5 Random Things

I have a bunch of random things that by themselves didn't seem enough for a post so I am just cramming them together here. 

 The other day it sounded like someone throwing pebbles against the window.  When I checked it out, it was hornets throwing themselves against it.

 I don't know how I missed seeing this before it got this big, but here it is.  I'm not sure what had them stirred up that day, but it was a clear demonstration  of the saying "mad as a hornet".

 The burning bushes and red maple are in full color.

 I think it makes for a sunning entrance. 

 The ground was littered with hedge apples when I rode Draper yesterday.  It was very difficult to pull her away from what she thought was a tasty treat.

 Just a nice shot of a nanny goat and pretty sky.

And it is always nice to start a day with a beautiful sunrise.

Still Spirited

Even at 18 and after a bout of Lyme disease, Jessica still has spirit.

 We have learned over the years, that if you want to have a good ride, you have to first let her run herself into the ground.

 If she hasn't bucked and kicked out at you, she's not ready.  She is still pinning it up until you get on.

 Monday, it took over 30 minutes before she finally gave in.

Meanwhile, Otoelene was just standing around getting fatter while we waited.

But Monday, when we finally got going, we had a very nice ride.  We did the Iron Mountain loop, 8 1/2 miles in 2:45.   Nowhere near endurace pace, but not dilly dallying either.

eBay Successes

I have been working hard recently to rid my house of extraneous items. The problem is, what exactly is the definition of extraneous?  E helped out by going through a lot of her stuff to donate to the thrift store.   I have managed to add to her pile with some of my own stuff. I've made two trips with the back of the car loaded so far.  I have also tried selling a few things too.  Since I have a page set up for Wrangler's paintings I thought that if I added a few other things maybe his art would get more views.  

 It may have worked because another painting sold last week.

 I have a ton of Christmas ornaments so I thought I would try to cut back some.  I placed this one on eBay and it sold in 10 days.

Then surprise, my "Lucky Horse Shoe Plaque" sold today.  Packaging to ship is a bit of a pain but at least I am getting paid to clean out my house.

Late Wrangler Can Paint Update

Sister C and I attended the Cherokee Heights Arts Festival last weekend.  I was peddling my stock pile of Wrangler paintings and C had some fascinating hand painted eggs she was testing out on the public.  But the major focus was visiting sister A.  We had a great visit but a disappointing sale.

I thought my new display worked out well.

And don't tell E but I borrowed her show hat to draw some attention to the horse theme.

C's eggs were a conversation piece but this apparently was not the forum for sales.

There was a good bit a traffic all day.  I managed to place 6 paintings in new homes and a couple of people that bought paintings last year told me how much they enjoyed them.  

One irritation was when this man with his dog sat down in front of out booth blocking the entrance for 30 minutes.  There was a band across the road  so I guess he thought it was a good place to enjoy the music.

And we got a visit from Santa.  He was talking about his busy schedule and looking forward to a rest on December 25th. 

There was a man interviewing the participants and he suckered me into talking to him.  I'm at 13:20.  

Another Tease

Still no official announcement, just a video for your enjoyment.

Repurposing

I am trying to be better prepared for the arts and crafts show in my sister's neighborhood this year.  Last year I just sort of threw things together.  It worked out but I thought I could make it more appealing to shoppers this time.  

See that sign in the corner?  I made it to display photos of all the activities our 4-H Horse Club was doing.  Since the girls are out of 4-H and there is no longer even a club, I decided to reuse the framework for Wrangler's art. 

 I removed the cardboard and replaced it with clothes line.  That way I can arrange multiple paintings of different sizes.  I can also display paintings on both sides to attract customers coming from either direction.  I can also hang my barb wire wreaths, wooden stars  and horse shoe jewelry holders.

 Oh look!  I have my first customer.

Kit Kat will take any opportunity to be the star.

Beautiful Day For A Ride

J and I took off Sunday for a 3 1/2 hour trail ride.  The weather was perfect and the trails were in great shape.  

Otoelene worked on being brave and went in the front for most of the ride.

We had 3 gates to open and shut.  They are hung and latched so they can be done from horse back.  Otoelene was great with them all.

J said this was the best Brother has done all year.  I attributed to the fact that I had ridden him to tune him up for the horse show last weekend.  

He just went right along with his head down and relaxed the whole time.  

He did take the lead through the range lands.

J spotted this hornet's nest along the way.  It was far enough off the trail to not be a bother. 

Another wonderful day out with the horses. 

Good Fences #123

J and I had a nice ride up to our other farm.

J has declared this the summer of Brother so he is trying to ride every morning. 

Sometimes we ride here at home; sometimes we ride the 2 miles up the rode to this farm. Sometimes we haul the horses and go trail riding. 

The chickory and queen ann's lace were beautiful.

Emma has been getting a lot of exercise too.

For more Good Fences click HERE.

Last Days

Wrangler has been for sale for some time now.  Due to two bad abscesses last fall selling has been on hold.  The last time I had his shoes reset, everything was looking good so I readvertised him.  

Someone that had called about him last year called again, came and looked at him and wanted him.  Unfortunately, the day he came to look, Wrangler's hoof looked terrible.  The abscess had grown out to just above the shoe nails, the crack widened and the hoof was weak and the shoe loose.  But guess what?? The buyer's  son is a farrier.  

So, despite loosing the shoe and most of the hoof wall and now being lame again, he still wants him.  So he is scheduled to leave on Friday morning. 

This afternoon we spent some time painting.  

I have one piece of paper left.  I have a stock of over 30 paintings so I'll still have plenty for ebay and donations.  Keeping my fingers crossed for Friday.

Sweetwater End of First Month and Other Things

We have had a busy Memorial Day weekend. 

Friday morning started off bright and early with Otoelene helping to gather cattle to work.

J decided to work the cows in smaller groups this year which has worked out well since Sweetwater is still in the cattle barn.

Otoelene was a dream to ride as usual.

The trainer I had contacted still has not picked up Wrangler after 3 weeks so I am having second thoughts about sending Wrangler to him.  His actions so far have been pretty unprofessional.  In the mean time, we are still doing some painting.

Then our saddle club met at a local campground for some camping and trail riding.  Friday evening we went on a short 1 hour ride from which Otoelene came back limping.  

Brother was a bit of a handful for J and he did a lot of weaving and circling around me to try to slow him down.  

There were 48 trailers and the campgrounds (6 from our club, the rest from out of state).  The location is made for about 15.  

J talked me into riding Brother Saturday since Otoelene was lame.  Once again, he was a handful.  He just doesn't like to be boxed in between slower horses. He did much better when I got him near the front behind the 2 TWHs.  He had no problem keeping up with them.  

With that grin maybe I shouldn't have left J back at camp.

Today, Otoelene is on Bute for pain, trim/sulfa (antibiotic) and an icthamol poultice (a drawing agent).  The farrier is coming tomorrow to pull her shoe to see if there is an abscess.  

 

Sweetwater is still making slow but steady progress.  Saddling has proven easier than unsaddling.  I wish she would just hold still while I unhook the girth and move to the other side instead of jumping sideways and dumping the saddle off.  She is doing so much better with the fence work.  Next, I need to start driving her to work on steering some before someone gets on for real.  I might see if I can find a brave/foolish young man to sit up there first.  

And today was the first day I turned her loose in the arena to graze on her own.  I've been worried that I wouldn't be able to recapture her so I did leave a lead rope dragging.  She didn't seem to mind the rope as long as it allowed her to eat all that grass.  And it was no problem just getting the end of the rope when it was time to go back to the barn.