Stayin' Alive

Good ole Saturday Night Fever with the Bee Gees, which had something to do with disco-mania, keeping it alive.  The theme also touches on the idea that everybody struggles against the world, fighting all the things that can drag you down.  


As for me, this blog title is more about Staying fit or getting and keeping fit for longevity; for stain' alive.  


I was talking with my friend Greg at the gym, who also works at the hospital in patient transport.  I made the comment about the conundrum with staying fit as I get older, to live longer; but that I am now outliving friends and possibly family that are in the same age bracket as I.  It’s scary, and sad/depressing/uncomfortable having to deal with death of loved ones.  Greg then commented that staying fit is so important, because he even sees much younger people (patients in their 40s and 50s) dying because they’re not in good physical shape.

From an article in my AARP magazine, it warns that low fitness is the biggest health threat.  Information about Fitness for Longevity states:  As we age, the goal shifts from high-intensity strain to functional fitness - training your body to handle daily life with ease, preventing falls, and maintaining muscle mass.  Strength Training: Lifting weights or using resistance bands is critical to combat age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) and keep bones dense.






Mobility & Balance: Practices like yoga or tai chi improve stability and flexibility, which are the best defenses against injury.  Zone 2 Cardio: Consistent, moderate-intensity exercise (like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming) builds the aerobic base necessary for heart health and endurance.

I am busier this time of year with the addition of work at the pool and work in the yard and on trails, so some of my winter fitness workout regimen has been nonexistent.  I just don't have time (or energy) for the elliptical I did with the weighted vest for an aerobic workout.

Saturday - I left for the ranch just after 8:00 to get my chores done and have time to cool off, clean up, and get dressed for Mike’s Celebration of Life service.  Joe picked me up at the ranch to take me to the Baptist Church.  It was a beautiful service.  The testimony of Mike and Jan's grandchildren and their two sons was heartwarming and inspiring and I think made us all cry.

Many of the saddle sisters dressed in our cowgirl get up, since the men from Mike’s golf league wore their golf shirts.  There was a small private luncheon for immediate family and out-of-town guests after the service.

We saddle sisters went to bunkers for lunch.  



Seen in photo (from left going clockwise) Karen, Patty, Shirley, Judy, Deanna, Babs, Carole, Joanne, Bonnie and I.
Jim and Callahan (from Celtic Rose) had driven up from Alabama and Joe was also with us, making a total of 14 at our table.  Joe took this photo after the Alabaman’s had left to head home.  Jo Wind was also with us, but not seen in photo.  
After great meals, we lingered at the table for quite a while, just enjoying tales of old, exciting stories of recent, and anticipation of future horse endeavors.

I got a ride back to the ranch with Joanne so Joe could go home for dog duty.  We did a few little chores, waited awhile for Karen, and once she showed up, we headed out on a trail ride.  It was warm but tolerable and a safe and enjoyable ride.

Patty was mowing and came down to the barn to chitchat with us once we got back.  Wanda on the red bench, looking at GW (Gray&White cat) over by the fence.  




Zorro and Rico got hosed off before returning them to the front pasture.  Patty took some photos of me giving Rico a drink out of the hose.  





Both Rico and Zorro like drinking out of the hose.  Silly Boys.  

The three Pasos were happy to be back out eating grass in the shade, until dinner time.  Amiga is in the middle, with the fly mask on.








Patty, Joanne and I sat around up at the house, on Mom’s memorial bench, after finishing up chores.  We were chitchatting with Debra and enjoying the cool of the shade.  I didn’t get home until 6:30.

6/14/26 - Sunday - Dang it, I was up way to early (only getting five hours of sleep) and tried to go back to sleep after sun-up, but did not succeed.  









Maggie is starting to get a little more assertive with Cookie, and I don't discourage it.  She needs to put the little punk in place.  They don't fight, it's more like rough housing, but Cookie gets too rough and also won't stop when Maggie's had enough.




