As I try to amp up my time in the saddle, Fairfield Glade has started amping up outdoor festivities as we move into summer and all the activities available here. That's going to draw from my riding time. I also need to amp up ("juice up" or "jazz up") many areas of my house, yard, and ranch.
I did do a quick one hour weight workout with arms and abs and was back home by 9:30.
When Joanne opened the coop for the chickens and let Tiny out of her confined area, she just stayed there. This photo was taken May 2nd 2022. One of the three red chicks is Tiny, three years ago. By the time I came out at 10:00, Tiny was hunched in the corner in the chicken coop. I picked her up to check her rear end and a bunch of liquid came out of her mouth. Then when I fed her a little bit of pumpkin (to hopefully clear her digestive track) and meal worms (her favorite) she didn’t really want any of it, and when she put her head down to look in the bowl, more liquid came out of her mouth. I knew this was a bad sign.
Patty had arrived and was mowing while I mucked and ruminated in my head about Tiny. Then Courtney arrived with sandwiches and we ate lunch. Next, Courtney and I took Rico and Zorro down to the barn.
We groomed and saddled the horses fairly quickly. Courtney took most the photos today.
She always does nice selfies.
The day was warming up and we ended up taking our jackets off before hitting the trail.
I didn't get any photos of us out on the trail or of Courtney in the saddle, riding Zorro. Shoot. We weren't out long, probably close to 2½ miles, because Courtney's knees were bothering her. We're thinking the stirrups weren't set right.
In this photo, Wanda was yelling at Zorro. She didn't like him in her space while he was trying to check her out.
I took these last three photos of Courtney and Zorro after we were finished riding. You can see in the first one, that Wanda got past Zorro. 
A pretty girl with her pretty mischievous horse. 
We came home for some R&R, after first some play time Maggie had with her favorite ball. I always have to take it back away from her to stop the chaos. It really gets her amped up.
I was really sleepy, being sleep deprived yet another night. When Courteny fell asleep, I then laid down on the other couch and snoozed for a bit also.
Patty
arrived and woke us up just in time for our scheduled call with
Britney. We had lots of questions about the wedding in Costa Rica and
for planning the the reception here in Fairfield Glade. We are amping
up for both party/celebrations. 
This is the view Britney and Juan Carlos have from their apartment window. At night it is just beautiful to see all the lights of San Jose in the valley.
This is a photo sent at another time, of Juanca doing laundry in their pila.
Patty, Courtney, Joe and I went to dinner at McAlisters. Afterwards, we all headed to our respective homes. And I was in bed turning off the lights when Courtney texted that she'd gotten home.
Joe left at 8am to catch a flight out of Knoxville to Florida, to go help Jim and Debbie out on their acreage. So I was home alone, to do what I wanted, when I wanted, and go where I wanted.
About the time church was ending, I was driving by on my way to the ranch, delighted to see that the sun had come out and it was warming up.
First off, I opened the chick door so they could get out to their fenced in yard. Soon they were all out enjoying the sun (video) and going in and out of the fencing. I decided it was time to let them 'run' with the big girls. 
Karen arrived at 11am and we enjoyed a mid-day ride on Zorro and Rico. It was actually kind of hot out.
The Mountain Laurel are in bloom, and quite pretty.
We enjoyed a relaxing ride, and only went three miles. Again it was another perfect day to be out on a horse.
While Karen hosed things off, including Zorro, I let Rico graze in the round pen and was glad to see he remained calm in there. Of course being able to see Zorro helped. 
Zorro was too busy eating grass to pose for a Mother's Day photo for his human mom, Courtney; so this would have to suffice. 
Back up in the chicken yard, I saw that Tiny was out and about, walking slowly, but enjoying 'hanging' and resting with her friends under the Leland Cypress. 
Since I had decided to semi-integrated the baby chicks with the hens because they have been going through the large wire fencing to get on the other side of the yard and even going into the hen's side of the coop, I took down the fence in the yard. 
I moved the fence inside the coop so the 'babies' could escape from the hens if needed, but so far, they have been mingling with the hens without any problems. Also, I wanted them to have access to the chick feed, while not letting the hens get to it. 
I turned the light on inside the coop so they could see the new set up better. .png)
The babies are able to fit through the wire fairly easily, and in fact go through so quickly, the only way to get a photo was to take one off a video.
