Berna Update

I finally figured out that I could back the quad up to my (huge) van, and roll Berna into the van. I managed to get a vet appointment for Saturday, so Bear got to snooze on a bed of straw in the back of the van overnight.

She checked out pretty well at the vets; her blood levels are all good, but she has a urinary infection. She was able to get out of the van on her own, and back in with just a little help from the vet tech and me. Oh, and it turns out she weighs 90 lbs. Good thing I didn't know that yesterday, or I might not have been able to get her out of the creek. I consider 80 lbs as my lifting limit (and that doesn't include lifting out of muddy creeks!).

When I got back from the vets I got a couple nice beds set up for her, but she refuses to get out of the van. She is now being served meals in her very own mobile home.

Berna's Adventure

Interesting morning. I woke up to unusual dog sounds - they'd escaped the yard. I wasn't too worried, the BC comes instantly when called, and Berna, the elderly Anatolian, wouldn't go far.

Berna wasn't back by the time I got dressed and out, but I still wasn't worried. I drove to the upper house, and around her favorite areas - no Berna. I drove out to the road, my biggest fear. No Berna. Then I went up the old railroad bed. A few years back Charlie the Pyr got himself stuck there.

As I drove in I saw a light blob in the ditch ahead. Berna had gone in, obviously not realizing how deep and cold the spring-fed ditch is. At least she chose a wider and less steep spot than Charlie had, but her old-dog hips were frozen up, and she was shaking with cold. 

It took some time to haul this 80 lb dog out of that muddy ditch, and then more time and ingenuity to get her up on the quad. She did realize I was helping her and didn't fight me, although she couldn't do much to help.

We made it back to the house, where we are still sitting in the sunshine, waiting for her to warm up and for me to figure out how I'm now going to get her off the quad.

I'm not good at selfies - I was trying to show my totally black, soaked lower legs, but you get the idea. After drying Berna the best I could I went in and changed clothes.

I think she's beginning to like her bed with a view. I'm so grateful it's a somewhat sunny, warm day.

Now, how does one get a big dog with bad hips off the back of a quad?

Sound and Fury

The air has taken on presence. It is loud, boisterous and pushy. It picks things up and throws them around, not caring who or what they hit. You can hear it coming, feel the force - and then it arrives, cold and fierce. What a day. What a night. Hello wind, hello winter.

Country Pumpkin

I love living in the country. On my way home from picking up hay (and a couple ducks) I stopped at a farm that had pumpkins stacked on the porch and under a gazebo. For $5 I got 6 pumpkins. I love pumpkin! I really love getting them for .50 to $1 a piece.

The farmer helped me carry them to the van. The 15 passenger van (all back seats removed) was filled with 27 bales of hay, a box of frozen meat, a cage with 2 ducks, and miscellaneous stuff between the front seats. As I made space for the pumpkins she said, "Oh, this van is really full! Ducks and all! You probably have a couple horses in the back."

Fun in the country.

Bittersweet Reading

I've just finished listening to Maeve Binchy's A Week in Winter. I'm feeling sad, because Ms Binchy died last year, and there will be no new groups of people to get to know and love, no new wonderful places created by her fertile mind. At least I can go back and renew my acquaintance with her previous creations.

I very much enjoyed A Week in Winter, as I have every  one of Maeve Binchy's books. She weaves a tale of Stone House and the people connected to it into a beautiful, comforting blanket you can wrap around your shoulders while you sink into life in the west of Ireland. Sharing the lives of each of the characters, the situations and decisions that lead them to Stone House, helps me look at people with new eyes, and new appreciation.

Maeve Binchy will be sorely missed. I'm grateful she has left behind a legacy of tales.

The End of Summer

We have had three rain-free months of blue skies and warm sunshine. Dry ground, dry house, dry roof. That would seem to be plenty of time to clean out gutters.

So why have I been out today cleaning the front gutter of my house in between rain squalls? Downpours. Out scraping mud, muck and feathers out of a very wet gutter? Off a very wet roof. In the rain.

Pulling up a long, heavy, muddy ladder, securing it into softening clay. Moving it to the next uneven, muddy spot.

Attempting now to type with hands that only seem loosely related to the rest of my body, they are so cold from being wet and muddy for hours.

And whose fault is this?

*sigh*

Zander, who is even more annoyed at the onset of rain than I am, spent the time on the front porch, watching to make sure I stayed safe from the roof monsters. The Peahen flew up to the peak of the roof to watch.

