The Fade

When I moved here almost 12 years ago, I heard people joke about the Glade Fade.  This being primarily a retirement community, the majority of us are in our senior years.  So the idea that we are fading away, (our brains/memory/bodies/energy) is very prevalent.  I say fight the fade... stay active physically and mentally. 

I get memes on Facebook from 'The Aging Active Rider' that I enjoy and get inspiration from.  The reality is that the majority of riders at our ranch are in this category, as are most of us 'Saddle Sisters,' so I want to encourage all to keep on riding as long as possible. 


We don't actually need to 'step aside' for the younger riders, but I do think the next generation of equestrians have much to offer us.  Their energy, enthusiasm, and presence is a positive driving force I welcome.  

I am so excited for and happy that Bonnie has bought another horse so that she can continue to enjoy riding. 


Below is a photo of Rosco (I was miss-spelling it with an 'e' on the end) that was sent to Bonnie.  She saw many photos and videos along with descriptions and had him shipped to TN from PA to try him out.  It was love at first sight.  He is a nicely put together, very well trained quarter horse, with good blood lines, and he is only nine years old.

 

Saturday 6/20 - Rosco would be arriving this morning, so I went out plenty early for chores, and put the Pasos on the side pasture so they could not fraternize with Rosco who would be in the corral.  

I cleaned up some missed manure from the overnighter who had left at 4am and probably couldn't see all the piles in and around the round pen.  Hauling the wheel barrow to the back of the dam, I got a nice photo of Cash and his reflection in the pond.

Joe and Patty arrived just as I was starting to muck the upper paddock.  Patty helped 'man' gates and rake manure into the tractor bucket and Joe hauled away the whole pile up top.  








Then he hauled off much of the pile down behind the barn.  On the last load, he accidentally rolled a little too far into the pile behind the dam, and got stuck in the very loose terrain.

We tried putting rocks under the front tires but the tractor kept sinking more, so finally got the truck to help pull it out.  In this last photo, Patty is driving the truck away as Joe also leaves the scene on the tractor.  








Bonnie and her friend Cathline, who was trailering Rosco, had their own difficulties.  They needed to stop for transmission fluid, but did finally get to the ranch.




Rosco was calm and unloaded quietly.  Bonnie led him to the corral.  

This cowgirl, who's been held up with health issues and injuries from accidents, along with a horse with chronic lameness issues, is not going to let 'the fade' slow her down.  She is ready to ride now.
 

Rosco seemed to settle right in.  Although after Cowboy had been brought over to say hello and then walked away, and after Jan rode Cash by, he got a little spirited both times.  









I went up to the house to have lunch and then took Rico for a ride.  I got these two photos off this (video), first of Rico at a walk.  




This photo was when Rico was cantering.  As his head nods and bobs to help him counterbalance, this causes his mane to bounce up and down.
I just rode our usual 3½ mile route.  

Once back and ready to lead Rico up the drive to the Paso paddock, we stopped to greet Rosco.  They both had ears back and tight necks = a defensive posture.
But then the tension eased and their necks softened with ears forward = attentive and receptive posture.  



Next they both took to grazing, each on their own side of the fence.  I chatted with Bonnie, Dave, and Joanne who were also there.  When I let Rico say 'goodbye' to Rosco, Rosco (who is a 'mouthy' boy like Rico and Zorro) nibbled gently on Rico's neck and Rico 'came unglued.'  He yelled, kicked the gate and reared up.  I corrected him immediately.  I bid everyone good-day and walked Rico up the drive.  



I then scooted on home, grabbed a quick shower, fed the masses, etc. and then went to The Grove for the Neal Diamond tribute concert.  Shirley, Patty, Karen, Joe, Micki and I sat together.  There was a nice sized crowd and we all enjoyed the music, although there was not much dancing.

Sunday 6/21 - Happy Father's Day and Summer Solstice.  It ended up being a beautiful, longest day of the year.  







Between Church and work at the pool, I ran out to the ranch to collect trash and muck the upper paddock.  Just after I had Amiga's stall cleaned, Rico came in and left a pile of manure in the corner.  

Work at the pool was very busy and fun because we had a pool party with Donna and DJ playing requested hits of our era.  They also sang a few songs and kept the party lively.  Our customers had a good time.  

This was our largest crowd so far this summer.  I worked later than usual cleaning up after everybody had left.

Monday 6/22 - I was dressed and had my lunch and pool bag packed, and was heading out the door for work, when I got a text that they were in the process of deciding if we should open today.  The forecast showed a pretty good chance of rain almost all day.  


