Riding Out Winter

When we ride something out, this refers to getting to the end of a difficult or dangerous period or situation without any serious problems.  It  means we succeed in surviving or getting through something grueling or unpleasant that cannot be stopped or avoided.

As I ride out winter, it helps to ride in it.  I enjoy riding in the snow but can no longer tolerate the cold.  But you really can't have one without the other.  Riding in the snow is quiet and there is a perfect peace in the woods and it always helps to get back into nature.  Luckily, here in Tennessee, our winters aren't too harsh or long (usually).  But there is also rarely much snow. 

Other ways to ride out winter, are to sit here at my computer doing stuff, lay by the fire reading a book, work a jigsaw puzzle while watching life beyond my window, and taking a nap.  A cup of hot tea or a bowl of very warm soup is also most beneficial.

Saturday 1/21 - On my way home from picking up Maggie at Patty's (around 8am), I noticed that what was left of the house that had burned down several months ago, was finally being cleaned up and hauled away. 








It is nice to see that eye-sore across from the library finally being taken care of.  But I still feel really bad about the economic and environmental loss. 

I was moving slow after being up past midnight, so had to push it to get to the ranch by 10:30, thinking I had to be to Shirley's by 2:00.  But then there was a change in plans for our cruise meeting.  Judy was going to bring food for dinner, so we weren't going to meet until 4pm. 

Jean and I worked on the jigsaw puzzle waiting for the day to warm up a little more.  When we went to get the mares, Zorro was sunning, but both of the girls were in the shade (seen above).  Zorro's no dummy, he knows how to ride out winter. 



I love that Amiga can remain relaxed when I come right up to her while she is laying down in the field.  Yet it took little coaxing to get her to stand after I had the halter on her.

Jean and I rode for 1½ hours, going 4½ miles.  A lot of the time we had our horses side by side, and us girls just chatted away. 

 



It was nearly 50° and quite pleasant; a beautiful day for a relaxing ride.  It got a tad cool when we were going into the wind on more open road or when we were in the shade.

We were sure to do our 'stop checks' in the sun.

In the next photo, and this (video) we were out on the Holly trail.  I love winding down this trail through the woods, although they are not very dense this time of year. 

I got home in time for a quick shower and was at Shirley's by 4pm.  Judy brought pizza, chicken fingers, and salad which we all (Patty was also with us) thoroughly enjoyed.

Then we got down to the 'business' of getting Judy and I checked in to our cabin for the Feb 9th cruise.  It went quick and easy, thanks to Shirley and Patty's help.

Sunday 1/22 - This Ava up-date came the night before, but I didn't see it until I got up.  What a cutie patootie. 
 

It was a cold, dreary day with an almost constant light drizzle all day.  I found it very difficult to get motivated to do anything. 

I did start this project of sewing together these hand made ornaments, to make a tree shape out of them.  I wanted them in order (from 1980 - 1995) so the sequence of photos on the back could all be viewed chronologically. 

Joe followed me to the ranch to help with the chore of filling the water tank in the back pasture.  He needed to show me how to secure the 55 gallon (transport) tank onto the back of the gator. 








I mucked our paddock while Joe finished up with the water.  I did a few other little tasks. 




Soon I was in the ranch house to warm up, dry off from the drizzle, and wait until feeding time.

Jean and I finished this jigsaw puzzle and then it was time to feed our three horses.  They were very anxious to come in, I think partly wanting to get into the sheds to dry off. 

Monday 1/23 - Maggie looking out on a frosty morning.

It was kind of a lazy morning.  I have been enjoying working jigsaw puzzles on my computer.  I can do a 300 piece one in a little over an hour. 

I did get to the gym and Food City, in addition to working on cruise preparations (organizing what to pack and making a list of things I need to fix, find, or buy).


Patty dropped in to deliver this wooden plaque from our neighbor's (three doors down) where she had been playing Mahjong.  Steve and Marcia are moving, and like Jean, purging things.  They had this when they had a cat named Holly.  It is perfect for my office / sun room / cattery.  Now to figure out where exactly to hang it.  

Poker Joe was gone mid day and late into the evening.  It gave me the opportunity to have a little 'style show,' trying on numerous tops to choose from for our nine day cruise. 

Tuesday 1/24 - My cute, little Mama Styx. 
The cats love looking down from high above on their perches (cat towers or wall shelves). 

I picked Jean up at A1-Auto Repair and we went back to the ranch to go for a ride.  After helping Joe move a round bale of hay to the barn, we tacked up and headed out on a 3½ mile, 75 minute ride.  Our horses were a little sluggish and we both got a little cold, but it was a good ride.

