We Are Family

A family was originally, traditionally, a social group consisting of parents and children.  They stuck together through thick and thin, were always there for each other, comforted or even put each other in their place.  They shared laughter and tears, and had a history and memories.  Today, family (in the broader sense) is a group or individuals who have special connections and meaning.  I am part of many families and I love it.

There are my siblings, Mom, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews etc, whom I share a DNA connection with.  There is my family by marriage, the in-laws so to say, all of Joe's DNA connections.  My neighbors are family.  We watch out for and help each other out, and have fun times together.  I have my family of co-workers out at the pool.  And there are my saddle sisters (and brothers), not all who ride, but we are connected by a special bond through our horses.  I even feel a 'family' connection with people at the gym, whom I see on a regular basis, and we encourage each other in the physical endeavors we collectively participate in.

Saturday morning I got to the pool for work, before 9:00.  I spent almost two hours (with a few breaks) using the long pole with wire broom to sweep and brush the tile, sides, and bottom of the pool.  While gathering the trash, I found this tree frog in one of the cans.

I did not have any customers during my whole shift.  It was almost 70 degrees out, but was overcast, so the sunbathers did not come.  I finished my little paperback book by noon and then had nothing to do to pass the time.  Luckily, MJ came to work early, to relieve me so I could get home to company, which I did by 1:40. 

The Villhauer Ladies

The girls (Joe's two sisters, Mary and Patty, and daughter Courtney) weren't due to arrive until 2:00, so I quickly got started mowing the front lawn.  I had just finished one side when they pulled in.

After they got settled in, we came up with a game plan and got started on a jigsaw puzzle.  I went out to finish mowing the front yard while they knit, read, and worked on the puzzle.

We were off to Reds for Karaoke right when a lightening storm hit.  The power went off, and then came back on a few different times and we weren't sure we would get the garage door up, and then down.  But we made it out.

Brian met us and we enjoyed dinner together.  Terry (our beloved and quite good Karaoke MC) was not there and the substitute guy was only mediocre.  His sound system was not good, you could barely hear the music, and the people's voices (some quite "off") were too loud.

We (our family circled at this table) enjoyed the food and a fun time for a few hours, but headed home early.






Joe and Britney sent photos and an update.  Seen left, highest train station in the world.  Seen right, the host family's one daughter with Joe.  And below, a family photo at a restaurant.  One of Britney's many families. 





Just as we were settling in back home, the tornado sirens went off, it got quite windy, and rain pelted down.  We didn't run for cover in a closet, but sat and looked out the windows and watched the weather channel. 😁





Once the storm system weakened, Courtney got me started on a series, Heartland, on her Netflix account which we all watched together.  Eventually the storm passed, all was calm, and Bob Ross lulled us into a sleepy state as he painted and spoke quietly.


The next day we read and heard that a tornado had touched down in Monterey TN, about 29 miles from here.  And Crossville got hit with high winds and hail, causing a lot of damage throughout the county.  This photo of the hail size was posted on Crossville News First.  

We were in no hurry Sunday to get going.  Puzzles, reading, knitting, and computer time was our gig.  Stevie was delighted to have more people to pester.  She tried to get Patty to share her breakfast.

Rain was in the forecast for later so we finally got dressed and ventured out at 10:00.
We went to the Arts and Craft show, and witnessed the aftermath of the storm.  Many tents had been blown over and damaged, lots of vendors had packed up and left, and some were selling 'damaged' goods real cheap.  Patty and I each bought a nice set of sheets (king for her, queen for me).  They were a tad wet, but only cost $10 each.  We had to pay full price for Lisa's Kettle Corn, but it was well worth it.  We didn't stay very long because there was not that much to look at.

We went straight to the barn next and gave Amiga and Zorro a good grooming, lots of loving, and let them have some together time.

Courtney dressed up Zorro with some Daisies.

Nobody was up for riding, so the horses got by easy this time.

Courtney took Zorro to his pasture and Mary lead Amiga out towards her pasture (video).





Once home, we threw the sheets in the laundry, had lunch, and then it was rest time.  We finished our second puzzle, some folks napped, and others read or knitted.




