount enclosed".

Really?

How much money do they think I have? And am I really going to send that much through the mail?

Third random subject:  I can't reply to comments except through another post.
To Mrs. Shoes, your coupon comment cracked me up.  Loved it.
To Kayla Lintz, no I didn't consign Banjo, hope you find who did.

Season's End

Well, we had several frosts and a freeze since my last garden post. 

 The beans didn't quite have enough time. 

 Everything was dead and a mess so it was time to clean it all up. 

 This was the last bit I was able to glean from the garden.

 And this is why you don't let your son-in-law, who can deadlift 560 pounds, pound in posts that need to come back out eventually.  J had to get the digging bar,

and tug and pull and tug and pull.

He eventually got all 4 posts out.  

Now the garden is ready for a blanket of fall leaves and sleepy time for the winter.

Weekend At The Greenbrier

The clinic where I work did enough business with a drug company to be invited to an all expense paid "Premier Appreciation" event at the Greenbrier in West Virginia.  The clinic owner couldn't go.  The full time associate couldn't go.  The office manager couldn't go.  I was 4th on the list, sure, I'm going!

 J did get my picture once to prove I was there. 

 It's a huge place, 11,000 acres, elegant interiors,

 a casino,

 lots of memorabilia.

 The sulfur springs were to origination of the resort.

 J and I took a 1 1/2 hour Segway tour.  The first 5 seconds was a little shaky, but after that it was lots of fun.  Surprisingly, it is very tiring on your feet. 

 J said it was sort of like a trail ride without the horse.

But the horses we met along the way were not big fans of the Segways. 

 We went around to the front of the hotel for pictures.  J and I lined up and thought our guide, 18 year old Brett, actually took our picture.  But when I downloaded then, no picture.  I think he just managed to turn the camera on and off. 

 J and I took our afternoon tea.  It is offered daily to guests at 4:15.

 We didn't go on the bunker tour but saw the secret entrance at the start of one. Hiding in plain sight behind some movable panels.

One of the highlights for me was getting to walk by a house my brother designed a few years ago.  It is on the grounds just behind the artist shops.  It is currently for sale, $4,500,000 if anyone is interested.
It was a very nice weekend away, and thanks to our daughter V for taking care of the farm while we were gone.  I decided that the resort was very much like a cruise, just spread over 11,000 acres.  I think we enjoy most of the same things here every day, the view, horseback riding, hiking, off road driving... When we got back,  Sunday night we attended a church potluck where some friends of ours cook the meats, pork tenderloin, marenatied chicken, ribeyes and country ham.  I will have to say, the food at the potluck was better than anything I ate at the Greenbrier.  But it's nice to see how the other half lives.

Just Kit Sunday #140

Second Season?

With the weather turning colder and a chance of frost coming up soon, I took a look in the garden for anything useful.  

 I found this gourd vine that had volunteered over the fence where I throw scraps. 

 It was running and blooming full force. 

 I might get one little gourd off of it. 

 Apparently, I didn't harvest my beans in a timely manner.  I have several plant that have come up near the original rows.  They too are in full bloom. 

Then I found this cucumber coming up under some tommy toe plants.  Can you believe, blooming with a little cucumber on it.  I am not holding out much hope for a second season though. 

Tingleys

With all this wet weather, my overboots have been getting a workout.  I commented to J that I think I like my Tingleys better than my Muckboots.  He said those aren't real Tingleys just imitations.

How do you know that I asked?  He said Tingleys have a big rubber button not metal snaps.   Well, it just so happened that I had a box of  "new" Tingleys. 

 J said that Tingleys don't come in that kind of box.  I beg to differ because it clearly says Tingley on the box. 

 Granted, at $6.50 this may be a pretty old box.

 And what do you know, a big rubber button.  J was right as usual. 

But maybe they have been in the box a little too long.  The back split open when I tried to put them on.  Sometimes it doesn't pay to save things.   But I do think I will keep the box. 

Just Kit Sunday #139

I had a special request for a Kit Kat Sunday.  It has been a while and I am told he is missed.  But since he sleeps most of the day and is out hunting all night, it is tough to get in a photo shoot. 

 I had to wake him up from a nap. 

 Then I hid behind some bushes hoping he would stay still.

 But no, there was no fooling him and he strolled on over.   A little more repositioning and I finally got a pose. 

Happy Kit Kat Sunday.