Dilly Dallying

Boy do I spend a lot of time dilly-dallying here at my computer.
It's like being a couch potato.  It is so much easier sitting here,
entertaining myself scrolling through Facebook and playing games,
than getting up and doing something physical or going somewhere. 

Lately I have been dilly dallying, waiting to see whether or not it will rain, because I'm undecided about riding and/or yardwork. 
I needed to call to get a new equine vet, but there is really only one to call, and I've been procrastinating making that call, fearing rejection.
I also tend to lolly-gag when it comes to going to the gym, cleaning house or working on 'fix-it' projects.

Saturday 4/26 - I got out of bed at 2:30, unable to fall back to sleep, and started this blog.  I did get 90 minutes of more shut-eye, about dawn.  Then when I got back up I ran an errand and went to the gym.  I finished my two hour workout by 11:00 and was back home for an early lunch and to read out on the deck with Rose.  I also took another little nap. 





I went to the ranch with the intention of riding Amiga, but ended up doing lots of little chores with Joe, and ran out of time.  When checking on the chicks, Babe followed me around the door and was also checking them out and looking for food (video).




Joe helped me move a roll of fencing out from the back coop storage area and I tried working through some options of ways to give the chicks access to the big outdoors while also keeping them separated from the hens.  I needed more time to think on it. 
 




We took the gator out into the back pasture and worked on some fence line repairs.  This corner post was knocked over a few years ago when a big tree fell on the fence line.  It was leaning in some, so we retied it tighter, into a more upright position.  We really need to put in a new corner post. 

 







More brackets and fasteners were added along the fence line where the barbwire had gotten loose.  I also picked up branches and sticks and threw them into the woods.  I wished I'd had my tree trimmers. 




Our next task was clearing a path under the big tree that had fallen across Hathaway, the FFG dirt road behind our barn and lower paddock.  We had been riding the long way around it for several weeks now. 

It was now wide enough and tall enough to get the gator through.  But a rider on a horse is much taller, so I did additional trimming from up in the back of the gator. 

I had Joe take a photo, because I rarely have any of myself working.  He then headed back to the ranch and I walked, taking a shortcut through the woods, to work on our trail (that runs through the woods between our back pasture and Hathaway and Marmaduke). 

      

I cleared sticks and branches from the trail and then made a better 'walk-around' to get past this big tree that had fallen across our trail.  These photos show it, as you approach from both ends of the trail.

I got back to the ranch as Bonnie, Susan, and Dave were finishing up feeding chores.  They said Amiga was a bit lame.  And because I was exhausted and it was already 5pm, I opted not to take her for a little ride. 








I loaded up Maggie and brought her home, and we all (except Joe who was still at the ranch waiting for the internet guy to fix our service) had dinner. 

Britney reported that Lupe had been moved to Juan Carlos' apartment, that he still had a fever (third day now), and he was bird watching while Lupe napped. 

I was falling asleep at my computer, so went to bed earlier than usual.  It wasn't long before Mama Styx and I were both asleep. 

Sunday 4/27 - I forgot a photo of our finished work at making a path under the big pine tree blocking the road.  So, here it is from Amiga's back. 

After Church, I read out in the sun on the back deck.  Then I went to the ranch to muck the paddock, but first rode Amiga. 




Amiga very willingly walked with me down to the barn.  Tacking up only involved a bridle.  She felt, and was pretty good out on the trail (video). 





We took the road out and our little trail through the woods to return.  Large trees like this, too big to cut or move, can be stepped over. 






The boys missing their Amiga (video).  Rico and Zorro were glad to see Amiga back, and soon were fed by Bonnie, Susan, and Dave. 

Britney had sent this photo of Lupe and Juan Carlos bird watching, including the view out their window.  She also reported that Juanca was feeling much better. 

 


My bedtime snuggle buddy.  Again, I couldn't even get a whole chapter read before getting too sleepy.

Monday 4/28 - I got to the ranch to let the Pasos out by 7am.  Right away, at the yard gate, I noticed they had bent fencing.  ?Hum?  Why would they be reaching over at this spot?

While waiting for it to warm up and dry off, I had my second cup of tea, with some cookies Patty had stocked the freezer with.  And I worked on the puzzle while watching horses outside the window.