When I came out of the coop, I noticed that Rico was not in the paddock, but on the other side of the fence in the side pasture. WITW! (What In The World).
Joanne arrived to do chores and we looked at the fencing. We saw a really droopy section of the white ribbon Rico had probably stepped over and the current in the electric rope was set on a different setting so I moved it to a higher speed so that the current is moving through it more often, so he’ll get zapped hopefully.
I had returned to the ranch to make sure all the chicks got in the coop before the little automatic door closed for the night. I watched the hens go in, but the babies did not. They huddled under the bush.
I wanted to give them time, with hopes they'd figure it out. I went in to eat a very late dinner and continued watching the hen house from the kitchen window. Eventually they were all standing on the steps, looking in the door, kind of acting afraid to go into the dark coop.
I don’t know how you teach them to go in at night, I thought it was instinctual. I put dinner on hold and went out to turn on the light in the coop for them, kind of like Motel 6. By the time I got back to the house, all the chicks had gone inside the coop, thankfully.
I went back out and shut off the light, but kept my eye on the coop to see if the little door would close at 8:30, as scheduled.
It was pitch dark by then, when it did close. The chicks were all huddled around the water dish sleeping when I turned the light on to make sure all eight were still in the coop. They all woke up and started eating and drinking. So I let them have a little five minute snack before turning the light back off.
I too was soon in bed, with Maggie on her dog bed nearby. The stormy weather had her a bit unsettled, but the calming treats had really helped.
Monday 5/12 - I didn't wake at the ranch until 6am, finally getting a good night of sleep. I guess I sleep better without the cats or Joe disturbing my slumber. It had been a rainy night and continued all morning.
When the rain had let up to a light drizzle, I scurried down to the shop to get a new bag of feed. Notice the white duck near the lower pond (circled in red). 
When I came back up to the Paso paddock, I discovered the fencing in worse shape, even though the gate to the field had been open all night. I had put two yellow push poles in to support the white ribbon, but they were knocked down, as was the ribbon. 
After feeding the Pasos and setting the fencing and poles tighter, locking the three in the upper paddock, I went to check on Tiny. She had a bunch of discharge last night so I decided to try soaking her again. She’s was definitely more lethargic today. On the days where she’s feeling better, I have to hold her in the water bath, but not today.
I
do think she kinda likes soaking. It must feel good to her bloated belly. I quit early (at 12 minutes) but when I picked Tiny up to dry her off, she started regurgitating kind of a clearish, viscous liquid, again. Ugh! 
It was pouring when I left the ranch so I got quite wet packing up the car and shutting the yard gate. It had let up by the time I got home, but since I was already wet, I went down back to look at the creek level. 
With the higher water level, this end of the pond doesn't look near as swampy as usual.
I changed into workout clothes, hoping that would motivate me to go to the gym after lunch. I had a third cup of tea, with an early lunch, and worked away here at my computer. Notice one of the three deer is laying down near the creek. 
I did go to the gym and had an intense arm and ab workout in addition to 90 minutes of aerobic work.
Patty (who had gone out to the ranch to mow) reported that Rico was on the wrong side of the fence again. She took the electric fence tester and did some investigating.
Again I felt the need to be at the ranch to be sure the chicks got into the coop before dark. I took my dinner, but first set up a night light in the coop that can be left on 24/7. That way the big, bright heat lamp isn't necessary. After eating, I checked on the chicks, and it was dark enough out that they had 'put themselves to bed.' I came home for a short, quiet evening.
Tuesday 5/13 - It was a cold, damp morning, but supposed to clear off and warm up.
Babe was keeping warm in Maggie's plush bed.
I worked on this blog, for far too long. Joanne and I had planned to do some training work with Rico, but mid-morning the forecast was changed to scattered showers, and we decided not to take our chances.
When walking the dog at lunch time, I realized it was warmer outside than in the house. So I laid out in the partial sun and read, until the next rain shower came.
I went to the gym for a few hours to do leg work and elliptical, really amping up my efforts. On my way to Food City, I heard from Patty that Tiny had died. I felt sad but relieved. Patty also reported that Rico was stepping through the un-electrified fence everywhere, too lazy to go around to the gate opening.
Stocking up on fresh fruit and veggies along with chicken and rice stir-fry, I enjoyed a good dinner.
