Off Kilter

Off kilter means something is not working right, not in the proper position, or out of balance.  It was a bit how I felt after our exhausting road trip.  There was a lot to catch up on, along with recovery time needed from all the sitting and short nights of sleep, and the ingesting of lots of calories and fatty foods.  I also still had Monita to deal with, although she had improved a lot while we were gone, but was still a little off kilter.  Karen had taken great care of her.
 

Thursday 10/22 - It was good to get home from our week long travels.  Once home at noon, I started right in on unpacking, doing laundry and later cleaning litter boxes and watering plants.  I was glad to see the improvement in Monita, but her head was still leaning to the left a little, she was stumbling in that direction some, and she still couldn't get up on any furniture.  

Cookie seemed delighted to have us home, well to have Joe home.  With the weather getting colder, Joe is now back to wearing his 'stylish' plaid combo.  
At 2:30 I went to the ranch to do chores.  Jan, who had been riding, offered to feed down below and Patty had helped with the mucking earlier in the day so I got off with a lot less to do.  I was home in time to meet up with Karen and exchange pet care information.
Joe and I watched Survivor at 6pm, earlier in the evening than usual since it was taped because we had missed it live on Wednesday.

Friday 10/23 - I was at the ranch mid morning for the vet visit.  Dr. Tyler Green came to give shots, draw blood for Coggings, do teeth, etc. for the six horses.  Bonnie and Patty were already there.  We ended up waiting extra long because Dr. Green got caught in traffic.  This is Rico who went last because he ended up being the only one needing his teeth filed.  It is the only photo of Dr. Green, so I put it here.  



What a pretty fall day to be outside.  



Amiga went first since she wouldn't need boy hygiene care.  Rosco, followed by Zorro were next and went quickly (they didn't need teeth filed or sheath cleaned).

Cash did need his sheath cleaned so was lightly sedated for that.  He remained tied here while 'waking up.' 









Rico had been brought down and teeth checked while Dr. Green was waiting for Cash's sedation to take effect.  Rico needed some sharp points on his teeth filed.  So he waited in the stall by Amiga. 

Amiga was falling asleep mid-munch and had a piece of hay sticking out of her mouth.  The loose lower lip indicates her state of relaxation.  Patty who was sitting by Amiga's stall took this photo.

I moved in to get this shot from below, and Amiga's eyes popped open.





Finally, last but not least, it was Rico's turn.  

  

Right after giving the sedative, Dr. Green maneuvered Rico into the stock.  This gave me a chance to look at him closely for a minute while Dr. Green got the panel locked.  



Next the head gear was put on.  Rico was really out of it.  

 




In short time, Dr. Green was filing down the sharp points on Rico's teeth (video). 



Once Rico was finished, we tied him in the spot Cash had been.  He was so 'out of it' he had to lean his head on the wall to help support himself.  








I mucked the corral, put Amiga and Zorro out on the front field, and neatened up around the barn.  When Rico was more alert, I walked him, for about 45 minutes, to help him more quickly recover.  

It was 4:00 by the time I had taken Rico back up to his paddock and came home.  
All the standing around and walking had somehow wore me out and I went to bed early.  However, I could not get to sleep because all my joints (hips, knees, ankles, and even feet) hurt.  I finally took a pain/sleep aid at 11:30, and eventually fell asleep.

Saturday 10/24 -   It was another beautiful fall day.  We just keep having one after another.  The mornings are cold and the house on the cool side, so the cats want to snuggle; but it does warm up, inside and out.

I spent two hours at the gym and got in a fairly complete workout.  I did not feel strong or energetic, a little off kilter, but went through most of my routine.

I tried to make a protein rich lunch, but realized I was out of bake beans, so substituted refried beans.  It was not what I was wanting, but I consumed it anyway.

Then I met Bonnie at the ranch to go for a ride.









It was beautiful riding weather.  The horses were a little sluggish, we thought probably from getting their fall shots yesterday.

We went 3.6 miles, bumping them up to a 'trot' a few times.  They were both good boys, although quite alert at times.  The falling leaves, change in colors, scurrying squirrels, and general change in scenery were all contributing factors.  

 



Patty had not been feeling well, so Bonnie and I did chores for her (She was to do chores for Joanne.)

