Random Friday

1.  We had a hum-dinger of a storm come through Wednesday night.  During the day, it was breezy with brief spats of rain filled wind gusts, followed by relative calm.  That all changed in the evening.  The wind began howling through the trees, whistling around the corners of the house, and shaking the windows.  At 8pm, we lost power.  I lit some candles and sat on the couch with my iPad, playing solitaire in the dark.  I did not light the wood-stove because I didn't want sparks flying out the chimney - even with a spark arrester, I wasn't taking chances.  So, I sat under two blankets.  Brett sat in his recliner and worried, with no TV to distract him.  The wind died down an hour later and then the skies opened and buckets of water were dumped over us.  Kersey refused to go outside and pee before bed -- and she's a lab, she loves water.  No power meant no well pump and no water. Fortunately, we had already taken our showers but we worried about the horses getting water in the barn since they have automatic waterers there.  There were about 4500 residences that lost power so we were not alone.  We woke up 3am when the lights came on.  

2.  Someone left a comment asking how tall Tex is.  Good question.  I looked at his papers but they don't give his height.  We have never measured him.  My guess is that he is about 16h.  Flash and Jackson are both 15.3 and Tex is definitely taller than both of them.

3.  I'm feeling a little blue today.  My mom died on this day in 2014.  I think about her all the time; I miss being able to tell her about this-or-that.  Some days are harder than others.  Today is a hard one.  FB did a flash back yesterday; you know... the ones that start with "here are some memories from this date in past years"... and there it was, a post from 2.18.14, the day before mom died. I had posted a status of how she was doing and seeing the post took me straight back to that hospital room and the yo-yo, up-and-down of rallying and failing that happened that week.  I'm going to take Kersey for a long walk when I get home tonight (if it isn't raining too hard) and that should help.

4.  We do have a good weekend on tap.  Kyle and Ana are coming up tonight so they can ski in Tahoe tomorrow.  We will have Brett's birthday dinner tomorrow night and are going to a wine-pairing dinner Sunday.  In less than a week, we will be at Alisal for our annual vacation there.

5.  I've been thinking about bucket-lists lately.  You know, that list of things you want to do or accomplish before you die.  Brett and I have been working on our respective lists over the years and we don't really have much "big" left to accomplish.  I would like to complete the training to become a master gardener but I'm guessing that won't happen until I retire -- since it is a large time commitment.  The two activities that bring me the most peace, that put me in a place where I completely lose track of time, are riding and gardening.  What's on your bucket list?  Where do you find solace?

Random Friday

1.  Olivia asked if we've thought of glue-on shoes/pads for Jackson.  We did try those a number of years ago and it didn't work well at all.  I mentioned it to our farrier this fall in the hopes that technology had improved, but he strongly recommended that we stick with boots.

2.  Linda commented that it is hard when our horses don't understand that we are trying to help them. Oh, man, is this true or what.  For any of our animals.  I wish I could explain to Jackson that the boots help his feet, that he can't go barefoot into the rocky pasture with Lucy because he'll get an abscess, and that I'm trying to keep him sound so he can live a happy, long life.  All he sees is that he has to wear big black boots that rub his heels and clomp when he walks, and that he is separated from Lucy.
3.  Thanks also for all the comments on my food posts.  The positive feedback on the dessert, in particular, made all the work worthwhile.  Well, the fact that Brett finished it off in nothing flat felt pretty good too.

4.  We had rain for eight days straight; then a break for a day and a half.  Today the first of two storms arrived; the second, tomorrow, will be colder (but not cold enough for us to get snow).   Starting Sunday, we should have a week with no rain.  A break will be nice but a part of me will worry until the next storm pops up on the weather report.  We have a long way to go yet to get out of the damage the drought has done to lake levels and water tables.

5.  Brett and Pistol worked another therapy session on Wednesday.  The break in the weather was perfectly timed.  Brett wasn't sure how Pistol would be since she hasn't been to the center since before Christmas -- they were closed for the holidays and then the rain started.  Brett shared his concern with the director and she said they would see how Pistol was feeling when she arrived, and if she was too wound up they would do something else.  Horse people know that you have to work with the horse you have on any given day; you can't do much about their mood or energy level.  Pistol, of course, was stellar.  Cool, calm and collected; she put her head down and did her job.  Brett is so proud of her.

