Ready or Not

I am ready.  I am so ready, but maybe I better not.  I have felt ready to start lifting heavier objects (and weights at the gym) and ride a horse.  My incision seems all healed, but the deeper surgical site can not be seen.  Lifting too early could disrupt the underlying fascia that's trying to reconnect.  So I knew I needed to progress slowly, gradually lifting heavier items if it didn't cause discomfort around my incision.
I also wondered, when it comes to buying a new horse, am I ready?

Hugh Laurie has a good point with this quote:  “It's a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you're ready. I have this feeling now that actually, no one is ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And you may as well do it now. Generally speaking, now is as good a time as any.”  

Saturday 8/31 - After getting last weeks blog posted, I scampered off to the ranch to do chores.  By the time I got done mucking and up to the chicken coop, these three were out on the side pasture. 









Once home, I had my second breakfast and then Joe and I headed into town to go to the Playhouse and see a very well done production of Grease.

After that we went to the airport hiking trail, where we did our first leg of the hiking marathon that lasts the whole month of September.  We were one day early getting started, but it was very convenient for us to go because it was so close to the Playhouse. 

I did both loops which were part of the marathon covering 4.8 miles and Joe did just one loop.


Next, we went to Lowe’s to pick out some lights to replace our outdated fluorescent light fixtures, which no longer have ballast to keep them running.  We found something we could both settle on. 





We got hit with a downpour as we were coming out of the store and it continued to rain hard all the way home.  By the time I was in the house, I was feeling rather cold because it had really cooled off and the rain and sweat had my clothing damp.  I made a cup of tea, changed clothes, read on the porch with Stevie, and puttered around the remainder of the day and evening.
 

Sunday 9/1 - And just like that, September is here and summer is over and we were experiencing an early fall.

Courtney was coming, so I ran to the store to get some food.  Then I scrambled to clean house a little bit.  In addition to helping Joe vacuum everything, including the furniture, in our continued effort of flea eradication, I also did a deep cleaning of the guest bathroom. 



I went to the ranch where Courtney met me.  We brought the horses into the barn and groomed them well and did some healthcare on their hooves.  It was plenty warm, so Wanda was staying cool, sleeping on the rocks.  Cats have a way of making every nap spot look comfortable. 

We decided it was too hot to take the horses for a walk.  Joe was busy farting around with horse trailer and then tractor.  He was moving manure when we left for the pool. 

It started raining on our way to the pool, and looked like it was gonna keep it up the rest of the day, which it did.  So we just came home and had a late lunch (Courtney's salad masterpiece).

We spent the afternoon lounging, working a puzzle, and watching a movie. 


 


Patty joined us after a very wet time at doing evening chores.  We had a video chat with Britney and her boyfriend Juanca.  Dinner was Chicken Alfredo, which was actually a Banquet frozen dinner.

The much needed rain had cooled things off and replenished some moisture.  But the long drought has left the trees so stressed, they are dropping their leaves and it looks like fall. 




Patty headed home after dinner, Joe went to play poker and Courtney and I finished our movie. 

I went out to walk the dog when Courtney left at 8:30.  Rose joined us and was leading the way in this photo, taking us to her empty food dish.  Notice all the leaves on the ground. 

Monday 9/2 -  Happy Labor Day.

I did chores at the ranch, getting four partial wheelbarrow loads of manure since I couldn’t do full loads because of my weight restriction still. 

I had brought Amiga into the barn to give her a Previcox, and when I turned her out at the corral gate, she went and got a good scratching on the tree.  Then she trotted off to catch up with the boys. 

I met Joe at the Overlook Trail and we hiked it together, going 2.3 miles. 







From this switch-back, you can see where the trail runs along Daddy's Creek, which had a nice amount of water in it after all the rain the last two days. 




The woods smelled good and the sounds of the water running and the birds singing was 'grounding' (video). 








The Overlook Trail is very picturesque with the plants, creek, and rock formations. 

I can never remember the name of the tree that has these big leaves (which Joe is holding) that are white on the underside. 



