On My Own

I am a people person.  I love being with others.  I enjoy socializing.  But I also enjoy time alone... on my horse, gardening, hiking, reading a book, and just sitting and watching nature out my window.  I also enjoy the independence that comes with being on my own.

Saturday marked the first day of many, where I will be on my own here at home.  Joe is taking a total of 43 days (and nights) on four trips (to the Carolina's, Indiana, Peru, and Nevada) over the next 58 days.  That equates to 3/4s of the time that he will be gone.  I am okay with this because I like the freedom it affords... to be able to come and go as I choose, cook and eat what I want when I want, and get up at 5 am without needing to be quiet.  I rarely feel lonely because I have the cat and dog here to keep me company and they are also quite entertaining. 

Maggie and Stevie nap once the gentle rain
replaced the pounding storm.

Bad thunderstorms had come Friday evening, causing the dog angst and making the last walk of the night not so enjoyable.  Saturday morning more storms were passing through the area and the house rumbled from the thunder, as it had the previous night.  Again, the dog was cowering at my feet under my desk and later, walking her was a chore. 








When the rain had diminished to a sprinkle, I went out to check on the creek and feed the ducks.  They were swimming upstream at the time, but were quick to return for the corn after I left.




Water was rushing down the spill way and the pond was very full.

Seen lower left, the rock ledge was under water.  The flowering dogwood were pretty, but not as spectacular as in previous years.

Seen left, the 'oasis' was high enough to not be under water, even in flood conditions.  This I attribute to all the sticks, then leaves, and then dirt I hauled here before planting grass.

Joe left for Cherokee at 10:30 and I did blogging here at my desk for quite awhile.  Reading my novel and working on Duolingo also occurred.




I went to the Conference Center to check out the Trash and Treasure event and ended up buying a 'new' desk chair to replace the mauve one that doesn't really fit our decor.  The $15.00 cost goes to the dog park, so I see it as a donation as well.  It is a cherry wood that will match Mom's love seat and Freda's secretary desk which I may use in the future.  I also came home with homemade potato soup, great for a cold rainy day.


After 6 pm, Brian and Joann picked me up and we went to Reds for dinner and drinks and karaoke. 

There were several good singers, but they mostly did ballads, not great dance music.  There were a few dance-able  songs that a crazy lady dancer convinced me to join her at, but I do better dancing on my own, because I kind of do my own thing and don't stick to conventional dance moves.  Just ask my Ballroom Aerobics instructor.  Ha ha ha.

Sunday it was 48 degrees during my 6am walk, including rain.  The ducks were glad to get more corn and didn't seem to mind the rain one bit.  I drug myself to church in the rain, and it actually rained continuously until 4pm, including several downpours.  Walking the dog was a real pain because we both got quite wet each time.  I had the gas fireplace going, which warmed and dried us.






It was a good day to do laundry, but I couldn't get motivated to clean house or file papers that have accumulated on my desk.  Early afternoon I went over to Brian's to watch a movie (Heaven Knows Mr. Allison) with him and Joann.



There was finally a break in the rain late afternoon, so I walked Maggie for 30 minutes.  It was still brisk outside but at least we weren't getting wet.  Seen above, a big bullfrog at the dam.  Seen left, the water level in the pond was still high enough to cover most of the rocky ledge.


  



Near the 18th green, we noticed this (video) water was literally oozing forth from the ground because we have had so much rain the last three days.

I didn't accomplish anything productive all day, and was feeling perturbed with myself for not going to the gym or doing household chores.  I did enjoy reading more of my mystery novel.  The gloomy weather is so unmotivating.

A little more rain overnight, and it was finally out of it's system by Monday morning.  But it remained cold and cloudy.  I wandered around down back looking at how everything had weathered all the rain.  I was glad to see, below, that the soil I had spread did not wash away.  Now I need to get it seeded.







I completely forgot to go to the barn to give the horses Bute so Lauri could give them their second round of shots, which I can't do on my own.  Again, I blame it on the dreariness.



I went to Ballroom aerobics, then lifted weights, spent 30 minutes on the elliptical, and showered.  After a bowl of cereal for lunch, I rested out on the deck, reading, napping, and trying to catch some rays, but it clouded up.

There was zero chance of rain in the forecast, and the sky alternated between clouds and sunshine.  So I decided to tackle one of the last two sections of FG roads I have yet to walk.


Seen right, Maggie and I setting off on Marmaduke to do the roads near Lake Kirkstone.  And yes, we did get sprinkled on, two different times, but not too bad.