 

Wanda has no fear of the horses and is often hangin' out with any of us when we are horsing around.

Jean flexing Robbie before our ride. 

I dropped Jean off to get her car, came home to quickly clean up, and then Joe and I went with Brian and Joan to Bunkers where we met friends John and Margie (Saunders) who we haven't seen in ages.  We all enjoyed a great meal while catching up on life. 

Wednesday 1/25 - Maggie does not like rainy days.  She usually rides out the storms (and heavy rains) in our closet.  The wind and rain subsided by early morning though, and it was then just cold, gloomy and damp most of the day. 

Jean sent this photo of the 'lake' up at our new gate opening to the back pasture.  Luckily it drains (or seeps in) fairly quickly.  The red light glowing is the electric fence switch. 

I took these next three photos off of videos Dan and Vale sent, of Ava at play.  What a great way to ride out winter, at an indoor play space. 

Little Ava is such a joy because she is so joyful.  It is wonderful to watch this happy little girl having fun playing.

This last photo comes from a video taken at their house.  Ava was pushing Fluffy Kitty around in this box.  Kitty was being such a good sport. 

I struggled through my workout with a sore back, achy joints and low energy.  But I got it done.
I ate a big salad for a 3pm late lunch / early super and then read and took a nap.
I woke up in time to feed the dog and cats and proceeded to whittled away the evening doing nothing constructive.  I needed to be going through slacks, shorts, and skirts to pack for our cruise.  But I didn't want to get out of my jammies that I had put on when I got home mid afternoon.

I was in bed asleep way before Poker Joe got home. 

Thursday 1/26 - It was spitting snow when I was up before the sun, walking Maggie.  But we only got a light dusting. 

To be safe, or make sure the roads were, I waited till mid-morning before leaving to do my big, in town shopping trip. 


I took my dress (worn at Dan and Vale's wedding) to the cleaners, with plans to wear it to formal night on our cruise.  After Tractor Supply I hit several thrift stores, looking for some specific items. 

I ended up buying this 'Snuggle' wearable blanket with sleeves (that I was not looking for).  I couldn't resist because it was a yellow tag, ½ price for $2.00.  
My long shopping trip ended as usual at Walmart, where I bumped into Jan and then Karen and Patty, and chatted with them for quite awhile.
I cooked dinner for a change, and then Joe and I started a new series, Tulsa King, with Sylvester Stallone. 
 

Friday 1/27 - Jean sent this photo of Wanda so I could e-mail it to the vet, along with a video.  We are worried about her tail.  Early last week we noticed the last three inches of it drags on the ground.  It is hard and has two lumps, and doesn't seem to have any feeling.  When we adopted Wanda, the last half of her tail always was limp.  She could never lift the back half of her tail up like cats do when they’re happy. 

It was a pretty day with sunshine and hardly a cloud in the sky.  I cleaned and packed up some medical supplies Karen had lent Joe for hip surgery recovery.  He later dropped them at her house on the way to poker.  I tried on slacks and washed the ones I chose to take on the cruise.  I also did the elliptical at the gym while watching an episode on HGTV. 

I had chores at the ranch, and because Jean was out of town, I had a few extra things to do.  Notice Jim's two ducks on our pound.  Polly also reported seeing the eagle again down at their pond, but I missed it.

However, if you zoom in on the two photos below, you can see a bunch of robins.  There was a large flock of them in the front pasture and the front yard of the ranch house.  I guess spring is soon to come.

While waiting for it to get a little later so I could feed the horses, I took Parm for a walk.  Then after feeding time (including feeding Parm and Maggie) I flipped over puzzle pieces to start a new puzzle I got for Christmas. 

Once the sun was nearly down and the chickens had gone to bed, I shut the coop and headed home. 
It had cooled off again and I was feeling chilled, so I wrapped in my new Snuggle and sat in front of the space heater at my computer.  I was in bed early under the blankets to read.  Hibernating is another good way to get through winter.

Dull Days

Dull -  Not bright, sharp, lively or spirited; but rather listless, boring, uninteresting, uneventful, drab, lackluster, dim, blah, etc.
Not only are the winter days cold and short, they are often gloomy.  My mood and mind often mirrors the dull days. 


Each day I try to tell myself  'it is a new day' and greet it with joy and enthusiasm.

Saturday 1/14 - You could say my day began at 12:30am, because that was when I was awaken by Joe, and I couldn't get back to sleep.  I computerized (finishing last week's blog) and then read until 3:30, which is when my body decided it was time to return to slumber.  Another three hours and I was up and ready to go at 6:30.  Well, there was no where to go, except back to my computer. 