Looking up at Joe as we ascended back up the hill to where the trail head was. 




And Joe looking down on me from where he was on the bridge.  Notice Daddy's Creek in the background. 



Once home, I had a big early lunch and laid out in the sun, but it proved to be a little too hot so that didn’t last long.  





After a shower and a nap and a little bit of horse shopping on the computer, I got ready to go to Mirror Lake Blast. 

I had a blast at the concert.  Joe stayed until intermission.  Micki, Donna, DJ and I stayed till the bitter end.  I danced my heart out and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I'd much rather dance with great effort, energy and enthusiasm, than go to the gym.  Although I miss doing weights to work specific muscles.
 

Tuesday 9/3 - Monita finally napping behind my computer as I worked here.  Quite often she bothers me for love and attention. 

I made a quick trip to the ranch at 8am, to give Amiga a Previcox so she wouldn't be too sore for the farrier Wednesday. 










We have decided to keep horses off the side pasture because the grass is pretty short and we want to let it grow before Dorado arrives early October.

I stopped by the FFG Maintenance area on my way home, to pick up some good dirt I needed for a few flower beds. 

I made my first visit back to the gym and did (for two hours) a very restricted weight workout.  I went very light and easy on specific back and ab. exercises.  Actually, all weight lifting requires core strength when done properly, so I was careful with every exercise.  



I had an appointment at the vet for Stevie at 3:20 and got there a little early.  I had been feeling pretty good about her progress, until a few days ago when she started backsliding. 


I had told the vet tech I was unable (not willing) to pay for expensive diagnostics or treatment but wanted to see if there was something 'simple' (easy and inexpensive) we could treat. 

Stevie howled while the tech was taking her temperature and then squirted the coffee looking liquid diarrhea, when he removed the thermometer.  Later when they were drawing blood, she peed all over the towel she was wrapped in.  In this photo, she is trying to get back into her crate while we were waiting for the result of the fecal sample.

Well, we ruled out intestinal parasites, and are waiting on the blood draw to see if it is thyroid or kidneys.  And we may need to try steroids to see if it is inflammatory bowel disease.

It was almost 5:00 by the time Stevie and I got home.  We were both glad to be done with that outing.  And poor Stevie threw-up after eating her dinner.  I think she was still too traumatized.  

Susan sent these photos of the prehistoric looking, reptilian visitor they had at the ranch this morning.  She said the horses were curious and a little scared of it. 

  





Poker Joe was gone and I decided to sit and read on the porch with Stevie, to love on her after putting her through the trauma of a vet visit.
I went to bed early, with my sore throat feeling worse.
 

Wednesday 9/4 - My sore throat was really bad, and I also had a major headache when I got up.  My muscles were a bit sore from yesterday's gym workout, but that was a good feeling, to have re-awakened them. 
The view from my desk.







Rose was camped out by a chipmunk hole.  She sat there for a long time, patiently waiting. 





I was at the ranch before 8:30, gave Amiga a Previcox, and then waited our turn for the farrier.  Cowboy and then Zorro went, and then it was Amiga's turn.

Patty had morning chores, so helped with wrangling Zorro for the farrier.  Here she is leading Amiga (left) and Zorro (right) out to the paddock. 

These two Pasos have such nice ground manners, unless they get revved up for some reason, like when a horse fly is trying to land on them.

I dumped the buckets of dirt I had brought, around the azaleas near the ranch house, and gave them a good watering.  Then I headed to the pool for a few hours.

I came home for a late lunch and a bit of horse shopping here at my computer.  I am really drawn to the chocolate, with flaxen mane, Rocky Mountain horse. I like the breed and love the color.  I called about this eight year old gelding, but he was way over my budget.

Then I heard about the shootings at Apalachee HS in Georgia.  Horrific, senseless, and tragic. 

We train for disasters or emergencies, but never really know if we are ready for one, and hope not to be tested on our readiness.  Kudos to EMTs, police, teachers, etc.

I do not understand why people would design a video game like this or why it would be allowed on the internet?  What are people thinking???

