FarmFollies...

I got myslef a Chihuahua!

2011-12-27T00:02:00.000-08:00

Oh ya! 2lbs 14oz of "Purse Piranha"!! He is so cute! 13 months old, a tiny little head and the smallest nose I’ve ever seen! He sits like a big dog and plays with the Standard Poodle like he’s the man! He isn’t a yapper or a biter, but a great hugger! Oh my goodness, I think everyone needs one of these guys! I’m sure I will have great stories about him to share with the follies!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

2011-12-25T09:08:00.000-08:00

What a gift we have this morning!! The gift of life!!

The tag says: To You, From Jesus!

Remember the reason for this season!!

Remembering Richard

2011-07-01T00:47:00.000-07:00

Richard Raisor…at first sight you would think he might be a biker. He was a little rough around the edges and fit right in with the biker crowd and he did have a lot of biker friends. But in real life, Richard Raisor was a full on Montana Cowboy. Everyday he would get up and put his boots on…Richard liked his boots, in fact, he would often say “if I die, I wanna die with my boots on!” Then he would put on his old hat and saddle his big bay mustang, Bubba. The two of them were ranch hands. They road the fence and fixed what needed fixing, they herded cattle, branded, banded and de-horned the calves. They set irrigation sprinklers, you name it, what ever needed done on a ranch, Richard and Bubba did it!

On the off season or if no ranches were in need of a hand, Richard and Bubba would just ride, I believe they rode most every day. On a sub-zero winter morning or a hot dusty day you might see a horse and rider up on the ridge or riding through the drive in at KFC for a cone or tied up at the local saloon for a cold beer and conversation with the barkeep. From Butte to Whitehall, Bozeman, Belgrade or any other little town near the Continental Divide, you might see Richard and Bubba on their ride. Everyday a new adventure, a new friend!

Richard had a big family, 7 kids plus countless numbers that claimed him as a dad, a bunch of siblings and in-laws and the list went on! He made friends along the way that I’m sure he never knew he had made any kind of an impact on. But he did. He was friends to many and had some really close friendships, but to Karl he was more than a friend, he was a good friend, a best friend, they were buds. All the times he stayed with Karl, he never took without giving. Richard was quiet and respectful with a gentle crooked smile. The kind of man you could trust your horse with…and your daughter.

Well, life happened and Richard took sick. He was in bad shape, coughing, congested, fatigued, just plain miserable and sick. My brother Karl and his wife April moved Richard from the house he was living in on the ranch to their house and into the bedroom that Richard had stayed in off and on for the last 14 years or so. Richard went from bad to worse and landed in the hospital. Said he had pneumonia. When he came home to Karl’s he was still on oxygen and medication, in general still pretty darn sick. Karl and April did what they could to make him comfortable, all the while, sure he would get better, praying he would get better.

On Sunday morning June 20^th, 2010, Father’s Day, I got a call from Karl, Richard had died. My husband Joe and I immediately packed and headed out on that 6 hour drive to Montana to pay our respects to Richard and be their for emotional support to Karl, April and the family. . We sure were wishing we just lived down the road at that moment, 6 hours is a long time to get to someone in need of a hug. We got in late and Karl, April, Joe and myself stayed up till the wee hours remembering Richard. At some point during the night, I had asked Karl if Richard was a Christian. He wasn’t sure. On Sunday mornings while Karl and April went to church, Richard went on a ride, but he was known to watch a Christian movie here and there and to sit in on some religious conversations at times. At this point we just weren’t sure.

Early Monday morning, 2 of Richard’s boys drove in from Tacoma. They drove straight to Karl’s before going to the family, knowing that Karl would give them the emotional support to face the rest of the day. That’s the kind of friend Karl is. Later Monday afternoon a few of Richard’s kids stopped by Karl’s to pick up their dad’s belongings and ask Karl if they could have the service at his place. Karl went into Richard’s room to get his things together. He and Joe packed his stuff out and loaded it into a pick-up. There was 2 milk crates with some old stuff in them, a small white microwave oven, a toaster and a small old boom box stereo. Along with an old pick-up truck and a beat up old horse trailer, Bubba and some tack, that was all Richard possessed in this world. He was a cowboy, he didn’t need much and never wanted for anything but a good ride on a good horse with good friends.

His service was to be held on Saturday at the little place they call the Rocker-K ranch. Karl was asked to do the eulogy and say a few words at some time during the gathering. About one o’clock Saturday afternoon the horses and riders started flowing in from Sheep Camp Road to Dinsmore Lane down Karl’s driveway. Then came the bikers, and by the dozens, cars and trucks, people were coming and coming! People put their horses in what ever corral was available and found a place for their tack, the bikers parked their bikes where they could and the cars and trucks were lined up from Karl’s’ house clear out to Sheep Camp Road, on both sides! Every possible place to park sit our stand on the ranch was full!

When it came time for Karl to speak to the crowd, he stood, with a tear in his eye and a lump in his throat and not a dry eye in the crowd, GOD gave Karl the courage, strength and the words to witness and share the Gospel with a crowd large enough to embarrass Richard had he been there, for causing them all to come out. Who knows how many, no one was counting. It is amazing that GOD could use Richard to bring together so many people to hear his word as Karl let the Lord guide him and give GOD the glory! If just one person gets saved by God’s grace as a result of being Richard Raisor’s friend, I’d say he lived a perfect life! Through the power of God, I do believe that Richard was a Christian!

On that Sunday morning, GOD gave Richard, as sick as he was, the strength to get dressed. Richard Raisor died with his boots on!!

His kids took him and Bubba on one last ride, to his favorite place. They set Richard free to ride the wind and hung his hat on a tree.

We can keep Richard alive by sharing his story over and over!

A prayer answered!

2011-04-14T01:41:00.001-07:00

Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!" My father yelled at me. "Can't you do anything right?"

Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man inthe seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle. "I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving." My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt. Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back.

At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him? Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon. He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his prowess. The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man.

Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance
sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and
oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was
lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone.
He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone.

My husband, Dick,and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We
hoped the fresh airand rustic atmosphere would help him adjust. Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But the months wore on and God was silent.

Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it. The next day I sat down
with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics
listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic
voices that answered. In vain. Just when I was giving up hope, one of the
voices suddenly exclaimed, "I just read something that might help you! Let me
go get the article." I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable
study done at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for
chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they
were given responsibility for a dog.

I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a questionnaire,
a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of disinfectant stung my
nostrils as I moved down the rowof pens. Each contained five to seven dogs.
Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs,black dogs, spotted dogs, all jumped up,
trying to reach me. I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons...too big, too small, too much hair.

As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed. Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray. His hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly. I pointed to the dog. "Can you tell me about him?" The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement. "He's a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. That was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow." Hegestured helplessly. As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. "You mean you're going to kill him?" "Ma'am," he said gently, "that's our policy. We don't have room for every unclaimed dog." I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision. "I'll take him," I said.

I drove home withthe dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch. "Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!" I said excitedly. Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. "If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it" Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house. Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples."You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!" Dad ignored me. "Did you hear me, Dad?" I screamed.

At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed and blazing with hate. We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw. Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at theuplifted paw. Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal. It was the beginning of a warm and beautiful friendship.

Dad named the pointer Cheyenne. Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet. Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years. Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends.

Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne's cold nose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night. I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night. Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind.

The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day
looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews
reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne
had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to
both Dad and the dog who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to
Hebrews 13:2. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers." "I've often thanked
God for sending that angel," he said.

For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article... Cheyenne's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter. . .his calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father. . and the proximity of their deaths. And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all.

UA

Awe, Best Friends...

2011-03-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

Last spring a chicken hatched out her eggs, she had 9 chicks. Around here it is survival of the fittest...free roam and free-for-all. Including the hawks, owls, magpies, raccoons, and many other hazards, it's always a surprise when any of them survive. Well, this little girl made it! She never got very big and she always walked a bit funny, but she got by!

