Fa La La La La

"Deck the Halls" is about festive holiday decorating and merrymaking, telling people to adorn their homes with holly, wear cheerful clothes ("Don we now our gay apparel"), and sing Christmas songs ("Troll the ancient yuletide carol") to celebrate the season.
The song is a call to join in the cheerful, festive, jolly, merrymaking.  
With the house fully decorated inside and out, I now moved on to the partying portion of celebrating.

Saturday 12/13 - Maggie loves the little cat bed (that was Stevie's favorite), I think because it helps keep her curled up to stay warmer.

Joe and I were at the ranch about 10:30 to check on the water heater leak.  I had put two little towels under it the night before and they were both now nearly saturated.  The only moisture on the heater was felt at the pressure valve.
 

We found the top of a storage bin to put under the water heater to catch the water and keep it off the floor, until repairs or a replacement can be done.  

Then we got to work in the lower paddock to dig a drainage ditch.

Recently, after a decent amount of rain, I have noticed a lot of water collecting down by the shed, and the pond has not been filling up as usual.  I think over time, the erosion is now 'wicking' water in the wrong direction.
 

Cash, the  Head Foreman, was watching closely, but getting in the way.  We 'roughed' out a ditch with the tractor, piling the dirt and gravel on the 'down hill' side to help bank the ditch.  I started in with shovel and rake to complete the job.  

I told Wanda, the site inspector who walked down the ditch to the pond and then got a drink, that I wasn't finished yet.  She said, 'okay, can you feed me meow.'




I had more 'pressing' matters before the predicted arctic cold blast was to arrive overnight.  I needed to get the three evergreen trees planted.  I worked in the chicken yard, with the girls sabotaging my efforts by digging everywhere there was loose dirt.  

Once Jan and Patty arrived, I took a break to go for a ride.  Patty took these photos when going into the front pasture to fetch Zorro.  




Amiga enjoying a good roll and back scratch.
The temperature had reached the upper 40's again, the sun was mostly out, and the breeze was light and not too chilling, so riding conditions were nice.  Although someone on the other side of the power lines was shooting round after round of gunfire, (we presumed was target practice) making the horses uneasy near the barn.



Three ladies, enjoying a ride on a warm winter day.

We all (even Rico) had our don't shoot me bright colors on, knowing weekends are always worse with the shooting, poaching/hunting, gunfire.  We rode into the Glade in the opposite direction of the shooting noise.  


Patty took two of these photos and I took this (video).  


Rico did great on the trail but then had a big spook once we were back in the barnyard.  He was on edge because of all the gunfire but I think he then heard something in the underbrush next to the barn.  




Once I had Rico untacked,and back in the paddock, while Patty and Jan fed, I went up to finish tree planting.  I needed to top off the dirt around them and get better fencing (the chicken wire around the one tree in this photo was not keeping the chickens out).  

I hope the one girl up high on that branch was not planning an escape attempt.  

I got the three trees fenced off and picked up all my tools and supplies while the chickens continued to explore and try to dig around the trees.  

You can see I lined up the new trees with the one I had planted three years ago.  It is a Leland Cypress, which isn't as hardy as these (Green Giant Arborvitae) but they are all fast growers and will get rather large.
Patty and Jan had both left before I got finished.    

I proceeded back down to the lower paddock to finish the drainage ditch.  All five horses were grazing contently while the sun dropped along with the temperature. 

To the left is an earlier photo I took before our ride, and below is how the ditch appeared once I finished.

I had dug a little more, moved some dirt, and raked it into an even slope.

The horses were no longer in proximity but I have included this photo because I like how the three brown Pasos are lined up.









Cash did come back in for some more hay at one point.  




And while I was taking this last photo, Wanda came over to talk me into feeding her again.  Since I had to return the rake to the barn, I gave her some more kibble, also knowing it was going to get really cold.  

Joe and I went out to dinner, and then on to the Playhouse to watch a fun production of Elf.

"Tis the season to be jolly; Fa, la la, la, la..."  
It was after 10:30 by the time we got home.

Sunday 12/14 - It had been drizzling on our drive home last night, and a little more precipitation and frozen on the deck overnight, making it slippery on Maggie's before dawn potty break.  By sun-up, we were getting a light dusting of snow.  Shirley and I had decided to stay home from Church due to the extreme cold and icy conditions.  We were NOT going to be "Heedless of the wind and weather; Fa, la la, la, la..."




