Chain Effect

A chain effect (often called a chain reaction or domino effect) is a sequence of events where one initial action triggers the next, which in turn triggers another, creating a cascading progression.

A property "chain effect" happens when multiple home buyers and sellers are connected, making each transaction dependent on the one before and after it.  Because most people need to sell their current home to fund their next purchase, these connected deals form a sequential link, called a property chain.  

Dan and Vale have an offer on their house, but their buyers need to sell their house first.  The house Dan and Vale are trying to buy is being built to their specifications, so they don't have to wait for someone to buy another house and move out.  However, it is no longer being 'held' for them.  Will it sell before theirs sells?  It's a little nerve racking.

Saturday 7/18 - I was up at 3am, starting my day way too early. I did get to the gym much earlier than usual and had a good arm and ab. workout.  I came to a stop for this fox that was crossing the street right at the Druid clubhouse project.  While stopped, with no cars around, I got a better photo of this guy/gal.  

Today was a busy moving day for Debra, out of the ranch house.  And our new ranch neighbors (Mike and Quanie) just moved into Jem's main house.  While Debra was preparing to move out last week, she had run the dishwasher, done a few loads of laundry, and took a shower, all one afternoon.  She ended up with water backing up in the shower.  We’ve had so much rain and after she put more than the usual amount of water down the gray water system, it was unable to percolate out through the leach field.  Just the chain effect of too much water with nowhere to go.

My day also included two long naps and plenty of time on the porch swing reading my book.  Cookie and Mama Styx were having a 'stand off' while I ate lunch, and then Cookie kind of gave up.  
I should have gone to ride Rico, but the heat and humidity is just too much for me to handle lately.  It is also hard on the horses.  Plus, we got more rain. 








I ended my day dancing at the Grove, which was a good leg and aerobic workout.  The band, Four On The Floor, was very enjoyable, entertaining, and played lots of great dancing music.

Sunday 7/19 - This is a photo of George that Patty took.  He is the feral cat who has taken a liking to Wanda and her free handouts of kibble.  He has also become braver and hangs out around the barn even when we are there.


Wanda does not necessarily like George, but she does tolerate him.  




My car outside temperature read 90° as I left the Church parking lot, and that didn't even account for the humidity.  



I have given up trying to accomplish anything outside with the high heat index, so settled on the porch and read.  Babe actually napped on my lap while Cookie surveyed the backyard for deer, squirrel, and Shadow, another feral cat who has adopted me.  It poured for twenty minutes around lunch time and with forecasted storms I was hoping the pool would close before I had to go in, but no such luck.  





I had another aggravating pool shift because of thunderstorms in the distance and needing to clear the pool two different times.  Then a big storm hit and I was able to close down at 4:30.  But I got drenched in the process and the very close lightening was scary.  

Debra managed to fill up a few car loads of her totes, stored in the garage, between the rain storms.  

I was able to accomplish some extra household tasks once home from the pool.

Monday 7/20 - Today's main event was Ava's tonsillectomy.  Here she is, on her way into the clinic before 7am, to have her tonsils removed.  


She was all set, and ready to go, looking very brave.  They wheeled her back into the surgery room at 7:30. 



I was at work by 9:00 and soon, Ava was in the recovery room.  Dan and Vale kept us posted throughout the morning.

The day was overcast and threatened of rain, but we had nothing other than a little five minute sprinkle during my pool shift.  

Ava was home before 11am, and conked out right away.  I did just about the same thing when I got home from the pool at 2:30.

As I had told Ava on the phone last night, she got to eat popsicles once she was feeling up to it.  

 

We had a big torrential downpour (video) ending right before the band was to start playing at Mirror Lake blast.  Thankfully, this storm did not have lightening.  

The photo below is from a Facebook post of the lightening in Crossville during a recent storm.

This reminds me of the storm we had yesterday afternoon while I was trying to clean up and close at the pool.  

While I was driving to the Grove for tonight's concert, steam was rising off the road.  




I read that rain directly increases dew point, humidity, and the likelihood of fog through evaporation.  This provides the fuel and atmospheric conditions necessary for storms to form.  It's a chain effect that keeps cycling. 

It was a very hot, humid evening.  We all had a great time dancing, but were drenched in sweat.