I posted some photos and made a short (tribute) to Tiny on Facebook and then played games on the computer until bedtime.
Wednesday 5/14 - I woke too early and my legs were fairly sore from yesterday's workout. I had morning chores at the ranch but took my time getting out there, leaving here at 8:30. I had to move this little guy off Westchester, but wasn't sure which side of the road he had been headed because he was going straight down the road.
Arnie and Gloria, all high and mighty.
Meanwhile, Babe was kind of picking on the younger chicks. I had opened the large coop door but wasn't ready to deal with Tiny.
Next were the Pasos, feeding and normally closing them into the paddock, but Rico has continued to annihilate the ribbon fence. Even though we have left the gate by the front pasture open (not closing them in) he is going through the fence. Is he just too lazy to go all the way around or a very ornery horse?
The wider ribbon is quite old and fairly worn, so Rico was actually able to break through it in this spot, not just knocking it down. Ugh!
Once all horses had fly masks on and were set for the day, I went to the coop. I put Tiny's body and all the soiled bedding in a bucket, but put burying her on hold.
I had decided to 'shrink' the area in the coop for the chicks, with the idea of getting them completely moved to the hen side and fully integrated with the big girls. So I put the half door back in it's usual position with the roll of extra fencing behind it.
Their food, water, grit, and branch for perching are now on the 'chicken' side of the coop, out of the garden side.
I took the bucket with Tiny down to the manure piled behind the dam and dug a deep hole and buried her there. RIP Tiny. 💔
When I came back up to the coop to finish cleaning up towels, soaking tub, and extra dishes from 'sick bay', I took this photo of Gloria. She, showing the reason we have The Fluffy Butt Hut sign on the door. 
I checked on the chicks and noticed they are getting farther from the coop. I took this (video) of them enjoying the hen's favorite spot.
Time had gotten away from me out at the ranch so it was a very late lunch once I got home. I was tired and had filled up on a big salad, and had no desire to work in the yard or go to the gym, so I sat with Rose on the front porch. I read, for a long time (almost two hours). My James Patterson novel is amping up and hard to put down, unless I am in bed and get too sleepy.
Before feeding time, I took Maggie for a long walk, using my horse tracker to clock my mileage. We went almost 2½.
Britney reported that she had dropped her wedding dress off at Maria Ester's house, for her to adjust it. Maria said it doesn't need much and she should be done pretty quick.
Joe also checked in from Florida and sent some photos of the work he and Jim did on their acreage. What a nice fence they are building across the front by the road. We need a four board fence to keep our horses from reaching through it.
Thursday 5/15 - I slept from 9:30 to 6:30. I must have needed to catch up from yesterday. But man was I sluggish and still kind of sore all over when I got out of bed. Why? I certainly needed my morning tea (caffeine) to amp-up for the day.
Oh, I forgot to mention, I have started Amiga on Mare Magic so that she doesn't get so amped up when 'in heat' which gets Rico excited. She first had problems when I had moved her from IL to Wildwood and she was with a large herd of mares. Then her marish behavior subsided. But since I have put young Rico with her, it has become a problem again. This all-natural horse supplement of raspberry leaves has proven to regulate 'hard' heat cycles and help reduce hormone-related mood swings potentially making mares feel calmer. I hope it helps Amiga.
With the coming of summer, also comes the amping up of outdoor events, parties, picnics, concerts, etc. I did some house keeping things and by 11am headed to Robin Hood park for the 'Day In The Park' event. There was food and music and they were showcasing Bocce Ball, their progress on the Veterans and First Responders Memorial, as well as remote controlled sail boats and bass fishing.
We had bought a brick to honor Daniel and his service in Afghanistan and Kuwait.
Patty and I had found the brick a few months ago, but it took me awhile to find it again. A lady saw me taking a photo of it and offered to take one of me pointing it out. Then I took this (video) of the whole memorial.
I went straight from the picnic (after enjoying a pulled pork sandwich and coleslaw) to the ranch, and started on some small jobs out there. When at first I checked on the baby chicks, I couldn't find them, and got an immediate sinking feeling in my gut. But then, I looked behind the coop and saw them all enjoying digging through the leaves. 
While I was mucking and pulling some weeds in the upper paddock, Rico stuck his head out of the shed window to watch. So I went over to get a selfie with him and love on him for a bit. Our bond is getting stronger.