Random Friday

1.  I have been floored by the response to my "acceptance" post.  I had no idea it would resonate with so many people.  Honestly, when I wrote it I was hesitant to hit the "publish" button.  It seemed so... personal ... so petty.  It is a HUGE comfort knowing that I'm not the only one who struggles with accepting the body type that goes with 50+.  My mom used to say that when she got older, she never recognized herself in the mirror.  That woman with grey hair and wrinkles just couldn't be her.  I have to admit, I understand the feeling now.  The picture of me in my brain and the reflection in the mirror do not match.  I'm going to try to come to terms with that; accept that -- who knows, maybe even (huge leap of faith) embrace it.

2.  Jackson has his first abscess of the season.  I can't believe he made it through two and half very wet months before succumbing.  I tried a new style of hoof boot when I ordered replacements last time; they were less expensive and easier to put on.  Jackson was not impressed.  He figured out that if he lifted his hind foot and gave it a good shake, he could get rid of the boot.  Over the past month, we've found him many mornings sporting three boots.  I scour the pasture, find the missing boot, put it back on -- and Jackson glares at me.  I ordered more of the original kind, but not before he managed to keep a boot off long enough to bruise his sole and get an abscess.

3.  The chickens are laying again.  Glory hallelujah!  We have twelve hens and five or six of them are back in service.  It is so nice to have plenty of eggs again.  Brett and I were negotiating for the few we were getting from the three youngest who didn't stop laying.  I'd reserve a couple for a recipe; one for breakfast on the weekend; and Brett would hoard the rest until there were enough for him to make scrambled eggs.

4.  I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend at home.  Last weekend we flew down to Southern California where we ran from function to function.  We had a great time but I missed my quiet weekends with the animals and the time spent in front of the wood-stove recharging my batteries. We had lunch at Brett's son's restaurant with my daughter and her boyfriend.  The food was amazing.  Then we were off to a retirement party for one of Brett's good friends at the police department.  Not many of the guys that he worked with are still there; everyone has retired.  But many of them came to the celebration so it was fun to see everyone and catch up.  Sunday morning, we went to brunch with a group of women that I used to work with before we moved to Northern California.  Again, great to catch up on what everyone is doing personally and professionally -- mostly, personally.  When we got home late Sunday night, it was 47F in the house -- no heater and no wood-stove for two days of cold and rain.  It took a few days to get the damp coldness out of the corners of the house.

5.  Rain continues.  Lots of snow in the higher elevations.  And a few hours of sunshine today between fronts.  The streams are all singing and the pond is filling faster than the overflow drain can handle at times.  The horses are covered in mud.  Life is good.

Random Friday

1.  I love the conversations that are occurring in response to my Changing Lens series.  Lori asked if I've ever tried riding in a hackamore or other bitless bridle (in response to the question on bits).  I've ridden in one, once or twice.  I actually worry a lot about the nose pressure that is caused with a hackamore.  They can be very harsh (but bits can be too) and I, personally, do not like the feel I get with a bitless bridle.  I have very light hands so the pressure on the bit is more of a "holding your hand" than a pulling thing.  I also love feeling conversation travel through the reins; I love when Lucy chews happily on the bit.  She can't wait to get it in her mouth when I bridle her so it must be comfortable.  I don't think I'll ever ride in a double bridle -- if you are riding well, you should be able to do everything in a snaffle and two bits is just too much metal in the mouth.  I have no idea why upper level dressage requires a double bridle; it has never made sense to me.  Nirvana would be riding with no bridle, bitless or otherwise.  I have the most admiration for people who ride grand prix movements, in total harmony and balance, bareback with no bridle.

2.  We are back to icy, cold, and wet weather.  Yesterday, the latest storm eased and left a cold day with intermittent drizzle in its wake.  Brett moved the horses back out to the pasture.  They get cabin fever in the worst way in the barn.  Another storm arrives tonight so we wanted them to have a day, at least, to chill in the pasture.  Jackson went out first and was a perfect gentleman.  Lucy went next and she danced all the way to the pasture.  Brett said she danced, she spun, she reared and her head was high the whole way over.  Even Pistol was prancing on her turn.  Flash and Tex were "up," but well behaved.  This morning, as I stood at the kitchen sink throwing ingredients in the crock pot for tonight's dinner, I watched Lucy, Pistol and Jackson racing around their pasture in the icy morning air.  Once the sun is up, they all sleep in the mud; stretched out on the ground.

3.  Brett had to move Tex in and out of the barn before the last storm because I was at work.  He had no trouble at all.  Tex dropped his head into the halter for Brett, as he has been doing for me.  True progress.