 

Wanda was enjoying Bonnie's soft jacket.  George has been missing for five days now, and we all fear the worst, probably a coyote got him.  

I didn't get home until 4:30.  I moved laundry to the drier and started another load.  Before bed I folded the dried clothes and moved the wet load into the drier.  Joe met an over-nighter at 10:30.   

Sunday 10/25 - The coyotes have been very noisy around 7pm and 5am the past two mornings and nights.  I worry about Shadow, but he is healthier/faster moving than George.  
I slipped out of the house to take the dogs for a walk in dawn’s early light and was glad to have Shadow greet us, even though he distracts Cookie.  





These photos were taken late in the afternoon.  Cookie (when in a playful mood) continues to badger Maggie, who just tolerates it.  

 
Mama Styx catching a few of the late afternoon sun rays.  

This morning I went to church with Shirley.

I was at the ranch from 12:30 - 3:30.  Karen and I enjoyed a peaceful ride.  Zorro was a little off kilter, just not his usual energetic self, and kind of lethargic.  Rico was still slow moving also.  We blamed it on Friday's shots, but they (all our horses) need more exercise.  Dr. Green said nutrition and exercise are the best ways to manage easy keepers (our fat horses).
      

Diet and exercise are the best form of weight management for people also.  I had put on three pounds during the one week of travel.  So off on a long walk I went with Cookie.

We took the Library Trail up to Druid Club House.  Past the clock, you can see the nearly full moon rising.  

Druid Club House is now slated to open November 14th, over two months behind schedule.  The practice green next to it is now seeded and rocking chairs are on the back porch.        

The fire pit is ready to go and there are plastic walls/doors to enclose the outdoor area in the colder months and still be able to use that space.  









The retaining walls, on both sides of the truck delivery entrance, have been 'dressed up' with paint, new railing and accent lighting.

This was their solution to hide or dress up the big, tall retaining wall = by building a berm in front of it and adding fairly mature, fast growing evergreen.  More landscaping is yet to be done.  








This is how it looks from the parking lot from the top of the high wall.




Coming full circle around the building, I noticed the full moon behind and above the Golf Garage.  It looked like the security light out front.  


It was getting dark rather quickly and I was surprised to meet up with four golfers while walking Cookie down #18 of Druid.  

It was basically dark by 6:30 when we got home.  I did some much needed leg and glute stretches once home.  However, I still ended up with knee pain and leg cramps while trying to get to sleep.  I finally took Ibuprofen at 11pm.  The pain and inability to sleep soundly is really making me feel out of kilter.

Monday 10/26 - There was a nice looking buck eyeing me outside my office window, but he turned and trotted off when I tried to take his photo.  

I got my flu shot and then had a decent workout at the gym (just arms and core).  After lunch I rode with Bonnie and Karen.  

All three horses were still rather sluggish and only Rosco was enthusiastic about leading.  There had been a few gun shots three or four different times so that also made them a little edgy.   

Joe checked in an overnighter at 5:30.  I changed out our sheets to flannel during my household dinner hour chores.  It was wonderful slipping into comfy, clean sheets at bedtime.

Tuesday 10/27 - These two stunning fall photos were posted on Facebook, taken by James, a resident of Fairfield Glade.  As you can see, there has been a change in color, seeming to occur overnight.  












I was out the door at 9am.  I went to the library, post office, The Center, and gym.  Then I went straight to town and shopped at four different stores, the bulk of my time and money spent at Walmart.  


I proceeded from town, right to the ranch to do afternoon chores.  This is the pumpkin Patty gave the hens several days ago.  They have enjoyed cleaning the 'guts' out of it.

This is Milkweed pods found in the bale of hay Patty broke open Sunday.  











We have been most displeased with the last batch of hay Joe bought mid summer.  It has been full of green briar and other weeds.


I raked up a bunch of uneaten (because it is so crappy) hay and dumped it, along with manure, in the pile.  I hate that we paid $9.00 a bale and more than half of it is getting thrown out.  What a waste, and a lot of extra work. 

While working at the ranch, I got an 'SOS' call from Daniel, who sounded rather troubled.  Due to an unforeseen delay in his VA loan, the closing on their new house had been postponed, but the buyers of their old house wanted them out.  They had to rent an extra storage unit and start moving everything out of their house, and the movers (just doing the large furniture) would have to also store their furniture in the unit.  It was still unknown as to when the closing could occur and Dan's family would be 'homeless' as of tomorrow for two to five days.  He had called because he would not be able to take their cats back yet.  I was thinking, that is the least of your worries.