She was about the ugliest chick I've ever seen! Took forever for her to grow feathers around her neck, head and face, and her body was like a ball...really round. She was about half the size of a full grown Banty. She would hop up to me every time I was out by the barn, seriously, she would hop up in my hands! I would pack her around while I did chores...sometimes I would set her inside the scratch bag until I was done, just so she could eat without getting hassled by the others.

My horse, Dali, fell on the ice, was a little limpy, so we put him in a 12 by 32 run. I think he got a bit lonely cuz he and that chick were pretty good friends! Dali would lay on the chips and that little chick would be nesting beside him. Dali would eat and that chick would be by his feet. Iwould carry the chick around and Dali would nuzzle her. It was very sweet.

The chick wouldn't stay in the chicken house so the cold weather took it's toll on her. A few days ago I went to feed the horses and the little chick was dead...and standing over the top of her was Dali, his head hanging low and his nose almost touching her. It truly broke my heart. I think they were best friends. Who knew an ugly chick could keep a horse such good company?

I don't know about you, but I got a tear in my eye...again.

Road to the Horse 2011...a horse in the race...

2011-03-02T23:12:00.000-08:00

RTTH...Road to the Horse 2011. Wow, Super Bowl for the horse person! And if you have a horse in the race, so to speak, it is all that much more exciting!

We live out of the way, in the woods, no high speed internet here, so webcast?...ya, right! Tried to buy tickets to RTTH in December for my hubby for Christmas and then we could do a little vacation in February...Murfreesboro, TN...that could be fun! Not! Sold out...oh no! OK, webcast...no reception. Plan C...let's hotel camp, buy the webcast and watch the RTTH there!! Oh baby, let's make this happen!!

On Friday February 25th we check into the hotel...settle in and load the magic webcast numbers on the computer. I thought ahead enough to make sure we got a room with a big flat screen TV and took the necessary cords to make the connection between computer and TV happen! Oh, man, the best seats in the house!! We kick back on the bed and watch it on the big screen! Couldn't have got this view if we had front row seats at the actual event!!

Road to the Horse 2011...starring Clinton Anderson, Chris Cox and Pat Parelli. These guys are considered legends in the horse world. It doesn't get much better than this...ok, maybe, John Lyons or Craig Cameron or Richard Winters or Ken McNabb or Tommy Garland...oh goodness, there are so many great horse trainers!! But these 3 are right at the top of the heap...really, it depends on the day with any one of them! That being said, we all have one that draws us a bit more than the rest, that would be your horse in the race!

The remuda of horses are herded into the arena and the horsemen draw a number to see who gets to pick first from that remuda. This year the 3 year old geldings are from the famed 6666 ranch! The horse they pick may well seal the deal as to who wins, but really, who knows until the fat lady sings! The 3 horses picked seemed to be pretty tough. Not the same brain power as horses used in previous RTTH events. Seemed Clinton Anderson's horse was hot...oooh, sizzle! I would not want to ride that one!! Parelli's, a bit more on the quiet side but totally pie eyed! Cox's, about in the middle of the other 2 horses. (Remember, I'm not a professional, I'm just a lowly commentator giving a blow by blow as "I" saw it!)

This was a 3 day event...it was exciting to watch and nerve wracking at the same time. You want the trainers to do well and the horses to catch on fast! I’ve watched all the RTTH videos since "In a Whisper" was released and I don't remember any of the trainers getting bucked off, but you know, there is always a first! When Parelli got tossed to the dirt, I'll admit, I laughed! Oh, some will say he fell, others will say he bailed...but he flat out got bucked off. Sorry guys! Parelli is a great trainer and he most certainly has put his mark on the horse world...but..he's a mouth. I can't count the times I've heard the 90 plus percent of the rodeo stock he has "not" been bucked off, so the horse owed him this one!

Now, I can hear some of you yelling at me "Anderson's a mouth too!" Ya, Mate, he's cocky, nobody is going argue that point. But for me, he's the lesser of the 2 evils and I like his method best...for me! It's a personal choice, nothin against anyone who disagrees! And Cox seems pretty quiet and passive...boring...great trainer, just doesn't keep my attention. I do plan to pay more attention to him and give him an honest shot though. He has a nice family...adorable kids!-- Oh, back to RTTH!

So, by now you know who my horse in the race was! Truth is, no matter who your horse was, the whole event was awesome! I liked that they had Susie Dobbs, Stacy Westfall and Richard Winters doing some commentating. I think it helped fill in some space for Rick Lamb. Richard Winters did a great job, he is knowledgeable and fair, and a great trainer himself...I think he brought allot to the table! And the more I hear from Westfall, the more I like her! I think the one element missing was Craig Cameron. He has an outstanding personality, easy going, easy to like and creates a great report with the crowds. He won RTTH 2010, it would have been very fitting for him to have taken part in this RTTH! As a competitor or commentator. Maybe next year!!

I like the "Freestyle" at the end of each clinician's presentation the most. And really, Anderson does the best freestyle performance of any of them, ever. Even if you think he is a one man circus act, you gotta give him credit for being gutsy and at a minimum ...entertaining!! Of course, I may be alone on this one!

So, Cox won. I'm not terribly disappointed with that choice and I'm not sure any one of them did any worse or better than the next, it's a tough job, I don't care who you are! But, I do have to wonder if Parelli's dislike for Anderson influenced the judges to go with Cox on this one and leave the other 2 to learn a lesson on sportsman like conduct.

Bottom line...this is a great event and it gets better every year! All the horse trainers/clinicians should be applauded...they have done wonderful things for the horse world and the horse lovers. I know I have learned something from everyone of them...even If I have my favorites, they all deserve credit for bringing it to us, sharing it with us and stirring our enthusiasm for the horse! Looking forwad to Road to the Horse 2012 !!!

Thank you Tootie Bland!

It's a slippery slope!

2011-03-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

This is a view of my driveway a few weeks ago. It was sheer ice, and there is a slight down hill run. The dogs are Goose, Grover and Miss Noodle. These dogs have a serious play agenda! They charge, pounce, jump, push, pull, trip, chew, anything they can think of to each other! Never a dull moment, and assuredly, never bored...not these three!

After a freezing spell, the snow started melting a bit. It left us with ice everywhere we had plowed...and that makes for some funny moments with the critters! The dogs, mainly Grover and Miss Noodle, will hide in the woods or crouch on a snow bank, and when another dog walks/runs by, they charge! The 2, sometimes all three will go sailing down the sheet of ice and slam into a snow bank and slide some more...then they jump up and do it again!!

Sometimes, a chicken might get in the way and they will go for a slide! Once, our big black rooster jumped down off the snow bank onto the ice and there was a whole lot of fancy ice skating going on! He was unable to keep an upright position for long but seemed to catch onto the summer salts quite nicely!

This ice makes for hours of entertainment for us humans! Of course, it's all fun until a critter winds up in the vet's office! I'd get all this on video but seems by the time I get the camera out, the critters act like "hey, nothin goin on here"!...But, some day!!

On One Leg!

2011-02-18T01:28:00.000-08:00

When we leave our driveway, we then have another, oh, let's say 1/4 mile of easement road just to get to a "primitive" road that takes us to the narrow, paved 2 lane road that gets us to the highway...you get all that?! Ok, let's get back to the easement road...there are trees on both sides. To the north there is thick woods, to the south after the narrow row of trees, there is a field. So, as you can imagine, there are a plethora of critters that go back and forth across that easement road, from the field to the woods.

I personally have seen deer, moose, grouse, quail, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, coyotes, turkeys...I'm sure I've missed a few! And, there's the domestics, dogs, cats, horses and an occasional human! Anyway, right now, the turkeys are out in force. Sometimes I will see a rafter...oh ya, that's what a group of these guys is called...a "rafter"....pretty smart, huh? Ok, wikipedia! -- So, sometimes I will see a rafter of 10, sometimes 100...I'm not kidding!! Lately, there has been a turkey in the rafter with either a leg tucked up under himself or a missing leg, regardless, he only has one useable leg! We have seen this guy for a few weeks now, hopping back and forth across the easement road.