4.  I felt pretty spoiled this last Christmas with the all gifts I received from my family.  Last year, I started coloring in "adult" coloring books and discovered that I really enjoy it.  It's an activity that I can lose myself in and is a great stress reducer.  For Christmas, I got two coloring books and have been busy in the evenings and on weekends.  I'm particularly pleased with how this picture came out (I use color pencils).  I watched a couple "how-to" videos on YouTube and off I went.

Random Friday

1.  Thanks for all the supportive comments on me working with Mufasa/Cinnamon.  I've had a few people tell me that they think Cinnamon is a girl name.  Interesting... I see it as one of those unisex names.  We'll see how things go and if the name sticks.  I will probably call him Cinn for short; Cinnamon is a bit of a mouthful when you are trying to spit out "Cinnamon, whoa." 

2.  The horses got their fall vaccinations today.  A new vet (new to us) came out since our usual vet is teaching full time now.  Brett called me afterwards and said the new vet was really good with the horses.  She immediately pegged Lucy as the princess.  Okay, okay; that's a no-brainer; she's very obvious about it.  But Brett liked how she interacted with the horses and donkeys and they seemed to like her.  We don't have any vet-hating or fearing animals right now, thank goodness. 

3.  We are in the midst of another winter storm.  The first wave came in yesterday with heavy rain and hail.  It is spitting a bit still, but we should have clear weather tonight and tomorrow morning before then next wave arrives.  It is supposed to be equally as strong, but colder.  We have a chance of snow on Monday.  The Sierras have been getting a lot of snow which is fantastic for skiers the snow pack.  This morning, when I merged onto the freeway, on my way to work, I was immediately surrounded by cars sporting thick blankets of snow. 

4.  Brett and Pistol had their first real session at Windows to My Soul this week.  Pistol carried around a developmentally disabled young adult who had never been on a horse before.  Brett led her around while the therapists worked with the client.  Everyone did well.  They worked on breathing and balance, primarily.  Brett said that when the client was able to relax, Pistol gave a huge, relaxed exhale.  I'm so proud of both Brett and Pistol.

5.  I sure enjoyed the "Changing Lens" post comments.  I have some more questions and may do another post with them in the next few weeks.  Brett didn't comment on the mare v. gelding question but I'm guessing he doesn't have a clear preference.  For police work, Flash was the perfect soldier and partner.  For the kind of riding Brett does now, Pistol is the willing, careful partner he needs.  She is also very affectionate and demonstrative to Brett.  I love that.

Random Friday

1.  The three chicks that we bought on Camille's birthday in May (and named Camille1, Camille2 and Camille3) started laying eggs this week.  So almost everyday this week, we got an egg.  The rest of the worthless molting chickens are still on hiatus.

2.  We received one call on Mufasa.  I was not impressed, in my gut.  The guy said he has been competing in rodeos since he was a kid (and is 61 now).  He wanted to know why a horse with Mufasa's bloodlines, training, and conformation was being sold so cheaply.  He told me that I'm too honest and would never make it as a horse trader (he is one).  I will admit to highlighting all the reasons Mufasa would not work as his next rodeo project.  We do not want Mufasa to go to a rodeo home.  He doesn't do well with pressure and needs a quiet life full of trail riding, or maybe chasing cows on a ranch somewhere.  I really don't give a damn if we sell him for less than he is worth or into less than a competition situation.  We are interested in Mufasa's well-being; not in maximizing our ROI.  ---as if that ever works with horses, anyway.

3.  Remember how Brett and Pistol have been going through the evaluation process to be used in the therapy program at Windows to My Soul?  Brett got a call this week and was informed that he and Pistol have been selected to work with a current client.  They therapists love Pistol and they think Brett will be a good male role model for this teenage boy who is very troubled.  Brett and Pistol will be participating weekly, starting in early December and going through February.   Buffy always referred to Pistol as "the wonder horse" and she truly is a multi-talented, awesome mare.

4.  Throughout November, we've been getting rain storms every 7-10 days.  This means we haven't done much riding; just about the time that the arena sand stops squishing and sliding under our feet, the next storm arrives.  There is a very cold storm on its way from Alaska, due to hit just in time for Thanksgiving.  We may get snow, real snow (not the icy stuff) this time.  Kyle and Camille arrive Wednesday, in the thick of the weather so I'll be on edge until they pull in the driveway safe.  My niece and nephew are coming Thanksgiving Day, when the worst of the storm should be behind us.  Still, the roads will no doubt be slick and icy so we will hold our breathe waiting for them as well.  Then, we'll crank the wood stove and get down to the important task of feasting.

5.  Brett's good friend, Richard, is coming for a short visit this weekend.  I expect the two of them will be busy repairing and installing fences.