Thirty minutes later when the decision was made to not open the pool, I changed into workout clothes and went to the gym.  Wow, I can tell that one time a week workouts is not keeping me in shape.  I struggled with most of the lifts I do, and even the stretches.  I got home for a late lunch and to watch deer and ducks.

Here are two photos from Saturday that Patty just shared with me.  In the first, she was helping Joe with the manure pile in the side pasture.

I went to town for some major shopping.  I unloaded feed into the back of my car during some heavy rain at Tractor Supply, but at Walmart I lucked out with a break in the precipitation.  

This is Cookie in Amiga's stall, looking through the slats of the wall while I was tacking Rico Saturday. 

Joe and I watched two hours of Scarpetta and I ate too much popcorn, getting a belly ache.  I didn't have any beer, but wish I could control myself with popcorn.
 

Tuesday 6/23 - We were hit with more rain and wind overnight.  When Patty did morning chores at the ranch, she discovered a good size branch down between the chicken coop and side pasture.  Luckily it didn't hit the fence.

But there was still another large branch hung up on a limb, high in the tree.

The day started out very cold and overcast, looking a lot like rain.  I hit the gym for an hour of elliptical aerobic work, with my weighted vest on. 
Arriving home, I found out that Joan, the lady Brian has been caring for over the past five years, passed away early this morning.  She had a long slow fade mentally and physically and although sad, it is a blessing her struggles are over.   

 

Soon I was off to the ranch to ride.  It was still cool and overcast but the sun was trying to beak through the clouds.  Zorro and Amiga in the shed looking out.  








In preparation for turning Rosco out on the front pasture, Bonnie walked him around to show him the perimeter.

I was busy down at the barn getting Rico ready to ride, so Patty took all these photos.


Cash and Cowboy were too busy grazing to come greet Rosco at the paddock gate.  


But at the upper paddock gate, Zorro was ready to say hi.

There was no drama, (squealing, pawing, or kicking) and Rosco resumed eating. 











Jan and Bonnie walked Cowboy and Cash over to the lower paddock gate, but all three horses were more interested in eating grass.

I kind of had my hands full with Rico down at the barn.  He was feeling the excitement of the meet and greet with Rosco.  I was hoping for a nice ride, but Rico was overly excited.  









So I took Rico back into the round pen and worked him there for about 15 minutes, trying to get him to calm down and focus on me.  I soon realized that a quite ride in the woods was not going to happen.  Once he did finally settle somewhat, I dismounted and called it a day.  



After completing chores at the ranch, I had to scramble to get home, feed the masses, clean up and be ready for Micki to pick me up.  I was still walking the dogs when she arrived. 
We picked up Johnny and proceeded to Lake Tansi Waterside Pavilion.  





It is always fun to hang out with my crazy dancing lady friends.  Here Micki and I are with Donna, trying to re-create the next photo from eight years ago of us as "Charlie's Angels."  


We three stay active, in an effort to fight The Fade.




It was an enjoyable night of chatting, dancing, and goofing off.



They had run out of food, but the music was great and as always, the view and sunset were beautiful.

We always hate having the fun time come to an end, especially when it is only 8:30 and still light out.  When I got home, I was too wound up to fall asleep. 

Wednesday 6/24 - What was just going to be a morning out at the ranch, ended up being a full day.  I hadn’t even packed a lunch or taken my mid-morning vitamins, thinking I’d be home before noon.  Rosco was up visiting the Pasos when I arrived.  Actually, I think this photo was taken yesterday afternoon, but also occurred this morning.

After doing morning chores, I ended up going out on the trail, by foot, and clearing more of the underbrush on the new cut through trail. 

I grabbed pretzels and peanut butter for lunch, which I had on hand at the Ranch house while working on the puzzle.  Then I fetched Rico and took him down to the barn.  Roscoe got a little wound up after I had walked Rico past the corral.
Rico did very well out on our ride.  In this photo, we spotted Cash and Cowboy napping in the shade of the trees along the woods we were riding through.  

Amiga and Zorro came into the paddock when I brought Rico back in.  Zorro scratching his rear end on the eye bolt fastener for the gate.  No wonder his tail is all gnarly looking sometimes.  

Wanda knows how to beat the heat.

The temperature made it up into the low 80's which seemed plenty warm, especially in the sun.  I don't know what we're going to do when it gets up into the 90s. 

Today was to be the day to put Rosco with Cash and Cowboy, which is why I'd decided to stay out at the ranch.  Well, there had been a slight communication disconnect, so it wasn't until after C&C ate dinner, that Bonnie brought Rosco into the lower paddock.  

It is always a little nerve racking, not knowing how new horses will react to each other.  





Cash was much more interested in Rosco, while Cowboy hung back near the shed.  

