Shed Light

These next five days, the idea of light came into play on several occasions.  The Hindu festival of lights was celebrated, the light of day continues to shorten and daylight hours were changed, and the need to shine light on truth was exceedingly apparent. 

In the Bible, light is a symbol of goodness, holiness, knowledge, wisdom, grace, hope, and God's revelation.  Light signifies God's presence and favor.  Light is the nature and character of God. He is not just a light or a kind of light; He is light itself.  All light comes from Him. 


John 1:5: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it". 
Darkness is associated with evil, sin, and despair.
Psalms 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path".  The Holy Spirit is the source of our light, inspiration, and insight.  Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven". 

Friday 11/1 - Happy November 1st and also Diwali.  Diwali is one of the major festivals of Hindus.  It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, bringing joy and prosperity.  Diwali is also known as a festival of lights.  A row of lights is displayed outside the home and represents the light that guards against spiritual darkness. 

I was slow moving at the start of the day, and actually throughout the day.  There was no sunshine with a lite drizzle all day, it had been a disrupted night with an overnighter arriving at 12:30am, and I was recovering from the over expenditure of energy the day before.  

Mama Styx on my lap and Monita plotting and scheming. 

Wind had preceded the rain and brought down a lot more leaves.  Not many are vibrant this fall because of the drought, but a few pretty (colorful) ones can be spotted.  And of course, many are floating in the creek. 





By afternoon it had cleared off.  Joe came with me to the ranch to do a few things and then help me with chores.  My third cat Babe.  After canned food for dinner, she eats the kibble that is always out in this dish, up where Maggie can't help herself.

Joe and I watched a creepy movie, Law Abiding Citizen.  Psychopaths are the scariest.

Saturday 11/2 - I like this photo of light being shed down on Patty and Betty (riding Zorro and Dorado).

I was caught up on blogging and had time for my usual on-line puzzles.  After a great (vigorous) workout at the gym, I met Patty and Betty at the ranch right after lunch time. 









We tacked up our horses and headed out into the beauty of the woods and the warmth of the sunshine. 






Zorro has been ridden two or three times a week lately, and is doing very well.  We are working on muscling him up which will help his overall health. 





While going down the trail, Patty took this photo of me taking a selfie of her and I. 


And this is the selfie photo I got.  LOL.












Our horses did great today.  We congregated occasionally to make them stand quietly and let them rest if needed. 




In this photo, Zorro looks bigger than Rico, but actually, they are about the same size.  Height wise, they are near the same.  But Rico is a little stockier and has a shorter body (head to tail).


Patty split off from us, taking the trail home through the woods behind our pasture.  Betty and I went down Marmaduke to Lake Kirkstone and rode around on the dirt roads that cross back and forth through the large looped gravel road.  Rico never spooked, but hesitated a few times, but did eventually go.  We took turns leading and following, and rode side-by-side much of the time.  I did have to keep legging Rico to keep him moving.  I'm not sure why he was being so pokey.  When I test rode him, that was not the case.  I have not given him any sweet feed (which he did get with Rostin) because of his cresty neck, and wonder if the extra sugar energy is what made him so peppy before.  I need some light shed on this matter. 

Patty took this photo of Zorro peeking at Amiga while he was in the woods on the way home.

Betty and I came home by way of Eli Ford, and down Ava Way.  Neither of our horses realized we were almost home, until we rode through the front gate. 

I untacked Rico in the barn by himself.  He did fairly well, not getting too nervous, but did holler for his buddy a few times.

Joe and I went out to dinner, starting at Stonehenge which had a 45 minute wait time, and ending up at The Brass Lantern.  We enjoyed delicious cuisine and caught up on ideas and plans for travel, the holidays, and the ranch.

Sunday 11/3 - I have seen lots of funny memes about the time change.  These three I especially liked. 


The struggle is real, setting time back and attempting to make the adjustments to schedules.  Try explaining it to the natural bio-rhythms of your rooster, dog, cats and horses, and even yourself.



And then figuring out how to switch the clock on all the different time pieces, it's a real headache.


I had gone to bed earlier than usual, because I just couldn't stay awake.  Well, with my clock already set back, it was 7pm when I turned out the lights.  Sheesh
Then I was up at 1am, having gotten six hours of sleep, I was unable to get back to sleep.  So I messed at my computer for three hours and then went back to bed to get a few more hours of sleep.  Talk about messed up. 







Just about every day Joe works at cleaning up leaves.  He is near his car in this photo, blowing leaves off the drive.  Also notice, the one side of our garage has become a storage space. 






