My Amiga

While on a cruise ship back in January, and talking to a fellow dancing lady, she was clearly, dearly in love with her two horses.  It was then that affirmed how much I truly love Amiga and want to keep her around as long as possible.  

Amiga has given me so much in her lifetime, I want do right by her, as she ages and slows down.  She continues to give me her heart, trust, cooperation and eagerness to move out on the trail.  We just have a special connection.

Saturday 5/2 - I had morning chores and Joe was soon out to the ranch after I got there.  We started work on the chicken fence.  The new fencing had arrived so we wanted to get it up.  Well, it was still not exactly what I had envisioned and it too, was fairly flimsy.  But both of us were tired of this project and just wanted to get it done.  First we removed the old fence, using it to block the chickens in a small area around the coop.  Then the old posts were pulled out of the ground using the tractor and chain.  Next Joe mowed the chicken yard, especially both sides of the new fence line, and then we started putting up the new fencing.  We had some struggles, but it went fairly well, except the wire just seemed so flimsy.  However, we had troubles cutting it with a wire cutter.  



Patty arrived while we were taking a quick lunch break.  We finished getting the new fencing up and fairly secured to the new, taller T-posts.  Joanne and Bonnie arrived to ride and helped me roll up the former fencing that had been up.  And then we got the three Pasos and headed down to the barn.  Karen already had Cash saddled when we got there, and once all were tacked and ready to go, Patty took our photo.

Bonnie rode Zorro, Joanne was on Rico, I was on Amiga, and Karen (not wanting in the photo) was on Cash.  And off we went, with 'My Amiga' and I leading the way.  She set off at a really nice pace, not rushed or sluggish.  


We had a very enjoyable 3 mile ride.  All the horses did excellent.  



It was actually rather cold, as you can tell by our heavier clothing.  But I think the horses appreciated the cooler temps.

We did our post-ride grooming, which involves untacking, brushing to clean sweat and dirt off the horse, picking hooves, and checking for ticks and any injuries.  Washing, applying ointment and/or liniment is also done if necessary.








Since Karen does not want to be photographed, we got her to take these two photos of us while finishing up with the horses.  

In this second photo, it looks like Zorro is licking Patty's jacket.  She had come down to help and hang out.  

When she reported that the chickens had gotten out of the fencing, which I was afraid of because the wires were too far apart at the bottom, I called Joe and he came back out to the ranch.
 

Joanne and Patty came up to help with chicken wrangling and containment.  We took the old fencing and un-rolled it up against the new fencing.  The new fence is tall enough to keep the dogs out and the old fence is small enough wire to keep the chickens in.
  
 
Joanne and Patty were great help in fastening the old fence up against the new fence.  





Joe was rather put out by this whole project and I don’t blame him one bit.  It’s been one big pain.  




Look at four of the 'girls' running loose in the yard while Cookie looks on expectantly and we finish securing the fencing. 

Joanne went to do evening chores and we got the chickens back where they belonged.  Patty and Joe (with Cookie) headed home and I went down to water grass seed. 




Wanda was now the project supervisor.  









Notice the Luna Moth, with rather beat up wings, on the fence post.

As has been the norm lately, I was exhausted before I hit the hay so went to bed early.  

Sunday 5/3 - I love getting morning up-dates on the grand-daughters.  Look at little Layla 'climbing the wall.'  

Shirley and I froze at church.  It was the first day outside and it was only 55°.  Burrrr!  I had to hit Food City on the way home and then had soup for lunch in an attempt to warm back up.

I met Joe out at the ranch at 12:30 and we continued work on the fencing project.  We completed all of the installation of the old fence up against the new fence, except to finish securing it.  Seems sort of silly to have two rolls of fencing hooked together.  It would’ve made more sense to just buy one good roll of what we needed.  



Patty got to the ranch at 2:00 and pretty soon we were on the trail with Rico and Zorro.  We had a nice little ride, although at times, both boys were lagging, wanting the other horse to go in front.  We split up coming home and Patty took this (video) on Zorro.  