Well, it snowed last night...not much, but a decent skiff, enough that it is perfect for tracking. At O-dark-30a.m., I went out to feed the horses...still dark. I see a track coming into the driveway, over the gate, across the yard, to the hay barn. The weird thing, it is a turkey track, the right leg of a turkey, in a straight line. No left leg, just the right, and where do the tracks go from the hay barn...well, to the chicken house of course!! It's a free meal, why the heck not! Do you think my 2 BIG dogs know he is crippled up, because they sure aren't stopping him!!

All said and done, this little one legged, chicken scratch steelin, thieving turkey is pretty crafty! He has survived a pretty harsh winter, deep snow, underlying ice, extreme low temps, lots of owls, raccoons and a mega population of coyotes...and my dogs! I'm impressed with this turkey's survival skills. Maybe he will soon join into my daily follies, he seems to feel pretty comfy here on the farm!!

hmmm...

2011-02-16T01:10:00.000-08:00

Why did the cowboy buy a dachshund?

He wanted to "get a long little doggie!"

....YEEE HAW!!

The Little Dog

2011-02-02T00:22:00.000-08:00

I wish Christ had a little dog

All soft and loving like mine,

With two long ears and a nose all wet,

And big brown eyes that shine

I know that He hadn't because I have read

How He prayed in the garden alone;

For all the disciples had fled from his side...

Even Peter...the one called a stone.

I'm sure that a little dog

With a heart so tender and warm

Would never had left Him to suffer alone

But would have crept up under His arm

Would have licked the dear fingers in agony clasped

And counting all favors but loss,

When they took Him away, would have trotted along

And followed Him right to the cross.

What is wrong with people...

2011-01-18T00:29:00.000-08:00

Daughter in law, Dr.J, asks if we could maybe check out a house in the middle of nowhere on some mountain top, where abandoned dogs have been reported. The Sheriff’s office responded, found 2 puppies, one dead, and the momma dog, which he could not catch. The officer took the live puppy to Dr.J at her clinic.

Long story shorter…we drove up the mountain and found the abandoned house. Looks like the people shut down, locked up and walked away in a hurry…left it all, everything…food in cupboards, dishes in sink, garbage everywhere, trash in the yard, AND their dogs!! There is 3 feet of snow and the only tracks are from the abandoned dogs. No one has shoveled, plowed or walked up to the house except the one officer…and his tracks were snow covered! While we were struggling through the snow, there was an unsettling feeling, like the hair on your neck being disturbed! My hubby says, “shhh, I think I hear banjos”. Oh, hey, thanks allot! Like I need you to add to my creepy thoughts!

Ok, so no boogiemen, no one from the “Deliverance” movie…just dogs, abandoned , helpless, starving dogs. The information we had was there was a female (mom to the pup) that had a broken front leg. She was there. A sweet small Black Lab cross with damage to her front leg. AND there were 4 more puppies…adorable little Lab/Rott cross. AND a 6 month old female Lab/Rott cross, AND a year old female Lab/Rott cross.
You doing the math here? That’s 8 dogs!! 8 abandoned dogs! AND I’m sure we saw one more that we can’t find now. We took dog food up and left for that one…we will go back up and look for him in a couple days.

These dogs have been scrounging to stay alive. We saw a chewed on back bone that seemed to be that of a calf, and some venison bones were laying around as were a few empty dog food bags along with all the garbage in the yard. All the dogs had extended stomachs and crusty hair, add to that a horrible smell! So, they all went to Dr.J for a check up, shots and de-worming. Dr.J is guessing pups at around 7 weeks old so they are ready for new homes! 2 of which are now living with the pastor’s daughters and getting spoiled! I hear the other dogs are all doing well also. Dr.J thinks the leg on the momma dog will be saved.

We have the year old with us, and she is doing well, after passing all those horrid worms and getting some good nutrition in her. Isn’t it amazing how a dog can fair so well after being treated so bad. 3 days with this young dog and she now knows how to sit, lay and ask to go outside. She sleeps by the bed…all night without getting up, and she rides in the car like she is a world traveler. She gets along well with the other 4 dogs, lays with the cats and pays no attention to the chickens, ducks or horses. You gotta love a dog like this!! She already has a new home and will move in there next week…it’s just down the road so I will get to see her often!

Still, I’m appalled at the nefarious butts that think they can just leave a helpless critter to fend for it’s self with no consequences. Maybe someday they will suffer what their dogs did.

Kicken Chickens!

2011-01-13T03:05:00.000-08:00

I have roughly 35 chickens...I could get a more accurate count if they would either stand still or walk in a single file...but noooo, they have to run around an confuse me! The count I am sure of is the duck...I have "one" duck!

In the mornings all the chickens and the "one" duck are waiting for me close to the front door! I have to walk all the way out to the Chicken house to feed them so they gather around me, walk on my feet, trip me, whatever it takes to hurry me up! They are so bad that I have to gently move them out of my way with my foot...It's my morning dance, "The Kicken-Chicken"!!

The really cool thing about the Chickens is how socialized they are, mostly the young ones, no, I guess all of them now. You see, this "one" duck I mention, well, I feed her out of the grain scoop while I am throwing scratch to the chickens. I do this to tame her so the kids can pet her. Slowly the baby chicks started coming close and eating with her from the scoop. So I just start petting each one as they come to eat. Now the older chickens come close so I can pet them...even the roosters!

The really cool thing is that a few of the young chicks (the banties) fly up on my shoulder or head sometimes. Of course this is all fun and games till one of them poop on my head...then it won't be so cute! I wonder...are all chickens like this...or just mine?!

Mickey!!

2011-01-06T18:29:00.001-08:00

Turning 14 years old this June 10th, Mickey is showing his age. Not just the white covering his face, but the distorted look he has. He had a nerve issue a few years back and it left his face dull on the left side. He has lost about 90% of his hearing and has a blurred look to his eyes.

That being said, Mickey still runs, jumps, plays, hoards his toys, loves his treats, and has the most incredible appetite! He is an obedient and loyal dog!

I never thought I, or my hubby would own a wiener-dog. I always thought they were kind of stupid, hard to train dogs...well, I was so wrong!

Mickey was a rescue, I just happen to be the one the owner dumped him on. He was 4 months old and after a few hours with him, my hubby and I decided we couldn't just give this little guy away! I have to tell you, we have had 2 Black Labs, a lab mix, German Shepherd, German Short Hair, Standard Poodle, add to that all the dogs we are around that our friends and family have, and Mickey...has the best vocabulary, the best understanding of the events taking place around him and the quickest response to the right action to take for the circumstance!

I write all this down and share it because I know it is inevitable we will loose him one day. It will be a very sad day. I got a phone call from a friend who winter's in Arizona. Their chow cross just up and died in their arms on New Year's eve. A couple months ago my youngest brother and his wife lost their little sheltie cross. And about 4 months ago, my oldest brother and his family lost their yellow lab. It's so sad and so hard on the families to go through such a loss...In each case, their dog was a HUGE part of their family! Mickey has been there, done that in our family!

Mickey keeps us all on a schedule here, he is a silent alarm as he barks very little...instead, he goes and gets one of the big dogs to challenge the intruder! (like I said, he's a smart one!) He has traveled everywhere with us! He is worldly! He is a perfect gentleman in any motel, and as a passenger in a car, you couldn't ask for better! He knows his boundaries, never runs off and always minds his manners! All of this came naturally...he was not trained!

I could go on for hours on how good and smart this little guy is, how accepting he is of all animals and people...but sooner than later, you will get bored! So, let me leave you with this...Never judge a book by it's cover...the content may be something you wouldn't want to miss out on in life!!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-02T17:58:00.000-08:00

Today, January 2nd, 2011...who'd a guessed!?! Back when we were 10, 15, even 25, would have you believed we would this soon be living in the year 2011?! It seems like something out of a science fiction novel or movie! But, here we are! So, let's make the best of a Sci-Fi situation!

This year I would like to do more to improve my life...my relationship with God, my husband, my family and my friends. I'm going to try hard to be a better person, say nice things, compliment someone, support someone in need, share a smile with people that need one. I am writing this so there is a hard copy of it...that way I (hopefully) won't just say it and 2 days later forget it! So, feel free to set me straight if you see me be rude or out of line!