I helped Joe (briefly) with leaf collection and then went to the ranch to ride with Karen. 






Rico usually comes right up to me when I go out to the paddock or field.  Karen and I were quickly tacked up and out on the trail for a short little ride.  I rode Amiga to see how she was doing and was disappointed that she started favoring her front left leg after tripping on a rock halfway through our ride.




Each day more and more leaves collect on the ground.  It makes it difficult to see rocks, roots, and holes.  We always proceed carefully on unknown turf, but can still trip up on hidden objects.

Shortly after getting back to the barn, Joanne came down the drive leading Rico.  She had agreed to help with some ground work in the round pen.  Rico was very distracted because it was feeding time with Amiga and Zorro in their stalls and Cowboy and Banner at the paddock fence a few yards away.  Rico did make some progress. 




Betty took this photo when coming down Eli Ford to do evening feeding chores.  Notice they are at our driveway.  Betty chatted with them.  These equestrian neighbors are one house down from the corner of Eli Ford and Chestnut Hill.  Now we know where the horse manure on the Kirkstone loop (which none of us has ridden, in ages) came from, that Betty and I saw yesterday when we rode that loop. 

Karen had given me a pasta dish, extra from a big pot she had made.  So I heated that up along with garlic toast and salad, and Joe and I actually enjoyed dinner together.

Monday 11/4 - The sun shed it's light before 6am, so I was at the ranch doing chores by 6:30.  Rico checking out the manure I was fixin' to clean up.  The two boys typically produce a whole wheel barrow full over night. 








A morning drink at the pond while I was opening the chicken coop.

I gave Amiga a Previcox before letting the four from the lower paddock out, and then picked up two more large loads of manure.


I had gotten up at 3am (after seven hours of sleep) and blogged then.  So when I was back from the ranch at 8am, I did some games/puzzles.  I guess I wasn't fully awake doing this Wordle... I should have got it on the 4th guess... just switch the P and the N.  Duhhh!  Oh well.  I took a nap.

I love the light that is shed in my sun room/office/cattery.  The plants (and cats) love it also.  With the trees mostly bare and the sun lower in the sky, more light comes in through the windows. 

Some pretty fall colors on the dogwood right outside the window, and Babe enjoying a nap, perched up high and  in the sun. 

I hit the gym, but did not have a great workout.  Everything seemed to take more effort than usual.  And I kept looking outside thinking I should be riding.

When I checked my phone (I leave it in the car while in the gym), Betty was waiting for me at the ranch. 

She sent this photo of the two boys drinking out of the stock tank together.  I thought our ride had been move until tomorrow, so I had to scamper to get to the ranch so as not to keep Betty waiting any longer than she already had been.

We were saddled and out the front gate around 3:30.  We met our neighbors on Eli Ford whose house is just behind Jem's. 








This is Matt and Lainey, who wanted to see the horses.  Our two trusty mounts were very good, standing quietly to be pet. 




We didn't have a lot of time before sunset, so our ride was pretty short.  Rico did much better for me, being more willing to head down the trail.  And he moved out fairly well, into a gait or canter, when asked. 

Coming back on the trail behind our pasture and paddock, Amiga and Zorro came over to see us.  Karen had fed them while we were out on the trail. 







Betty went on up the drive when we rode into the barn yard.  I do my tacking in the barn.  So Rico was all by himself for a change.  Last time I had him tied here by himself (two weeks ago) he was a nervous wreck. 



Rico did yell out for Dorado two times and then just looked at me when I told him to quiet down, everything was going to be okay. 







I walked Rico up through the front pasture and turned him loose in the paddock.  Dorado was still tied to Betty's truck so Rico went over there. 

Rico did turn and come back to see me, but Dorado is his favorite being right now.

We waited for the horses to cool off a little more, and then fed them.  Our solar powered shed light had actually come on while we were feeding the boys. 







It was getting dark as we finished up and were heading to our vehicles.  That is Venus just above the moon in this photo.  

Joe had dinner ready when I got home, stir-fry chicken he had cooked on his flat-top grill.

I was able to stay awake until 8:40... so I am slowly adjusting to the time change.

Tuesday 11/5 - I had planned to vote today, even though Tennessee's outcome was 'in the bag' already.  I am not sold on either candidate and have been debating who to vote for, even though my vote will not make a difference.  I know this will hit a nerve with many of you. 







Betty had gone to our polling place (the Library Building just a ¼ up the hill) at 8am.  Well she and her husband couldn't get there because the road was closed due to these two over-sized loads coming down Lakeview, that she took a picture of.  Because of this, I decided to hold off and vote later. 