When Joanne arrived, we walked Zorro and Rico down to the barn and got them tacked up.
We rode the Stradford Circle section of trails, but the big tree was still down in our way, so we did two half circles, in each direction.
Our ride was a little over four miles, and was very nice. Both horses came back a little bit sweaty because it was pretty warm out.
Rico has been doing much better for me and Zorro was good for Joanne. She rides very well.
With Zorro in the round pen eating grass, we tried doing some training with Rico in the yard in front of the barn, but he was just way too distracted, mostly wanting grass.
So as I walked him back to the upper paddock, I reviewed a few things with him. We were being escorted by the three boys from the lower paddock, two whom you can see here.
Joanne helped me with evening chores. I had to send this photo of Banner to Patty and kid her about how to put his fly mask on.
I ate fairly healthy for dinner, and then I did this to my strawberries = chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
I read out on the porch swing while another little pop-up shower blew through.
Friday 5/16 - Wow, we are already halfway through May. Unbelievable. Dorchester pool was supposed to open today, but due to unforeseen deck coating deterioration, opening is on hold until the deck can be refurbished. I was actually happy I had more time to get things done here and at the ranch.
It's difficult to see Rose and the black cat in the first photo, but now that they have moved, it is a little easier. they were both actually laying near each other when I grabbed my phone, but Rose sat up to do some personal cleaning.
I had morning chores so first checked on the baby bird I had found on the shed ground yesterday. Joanne had helped me return it to it's nest. Well it was back on the ground. The horses were coming in to eat, so I made a little nest for the baby in the container we use to scoop barn lime.
Then while the horses ate, I got chick feed out of the coop, watered it down, and used a nut pick to feed the baby. She ate four or five bites and then was done. I left her on the kitchen counter to rest while I continued with chores. 
All was well in the chicken coop and yard, as the young chicks continue to venture farther from the coop, exploring and looking for things to eat.
I fed the baby bird again and then went to move hay. 
Joanne arrived while I was hauling hay and helped me with that. We went back into the house to fed the baby bird and then put her, nest and all, in the container I had nailed to the wall just under her nest.
'She' was responding to our voices and to the chirping of a bird. We hoped mama bird would take over. 
Amiga had not eaten hardly any of her feed (one more thing for me to worry about), so I left her in her stall with her feed and we walked Zorro and Rico down to the barn. We decided to work Rico before our ride, to see if he paid better attention, which he did. 
Joanne was showing me some more exercises and giving me tips. I did get distracted by Wanda climbing on the corn crib. I'm ADHD like Zorro and Rico.
We had planned to ride in the afternoon with Karen, but with the weather report changing to a much greater likely hood of rain and strong wind, Joanne and I went before noon.
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I really think the weather stations amp up their reports to make them more interesting and to keep you watching. There usually seems to be a bigger threat of storms than what ever materializes.
It wasn't as hot as yesterday and the gentle breeze was perfect for keeping us cool and the flies off our horses. It was another very enjoyable ride on two well behaved horses.
Amiga had still not eaten her feed. I walked her a minute, but she did not seem at all distressed, so turned her loose and she joined the two boys, eating grass and then going into the pond.
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I headed home at 2pm with the intention of going to the gym, but first had to eat lunch. Well, my salad became amped up to gigantic proportions and I ate it all, even though I was feeling full when just over half of it was consumed. UGH! Why do I do this to myself. And then I was way too full to even think about working out. So I sat out back with Maggie and Rose and read.
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In fact, I read until 6pm. My book had gotten too good to put down.
Joanne had evening chores and sent me a bird update along with photos and these (videos - included on Facebook with others I had taken earlier). It had again fallen out of the nest. So she decided to take it home for the night, to keep it safe and continue feeding it.
I also got an up-date from Joe. Jim was taking him to the airport for an afternoon flight home when they heard news of the fire. Jim got within about two miles before they were stopped. So Joe got out and walked in from there, in 99° heat. Then he had a six hour flight delay, plenty of time to cool back off, nap, and watch golf.
The wind was amping up and lightening in the distance made it difficult to get Maggie to do her business before bed. And I had difficulties turning my brain off once I hit the lights. Joe, Amiga, baby bird, Rico, and our kids, were all on my mind.
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