Git To Gittin'

I have been bogged down with so many things this summer (the heat, my pool job, all the animals to care for, and my recent bad cold) that I am now ready, or need to, git on with things.  I need to start riding a lot more, get back to regular gym workouts, and clean up a much neglected yard and house.  I got ta git to gittin'.

Saturday 9/19 - This has been the hottest September ever recorded for middle TN.  Although many of us are enjoying the extended summer, the majority would like to see it cool down from the low 90s to the more normal mid 70s for this region, this time of year.  The prolong heat wave has extended our pool season, thus I have had to work longer into September than expected or planned on, and the heat continues to squelch riding, so we and our horses don't overheat.  

Two golf course workers were down back a few days ago, spraying the vegetation in the pond.  I spoke with them about all the dead trees we have down back, and he said they have about 100 trees to remove, but not until winter.  






As you can see, the spray really worked.  I have mixed feelings about them killing this wetland habitat, but I do like an improved view of the water, what little there is.  





Patty sent this photo of her and her friend, ready to attend the Iowa Hawkeye game.  Iowa crushed Northern Iowa 55-0 in shutout fashion.  We love a win, but a closer match would have been a much more exciting game to attend.

I finally got to gettin' to the gym after 17 days of not gettin' there.  I was either too busy with work, was sick, or was out riding or hiking.  I did a nearly normal arm and core workout. 

I was saving my legs for dancing at the Grove.

I arrived early, giving me time for a beer and popcorn before the music began.  There was also plenty of goofing around with the ladies.
Micki, Sherri, myself, Jake and Nancy.  









Utopia (a very fun, good, and much loved band) was playing so a large crowd had gathered.

Another photo between songs.
Johnny, Nancy, Brenda, myself, and Jake.  

Sherri and Linda.









We were on the dance floor having a blast during every song (except the slow dances) which we needed to take a break.

I love that so many ladies enjoy coming out to dance and have a good time together, enjoying the music.








It had rained just before the concert started, but thankfully ended up being a beautiful night, and the coolest, most comfortable one we have had all summer.

Sunday 9/20 - The heat was 'back on' for our end of season pool party.  I left home at 8:15, and grabbed gas on my way to the grocery to pick up a fruit tray for the afternoon pot luck.  I was at the pool before 9am, starting my shift and preparing for the party.  
We had a fantastic turn out, tons of great food, and so many wonderful people.  I clocked off work at 1:30 and joined the party.  





By 3:45 I was headed to the ranch to do chores for Patty who was still in Iowa.  The Great Blue Heron (who you can almost see better reflected in the water) has been back at the lower pond recently.  I fed and mucked and then came home to do the same thing (feeding fur babies and 'mucking' litter boxes).  
Poker Joe took care of late arriving overnighters after I had earlier turned in for the night.
   

Monday 9/21 - I drank water upon rising at 5am.  I left for the medical lab just after 7:00 and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I got in and out of there for my blood draw. 








I had my YETI full of hot tea and sipped that on my way home and was soon enjoying a late breakfast.  Mama Styx napping on my shoulders and Monita on my desk while I worked on this blog.  




Joe went to the ranch to move the three boys off the back pasture, into the front field, and open gates for the guy who came to spread lime.  He applied two tons per acre (video).  The lime will raise the soil pH and help plants absorb essential nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen.  This will also discourage the sage grass (broomsedge) which thrives in acidic, nutrient-deficient soils with low pH.    

I knew I needed to go to the gym, but was being lazy, sitting here playing computer games.  It was time to git to gittin' so I went and worked out from 12:30 - 2:30.
While warming up on the rowing machine, I thought people were dropping weights at the other end of the room.  No, it was very loud thunder, right overhead, and then it poured.  



It cleared off by the time I left, but we had gotten almost an inch of rain.  The sun came back out and then it felt like a sauna.  

We had more thunderstorms in the evening and during the night.  This was perfect at the ranch, to wash lime off plant leaves and down to the root zone.  It should be safe to graze horses on the pasture now.    

Tuesday 9/22 - Wow, we are already to the autumnal equinox.  Time keeps gittin' whether we git to gittin' or not.  As good as my intentions were to git back to riding and yard work, the reality was, that it was either too hot, raining, or I was too tired.  At least I was a little better about going to the gym.

When I arrived at the ranch, a tad on the late side to feed Pasos and do chores, I discovered quite a few branches and lots of sticks down in the yard.  So picking up sticks was included in my morning's work.  I also grabbed sheets and towels (since the renters had left) to take home and wash.  