Eventually we got up and moving again.  Patty, Courtney, Maggie and I walked, starting from Mirror lake where I had parked.  We did over a mile loop on the paved trail.






On the way home we had to rescue this feisty snapper off Lakeview, who was starting to walk into our path.





I checked on the baby bird growing process.  There are definitely five of them, they are getting bigger, but so is their pile of poo. 



Memorial Day Monday the forecast was for chance of rain throughout the day, but we were in vacation mode most of the morning anyway.  We walked, worked puzzles, chatted and had breakfast more than once.









Mike arrived a little after 11:00 and eventually we had lunch.  Seen right, Courtney's 'healthy' food selection. Well, there were some vegetables.  The weather had been (and still is) perfect for sitting on the screened porches and eating out there. 

Soon after lunch we went on a pontoon boat ride at Lake Dartmoor.  Mike was our wonderful captain.











It was rather cloudy at first, but the skies cleared for a little sunshine a few times, and it never did rain.

After a quick stop at the house, next we were off to the barn.  We swung by Mirror Lake first, to set up our chairs.  We ended up being front and center because there were no spaces left elsewhere.  I took this photo to show Shirley where we had saved spots for her.  That is Patty waving.


Amiga was way out in the back of the field so I had the cowgirls call the horses (video) since it was almost feeding time.  We groomed our two horses, Courtney worked Zorro in the pony pen, and I rode Amiga bareback for a minute.  But my horse was acting kind of lame. 





While we were in the barn finishing up with our horses, a dog fight occurred out front.  It was upsetting because something similar has happened before.  Well, I butted in and gave my two cents worth whether it was wanted or not, and soon regretted getting involved.  I won't go into details, but even though I had good intentions (not wanting other dogs to get hurt in the future), it wasn't my place to say anything and I had stepped on some toes. 

Courtney and Mike left for their home in Nashville and we went home to quickly prep for and get to Mirror Lake Blast.


Seen left, Shirley and her grandchildren joined Mary, Patty and I. 



As always, Mirror Lake Blast was just that, at least for me anyway.  Kyah was up with me dancing much of the time and Shirley and Adler joined us a few times.  Seen right, a Wyndham guest that befriended many of us and was having a great time.

I didn't sleep well, having a few things on my mind that were bothering me, so got up Tuesday at 4 am.  This gave me a little extra time here to work on this blog, before needing to head to work at 8:45.

These next few photos I took at days end, of the work on the paved trail going in along Lakeview by the Lutheran Church.  They had started on it before I left for work.




It was a pretty day at the pool.  My first customer arrived at 9:30 and I had several come and go during the rest of my shift.  Even Patty came out to sun and chat with folks.







The barn left a voicemail early morning to tell me that Amiga was really lame on her left back leg.  I spoke with them during a lull at the pool.   So that was my next item of business when I got off work.  I ran home to get out of my shorts, white pool staff shirt, and sandals.

Amiga was in the pony pen when I got to the stables.  She did not look lame when I walked her back into the barn, so I had Art walk her.  Pat and I watched.  Only when she turned clockwise did she look stiff.  So I started cleaning and checking hooves, but was soon interrupted. (Long story - short: I had a good talk with someone at the barn about the dog fight and quickly recalled how reasonable, carrying, and forgiving they are, and that we are all family and need to take care of each other.)



Back to Amiga, I discovered a cut like sore on her back left heel.  I asked Pat (the horse expert) what she thought it might be and she said it was an abscess burst at the heel bulb.  (I had to look this up later.)  Anyway, it can fester (sometimes off and on as the buildup of infection, inflammation, and white blood cells expands and then subsides) for months and go undetected (no unusual heat, swelling, or tenderness upon exam) as it works its way out.  The first sign of hoof abscess pain is usually lameness on one leg.  The highest degree of pain from a processing abscess is just prior to rupturing.

It is quite possible this has been her lameness problem all along.  Time will tell.  Patty and Mary cooked dinner, which was almost ready by the time I got home from the barn.  We had grilled shish-kabobs, corn on the cob, and potatoes.  All ooh so good.  I went back to the barn with some peroxide to put on Amiga's foot to help kill any bacteria.  She was lying down in her stall and did not get up, so I took these photos.  With a halter on she got up and followed me out of her stall, acting rather stiff.  The peroxide foamed up in several places on her heel.