It took us almost two hours to only cover just over four miles because it was pretty rough going.  This section of road had a creek running down the middle of it, and there were tons of trees down that we had to climb through or go around.  A few times I had to brush several ticks off my jeans.

We also took time to stop along the way to look at nature and take photos.  This is the lower jaw of a deer I believe.

I had parked at Lake Kirkstone, so once back to the car, let Maggie cool off and get a drink.














 Maggie likes the water much better than our Golden Retriever Kaysha ever did.







I had gotten a text message from Brian, inviting me to join them for dinner at Vagas, so hustled home and took a quick shower to remove ticks.  I enjoyed conversing, along with partaking of a couple cold beers and a very tasty steak. 

Tuesday it was foggy during my 5:30 am walk with Maggie, but the rising sun was quick to burn it off.


After e-mail, Facebook, and blogging, I went out to work in the yard.  The ground was still rather wet for digging, but I managed to finally get this pink flowering dogwood planted.  Below is a before and after photo.

I took a 'time-out' from yard work and drove Brian and Joann to Lake Dartmoor, where we rented a pontoon boat and went out for a ride.  I was very glad that Brian captained the boat. 









It was a lovely afternoon, with pretty skies, cool air, and warm sunshine.  It is always fun to look at all of the houses around the lake.

After our one hour tour, I dropped my two guests off at home and then went to get gas and groceries.  I had almost two hours left till dinnertime, so continued work in the back.









I got grass seed planted in the bare spots and finished weeding grass from the mossy area around these trees.  Now, hopefully, no mowing here will be required.


At one point I was on the other side of the creek and noticed the ducks were feeding right at the bottom of the hill where I had been working.  They really have come to trust me.














I had to hustle to get showered and salad ready and be at Brian's by 6:30.  I made it, five minutes late.  I'll attribute it to having to walk Maggie.  The five of us enjoyed fine dinning and conversation.  It was after 9:30 by the time I got home, walked Maggie, and was ready for bed.

I awoke to a gorgeous morning Wednesday.  The ducks were drinking out of a puddle (right) when I went down to feed them.  They waddled off to the grass while I put out the cracked corn, and were right back eating the corn (below) before I got 15 feet away.














My morning routine included watching these characters (next four photos) play hide and seek.  In the right photo, I had just asked Maggie, "Where's the kitty?" then caught the rest of the action in photos and this (video).









I don't think Stevie realized she was not completely hidden.









Mid-morning I went to the barn to go for a quick ride, to see how Amiga was doing.














We did part of the trail and then rode around the barnyard.  The two new black horses are now out with the stable's livery horses.



I came home, grabbed lunch and the dog, and then headed for Stardford Circle where I met Jan.  We walked the new rail together (out and back) and did some more clearing of branches overhead and roots and rocks underfoot.  Stopping for a rest, I took these photos. 

Maggie was our helper, hauling sticks here and there.  Many times we had to convince her not to leave them on the actual trail.  She was a good girl, staying within sight the whole two hours we worked.

After Jan and I parted ways, I 'hit the road' on foot, hiking the back undeveloped roads of Fairfield Glade.  And now, it's OFFICIAL!!!  I have finally finished walking every single road in Fairfield Glade.  And actually, I have covered many of them twice as I go out and back on each cul-de-sac. 

Seen left, sometimes the going was quite rough because some 'roads' are so overgrown and have downed trees I had to climb over, through, or go around.

Back behind Terry's property, I came to the lookout tower.

I used this plank to climb up to the first landing, probably eight feet off the ground.  Maggie tried to follow, but was not able, so sat at the bottom and waited for me.














Seen right, I was looking towards the end of the tower where people would go and lookout over the southern section of Fairfield Glade and pick out property.  It is interesting that most of this land has not been developed.  There is no electric, sewer, or water out here.  But the gravel roads remain, although they are more or less grassy now.  However, they are perfect as riding trails and for the four wheelers.


This view (seen left) is looking back to where the steps are/were.  It is also looking in the direction of Terry's barn.  The structure was all very sturdy except one railing, so I felt quite safe up there.  I told Terry I wish I were a kid again... it would make a great fort.

After finishing my hike, I hurried home, showered to de-tick, fed the cat and dog, and Shirley arrived just as I was walking Maggie.  Then we were off to the movies.



We saw "The Case For Christ," which was not highly entertaining, but very convincing as to the reality of the resurrection of Jesus.  It is the true story of reporter and author Lee Strobel, an atheist who set out to disprove the resurrection, but came to the conclusion, that it really happened. 

Joe had returned from his trip to the Carolina's but was off playing poker, so I was on my own when I got home at 9:30 pm.

