The Bur Months

The 'ber months—September, October, November, and December—are a period associated with the winding down of the year, a shift in seasons, and a heightened sense of celebration, charity, and family time.


But it's also the coming of cold and winter - bur!

I do not like the shorter days, less sun light, and drop in temperatures.
  
I would much rather be too hot than too cold.  And it seems to take me all winter to get used to colder temperatures, both inside and out.  I need thicker skin, more fat on my bones and extra acclimation time.  

I do like the shift to the festive seasons leading up to and including Christmas.  Holiday celebrations, family time, parties and even getting cozy with a blanket, hot beverage, and good book in front of a fire in the fireplace are wonderful.
We had warm, dry weather most of September and October.  But last week the colder air, gloomy skies and rain were almost a daily experience.  It felt as if winter was setting in.

Saturday 11/1 - Oh my goodness, it is already November.  Two 'bur' months over, two to go.  The real bur months are actually January and February.

Since Cash was still quite anxious, we decided to put him with Cowboy and Rico sooner than originally planned.  He needed friends.  Bonnie and I met Jan at the ranch and she turned Cash out with his new little herd (video).  There was no confrontation on any horses part, just some trotting and racing around (video) before they all settled down and grazed together (in photo).  This all occurred in short time.  



Wanda had followed us out to the back pasture, where we stood watching the horses and chatting for probably 20 minutes.  What a silly girl.  I really think she has become fond of human company.  







I had Joe bring a load of dirt to the barn and I worked on a project to improve the footing of the ground as you step out of the tack room.  Karen arrived while I was finishing up and soon we had Zorro and Amiga ready to ride.  
We had a great, slow, calm ride on A&Z.  We suspected they were tired from possibly 'running' the fence line with Cash in the front pasture during the night.
On the way back to the barn, coming through the woods, Cash came over to check out what he saw and heard.  Cowboy and Rico are familiar with horses going down the trail back there, but it’s a new experience for Cash.  



My 'between the ears' photos while on Amiga.
Bonnie, Dave, Karen, Jan, and I all took part in the feeding process down in the lower paddock.  Long story short, Cash was too anxious to eat and Rico didn't do much better.  Rico kept pinning his ears at Cash, who wasn't even that close.  He also paced back and forth while he ate.  Once he was finished, while we waited for Cash, I went in and did some leg work and stretches with Rico.  He responded nicely.

Sunday 11/2 - I had gone to bed so early, I was up by midnight and computerized for a few hours.  Then when I woke at 6 or 7am, I was messed up by the time change as I tried to compute my amount of sleep.

It was cold in the sun-room, with no sun on a rainy morning, so Styx and I cuddled while I sat here.  

    

Shirley had overslept so wasn't going to make it to church.  Since I was dressed and heading out the door, but don't like to go to Church alone, I went to Food City.  I was soon back, in my loungers, and working here at my computer.  It rained almost all day and was so cold (it is Novem-bur after all) I put on gloves and the space heater and sipped on a third cup of tea.  






I couldn't get warm and contemplated napping on the couch and even snuggling with my 'demon cat' Monita.

Although I was in my loungers, and did a fair amount of sitting here at my computer, I did accomplish several things.  





Not only did I do my usual extra weekly chores of collecting trash and watering house plants, I got three loads of laundry done, put all the Halloween decorations away, got all the clocks set back, and cleaned the kitchen after putting together a hot meal for Joe and I.
The sun did peek out for a bit, and then promptly set at a way too early 4:42pm.

Monday 11/3 - I forgot to get any photos of the morning's ranch activities.  Bonnie was riding Cowboy in the round pen when I arrived shortly before 10am, while Betty, Joanne and the saddle fitter looked on.  Later Joanne and I worked with Rico in the lower paddock. And after that Jan and Karen came out and Jan rode Cash for a little bit.  





These two photos I took after giving Amiga her Previcox and she and Zorro some hay.  She gets her pill in the mornings now, at least two hours before her Osteo-Max that is on her once daily feeding in the afternoon.

My dental appointment (to get the permanent crowns on) went well until the actual cementing.  The cement had set up so fast, the dentist and assistant had to really work to get it out from each side and between the two crowns.  They were pushing and tugging so hard with the floss that it hurt my jaw and bruised my lower lip.
  

As I headed out to go shopping, the feeling of pressure, like food stuck between my teeth, was annoying and uncomfortable. 
Once home, I tried brushing and then flossing, but could only get the floss down between the first crown and tooth next to it.  The other two spaces were too tight.  And then I frayed the floss trying to get it back out.  Now the teeth felt even more crowded and there was frayed floss stuck between my teeth.  I was not happy.

Tuesday 11/4 - I spent two hours at the gym before going to the ranch.  Joe helped me with some hardware in the shed to make opening and closing the gate easier and then brought another load of dirt to the barn so I could finish filling in the big dips (low spots).  







I had brought Amiga into the barn while Jan got Cash saddled.
  

Then Amiga and I joined Jan and Cash on a nice, quiet little ride.  I was excited to show Jan the trails we have made.  

Cash did great and Jan was quite pleased.  She also really liked our new trails.

And better yet, Cash is finally settling in and ate most of his dinner.  Furthermore, Rico is getting used to going into the back of the shed for his dinner and Cowboy is adapting to having Rico fenced off in the shared space. 

I had been working at my teeth (brushing, scrapping, picking at, and flossing) morning, noon, and night; and each time got some more cement dislodged.  Finally I think they are all cleaned and feel so much better.

Wednesday 11/5 - It was a full day at the ranch.  Joe dumped another load of dirt in the barn for me and I finished filling in low spots and smoothing out the floor.  Then I got these two mats placed, which Joanne had donated to the cause.