Random Friday

1.  New siding is up on the back side of the house.  It just needs to be painted.  No big deal, you say, Brett likes to paint and he's very meticulous.  ... except... Brett is afraid of heights and this is a two story house.  He could paint the lower part, no problem, but the top half is going to require help.

2.  We now have a handrail for the steps at the front porch going to the driveway.  They are strange stairs; narrow, steep with a funny half fall at the bottom.  Brett and I have both fallen and friends have tripped as well.  Now, we have a hand rail so we don't have to hold our breath whenever someone goes down those stairs.

3.  The porch extension is finished as well (Brett just needs to paint it).  Brett watched the guys take out the old back door porch -- he thought it would involve smashing and prying.  They lifted one corner with their hands and the whole thing came off.  It felt flimsy -- and it was.  Now, we can go in and out easily, and reach the wrap-around porch with out plonking down to the ground and then scrambling back up to the porch.

4.  We did have an unanticipated repair.  When the workers looked at the electrical breaker box to install siding around it, they noticed that there was a pipe leaving the box, with wire (heading to the barn).  The bottom of the box had been cut so the wire could go through, into the pipe.  But the metal, where it had been cut, was jagged and it had frayed the electric wire.  The wall around the wire was black from sparks.  When they jiggled the pipe, there were more sparks -- and then the wire severed and power was lost to the barn.  Thank goodness they found the frayed wire -- how long had it been sparking in there?  Our bedroom is right above the breaker box.  If it had caught the house on fire, we would have been in a world of hurt.  An electrician came out, shook his head in disbelief, and fixed it.  This repair falls under the category -- "fix one thing, find ten more."

5.  We had a little bit of rain (half an inch) a week ago.  I thought Jackson would be okay without his trail boots so I didn't mess with putting them on in the dark after work.  Sure enough, he started limping as soon as the rain stopped.  I put the boots on at that point and in a couple of days he was walking fine.  I took them off the day before yesterday -- we've been dry for a week now -- and he is marching around, doing Lucy's bidding.

Kerseyf, on the front porch, guarding the kayaks

Random Friday

1.  Rain!  We finally got measurable rain.  We had gentle rainfall Wednesday night and Thursday; a total of half an inch.  The horses all promptly rolled and, Jackson especially, are filthy.  We sat in the house Thursday evening listening and smiling; the oak leaves were wet and fragrant underfoot when we did the chores, and the chickens scratched like mad in their yard.

2.  Rain meant that construction stopped for a day on the new siding.  Remember when we had to remodel the master bathroom due to the shower leaking through the ceiling?  During that constructions, we discovered that water was also leaking and running down the inside of the exterior wall.  When the drywall was cut out to move plumbing around, there was daylight shining through gaps and bulges in the warped siding.  We are animal lovers, yes, but the idea of wasps and rodents taking up residence in the walls was not a happy thought.  The backside of the house has no overhang and it takes a beating from the weather.  The entire backside of the house is getting new, fire resistant (concrete) siding.

3.  Do you see the back door "porch" and steps?  Very small and rickety.  We are replacing them as well.  The wrap-around porch will continue it's wrap from the side of house (closest to the camera but not in the picture), turn the corner and go to the back door.  Steps will lead from the edge of the porch to the driveway.  You can't see it in this photo but the current porch/landing is actually pulling away from the house.  It has never felt safe/sturdy and it will be a huge relief to see it go.

4.  Thanks to everyone for their supportive comments about Lucy and I.  We share an amazing bond; stronger and different from that I've ever had with a horse.  We are friends (is that weird?), we understand each other, we love to be together -- even if it is just hanging out in the pasture.  She trusts me completely and I'm careful to always be fair when I ride her.  She's a great teacher -- I've never sat straighter or been quieter with the aids in my life.  I have learned to be a more tactful rider and she has learned to be relaxed and accepting/trusting of the contact.  When we first started working together, asking for canter was an act of faith.  She always went -- but I never knew if it was going to be a high headed race or relaxed.  Now, it is relaxed 95% of the time.  Soft shoulders and soft elbows have been key; she's a bit claustrophobic so my relaxed, heavy arms give her space in the contact.  I can't thank Sandy enough for teaching me how to ride this "ambitious" horse.

5.  Brett and I plan to ride tomorrow.  The arena sand should be perfect after the rain.  We have a possibility of more rain, beginning Saturday night, so Sunday is a question mark.  Brett and Pistol will be going down to the Mark Rashid clinic in a few weeks and I want to cement everything I learned at Sandy's workshop in my brain and my body.

