Snarky

Snarky~
Adjective - Any language that contains quips or comments containing sarcastic or satirical witticisms intended as blunt irony. Usually delivered in a manner that is somewhat abrupt and out of context and intended to stun and amuse. Origin: Snark="snide remark".

So today I was 'snarky'. I think.

Hubby and I went to town to get some 'supplies' and decided to stop and eat at Culver's which is something we don't do often.
We rarely eat out at fast food joints, but let's just say that 'Butter Burgers' can conjure up visions of artery choking food.

My goodness don't people look in the mirror any more these days before they venture out in to the public?

What is with the hip hugging -faded -dirty -look jeans on teenagers that are at least 50 lbs or more overweight?
Combine that with a hot pink t-shirt that is skin tight so as to show all the jiggling cellulite and leave not one shape under the shirt to the imagination. Ouch.
Where were the fashion cops?
This girl had a major violations that should have been written.

The bad hair dye job that was meant to be red~~but it was some reddish color from hell that combined with an awful tinted purple-ey color. Her hair wasn't even washed, but hung in stringy strands.
And the poor thing must have fallen into a fishing tackle box before she went out. She had metal protruding from her eyebrows, lips, nose, and oh
yes...
she had one of those tongue things too.
Not to mention something sticking out from her belly button ~ it was visible ~ more than we needed to know ~ inside that hot pink shirt.

The rhinestone high heeled sandals really set the outfit off.

I wished then that I hadn't had lunch.

Behind her came a grandma with her flowered house dress and plaid flannel shirt. When the wind gusted I got a glimpse of grannie's undies.

I'm not going to town ever again.
NO
not ever.

Sunshine of my heart

This is Sunshine, daughter to Cheyenne who just had 'Sundance' on June 5th.

As you can see, she is a pretty special little mule. Both my husband and I ride her and she has 'earned' the right to carry our Grandson Dennis. She is short, about 56" or a tad bit less. But that makes her easy to get on and easy to get off.
Plus you can duck under tree branches.

So imagine my horror last night as I walked out to watch the hose fill the water tank in the meadow and I saw Sunshine desperately trying to walk.
It looked at first like she'd
broken
her
leg.

I screeched out my husband's name [I am not a screecher by nature].
I kept hollering.

He went out to her and we quickly decided that she needed to come in out of the pasture and get up by the buildings so we could look her over.

Something strange and even more horrible happened. Three mares that are her pasture mates came charging at Sunshine, teeth bared and ears back. Sunshine tried to run from them and crashed face first into the ground ...and rolled.

If I'd had my pistol, I'd have been shooting at some horses. Her molly pasture mates stood by and watched curiously.

I was sure she had a broken leg. After talking to the vet and the farrier, they think she probably has an abscess in her hoof.

We were not able to find evidence of one, but did find a tender spot.
Sunshine is now inside in a large stall.
You'd think she'd be happier getting no hassle and nice bedding.

Typical mule.
She loves having her people around and absolutely puts up a fuss when we leave.

Epsom salt soaks are on the list right now with some bute for pain.

She's feeling good enough to paw at the stall door lightly with her 'lame' foot when she feels that she ought to be fed.

We are in the wait and see mode right now.

4th of July Parade in Folsom

My wonderful daughter Stepanie decided to join me on my 4th of July Parade through Folsom Township.

I cannot tell you how much fun we had. This would be a 'girl' thing, I guess...we had so many giggles and laughs as we walked and trotted the back roads of Folsom.

We passed 8 residences in 6 miles.

We waved at 43 people in vehicles and yards [yes we counted!]

We encountered 9 dogs.

Welcome to the second annual Folsom Parade
which by the way
doubled in popularity since last year...

I just may have something going here!

Bugs~Bugs and July

This morning my hubby said we should catch up a couple of molly mules and take a morning tour to check out the wild berry status.

OH, yeah, I jumped on that one!

I finished my morning coffee and sped out the door to assist with chores, then headed to the 'Molly Meadow'...also known as the girls' pasture.

I whistled and banged on the gate.
Mica and Sunshine showed up first and I caught them.

With my heart doing a little happy dance, I led the mules over to our horse~mule trailer and tied them up.

[by the way Sunshine is the new foal's half sister...same mom, different Jack...she is also Badger's half sister!]

I brushed Mica's silvery grey coat and then did Sunshine 'the good little red mule'.

Then I ran inside and mixed up my super secret homemade potion of fly spray.

Generic brown listerine
Water
Witch Hazel
Noxzema ~~ the kind that comes out in a squirt bottle
Apple Cider Vinegar
Oil Essentials of:
Eucalyptus
Lemon Grass
Peppermint
Citronella
A dab of Dawn liquid dish soap [blue]
...and a few drops of Premetherin [for quick knock down of the flies]

I must say this concoction works pretty darned good on the mules and it is cheaper than buying any brand of horse fly spray. It works just as good as the costly stuff.

I also rub Mentholatum ointment on the ears when the deer flies are bad ... you have to re~apply, but it does work!

Well after a spray down we headed out in the deep woods. Riding Sunshine~~ who is just a hair under 14 hands is a delight, but we stirred up the skeeters big time going through the dew damp brush and weeds. Some of the burdocks were taller than Sunshine and I!!!