Rico did fairly well by himself, once resigned to the fact we were not going with Zorro.  
Patty did evening chores once we were back and I watered the grass seed again before coming home.  This first seeded area has done a nice job of germinating but still needs to be watered so the tender new growth doesn't die.

Monday 5/4 - Grand-daughter up-date... Ava showing off her cool dinosaur blanket.  Notice little Layla checking it out.

I had woken a few times in the night with left hand and finger numbness and tingling.  I didn't get up until eight hours after I'd gone to bed, but it didn't feel like I got eight hours of sleep.  My body was achy, like arthritis pain and my left thumb and middle fingers still had numbness off and on.  







Patty had morning chores and sent this photo of the neighboring, rather feral cat, who has become bolder about hanging around.  He was in the black horses pasture, right under the barbwire fence near our port-a-potty.  







Cookie is wearing us all out before her boundless energy runs out.  Finally she sacked out in Stevie's old bed and took a nap while I was here blogging.  




I spent over two hours at the gym doing a complete body workout.  I left feeling stronger, less achy, and happy about my accomplishment.  









I met Karen at the ranch at 2:30 and we went on a nice ride together.  Again both boys (Zorro and Rico) wanted the other to lead the way.


I split off from Zorro, taking Rico the long way back to the barn (video).  He was not happy, and expressed himself quite clearly, nearly spinning me right off of him.  I think he was also agitated by a tick or something.  In this second photo, you can see the white and gray cat back in its resting spot (upper left in photo).  Well when I approached him, he was three legged lame on his back left leg, and quite clearly an in-tack male.  I felt bad for him and actually left a bowl of kibble where he had been laying.  

I had planned to splice the two sections of the old chicken fence together so we could finish permanently securing it to the gate post, but I was out of energy and time.  I didn't even make the effort to water the new grass seed.

However, I did water some sod I had put at the bottom of this electric pole.


We had two satellite dishes with their metal poles in the ground here, that we sawed off, so there were holes that needed covering.  While watering, I noticed that Spectrum had finally come out and fastened their roll of wire and black box up near the top of the pole.  Finally, the unsightly things are less visible and out of our way for mowing. 

Tuesday 5/5 - Cinco De Mayo and Taco Tuesday!

My sleep was again disrupted by a hurting hand (fingers and wrist) the same as the night before.  I was thinking maybe it was a pinched never in my neck.  I'd had similar difficulties over 20 years ago from too much sitting (grading papers).  

Cookie and Maggie were entertaining and distracting while I was trying to blog (video).
 

I spent a few hours in the back yard, picking up branches and sticks and trimming unhealthy or dead branches from shrubs and small trees.  








I had initially planned to rake leaves from the beds and eventually started on this one.  But like all projects, I ran out of time.  At least it's a start.

I had planned to ride My Amiga, so went to the ranch and did just that.  We covered 2½ miles.  After riding down our whole 'back woods' trail, we stopped at Jem's gate.  


Rico had been 'yelling' so I figured Amiga would whinny back, but she didn't.  The red arrow is pointing to Rico and Zorro, who were looking for Amiga.  Rico is much more worried when she is gone, than Zorro is.  He is an older, sensible guy... knows she will be back.

There is something about an old horse.  



The old gray mare she ain't what she used to be, but that's okay.  Amiga has taught me so much over the years.  And I am no spring chick anymore either.  We are both getting older and achier.  She is getting whiter in her face and in other areas (like my hair going white).  And with my recent aches, I have been frequently reflecting on aging.  








I learned a few days ago that former roommate Leanne had passed away back in early January after sustaining a fall.  As more and more family and friends near my age or dying off (so to speak), I have growing mixed feelings about staying healthy to live longer.  Living longer also has a reality of outliving many loved ones.  That is a hard reality.

Amiga had some sores (called scratches or dew fever) on her back feet, and was also 'dirty' from loose stools, so I scrubbed her feet, legs, and other parts; to clean her up.  When put in her stall she laid down to scratch her feet.  I think the thick, lush, green grass in the front field is probably causing both her problems, so I may need to consider cutting her grazing time back.  