Random Friday

1.  The Butte fire is now 60% contained and the smoke has left our little ranch.  We are thankful.  The weather has been cool all week, although temperatures will be quite warm this weekend.  Hopefully, that will be the last of the hot weather.  I plan to ride Lucy tomorrow morning.

2.  We will see how the ride goes tomorrow.  I'm quite sure she is in heat.  Last night while I was mucking her pasture she was in a very snarky mood; coming close, then turning and running off while bucking and kicking out.  She wasn't close enough to put me in any danger; just close enough to make a statement.  She wanted dinner NOW; she wanted a massage NOW; she wanted me to go into the house and get her an apple -- or at least fill my pockets with cookies.  I was clearly failing my duties in her eyes.

Excuuuuse me!  Where is my dinner?!  You humans are so slow.

3.  For those of you who like my posts about food: I've started posting photos of our "working woman weeknight dinners" on Instagram.  I don't have the energy to create a post here (I don't have much energy after work) after dinner and a glass of wine.  If you are interested, you can find them on Instagram - under amickelson601.

Random Friday

1.  While fellow bloggers Lori and Mary Ann are cooling off, we have been back to triple digit heat this week.  It was pretty warm at work Thursday --

We have tried to avoid being outside but that didn't work out too well for Brett.  We had a large stretch of fence come down so he had to fix that.  Our neighbor, Marv, was helping and Marv suggested that they also remove two dead pine trees while they were at it -- pine trees are dying right and left up here due to the drought.

2.  We also had the farrier out this week.  He and Brett worked out of the sun, inside the barn, where it was "only" 98F.  The horses were all well behaved -- probably too hot to be silly.  Except for Lucy who kept arching her neck like a giraffe in an attempt to reach the bucket of carrots sitting by Brett.  Pistol has shoes now so she's ready for regular work -- once the weather cools and the smoke clears.

3.  There is a large fire south of us and east of Jackson, the Butte fire.  Fortunately for us it is burning in a southeasterly direction, away from us.  Unfortunately, it is the largest fire in the State right now.  Wednesday when we went to bed it was 4,000 acres and 30% contained.  Thursday morning it was still 4,000 acres but down to 20% contained.  Thursday night... 14,700 acres and 10% contained.  Nine homes have burned, numerous evacuations are in place, and there is no estimate for containment.

Butte Fire, Sept 10 @ noon; photo by Shannon Prieto posted on YubaNet

Our community is covered in smoke; the sky is dark with an eery evening feeling all day -- eery because there is an orange tint to the air and the sun is a bright reddish orange ball; looking more like the moon than the sun with its brightness muted by the smoke.
This morning, Friday, the fire is still only 10% contained -- and grew overnight to 32,000 acres.

This photo was taken by our neighbor earlier in the day; before the smoke settled lower to the ground; thick and dense

4.  I stopped at Hooverville Orchards on my way home from work and picked up some fruit.  There are only a few varieties of peaches left but the apples and pears are starting to come in strong.  I loaded up three bags -- plus a pie -- and headed home.

Apples

The last of the peach varieties

5. Kyle, his girlfriend, and her family had been planning to stay in Jackson this weekend and do some wine tasting.  The family cancelled their original hotel reservations since Jackson is fairly close to the fire (the lady at the hotel was happy for the cancellation in the midst of all the fire-related chaos in town) and made new ones closer to Placerville, away from the fire.

Random Friday

1.  This morning before work, before the sun came up and melted energy into lethargy, I finished cleaning out the hen house.  What a nasty dusty job.  My clothes were covered in that fine chicken dust that covers the hen house floor and rafters in silt.  I filled the nesting boxes with clean shavings and spread more on the floor.  It's hard to think about winter when the days are a scorching 100F, but the hen house is ready nonetheless. Attila the hen is still broody and still aggressively protecting all the eggs (they all lay in the same nesting box).

2.  I've been teaching Kersey a new skill and command.  In the evenings after chores, I flip my kayak right side up on the front porch, put a dog treat in my pocket and call Kersey.  I've taught her that the command "boat" means to jump in the boat.  Last night she had it down, sitting calmly while the boat rocked back and forth.  Her life jacket came in the mail so we were set.  All that was left was for me to get in the boat with her.  Unfortunately, that part didn't work so well.  Kersey was very good but there just isn't room for my legs and an 80 lb stocky dog.  Kersey has hip problems so she doesn't sit straight.  She sits at an angle, with her fanny jutting out one direction and her front legs the other.  There is not enough room between my legs for her to sit; and no room for me to paddle if she stands.  So, she lay across my legs and I rubbed her belly before calling it quits.  She won't be a kayaking dog after all which is a disappointment, but we will still take her to the lake for swimming.  And now she has a life jacket so she can swim for a really long time.

