Most of us have worked hard for our money and want to spend it wisely. We also cherish our time. If retired and getting older, we feel our time here on Earth is limited and we want to spend it wisely. If still working, we have limited time because so much of it is given to the job, that we want to spend our free time wisely. 
Maybe because life is short, everything seems to come at a
cost. Our human nature is to get ahead, succeed (in terms of having
stuff), be popular or well liked, or just simply to have a good time.
We may find ourselves looking back on some things we've done or bought,
or relationships we've had; and ask, 'was it worth it?' As bad or
difficult as some of our decisions, purchases, relationships, and
experiences may have been, they are here for us to grow. They have
worth.
Human values and human worth aren't the same, but are intertwined. Human values include truth, honesty, loyalty, love, peace, etc. because they bring out the fundamental goodness of human beings and society at large. These are important qualities and commendable to strive for, and do affect the way humans are evaluated (a measure of their worth so to speak). But first we are called to love, no matter how un-loving an individual may be.
Sometimes I question the worth of stuff, activities, and even people, especially when these things are being problematic... my marriage, family, friends, job, pets, endeavors, and material items (like this computer, house, and the ranch). But I value (and love) them all. That's why I put up with them, even when they are causing me angst.
And one other thought, as much as we love our things (the material stuff), God does not want us fixated on possessions and especially not to use them to measure worth. A person's worth is not measured by their possessions, but by their works.
I have often question whether blogging is worth all the time I put into it. Since I am still doing it, I guess I have deemed it worth it. I didn't make it to the gym because I spent too much time getting last weeks blog finished and posted before going to work at the pool after lunch.
I was quite busy at the pool today, and it got a little hectic at times, but I love working there. We ran out of lounge chairs, shaded tables, and parking spaces, and some of the customers got a little wild with their partying, but I enjoy seeing people having fun. Then I had to work an extra three hours for a pool party. It was a kids birthday party. They had a great time, but man are kids noisy and messy.
I got home at 9pm and basically went right to bed, winding down with the cats and my book.
Owning a horse is a luxury that most can not afford, and I consider myself very fortunate to have one. Caring for your horse yourself saves a lot of money, but comes at it's own cost... time, energy, and plenty of hard work. Having any livestock is like a ball and chain, unless you have family, friends, and/or neighbors willing to help out. I often question whether it has been worth it to have our horses at the ranch.
It had rained most of the morning and was expected again, so our group afternoon ride had been cancelled. It was chore night for me, but due to the weather, I did not go out early to horse around. When I arrived sometime after 3:00, Jack was in the shop working on our new tack room step. Notice, Tito is his project supervisor.
I threw the horses hay out the side shop door. The above photo is of them coming to get their snack. Then I helped Jack (as planned) by cutting the curve in the board that will be the corner of the step.
I did a little sanding to smooth out the rough edge from the cut and the board was good to go. Then I headed down to do chores in the barn and shed.
While I was mucking out the shed, a storm blew in and my phone beeped a warning of a possible tornado. The horses sought shelter as quickly as the rain had started and I took this (video). Later I learned from the National Weather Service in Nashville, that an EF-1 tornado touched down in northern Crossville, with maximum winds of 90 mph. They said it was around 50 yards wide and the path was around one mile long.
I waited for the rain to let up before dumping the manure and taking out more hay, but did scurry through the rain leading Amiga to her stall in the barn for dinner. This photo was taken while standing under the roof at the wash rack while all three horses ate.
Amiga got a little spa treatment (hair, nails, and belly = mane, tail, hooves, and swat between and under her hind legs where ticks tend to go) while I waited for the rain to stop. And because I needed some horse time.
Monday 6/12 - When Patty was out at the barn to bring horses in mid-day, she sent these two photos of Jack installing the new step he had built for us.
Jack did an awesome job, and it is now going to be easier (and safer) going in and out of the tack room, especially when we are carrying heavy saddles.
This is my other boot (first one given to Jean) that I put a plant in to set on our new step.
A morning at my computer was spent the usual way, and then text messages and e-mails were sent as I worked on our co-op. I hoped my time was worth it and my efforts would be fruitful. I was trying to come up with a way to meet all the needs of our boarders (and us) and of all the horses at the ranch, and still keep the trips out there and the work load reasonable and fair for all.
After the gym and lunch, I went out to the ranch to check out the new step and see how Amiga was doing without being on Previcox the past three days. 
Maggie approved of Jacks great work.
I put these two rugs down to catch dirt from our shoes. I'm not sure if they will be worth the trouble of shaking them out to save on time with sweeping off the step and floor. One or both rugs may eventually get ditched. We'll see. 
Wanda was also looking things over. A little later I trapped her in the tack room, used a towel to contain her, and applied her flea/tick medicine. She hates me again, but will come around eventually like she usually does.
A before and after comparison of the step.
So, here on the step is where I put my boot planter. I hope it is out of the way, so as not to become a trip-a-factor. The horse shoe brush may also be in the way, but needs to be where you can clean off the bottom of your boots before stepping on the step.
Joe screwed this old wooden box into the wall so it won't fall off the shelf, and I moved Wanda's food and water up on it. I also put her food canister underneath it. We'll see if critters of the night mess with any of this.
Karen arrived to do chores and I did a quick ride on Amiga (bareback and just her halter and rope) in the round pen to see how she felt. She gave, just a little on the foot that has been healing, only when turning her on it. Otherwise she seemed to be good.
I scurried home to change and feed the critters and then went to Mirror Lake Blast. None of the group I usually sit with was there, so I sat with Jan and her lovely group. I also did a nice amount of dancing because the music was good for boogieing.