While Joe was walking Maggie, he got a photo of the first truck which appeared to be stuck in the dip.  Come to find out, the transport truck got a flat tire.

I did get to the polls, and also renewed and checked out another library book, dropped some letters at the post office and went to the gym for a leg & aerobic workout.

Once home I did some packing (and one more load of laundry) and then was off to the ranch to do evening chores.  We needed more hay in the upper feed room, so I used the gator to take two bales along with Dorado's feed up there.

There was still plenty more to do before an early morning departure so I kept at it and was up until I posted this blog.  I didn't need to know who won the election before hitting the hay however.

Homecoming

Homecoming is a yearly celebration that involves the return of a group of people to a place they once frequented.  This week started with a Homecoming weekend.  Joe and I went to Iowa City to meet up with my college roommates and their husbands.  We three 'girls' met 50 years ago, as residence of the 5th floor, south wing of Burge Hall.  We freshman were in rooms next to and across the hall from each other and became good friends, and a few years later roomed together in an apartment off campus.

Friday 10/25 - After I was all packed up and ready to go, I had some time to kill, so I decided to cut cat claws.  I had noticed them itching and grooming a little more than usual, so also did a flea combing with each.  Well &%$#!  I got a big, very much alive, adult flea off of Monita.  So then, with Joe's help, each cat got a Revolution flea treatment, and also Joe vacuumed. 







After dropping Maggie off at Patty's, we were on our way to Nashville.  The drive, car drop off at Courtney's and Lyft to the airport all went smoothly.  We had time for a late lunch at Tootsie's airport lounge, and enjoyed the music while we ate.

Our flight left and landed early and we were picked up by Mick, Leanne and Susan at the Cedar Rapids Airport.  We stopped in at our Air B&B (located in Cedar Rapids) and then headed to Iowa City for the Homecoming parade.  Nephew Nathan had an ideal spot at the Midwest Bank where he works, so we all joined him and Mikayla to watch the parade.  It was a great location. 





We ladies especially enjoyed the marching bands.  The best is always saved for last... The Hawkeye Marching Band, with 280 members.  We enjoyed watching them march by, and singing the fight song with them (video).









Oh did this ever bring back memories.  What fun I had, for five years, marching in the Hawkeye band.
 

Once the parade was over, we walked across and a little ways down the street to Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers where we enjoyed dinner in a noisy, rowdy, college restaurant. 

We did a little walking tour of a small area downtown to look in on two of our favorite, more frequented bars, The Airliner and Joe's Place.

In this photo, we three 'girls' are headed to the Pentacrest (where the original state capital building is) to check out the concert on the lawn. 









There was a party goin' on.  Today's music ain't like it used to be.

Below, here we all are, except Sue's husband Doug, who had stayed back at the Air B&B to catch up on much needed sleep after driving, through most of the night, from Texas, to get them here.  (from the left - Mick, Leanne, Joe, me, & Susan)
 

I got an update from Patty, that Maggie and her kitty Ellie we happy together.

We finished our tour, driving around campus, and the neighborhood where our apartment was, reminiscing about old times and places we frequented as young college coeds. 

We hit a grocery store on the way home and then sat up till almost 11pm, continuing to catch up on each other's lives.

 

Saturday 10/26 - The six of us were up and chatting, eating breakfast that Leanne had cooked, and sipping our caffeinated beverages. 

We were out the door by 10am, headed for Iowa City once again.  Parking was confusing and a bit of an un-known, so we ended up at Finkbine Golf Course, a little over a mile away from the stadium and the tailgate parties we were headed to.  Doug is in this photo, between Sue and Mick.








Our first tailgate party was at John's, a friend of Nathan and Mikayla's.  Man was it a ritzy, 'Hawkeye Heaven' kind of place. 

There were two bars, three beverage refrigerators, four TVs, fire pit, and games... located in/on two garages, a roof top terrace, and two patio's.  Here is Doug, Mick, Sue, Joe, Leanne, Nathan, and Mikayla. 


 






Nathan with us three ladies. 







We headed through the crowd and sea of tailgate parties to our next destination with Tracy and Teresa and their friends. 









Joe on the phone with Teresa, trying to pin down their exact location. 




We found Tracy and Teresa's group.  We took pleasure in drinks (especially the apple cider caramel vodka) and an awesome spread of food for lunch.  It was delicious.  We enjoyed chatting with lots of fun, friendly people.  On top of that, it was a beautiful day and the sunshine warmed us up.