3.  Lucy has designated me as her personal masseuse.  She follows me all over the pasture, standing between me and the muck cart; standing between me and piles of manure; standing between me and anything else until I turn and walk to her.  I have a space bubble that she is not allowed to enter so she stands at the edge of that imaginary circle and looks at me with intent.  I walk up to her and then stand just in front of her chest.  Using my stubby fingernails, I rub the underside of her neck, up towards her throat latch and down to her chest.  She stretches, and sighs and drops her head on my shoulder.  She likes to have her belly and butt scratched too, but her neck is by far her favorite location.

4.  Temperatures are supposed to drop tomorrow by 20 degrees due to a storm moving into Northern California from Washington and Oregon.  The far north-western corner of the State is expected to get rain; we will not see precipitation -- just some wind and cooler (80s) temperature.  Brett and I plan to ride Saturday.  On Sunday, Sandy Savage is coming up with her fiance (congratulations!) for lunch and we will work with Lucy in the morning.  Lucy is still very sticky/resistant on her right lead canter so I want Sandy's opinion on whether I need to have the other hock injected.

5.  Winston is for sale.  Although his junior rider loves him to death, he just isn't cut out for dressage.  Winston needs to belong to a strong bold eventing rider.  He loves to jump, he loves the trail, and he has a lot of talent.  He's been winning at dressage shows -- but he gets bored.  To be successful in dressage you need a horse who has nice gaits, yes, but even more importantly you have to have a willing partner.  Winston isn't willing.  He gets bored and then he gets naughty.  It isn't fun for either him or his owner.  So, if any of you eventers out there are looking for a strong horse, or know of someone who is, take a look at Winston.  He's on the DreamHorse website -- a search for Winston Hanovarian Appaloosa brings him right up.

Schooling at Aspen Meadows -- 5-ish years old

More schooling...

Stealing Brett's hat at the Thermal *** show - he nailed his tests despite the freezing temps and icy wind.

At a show earlier this month, with his current owner.  He won all his classes.

Random Friday

1.  I don't know about everyone else, but I'm counting the days until the end of August.  I think I rode Lucy once -- ONCE, this month.  The nights have started to cool down nicely and we can open all the windows at 8pm or so.  Last night we were down to 68F when we went to bed at 10pm and this morning we were in the upper 50s while I mucked the oak pasture before work.  During the day, we are still 90ish but the nights are feeling like heaven.

2.  Another sign of fall coming is the flock of wild turkeys that cross the road in front of my car almost every morning as I head into work.  Quail scurry into the blackberry bushes when I pull into our driveway in the evenings.  Leaves have been falling for a few weeks, but that is as much related to the drought as to the weather.

3.  Brett has been busy building more compost bins.  It is slow going in the heat.  He is building a bank of four connecting bins so we will be able to turn the compost three times before it hits the last bin.  From there it will go into my garden.  Brett already built a bin near the pasture the boys are sharing with the goats.  We use compost from this bin to spread under trees and on the front lawn (the dry brown front lawn - we don't irrigate it so it only truly exists as a lawn in the winter).  He has finished the back of it -- a block wall -- and will put in the wood sides next.

4.  For the past few weeks while Brett has been busy building the oak pasture compost bins, I've been without an official place to put the mares' manure (and Jackson, of course, can't forget him).  So, I've been filling the muck cart and then dumping it in a pile near a low spot on the back fenceline.  Then, I scoop and fling fork-fulls over the fence into the blackberry bushes.  Brett says its good for my core.  And Camille noted that my arm muscles looked good when we were in Mendocino.  All the same, I'll be glad when the bins are finished.

5.  We have a very broody hen.  She's been sitting in the corner nesting box, wedged under the cover, jealously guarding everyone's eggs.  I've never had a Barred Rock go broody on my before and she is seriously broody. In the past, I've been able to reach under a broody hen who pecks at my arm but not viciously.  This hen fluffs herself up as big as possible and aggressively attacks.  We have to nudge her with a long stick to get her to leave, and she will often fly at our legs on her way out of the henhouse.  I'm naming her Attila the Hen.