They say 'never a dull moment' when you have several pets.  But my fur babies do sleep a fair amount.  Mama Styx was resting in my lap while I was at my computer.  But then she saw my hair move and attacked it. 





I was expecting sunshine for part of the day, but it never did happen, which made for a very dull day.  And it only got above freezing for a few hours.

A photo of silly Stevie trying to squish into a small box on the dinner table. 



Even with a dull headache, I finally made it to the gym after ten days off because of this stupid cold.  I was not feeling 100% yet, so dropped five or ten pounds off most of the 22 (stations) machines I do.  I also took more rest breaks, but I got it done. 

Seen left, the screw that broke loose from the huge (and heavy) tiger picture I was hanging back up on the fireplace chimney.  Luckily I was still holding it when it gave way.  It did make for a tense few seconds high up on the ladder, and I scrapped three knuckles on both hands as it slid down the rough siding boards.  But it didn't break and I didn't fall.  However, I now have another fix it job. 😒 

After dinner I continued Christmas take-down, but was frustrated about the broken picture hanger.  I had wanted to get everything back to normal.  And Monita, seen on the card table playing in the things I was trying to pack up, was not helping any.

Eventually I gave up, and sat and watched an hour of Jack Ryan, trying to ignore this big bare wall, along with Christmas 'crap' still needing to be packed up.

Sunday 1/15 - Monita always wants to be part of the action or see what I am up to.  She is 'hiding' among these Christmas decorations I had saved from packing up, to put out for winter furnishings to brighten the dull days.  At the rate I am going, before I get them set back out on the hearth, it will be spring and time to pack them up.

I fixed the picture hanger, needing to remove glue from the screw, so it had broken before.  I got the picture at an estate sale.  I am letting the new glue I used 'set up' for a day or so.

I put stuff back up on the mantel and hooked back up the set of lights under it.  But they were not working.  So, testing each light bulb, I found the offending bulb and replaced it.  If it's not one thing, it's another.   




I spent extra time out at the ranch during chores, conversing with Jean and Patty.  Patty helped me put air in a low tire on the SUV (which I have been driving until I get my car fixed).

I went straight from the ranch to Karen's house, where Patty and I joined her for dinner.  Then we watched the new Top Gun Two.  It was definitely action packed and a thrill to watch.  Photo of two of her three cats playing near by. 
 

Monday 1/16 - While shifting decorations from one table to another, the little tree came off this bird.  So I took time to hot glue it back on.  It wasn't 30 minutes later and Monita knocked it off the table.  The tree stayed on, but this time the whole wing fell off.  Got the hot glue back out and warmed up.  As I've said, 'it's always 'something.' 








I had a good workout at the gym, and then Joe went with me out to the ranch.  He helped with hooking the trailer of shavings to the SUV.  I was unsure of how the hitch went on the SUV or how to secure this trailer on the ball.  

Joe also came to the realization that he can drive without much pain or difficulty. 

Jean and I unloaded shavings up in our loafing sheds, in the boarders' shed, and the rest in the barn.  Joe mostly sat in the SUV, out of trouble.  I also helped Jean haul hay and water before Joe and I headed home.

Once home, I enjoyed an extra long hot shower, followed by a little nap.  And in the evening, an hour of Jack Ryan (TV) with Joe.  

Tuesday 1/17 - I liked today's calendar quote.  As you can see from the photos below (of Stevie on the ladder)  it was a gray gloomy morning.  This was fine by me because I had a car appointment in Cookeville at 11am and plans to shop on the way home. 










I was at the dealership for 2½  hours.  But my car is now fixed!  It needed a new battery.  The old one wasn't even putting out enough voltage (wattage, or whatever you call the electric current) to run all my sensors which is why the car kept thinking I was not in park and that my brake wasn't pushed in, so it would not start.  The battery wasn't dead, because my lights and windows still worked.  But the battery was not holding much charge. 

Shopping at Walmart in Crossville was a zoo as usual.  By the time I got home and everything out of the car, it was 4:00.  And then I remembered I was going to help Patty with chores.  Shoot.  It was too late, she already had them done.  Thankfully she is very understanding and forgiving.

Getting all my merchandise put away in its correct spot (I am usually quite well organized) I continued in my clean-up mode and cleared the rest of the Christmas stuff out of the living room. 





I set up my winter hearth decor.  Noticed the repaired bird at the top of the one piece.

Joe and I had our usual evening hour spent in front of the TV and fire, with cats and dog.  They napped  while we watched another episode of Jack Ryan. 