Another group photo with Nathan, Mikayla, Tracy, myself, Joe, Leanne, Mick, Teresa, Doug, and Sue.
 

About 1:15 we were back on foot, headed to the Rec. Center for the Hawkeye Band warmup and Spirit Rally.  It was a little difficult to see and hear from our spots, but the energy was palpable and the band and crowd were really getting fired up.



We followed the band as they marched over to Kinnick Stadium.  We shuffled along with the sea of people but soon found our seats.  The Children's hospital was behind us and over toward the center of the field.  We were so far down the field, we were past the goalpost, in the end zone area.

The Iowa football players were warming up when we sat down. 

Before long the team left and the pre-game show began with the alumni band taking the field first.  Wow, there were a lot of former students out there.

Their formations were for the other side of the field to 'read' (see) so it was hard to tell what they had formed unless we looked at the score board. 

Soon Herky (our mascot) came out and ran across the field with an Iowa Hawkeye flag.  The crowd erupted. 




But the crowd got even louder when the football team came back out and two F-18 Hornets from VX-9 flew over the stadium (video). 

We enjoyed a good football game.  It was fairly close until early in the third quarter. 

Nathan was Grandpa Herky in the first quarter.  We couldn't see much of him from where we sat, but (his mom) Teresa got a few good photos.  She also reported that he did cartwheels in the end zone, we missed it. 

In the lower photo, I put a dark pink line in the row, right where we sat.  But I also circled it in yellow cause it is hard to see. 

In the second half, the Hawks 'ran away' with the game.  The final score was 40 - 14 against Northwestern.  Go Hawks!

We left early hoping to 'beat the crowd' but most of the crowd had the same game plan.

Once back to Cedar Rapids, we let Doug and Sue's dogs out for a run and then went to dinner at Pizza Ranch.  It was good eatin' but I ate too much. 

Sunday 10/27 - It had been another kind of late night sitting up talking.  Mick and Leanne had to be on the road by 8am, so we were all up to see them off.  When we started packing up, Doug making room for Joe and I (and the two dogs) out in the car, Gracie and Buddy watched closely.  They were very well mannered dogs. 

 

 

We arrived at the Volk's about 11:00.  Joe and I walked the two dogs while Doug and Sue got the second dog crate set up and re-packed the car. 

I have never been to Tracy and Teresa's new house in Hills.  It is beautiful, and just the right size and comfort level. 

After a tour of the house and yard, we relaxed and watched football, and caught up on life.  I also enjoyed a third cup of tea with some sweet snacks.

Teresa had invited the whole crew of siblings, kids, and grand-kids over for a Sunday potluck.  We hung out all afternoon and early evening, and had a great visit.  Lots of food was eaten and games were played.  It was so nice to see our Iowa family.  It just made Homecoming all the more special.

This was the third late night in a row for me, although I was in bed much closer to my usual bed time.

Monday 10/28 - I was up well before sunrise, which isn't that tough when it doesn't come up until 6am.  This is a view from Volk's deck, shortly after sunrise.  

I worked on this blog for several hours, until it was time to hit the road. 






Teresa drove us to the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids. 








Hills is very rural, so this big farm equipment coming down the road was nothing unusual.

We had gotten to the airport with lots of time to spare, partly because our flight was delayed.  So Joe napped, and I continued to work on this blog.  It was very slow going because my little travel laptop is slower than molasses, a snail, or a turtle. 

Our flight was quick and easy, and not very crowded, so we got to spread out.  We moved way up front and sat across the isle from each other. 


Nashville traffic was horrible so I persuaded Joe to stop for dinner before we got on the highway.  I got this photo of Rico from Patty who did evening chores for me.  

We pulled into our Flossmoor house at 7:10.  Coming home was equally as sweet as going to Homecoming, because there's no place like home.

Tuesday 10/29 - I got all caught up on my blog.  It helps to have a laptop that moves a lot faster than my travel one.  I also tackled unpacking, laundry and other household chores.  Then I put on my Halloween tights and t-shirt and headed to the gym.  I only had time for arms and abs.

I met Betty at the ranch and immediately noticed how much calmer Rico was.  And he came right up to me when I went to get him.  






Betty and I had a nice 90 minute ride.  Neither of our horses wanted to lead so we had to push them to move out as we took turns being in front.  With some effort, I was able to get Rico collected into a very nice gait a few times.  We also cantered in a couple of spots.  I feel good about the progress we are making. 




It was my night to feed, and as often is the case, Banner did not come in with the 'three Amigos' so I had to walk way out back to get him.  The exercise is good for me, so no complaints. 








