Well, I did it.

I haven't thought much about riding now for two years. I've maintained my mules by making sure they are healthy and well cared for.

I didn't have much time to get back in the saddle and enjoy them.

Over the weekend, the gals got their classic spring haircuts.

Siera was the messiest one. But a bit of trim ....

Cleaned up her ears and mane!

Yeah--she didn't want me

to take her photo.

So yesterday I finally took her out of the pasture and saddled her up. She had some tail swishing but that could be because the flies were still after her or, she was unhappy about the prospect of working.

This mule is basically lazy. She won't do much of anything unless you ask politely. Get rough [my husband used to be rough with her] and she will do nothing. She will become a statue.

Hubby relented years ago that this mule was a lady mule like my mule Badger had been. She preferred my soft spoken ways to his growly gravel voice. Her name when he rode her was *goddammitSiera*.

I am the quiet one. I don't expect perfection every time I saddle her. I expect we get along and have a safe trip.

Anyway, there was no reaction when I mounted and rode her around the yard area. She did everything I asked of her.
Below is her listening to me to ask her to walk. The mule ears are like antenna, they point to what is interesting to her.

I then took her down through the neighbor's meadow and we took a short tour of some of the deer trails. I let her stretch her legs into a fast gait. 

It was a short ride that only lasted about 15 minutes, but she did everything I asked of her. Step out, walk, gait, stop, backup, and turn around.

Another crap shot, but here she is enjoying some yard grass while I put things away. Yes. She will stand in the yard and not leave. 

This is my mule that had never found her place with the other mules. She tolerates them but doesn't hang with them unless she is using their tails to swat flies.

When the Vet was here a few weeks ago he noted that she was a 'people' mule and that she preferred my company over her herd mates.

I like that.

But even more?

It looks like I'll be riding more and more. Siera will go to my friend's farm after June 5th. Then I will be riding with my friend and her horse Johnny Cash. 

Hopefully we will take lots of trail rides through her valley and streams this summer. She also has an indoor arena and outdoor arena. Maybe I can teach this mule a few new things.

I mean...wow....how did I forget how much I loved the sight of those ears from her back????

Just fun photo stuff...

This week and weekend have me all messed up on days and things to get done. 

So, I thought I'd just toss in some photos from my toy photography that I've done in between hikes and 'farm' work.

No explanation, just some fun stuff.

I've been busy with the yard work, gardens, and of course raising a Princess. 

[Created with AI from Google Photos]

 

Night out

First we had to set things up. 

Well, it took me quite a while to figure the tent stuff out. I even had some bad words to say, but I eventually got it done.

Here is the view from the pasture.

The view from behind the tent and canopy.

It took me a while to work up the courage to actually try this. I have camped once in the yard with my grand kids. Ariel and I made it through the night but it was a lumpy bumpy uncomfortable night.

I had a camping mattress I purchased last year to go on a camp cot. The dogs thought this was a perfect spot for them.

We sat out for a while and enjoyed a fire. I tossed in one of those color packets and enjoyed watching the flames perform for me.

I tried to get some sleep. We will have to work things out a bit better.

Hannah cuddled up on my chest or sat on my head. She also snores.

Oh Charlie.

He was sure that there was something under the tent. So he sat up and stared intently at the floor. I pulled him back to bed and he got up again to stare at the floor.

Sleep was evading me. So I gave it up and walked out to the edge of the woods. 

Stars, Milky Way, and Fireflies????

Wait. Fireflies?

Yes, they were out! This isn't a great shot, but I'm going to use it anyway. 

I have never been to this part of our land at night. I've always photographed the stars from the other end of this pasture.

The clouds moved off and then....The Milky Way!

I also took time to attempt a night shot of our little camp. Dang.
It looks so cozy that even I might want to camp there!

Wait.

I was!

I used a little camp light my daughter in law gave me to light up the inside of the tent and let the fire do the rest.

Just as I was starting to fall asleep nicely, I heard a bird in the forest sing a few notes. In a short while, the forest was waking up and birdsong was all I heard.

I opened the flap and stepped out. The birds did me a favor.

Good morning red and blue sky!

I checked the weather app and discovered it was going to rain in a few minutes. I must have learned something yesterday.  I took out the rain thingy and installed it in the predawn light. No curse words either!

I packed up the camera and some other things then headed to the house.

Adventure done.

I'll do it again.

Now for a nap.

[PS. No bugs.]
 

Cute dog and hanging out in the forest

Oh Darn.

This little dog.

Can that face be any cuter????

Did you know there is a study regarding Black Dog Syndrome?

Some feel that black dogs are adopted less frequently because they don't photograph well. [Apparently these are photos that are used to promote the dogs for adoption.] Other theories are that people just don't always like the color black. Or the color is associated with evil or misfortune. 

Clearly, I do not fall into that category. The color of a dog, cat, horse, mule, or any animal has ever made me consider anything different. The color of the animal isn't important. It is the character and temperament of the animal.