Of course I want to do all the regular New Years resolutions also...loose weight, quit smoking...wait, I don't smoke, What are some others? hmmm, can't think of any, so I guess I'll just call my mom more often!

Well, what ever you do in 2011, do it well, be blessed and happy!

Stay warm...it's cold out there! If you look close, you can see ice on Brio's eye lashes!!

Merry Christ-mas!!

2010-12-25T19:57:00.000-08:00

From all of us at the "Farm Follies", to all of you who check with us...We wish You a very Merry Christmas! Please take the time to reflect on the real reason we celebrate Christmas and say a prayer of thanks for all we have been blessed with! I look forward to sharing more follies with you in 2011!!

Blend in!

2010-12-01T00:15:00.000-08:00

Snow...we got lots!! Around 2 feet and it's still snowing!! Crazy!

Not many days left in this hunting season, so, if you haven't got your deer yet, you gotta hunt, even in the deep snow! So hubby went out, all done up in his snow-camo. It is the coolest camo! I had to take pictures. And no, he didn't see any deer:(

It "Snow" wonder it's cold!

2010-11-29T23:42:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness!! There's allot of Snow out there!! Right now we have over 14 inches, and that's after a couple of days of packing down! And now, we are due to get another possible 10 inches! Oh no!!

I have never figured out how the critters survive the winters! The chickens and duck follow me around as I shovel so they have a place to walk...I think about closing their coop gate, but have you ever tried to keep Banties from flying the coop? Impossible!

The dogs do well in the snow...they love it...it's like God does it so they have a personal winter wonderland playground...I think my dogs feel like God does it just for them!! The cats seem OK with the snow also...of course, they have a second story shelter with feeding area, and that's only if they choose to stay outside!

Now the horses, they are a real hoot in the snow! At least ours are! They run and buck and put their noses in it like the dogs. It is quite the sight seeing the horses play in the snow! We have trees all around us and occasionally a branch will break off from the wind or heavy snow. Well, one broke off...about a 5 foot long one...in the pasture! We recently bought a 4th horse and I think he is going to fit in just fine! I prefer my horses (well, all my critters really!) have personality! Well, Banjo does!

My hubby was driving down the easement road and he sees Banjo flipping this big ol tree branch around and running thorough the pasture with it. Then he would stop and mess with it and then flip his head around and run some more. Well, upon further investigation, it seems the branch was stuck in the mane of the horse! My hubby went in to rescue the horse from this killer branch, but the horse decided it was more fun to play! Finally, the horse let the branch be separated from his mane! I now have a few twists and knots to comb out! I wish I would have gotten pictures! -- The horses in the photo here are Banjo and Brio!

Thanksgiving Day!

2010-11-28T18:55:00.000-08:00

To Garfield we went! Weather was horrific...really didn't want to go...but always glad we did after the day is over and the memories are made and the pictures are taken to preserve for generations to come! I love my family, oh, I can complain and find fault in them all...me included, but I do love them! My sister's oldest and his family were there. Because of their jobs and hours, they don't often make it to family functions. It was so good to see them!

I have 5 siblings, all showed up with their Sig Other, except my bro from MT. He was greatly missed, as he is the Knight in shining armor who rides in and brings the sunshine and smiles! Everyone loves him! And yet, he disappoints us...what's up with that!!! Maybe Christmas!!

20 of us did show! Dinner was great, fun was had by all! A little sledding, a little story telling, lots of hugging, visiting and reminiscing. But sadly, after all the fun is had and we head home, my dad is left behind, failing fast. He doesn't look well. He has pneumonia for the 7th time this year. Very thin and frail. We are all very worried about him. If you happen to read this blog...please include my dad (and my mom) in your prayers.

I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving and your families are well!!

horse of a different color!

2010-11-01T02:22:00.000-07:00

Have had issues with Bombay's feet since December 2009. My hubby has went the distance to get this horse sound. Now he is ready to ride...but boots will be an added protection. -- Bought the boots, now, to try them on for the first time! Bombay has to be in the thick of things...everything! So he starts pulling stuff from the box, then picking the box up and flipping it here and there. He apparently didn't think I was doing a good job of relaying the instructions to my hubby, so he took the instructions from me! He is one funny horse!!

Can you see the yellow sticker on his nose? Well, I figured if he was ok with me putting this sticker on him, my horse Dali should be ok with it, right? NOT! Joe was under Dali, working on his feet, so I took one of the yellow stickers and put on his nose. Have you ever seen a horse look cross-eyed? Me neither! Dali looked down at his nose with both eyes and blew up! I was rolling on the ground with laughter...but hubby didn't find much humor in it...rightfully so, he could have gotten hurt, I should have thought it through a little better, but all is well, no one was hurt and Dali calmed down and his eyes are back in the proper position!!

The "Twin Towers"

2010-02-08T22:27:00.000-08:00

Not those Twin Towers, "our" Twin Towers!

Do "you" have a church? "We" have a church! --Is it weird how we all take possession of "our" churches? We say things to our friends like, "hey, you should come to "my" church?" Or, "My" church is in Spokane." --You get it!

Well, "I" have a church! And, at "my" church, we sing old hymns. Leading us in those old hymns are 3 very dear ladies...2 of which are a mere 80 years young, or so. These 2 wonderful women are our equivalent of today's church bands! Stop laughing, I'm serious! One plays the organ and the other plays the piano. Also, both of these young ladies stand only about 4'6" tall, if, so my hubby refers to them lovingly as "our Twin Towers", aka "the band"! The 3rd is a young lady, and she leads us in singing...if that's what you can call the noise that the rest of us make! Some times, more often than not, the "Twin Towers" band loose their place! Sometimes just one or the other, often both at the same time! The song leader is very professional and is usually pretty good about keeping her composure...unless, she and my hubby meet eyes! You see, my hubby finds it rather comical that our little church of 20 or less sing so totally out of sync. He has actually shed tears from quietly laughing so hard!

The last few Sundays we have had a guest minister and his family sit in the pews with us during the first part of the church service. This last Sunday, it seemed extremely hard for our "Twin Towers" to get the timing, the key or the page number together! I, like most of the other parishioners, try to ignore the bumblings and play along...but not my hubby! He can't take it, it's like someone is tickling the bottom of his feet!! And then, the guest minister, who is sitting directly in front of my hubby, turns to look at my hubby...ok, that's all she wrote! The lead singing lady now looses it also, as do the other 5 people sitting in front of me and then my 17 year old brother in law sitting next to me...me, I'm silently saying a prayer that we can all recover and get this song done! And we do!

GOD bless our "Twin Towers"...as the one tiny little lady steps off the stage and goes to the other tiny little lady sitting at the piano, pats her on the back and hugs her as though they, together, just won the Super Bowl!

There will never be another church like "my" church!

The Chase!

2010-02-02T20:41:00.000-08:00

I originally posted this in November, 2007. Seems mornings never change. Things are still the same...except...a few of the critters has changed. "Issac" the sheep found a new home with a vet assistant, "Snoop Dog" and "Little Kim" the 2 black "quiet" ducks found a new home with a family that deals with just fowls...that is a strange word! We have a bunch of new chickens, of unintended sorts...that is another post in it's self! And, of course, we now have "Noodle" the poodle! Anyway...let me tell you how my day starts!

Mornings! I drag myself out of bed…down the stairs…all I want to do is throw myself on the chair and sip coffee…but noooo! I have animals! The “mouse” (Mickey the wiener dog) is scratching at his bedroom door to go out. I open his door and he does about 20 3-foot verticals while waiting for me to get my shoes and coat on--now Noodle joins in...she can get some air! I take a deep breath and giggle out loud as I open the door. I take off running and scream as I look behind me…pretending to be in a horror movie. I am being chased by 24 chickens 2 ducks 4 dogs and 3 cats, at the same time the horses are running, bucking, snorting and farting in the pasture. Sometimes I intentionally fall on the ground…they all stop…stare at me, except those who pounce on me…I get up, start running again and they all chase me! I feed them, they forget I exist. I go back inside to drink my coffee. Now I’m awake!

Oh, I've gotta get this on film!