And once Banner saw and heard me, he started walking my way.  

I had put out six piles of hay in the paddock, but when I left, the 'three amigos' were all around one pile sharing it.

After feeding Dorado and Rico, I checked in on the chickens.  They were all, already 'in bed' but the automatic door hadn't closed.  Patty had just replaced the batteries, so I was perplexed.  But then, I guess it had finally gotten dark enough, that it closed. 

It was also so dark that the coop, outside motion detector light came on... and it was only 6:15.  In this photo, the door is in the process of closing, with just a few inches to go... it slides down.

Poker Joe came home early, with an unsuccessful evening at the table.  Even though he has skill, he needs some luck.

Wednesday 10/30 - I had morning chores, and as often the case, Wanda came running to greet me and then followed me around while I mucked.

I made a trip to town for supplies and hit four thrift stores looking for a replacement light weight jacket for the gym because the zipper on my old one had completely broken. 








I was out at the ranch by 1:45 to ride with Patty.  It was quite windy and fairly overcast. 



When I walked up through the front pasture from the barn, the skies were still actually clear, off to the east.  Our three amigos chomping away. 

The sunshine was definitely spotty. 





Dorado and Rico also were munching away. 

Rico is so relaxed now, he will lay down and roll without feeling threatened. 





Once I got Rico's halter and called him, he came right over to me.  What a good boy. 







Patty and I went for a 3½ mile ride.  Both horses were very good, although reluctant to lead some of the time.  We just switched off being in front.  Everything is bigger about Rico compared to my little Amiga.  His height, neck and head, feet and legs, and length of his walk.  It is taking some getting used to. 





Rico doesn't have near the brio (a horse's natural energy, spirit, and willingness to go) as Amiga so takes a lot more leg and heel to get him going.

Near home, when Patty turned down Hathaway towards the ranch, I turned Rico the other way to see how he would do by himself.  He did not want to leave Zorro. 








I had to really squeeze my legs and kick to get Rico going, and bump him up into a gait.  But then he eased into a real nice, smooth gait, until he stopped to poop.  LOL  He was rather nervous.  On the trail through the woods behind our property, he hollered several times as we headed home, but none of the horses answered back. 




Patty and Bonnie took these three photos of Rico and I once we got back.  It clouded up and spit a little bit of rain as we finished up with the horses.  Betty wasn't back with Dorado yet, so Rico ran the fence line since he couldn't see any horses.  (The other four were down in the lower paddock.)  I met Betty on Eli Ford and she later reported that Rico calmed right down when she unloaded Dorado.  I need to get Rico comfortable with being alone some times.








Susan had made and left us treats in the tack room.  How nice, and sweet, especially the candy.  I can't believe she took time to do this when she has hip surgery tomorrow.  

Joe and I watched Survivor before I hit the hay.

Thursday 10/31 - Happy Halloween!
I love this photo off of Facebook.

I had my usual morning at my computer and puttered around some before going to the gym.  I stopped in at The Center to check out Gwen's Halloween costume. 







From right to left, Gwen, Cathy, and another lady who works the front desk... dressed as the Sanderson Sisters from the movie Hocus Pocus. 


They put a spell on me.




For two hours I worked hard at the gym (was even able to add a 4th pull-up to my total) and could feel the results with most of my muscles as I drove home.  I had a big late lunch and then went outside to help Joe with leaf removal. 





First I had to correct (what I considered) an error on Joe's part when he was wrangling leaf bags.  He had dumped several full bags, right at the edge of the pond.  No!  We don't want them in the water or blocking our view of the edge.  After taking care of the piles (see photo of how it looked when I had finished) I was too tired to do any more work.

My day ended at the 7th annual Halloween Party that Richard and Elaine (seen in this photo) put on every year. 

Here I am with Elaine.  My costume was pretty lame, but I did remain fairly anonymous most of the night.








This is Sheri and Bill, who I sat with.  I missed having Micki, who was back home in CA for a few months.

There was a crowd of close to a 100 people, a lot who I didn't know.  The winners of the costume contest.
 




Uncle Fester who's light bulb really did light up. 

This was a pot-luck party, so there was a ton of food. 

More costumes I liked. 

 

I sat out the few slow songs that played, but was up dancing most of the rest of the time.  I sure enjoyed moving to music, as usual.  And it proved to be a good workout.
 

Sheri, myself, Elaine, and Penny, who did the DJing. 














The party ended early (what is wrong with these old people?) and I went home (a homecoming I would have preferred to wait another hour on) and was in bed by 10:30.  But I sure had a great time.