Random Friday

1.  Brett continues to heal although it is hard to see because he continues to abuse his body.  H is currently building three more compost bins and has been laying cement block for the wall that forms the back of the bins.  If he feels any hint of energy or increase in mobility... he heads straight out and works until he can't move.  I've given up on trying to teach him moderation; he's driven.  People ask us if he has a "honey-do" list since he is retired.  We laugh.  I rarely ask him to do anything; I often ask him to slow down.

2.  We are under a red flag warning today (started last night).  There is a threat of thunderstorms and lightening strikes with little to no rain.  The huge fire burning between us and San Francisco (the Rocky Fire) is almost 50% contained this morning.  Full containment is anticipated for Monday.  This is the biggest, hottest, most out-of-control fire in the State right now.  Fire crews are being very aggressive with all the fires -- which seem to be breaking out everywhere.  There have been a few closer to us and the aggressive response has meant that they are out pretty quickly.  We love our firefighters and support the fund raisers on their behalf in our community.  Driving through the foothills, there are hand lettered, cardboard signs posted on street corners -- "thank-you firefighters."

3.  The weather is shifting; the days are shorter and the nights are cooler.  There is no longer time to ride before work but I'd rather have cool nights and not ride than have miserably hot days that extend into short nights.  I'm back to riding only on the weekends.  Tomorrow will be the first time in two weeks that I've been on Lucy.  Last Friday morning I tried to ride early before work but that was the morning that Brett came off of Mufasa.  Saturday and Sunday were hot and smoky -- not healthy for riding.  Heck, not healthy for stepping outside at all.

4.  I was pleased with Lucy's reaction when Mufasa exploded on Brett.  I had just mounted and walked into the arena.  We were walking up the long side, away from the mounting block.  When Mufasa spooked and crow-hopped forward with Brett, we heard it before we saw it.  Lucy threw her head in the air in alarm -- but didn't react beyond that.  I turned her and we watched the crow-hopping, Brett's unintended dismount, Mufasa's crash into the fence, and then Mufasa bucking and farting as he ran down the driveway with the reins and stirrups flapping.  Her head stayed high but she listened to me and stayed put.  Good girl.

5.  Over the years that I've been blogging, I've formed friendships with fellow bloggers.  One of these friendships was with a young woman, Esther Garvi, in Nigeria.  Esther was Swedish but she worked in Nigeria for the Eden Foundation, started by her family, to help the locals with farming skills and education.  Esther loved Niger and spoke of it with longing whenever she traveled to Europe to see family.  Yesterday, while driving to the Foundation from the airport  after one of those visits to Sweden, she was killed in a car accident.  I was stunned.  I still am.  Esther loved the African bush, the people, her Rhodesian Ridgeback, Sheba, -- truly a faithful companion to her, her horses and goats.  She lost her mother a number of years ago and missed her terribly.  My first thought on hearing of her death was that she is now with her mother -- but so many of us here, left behind, acutely feel the loss of her bright smile and warmth; her love of the land and of the people; her love of life and the gift that she was to so many.

Random Friday

1.  Mary Ann asked if it is still dry here.  The little bit of rain we got last month (and I mean little bit) didn't put a dent in the drought.  Southern California got hit with some rain a week or so ago; remnants of a tropical storm but we didn't see any of that.  What we need is a winter full of cold wet storms from Alaska to build the snow pack.

2.  Last week, Brett and I were like two ships passing in the night. While he was in Park City, Utah with his daughters and their kids for a baseball tournament, I held down the fort.  Mid-week, Camille flew in and we had an afternoon and evening at home before leaving for Shaver Lake.  Camille took picturess of herself with all the animals.  My favorite is this one of her with Lucy.

3.  Thursday, while Camille and I drove to Shaver Lake to meet up with my family, Brett drove back home from Utah with his daughter, Jen, and the grandkids.  You've seen all the posts this week of their time riding Pistol.  Brett also took them to a historical park in Placerville where they went into a gold mine and then learned how to pan for gold.  They filled little vials with sparkling flecks -- and didn't want to leave.

4. Meanwhile, the kids and I spent four days at Shaver Lake with my sister and her family, and my dad and his girlfriend.  The "kids" are all grown; Camille is the youngest at 21 and my oldest nephew is 27 (I think).  Kyle brought his girlfriend, Ana, and she fit right in.  We have been doing this since Camille was an infant and the cousins look forward to this vacation every year.  They are scattered now, but they all showed up for this annual family vacation.

5.  The weather the past few days has been hot, dry and breezy.  When it is in the triple digits like this, a breeze feels like a furnace blowing.  Five fires are burning in Northern California; two of them close enough to give us smokey hazy skies.  The garden is wilting, the horses stand in the shade swishing their tails, the chickens pant, Kersey plunges into her wading pool constantly, and we hide in the house.  I dislike this time of year - too hot to garden or ride.  The days are getting shorter so I no longer have time to ride before work.  I love spring and fall; I don't mind winter -- but summer... yech!