Yeah, I got followers!!

2010-01-28T22:20:00.000-08:00

Hey, I just got my first 2 followers...course I may have had one for awhile and just didn't pay attention--sorry bd, I do that! How do I become a follower...better yet, how do I get one of them cute little logos?! Help!!! I suck at this!

Does anyone remember a slumber party at Pj's? Monkey's "I'm a Believer" was topping the charts? Oh, memory lane! It is no doubt a good thing we all got separated at a very young age. I'll bet we would have gotten in a whole heap of trouble as a group! Actually, looks as though we may have gotten ourselves in enough trouble without the help of each other!

For those of you reading that are at a loss as to this post's content, well, a few of us that got separated as very young teens, by whatever decisions our parents made -- like moving us to another city...or state...have now reunited, some 40 years later (almost)! Wow, it always amazes me, what GOD has in mind for our lives! I'm excited to see where we go from here!

Well Good Golly Miss Molly!

2010-01-26T02:27:00.000-08:00

Doo-dee-doo-dee Doo-dee-doo-dee...from somewhere in the twilight zone, there comes a message from years ago...lost in the creases of time...someone you used to know, very well as a matter of fact...Probably at one slumber party or another you may have even made a pact to never ever loose touch...but somehow in the passages of time--you do! So some 30, almost 40 years later, you get an e-mail from yet another old friend about the other lost friend...is this getting a little weird? Yeah, thought so!!

Anyway, Pix is back...and she remembers Gidget...or maybe she just remembers Karl! Well darn, what a high this is! This may or may not be a dream...I'll go to sleep, pinch myself in the morning and check in again to see if this is real!

Sweet dreams:)

our horse, of course! Founder or Laminitis or both or none?

2010-01-08T22:56:00.000-08:00

A few posts back I had mentioned our horse-es with ouchy feet. I then mentioned it again in my New Year's post, well, how bout' an update? Dali was actually loping around the pasture yesterday! And a little buck here and there, whoo-hoo! Bombay, on the other hand, not so good. My hubby who studies--digest it--and studies some more, has been studying...hours of studying! You may think I just mean a few hours of searching out information, reading and asking questions. NO, I mean hours, and hours, everyday, morning--noon--night! Talking to Veterinarians, Farriers, reading books, magazines and printouts, online...sometimes 8 pages up at one time!

Maybe I should mention that my hubby does this with everything, be it the Bible, politics, his gunsmithing, reloading, shooting, farming, logging, construction, you name it...even his work, which is non of the above! He loves to try everything, and insist on knowing as much as possible about all he does.

So, back to the horses. Yesterday, out of desperation more than anything, he decided to re-trim Bombay's front feet and put boots on him. Then he put Bombay back on the pasture with Dali...hoping that Dali will move Bombay around a little for some much needed exercise. The less Bombay just stands around the less edema he will have. He has added some selenium and supplements to the horses diet and will keep them on grass hay for awhile...quite awhile as they both need to loose weight...lots of weight! Like 200 to 300 pounds--each!! Yeah, we love our horses to death! Or almost!

.(\__/). Founder or Laminitis or both or none?
.\\\///. We, he still doesn't know. We are just hoping to
..+....+.. save them both and make them ridable again!
...\.../... Well, thanks again for tuning into the follies!
...(oo)... I enjoy your company!
.....~ ..... Don't forget to say your prayers...
that means you son:) whom I love very much!
And check out the fun store @ www.fisirid.com/

A Quick Note!

2010-01-06T14:11:00.000-08:00

My Uncle, Pastor Bill has a blog. If you have a minute, please check it out @ www.thesheltertree.com . He writes wonderful stories about life...as a boy...as a man...as a Pastor. You will enjoy the stories, be uplifted by the scripture and humbled by the prayers. Please take the time to enjoy this blog.

Thank you!

THE END...of 2009...Good-by!

2009-12-31T22:44:00.000-08:00

Thursday night, December 31st, 2009 - 10:45pm. Just an hour plus till 2010. 40 years ago...who da thunk?! Even 30 or 20 or 10 years ago...does time go by this fast or is it my silly little imagination?! Regardless...here we are, 2010!

The hubby took me to a fancy dinner @ Twigs...pomegranate martini's, flat-iron-steak, and deep fried drunken donuts for desert! Oh my goodness, now that's a romantic dinner! Then we came home for a quiet night alone...plus, the roads were bad and we aren't the goofy kids we once were...so home safe is a good thing! We will try to make it till the New Year's kiss, but no guarantees! And that's ok too!

So, how's your year been? Mine, you ask?! Well, now that you ask...let's see...
The hubby...I love that man who loves his wife!...I love my life!! He is great!
The grandson is about 5'6" with a bass voice! Goodness, he's grown...yet still so sweet!
The son is so in love and has had his best year in life ever!
The daughter-in-law "Dr.J" is a wonderful addition to the follies! She is a joy!
The families...all doing well and we have added a new nephew to the bunch!
The critters...a ton of fun, a laugh a minute, pleasure beyond belief...except for the horses:( Bombay is still ouchy, lame and all around not doing so hot. Dali isn't to awful far behind him...founder...both at the same time...go figure! We have been fighting this for a month! But that is a post for another day!

For tonight, I guess I'd like to leave you with a light heart and a feeling of hope for the future! GOD will watch over us all in 2010, HE will see that we have all that we need. If we trust HIM, HE will never let us down. I pray for all of you, may blessings shower down on you in the New Year! Thank you all who tune in to the "follies", GOD Bless and Happy New Year!!

If my horse could talk!

2009-12-07T20:16:00.000-08:00

Got a horse that seems ouchy on his feet. Also, his "sheath" is swollen like a softball...well crap, this is gonna suck!! It is below zero out there! I call the vet daughter in law. What's the first thing she says?! Check his temp. Aren't you supposed to have a string attached to the thermometer for that? Apparently not! She says, "don't worry, he won't suck it up inside himself!" She should've put that in the memo to him! But not to worry, I had a death grip on it!

Also, she says there may be some stuff that causes lumps of ouie-gouie around the urethra and that "I"...yep, "me" needed to get the little ouie-gouie lumps out! Oh man, I wish she would have added that to the memo also!! If you want details on that part of my day I will refer you to the vet lady's blog... www.draggonlaady.livejournal.com/ ...ask her how to remove ouie-gouie lumps from the personals of a horse! After all, she is the one who explained it to me.

Ok, there is a part that I can share and it may well be of some use to you! The ouchy feet...well, it turns out the Paint horse was ouchy also. A week or so ago it had rained for a few days straight...hard! Made a marsh out of the upper pasture. Then it turned sub zero and the ground froze in solid little peaks. Add to that 2 horses that chase each other into their feed area. Now we have some bruised feet and don't want to move...at all, and some edema sets in. All this kind of action...or lack of it, has a shade of founder to it. So now we need straw bedded paddocks and butazone. Oh, and a special diet for awhile! Oh, the inconvenience of it all!

Oh yeah, you are curious as to how that affects the "sheath"...well, all the lameness added to the swelling that was already there...made it look really serious, and it was!

Thanks for checkin' in on the follies! If ya get a chance, come visit me on the web at http://www.fisirid.com/ ! See ya there!

The "Chuck" has grown up!

2009-11-22T19:54:00.000-08:00

This is what happens to a chick hatched by a duck...at first, it's all cute and fun for us humans to see this silly little chick following his duck mama around...but when the chick grows up...well, he winds up living with the cats and dogs cuz he's not sure if he is a chicken or a duck! And the worst is, the chickens hate him and the ducks despise him...so what's a "chuck" to do! The "chuck" is quite a bit larger than in the top photo now, and has since decided he would be a rooster no less! So, we now have a full sized rooster who spends his nights with the cat's or in the dog house with the big dogs!!