Tuesday 7/21 - Fawn tasting different vegetation.  
I had a busy morning, but didn't get any photos, missing some cute moments.  Terri, a lady who used to help out some boarders with their horses at Wildwood Stables, came (meeting Patty) to groom Amiga while Patty did Zorro.  I was getting Rico ready to ride.  Terri and Amiga had a mutual like for each other.
I had my hands full riding Rico, so I didn't go too far (2½ miles).  I hadn't ridden him out alone in 13 days. 
I did the mucking, some organizing in the chicken coop, and stopped into our ranch house to meet Quanie.  She works from home, but they can't get their internet installed till the end of the week, so we offered ours (and the ranch house) as long as needed.  

This photo was taken after dinner actually.

On the way home from the ranch, I stopped in at Ellie's.  Cookie had a great time with her dog Finn and I got some more training tips, but missed some cute photo moments.  

Well, I made the mistake of sitting down and having a big, late lunch.  The chain effect of the morning's heat, activity, and big meal, resulted in lethargy and a long nap.  Then I didn't have time to get to the gym.

While waking up, I tried my skill at games on my computer.  Having been a spring-board diver in high school and college, you'd think I would have done better at this Wordle.

I scooted back to the ranch to do evening feeding chores.  It took a little more effort than usual to get the horses into their 'feeding' positions.  






I was so disgusted with myself for wimping out from the gym, and I was again hot and sweaty, from the ranch.  So I decided to do more work on the branches of the big tree blocking our drainage ditch.  Most of the leaves have died and are falling off, into the ditch and washing into the creek.  

Cookie (in the earlier photo) played while I worked.  It was nearly dark by the time I quit, so I took these photos the next morning.  You can see the improvement, however there are still lots of wet, dead leaves for me to clean up.  







Wednesday 7/22 - I had taken these two photos down back after my second morning dog walk.  I had morning chores at the ranch.  Because rain was in the forecast most of the day, I gave up on the plan to ride, and got to the ranch by 7am before the rain was to hit.  I did get sprinkled on, and then it poured as I headed home a little after 8am.  







I spent two hours at the gym, working hard and doing my whole body workout.  After a late protein lunch, I headed into town to get a hair cut and do my Walmart shopping.  

Joe and I had a tasty dinner at Stonehenge Grill.

Thursday 7/23 - Happy Birthday to Britney!   
Hard to believe our middle child is already 38 years of age.  May she have many, many more years of blessings and to bless others.

The temperature finally dropped and it was in the upper 60s when I walked the dogs at 6am.








Joanne and I gathered the horses at 9:30.  This shows Amiga following Joanne and Zorro, with Rico, who I was leading, was bringing up the rear.  

We had a nice little ride, taking the horses around Stratford Circle, which we haven't done in a while.  Both boys did start to act a little tired, and because the air was starting to warm and the humidity rise, we only went three miles, the farthest they have gone in two weeks.  Both boys then got extra grooming care.  

Before we got back from our ride, Patty had been mowing, but stopped to show neighbor Mike and his two grandchildren (Easton -3 and Autumn -1) Amiga, who was in the barn.  Mike's son (Noah) picked up his wife (Alyssa) and their two children at the airport late last night.  Now all are move in, and they also bought this mama goat with her two kids.  Quanie (who hadn't seen them yet) and I went to take a peak.  The babies are still nursing and then mama will be used as a milk goat.

Anyway, Patty couldn't get the mower started.  Joe came out and couldn't either.  Then when Joe and I were cleaning out the chicken coop, pulling the 'waste' wagon with the other mower, several different times it wouldn't start either.  

I had 90 minutes at home before going back out to the ranch to feed.  Patty (with Karen) picked me up and we proceeded to the Stagecoach restaurant for a meet and greet and information about the Crossville chapter of 40 Something Cowgirls.  Our usual ranch group of women, plus Polly, met five other lovely cowgirls.

Friday 7/24 - This photo series is from our evening walk, but also occurs most mornings.  The pool was closed for maintenance, so I didn't have to work and had the day for me time.  

Shadow, who got his name from following Rose, Maggie, and I around; follows Maggie, Cookie and I.  In this photo, Shadow is even 'taking a dump' which I was waiting for Cookie to do.