I will admit though, that Hannah and Charlie are a bigger challenge to photograph compared to Morris who was tri colored and easy to photo in any kind of light.

Our evening activities.
A little campfire, some lap time for the dogs, and time without distractions.

Here is the Killer Doe that the dogs saw. Charlie growled a warning to the doe and Hannah shook like a leaf.

Our little fire.

This space in the forest is so unique and beautiful. I am trying to figure out if I can mow the area with my little self propelled mower on its highest settings. It would be a shame to let it go wild again. 

I think Patrick is supposed to come and brush hog the meadow and hopefully this area twice this year.

The mules do go back here to get into shade and relax, but I am going out with the dogs any night that it is calm enough for a fire.

No. No terrible bugs have eaten us. Just Killer Deer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some photos from our day out working in the forest.

Have a nice weekend. Mine will be quiet.

Challenges

I returned to the gym this spring once more. I had to really consider the monthly price for it. Would I be able to afford it, can I budget for it?

In a way I cannot afford not to go. 

Yes, I hike and do all the work around the farm and that should be enough right? 

At this time in my life I do not take any medications or have any major health issues or joint issues [other than arthritic pain]. That makes me feel pretty blessed. I do have severe osteoporosis. 

I tried all the medications for that and found that I wasn't able to tolerate any of them. I choose to challenge my bones and my cardio daily as well as my balance and strength. 

But I can't do it alone. Working out in a group twice a week really helps. 

We do strength training and all the other stuff that keeps one's body moving. 

When I first started CrossFit, I did not have enough hand strength to do simple things like open a jar lid. 

My shoulders ached all the time as well as my low back. I could barely lug a standard hay bale up into a wheelbarrow.

I had great cardio, I could hike and run like the breeze. But I sucked at anything that needed strength. 

Now? I can jump up on a bar in the gym and hang with my body weight for a full minute or longer depending on the day. My grip strength is incredible. 

I still have issues with my shoulders from surgeries years ago, but I have gained mobility and yep, strength.

Before I went to the gym, I had to have help in mowing, feeding the animals, opening a tight jar, and you name it...except for hiking, I was a wuss.

It is never too late to find a good place to do mild workouts. That's what we do in our Legends Class. It is designed for all of us aged individuals who have age related issues. 

One of our Legend Ladies couldn't get down on the floor and back up when she started. Yesterday, after a year of coming to classes, she got down on the gym floor and back up 12 times in a couple of minutes [I think, I was counting my Burpees]. She can now do jumping jacks. For a year she did a modified version of jumping jacks and just the other day completed 10 in a row!

Those who can't run or walk far do a rowing machine or a stationary bike. They move, we all move and cheer each other on.

 
This is a support group for exercise at whatever level a person is at. We have bad knees, bum shoulders, heart issues, arthritis, poor mobility, aches, pains, shoulder replacements, knee replacements, heart issues, cancer survivors, and the list goes on and on. 

But we workout together twice a week and support each other with laughter and hugs if needed.

We ... are ... Legends.

We are not top tier athletes, but we are moving. We share our aches and pains. We talk about our grandkids. We sometimes have coffee together. We are a community together. We celebrate small wins and big wins.

When I think of the monthly price for the support and benefits I get at the gym [NOT that expensive], I feel it is probably some of the best money I've ever spent. I've avoided PT for my hands, shoulders, and back. 3 to 5 months at the gym costs less than most PT visits.

I am, we are,

so lucky to have a program like this in our community.

Oh I still have aches and pains, but nothing as bad as it was before I started with the gym. Is it the gym that is helping me? Is it the exercise program that the coach puts us through?

Is it the support from others?

I can't answer all of those questions.

But I do know that in 11 days I'm going to complete my next big challenge [unless it is storming].

I will hike 15 miles to celebrate being alive.

Some of my friends from the gym are coming along either the full hike or part of it.  
When I turned 65 I challenged myself to an 8.5 mile hike. Can that truly be?

I did!

I recall that hike. I took it with Charlie and carried him for half of the distance because it was too warm for him and his little legs.

But completing the hike was a huge goal. And I loved it. I also learned not to take poor little Charlie on warm days. It is too hard on him.

Photo below from that hike. I set my little camera up with a timer....

7 decades here on earth.

A lifetime of challenges overcome.

What's one more?

Thank you CrossFit Viroqua. 

It is never too late.

Just fun stuff ~ Rains!

This past week....

We got so dry once more. But that was good in a way as the farmers got most of their crops planted and I put off mowing the yard a few extra days.

I decided that a shaggy yard was okay since the price of gas was so high, I could mow it a bit less and not worry about how pretty it looked.

Now we are in a cycle of rain and rain and rain. 

Friday night we had close to an inch of rain with some incredible lightening.

Saturday was supposed to get up to 83 F and be hot and icky. So after sunrise, the dogs and I took a 'field trip' to our creek. There was a dual purpose to it. I could do my daily check on the mules and get the dogs some exercise before it got hot.