 

Wednesday 1/18 - Who needs a daily horse photo calendar when you have a sister living at the ranch to send you beautiful photos of the sunrise and your own horses?  But I enjoy the quotes as I pull a new page off my calendar to start a new day.

Early to bed, early to rise (I slept from 7:30pm - 2am).  Getting more than six hours of sleep, I was ready to get up when I woke hours before sunrise.

The tiger picture had been hanging on the wall above the guest bed, to test if the screw on the back of the frame was going to hold.  I figured if it came crashing down, it could survive landing on the bed.  The screw has held for two days, so back up on the chimney the picture went, with a blanket on the hearth below, just in case.  And Maggie photo bombing.  

I was at the gym by 8am, and had a decent workout. 

And I was at the ranch by 11:30.  Parm is always happy to greet me.  The sun had come out for a little while in the morning, brightening the dull sky, but was back behind clouds the remainder of the day. 

It was breezy getting our horses from the back pasture, but once in the woods riding, the temperature was very tolerable. 

Jean rode Robbie up one cul-de-sac that I did not ride, to give Robbie some practice at leaving Amiga and riding out on her own.  Upon their return, Amiga and I were 'hiding' behind this branch.  LOL

During our 1½ hours out on the trail, we had a very enjoyable 4 mile ride.
 

While Jean did mucking chores in our paddock, I took Parm for a little walk.  Then I enjoyed a little hot tea and puzzle working.

Now that Joe realizes he can drive, he was off for an evening of poker.  Having less than three weeks until we cruise, I took the opportunity (being home alone) to try on swimsuits and coverups.  I found three suits that will work, not too faded and the elastic is still good. 

Thursday 1/19 - We were under a wind advisory.  The trees swaying overhead are a little concerning, and I could only imagine what it was like out at the ranch, where the house sits at the top of the hill.  But it felt balmy out when I walked the dog before 4am. 







This little Chickadee was checking out one of the three wren houses hanging right outside my window. 

He was peeking in through the hole of the house with the broken roof.  Another fix it job I haven't gotten to.

The sun was shining and it reached 60°, but the wind was ferocious much of the day. 

I did an hour on the elliptical at the gym, really working up a sweat.  I also finished packing up all my Christmas 'crap' into these bins and bags. 
 
And I got it all stowed away up in the attic.

After reading while sipping on tea, taking a nap, and finishing my Amish Christmas mystery, I got back to housework.  I picked up and put away everything else that was sitting around (out of place) in the house, and ran the vacuum.  It felt good to get our home looking like it did pre-Christmas.  Although I still left some snowmen/wintry things out. 






I had an early dinner, fed Maggie, and then we headed out on a long walk, me wearing my ten pound vest.  Rose heard us while out on the library trail and came running.  She proceeded to follow us, so I turned around and she accompanied us home.  I fed her, and while she ate, Maggie and I slipped away again.

Friday 1/20 - We all love watching the different critters that come to my various feeding stations. 

I showered at the gym after my workout, in preparation for the night in Nashville.  Maggie's overnight bag was packed, litter boxes cleaned, water and dry food dishes filled, and Joe and I hit the road at 1:45. 

We arrived at Dan and Vale's and were soon back on the road with he and Ava, to meet Vale, Courtney, and Will at Plaza Mariachi for dinner.

They were setting up for a big show, so were removing tables and chairs and we had to endure the loud, often crackly sound checks they kept doing. 









We enjoyed a very tasty meal and celebrating Courntey's last day of work.  But then Daniel announced, it too was his last day of work... Wayfair laid him off, along with 1,750 other employees (10% of their workforce).  This was Wayfair’s second round of job cuts in less than six months since the retailer let go of about 5% of its workforce in August.  So many retail giants like Wayfair have been forced to slash their workforce and rein in spending to ride out the economic downturn.  😞

We bid Dan and his family goodbye and with Courtney driving, headed to Bridgestone Arena, downtown Nashville.  Will was also with us. 

They handed out glow sticks as we entered the arena, which we had fun with early in the concert. 

We were definitely in the 'cheap' seats, but with the large screens projecting Barry and the sound system, it was an enjoyable event. 

I couldn't believe the energy coming from this 79 year old man, and he looks great.  His voice isn't quite what it used to be, but what a wonderful show. 





Many of our sticks ran out of 'juice' and were dull, no longer very bright.  In this photo, the crowd had on their cell phone lights.  It was amazing how much this lit up the stadium.  Very cool affects.

Courtney dropped us back off at Plaza Mariachi, where we had left our SUV.  And we got home just before the strike of midnight.