Thanks for checking in on the farm follies. Don't forget to visit me on the web at www.fisirid.com/ !

home again, home again

2009-10-06T07:49:00.000-07:00

Home from Billings...for a few weeks now...yes, once again I have neglected my blog :( But, I'm here now! We left at O'dark-thirty to go to Pullman...dad is having surgery. They (the docs) are removing a chunk of his pooper pipe. Oddly enough, dad had worms...for a long time. He told the docs, "I think I have worms...they laughed it off. Well, dad actually saw one and fetched it and took it to show and tell. They got the picture and treated him. Seems the little critters may have had s good time in the bowels...now here he is. We pray God will guide the docs hands and shower my dad with blessings! My next blog should be on how well my dad is doing!

Well, thanks for tuning in! Don't forget to check out my products on www.fisirid.com !

Still in Billings

2009-09-04T12:07:00.000-07:00

Week 4 is gone...week 5 should be interesting! Noodle and Mickey have adjusted surprising well...like they have lived the motel life for ever!! Hubby is working lots and lots of hours and I am matching him hour for hour! This stupid idea of starting a business is for the chickens! Whose idea was it anyway? -- If you get a minute, go to http://fisirid.com, check out what I have been spending hours working on!...and then order something fun!! I have free $10.00 gift cards! Let me know if you need one, I will get it to you! Have fun hopping!

Missing them:(

2009-08-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

Here we sit in a motel room in Midtown MT....many hours away from home...for as long as 6 weeks! That's a long time to be away from home, and the follies! Of course, we are not completely without follies here...we do have Miss Noodle--the poodle and the mouse--(Mickey the Doxie)! Mickey is pretty low keyed, but that Miss Noodle can cause a commotion on short order!

I took her to Pet Smart to get a bathe and she had all the ladies in the place oohing and cooing! Of course she was an out of control twit and jumped on everyone...we are working on that, and she is getting better, but she gets so excited! Funny how everyone has to touch her. Here's a dog that is guaranteed to jump on you, claw you, possibly even pee on your shoe, yet everyone HAS to touch her! What is that all about anyway?!

She really is a sight to see though! Maybe someday I will get good at this and post a video of her...that would be fun!!

piggy-tale!

2009-08-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

My daughter-in-law, the vet lady...as I mentioned before, has "Wayward Creatures" pet rescue. So, about a month ago (give or take a week or 2) she gets a call to rescue a couple pot bellied pigs. That is her story to tell--visit http://draggonlaady.livejournal.com/ (beware, she has been known to use some colorful language at times)! To make a long story short on my part...She delivered the male pig to me. I have a 24 foot run for animals of need, so we put him in there.

Rumor has it he was quite a handful when they hustled him into a horse trailer for removal...EeeYikes...glad I missed that part! For the first day or so with me, he was, well, let's say, not real friendly! But then he started coming up and eating out of my hand, then I started scratching his ears...then brushing him, then lifting his lips...to check his teeth, then he even let me stick my fingers in his eyes--to clean them!! He turned out to be a very nice gentleman! He and I had quick become good friends! He would make noise when he saw me and come running to the gate! He would talk his pig talk the whole time I was messing with him, and I in return gave him treats! Lots of treats! His favorite, dog food! Wilber would have done tricks for dog food--had I kept him long enough!

Well, the good doctor lady had a friend from vet school who wanted badly to have a pet-able pig on her place...so, the friend drove all the way from the Seattle area to adopt the friendly guy! I was not home during pick-up:( ...I was very sad to see him go...unlike my hubby! I hope he is doing well and is getting lots of love! I miss him! What a nice ending to a potentially bad case! Pet rescues are a wonderful thing! Support them in some way if you can!

A Duck hatched a Chick

2009-08-04T18:27:00.000-07:00

A duck sits on a chicken egg, hatches out a darling little chick…or chuck as my hubby says! The duck hangs out close to the dog house because she likes little dog food treats. Now the chuck is on it’s own…guess where it sleeps? In the dog house…with Grover…and…AJ “THE CAT” !!!! Is that weird or what?

I have a Daughter In Law!

2009-07-24T00:05:00.000-07:00

Late July 09‘…Boise, Idaho…103 degrees in the direct sun…flat, dry, unfriendly…definitely not home! But, just to let you in on something that Boise and home have in common…Ms. Noodle the Poodle is as big a hit anywhere she goes! I have never witnessed anything non-celebrity that gets so much attention! Everyone, man, woman, child, construction worker, logger, people in the car next to you, uniformed police-man, Animal control-officer…everyone! They all point, smile, laugh or comment on her! Oh, this is another post…I need to get back to my kids!

A year ago, February 08’ I think…my son…only son…only child, met a woman, who, within just a few hours, completely rocked his world! For those of you with gutter minds…not intimately --at least I don’t think it went down like that! I mean intellectually, personality, wit , education, flip (like he needed a comrade in that department!). She seems to be everything he would have put on an application when looking for someone who stacked up to his best friend Jay G., who, I believe the only reason those 2 never married was the gender issue…they love each other oh so much, but gay-dom isn’t their forte!

Altho…He and his woman did get gay-married--and I was only informed as he was driving on his way to meet her at the court house. Civil-Union I think is what it’s called…I call it married when it’s between a man and woman…So let me announce my son’s marriage!!
I introduce to you, my readers…Mr. and Mrs.…. T and Dr. J !!!!

HE, as I previously stated, is my son…only son…only child, whom is so dear to me and his happiness is very important. SHE, is everything he is, and, everything he isn’t! They click perfectly! She makes him very happy…I have never seen my son this happy…ever!! Dr. J is a DVM and owns Wayward Creatures pet rescue. She does wonderful work with less fortunate critters and gives those critters a chance at a wonderful life! Which, all fits nicely into the farm follies arena of wierdness! Of course there are stories for the farmfaollies posts…but that also is for another time…back to the kids!

So, my son, my daughter in law and my grandson are living happily ever after on 30 acres of beautiful woodland in a wonderful home with an always unpredictable amount of “Wayward Creatures”! Best of all, she loves my son and my grandson, as does her family! And HE loves HER!! Makes for a beautiful fairy-tale, huh?!

This was written by a Soldier in Iraq.

2009-07-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson . As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was anentertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point.

Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood , and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?

Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America . Where is there moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"

I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan . They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.

Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Feel free to pass this along if you want.Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military; "So that others may live..."

Noodle the Poodle

2009-01-08T02:12:00.000-08:00

Everyone needs a Noodle in the family...so we got us one! If you have never owned a Standard Poodle, you should try it. High energy, so fun to watch them play, very comical yet royal like. Best of all, smart...very smart. I guess I should mention that really smart + dog don't always mean a good thing...at first...but it will pay off down the road...I'm pretty sure:) We mostly want a dog that agrees with and obeys our every command, right? Well, with a Poodle, you may...or may not get that! The tilting of the head with the direct look in the eye and then the blatant dismissal of your command...you are actually in awe that they have the ability to think things through...and then make their own decisions...like a 3 year old. If you've ever had a 3 year old curtain climber you know that they don't always make good decisions!! We have had Noodle for 9 weeks now...she is slowly excepting me as the smarter of us 2 but it's not for free!! But the payoff is worth it. In the 9 weeks since bringing her home from the rescue her vocabulary. manners, and commands have grown by leaps and bounds! She loves the farm and all the critters...horses, ducks, chickens, other 3 dogs and the cats...OK, maybe she likes the cats a little to much, but she doesn't hurt them! Oh, and she loves the grand kid! Don't let her stately appearance fool ya, she is all dog under the fluff!!

4th of July!

2008-07-08T00:26:00.000-07:00

At the lake, on the Pontoon boat. The hubby, grandkid and myself. Anchored in the middle of the lake…doing a little fishing…waiting for the fireworks to start. The hubby and kid are in the back fishing off either side, I am out on the front deck sitting in a lawn chair with a hooded sweatshirt on and a Spongebob-Squarepants fleece blanket wrapped around my legs…fishing pole in hand.
The hubby says "is it dark enough to pee off the back?" I said "give it a try". So he proceeded and smarty-pants me leans over in my chair to peer down the side of the boat to get a “wiener peek“. Yep...me…the chair...the pole...all over the side! Crap! I watched my lawn chair slowly sink, then my pole! I managed to save the blanket and my flip flops...even got myself back on the boat...that wasn't easy with all those heavy clothes on, and my hubby standing above me...”now, was that worth it?!” “Well, yes…yes it was!!!“

I was so upset about loosing my pole but when we pulled up anchor my line was hooked on it and we were able to retrieve the pole!! And…you know how you don't think kids are paying attention? I was telling someone about my escapade without the "intimate details" and the grandkid pipes up and says..."now tell em what you were lookin at". Brat!