I fed critters here at home early and was out at the ranch at 5:00 to feed our 'big critters.' 

I killed three horseflies that were on Zorro, while staying out of the way of his swinging rear end because he is trying to get you to help him. 

I noticed just one of the three black horses in the field along our driveway.

One look at the burrs in his mane and the flies on his eyes and I felt bad for him. 








But I also realized how lucky our 'pampered' horses are.

This will not be an easy task getting these out of his mane, if ever his owner tries to clean him up. 





I fed the chickens on my way out and was home by 6:45.  I had a small salad and then snacked on junk food.  I don't like it when I get in one of these modes. 

I went to bed early cause I just wasn't feeling very good.  Joe has a fall cold which he probably shared with me, that or my allergies are out of control.

Thursday 9/5 - My throat was no better when I got up.  Rose  leading the way to her food dish first thing in the morning. 

I feel like horse shopping has been a bit of a wild goose chase.  I can't seem to find exactly what I am looking for.  There are a lot less geldings for sale, the prices are over budget, or the horse is too far away to make it feasible to go look at. 








My surprise lilies all popped up after the weekend of rain and I finally got photos of them. 






On my way to the ranch, I knew enough to stay a good distance behind a big dump truck hauling stuff from a cleared lot.  There was a lot of debris along the road, evidence that branches fly out of the back of these trucks.  Also, I was thinking it’s a good thing I don’t drive with my tire on the yellow line. Otherwise there would be a lot of sideswipes as I travel down Westchester and Chestnut Hill, because so many others are on or even over the yellow line, on my side of the road.  It would help if these roads were wider and had shoulders, but they don't

I helped Joe re-attached the upper corral fence in preparation for overnighters and then gave Amiga a Previcox.  The pool was my next stop, since it closes in nine days, and I want to enjoy it while it (and summer) lasts.  I was a 'pool bum' for three hours, thoroughly enjoying relaxing in the sun and water and chatting with all the regulars.  This photo is here because I didn't take any others all day.

I went to the gym from 4-6:00, ate and fed my fur babies, and then took Maggie on a long walk, getting home after dark, which is occurring earlier and earlier these days.

Friday 9/6 - If anything, my sore throat and headache were worse.  I tried the nasal rinse and then steroid nasal mist.  After a bit, I felt it had helped some.

Joe and I hiked the 2 mile Thornhill Trail.  The trail head is at the Dorchester parking lot, so we parked at the pool and went straight there when done.  Joe had to leave to move a car, but I lounged at the pool until 2:30.  Pool time included a good arm workout as well. 




Later I discovered that I had wore my big toe raw walking so many laps in the pool while I was doing the arm barbells.  Ouch.  Also, my arms had gotten a bit sore.

I came home to shower and feed the masses early before we went out to dinner.  At the pool I had started feeling bad again, and was hoping to 'bake' the cold out of my body.  My postnasal drip and sinus headache had now moved to my chest and I was coughing a lot. 

Joe ran to the ranch to check on the tree trimmer and move all these branches onto the big burn pile we have at the barn. 

Soon we were off to Fortes to meet his poker buddies Frank and Farrel, and their wives Debra and Janet.  It was a lovely night but would have been much nicer if I had been feeling better.  The food and drinks were fantastic.

Ready or not, we are getting into cold and flu season.  I'll be getting my vaccines soon.

Nana-isms

In the James Patterson, Alex Cross series I have been reading, Nana is the matriarch of the Cross family.  She is Cross's 90 year old grandmother that took him in when he was nine.  Alex describes her as an old woman, stubborn, and known for always having the last word.  She generally rules the roost, is lovable but feisty.  Alex fondly refers to her wise thoughts as Nana-isms:









In ending last week's blog post, I was reflecting on how I want to proceed with the rest of my life.  I definitely want to pursue my passion and desire to trail ride much of TN, but I also need to be a lot more engaged with our granddaughter Ava.  I would like her to perceive me as an adventuresome, horseback riding, dancing, fun loving, crazy cat woman, Nana. 