Once home I went to bed earlier than usual, exhausted from lack of sleep and the events of the day.

Wednesday, mid-morning, I accompanied Patty who was meeting with a realtor.  She was on a house/condo look and see mission, just to ascertain what money can buy here in Fairfield Glade.  We saw one lake front condo I was ready to move into, except the bedrooms were on the second floor and rather small.  But the place certainly had a lot of appeal.  This bird family on the front porch has about outgrown its home.





I ran to the grocery and gas station.  My car was REALLY on empty.  I put 8 1/2 gallons in it and it only holds nine.  Patty and I went to the pool to enjoy the sun and quick dips in the cold water.  Then before coming home, we hit the barn to soak Amiga's foot and check on her.

Seen right, my crazy outfit which is a combo swim suit, hiking shorts, and barn boots.

Seen left, Patty distracted Amiga while her foot soaked in the bucket.


Her heel didn't look to be festering and she didn't seem bothered by it.


We had a lovely ending of the day at the Chicken Pasta buffet at Legends.  Brian picked us up and we met Andy and Rita there.  Conversation and food was great.

Thursday I was at the barn before 8am.  I gave Amiga a Bute with her morning feed and soaked her foot before the farrier arrived.  The sore areas seem to have changed, but are still doing well.  Tom confirmed that Amiga did appear to have had an abscess burst at the heel bulb. 

Joe was due to fly in to Knoxville early afternoon, so the girls were going to get him while I worked my 2-7 shift.  By noon, we got communication that his flight had been delayed.



I mowed the back yard, all the way down to the creek, had lunch, packed a dinner, and went to work at the pool.










While mowing this young deer, who has been wandering around our end of the neighborhood for two days, showed up.  He/she appeared to be lost and searching for mama.  I stopped the mower and got these photos.  It ran up between our house and Brian's and over to the church.  Even animals have their families and I hoped this one joined up with its Mom and herd soon.

Patty showed up at the pool about 3:30 because Joe's flight had been cancelled.  The next time Allegiant had a flight to Knoxville was Saturday.  Ugh.  Do I need to repeat why I hate to travel and am glad I stayed home?

Rain hit the Glade at 6pm, so my good sized crowd at the pool dispersed and I was able to start cleaning early, and get home ahead of schedule.






After beer and popcorn and TV with the girls I was ready to go to bed by 9:00.  Britney touched base and sent a photo of her with part of her Peruvian family.  These three girls are darling.

It was another gorgeous day in the neighborhood Friday.  These babies are looking more and more like their mom.

Patty and I went to the barn for a ride.  She rode Amiga, who did not seem to have any lameness issues, and I rode Zorro.

Both horses did great.  I took Patty out to show her our new trail and then when we came back to the barn, we rode through and out the other side and went on the beginning of the trail for the livery rides. 















We were on the horses for almost an hour, going at a leisurely pace.  I was delighted by Zorro's excellent behavior and willingness to go and I was also so glad to see Amiga behaving for Patty and not looking sore.

Before 11:00 Patty and Mary headed to Chattanooga to pick Joe up at the airport.  He had gotten a flight on a different airline.

I worked in the yard while Maggie 'sat watch.'  I mowed and weed-wacked in back.  Then I finished weeding and mulching the corner of this bed, and watered all my new transplants.









As soon as the girls got home with their brother Joe, we went to the pool to relax and cool off.  The sun was warm and the water temperature was improving.  Seen left, Patty's view of the pool.

Dinner was at Reds with a whole slew of people (the Villhauer, Bishko, and Marchand Families).  We enjoyed dinner and then Karaoke.  There was even a little dancing goin' on.  Some folks left earlier than others, with we three Villhauer girls staying the latest.














I actually consider the regular patrons at Reds family because I see them so often, and always have a good time with them, especially the ladies who are up dancing.  All of mankind has interconnected families.  And I feel very fortunate to have so many connections I call family.