Oh, I changed my clothes…thank goodness I keep extras on the boat!…and we stayed and watched the fireworks. They were beautiful!! What a wonderful way to spend the 4th of July!!!
One more thing! When we got home...I dried the cell phone out that was in the sweatshirt pocket...it works good! Never give up on those cell phones!!!

Baptized!

2008-07-06T22:25:00.000-07:00

After taking the leap of faith and admitting that you believe in GOD without question…I guess the next step is to be baptized! We made arrangements on a Wednesday, midway through our Bible study to do so. While chatting with the Minister regarding formalities of Baptism my hubby pops off, “Now don’t hold back when you dunk the wife…she can hold her breath a long time!” (ha ha…he’s so funny!)

The night of the baptism the Minister asked, “who wants to go first?” I say “The hubby…I’m sure the water is going to boil a little when he gets in and I want it nice and warm for me!” The hubby pipes up, ”Don’t forget, she can hold her breath a long time…go ahead, keep her down awhile, she’s in need of a lot of cleansing, if she starts to kick, just means she wants to stay down a little longer!” After we changed to dry clothes, the Minister says a prayer and a few words to the congregation. He then says to my hubby “Now, you are not only man and wife, you are brother and sister.” My hubby looks at me and says “ Honey, we went under the water in Washington but I think we came up in Arkansas!”

Seriously, being baptized was a very spiritual event! I highly recommend it to everyone!

Is this my Blog?

2008-05-04T22:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, the question is...is this my blog? Yes, the answer is yes. Then the next question I guess should be...why do I not keep up on posts to "my" blog? To this I suppose I should have a good excuse, no? Yes, yes I should. But no, no I don't. I have a few truths...lazy and um...lazy I guess will do. Now that I have established that I believe the next thing I should do is commit to keeping up with said blog a bit better, no? Yes, the answer is yes. So I commit to writing a new blog soon...before another 5 months go by:) Maybe.

To all those who care...thanks for caring!

It's cold out "Deer"!

2007-12-03T02:56:00.000-08:00

After snowing for a few hours it was beautiful outside. From my dining room window I could see our 3-D deer target about 50 yards away. With the snow on it’s back and in the trees around it, I thought it was real for just a second. Oh, I got a great idea! The grandson is looking out the window with me, I ask him “You want to get your picture taken with that deer out side?” He’s all about that! Of course he is…he’s only 4 years old at the time and a deer outside sounds pretty fun! So I dress him up in his cammo and his orange hat. We walk out to the deer. I pose the kid with his arm up on the deer’s back. After a few pictures the grandson says, “It’s cold out here, huh Grama?” I say,” Maybe a little, why?” He dead-pans “cuz this deer is cold and stiff.” He takes his arm off the deer and heads for the house and adds, “I‘m goin in so I don‘t end up like him.”

Hey, wait…just a couple more pictures…come back here!

"Cat"astrophe

2007-11-27T03:29:00.000-08:00

Hunting season…ugh--ugh…that’s a man sound for the rut during late bow season (in case you didn’t catch it!) My hubby and our nephew go up in the 2-man tree stand…one to make a bow kill the other to get the hunt on film. When they return a couple hours later my nephew gives me the video camera to view their excursion. I’m watching…I can see the trail and the clearing but no deer. I hear the beautiful back ground noise of the woods in late fall and then I hear grown men giggling. I’m thinking “what is wrong with you two?!” Then onto the screen comes a cat, climbing up the nephew’s leg…another climbing the tree beside them and yet another on the ground playing in a visible coyote den (yikes!). Getting a bow kill on a whitetail is next to impossible with 3 crazy cats goofing off near your stand…I know, I have experienced that exact same “cat”astrophe!!

Lesson; kennel the cats unless you plan to shoot them with the bow!! Of course I’m joking!

"Slide"show

2007-11-20T23:06:00.001-08:00

Tipping The Slide!

2007-11-20T22:58:00.000-08:00

We only have one grandkid. So…why not go all out for his 10th birthday! Let’s do a mini carnival here on the farm!......Yeah!

We had games of all sorts; a make shift tattoo parlor for the kids, laser tag, little carnival prizes, you name it we had it! We rented an 18ft slide and a Spiderman jumper! When the man delivered and set them up he left one specific instruction. “No more than 2 people on the slide at one time…one going up the step side and one coming down the slide.” He says this to my husband as he was driving out the driveway. My hubby nods, closes the gate and walks back in the yard quickly picking up his pace and says to all the early-bird party people; the son, grandson, his 2 brothers and a couple nephews…”KING OF THE HILL!!!!”, and heads for the top of the slide! Everyone piled on! As more people showed up, more people went to the top of the slide only to be thrown down the slide by who ever was able to keep their position at the top! 42 people at the party and all but a few didn’t play on the slide; like the Great-Grandparents. Most of the people spent most of their time playing on that slide!

We started the party at 11:00 am and it went till 7:00 pm. There was 10 boys/men still playing on the slide when my sister-in law came to pick up my 2 nephews just after 7pm. She was awe struck by the size of the slide and wanted pictures. Her and I were standing at the foot of the slide watching bodies struggling to get up the ladder side just to be tossed back down the slide! As soon as someone would slide down they were back to the top ASAP! The shouting and laughing was so loud it must have penetrated the woods and sent all the wild critters into the next county! There were 8 boys/men on the slide and 2 running for the climb up side as we were taking pictures from the front. My sister in law says to me “the slide looks crooked”. I stepped back a bit…took a look…sure enough, it was a bit tilted! Then in slow motion the top of the slide started heading east…there were screams (from the 2 younger boys at the top and my sister-in-law) and laughing (from the men at the top and me) and bodies flailing and falling as the slide ever so slowly fell all 18 feet to it’s side! Arms and heads started poking out, kids and men alike were dragging themselves out from the taco shaped heap on the ground. After everyone was accounted for and there was no blood or broken bones we all gathered together staring for a brief moment. And then the laughter began…we all rolled!! (Dewey would be really proud now!)

Uh oh, headlights coming up the easement road. I panic “ you guys, it’s the dude to pick up the slide!” Everyone started pulling on the slide…we got it stood back up and tied back down as the man pulled up to the gate. We all helped him take it down and load it up. He said thanks for listening and respecting the rules…only 2 people on the slide at a time…usually no one listens to me. We all waved good by as he drove away.

Wow…what a good time was had by all!! We are still laughing about it!! I highly recommend a big slide for all your parties!!

The Blind Guy

2007-11-15T02:44:00.000-08:00

While visiting my sis at her farm just down the road , I was telling her and my mom I wanted to redo the window dressings in my front room. I mentioned that I may go to the HD in town and have them custom made. Sis is quickly bustling around her kitchen (because that is what she does!), she stops, looks at us with abject horror in her eyes and says earnestly, “Whatever you do, don’t ask the blind guy for help. He doesn’t know anything…he’s an idiot!” I said "who?". She says "the blind guy at HD!" My mom and I look at each other and just roll!! My mom asked her “Does he just not “see” what you’re looking for?” Sis…the serious person that she is, says “ no, he’s a stupid blind guy!!” My mom and I are peeing our pants from laughing so hard! A few seconds later my sis turns to us from the oven where she was preparing food and says “you guys aren’t going to let me forget this are you!?” Through the roaring laughter my mom catches a quick breath and says “oh, hell no!”

Cat Conditioners!