Both Bonnie (near the dam) and Patty (at the shed) were taking these photos.  





Thankfully, there was very little drama, while both C&C established their dominance over Rosco.  

Rosco just walked around exploring his new paddock.  






Eventually Rosco made his way down to the shed and met Cowboy, which was fairly non-confrontational.  






Rosco is a very mellow horse and was not pushing C&C, but definitely curious and wanting to meet them and explore his new 'home.'

There was some shuffling around by all three horses as Rosco was quite interested in exploring the shed.  






Seen in this photo, Cash and Cowboy are kind of blocking both openings to the shed.  I wonder if they were feeling a little territorial because this is where we feed them.  




Eventually Rosco made it into the shed.  Both Cash & Cowboy kept a close eye on him and it remained fairly peaceful.  







The three boys eventually came out of the shed and wandered around the paddock grazing.





Bonnie reassuring Cowboy that she still loved him and he was 'her boy.'  He had actually seemed a little worried as Bonnie spent time with Rosco, getting him acquainted to his new 'home.'

I was late getting home and doing my evening chores.  Once I sat down, I was fading fast, so went to bed.

Thursday 6/25 - I was at the ranch early (7:30) to get the Pasos out on grass for a little bit before taking them to the barn.  Cash, Cowboy, and Rosco (C,C&R) were in the front pasture, peacefully grazing at a big distance from each other.  







I watched the horse dynamics while mucking, two wheel barrow loads of manure out of the upper paddock and sheds.  The Pasos were quite content.  




Even C,C&R were in closer proximity and had moved near the upper paddock where I was working.  








I went down to watch the feeding process with Rosco now in the mix.  Bonnie had to walk him to the shed and into his stall, while Cash and Cowboy were already there waiting.

Because the three boys were occupied with breakfast, I was able to walk each Paso through the front pasture to the barn.  Amanda arrived just as I was finishing.  We groomed Zorro and Rico and were soon in the saddle ready to go.  










Jan took these two photos for us.  Amanda is co-worker Jackie's 34 year old daughter and rode English and jump-seat before graduating and moving from her childhood home.
 

We soon hit the trail, with Rico and I leading.  Later we let Zorro go first.  Amanda is an excellent rider (very comfortable and confident) and did great on Zorro, who was a very good boy.  Rico did well also.













I am glad we had hit the trail before 9:30, because the day was already warming up.

We ended up going four miles and gating nice long stretches three different times. 

After our horses were untacked, brushed and checked for ticks, Amanda headed home and I walked Rico up the drive to his paddock.  As I walked back down to get Zorro, Rico went nuts... running, screaming, rearing and bucking.  I hurried and walked Zorro up with Rico, which helped calm Rico some.  He was dripping sweat, and still hollered for Amiga, who was down in her stall in the barn.  

I hadn’t planned to ride Amiga, but decided since she was there and I had a little time, why not?  I took her out for 2 miles.  She did very well, but I could hear Rico hollering off and on the whole time we were on the backwoods trail.  Amiga and I in the back woods, 'spying' on the two boys, who we could hear but not see.  They were happy to have me return Amiga back to their pasture beside the house.  

When I got home from the ranch at 12:30, I quickly changed, consumed a glass of milk and a protein power bar and then went to the gym.  I didn’t quite get to my whole workout, but felt good about what I did get done.
 
I went straight from the gym back to the ranch cause I had evening chores.  I saw these two fawn on Westchester.




The three boys were doing well together.  Bonnie helped me with feeding since this is the first night Roscoe was to be in the shed with Cowboy and Cash.  They all did pretty well, but it is going to take some time for it to run smoothly in terms of getting the horses in place.  C&C are a bit 'territorial' about the shed since it is where they get fed.

Joe and I watched the last episode of Scarpetta with a very tense cliffhanger and now I can’t wait for the next season.

Friday 6/26 - On my way to work I drove right past the pool headed for the Ranch.  I had to turn around.  I guess I forgot which job I was going to.

Patty had morning chores at the ranch and reported that the broody hen is still insisting on sitting on eggs, or golf balls, whatever she can gather under her.  I keep removing her from the nest and asked Patty to do so also.

My pool shift went quickly.  I was surprised we weren't busier, with a weekend forecast of rain.  




I showered and napped once home and then met Bonnie at the ranch at 4:00.  She and Dave already had the chores finished, so I was no help.  Bonnie and I changed and then went to town for dinner at McAlister's and on to the play Shrek.  It was a wonderfully done musical, with amazing costumes.  It was funny and a joy to watch.  There is no Fade when it comes to the Playhouse and their productions... always so well done.