Many Boots

I have many boots, and wear them all.  And they're not just fancy cowgirl boots for dancing.  I have work boots, hiking boots, muck boots, and riding boots.  Oh and even snow boots, but thankfully they aren't worn too often.  Like the saying "I wear many shoes" (a variation of the popular idiom "I wear many hats"), I wear many boots (and shoes).  Cowgirl boots are by far my favorite.  They are stylish and have quite a bit of functionality, ranging from comfortable walking, to riding, and even to protection from snake bites!
 

Styling Tips-from The Country View Western Store: "Anytime you wear your pair of cowboy boots, remember to walk with that extra stride to your step and keep your chin up. This wardrobe staple shows everyone that you’re a hard worker with an admiration for stylish and functional footwear, not one or the other."

  

As I move from one task to another, taking on different roles and responsibilities, I slip on my appropriate pair of boots (or shoes).
 

Saturday 5/16 - I had chores again, so put on my 'all purpose' boots for mucking, walking around the ranch doing little tasks, and for riding.  This is the Paso's outhouse.  They did leave a few piles in each shed, but the majority of the manure was here.  






I had taken Cookie with me to let Maggie have some peace while she 'guarded' the house.  Cookie found ways to entertain herself while tied in the ranch yard.  See her standing up on the stump?  

After regular chores, I finished watering the trees we had planted along Jem's fence.  Cookie found one of Pugsley's toys when we went into the house.  

I put Cookie in Amiga's stall and headed out on my mare for a lovely three mile ride.  




We went past the new house construction and rode Stratford Circle (video).  Amiga was very (almost too) willing to move out, down the trail.







I have been working on Cookie with the cats - like don't chase or even play with (because she is too rough and rambunctious).  She and Wanda did go nose to nose and Wanda rubbed on her once, but Cookie was just too energetic and unpredictable.  So Wanda wisely keeps her distance.

I chose to have a late lunch rather than try to get in a quick gym workout because I had just over an hour before they closed.  I took a 'nap' (well laid down and rested) out on the porch with the two dogs and any cat brave enough to venture out there with Cookie.  

After a long vigorous walk with just Cookie, I kept her in the garage so I could shower and have peace (not worry about this puppy) for awhile here in the house.  She likes her 'tire' bed out there.  

Because I had not paid our two feline house guests any attention all day, I had a slumber party up in the guest room with the two boys.

At one point I was woken with one on my pillow and hair, and another time with loud purring from a warm lump of cat against my back.
 

Sunday 5/17 - I did Church, a grocery run, and some of my Sunday chores, before heading to the pool at 1:15.  It was my first day back on the pool job for this summer.  It was an easy shift, and I tried to stay out of the sun due to my 'burning' skin on my hands and my recent over-sensitivity to sun.  I had taken my last antibiotic this morning so hope this problem subsides.

   


The usual 'gang' (of our pool regulars) led by Melissa and Berry, had honored Larry (Marie's husband) who passed away just before the start of 2026.  This plaque is on 'his' table (where he always sat), in memory of him.  He is dearly missed by many.  








Karen had walked and feed the dogs because it was possible I wouldn't get home until 6:30.  (Joe was still in Iowa.)  Well, my last customers left at 4:45, so I was able to close at 5:30 and get home before 6pm.

The sunlight, filtering through the trees, had lit up parts of the backyard.  It made the wetland grass look like it was on fire.









I removed my pool shoes and put on my walking shoes and took both dogs for a long walk.  First we went down to look at the sad state of affairs with the pond, well actually now just a big puddle, with the stench of dying vegetation.  

It is so sad to see this.  We need rain so so badly.  
Cookie, as usual, was sticking her nose into every hole she discovered, and chasing a few frogs jumping to the safety of the water.








I finished my Sunday household chores and went to bed early, but got very frustrated with the I-pad, trying to read my e-book.  The darn thing keeps malfunctioning.   

Monday 5/18 - This photo of a beautiful mountain laurel flower was taken by acquaintance Meeko Oreo and posted on Facebook this morning.

I worked at the pool from 9am to 2pm.  The heat (85° day) really got to me, zapping my energy.  It is frustrating dealing with age related maladies.





Joe had gotten home from Iowa, so I went from work, straight to the Ranch to ride with Karen.  Rico and Zorro were very well behaved, if anything a little lazy.  I was hot and exhausted and think the horses were a little warm too because they were wet under their saddle pads and all we did was walk basically.  
What happened to the fire pit? 
 

Household chores felt like chores because I was so tired. By the time I showered, I did not put on any shoes or boots, but remain barefoot on this warm summer night, with no plans to do anything outside of the house.  






Joe had posted a new horse hotel add and used the above photo of the barn.  This was taken from the real estate listing in 2015.  The next photo was one Patty took not too long after we bought the ranch in 2021, so Joe up-dated the photo.  



And this last photo was taken Tuesday. 


Tuesday 5/19 - I couldn't fall asleep at 9:30 last night.  I woke at 1:30 and couldn't fall back to sleep.  After working on e-mails and this blog, I grew tired and took a 90 minute nap.  Back up at 6am with only a total of 5½ hours of sleep, I knew it was going to be a tough day if I didn't fit in a nap sometime.