2007-11-13T23:52:00.000-08:00

The follie's finely orchestrated theatrical moves throughout the yard and pastures just wouldn’t be what they are without the cats. And you must have finely tuned and conditioned cats for these follies. Where do you get such cats you ask!? Well, me…I get mine from our friends. The 3 kids in the family are professional cat conditioners. From birth the kittens are held…right side up…upside down…doesn’t matter! They are dressed up, put on bicycles, pulled in wagons and other things I’m sure I don’t want to know of! The end result…a perfect cat! Loveable, friendly…scared of nothing!!! As I’m doing chores a few nights ago, 2 of the younger cats run out from some trees straight for the sheep. I’m thinking--oh, poor sheep--when at a dead run they jump over the sheep and attack the wiener dog! So the black lab wanted in on the action…and a third cat has joined in. When the lab pounced, the three cats in perfect choreographed unison--split up--each ran up it’s own tree--then right back down to where the lab sat!

Bravo! Bravo!

Veteran's Day ~~ November 11, 2007

2007-11-09T15:14:00.000-08:00

Please take a moment to remember the brave soldiers who fight to protect and preserve out freedoms. The soldiers at home and on the fronts. Those who have went and have come home...those at home who will go...those who didn't make it home and those who won't.

Thank you.

A special prayer goes out to Ken and Cindy. Their son Deakin is in Iraq...again. Deakin, we are proud of you and wish you home safe, sound and soon.

"Whether"...or not?

2007-11-08T02:24:00.000-08:00

Pigmy goats…gotta have me some! A guy that works with my hubby had 2 pigmy goats he needed to find homes for. I got wind…accidentally I’m sure. The hubby argued about us having them on the farm…all the way to the place where we picked them up from. The guy tells us one is an in tact male and one is a female…we believe him. The male is black with long horns. The female, no horns and is reddish blonde. The black one beats up on the red one constantly so we name them Ike and Tina…Turner…you get it, right!? Well, Ike likes Tina allot…if ya get my drift! So, we think we are going to have little ones somewhere down the road. One day while we were working outside my hubby stops in his tracks, says “hey honey, get over here, quick!” I walk over, he asks me “what is that under Tina’s stomach?" I said “straw?” He says “Noooo, “SHE” is peeing.” I said “so.” He says “SHE” isn’t supposed to pee from there!!" I said “ooooh…then she isn’t a she at all, she is a he…a whether!” My hubby walks away, slowly shaking his head, “not only do I have pigmy goats…I have gay pigmy goats!”

Dude...where's your car?

2007-11-07T01:31:00.000-08:00

Early morning , July, a few years ago…ok, more than a few years ago! My son left for work, he walked, left his car in the drive way. Later that morning I saw the neighbor outside. He said good morning, I said it back, he mentioned seeing my son earlier waking down the sidewalk singing along, happy as could be. He then asked if there was a problem with the kids car. That’s when I noticed the car sitting there. Now a 16 year old boy who just got a car for his birthday a couple months ago would never opt to walk over drive! So, I’m thinking oh no, now what? I call him at work. I say “what’s wrong with your car?’ He says “nothing mom, I just forgot I had one.” I say “sweetie, do you do drugs?” He says “no, apparently I don’t need them! And oh, by the way, I lost a hundred dollars today.” I say “WHAT?” He says “a guy at work asked where my car was…I said parked out back…he says no, it’s not…I said--I’ll bet you a hundred dollars.”

And the kid has a genius IQ!

Mornings!

2007-11-06T00:16:00.000-08:00

Mornings! I drag myself out of bed…down the stairs…all I want to do is throw myself on the chair and sip coffee…but noooo! I have animals! The “mouse” (Mickey the wiener dog) is scratching at his bedroom door to go out. I open his door and he does about 20 3-foot verticals while waiting for me to get my shoes and coat on. I take a deep breath and giggle out loud as I open the door. I take off running and scream as I look behind me…pretending to be in a horror movie. I am being chased by 22 chickens 4 ducks 3 dogs 4 cats and a sheep, at the same time the horses are running, bucking, snorting and farting in the pasture. Sometimes I intentionally fall on the ground…they all stop…stare at me, except those who pounce on me…I get up, start running again and they all chase me! I feed them, they forget I exist. I go back inside to drink my coffee. Now I’m awake!

I gotta get that on film!

Don't scare me like that!

2007-11-05T00:32:00.000-08:00

Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap…taptaptaptaptap. What the? 3 am…sitting in my chair, watching Fox News, working on my computer….Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap…taptaptaptaptap. I freeze…what could that be? Heart thumping so loud it sounds like someone running up behind me! Yikes, that sound is right at my front door! Why aren’t the dogs barking…doing what I feed them to do?! Ok…must not be that bad, calm down. I walk quietly to the door…peak out the window…slowly look down. There on the door matt are my 4 ducks, all in a row…no pun intended! 3 with their heads tucked behind their wing…the 4th practicing his keyboarding on my door stoop. They have no idea I could have shot first, asked questions later! Umm, Duckling Rouennaise…joking!!

What qualifies as a pet?

2007-11-04T02:35:00.000-08:00

I think if the wild rabbits frequent your yard or garden more than twice a week they are pets…after all, you are feeding them! If a tarantula or two or three hang out on your patio for any length of time they are pets. If you have trout swimming in your pond or a turtle wintering in your house…I think those are definitely pets! Especially when you pick names for them like Satchmo for the turtle. Oh, and if you “pet-sit” for the whole neighbor hood as often than they pet-sit for themselves…I think they may qualify as your pets also…at least part time pets…like having joint custody! So, I think my Mj is wrong when she says her and UJ are not pet owners!

I am hoping that on occasion my Mj will write a post for my blog. She is quick, witty, creative, sharp of tongue at times, and exceptionally articulate! She is a loving parent and grandparent with many stories to tell…hopefully I can talk her into sharing with us! ~~ Love ya Mj and UJ;)

Follies Intro

2007-11-02T23:16:00.000-07:00

Where to start. Hmmm...so much to tell, so little time to tell it. And so many wonderful stories to tell. I want to share those stories so they don't fall by the way side like many adventures in life do. Seems everyday...or night, as we work a lot of graveyard shifts...there is a farm folly. And it can be any number of the critters involved in any one folly! The cats and dogs; the cats and the sheep; the dogs and the sheep; the cats, dogs, sheep and ducks. Add a chicken or a horse here and there and you have some serious entertainment going on. Oh, throw a kid...or an adult..into the mix now and then also! There truly is a beautiful theatrical world outside my windows and doors...I hope everyone enjoys their world as much as I do mine.

I just came in from cleaning the chicken house. I was trailed by 3 cats, 2 dogs, 4 ducks and 1 sheep. It is nice to be loved...or…are they all just hoping for a treat...devious little critters anyway! Maybe I'm so fanatical about the animals because I miss my son being a little boy and being able to see his follies...oh, so many!...daily. Strange...all of us with children have, or will have to watch our kids pack their things and move out...off their adult life. Doesn't matter how much we nurtured them, loved them, gave them...they all leave us sooner or later. Little ingrates:) So now that we have established a world wide common denominator let's admit it...we all look for something to stick in the nest to keep us going. Me, animals!

Now to set the record straight, I have other things than critters in my life...like a doting husband who helps me collect all the critters--while dragging his feet! He will say, "I don't want no darn sheep on the place"...as he's starting up the truck to go pick it up for me! (I love him!) I also mentioned my son. He is priceless in everyway...but I will have to put some thought into a public description of him. For now, I will leave it as eccentric, articulate and very funny:) Speaking of priceless...the grandson. Now this kid owns me! An absolute clone of his dad...oh yeah, eccentric, articulate and very funny. There will be many stories on this blog about the 2 of them!

And there's the family! Between the doting hubby and myself we have 10 siblings 6 siblings in-law, more nieces and nephews than I can count, some cousins hanging around here and there and soooo many wonderful aunts and uncles! I saved the best for last...the parents! Oh, I'm sure they will find no protection from this blog! Oh, do I have stories! Oh yeah..."warning": friends beware!

I'm thinking this is enough for an intro into the Farm Follies. This is more of a "let's see how this works" kind of a thing anyway. If you are reading this and you know me...beware...if I know of, or have been witness to any funny follies from you...it will come out on my blog...sooner or later!

me and the kid...

2007-11-02T02:06:00.000-07:00

This is just a test...I repeat...just a test. I'm blog illiterate...the kid will help me figure it all out!