Crazy weather. Doesn't Mother Nature know she has to hold off with the snow until AFTER our playday on Saturday?!
We got dumped on with rain Tuesday and Thursday saw even more rain. Luckily it wasn't as much but it was a cold rain. Of course, it didnt' start raining until a half an hour before I needed to leave to pick up the kids and run errands. Throughout running my errands, the temps kept dropping. By the time I finally got home, it was 36 degrees. I am not ready.
It was still drizzling out when I finally made my way out to do chores. Luckily the horses didn't seem all that bothered by the rain. I was afraid that they would be chilled but apparently it bothered me more than them. I threw out some hay and alfalfa to the horses and they all seemed to settle down.
I am going to move the mares and Junior tonight to get them out of the mud and back into the pasture. I still need to do some fencing but I hope that with the temptation of grass, they won't be inclined to push on the fences. I will be doing fencing on Tuesday (took the day off from the paying job).
We were even getting reports yesterday late evening of snow. I didn't see any, thank the lucky stars but it'll be here before you know it. Temps are supposed to stay in the 60s for the next little while Monday looks like the best day but once again, I'll be doing non-horse sanctuary stuff. But with taking Tuesday off (even though it'll be chilly), I can hopefully get a few things done. I may have to scrap the idea of getting horse blankets thoroughly washed and scrubbed and just deal with the mud/muck and get them water proofed and repaired. My time for washing blankets has passed.
I was going into emergency mode last night thinking I'd have to stall horses. I need to get my Winter Mind back and get things prepared. If the weather is going to be as bad as the Farmer's Almanac says, I really need to get things rounded up and done...ASAP.
But right now my main focus is the playday tomorrow. Once that fundraiser is done, I can take a small breather and then tackle winterizing everything before the snow flies. There is too much to do so I expect I'll be taking more time off the paying job in the next few weeks. Anyone want to help?
Friday, October 7, 2016
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Taking It for Granted
I used to follow and read a girl's blog about Africa and life of an expat. It was an interesting read and I loved seeing all of her experiences. When blogging went by the wayside and Facebook became more popular, I didn't follow her as closely but I still kept track of her.
She was killed in a car accident last August and I've missed seeing her pictures on Facebook ever since. I've written about her in the past, Esther Garvi.
I looked out the window today and I thought of her. She once wrote a post about the colors of Africa. I hadn't really thought about the colors that we are given until after reading it. When I looked out the window this morning, I realized we have such an array of colors. Granted, we dont' get nearly the spectacular display of fall colors as other areas, but I won't take it for granted.
We have different colors even in winter but now that it's fall, we have such vibrant colors. There's shades of green for the grass and trees, and now there's different shades of yellow in the trees, with the corn, etc. And there's different shades of brown now that the trees are starting to lose their leaves, the beans are turning and being harvested, and getting to see the earth again once the beans and corn have been harvested.
When you really think about it, it's rather amazing. I work from home (from the paying job) everything Thursday and I have seen the seasons change, the corn grow and now turn to gold. It's fun to watch.
I wouldn't have been as appreciative had it not been for Esther. Even now, more than a year since her passing, I still think of all her wisdom she was willing to share with people. I wish more people were willing to share their wisdom and insight to make the world a better place.
So today, as the leaves continue to change colors, and the sky changes colors with the passing clouds, I'll be thinking about how blessed I am to live where we do and to have the opportunity to see such amazing colors. I wont' take them for granted.
She was killed in a car accident last August and I've missed seeing her pictures on Facebook ever since. I've written about her in the past, Esther Garvi.
I looked out the window today and I thought of her. She once wrote a post about the colors of Africa. I hadn't really thought about the colors that we are given until after reading it. When I looked out the window this morning, I realized we have such an array of colors. Granted, we dont' get nearly the spectacular display of fall colors as other areas, but I won't take it for granted.
We have different colors even in winter but now that it's fall, we have such vibrant colors. There's shades of green for the grass and trees, and now there's different shades of yellow in the trees, with the corn, etc. And there's different shades of brown now that the trees are starting to lose their leaves, the beans are turning and being harvested, and getting to see the earth again once the beans and corn have been harvested.
When you really think about it, it's rather amazing. I work from home (from the paying job) everything Thursday and I have seen the seasons change, the corn grow and now turn to gold. It's fun to watch.
I wouldn't have been as appreciative had it not been for Esther. Even now, more than a year since her passing, I still think of all her wisdom she was willing to share with people. I wish more people were willing to share their wisdom and insight to make the world a better place.
So today, as the leaves continue to change colors, and the sky changes colors with the passing clouds, I'll be thinking about how blessed I am to live where we do and to have the opportunity to see such amazing colors. I wont' take them for granted.
Intuition
Sometimes my intuition is spot on, other times, it totally fails me.