I was quite happy to sit here and start this blog and then play lots of games on my computer advent calendar.  I had nearly tripled my previous score at level 1 of the ornament smash.  And, as time would have it, it got away from me.  






After quickly dressing, I scurried off to Food City to buy a salad, and then went to the Village Mall for our 2:00 Pool Peeps Christmas Party/Potluck.  Malissa and Barry, seen here, hosted the event.



"Don we now our gay apparel; Fa, la la, la, la..."

It was a 'Christmas Pajama Party' with many couples dressing in matching PJs.  

 

Linda and Dave.  

Barb and Steve.  








Penny in pink (Christmas attire), who always has everything pink (towel, bag, koozie, and several swimsuits) at the pool.   

Everybody (except me) brought wonderful homemade dishes of delicious food along with many festive, scrumptious deserts.  


This is Marie, one of my favorite pool peeps.



Oh there was also hot chocolate and Jingle Juice. 

It was 19° outside when I got home just before sunset. 

Joe and I had a video call with Britney and Juan Carlos.  It was good to see them and hear about their lives.  And Joe made final plans with them for there imminent trip to Columbia.  

Monday 12/15 - It was another extended morning, here at my computer.  I had lots of pool party photos to sort through and then did more gaming.  I successfully over tripled my previous score at level 4 of ornament smash.  


Patty sent me several photos she had created with AI.  

I love the snowy/Christmasy modifications to this one.

I renewed my library book a second time, with renewed conviction to read more and get it done before my two (more) weeks is up.  Then I put in a formidable workout at the gym and was there 2½ hours, including shower time.  







Once home, I read for over an hour.  After dinner I got caught up on my advent calendar jigsaw puzzle, moved it to the white puzzle board, and then started another one I can work at whenever and as long as I like.  I got all 1,000 pieces turned over.  

Tuesday 12/16 - I left home for a bone scan at 8am.  When making a guess about my height, because I know I have been shrinking, the technician said 'lets measure you.'  I was 5'4½".  Wow I really have shrunk, 2 inches shorter.

After the scan, I went next door to the gym for a 90 minute aerobic workout.  My upper body and arms were sore from yesterday's weights.

When I arrived home, I was glad to see that the church finally had a crew out picking up leaves.

After giving Amiga Previcox as soon as I got to the ranch, I opted out of trail work.  Instead, I sat and chatted with Debra while we worked at the Christmas jigsaw puzzle.

I started feeding chores early so I could get to the 'caroling' party.  However, I discovered that the new water heater Joe had just installed, was leaking worse.  Long story short - a rubber hose gasket had gotten displaced during the hook-up process.





I arrived at The Center much later than planned, but was still able to "Troll the ancient Yuletide carol; Fa, la la, la, la..." for almost an hour.  Donna and DJ took requests and we had songbooks to enable us to sing along.  I enjoyed cookies and hot chocolate too.  



Donna and DJ are such a fun couple.  The festive atmosphere and singing lifted my spirits and put me in a better mood. 

I got home at 4:30 and soon learned that Britney and Juan Carlos had made it to his sisters' house in Barranquilla, Colombia. 😍   

Ivethe is on the left and Elliothy to the right in this photo.  



Like the lyrics say "While I tell of Yuletide treasure; Fa, la la, la, la..." they all were soon sharing the rich experiences, joys, merrymaking, and feasting associated with the holiday season.

I actually sort of cooked dinner for a change, hoping to show Joe my appreciation for his work, even though I had gotten rather frustrated with him about the new water heater installation mess.

Wednesday 12/17 - Joe's alarm went off at 1:50 and I was soon also up because of the commotion and to tell him goodbye.  He was off for Columbia, to join Britney and Juan Carlos.

I and the farrier arrived at the ranch at 8:45.  Patty and Bonnie were already there.





Once all four horses were done, I had some extra time, so put out more hay for the boys, which they promptly started munching on. 

I also got a call from my doctor's office with the disappointing news that my bones are now back in the condition of osteoporosis and I need to get a Reclast infusion. 

Jan arrive about noon and soon we were saddled up and out on the trial. We went a different route than usual, going to the roads in the middle of Dorchester's back nine holes.  It was great riding weather, although I was a tad cool because I hadn't dressed adequately.  I thought it was going to be warmer.  Actually, the temperature wasn't bad, but there was no sunshine.  We rode 3½ miles.      