Cash was sunning after a stormy night while I mucked the upper paddock.  
I had planned to ride, but the humidity (more than the heat) really got to me and I whimped out and headed home just after noon.  

It rained a little and looked threatening the remainder of the afternoon, so I didn't do yard work or hike, but instead ate (more than necessary) read, napped, and did games on my computer.  Then I felt guilty about being such a bum.  Why can't I git to gittin'?

Wednesday 9/23 - At my 9:30 doctor's appointment, I was told all my levels (in my blood work-up) were good, in the normal range, except my good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol.  I told my doctor about my fatigue and feeling exhausted, especially when out in the heat and humidity.  I also admitted to not really doing much aerobic work all summer (due to time).  She said (and this is something I preach) doing an aerobic workout will actually give you more energy and it will help lower LDL and raise HDL.  I also need to get back to a more heart-healthy diet.  


Jan sent this photo of Joe out working in the back pasture on this foggy morning, while the boys looked on.  He was cleaning up (shoveling into buckets) the 'skid mark' of lime that had been made before the spreader was turned on.  

I was done at the doctor's office by 10:15 and went straight to the ranch to give the Pasos their late breakfast.  



After putting clean sheets on the bed and doing a little more work in the ranch house, I went down to the back pasture and raked out the remaining clumps of lime along the skid mark.  With a little more rain, this should all dissolve into the soil.  
I had thought about riding, but again got too hot, and was nervous about taking Rico out alone, since it's been two full weeks since he has last been ridden.  



I came home, ate a big late lunch, and then gave in to fatigue and took a nap.  UGH!  
It was a short 30 minute slumber and I woke feeling groggy, but guilty.  I got to git to gittin'! 

So I did finally go to the gym.



I worked my legs with weights and then did aerobics, 45 minutes on the elliptical (30 with the weighted vest).  I hadn't done this since last spring.

Joe and I watched the opening episode of Season 51 Survivor.  There were some new twists and the theme, permanent uncertainty will continue through out the season.
I read with my three feline before turning out the lights for the night.  

Thursday 9/24 - Fall started IMMEDIATELY, just like that, overnight.  

I caught up on some clerical things here at my desk.  I also dropped in on Patty and went to Food City.  I had plenty of protein for lunch.  


Stormy skies and a 'fire breathing' horse.

At the ranch by 2:00, I first took Rico down to the barn to go for a ride.  By the time I got down to the corral, he realized Amiga and Zorro weren't following us through the front pasture, and he went ballistic.  Needless to say, I had my hands full getting to the barn, grooming/saddling, doing ground work, and going out on a ride.  I only went one mile because Rico was so unmanageable and I was afraid I was going to get thrown off of him.  He spun, reared, and threw his head down and around several times; and was wanting to charge back to the barn.  It was scary.

When I turned Rico loose in the front pasture, he went charging (at a full out run) up to the paddock.  I walked up, got Amiga and put her in the alleyway between the yard and field and then let Zorro out with Rico.  Rico proceeded to get Zorro wound up (video). 

My sweet, Amiga walked calmly down to the barn with me while the boys raced along the fence and yelled for her.  







We had a very nice, relaxing ride.  Amiga was a little off, sore, as you can tell from her head bob in this (video).  

We went just over a mile because before turning into the barnyard on the way back, I took Amiga under the power line to check the status of Hathaway.  Still blocked by trees.  

Amiga had gotten a little more animated when we didn't turn into the barnyard, but she was fairly manageable and compliant when I asked her to slow down.  The boys were glad to have her returned to the pasture. 

Patty and I went with Bonnie and Kathleen to Lisa's for our September 40 Something Cowgirl (40 SC) meeting.  She has this fun 'Karoline’s Tea Kastle,' her adorable business where she hosts tea parties.  We all enjoyed an outstanding potluck supper and then got dressed up for this photo.  A bunch of silly 40 SCs

Friday 9/25 - Today has been declared "Dolly Parton 9 to 5 Day" by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.  They had a big festival in Nashville in her honor.  






Today is also my mom's heavenly birthday.  She would have been 97 years old.  Seen here, she is with her six children on her 90th birthday.  








I spent a few hours at the gym.  I feel my energy level increasing, although my strength was lower, I think because my muscles are still recovering.  




Karen and I met at the ranch and had a wonderful ride on a lovely 70° afternoon.  Rico did great.  He was a different horse.  Having a buddy makes all the difference.  So does regular, frequent riding. 

Shadow continues to lick and pull at the sore on his leg, which has been here (but is much larger right now) since early spring.  I need to git to gitn' him trapped to have him neutered, vaccinated, and possibly doctored.  The task is just to daunting.