And there is a truly amazing moss garden growing up there. Beautiful, lush, growth with a wide variety of species, growing on the shingles, the metal, under the eaves. And I only have 7 more gutters to go.

I must admit that I spent a good deal of the time up there being grateful for my one-story home.

So, how was your day?

Change The World

To change the world, change yourself. Be what you want to see in the world.

This story shows the truth of that sentiment. How important is a smile?

A friend of mine works at a large hospital. Every day she drives past the valet parking, and a young attendant with a perpetual frown. One day my friend stopped and said, "Hello Sunshine!" She did this daily, and eventually received a smile in return. Over time they talked, and developed a casual friendship. The attendant has 5 kids, and lives with her mom. As school was about to start, my friend bought some pens, paper, and some fun back-to-school supplies for the kids. Her new friend was overwhelmed with the gift and broke into tears. "No crying - we both have to work!" my friend said through her tears.

My friend works for the head of Oncology Nursing. One day at a meeting one of the doctors said, "Hey, you know, one of the parking attendants has really changed. She's become so friendly, patients are noticing and feeling special because of her treatment."

The valet attendant told my friend, "you are the first white person who has ever smiled at me." This made my friend mist up, and she replied "If you smiled at them, maybe they would smile back." Some time later the valet told her, "Hey, I followed your advice. I started smiling at everyone - and you know, now there are a whole lot of white people who smile at me!"

If you ever think you don't matter, think again. One person, a few minutes a day. She has affected one woman's life, no doubt the lives of her children and her mother, and that woman now has a positive affect on the lives of innumerable cancer patients.

One person, one smile. Be yourself. Be happy. Be the change you want to see in the world.

Abundance

While I was clearing trees and berry vines from the road (a continual project) I noticed that the thimble berries are ripe. I ate a handful before deciding I needed to pick them for the birds. Nature is so wonderful - the salmon berries are ebbing just as the thimble berries ripen. I was able to get a nice supply of both. The native ground blackberries are also beginning to ripen. These little beauties fill the mouth with surprisingly intense sweet lushness.

I kept hearing booming noises, and finally realized it was a thunder storm to the north. That explained the humidity. As the clouds moved in a nice breeze came with them, and it was very pleasant along the lane. I was overwhelmed with a sense of abundance.

The growth along the road is varied and lush. I cut out the things I don't want (blackberries, alder and maple trees) and trim back things I want but that are overzealous in their growth (native berries, shrubs). I save some of the saplings for perches, and some of the maple for sheep browsing.

I love this task. I feel so much a part of nature, and a part of this farm as I do it. I look at all the plants closely, deciding what needs to go and what can be encouraged to stay. It is quiet, solitary work, and my mind can relax while my body works.

The mosquitos are no doubt feeling the abundance as well, as they seem to have feasted well on human blood.

A Meandering Tale

Keeping my 1/4 mile lane free of trees, berries, and other flora is a continual process. Today I gathered my gloves, loppers and saw, and started cutting down the alder trees that miraculously appear on the side of the road.

I've cleared to the first curve when I notice a stand of ripe salmon berries. The parrots would love these. I find a container and start picking. As I clear the first bush I notice more at the edge of the woods, and follow them along. I've removed my right glove to improve my picking skills.

As I go deeper into the woods, I'm drawn to the many paths created by chickens, dogs, and other feathered and four-legged beings. I dig out my camera and take some pictures.

I love these paths. They are enticing, and I often start down them without considering that they are made by short creatures. They are well cleared up to a couple feet, and then all bets are off.

I resist going back to the strange woodland highway, a wide cleared area popular with the chickens, that always makes me ponder it's creation - it's a rectangular clearing in a densely wooded area with lots of undergrowth. After all, I'm clearing the lane, not exploring the woods.

I get back to where I started picking berries, and realize I've lost my right glove. I go back to the berry bushes, follow my tracks, eyes down, searching for my glove. I don't find it. I go back to the starting point, and try again. No luck. The woods have made my glove their own.

I continue down the road, cutting down the small alders, the intrusive Himalayan blackberries, and the thistles. I miss my right glove.

I've been at this some time, and haven't gone very far. I do have a nice supply of berries. And I'm beginning to understand why I never seem to complete any one task.

Oh, look, around the bend, more ripe salmon berries...

Summer?

July. Summer, in most of the northern hemisphere. While the rest of the USA bakes, Western Washington and Oregon continue to have cool temps and overcast skies.

The good news is that all the idiots setting off fireworks all week (into the wee hours of the mornings) are unlikely to set unintentional fires.