Shadow follows us, while meowing loudly, in hopes of getting fed when we get back to the house, which usually occurs.  Oh, and if you are wondering, we haven't seen Rose since Christmas.  

Here we are on the final stretch down Flossmoor, towards home, as we're finishing the full loop around the church.

Karen picked me up (I had to leave my car for the window guy) and we went to the ranch to go for a ride.  We did the usual three mile (back woods, green mile, inside trail) loop.  Rico and Zorro did very well.  












When showing Karen the goats, I noticed they now have things to climb on, and they did just that.

The window guy was just finishing up when Karen dropped me off.  I don't know if he replaced the window or buffed the scratch out of it.  But it now, does look brand new, the seal is good, and it goes up and down without rubbing/getting scratched.  
I had an audience as I ate my corn beef sandwich for a late lunch, out on the porch swing.





Mama Styx enjoying the porch also.
I read and napped out there.  







I had troubles pulling myself out of slumber.  The afternoon was nearly over, so I needed to scurry to get to the gym.  I had enough time for a full arm workout before they closed at 6:00.



Joe had fed the dogs before leaving for poker, so I took them for a long walk.  First we went down to check out the work that has been going on at the dam the past three days.  







They are re-setting the rocks, but using sand around them.  I'm skeptical about this working.  It seems one strong rain will wash all the sand down into the pond.  




While putting corn out for the deer, I heard a crashing sound upstream.  I went to investigate.  This big tree partially fell over, catching on the tree you see that is bent.  What had fallen to the ground was a large dead limb you see circled in yellow.  Why are these trees loosing their tops, I wondered.
The trees falling can be like a chain effect, or dominoes, one knocking the next one down. 

Check Twice

Us forgetful seniors need to check twice and often we check a third time because we can't remember if we checked it already.  I read, if you check twice, more than once, it implies a level of paranoia... not necessarily, maybe it's just forgetfulness or short term memory loss.  

Equestrian people always check twice to make sure the gates are closed, the water spigot turned off, and the girth tight before getting into the saddle.  Tack and equipment should also be routinely inspected. And we all know the old adage, to measure twice before cutting. 






Some things just need to be double checked.  
Here is a helpful (list) of important ones.

Saturday 7/11 - World Horse Day.  Established by the United Nations, this international observance honors the profound contribution of horses to human civilization, spanning agriculture, transportation, modern sports, and therapy.  Not to be confused with National Day of the Horse, which is celebrated annually on December 13th in the United States.






Just as with horses, dogs have their day(s) too.  National Dog Day 8/26; World Dog Day 7/21;   National Mutt Day 7/31; and Take your dog to work day is the Friday after Father's Day.








After morning chores at the ranch, I dropped by Andy's to give him a late Birthday card and he and Micki flowers.  The flowers were intended to cheer up the room where Rita was bed-ridden, but now would be to cheer them up in the wake of her passing.
 

Driving past Druid on my way to the gym, I snapped a photo of the old parking lot being razed.  They have been spreading out a lot of the old bed-rock into the lower areas so the whole space will be more level.  
During my arm and ab workout, I discovered I had tweaked my back, lower latissimus dorsi.  I bet I did it yesterday while lifting feed bags in and out of my shopping cart and car.  There were three 50lb bags, two 35lb, one 16lb and a 20lb tub of cat litter.  
The workout and stretching did help my back. 

 
After a late lunch, I had Joe do some chainsaw work for me.  I had a big redbud stump in the front bed and then tackled some of the tree branches that were on the oasis down back and blocking our drainage ditch.  After Joe did six or seven cuts, I did all the clearing, and continued work using my big loppers.  I didn't take any before photos and this one is actually from the other side of the mess, at the creek behind Allen's, looking towards the pond.

I got this (video) from Daniel.  Layla has started walking!

By 8pm I was in bed reading with my three kitties nearby.

I always end my day in prayer after I turn the lights out.  
My paramount and most urgent prayer has been for Dan and Vale's house to sell soon.
 

Sunday 7/12 - It was a gloomy, partly rainy morning, with overcast weather all day.  Mike (who opened at the pool) sent this photo of a cat that was there.  I later saw a video of it posted on Facebook.  