A Facebook post had these 'nana-isms' -
Tips from Grandma:
Don't go where you're not invited.
Don't talk about what you don't know.
Don't open the fridge in other people's house.
Don't call someone after nine o'clock at night.
Don't enter other people's bedroom without permission.
Always, always ~ speak the truth.
Please & Thank You are good words ~ use them often.
Love the soul of people, not their physical ~
     it is what is inside that matters.
Be kind to your fellow humans & all living things.
Give from the little you have, expect nothing in return.
Be conscious of your words ~ they matter!
Wake up, be grateful, and pray daily.

Saturday 8/24 - I was not up as early as usual, since it was so late when I went to bed after the horse show.  As soon as I rolled out of the hay, I started my tea and then headed to the ranch to let the horses out.  The Over-nighters got in late also, so weren't going to leave until later in the morning. 






I put our four on the back pasture so they wouldn't be able to come into contact with the two visiting horses.  Then I hurried back home to have tea and toast while computerizing, and be ready for the 'car detailers.'  The three of them ended up working from 9:00-noon.  But man did they do a good job.  My car looks great!

A fawn sighting while walking the dog.  She makes them very nervous.  I needed to be available to check on the car guys' work when they finished the inside, and again when they were done with the outside.  I wasn't going far anyway, cause I didn't have use of my car.  I had planned to help Karen who was helping me with mucking chores, but we'd had a miscommunication so she ended up doing it on her own. 






After lunch, I was feeling lazy and got sleepy, so went out on the deck to read and nap.  But it didn't last long because I needed to do some things at the ranch.

Just as I was backing out of the drive, Mickey called to see what I was up to.  I invited her to join me, which she did.  She helped with watering flowers while I took care of watering the chickens and letting Blackie out of her confinement.  Then we went down to the barn to mess with the horses.  We ended up taking Amiga on a short little walk down Hathaway and back on my trail through the woods.

Shortly after I got home, Karen invited me over for dinner.  I never say no to a good meal.  The spaghetti and baked chicken were awesome, I brought a salad, which doesn’t really count as cooking, but it was a good compliment to the meal. 

Karen’s kitty (Peanut) was wanting to see what we were having for dinner.  He is so big, he can reach the table standing on the ground.  

I was home by 6pm to feed pets, and then took Maggie on a long walk.





I spent some time on the porch with Stevie, who was so happy for the company and lovin'.  I finished my Alex Cross book while sitting out there on the swing. 

The cats were doing more scratching, and I found some fleas on Monita, but was just too tired to deal with complete combing of everybody and went to bed feeling a tad bit frustrated.

Sunday 8/25 - I was up too early and then soon my frustrations continued, because the internet was down in our neighborhood and I couldn't work on this blog.  Also the cats were scratching away and I knew I needed to do flea control, but I just wanted to sit here, sip my tea, and relax at my computer. 






I decided to flea comb the cats because they were all scratching so much and I couldn't computerize.  I only got two fleas off Styx and Monita, and was wondering if just one flea crawling around on them makes them go nuts like that.  Hopefully if the flea bites, it will die and not reproduce.

Babe has been sleeping and lounging up on the balcony railing lately.  I wonder if it is to get away from the fleas in the carpet and on cloth furniture.

I rode with Karen (in her car) and we spent the bulk of the day at Celtic Rose for the ETS (Equine Trail Sports) obstacle competition.  I wanted to watch and cheer for Betty (who may board at our ranch) as she competed with her horse Dorado, seen in this photo.

I was kind of 'horse shopping' so spoke with this lady about her Rocky Mountain (seen on the left) and got the breeders name from up in Michigan. 

The pony on the right did a nice job in the in hand competition. 





This horse caught my eye.  He is a three year old smoky-black dun Morgan.  So pretty. 

This plank is only 18" wide. 

 



Betty riding Dorado around the scary, evil looking girls with a horse doing the tire obstacle in the background.  


Betty's friend Joann took this photo of me trying to look scary.