Of One Mind

Two beautiful butterflies make circles  at my feet, slowly opening and closing their wings. The geese sit lazily picking at the grass. A large blue dragonfly flies in deliberate circles, and the horses stand in blissful ease. Like me and the dog I'm leaning on, they are delighting in and soaking up the warm rays of the sun, offering silent thanks for a beautiful day.

Black and Bright

After a rain-swept day it is a surprise and delight to find a star-swept night sky. The Milky Way stretches across the heavens with handfuls of bright stars liberally tossed along it's path. Tonight billions and billions of stars are visible in that deep, dark sky. I look up at the brilliant beacons, and my mind magnifies them into the galaxies, gas clouds, and other wonders our mighty telescopes have shown us. What a beautiful universe we live in. I so love living in the country where it is still dark enough to see the endless waves of stars.

Midnight Rambling

Abruptly woken from an intricate dream by a dog nose gently touching mine, I got up to let the dogs out. The quiet talking of the wind met my ears when I opened the door - WInd in conversation with Trees, a private exchange I could not quite understand. The bright full moon watched silently from above.

New Year Musings

What a wonderful day. It's pretty warm, mostly sunny, and very, very windy. Refreshingly windy, and that strong wind has dried out ground that's been wet since the first rains. I was sitting on the quad at back of the muddy filly field (feeding the sheep in the next field), just listening to the wind and trees and birds - the stories they tell! Jessie, 3 yr old filly, came up to see if I had better food than I gave them. She checked everything out, and then reached out and snuffled my face, hung with me for a moment, and then went back to her food. Kissed by a pony.

Ah winter. I need to spend more time riding the ponies. It was too lovely today, so I decided to take Trojan (17 yr old Morgan gelding) out for a spin. It was a challenge from the start, he didn't want to leave the hay and his friends, wasn't so sure about the wind, the bridle, the saddle...didn't want to stand, yada yada yada. It was an interesting ride. Nothing like a petulant pony to keep you on your toes while staying grounded. I'm practicing using energy to keep us both calm, centered, and on track, and it's an exciting ride. We did get into some gaits I haven't experienced before. I can't wait to be better rider and actually ask for these things :).

You did WHAT with your cell phone?

My cell phone has a problem.

This is a Samsung Convoy, their rugged workhorse phone. Recommended for hard use. It seemed an appropriate choice for me to carry around on the farm. I'm in love with this phone. It's been dropped in mud, nosed by dogs, lives in my pocket with hay and dirt, and always works.

Um, it looks like it has a problem.

Well yes, the glass front is cracked. Did I drop it? Yes. But that didn't hurt it. I dropped it in front of the hay feeder for two of my horses. Draft horses. Rebel stepped on it. 2,000 lbs of Spotted Draft horse hurt it.

Here's the inside:

It's a little difficult to figure out what's going on when the display is an abstract painting. I love this phone. I thought I'd give it a try and see if it still worked. I used the address book - by memory - to place a call. It worked. I had a friend call me back. That worked too. This little phone took a hoof to the head, got a cracked skull, and still functions. Not bad.

If Rebel's hoof landed on my foot (I'm not even thinking about it landing on my head), I guarantee it wouldn't still be working.

I'd love to replace this phone with another just like it, but it seems they don't make them anymore. I sent this email to Samsung, just in case they have some in their store room.

I've had a Samsung Convoy phone for about a year. I have loved everything about it - especially that it isn't harmed when dropped. I work on a farm, hauling hay and supplies to horses and other animals, and am constantly working with large animals, primarily horses. Rugged performance was promised, and it has lived up to expectations. 
Last night the phone slipped from my pocket onto the ground right where I feed my draft horses. I realized there was was a problem when Rebel, my 2,000 lb Spotted Draft horse was lowering his hoof onto something black.  When I retrieved the phone the glass front was shattered. I was heartbroken. I picked up the phone, opened it, and saw a picture of the shatter. Wondering if there was a chance it still worked, I accessed my address book (without the advantage of seeing what I was doing) and called my sister. It worked. IT WORKED. This phone still works. I can't see anything, but IT WORKS.
This workhorse phone lives up to its reputation, and was not affected by anything I did to it except for the foot of a workhorse.
I'm so impressed with this phone. I'm blogging about this, and putting it on my Facebook page (with pictures). My only problem is that Verizon can't replace the phone - Convoys are backordered forever. I would love to get another Convoy, but I also don't see them on your website. Is it possible to get one? Do you have any suggestions? 
A satisfied customer hoping to find a replacement -

Problems or Opportunities?