It took some time and effort to get the larger mat under the part of the step that rests on the ground while also keeping the mat level and at the same distance along the whole step.  I also had to use some shims in the process.

Jan came out to work Cash and get him saddled.  Once Patty arrived, we gave all three Pasos their rabies vaccine and then saddled up Zorro and Rico to join Jan.  Rico did great tied in the barn; calm and relaxed like he used to stand.  (This photo was once we got back.  You can see the saddle mark but also the shallow abrasion from a bite scrape.)

Rico and Zorro ready to ride.  Notice I was in just a t-shirt.  It had gotten up to 70° and was nice and warm.

These two photos are from a video Jan took.

 

Rico gave me a little troubles heading out, but once he pooped and peed, he was much more willing to move out.


We had another nice, calm, peaceful ride, on a beautiful fall day.  I turned Rico in the opposite direction to head back the long way.  He hesitated to leave the other two and kept stopping.  Once we turned on to the familiar trail in the woods along Jem's (and then our) back pastures, Rico moved out nicely, but did not get anxious or too fast. 

 
Rico did great tied in the barn for un-tacking and then we decided to trim his ear hairs that were really sticking out.  Jan did a great job desensitizing him to the clippers and trimming his ears.  



Now they look much neater and nicer. 







I shadowed Jan as she did chores, first in the upper paddock.  I love that Amiga and Zorro get along so well at feeding time and there is never any drama.  Although occasionally some confusion as to which stall to go in.
 

We have started using this dinner bell, and it worked great tonight.  The three boys in the lower paddock heard it from way out in the back pasture and calmly came walking in. 












There was still drama between horses, getting them into their feeding positions, Rico was rather aggressive, and Cash didn't eat as well.   

I love this photo of Jan, studying the chore instructions, to be sure she got everything done.  There is a lot to remember, but once you have done it a while, it becomes like clock work.  Unless you set the clocks back, LOL, then there is some adjusting to do.  Or if one horse leaves and a new horse comes in... it is a disruption to the routine.

I had to take a nap before watching Survivor, which doesn't start until 7:00.  I have not adjusted to the time change and have not been getting a full night's sleep in several days, with so many things on my mind.

Thursday 11/6 - Babe in her favorite spot on the hearth this morning.  It had been warm there last night with a fire going while Joe and I watched TV, but not the case now.
It was to be another full day at the ranch since the weather was going to get bad in a day or so.  

By 8am, Joe and I were headed to the ranch.  He drove because I was going to be getting a ride with Patty later.  Zorro watching over his sister while she rested.  







I had gone out to get Amiga, knowing Zorro would follow, and put them both in the corral, in preparation for the farrier.  







Joe and I worked on some hardware in the shed and barn and then it was time for the farrier.  I brought Rico in after getting Amiga, and then when Patty arrived, she put Zorro in Cash's stall.  Here she is talking with Rico, who did fairly well waiting in his stall.

After Chris was finished trimming and shoeing, and everyone left, I started in on my to-do list.  


I had cleaned hay from the trailer and hung a new hook in its tack room, so I can hang the manure fork where it can be reached from the door.  As I was walking out of the shop, I heard splashing in the pond, and quickly got this (video) of Cash coming out after a 'bath.'  






Cash was done splashing but had had a good time.  And of course I had to take some photos of my boy, coming up to the fence where I had been standing to film Cash.  He's a curious horse who also loves treats.  I didn't have any, but he got a face, ear, and neck scratching.

After having my sack lunch, I started in on my 'bigger' project, rebuilding this cinder block wall which was all cattywampus from being hit by the tractor bucket multiple times over the past years.  

Then I better secured the three plastic panels by digging a little trench along the base of the wall, that better held them in place.  

Jan arrived and soon we were saddled and out on the trail.  We did Stradford Circle and checked out the old Holly Trail.  We thought we'd come across a poacher, but it was a lady shooting photos... our kind of 'hunter.'  It was another nice ride on a beautiful day.



A little camera war to get photos of each other.  
  

In this close-up, you can see my phone in my right hand, trying to hide it. 

Patty arrived to do chores, bringing the chickens a pumpkin she had bought on sale.  I called it a 'One Eyed Jack' but the chickens later pecked out the other eye that was already cut.  
Jan and I walked Patty through the procedures for feeding the three boys and then I went up to the house to clean up and change for a night out.  

The chickens were going at it on pumpkin demolition.

Patty drove us to Casa Grande where Judy, Carole, Diane and Pat met us for dinner.  We all proceeded to Cumberland County High School to listen to the Community Band concert that Shirley played in.  It was a well done patriotic concert.

Friday 11/7 - Monita enjoying a cozy bleanket on the couch.  I woke up rather sore from digging and moving cinder blocks the day before.  Because of this and the fact that rain wasn't coming until late afternoon, I chose to postpone the gym until Saturday and do yard work and some horsing around.  







Joe used the riding mower to mulch leaves in the front and back yard and I picked up sticks and worked on the flower beds a bit.  

I met Joanne out at the ranch to do a little horsing around with Rico.  We had opted out of riding since the A&Z were a little tender footed.  

We brought Rico in to work at quietly standing in the barn by himself.  We both groomed on him as he stood there fairly calmly.  




We moved on with Rico, to do ground work in the barnyard.  In this (video), Joanne is working with Rico on crossing over while side-passing along the shed wall.  Once he has perfected this maneuver, he will be asked to do it without a wall.  







Jan arrived, and while she and Joanne did chores, I finished up this wall with one more column of four cinder blocks and I also mucked in the corral.  

Once home, I had time for a little more leaf wrangling before dinner.