But last week I was scrambling. The weatherman was calling for rain on Tuesday and again on Thursday (the forecast had actually been different over the weekend but still calling for rain). What to do?! what to do?! Should I stay with the original plan and stick it out with a free arena or make the call to switch to a different arena and spend the big bucks and eat up some of the funds that we desperately need.
I'd made the decision Monday to switch over to the indoor arena and will just have to deal with the consequences of renting an arena and trying to cover the costs. We arent' yet to playday time but Tuesday made me glad I'd made those changes.
It rained.
And rained.
And rained.
It didn't just rain a little. It rained all day, a lot. By the time the clouds cleared out, we'd received 2.5 inches of rain. Yep. glad to have that indoor arena now. No worries of a muddy arena, let alone muddy parking area, etc. No matter what we do, my goal for anything horse related (be it something with the horse sanctuary or the saddle club I'm in charge of), my priority is the safety of people and horses. Everything else is secondary.
And the temps keep changing for Saturday. Hopefully it'll be nice but I'll just have to put faith into it that everything will work out.
The rain was crazy on Tuesday. I'd really wished I would have left Bo and Junior in their stalls. Junior is dropping weight again, but that's to be expected. I am going to put them into the pasture tonight and just hope that no one decides to escape. I still cant' find the break in the fence (or where they jumped over). Bo, well, Bo is just a hard keeper and without lush grass, he drops weight. I'm trying everything and I think I see small improvements but maybe that's just me being optimistic. I'm keeping an eye on him and if need be, I'll haul him to the vet for additional work. But I think he just needs extra supplements and a heavier fat diet.
We are supposed to get more rain today. Another reason to get the mares and Junior out of that pen. It's turning into a mud pie. I am going to rearrange corral panels again and see if I can't build temporary "winter" stalls for Junior and Rabbit so I can more easily grain them with their additional supplements instead of having to halter all four horses and tie them so that everyone can eat in peace.
We have a three day weekend coming up but I only have one day free to get anything done and I think I might have already lost that day. So I'm debating on taking that Tuesday off, send everyone on their way and work on tasks that HAVE to get done before the snow flies. Blankets need to be washed (and it's supposed to be 70). I'd planned on washing blankets this summer when it was hot out but because it wasn't a priority, it never happened. But now it is a priority. And I know I wont' be able to get three outbuildings scrapped and painted but I'm going to try and get one that I see ALL the time out my kitchen window. If only I didn't have to maintain all the buildings by myself.
I'm going to be in a panic starting later today to get the final details for the playday, bake sale ready. I could desperately use the help on Saturday if anyone wants to come. Even moral support is greatly appreciated if you cant' make it.
And I have more thank yous to write about but I'll have to wait until my brain isn't focused on the playday so I can spend the right amount of time giving thanks to people.
But last week I was scrambling. The weatherman was calling for rain on Tuesday and again on Thursday (the forecast had actually been different over the weekend but still calling for rain). What to do?! what to do?! Should I stay with the original plan and stick it out with a free arena or make the call to switch to a different arena and spend the big bucks and eat up some of the funds that we desperately need.
I'd made the decision Monday to switch over to the indoor arena and will just have to deal with the consequences of renting an arena and trying to cover the costs. We arent' yet to playday time but Tuesday made me glad I'd made those changes.
It rained.
And rained.
And rained.
It didn't just rain a little. It rained all day, a lot. By the time the clouds cleared out, we'd received 2.5 inches of rain. Yep. glad to have that indoor arena now. No worries of a muddy arena, let alone muddy parking area, etc. No matter what we do, my goal for anything horse related (be it something with the horse sanctuary or the saddle club I'm in charge of), my priority is the safety of people and horses. Everything else is secondary.
And the temps keep changing for Saturday. Hopefully it'll be nice but I'll just have to put faith into it that everything will work out.
The rain was crazy on Tuesday. I'd really wished I would have left Bo and Junior in their stalls. Junior is dropping weight again, but that's to be expected. I am going to put them into the pasture tonight and just hope that no one decides to escape. I still cant' find the break in the fence (or where they jumped over). Bo, well, Bo is just a hard keeper and without lush grass, he drops weight. I'm trying everything and I think I see small improvements but maybe that's just me being optimistic. I'm keeping an eye on him and if need be, I'll haul him to the vet for additional work. But I think he just needs extra supplements and a heavier fat diet.
We are supposed to get more rain today. Another reason to get the mares and Junior out of that pen. It's turning into a mud pie. I am going to rearrange corral panels again and see if I can't build temporary "winter" stalls for Junior and Rabbit so I can more easily grain them with their additional supplements instead of having to halter all four horses and tie them so that everyone can eat in peace.