After Church, I ate an early lunch and then took a nap.  Patty had sent these photos.  In this first one, there are five hens in nest boxes, with one on her way out and another one ready to take her place.  

While Patty was weed whacking around the round pen, Wanda was napping under the red bench in the shade.  

Photos of me reading while giving some lovin' to Dan's cats.  This was before I took a nap with them.  Upon waking, I had to hustle to get to the pool for work.




Rain blew in at 3pm and everybody vamoosed.    
I cleaned for closing and then read until 4:30 to be sure no one would be coming to swim.  

This photo is of Bonnie test riding Roscoe at Countryside Stables.  She is very strongly considering buying him.  He is a nine year old quarter horse gelding.  

I was home before 5pm.  In addition to the usual extra chores of trash collection and watering house plants, I also finished up a load of laundry.  

I was ready for sleep by the time I went to bed at 8:30.

Monday 6/15 - Monday night Mirror Lake Blast photos are all I have from today. 

Here are two of my dancing buddies, Cleet on the left in the photo and Patty to the right.



I put in a five hour shift at the pool on an absolutely beautiful day... mid 70s, partly cloudy, gentle breeze.  

Once home, I showered, read, and napped.  Then I packed up and headed to Mirror Lake.


The first two photos are from a video Joe took and this last one, that you see Joe dancing with me, is from a video Patty's husband Mike took.  

As always, a good time was had by all.  The music genre wasn't my first choice, but being out on a beautiful evening with Joe and friends, chatting, goofing around, and dancing, can't be beat.
 

Tuesday 6/16 - I barely got Joe up and out of bed and the bed stripped before Scottie arrived to work on our master bedroom ceiling fan replacement.  We took the mattress off the bed then moved the bed out of the way.  We tried to set up our 14 foot ladder, but it was too tall.  Our 8 foot was too short. so Scottie had to run back home to get his 10 foot ladder.  


Joe left to golf and once Scottie got started and assured me he did not need any help, I went to the gym from 9:30 - 11:30.  


Our room looked like this when I got home.  The new fan was up and Scottie and his ladder were gone.

I moved bedding from the washer to the drier and started another load.  



I was off to the ranch early to get in a little ride before doing chores.  Since I was all by myself, in the interest of 'staying alive', I took Amiga.  Actually, it wasn't fear of riding Rico alone, I just didn't have the time, energy, or patience to tackle it.  I needed a serene ride, so took Amiga.  This is a photo from several weeks ago, but how we looked going out.  

Kind of at the last minute, Joe expressed interest in going to Lake Tansi for their music. 

So I hustled through chores at the ranch and at home, took a quick shower, and we moved the bed and mattress back into place.
 

We arrived after the band had started, and sat with Joe's poker buddy Ferrell and his wife Janet.  It was another perfect evening with weather, and there was a large crowd for the very good band.

 

We were home at 8:30.  I made the bed, finished cleaning litter boxes, and settled in to read at 9:30.  I didn't last long.

I love the overhead light in our bedroom, which we did not have before.  It sure helps light up the room when I am doing laundry, making the bed, or when we need to pack a suitcase for travel.  Both the light and fan are on a remote control, which is very handy. 

Wednesday 6/17 - I forgot to post these yesterday.  Patty took them, of the inhabitants of our blue bird box out at the ranch.



I count five little babies. 

We will have to watch for when they fledge the nest so as not to have the dogs in the yard.  








Debra sent this photo after Joe had arrived at the ranch and tied Cookie in the yard.  Pugsley enjoys romping with her.  You can see the bird house on the tall fence post.

Joanne and I had gone for an early (8:45) morning ride.  We took Zorro and Rico on trails between the back nine of the Dorchester golf course, where I had gone with Rico last week.  Zorro has only been back there a few times and it has been awhile.  Both horses did very well.

Joe was at the ranch when we rode in.  After I got Rico untacked and out to pasture, I went in the truck with Joe and Joanne finished my mucking chores for me.  I directed Joe into the Glade to the 'Green Mile' trail.  