Betty displaying the ribbon she won.  Way to go.  This was her (and Dorado's) first time to compete in an ETS event. 



Karen and I hit a subway type place on our way home, for an early dinner.  This was my third afternoon/evening in a row to 'eat out'.  I like this Nana-ism about eating healthy:  'There is a fine line between eating smart to live longer, and boring oneself to death.'  I agree, we need to splurge a little every now and then. 

Because I was going to be late, Patty had picked up Maggie (who had been home alone since 10:00) and took her to the ranch with her.  In this photo, she was dropping her off after having done chores out there.  I was watering plants out front at the time. 
In addition to the usual Sunday chores, I flea combed all the cats and vacuumed the main house.

Monday 8/26 - I ran out to the ranch to turn out our horses and muck.  If I only filled the wheelbarrow ⅓ full it was under 20 pounds and safe for me to push to the manure pile. 

Once home, back here at my computer horse shopping, I happened to see this 9yr old Rocky Mt gelding.  He wasn't for sale yet, but was going to be put on the auction ad in September.  I texted the owner to express my interest and was hoping to go try him out. 

I did more watering of plants, this time the ones in the backyard.  It was still cool enough to lay in the sun on the back deck and read.  It was taking me longer to 'get into' my next Alex Cross book than usual. 

I went to the ranch with Karen to check on Black Betty (video), water some more, and then Karen helped me with hoof care on Zorro and Amiga.
We had skipped Mirror Lake Blast because it was a band we don't really care for.  I did take Maggie for a long walk, going down Peavine past the Grove and heard a few songs.  Yep, they weren't great. 

Tuesday 8/27 - Today was the four week mark since surgery.  I feel fantastic and am ready to start lifting weights, ride my horse, and do heavy duty chores; but need to wait two more weeks.  It is also why I have taken the rest of the summer off from working at the pool, which I kind of feel bad about.

Monita and Styx lounging in the sun after a flea combing and before the day got hot.

Joe arrived home from Iowa mid morning and turned on the air because the day was heating up fast.
 

I ended up not doing much of anything other than some more watering outside.  It's kind of a loosing battle. 

I did spend over three hours at Dorchester pool, exercising (swimming and walking) in the water for almost an hour.  My legs were shaky when I got out. Scheesh.  I also read and sunned for awhile, making a little more headway into my book, but was still not into the 'thick' of it.
 

Wednesday 8/28 - Betty sent this photo of us (including Jan), taken August 2015.  We had a lot of happy trails together, and hope we can have many more. 

I spent the morning horse shopping, which involved lots of internet searches, some texting, and some phone calls.

The wash rack water spigot has been leaking underground so a plumber came to fix it this morning.  He ended up having to replace the whole pipe and spigot because it was rusted out under ground.  (cost - $500.00 = all part of ranch up-keep)  Who knows how old it was.  Hopefully this new one will last for many, many years. 

I made it out to the ranch by 1:30 to check out the plumber's work and take the above photo. 

Patty had sent an early morning photo of Wanda with a medium size bunny she had killed.  She was back at it, finishing it off (eating a 'drum stick') when I got there. 

All that remained of this bunny was two feet and a tail. 😦



I watered all the young trees up in and around the ranch house yard well.  I had a nice (long) conversation on the phone with sister Carol while walking around, pulling the hose with me.

Joe's poker game was cancelled because of a broken air conditioner, so we watched a movie (The Age of Adeline) which was captivating. 
 

Thursday 8/29 - I got caught up on blogging but put horse shopping on hold.  Rose showed up after a week of absence, disappearing after I had sprayed her with flea spray.  She was a bit dirty, but I think rolling in dust helps them with flea removal.

I went to the ranch at 10am.  Joe came out to help me with horse feed bags (that are over my weight limit).  Then I went straight to Dorchester pool to enjoy this 90+ degree day there.





I exercised my arms and then took a break when Micki came.  We had a late lunch (chicken, bacon, ranch flat bread that I've been craving) and then did a leg workout walking in the pool.  We stayed until 4pm.