We have a three day weekend coming up but I only have one day free to get anything done and I think I might have already lost that day. So I'm debating on taking that Tuesday off, send everyone on their way and work on tasks that HAVE to get done before the snow flies. Blankets need to be washed (and it's supposed to be 70). I'd planned on washing blankets this summer when it was hot out but because it wasn't a priority, it never happened. But now it is a priority. And I know I wont' be able to get three outbuildings scrapped and painted but I'm going to try and get one that I see ALL the time out my kitchen window. If only I didn't have to maintain all the buildings by myself.
I'm going to be in a panic starting later today to get the final details for the playday, bake sale ready. I could desperately use the help on Saturday if anyone wants to come. Even moral support is greatly appreciated if you cant' make it.
And I have more thank yous to write about but I'll have to wait until my brain isn't focused on the playday so I can spend the right amount of time giving thanks to people.
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| Fall colors in the Black Hills. This was near the creek by the cabin we stay at. Love that cabin. Been going to it for years and have so many memories. And no photo altering. this was just what I could capture with my phone. |
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Wishlist Wednesday
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| Zeke - Personal horse who entered into the Sanctuary. He was officially retired this August and made a Sanctuary Horse. If I get my act together, we'll celebrate his retirement with carrot cake. |
Our Wishlist Wednesday is for people to come out this Saturday, October 8th and participate (and watch) our annual playday fundraiser. Proceeds will go to our Winter Hay Fund (after covering cost of arena rent).
Spectators are very welcome to watch.
We will have a concession stand and a bake sale. We'll also have gifts for sale that make perfect Christmas gifts (before you know it, Christmas will be here and wouldn't it be great to have all your shopping done NOW?!)
Picked up my horse
This one brought tears (not a good thing when you're at work).
https://rtfitchauthor.com/2016/10/04/i-picked-up-my-horse-today/
Monday, October 3, 2016
Location Change for Upcoming Playday
The weatherman is calling for rain on Tuesday and again on Thursday. I know he mentioned "blustery" conditions at least once this week as well. Temps on Saturday are supposed to be low 60s so any bit of a breeze will make it chilly.
So with the threat of rain (and the accompanying wind), I decided to rent an indoor arena. It's $250 so I hope 25 people show to cover the cost of the arena. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to eat in to donations to cover arena rent.
But I didn't want to risk tearing up the Cowboy Way Church's pasture and arena for a playday. And in all of my horse activities, my goal is to keep everyone safe, no matter what. Even if that means canceling or moving events. So the safest thing to do for this upcoming playday was to move it indoors.
Anyone want to help offset the cost of the arena so that we can put the funds towards the Winter Hay Fund instead?
So with the threat of rain (and the accompanying wind), I decided to rent an indoor arena. It's $250 so I hope 25 people show to cover the cost of the arena. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to eat in to donations to cover arena rent.
But I didn't want to risk tearing up the Cowboy Way Church's pasture and arena for a playday. And in all of my horse activities, my goal is to keep everyone safe, no matter what. Even if that means canceling or moving events. So the safest thing to do for this upcoming playday was to move it indoors.
Anyone want to help offset the cost of the arena so that we can put the funds towards the Winter Hay Fund instead?
Halloween Party Fundraiser Success
I have many people to thank and will be thanking them throughout this week. I'm behind on everything.
But I wanted to send out a thank you now before the days get too far behind me. A friend decided she wanted to help the Sanctuary so put on a Halloween Party and Fundraiser this past Sunday. It was amazing. Better yet, I didn't have to do anything. I just showed up and got the opportunity to talk with a few people. Everything was taken care of with no stress or pressure for me.
I had a great time at the Halloween Party. I got to see people dress up in costumes, eat delicious food, watch kids ride horses and ponies (and see the delight in their eyes while riding), and basically got to put my feet up, relax and be surrounded by horse people.
The weather was fantastic. You never know in October if you'll get a gorgeous warm day, or a chilly breezy day (or rain/snow). But Sunday was gorgeous.
In total, the Halloween Party raised $490! And it's all going straight to the Winter Hay Fund! We have to raise $3,500 to cover the cost of hay for 14 horses so every dollar counts. And that dollar amount only covers the big round bales of hay, nothing else. The money from the Halloween Party on top of two very generous donations from supporters (I'll thank them in another post because one deserves more of my blabbing time) will put us a quarter of the way there. And to think, just a few days ago, I didn't know how I'd raise the funds after having to pay for last year's hay (it's a messed up deal with hay and funds but I'll explain to anyone that wants to know the specifics).
Our next adventure is this Saturday for our annual playday. I hope that the playday is as successful as the Halloween Party.
Thank you Sandy Berens and all that came to the Halloween Party and donated. Your support means the world to me. I am feeling truly blessed these days surrounded by amazing people!
Thank You!
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| Dusk at Deerfield Lake (I took this picture while we were in the Black Hills this past weekend) |
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