Finally we got out in the valley and met up with some 4 wheelers where we sat and talked.
After heading up the old ridge road, we scoped out the berry patches ohhhhhh, they were bountiful!

We made it back home just in time for the Grand kids to show up.
After playing with the kids all day I had to take a nap so I can go on duty at midnight.

Tomorrow I invited my stepdaughter to join me on my parade.
Gosh, before I knew it, my solo parade has doubled in one year...from one person to two!

Maybe next year I can bribe another rider to go along with us!
Happy 4th.

Night Rider

There is nothing quite like a 'night' ride.
The scent of the woods while the evening dew is falling.

The sounds of birds as they call out to each other before going to 'bed' at night.
The clear and beautiful calls of the wood thrush which if you are really interested you can listen to it here:
http://www.learnbirdsongs.com/birdsong.php?id=32

Badger and I crossed several steep ravines and enjoyed the gathering dusk in the valley. A low fog was begining to creep across the creek.
I pointed him towards the 'camp' road which leads up and out of PeeWee's Valley.

He did a 'freeze' and popped his head up.
The head of a small buck rose out of the tall grass next to the creek. I could see his velvety antlers.
[darn too dark in the valley to take a photo!]

We sat until the buck wandered away and then proceeded up the old hill road.
I pointed out all the black berry bushes to Badger, I don't think he was as excited as I was to see the abundance of berries.

Although, he does accompany me on my berry excursions. I can move about PeeWee's timber much faster with a mule...and hey, any excuse to ride right???

Half way up the hill road we disturbed some turkeys that were getting ready to roost.
Dang! Talk about it raining turkeys!
[good boy Badger for taking this in stride...]

At the top of the ridge we paused to watch the sunset. The valley was already in darkness, so we decided to get on the old gravel road and head towards home.To my wonderful mules, I owe so much.
Thank you Badger for this wonderful night ride...

Driving to work...

I drive 30 miles to work and everyone says to me...'gosh, isn't that far?'
or
'isn't that such a horrible drive?'

I look back on the past 9 months of going to work and think.
Nope ~~ it isn't always horrible.
Sometimes it gets tricky and the roads are not too great [winter!].

But there is always an adventure.
The scenery I drive through is stunning.

Back roads, black tops, hills, ridges, valleys, and fogs.

Deer, racoon, coyote, dogs, loose cattle, cats, 'possum, and the occasional fox.

Farm machinery, buses, and Amish buggies.

So, I feel sorry for all those folks who have to take the ho-hum way to work, where the ride is not adventuresome nor compelling like it can be to me.
It gives me time to think...and unless I am running late, it gives me time to relax and enjoy the drive.

On this note...I hope you all enjoy your day.
I am on my way to work soon and will enjoy mine!

Back to work...

I had a few days off which is unusual for me!

I rode Siera Sunday night and she is coming along just as sweet as ever.

Sunday during the day, between raindrops, Morris and I went hiking.
Morris loves to hike.
Morris loves to do anything he can with me.
What a great little fellow.

We spent time in the creek bottom exploring and looking for more plants to ID. I found the deadly nightshade.
It is toxic...and related oddly enough to the tomato plant.

I'm going to be busy this week balancing 11 hour days along with 'farm' duties. Then on Saturday I start my new week of work.

When I get off Saturday morning, I plan on getting Badger and adorning him with ribbons like last year...and having my solo 4th of July parade.

Silly, but it sure was fun!

Also...I've got to keep an eye on the black caps...they are turning red!

So we'll be out there just a pickin' and a grinnin' pretty soon...Badger, Morris and I!

Riding and shooting...cameras!

I cannot believe this month has flown by! It seems to have gone somewhere and I can't figure out exactly where!

Today we've had a wonderful break in the weather. The heat and humidity have lifted and we are to have good strong winds today to help dry things out.
Not a great day to ride, but perhaps Morris and I will go check out the wild berries and see how they are coming along.

We did get to ride at Wildcat Mountain State Park on Friday. It felt much cooler under the huge green canopy of trees.
I brought a different camera along for this ride and was able to get some decent photos, although that is very difficult in the lighting situation we were in.

Photography from 'mule' or horse is not hard, but does take some special considerations.

A point and shoot pocket camera really works well.
I used one and brought my FujiFinePix [older model with an auto zoom].

My old point and shoot, an Olympus Stylus 4 megapixel camera was what I always used to take. It really still does a fantastic job.
The Fuji was nice~~I was able to take an action shot of hubby 'ditchin' and use the zoom to do some other shots I otherwise wouldn't have been able to take.

I don't think I'd take the Fuji if I was riding a young animal as it is cumbersome and hangs around my neck.
The newer pocket cameras have a faster 'capture' speed which is nice for shooting action shots.

Lastly I guess ~~ is a no brainer. If you need to take a really beautiful shot of someone from the back of your animal.
Your animal MUST know how to stand still.
[HillBillyFarmGirl writes about standing still in her blog artless horsemanship...such an important skill to teach your equine!]

[Badger hears the camera turn on and actually stops!]

You can use any camera and use the general setting and get good photos.

A steady hand and an eye for beautiful or odd things makes the trip more memorable.

A last word about cameras and photography. My father used to tell me that it did NOT matter how expensive the camera was or who had the better camera.
It wasn't the camera taking the shot, it was the person behind the camera.