Venturing back outside, I got to work in the chicken coop, expanding their space even more and putting their heat lamp on a trimer to come on during the coldest part of the night. 









Then to give the chicks even more space and allow them outdoor time, I made it so the half door can be positioned to give them access to the little automatic chicken door. 

The half door is shut in the first two photos and opened in this next one.  

 


On the outside of the big door (that has the little door built in) I made a tiny chick run with dog crate panels.  The big door is open enough for the hens to come and go on their side of the coop, while the chicks can get in and out of their side, going through the little door.  They never came out all day.

I did some trimming in the yard, keeping an eye on the coop and then moved and spread five more wheel barrow loads of bad hay left from round bales out in the two pastures.

Karen arrived and we saddled up Rico and Zorro and went for a nice relaxing ride. 






Rico had one big (bad) spook because of a deer.  So far I have been able to stay on during these sideways jumps, 180° spin and runs, which happen in a split second.  But I fear it may only be a matter of time.  I just need to keep riding and building his confidence.  I also worry about letting others ride him, not wanting anyone to come off and get hurt. 

This shows the deer and ducks coming to get corn during evening 'feeding time.'  Rose also comes, and follows me around as I put out corn.  Notice the deer in the background.

Joe grilled a stir fry frozen dinner on his flat top and we watched an episode of Suits, which I was barely able to finish before going to bed.
 

Tuesday 4/29 - Joe was up and at the ranch by 8:30, spreading Grazon herbicide.  Brooke had kept the Pasos closed in and also shut the three boys in the lower paddock.

I ate an early lunch after spending over two hours at the gym.  Then I went to the ranch to feed our three Pasos, just after noon.  We are switching them from day grazing to night pasture time, so also switching them from feeding at night, to feed in the morning.

We have had a very unexpected, unfortunate, but understandable change in boarders.  Due to reasons of health, Susan has sold Cowboy to Bonnie, and will no longer be involved in his care or our boarding operation.  She will be dearly missed.

When I was mucking in the upper paddock, this horse (Amiga) came in to poop while I was cleaning up manure from the shed.  Really?  They had been closed off the pasture for almost 24 hours, so there was plenty of manure to clean up.

I hit Food City on the way home, did some cleaning in the garage and driveway, and then overate because I had too many good choices of food, having just stocked up. 
I was productive here at my computer, with just a little bit of Dilly Dallying, because I am easily distracted.

Wednesday 4/30 - We had overnighters who said they like to sleep in.  Also, because the Pasos were out on pasture all night and wouldn't be waiting for someone to come open the gate, I took my time getting to the ranch.  My first order of business, after feeding the Pasos and closing them into the paddock for the day, was to feed and water chickens and open the door for the chicks to have outside access.
 



Because they were still too chicken to venture out, I put them in a box, carried them out and released them in the little yard.  After watching for a bit, it appeared they were too unsure of going through the little door to go back inside.  Even though they were enjoying sunning, I used the box to provide them some shade. 






A sub-contractor working for Frontier came to figure out where the line had been compromised (we were still without internet).  They said it wasn't at the house but somewhere down our lane or Eli Ford. 

The overnighters had finally come out of the house, and gone down and hooked their truck back up to their trailer.  I also went down to put fly masks on the three boys still confined to the lower paddock.
 

It was still another half hour before our guests had fed their horses, and cleaned up their trailer and the corral. 
 





Finally, they loaded up their four horses and headed out on the next leg of their journey. 






I was cleaning up old hay in the lower paddock while these three boys followed me around, hoping I would open the gate and let them out onto the back pasture. 

They were going to need to wait a little longer. 

Patty, Karen and Betty soon arrived and before too long, we went to McAlister's for an enjoyable lunch. 






From there it was off to Dr. Perry's to pick up the four shots of Potomac Fever vaccine.  This cute little filly is just one week old.  Our vet does AI for some customers.

After a little dilly dallying, it was back to the ranch where Patty gave all four horses (the three Pasos and Dorado) their shot. 




I didn't get home until 4:30, with Joe returning from golf by 5:00.  We'd both had big lunches, so it was a light supper. 







The library had not had the next book in the Alex Cross series I was reading, so Joe had down loaded the book on my i-pad.  I sat (with Babe on my lap) out on the screened porch and read for awhile. 