Just before dusk yesterday I realized that my horses had broken their frost-free water faucet off at the underground joint. Water was pouring down the hill, emptying my well. After a moment of panic, I realized I could shut off the water to the faucet while I called around to see if I could find a plumber on a Saturday evening.

The shut off wouldn't close completely, so I cut power to the well and started calling friends for references. I got lucky on the second call, and not only was the man referred home and willing to work, he lives just down the street. He came to dig up the pipe and assess what parts were needed. By the time he got back from Home Depot it was dark, and he fixed the faucet by flashlight.

This young man and his mother - who is about my age - are steeped in the values of presence, self love, and appreciating the Universe. His mother teaches Feldenkrais. We had interesting, heartfelt discussions during and after the repairs.

What could have been a difficult problem for me was resolved in a few hours, and led to meeting a new friend, one who lives less than a mile away. I am enriched.

Changing Seasons

So many people claim Autumn as their favorite season. I struggle to see it in a positive light. Summer in the Pacific Northwest is beautiful. It is rarely too hot, it rains rarely, and the skies are often clear, displaying the beautiful mountains. The days are long, the evenings cool and delightful. 

Fall transitions right into winter. It is the beginning of the dark and the wet. I do love many things about Fall and Winter. My challenge is to live in the moment, enjoy what is up for the day, find the beauty in rain, appreciate the long nights, be grateful that I have a warm and dry home to snuggle up in. Live in the now, don't borrow from the future. Be grateful for the moment. Welcome the Fall.

There Are Days (part 2)...

I easily got Cami and Molly Mule into a new field, as part of my reorganization plan. "Things are going well" I thought. Then the other horses went out of sight, and Cami realized she couldn't go with them. She panicked, and started running along the fence. 

Cami was abandoned where she was being boarded, and since she liked and trusted me they asked if I would take her. We think she was abused by a male rider sometime in her past, as she really didn't like anyone but me and intensely disliked men. Since she's been here she's calmed down and is very sweet. I really hope to eventually be able to ride her. She has a lovely gait, and look at that Arab tail!

Beautiful as she is to watch, she was shaking, and I was concerned she'd try to jump the fence. She is now back out with her herd. I think that she feels safe here with her draft horse companions, for the first time in a long while. Being separated from them took her right out of that safety zone. I'll work more slowly at this separation business.

While I was debating what to do, I thought I'd check the fence line, since the hot wire hasn't been working. Yesterday I climbed over the fence (and under the hot wire) to visit Pheroah, and I tried that again today. I touched the hot wire with my hand, and next thing I knew I was on my ass on the ground. One thing I've learned recently: if I unexpectedly end up on my butt on the ground, the best thing to do is to lie back and enjoy the view for awhile. Take in the sights and sounds. Then, when my body is again calm and relaxed, get up and back to work.

Lesson of the day: always unplug the charger before handling the electric wire.

There Are Days...

I love working on my farm. I might not enjoy every task, or the amount of each task, but I love the physical labor and the fitness it brings. There are, however, some days when it seems excessive.

Yesterday my wonderful friend and neighbor picked up a huge load of hay for me. We unloaded the pickup into my shelter, and then covered the trailer with tarps - the trailer will stay here until the hay is fed out. We were both tired and sore and slept well last night.

Trailer load minus 10 bales

Today I spent some time examining the load, trying to figure out the best way to extract bales from it. These bales weigh 90 - 150 lbs, so it takes some thinking. I was doing pretty well at getting them down one at a time (instead of triggering an avalanche), but kept getting drenched with water cascading off the tarps. It was, of course, pouring rain.

Loading the downed bales into the van was less scary but more intense. I realized somewhere along the way that it's like lifting a person my size from the ground into the van ten times. No wonder I'm exhausted and sitting here drying off with a cup of hot, luscious coffee.

Getting Hay

My life seems to revolve around hay. My friend and neighbor just got a pickup load for me, and we are about to unload it into the shed.

I have a huge van with rear seats removed that I use for a farm vehicle.  I get hay from a local large farm, with a fairly large crew. One of the guys has to pretzel himself into my van, and then solve the Rubik Cube puzzle of getting as many very heavy, very large bales of hay to fit in. Needless to say, it isn't their favorite task.

The other day I pulled in at the shop/office, and started walking to the side door. At the corner of the building I almost ran into the two men who most often load my hay. They were sneaking around the corner to see if the van they saw was mine. It was one of those moments you wish you had on video.  They said if it was me they were going to pull the fire alarm, but I'd foiled their plans. We were all laughing hysterically, it made my day. It's great to work with a group of fun-loving people.