Amiga leading herself through the front pasture, back to the paddock (video), after I had left her 'ground tied' to shut the corral gate.  You can hear and see how windy it was and the geldings (mostly Rico) running the fence line.  I was surprised Amiga didn't stop to eat until she got up near the boys.

Here are photos of our new (and old) fencing.  The new is taller and has much larger mesh size, while the old is 2X3 inch mesh made of thicker, welded wire.  









We also changed the corner near the back of the coop.  Once finished with Amiga, I got to work splicing the two sections of old fencing together so we could pull it tight and secure it to the new gate post.

This shows how the old fencing had been temporarily hooked onto the new fencing, which had been stapled into the gate post.  


Joe finished stapling the old fence to the post after we'd pulled it tight and stapled most of it in place.  



All done.  Not real pretty, but secure and fairly safe.  













I had picked up a few ticks, probably when working in the leaves in our backyard, and found them during my evening shower.  Ugh, these things are not my friends.

Here is another take on Cinco De Mayo.

Wednesday 5/6 - I again, for the third night in a row, experienced nerve pain in my left hand.  I had a burning, stabbing, shooting pain that included numbness and tingling with weakness and reduced dexterity.  Why does this happen at night?  Is my sleep position causing nerve compression in my shoulder or neck?  When I looked up possible causes, the last one listed here (Lyme disease) alarmed me.  




Rain had started overnight and continued all morning.  I did ranch chores earlier than usual, during a window of less rain.  Once home, I continued laundry, got a third cup of tea and sat here at my desk watching it rain.  






Notice the three deer lounging down back on the oasis.  I put a third load of laundry in the drier and hit the couch to read and take a nap.  I have found when I am up moving around, that my hand does not hurt as much.  The same thing happens in the middle of the night.  If I get up and move around it relieves some of the pain.  Hum.




We had several waves of rain and a few with storm like (wind and lightning) conditions all day.  On my way to the gym, I stopped at Druid to take some photos of the next storm system rolling in.  






I was only at the gym for 90 minutes, and just did aerobic work.  I hit Food City on the way home. 

Joe and I enjoyed another episode of Survivor, with yet another twist.   

Thursday 5/7 - I had taken a pain sleep aid, but was still up several times, all night, trying to relieve my excruciating hand pain.  Each time, with some relief, I would finally fall back to sleep.  But then I'd get woken up again with another bout of burning, shooting pain in my fingers, hand and wrist.  Standing up and stretching my arms, neck and back would eventually partially eliminate the pain.  I was confused, frustrated, exhausted and agitated, to no end.
 

Dog antics while I ruminated, unable to blog.

Pain, paired with lack of sleep, and no relief in sight = grumpy old lady.  Once my doctor's office opened, I called and made an appointment with the nurse practitioner.  






Oops, the ball bounced away from Cookie.

While at the gym doing an upper body and ab. workout, I noticed I was weaker in my left hand and wrist.  I did extra arm, wrist and hand stretching when done.  Next I dropped in at Robin Hood Park for the Party/Picnic with music.  I always walk the Veterans/First Responders Memorial and give thanks for Daniel's safe return when I look at his honorary brick.  

I got to the doctor's office for my 1:00 appointment which went fine.  The nurse practitioner was more concerned that my pain might be due to a pinched nerve in my neck from possible 'whip lash' due to Rico's 180° spooks that nearly throw me.  I had also mentioned the possibility of carpal tunnel or tendonitis from over use when working with pliers and clippers to do chicken fencing.  And there was also the possibility of Limes Disease.  She ended up putting me on antibiotics, a steroid, and an anti-inflammatory.  She also ordered neck x-rays and blood tests for four different tick pathogens.  And I was instructed to try ice and then heat on my neck to reduce swelling and increase circulation.  