Shirley and I escaped getting rained on at church and I put in almost a full shift at the pool before rain actually moved back into the area.  I dropped by Andy's again on the way home.  

I was home earlier than usual, and so was Poker Joe.  We got hopeful news from Dan and Vale concerning the sale of their house.  They are in the negotiating process right now, with potential buyers.

Monday 7/13 -  Today's three photos are all from Joanne.  The first two she took yesterday morning when feeding for Bonnie, who has been out of town. 
Below, Amiga and Zorro grooming each other.  This socialization is so important for horses. 

We had a heavy downpour shortly after I got to the pool for work at 9:20.  The rain finally stopped about 10:30.  It was a slow morning, but just after noon, more folks started showing up.  The forecast had been for rain all day, but they kept bumping it back until later.  (I check the weather way more than twice a day.)  We never really got any more rain, all day long.

Mirror Lake had been cancelled because of a power outage in the area and the weather forecast was still not good.  
I got home from pool work after 2:00 and didn't amount to anything the rest of the day.

While feeding tonight, Amiga and Rico went into the wrong shed/stall.  Joanne sent this photo saying, "Sometimes ya just gotta go with the flow."

Tuesday 7/14 - My Tuesday started at 3 AM.  Not an ideal time to be up but what can you do when you wake up and can’t get back to sleep?  I offered to do Patty‘s morning chores because I was gonna be at the Ranch to meet Joanne and Bonnie for a ride.  







These two photos are from this (video).  I love that the boys usually keep Amiga sandwiched between them.  I don't think it's because they are protecting her, it's that they feel safest near her.  

Jan had also been out to work on Cash‘s foot.  He’s had an abscess that just doesn't seem to be healing.  I should have offered to help her these past two weeks that she has been soaking and wrapping it regularly.  It is very difficult to do by yourself.  

A few quick photos before hitting the trail.  Bonnie on Zorro and Joanne on Rico.  

Joanne gave me this bareback pad that I tried.  I really like it.  Next time I'll move it farther forward on Amiga.  

I held Amiga back at one spot so the ladies could trot down the dirt road and back.  I was quite pleased that she didn't get all revved up, wanting to go with them.  


We three had an enjoyable ride, especially since it hadn't gotten too hot yet.

Our horses all did very well.



I turned Amiga back early so as not to overdo it with her and to let Bonnie and Joanne continue a little longer and to do more 'trotting' (gaiting).

I was very tired by the time I got home before noon, had an early lunch, and went up to rest with the boys.  Sometimes they hound me for attention, but after this selfie I soon fell asleep.  I ended up taking a very deep-sleep nap for two hours.  





I was dragging on my way to the gym, but got revived as I did my arm workout.  Because I was short on time, I just did arms and didn’t even stretch out at the end.

From the gym I went straight to the ranch.  I got the chores done in record time.  Thankfully all the animals were cooperative and there were no problems. 

I rushed home, fed the dogs and cats, cleaned up as best I could in 15 minutes, and took the dogs on a walk.   
Micki picked me up and we went to Lake Tansi for the concert.  It poured while we were driving there and we wondered if it had been canceled.  Nope, and the rain stopped just as we parked and we had a wonderful night of food, music, and dancing.

Wednesday 7/15 - Rico had been 'kissing' Patty on the head just before this photo, while waiting his turn with the farrier.  All three Pasos were stalled while Cowboy and Rosco got new shoes.

Then while A&Z got trimmed and Rico new shoes, I watched Patty and Jan help Bonnie try to figure out her new saddle and get it fitted on Rosco.  

It is a flex tree western saddle with a double D ring rigging system.  

Apparently there are several ways you can do the rigging, some easier than others.

  


After Chris was finished with the Pasos, he looked at Cash's abscessed hoof.  He gave Jan good news.  The abscess is healing well.  Cash is acting sore because the poultice wrap has kept the hoof soft and tender.  He instructed Jan to use the boots on Cash, no more wrapping, and the hoof will harden and not be so tender.  He also recommended light riding, which helps with circulation of blood to the hoof.  Jan got right to it.