The other very unfortunate complication, was Dan had hit a deer Monday night (with Vale's SUV) while driving home from the storage unit.  With 170,000 miles on it, the appraisal was to 'scrap it' even though it was still drivable. 
Due to commitments, we were unable to come to their immediate 'rescue' but Joe did find this nice two bedroom AirB&B, two miles from their new house.  He reserved it for four nights and it will house them until the move.  
I tossed and turned, worried about Dan and Vale, who would be up late into the night trying to get everything moved out of their house.

Wednesday 10/28 - Sleep had not come easy last night.  I was worried about Dan, suffering deep pain in my knee and leg, and Joe was coughing and hacking much of the time.  I had taken ibuprofen at 9:00 and was back up reading from 10:30 - 12:30 until the Tylenol PM I took at midnight kicked in.  
Waking at 6:00, I knew I would be off kilter today.  But look at the beautiful view I had outside my office window.  




I lingered at my desk a little longer than necessary and didn’t get out to the Ranch until 10:00.  The Pasos were patiently waiting for breakfast.  
This is a photo of Monday's overnighters that Joe just shared.  The black ones are Fell ponies.  





I proceeded to spend all day working at the Ranch.  Joe was out and helped me with moving feedbags.  Then we went out on the trail to pick up some things and do some clearing.





Several days ago, while out riding, us ladies had noticed a bush in a pot, trash, and fishing line.  When I had gotten off Rico and started reeling in the fishing line, I came up with this deer leg the line was tied to.  WTHeck?  This definitely was off kilter, awry.  Well today, Joe and I collected the plant and trash, but left the leg. 

Joe and I then proceeded around to another section of trail and cleared a path through two sections of downed trees.










Now we can ride our horses around this loop as another option for returning to the ranch.  


Back at the ranch, we worked at cleaning up the chicken yard a little bit.  Joe mowed and I pulled weeds around all the trees and shrubs as I was also watering them.  With this drought, these young plantings need pampering.





I planted the Boxwood we had 'rescued.'  It's root ball was really dried out, so I am not sure it will survive.  I gave it a very good watering.  Also, I haven't had any luck getting anything (other than weeds) to grow around the power pole ground wires.  So we'll see.  





I had planned to ride Amiga, but was running out of time.  However, when Jan came to ride Cash, I decided the watering/weeding/garden clean up could wait.  








I collected Amiga, opened the gait to the front pasture to walk her through and let Zorro and Rico out of the dry lot for the night.  







Here is a close up of what the first photo was showing... the newly cleared path in the trail, that I took Amiga down.  







It was a short 1½ mile ride, and I soon got back to work in the ranch yard, clearing all the weeds out of the garden and continuing watering all the young trees.  I found this potato Patty had missed when she harvested them a few months ago.  Also notice the volunteer potato plant.  Probably another one she had missed that decided to grow.



Earlier in the afternoon, Joe and I got a 'face call' from Courtney and Layla.  She had gone to Dan's old house to watch Layla while Dan helped the movers get all the furniture loaded.  Off to the storage unit they went, since they didn't have the new house yet.  The good news was that they will be able to close on it Friday afternoon. 



Once the old house was all cleared out, Courtney got Ava from school and met Dan at the AirB&B.  She went with the girls on a walk from their temporary dwelling.  Things were working out and life was going to be okay.  






I didn't get home from the ranch until 6:30.  While doing all my pet care duties, I told these two boys they would be home soon.  Although, we did decide to wait to move them next week once Dan and Vale are a little better settled in.

Thursday 10/29 - After a decent gym workout and quick lunch, I went to the ranch.  My first priority was to ride Amiga, going farther and faster than we had yesterday.  She and I connected so well today.  I just love her.  







We were having the Crossville Chapter of 40 Something Cowgirls meeting at the ranch this evening, so I continued getting things ready for that.  Patty arrived and then Joe, and helped.  Shantell Ogden would be driving here to the ranch from Nashville, and be one of 16 ladies to be attend.





Jennifer, our chapter president, arrived first at 4:40.  She does these nice agenda sheets for each meeting.  