6.  Brett came off Mufasa this morning.  Brett got banged up but nothing broken, thank God.  Mufasa spooked at something while at the mounting block, Brett's shirt got caught on the horn and ripped, and the sound sent Mufasa crow-hopping away.  Brett lost his balance, slid sideways and then landed with a thud on the ground.  Mufasa jumped sideways, away from Brett, and slammed into the donkey pasture fence post.  He bucked and kicked the fence, then took off running, bucking as he went.  We retrieved him in a corner by the front gate, with the rope reins wrapped around his front leg.  While Brett worked on washing gravel out of his abrasions, I got Mufasa - who was wild eyed worried -- untangled and back to the tie rail.  Brett's very sore and, at the moment, I don't care if Brett ever rides Mufasa again.  Brett's 66.  Mufasa is unpredictable - not mean - but he spooks at any little sound or movement.  Its Brett's decision, of course, and I will support him either way.  I reacted with dread, then fear, then panic, and finally tears.  I don't trust Mufasa.  I just don't.

Random Friday

1.  Michaele had some questions about my post "Two Big Bucks."  She asked if Lucy was bucking to get rid of me, if by doing so she would eliminate some of her stress overload.  Lucy bucked because horse's brains go into "fight or flight -- preferably flight" mode when they reach overload.  She couldn't run off easily since I was asking her to trot in a specific way.  She felt boxed in so she reacted by bucking.  Some horses buck, some rear, some bolt, some spin and some run backwards.  Some horses do all of them at once.  Lucy normally plants her feet, leans sideways, and snorts.  If she is in a pissy mood, she will toss her head.  She wasn't in a snit and she wasn't trying to get rid of me.  She didn't like where Mufasa was and she was frightened by the noise of the banging boat trailer.  It was not a normal reaction for Lucy so I think the overload was pretty extreme.

2.  Michaele's second question was for a description of a bucking strap.  Western saddles have a deep seat that cradles you in secure comfort and a horn for hanging your rope -- or for grabbing when you get off balance during, say, a bucking episode.  English saddles have a flat seat (especially jumping saddles) and no horn.  Dressage saddles come with seats of varying depth/security but the deepest dressage saddle is nowhere close to a western saddle.  If you lose your balance, your only option is to grab a handful of mane -- or a bucking strap if you have one.  Bucking straps are short lengths of leather, semi rigid, and rolled to be comfortable in your hand.  The strap attaches to the front of your saddle to the left of center, lays in front of your saddle and attaches to the right of center.  It gives you a loop of leather to grab for security and stability.

I keep one on my saddle at all times.  The strap can also be used to stabilize your hands when you are learning to keep steady contact.  By looping your thumb through the strap, you can keep your hand still and prevent bouncing -- which translates to banging on the horses mouth.  And, of course, you never know when a horse is going to spook or slide sideways or buck.

3.  Terri asked if the Masterson work I do with Lucy, and the bond it builds, carries over into our riding.  I believe that it does; in two ways.  First, the body work releases tension.  Lucy carries a lot of tension in her neck and poll.  The poll is affected by discomfort or tension in the back and the hind end.  It is "energy central" in a way; tension collects and is held there.  By releasing that tension, Lucy feels better and is able to stretch comfortably into her work.  The other piece to the Masterson work is the intention and focus it brings to our relationship.  I'm learning to read very subtle signs and Lucy is learning to trust me with her tension; to trust that I will make her feel better; that she can relax and let go (not easy for a flight animal).

4.  One evening earlier this week when I went out to the goat area to refill their water, I noticed that Thistle wasn't joining the group.  Thistle is usually up front and center.  He baas as I approach, meets me at the gate, follows me to the water bucket, and then stands on his hind legs with his feet against the fence so I can rub his neck, his back and his belly.  On this evening, which was very hot, Thistle was laying in one of the igloos watching me, but making no move to join us.  I was concerned.  He didn't appear to be injured, he ate some weeds I brought over, and he came out to pee while I was mucking.  The next day he was fine.  He met me at the gate and  followed me to the water bucket.  I noticed that his "shorter" horn was now a stump, with dried blood.  So, that was it.  He lost his horn.  This happens every few years.  We bought him from a first time breeder and I don't think they got the dehorn thing down exactly right.  The other goats, who came from experienced breeders, have never had this problem.