Summer Storm

J and I had just run to the dump when a big thunderstorm hit.  We had to wait 15 minutes before we could get out and unload the now saturated mattress.  

 When we got back to the house I noticed my zinnias had blown over.  The rain gauge showed 0.75 inches.  J went off to check the cows up the road.

 And he hit a road block.  He went around from the other way and there was another tree down from that end.  So he came back to get his chain saw. 

 He was halfway through this one when the State road crew showed up.  They did a little sawing but left most of it to J. 

 Miraculously, we didn't end up with any poison ivy. 

We weren't expecting to be gathering wood this time of year, but I guess you get it when you can.

Something Had To Be Done

There has been a nest of mean fuzzy bumble bees in the barn this summer.  I was moving some things around in the loft last month and saw them.  Then Saturday, I was getting the goat feed in the bottom of the barn, minding my own business when one attacked me and stung my hand.  V and M were with us and we had to go through the barn to get away from the goats or they would follow us up the driveway.  One of the bees took out after V and stung her on her eyelid.

 She may be smiling now, but there was a lot of screaming and crying before hand. 

 She even consented to let J put some tobacco on it.  I'm glad her eye didn't swell up as big as my hand did.  And the itching, it is almost unbearable.  So last night I was with J and we had some wasp spray.  I was 100 yards away outside the barn and one tried to attack me.  Luckily, it got stuck in the hood of my sweat shirt which I ripped off and promptly stomped into the ground.

 So the next plan of action was to wait until dark, put on the bee suit and try again. 

Since there is only one bee suit, I stayed at a safe distance, the house.  J said his first spraying did some good and a lot of the bees were already dead.  He was able to move the hay bales they were between and spray the rest of the nest.  Hopefully, that will be the end of the fuzzy bumble bees for this season anyway.

Sunday Ride

The weather looked promising Sunday so I suggested that we go trail riding.  J said OK and we headed out. 

 Jessica was feeling spirited so J worked on lunging her first.  This was after I had run her around in the barn for 15 minutes before loading her up.  He got on after a bit but Jessica balked and bucked.  So back off for more lunging.

 She sure doesn't act like a 17 year old horse.  Anyway, we were the only ones at the campground to start with.  I sort of thought me missed a memo or something.  It was just 2 years ago that 48 trailers were packed in here (story HERE)

 But then a couple of more trailers showed up,  and they had a dog Two Socks.  Two Socks paid no attention to the owners calling or cajoling.  He just wanted to run around in circles with Jessica.

 As you can imagine, this did not get J off to a very good start.  But the second time up, Jessica decided to go and she was calm. 

 I got in front at one point only to be stopped by Otoelene spooking at this tree with rocks in it.  I finally got her to pass by,

 and another tree with rocks in it.  What's the deal with that?

 Then Jessica got into something stinging or biting, J never was able to see what it was.  But she took off through the brush rubbing and scrubbing and J finally had to get off and lead her back to the trail.  I had some bug spray so he resprayed her and we were off again.

 Jessica's mane is usually wild and goes on both sides which annoys J.  So I had braided it to contain it to one side.  You can see that only half of the braids are left after her scrubbing adventure.  We had a brief lunch stop where a father son pair passed by.  They asked if I could take their picture for them.

 Then back on the trails which were pretty uneventful until close to the end.

 There is a section of the trail between the river and a rock cliff.  The horses are never very comfortable through here.  J heard some commotion and got off.  There was a turkey and some little ones coming up from the river and climbing the cliff.   J thought she might fly up and startle Jessica and he just didn't feel like riding through another spin and bolt.  But the turkey never flew up and Jessica remained calm.  Better safe than sorry. 

Then the last river crossing and back home.  I was on cloud nine with Otoelene.  So glad J puts up with the things I want.  I thought it was a very nice 5 hour ride.

Some Luck (And It Is Not Good)

In the last 10 days J has had 3 flat tires, all on different things. 

 First was a blow out on the cattle trailer while it was full of cattle and on a busy interstate.  The jack wouldn't hold the trailer with it loaded but a good Samaritan stopped, went back to his shop, and brought something that would work.  J tried to pay him but he refused.  There are still good people out there. 

Then, he was checking the cattle in the bottom with the small truck, ran over a limb and had another blow out.  There was something wrong with the spare tire mechanism and he couldn't get it off.  He had to hike to the house, get the other truck, take the tire off and haul it somewhere to get it fixed.  That's when he found out our local car repair shop was closing and today was the last day.  So that meant a trip to town to a new mechanic.  

 But, before he went J helped me round up some things out of the barn for a yard sale.  There is a 100 mile sale on our road so I thought I might try to get rid of a few things. 

We had just unloaded the stuff and I was starting to clean it off when I heard air leaking out of a tire. 

  Yes, another flat.  We must have run over something around the barn.  So now he had to take this tire off, put on the spare and take them both to the shop.

It wasn't a good day today. 

Moving Goats, Or Excuse For Some Goat Pictures

The goats have  been spending a lot of time on the hill in front of the house.  There are more weeds for them to eat elsewhere so we thought we would try to move them to the fields below the drive way. 

 First we had to get them all together.

  Somehow we have managed to breed the herding instinct out of them and they just go off where ever they please, with or without other goats and sometimes without their babies. 

 But we finally got them all rounded up and heading in the same direction. 

Then we moved them to the other fields, which lasted precisely one day.  They split themselves up to the point I think some were in every field.  Oh well, as long as the dogs can keep up I guess they will be ok. 

Lucky Find

I have been casually looking for a double bed to replace the twin bed in V's old room.  As you may know, I have an attraction to Mid Century Modern.   I was in town the other day around lunch time, so I stopped at Rural King to get my free popcorn.  (Anyone else do that)  Anyway, there is a thrift store next door so I thought I might as well take a quick look.  And look what I found.  

 A mid century modern double bed in what appears to be walnut complete with side rails and slats.  There are a few scuffs and scrapes, but noting a little Liquid Gold and Old English couldn't handle.

And the even better part is that it was marked $20, but they were having a 75% off all furniture sale!  Five bucks, I'll take it.

30 Day Draper

I've been riding Draper for about a month now.  I usually manage 3 - 4 days a week.  She is doing wonderfully.  I haven't had a chance to ride outside much except for around the barn and barn lot.  But that is teaching her a lot of steep up and down and to not rush going downhill.  

She is getting more consistent every ride.  But she is resisting rein pressure some, so still lots of work there.  I almost had a wreck the other day when she tripped at the lope, pulled the reins out of my hands and wanted to start crow hopping.  Luckily, she has a good voice Whoa, and stopped after just 2 or 3 steps.  

Her trot is pretty springy, I think she may be more suited for hunter than western. Thank you E for the in focus video.