Once all had arrived, we gathered around the living room and Shantell (Country music singer/song writer) played four of her songs for us (video).  I loved her lyrics and enjoyed her voice.  




Many photos and videos were taken while she performed.

Shantell wrote the song 'Cowgirlin' and made a music (video) using photos that 40 SCs sent in.  Look closely at the 37 sec mark, 1:14, 1:36, and 2:09.  Also see Jan on Cash right near the end at 2:52 sec.

Shantell had to hit the road, so we did a quick group photo before she left.

Then dinner was served.  We had a huge potluck spread of great food.  Many people brought two different dishes.  I wish I'd taken a photo of the food bar.  Here is a blurry shot I got off someone's video.

Dinner was followed by our meeting, which drug on a little too long because one lady went into (far too much) detail about a proposal she had for our chapter to host a training clinic.  





Next, several of us went down to the barn to do our ghost photos.  









We had ghoulish good fun striking several different poses.





Wanda was hangin' around, but we couldn't convince her to come pose with us.  She was trying to convince us she needed feeding.








Jen made this AI generated photo that included some additional props, including a black cat.  




The evening ended with half still left to gather around the bonfire.








All had departed the ranch by 9:30 and I was the last to leave at 10:15.
 

Friday 10/30 - I was at St. Francis before 10am for the memorial service and funeral for Micki's mom, Rita.













A luncheon followed.

Feeling off kilter due the sadness of the finality of Rita's death I headed home to change.  Then I scurried off to the ranch, ready to ride.  Cindy, a lady planning to join our 40 SC group was trailering to the ranch (with two of her horses).  She was going to join Bonnie, Joanne, Karen, and I on a ride.  

We started tacking up Rico, Zorro, and Rosco, however Cindy was running late.  

We did get great news from Dan... they closed on their new house!   Yippeee!!

Cindy arrived 20 minutes late, but Bonnie and Karen had grown tired of waiting and headed out on Zorro and Rosco.  As it turned out, a very smart decision.  Joanne and I help Cindy unload her horses and we immediately wondered how this ride was going to go.  Her black mare Evie was drenched in sweat and remained extremely anxious even once off the trailer.  Joanne did a great job handling her while I helped with the other (white) mare.  But it only got worse from this point.  


Cindy's trailer was older, parts were not working well, and her handling of the horse was dangerous.  She didn't tie the white horse and she wandered off.  And then her tack was also old, cracked leather, and not safe.  We had troubles fitting the saddle on Evie and Cindy told us it was the first time she had put it on her.  Then she told us Evie hadn't been ridden since January.  WTHeck?

I went with Joanne and Evie down to the round pen and the horse went nuts.  She couldn't see the white mare and was running, yelling, and hitting the roundpen panels.  Joanne quickly decided that she wasn't going to ride her. 



Joanne took the bridle off and then Evie started running and bucking, not liking the saddle.  So Joanne took it off also.  She took a few videos which I got these photos off of.  Evie and the white mare were yelling back and forth to each other and Rico joined in, getting rather anxious himself.  Meanwhile, Amiga (in her stall) remained quiet.  

I was wondering what was taking Cindy so long, and went back up to the trailer.  She was having tack problems.  Finally she was in the saddle and we headed out on the trail.  Joanne remained with Evie to tray and calm her down.

Cindy had brought her dog (whom she said was good on the trail), but that was not the case.  The dog freaked Rico out and then as Bonnie and Karen were riding back, coming down the trail towards us, the dog scared their horses. 

Rico was revved up and Cindy's horse was wired as well.  I cut our ride short (just 2 two miles) and was a nervous wreck by the time we got back to the barn.  Cindy wanted to go back out, putting Joanne on the white horse and she was going to ride the black mare.  I had suggested this at the very before going down to the round pen but Cindy had assured me her horses were rock solid and would be no problem.  We told Cindy we were done. 

There were several other crazy, inappropriate things Cindy did with the horses.  Needless to say, I have never been more relieved to see a trailer head out our drive. 

I felt so off kilter because my adrenaline had been surging the whole time.  I even got anxious all over again just recalling this and writing it down.

By the time I got home, we had gotten some photos from Vale.  They had gotten their first box unpacked at the house.  The girls, like cats, thought the box great fun.  Thank goodness for comic relief and some normalcy for them.  It helped calm me.