Joe mowed one pass down the middle of the trail, while I walked it, with the big heavy duty trimmers and cut (way back) all the growth that has encroached on both sides of the trail.
After working for nearly 2hrs, exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks.  I could not lift the heavy trimmers over head any longer and my legs felt weighted down.
 

In the interest of 'staying alive,' I headed back to the ranch to get my water and power bar.  I still needed to walk ¾ of a mile to get back.  








It was after 3pm when I got home, and I got right in the shower.  I removed two ticks (ugh) and then found two more after getting out of the shower (double UGH). 



I went up stairs to R&R with the boys who were craving human attention.  Once they got their fill of 'lovin,' I read and then napped.  

It was almost 6pm by the time I got back down stairs for evening duties.  My arms (and for some reason my legs) felt like I'd done a power workout at the gym.  A pain sleep aid was taken to get me through the night.    

Thursday 6/18 - I'd slept well, but felt like the Tin Man in need of oil when I got out of bed.  And then, out of nowhere, I got rained on while walking the dogs at 6:30.  And finally, while enjoying my tea and toast, I felt this tick bite me on my head.  UGH!  I guess they are doing the best they can at stayin alive, but not at my expense.  And of course, all morning long I kept thinking ticks were crawling on me, and I had to get up and go in the bathroom to check for them.  




Last night's rain had dropped the temperature plus the rain still lingered, so Patty and I decided to wait and ride at 10:30.  That gave me extra time here at my computer to play games after blogging. 

When we ride Zorro and Rico, we bring Amiga down to her stall where she is quite content (with a little hay and water) to wait for us to get back with the boys.






We only went on a short easy ride and I was quite surprised at how hot I felt, but it was because it was so humid.  I mucked our paddock and also had to muck the corral because our over-nighter did not do it.  He had left in the rain however.  






When going to dump the wheelbarrow of manure, I noticed this small (but actually rather heavy with all the leaves) branch on the electro-braid fence which you hear shorting out in this (video).






It was 3:00 by the time I'd finished at the ranch, gone to Food City, and ate a big lunch.  Shortly after 4:00 I was headed back to the ranch for late afternoon chores.  Down at the barn, Cash, Cowboy, and even Wanda spooked and ran because of something in the woods.  
The Pasos are usually really good about coming in for dinner.

Although I think I confused them while taking this (video) and only having one hand to manage gates.  

My evening was spent communicating/coordinating with Jan and Bonnie as we plan and prepare for the arrival of Roscoe on Saturday.  Yes Bonnie bought him!
 

Friday 6/19 -  Happy Juneteenth.  

I worked what felt like a very quick shift at the pool, being moderately busy while enjoying chatting with pool patrons.

Patty sent the photos of GW (gray & white cat) with Wanda.  They are becoming friends.  There is a black and white Tom that picks on both of them.  

 
I went to the ranch right from the pool and was soon on the trail with Karen.  She rode Cash, but we ended up turning back at a ½ mile because Cash was acting kind of sore on his front, right hoof.
I helped Karen get Zorro ready to ride while she un-tacked Cash and soon we were right back out on the trail.




Rico seemed a little confused at first while we headed back out, but then actually was moving out quite well.  He and Zorro continued to want the other horse to take the lead, so they both slow way down or stop when we try to ride side by side.  

Zorro getting a big drink once we were finished with the ride. 
There was a slight miscommunication between Joe and I and he had booked an over-nighter.  I did not want anyone in the corral because Bonnie‘s new horse would be going in there in the morning.  So we ended up putting the over-nighter in the round pen.

It was a good week, no accidents or casualties out on the trail or elsewhere.  Stain' alive is also my goal when riding.  It is a high risk activity and should not be embarked upon lightly.  I almost always wear my helmet, especially on Rico, and I monitor my horse as to what kind of a mood they are in before I go.