We watched Survivor (live streaming) from 7-8:00, sitting through way too many commercials.  Then I continued reading in bed, but didn't last long.

Thursday 5/1 - Happy May Day! 
I definitely have more get-up-and-go in the morning than by late afternoon.  But today I was slow to get going because I had woken at 2am, and then only got a 45 minute pre-dawn nap.  I hate feeling so out of it.

I needed to be at the Center by 7:40, to hopefully be first in line to turn in my library building rental request, to be sure I had it on August 16th.  I was first in line, so have the room reserved.



Then I went to the gym for over two hours.  I was yawning and sluggish, and never really built up much steam.  On the way home I took this photo of a friend's last residence, that used to be by a wooded lot, but the lot was being cleared in preparation for the new restaurant/pro shop at Druid. 

I ate a big lunch with the intention of putting in some hard work out in the yard.  But then I got too sleepy, so took a nap.  After an hour of more sleep, I struggled to wake up and couldn't get fully energized.  Mama duck was back with her man.  I'm guessing her nest got compromised and she is back out of hiding.

But look who I also captured on the rock, eating corn.  A squirrel and a chipmunk.  So cute.

It was 3:30 by the time I left for the ranch, to do afternoon chores, while it was still looking like rain.  I decided it was too late to try and squeeze in a ride.  I just had dilly dallied too much today.  Although I did finalize the invitation for the August reception and sent it to Britney for proofing. 

I was in bed reading before 8pm. 
 

Friday 5/2 - I had morning chores, fed the Pasos and put on their fly masks and shut them in the paddock.  They all ended up in the smaller shed, out of the sun, to take a nap. 








I set up a different crate fencing for the chick outdoor yard.  They couldn't squeeze through this but one did fly over it later in the day.  They like being outside.

When I was down in the lower paddock to put fly masks on the three boys, I also fed the catfish and other fish in the pond.  Notice all the fish nests in the sandy bottom.  Patty took this photo. 












She also took these of a snapper heading from the front pasture to the lower pond. 

Patty and I were wondering if this big turtle is planning on fish eggs (roe) for lunch and dinner.
 
Joe came out to the ranch about 9:30 and we tried to fix a bent fence and then he hauled away the upper manure pile while I raked and 'manned' the gate.  

Done with that, Joe left the tractor so I could work on grading the area to get a better slope and improve drainage. 

Joe brought up the trailer of shavings so we could freshen up bedding in the sheds. 








He unloaded most of the shavings.  I was little help because I was cleaning up more manure the horses had left in the sheds, since I'd fed and closed them into the paddock earlier.

At first Zorro and Rico were curious and had to be shooed away a few times.  Then before we got done, all three horses were trying to get back in the sheds to get out of the sun.  They really love the sheds. 

Joe left and I worked, using the tractor to push and pull dirt around in the upper paddock corner, and then raking it smooth.  Not completely satisfied, but ready to call it quits, I took the tractor back down to the shop.  And then Patty arrived.  She got to work on putting up carpenter bee traps and I went to check on the chicks. 


Discovering a loose chick, I put it back with the others and then did some weeding and trimming in the garden and chicken yard.  The wind had picked up, the temperature dropped, and it was thundering in the distance.  So I closed all the chicks back in the coop.  The storm hit as I was leaving.  Patty took these photos from down in the barn.  She and Wanda were waiting out the storm. 

Patty had moved her car into the barn because we were getting some hail.  I had turned off Westchester, onto St. George, to cut through to Peavine so I could get gas.  I stopped to get this (video) of the hail hitting my car.

It was pretty loud and the little balls of ice were bouncing off my car.  It soon let up and I continued on to Waggles. 






Heading up Lakeview towards home, I passed by the Druid construction site.  I guess this is progress, but I always hate to see the trees cut down. 

Because of neglect, the old club house had gotten moldy and had to be torn down.  This makes me think they are neglecting the barns (and fencing) at the stables, so they can reason the need to tear it all down later. 

 



I got home at 2:30.  Whatever the term is (delaying a task, lollygagging, dawdling, procrastinating, or dilly-dallying), I was definitely doing it... or rather, doing nothing.  I couldn't work in the yard and had no desire to do housework or inside projects.  So I read (and finished) my e-book, more a short story, in the Alex Cross series.