I made one more discovery. Hannah loves, loves, loves water. She paws it, walks in it, jumps into it, and plays in it. If I toss a rock into the creek and it splashes, she pounces on the splash.

Our creek is not deep in places there might be pools of water about 6 inches deep, but that it is mostly about 3 inches of water that tumbles over the rocks.

Alas, the creek is full of weeds and grasses from years of dry summers. It used to be a nice rock bed that one could pick their way through. Not any longer.

This is a photo of the creek in 2019 before years of drought.

And what the area looks like now.

I've watched the valley change over the years. 

I now fight through thigh high garlic mustard and in June, I stop going through the bottoms because of 5 foot tall parsnip plants. I have spent hours and hours clearing paths along the creek in my favorite spot.

The runoff from the fields around us drains into our valley and we get all the nasty weeds from our neighbor. The deer and other wild animals spread the seeds simply by walking through these patches.

Garlic mustard

The cattle from the two farms on either side of me are gone now and the lands around us have turned into 'wildness' and weeds. 

However, I still go out and enjoy finding amazing plants and scenery. The dogs don't care about trails, weeds, or flowers. They enjoy the smells and adventure.

I have to assist Charlie through some of the places now as the plants are up knee high to me or thigh high. I used to take a corn knife and cut a trail through the difficult parts. I may have to do that again this summer. 

This is part of the reason why I go to the Reserve or our county parks. The trails are mowed and we can walk on them.

But I do love our forest.

I'll keep exploring it as long as I can. The hillsides and upper forest have so many amazing things to see all year.

Maidenhair Fern

Golden Oyster Mushrooms

Reflections of the tree above in a small creek pond.

Mini-me and my backpack and camera

always searching for the next

shot.

This week we are predicted to have accumulated at least 4 inches of rain since Friday evening. Perhaps the creek will have plenty of water for Hannah to play in.

Hah. Siera you fooled us!

Here are a few photos over the past years of Siera. Her mom was a Peruvian Paso, her father a 'gaited' donkey.

Below, Siera's first ride off the farm when she was still green. Sooooo smooth!

Siera with kids.

Siera last year with a 10 yr old. 

Siera gets a bath after their ride.

Siera with another novice rider, my neighbor. 

Siera when she first came home to us in 2007.

In mid April I had Danny out for trimming and he did his usual. Four weeks later, Siera was barely walking as if all of her feet hurt. She was laying on the ground for hours and didn't want to get up. I took her vitals and watched her eat and poop. Her gut sounds were normal.

Everything was normal but her walk and attitude.

So I texted Danny and sent him a video. He came that afternoon and was surprised at how her toes had 'grown' out. She is one of those mules who grow fast during the warm months. She really gets long toes if you don't watch her.

Which I didn't because I was busy with the scrappers and a new puppy. My bad!

Danny trimmed her and tested her hooves for pain. He felt that her muscles and tendons were sore from the length of her toes. He said to keep him updated and see how she was doing in a week. 

For 4 days she didn't seem to get better at all. I called a Vet who had seen her before and he was able to come out on Friday. I stewed and worried and worried and stewed. Thursday I had a choice. I could sit on the porch and watch her all day or go hiking. I choose to hike to ease my stress. My watching wouldn't make any difference.

Friday morning, she was in the front pasture sleeping with the red heads. When they got up to head to the meadow, she followed. She looked normal. She looked as if nothing had gone on this past week at all.

I followed her out and watched her off and on all day. I kept wringing my hands. Did she have Lyme Disease? Was she going to be okay? She looked okay. Her vitals were okay. She let me pick her feet up just fine ... not like last week where she wouldn't pick them up at all.

The Vet arrived as I was bringing her out of the pasture. He stood and watched her walk in grass, then on the driveway, and then asked me what I thought the issue was. We talked about it and he concluded that indeed she had gotten sore from her long toes [mind you, they were not hugely long we can't think of anything else]. 

He suggested that she'd gotten frisky in the pasture [she did one day the week before!] and strained her tendons. The trimming strained them more and she was getting better.  OR---> she was showing lameness from Lyme Disease. 

He asked me to keep an eye on her and call the office on Monday with her progress. If she didn't continue to improve, we'd treat her for Lyme Disease.

Well.
Saturday came along and there she was, moving like herself with no signs of any issues. I caught everyone up and groomed them and ate a ton of shedding mule hair.

They then walked off in a line. Sunshine first [she is 29], Sundance second [17 yrs old], and Siera who is 23. Siera is almost never in the lead. She likes to take her good ol' time.

What a week. Danny was right last Saturday. I worried and worried and fretted and fussed. The Vet gave me peace of mind and Siera healed up.

I'm glad she will be back at it. This summer I'm taking her to a friend's farm so we can ride her land together. Better than me riding alone.

I have done so much with this mule and my other two, that I am grateful to have more time with her to have cool adventures.

I'm so happy to have my Goofy Girl back to normal...

Happy Trails.