Joe had come to the ranch for something and a little later left to go golf, leaving Cookie behind.  Once I was all done with farrier business and mucking, I loaded up Cookie and headed home.



She travels so well in the car, usually laying down to nap or just watching me while I drive.  These two photos were taken at a stop sign.  








I dropped Cookie off, went to the library to get a new book, and was soon back for lunch and to read on the porch.  A nap also occurred. 

  
This little dog sure knows how to get you to overlook her annoying behaviors.  For the most part, she is very good, but she does have to be watched for chewing on things other than her toys, and for having an occasional accident, which is usually poop.  She is still getting the hang of going 'potty' while on a leash.   

I did not have time or motivation for the gym, so took Cookie on a long walk.  Rather than a hike, I avoided the tall grass and woodland leaves, and went on the closed Druid golf course.  





Micki took this photo shortly before Cookie and I came along and scared the deer away.  I had to get a 'poop' bag from Micki because Cookie had made a second deposit near Micki's condo, which is on the course, and I had already used my first bag.
 

Cookie got a quick drink out of the pool that spills over as a waterfall in front of the 14th green.  

Here we are above the 14th tee box looking down the long (par 5) fairway.  





You can see the #14 waterfall just above and to the left of Cookies head in this zoomed photo.  You can also see that she was quite hot.  So was I.

Joe and I watched Law Abiding Citizen; a dark, action-thriller, that made it difficult to go right to sleep at bedtime.
   

Thursday 7/16 - There was no rain in the forecast until 4pm, but it was pouring rain (video) at 10:30am.  I was glad I hadn't gone for a morning ride, but opted to stay here at my computer and get caught up on this blog.

I did wash out my car, to get any stray glass, since the window had been replaced yesterday.  I put all my stuff back in it and drove it to the gym about 12:30.

I had to really push myself to get through my usual workout.  I started out slow, tired, and un-energetic... but picked up the pace, enthusiasm, and energy level as I went.  However, I did feel rather 'spent' by the time I got home.

Joe went to the ranch a little bit after I'd gone to do chores.  He worked at replacing a rotted board on the ground at the larger upper shed.  It goes across the opening to keep the shavings in and the gravel out.  

Once I had finished chores, we left the truck (which we no longer need since I have given Joe his car back).  I dropped Joe & Cookie off at home and ran to Food City.  It had rained while I was shopping.  I stopped to take this photo of the rainbow when coming home.

Friday 7/17 - Happy Birthday to my 62 years young sister Jean and my 69 years young brother John.  Yep, they were seven years apart, where as my sister Carol and I were only ten minutes apart.

I took this (video), which shows the Peruvian alpaca art work that covers this opening to a cat bed/box on the cat tree right by my desk.  And then this photo of Monita 'bathing' in there.

I didn't take any photos today, so these next four are ones my friend Linda Sue Hodges shared with me. 
 

When I walked the dogs at 6am, I knew outdoor activities would need to be limited.  The humidity was so high that the 79° temperature had me sweating. 
 
My pool shift was challenging for two reasons.  They had mowed the grass before I got there, and the grass had been wet as had the deck, tables, chairs, and lounges.  So there was wet grass stuck to everything.  It made the job of blowing off the deck impossible.  Wiping off tables and chairs was problematic because the grass was sticking to my cloth and coming off onto the deck and I had to keep shaking it out in the grass.  

After things dried, I tried sweeping and was more successful at removing grass clippings.

My second difficulty of the day was the weather.  We kept having thunder so I had to kick people out of the pool a few different times, and keep them out.  We actually only got a few sprinkles though.  
By the time I got off duty, the temperature was 84° but the feel like temperature was 91°.  I was thinking of floating in the pool with many of my fun pool peeps/customers, but no one was allowed in the water yet, due to thunder.  

I zoomed in on this photo so you can see the little fawn's tongue sticking out. 

On my way home from the pool, it started raining, and then we actually had thunderstorms most of the rest of the day.   

Joe was getting phone calls about our credit card, and after checking twice with our bank, discovered it was a scam/fraud, impersonating the bank.  





I thought this photo from Linda was a great way to end this week's blog.

Also this (poem) by Devin Dole... not only should we check twice... but also take care of things and leave it the way you found it... like gates closed and water spigots off.