Babe and Styx playing while I sat at the dinner table enjoying a salad.  Poker Joe was gone and I had the lights out shortly after 8pm.

Friday 8/30 - It seems like I post a lot of the very same photos (cats, deer, and horses), which pretty much they are.  It’s just that the date on them changes because I take them on different days. But for the most part, the things I see and experience repeat themselves daily.  Like this morning's mom and two fawn at the crushed corn. 

I realized that today was the one year anniversary of when Banner arrived on our ranch.  It was exactly a year ago (8/30/2023) that I took this photo of Banner stepping off the trailer.  And we had a meet and greet (for Brooke and Nick) bonfire party two days later, on September 1st, which we actually did tonight with a prospective new boarder (Betty) and her friend Joann. 

Last evening I vacuumed the upstairs bedroom where I had  slept after surgery, and where I first noticed a bunch of fleas on the bed when Mama Styx was sleeping with me, and scratching quite a bit.  This is the first I’ve been up there since I bombed it.  I wore white socks, which is what they tell you to do if you’re looking for fleas in the carpet.  There were about seven on my socks right away.  I gave the beds and carpet and even under the bed a good vacuuming. 
I went back up to check for fleas in the guest bedroom this morning and got one on my white socks.  I guess that's an improvement.  However, just when I think I’m making progress and feeling pretty good about the situation, I’ll find some more on one of the cats. I don’t know where they’re picking them up at, but it’s driving me crazy.

Everyday (and sometimes 2 or 3 times) I combed the cats to remove fleas from them.  The teeth spaced closely together remove fleas, eggs, and flea dirt from the cat.  This is my 'combing' station.  The tub is a 'bath' of a 50% solution of Isopropyl alcohol.  I drop the comb in it and it kills the fleas in under a minute.  I remove cat hair with dead fleas and put it in the zip-lock plastic bag.  I dry the comb on the towel, which also helps me spot 'run away' fleas before they get down in the carpet.  And continue the process until I see no more fleas.  Mama Styx is the only cat that enjoys this, I have to wrestle Monita and Babe. 

Stevie does not mind the combing at all, unless I get the teeth caught in dried fecal matter, stuck to the back of her legs or tail.  I have found very few fleas on her all the times I’ve combed her, so I’m not too worried about it.  Rose will not even let me near her once she sees the comb. LOL.

Stevie actually gets quite playful when I am using the comb on her.  She has been doing/feeling so much better. 




I think the treatment of revolution (which kills round-worms in addition to fleas) that I gave on the eighth of this month, is what really took Stevie down.  For a few days when she had stopped eating and was throwing up and had explosive diarrhea, I thought I was gonna lose her.  Now she’s putting on weight and making it to the litter box with much firmer poop.  However, she still is not dependable because she has little fecal drips and cling-ons.  She will remain on the screen porch until it gets too cold.  I have a vet appointment Tuesday and hope we can take care of her even better.

I went out to water plants because it has been so dry and hot, that they need frequent watering.  My project supervisor was busy, on chipmunk patrol.








Then she got too hot and tired and couldn't stick with the job.  Nana-ism:  "No day is so bad, it can't be fixed with a nap."

Just to show you how bad our drought is, take a look at our once flourishing pond.  I think it's about six feet lower than usual.  It doesn't help that it is also filling in with debris that runs down from several road ditches, into the creek, and into the pond. 

I picked up sticks as I let the hose run on some of the larger trees.  Before finishing, I had to put the dog inside because it was thundering and she was scared.  No rain was in the forecast, but then we got hit with a shower.  The rain lasted an hour, and gave us almost a ½ inch. 

The way I see it, if you want rain, plan an outdoor party and water all your outside plants.










Since the rain ended my watering early and drove me inside, I started packing up to go to the ranch for our party.  We were having our meet and greet for Betty (seen being her silly self in this photo).  Her friend Joann also came since she will be helping Betty with chores.  We had 17 people total and ended up inside the ranch house the whole time because it was too hot and humid outside.