Tuesday 6/13 - After my 9-2 shift at the pool, I went straight to the ranch. Joe was there and we put this board up in the shelter to 'finish off' this one wall.
Then while I mucked, Joe added five boards to the
end of this wall in the old donkey shed 
The boards had been lying on the floor in the shed for nearly two years. 
Having the back wall completed, to the support
pole in the middle of it, helps it look more finished. I cleaned out the rest of the debris from the floor (ground) inside of the shed. Now I think it all looks a lot better. 
I brushed and threw a bridle on Amiga, but when trying to get her to go out the back gate, she refused to go. So I got off and came back to the barn to get a crop out of the tack room. You can see I did not have a saddle on Amiga, was just riding bareback, but had her boots on. 
Well, as I was reaching in to get my crop, Amiga thought she was to follow me up the steps and into the tack room.
What a trusting horse, but I didn't want her to follow me into the tack room. She sure gave Jack's new step the weight test. So I tried ground tying her, with reigns on the ground, and hurried in and out of the tack room. She didn't move a step. What a good girl. But I still had to 'spur' her on with the crop to get her to go out the back gate. She can be as stubborn as a mule sometimes.
Once on the trail, Amiga was great, and we had a good ride. And she did not seem to favor her front foot except for a couple of miss-steps. Maggie enjoyed leading the way most of the ride, but followed us down Marmaduke when we were going down the road. She too, is such a good girl.
As much difficulty as my horse and dog (and cats) can give me sometimes, they are all totally worth it!
At the end of the day when I was brushing my teeth, I looked out the door to my cattery/office/sun room, and thought Monita looked like a wild cat perched on the limb of a tree.
I love this time of year when the trees are leafed out and I sit here at my desk, feeling one with the woods and the creatures beyond my windows. This expensive home improvement project was totally worth it!
Wednesday 6/14 - I had an early morning dentist appointment and then did some much needed shopping in town. As I was loading my purchases into my car at Walmart, a 60 somethings man in this pricey sports car pulled into the handicap spot. The way he hopped out and jauntily walked into the store made me question his handicap-ness even though he had a sticker in his window. I wondered why he felt entitled to park there. I decided his handicap was his self righteous nature and the inability to consider all of humanity.
I had my last OT (occupational therapy) appointment at 1:00. I had formed a friendship with Elishia (my therapist) and was sad to be done (with him) but also glad to be done with going into therapy twice a week for the last eight weeks (paying $35.00 out of pocket each visit). I am my own worst enemy, and still have soreness in my right elbow, overdoing it the past week or so because I am sick and tired of 'babying' my elbows. Thankfully my left elbow (which I injured last August) is almost always free of any pain, and what we considered healed. I feel the OT has been worth it. There are several good takeaways for me, one which includes a home treatment plan. I will continue with heat, massage, stretching, and slow conditioning (strengthening) of my arm muscles. But also have a better (and more realistic) weight lifting goal. And now realize the importance of not pushing through pain, but listening to it and stopping before making my elbows worse.
My afternoon ended in a fun ride with Jack, Mary, and Karen. Amiga felt good, with no additional soreness from the ride yesterday. I kept her in back and tried not to let her rush, but she ended up doing a lot of gaiting to keep up with the larger horses who have big strides and really walk out.
This was the longest ride (by maybe a mile/20 minutes) that I have taken Amiga on so far this year. She did well, but towards the end was starting to favor her one foot (leg) a little bit. She has not been on Previcox for five days now, but I may need to give it to her when she is showing soreness.
I did chores once we got back and was home to feed Maggie and the cats by 6:30. It was a relaxing, quiet evening with Poker Joe gone.
Thursday 6/15 - Here is a Red Headed woodpecker, seen while sitting here at my computer. I put in my morning of work at the pool, returning home about 2 PM. After a quick shower, I was going to do some chores and cleaning around the house, but just felt too tired (or lazy).
So I ended up relaxing with a book out on the porch swing. The cats were quick to join me. I proceeded to take a little nap. It set me back on time but was totally worth it. Once I was up, I had to scramble to make my salad and print some copies for our co-op meeting.
Joe and I drove together out to the ranch with Maggie in tow and soon got started with our meeting. Joe took this photo of all of us that are co-oping together. The meeting was quick and easy, with a few decisions to be made. It’s always nice when everybody’s flexible.
Mary and Jack showed us ladies how to feed their three horses. They are quite easy, but man are they big!
Then we had dinner, with Mary and Jack providing the grilled chicken while others brought side dishes.
Right before dinner, I scurried down to the barn where a small supply of Maggie's food is kept, and feed her dinner. Wanda was hoping Maggie might share, but the dog snarfed all her food and the cat got none. It was worth a try Wanda.
Libations and later s’mores were enjoyed around the fire, along with lots of laughter and conversation. Neighbor Denise came over and was a fount of information regarding our ranch neighbors and behind the scene financials in Fairfield Glade We enjoyed getting to know her better.
Once 9 o’clock curfew hit, we all headed home and then I had to scramble to feed the cats and do litter boxes before going to bed. It was after 10pm.
While the computer was getting cleaned up by Joe and it was re-booting, I started a load of laundry, and did some housecleaning.
I went to the gym at 8:30am, while my computer was still getting 'cleaned up' by Joe. Over two hours later when I got home, this computer was still in the process of re-starting. I ate an early lunch, folded laundry, and then took a nap.
I had to scramble then to get to work on time. It was a pleasant shift at the pool and I got home shortly after 6:30pm. I went in to cleaning mode for a little while, then after I showered and ate, I worked on this blog which I hadn't been able to do this morning. I often question if blogging is worth it? I guess so, cause I keep doing it.
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