By the time I got my x-rays, blood test, and picked up my meds at the pharmacy; I was really going to have to hustle to get a ride in before chores.  



Boy, can our minds run wild, especially mine, if given the chance.  Driving out to the ranch I was having second thoughts about buying Rico.  It’s not the first time.  But I’m like, "If I stay on him when he spooks and it’s still damaging my body, what’s the point of being out on him?  Is it really worth the risk?"  With research later, I found this funny (video) and that you can injure your neck while riding without falling off, due to sudden movements; spooks, stops, jerks, jolts, awkward jumps, or spins.  This action often causes your head to snap violently forward, backward, or twist (equestrian whiplash) even if you stay in the saddle.  

I was feeling so disgruntled (lack of sleep, uncertainty of cause of my pain, and too much to do at the ranch) that I ditched the idea of a quick ride.  One over-nighter had arrived with two horses and another one was coming, the upper paddock had two day's worth of manure, and the recent bale of hay was crappy.  There were big wads or clumps of tightly packed hay mixed with dirt that the horses wouldn’t touch and some had sticks and briars in them.  At $9.00 a bale, I expected better quality. 

I was dragging and grumpy as ever when I got home.  I was in need of comfort food or to drown my sorrows or maybe a little bit of both.  So I had my good old favorite dinner of beer and popcorn.  Not what the doctor ordered, but I didn’t care.  

I noticed these pretty flowers out front when walking the dogs.  I had taken my antibiotic with 'dinner,' tried ice (burrr!!) and then heat on my neck, and later took an anti inflammatory just before going to bed at 7:30.  I finished my James Patterson book that I’d almost completed while waiting at various medical offices.
I was woken with extreme pain by 8:30, and again several more times.  I was nearly in tears with frustration and discomfort.  Finally around 2am I tried a rolled up towel behind my neck and sleeping on my back.  It helped.

Friday 5/8 -  I actually got almost four straight hours of uninterrupted sleep, and my hand pain was not near as bad.  By 9am the nurse practitioner called to say the cervical x-ray showed no fractures or herniated discs, so that was good to know.  There was age related, normal degeneration of the spine.  I'll find out next week if I have Lymes disease or any other tick born pathogen.  Now I was thinking carpal tunnel, so I did ice and then heat of my hand and wrist.  Notice how I struggled with Wordle, which I was unable to guess correctly.

Jan and I met at the ranch at 11:30 and had a very nice ride together.  Both these photos I got from this (video) I had taken.  

A familiar, uneventful ride was just what I needed.  

 
I had brought Cookie to the ranch with me because I had an appointment to take her to a vet for a heart worm test so I could get her on the preventative medicine.

While watering the grass seed she went nuts watching the big snapping turtle make its way across the barn yard from our pond towards the neighboring pond.  

Soon I was off with Cookie in my hatchback heading to the vet office.  Well, I screwed up.  I use google maps (not GPS) to find my way around.  When I called the clinic to ask where they where at because I was at the correct address but their office was not there, I discovered that they were on N 127 not S 127, which is where I was... 30 minutes in the opposite direction.  I would have to re-schedule.  Ugh.  Then I drove to Dr. Perry's.

This sweet kitty greeted me.  I got the vaccines for our horses, gave Cookie a quick chance to relieve herself, which she did, and then headed back to the ranch with the shots.  Cookie travels in the car so well, no barking, fussing, or fear.  Just watches out the back window.

My week has been a bit of a blur, with lack of sleep so many nights in a row.  But today went better and things (pain relief) are looking better.

I'll end on a beautiful note; with this (video) song by Shania Twain - You're Still the One. [Live in Las Vegas 2014]  Amiga is still the one for me.  I just feel so much safer on her.  I’m really disappointed that she hasn’t held up better.  But she’s been ridden hard and I’ve made several mistakes on her, so I take the blame.  Since I want and need to continue riding, Rico is now the one (not to replace Amiga, but to fill in on the riding miles she can't do).  I figure my best defense against injuries (along with a helmet) is to keep my body in as best physical condition as possible.