It was cloudy Thursday morning with some light showers off and on.  I was at the barn by 7:30 to give Bute to Amiga and Zorro with their morning feed, so I could then have Lauri give them the rest of their spring shot series.  Seen left, a boarder's new horse to replace Amigo who had to be put down because he broke his leg. 

After A & Z's injections, I walked them around a bit to get the serum circulating into their muscles/blood.  I got home just after 9 am to enjoy my second cup of tea for the day.  It was still very overcast, so I was feeling cold and lazy.







I rode Amiga to Terry's where I met Jan at 1:15.  Seen right, Terry's four white ducks and donkey.  Then Jan and I rode back to Stradford Drive, where we then took the new trail to Wildwood Stables.



This was a first for Jan and Cash to ride this new trail.  Seen left, we are riding in towards the barn.









This is the first Cash has been back to Wildwood Stables since Jan moved him to Terry's in November.  We rode around the barnyard, and then went across the rode into the winter pasture.

Seen below, Ambre and Kaylah, got to see Cash and Jan and Cash got to visit with the girls.

I had planned to workout when I got home, but felt exhausted for some reason.  I had a snack, sat in the sun to read, and soon after, a nap ensued.

Once Joe got home (from another Dr. Appt. that didn't occur) he started mowing, and that was enough to motivate me to get out and do some work.  He helped me get the big limb down that was hanging over the spot where I wanted to plant the sand cherry bush.  I did a little weeding and raking of mulch while Joe grilled chicken for dinner.  After eating and a long walk with Maggie, we watched both survivor shows.

Friday was more clouds than sun, but it was warm with a nice breeze, and perfect for doing outside work.  I needed to clean house to prepare for company, but the great outdoors was calling.  Plus, I needed to get things planted and wanted the yard looking good also.

Joe did some jobs for me (mowing, hanging our flag, hauling wood chips, and hanging the hammock).


I had Maggie tied out front with the radio playing and set to work planting.  Well, first there was leaf removal and weeding.  Then, I had to transplant this holly (seen below in its new location by the drift wood), so that...

.... I could plant this pink flowering dogwood where the Holly had been (seen below in the middle of the patch of phlox which is about done flowering).















Seen right, I also transplanted this juniper, moving it because it would soon be crowded.  I placed it where it now has more room to grow.  It was poor planning when I planted it last fall.

The iris are in bloom, and just lovely, except I am disappointed with this grouping.  They had been placed in a semi-circle around the rock, but for some reason, the ones on the left side have not done well.


I weeded this little bed and moved mulch into it.  Notice how small the mulch pile is now.  




Seen left, another bed out front that is quite weedy and in need of care.  I will tackle it soon.

Next I was ready to move to the back yard, so with dog and tools, I headed to that side of the house.  First order of business was getting this Sand Cherry (dark purple leaves) planted, between the two large trees.




I weeded more of this moss bed and moved more moss into the bare spots.  Then I put wood chips down around the cherry and in the walking path.







Joe had left for his Friday afternoon/evening poker, so on my own, I continued moving mulch and getting it dispersed, along with spreading all the piles Joe had hauled.  Seen below, much of the area I had finished.

This is looking back up the hill.  Maggie is in the background.  Below, a look across the lower hill.  Notice how well all the new grass is doing.









I got a call from Ambrie at almost 6:00, saying that Zorro had come in lame, for his evening feeding.  I was about done in back so finished up.  But then took time to eat some leftovers for dinner, because I was starving.  And I also fed the dog and cat.  After walking Maggie, I rushed off to the barn.

Seen left as I drove down Westchester, four of six vultures that were feeding on some dead (the tan) thing.

I watched Zorro walk as I brought him out of his stall.  He seemed kind of stiff, sluggish, and was tripsy on his front right leg.  I checked his hooves, his four legs all over, his shoulders and hips, but found no tenderness, cuts, swelling, or heat.  I think the shot from the day before has caused this reaction, because we have had the same problem on a number of other occasions.  

I gave Zorro a Bute, which was no easy task, because he refused to eat the grain I had mixed the crushed tablet into.  Eventually I got it all down him.

It was already 9:00 by the time I got done with my evening shower.  Waiting for my hair to dry, I tried to finish this blog post, but was just too tired.

This photo pretty much sums up my feelings on traveling with Joe.  Sitting in the car for hours on end feels similar to this cat's plight.  I would much rather be on my own, home alone.  I can find enough adventure, fun, and entertainment, without traveling for hours on end.  Plus, it is cheaper and more relaxing to stay home.