The dogs and cats have been going crazy watching a chipmunk come and go from the little feeder just outside our large front window.  Well, this morning I discovered, the little bugger has gotten through the rotten wood that frames the window.  I don't 'wear' carpenter boots, so we will need to hire help to fix this.  

 

After a great whole body workout at the gym, I went to Patty's to water all her plants.  My own yard and house suffer while I am too busy at the ranch, caring for 'foster' cats and puppy, and working at the pool.  



I had an hour once home to eat a late lunch while reading.  Joe decided the old I-pad I was using was beyond repair and not worth messing with or keeping.  So he is letting me use his I-pad, and the reading is going much better.  

I went to the ranch to water the new grass and Rico came for a drink (video).  Joanne arrived a little later and we took Rico and Zorro out for a ride.  The two were much peppier than yesterday so we rode at a faster pace, going a little over three miles.  It wasn't quite as hot as yesterday. 

I went to bed early, sleeping upstairs with Kitty and Paco since they hadn't had any attention all day.  Also, this would assure that Poker Joe wouldn't disturb my sleep.
 

Wednesday 5/20 - I had morning chores, but when I arrived at the ranch, I discovered that Bonnie had done most of the work for me.  While mucking the Paso paddock, they all came in for a drink.  Amiga decided to take a nap in the shade of the shed, but the two boys headed back out for more grass consumption.  

I had kind of over heated, so once home, I didn't hit yard work right away.  I ended up having an early lunch and taking a very long nap.  







Rain was coming, so I went out, to work until it hit.  I raked up more leaves down back while my two project supervisors hunted for chipmunks.




Joe came out and mowed the oasis, including all the tall grass along the creek bank.  It looks so much better.  

Well, that then inspired me to rake leaves and other debris from the creek.  I was already  in my muck boots.  But this also distracted me from doing the badly needed leaf removal from the backyard flower beds.

I switched from my leaf rake to my garden rake and pulled a lot of muck out of the creek.  All the dark mud in these photos is what I had removed.  It proved to be a good arm workout.

Rain did come and I moved back inside.  Three loads of laundry (primarily sheets and towels) were completed during the course of the evening.  Joe and I stayed up till 10pm watching the final episode of Survivor.  I was not happy with the outcome, Aubry (one of my less favorite cast members) won this epic, 50th anniversary season with 24 fan-favorite returning players.

Thursday 5/21 - I was up at 1:30, after only three hours of sleep, with too much on my mind.  I didn't get sleepy again until 7am, so got a quick one hour nap in.   

Joanne had morning chores and sent this photo of the Pasos out on the front pasture while the rain fell lightly. 

I spent two hours at the gym, doing better than expected with the small amount of sleep I'd had, but it was still a somewhat reduced workout.  





I had a big protein lunch (eggs with ham and cheese).  
A call to Patty (while she was driving home from Iowa) on speaker phone, was made by Joe.  We hashed out some ideas and set up a meeting with Debra.  

From my big shopping trip in town, I went straight to the ranch to do chores.  Gloria was on the outside of the chicken fence.  WTH?  I checked the fence line and there is no way she went under it.  I guess she will be getting another wing clipping.

It was all I could do to unload and put away groceries once home, I was so tired.  I did make the second guest bed, but hit my own bed early.
 

Friday 5/22 - I was up well before 5am as a little thunderstorm passed through.  I'd had seven hours of sleep, but still felt tired due to the sleep deprivation from the night before. 
Because of the forecast, the pool was closed for the day, so I didn't have to go into work.






I checked out the water level of the creek when I took cracked corn down back, glad to see it had come up.  






Our rain gauge had a half inch in it yesterday morning and this morning there was another 1½ inches.  This helps, but we need more.  





A little later, when I took the dogs for their second walk, we went around the pond.  The water level has come up a foot maybe, but is still three feet lower than the spill way.  

Joe and I drove to the ranch in a down pour.  We, along with Patty, had an 8am meeting with Debra to compliment her for many positive things, but also to review some rules that needed addressing.  
Then Joe helped Patty with mucking chores once the rain subsided. 


I noticed that the carpet on this post had been tore off, most probably by Rico.  Finding this did solve the mystery of where the piece of carpet Bonnie found two days earlier, had come from.  



I got going on cleaning once we were home, starting in on the bathrooms first. 









Cookie was full of her usual energy, but because of the rain, it couldn't be expended on a walk outside.  








Dan and Vale were going to be later than originally expected, so after lunch I took a break from house cleaning and read upstairs.  Kitty (in the photo) and Paco hung out with me, and we all took a little nap.  

By late afternoon, when the rain had temporarily stopped, I went extra far on a walk with Cookie.  (Maggie takes care of business right away and is then left at home.)  The rain gauge had another inch of rain in it, and the pond was now up to the full level.  

The spillway had just a little trickle of water running over it. 

I had more time after dinner for additional cleaning and preparation for guests.  Then with my 'Grandma boots' (house slippers) on, I greeted Dan, Vale, Ava, and Layla when they arrived after 9pm.  The girls and I were tired and were in bed in short time.