I scurried home to warm up with hot soup and then to read my book in front of the fire.  






In no time, several fur babies moved in, as much for the warmth of the fire as to be by me.  There was a little jockeying for space, but soon we were all cozy.  And in short time, I got sleepy reading the book I am trying to finish.  So I took a nap, right there on the floor.  



I was somewhat dysfunctional and quite groggy waking after 45 minutes of sleep.  I also was cold.  I hoped I wasn't getting sick, possibly form over stressing my body.  

   






I got some fun updates and photos from Joe.  He and Britney were being shown around town and later got checked into their hotel.  I finished off a third load of laundry and had beer and popcorn for dinner while computer gaming.  

  


Next I made a small blunder.  I was a day behind on my advent jigsaw puzzle, so decided to mix the two bags of pieces, and then thought, what the heck, add tomorrow's bag while I was at it.  Well, I got too sleepy before being able to complete the three days worth of pieces.  This was difficult.  You can see the 1000 pieces for the other puzzle, laid out under the white puzzle board.
 

Thursday 12/18 - A Great Blue Heron was napping down back for awhile.  'He' woke before long and went in search of food (video).

He hunted in the pond (circled in red) longer than I had the patience to watch so I don't know if he caught anything or when he left.
I watched the weather deteriorate while I sat here and decided against a trip to the ranch.  It had gotten windy and started to rain.    


I did work on various correspondence, including boxing up this card which has come back to me twice, this time more 'beat up' than the first time.  I had originally mailed it in early November.  I headed to the post office to mail it, hoping "third time's a charm."
The gym was my next destination, where I put in a full body workout, including aerobics.  



Joe and 'the kids' had taken a bus to Cartagena to sight-see so I got up-dates on their adventures.

I got a ride with Patty and Karen, and we met this group at McAlister's for dinner.  (Going clockwise from me is: Karen hiding behind me, Judy, Carole, Judy, Terri, Patty, and Diane.)

After a great meal, we proceeded to the high school where Shirley was playing in the Community Band Christmas concert.  As we entered the atrium, we were greeted with plates of Christmas cookies (my favorite, Fa, la, la, la la... although the song doesn't say anything about feasting on food or indulging in sweets). 

12/19 - I completed day 19 of my advent calendar jigsaw puzzle after finishing off the pieces from the three days total I had dumped together on the white board.  

     





When I got to the ranch at 11am, these two boys were standing in the back field enjoying the sun.  





As I walked closer to get a better angle to show how close they were, Rico turned and walked toward me.  You can see Cowboy's white tail off in the distance.  

After giving Amiga her pill and feeding chickens, I moved hay from the shop and mucked both sheds and paddocks while waiting for the horse chiropractor.  Katy arrived at 12:40 and adjusted four of the horses. I didn't think Amiga needed it.  

Everyone left after Katy was done and then I headed out on Amiga for a short little ride (video).    

First I rode her up to the construction site to see how it was progressing.  I was shocked to see how far they had progressed.  All the roof joists were piled there, so I bet those will be going up soon.  








Amiga did great, curious but not at all spooky.  I took the next photo to show equestrian friends who ride back here, where this is.  Amiga and I turned back around and headed down Marmaduke towards Hathaway.  


I had dressed warmer than I had Wednesday so was very comfortable, even though the temperature was colder.  Being properly dressed really helps, as does having sunshine.  



Last nights wind storm had down several trees, including breaking off this one along Marmaduke.  Taking the trail in the woods back to the ranch,  Amiga had to step over three trees that had fallen across the path, in addition to lots of branches and sticks.

I was getting updates and photos from Joe and Juanca as they toured Barranquilla.  There was a parade and a lot of celebrating in the evening because Barranquilla had won the 2025 National soccer championship on Wednesday.



They were obviously all having a good time together.






And being pretty silly.  




They did a great job with a bunch of photos like these, with one of them close to the camera, each taking turns being in the foreground.







I had gone to town from the ranch for a quick shopping trip and then had to really hustle once home, but still wasn't ready when Shirley came to pick me up.

We picked up Patty and proceeded to the Baptist Church for their Christmas program.

 

It was a 'toned down' show from their normal yearly event, but was done very well and quite up-lifting.  
"Strike the harp and join the chorus; Fa, la la, la, la..."  Yes, there was a harp in the orchestra.  And yes, we also joined the chorus on three songs that were 'sing-a-longs.'  
It was 9:30 by the time I was home and in bed.