Officially Horse Poor

Contrary to what one might think, "horse poor" doesn't mean that one does not have enough horses. The expression is in reference to someone who has too many horses. Oh wait, too many horses is like saying too much fun and there is no such thing! So let me rephrase... someone who has more horses than they really need or can use or can afford. That's me! I think you have all met Star.
She is a pretty, little, temperamental, appaloosa mare about 7 years old now.

She is what is known as a "catch colt", or in other words a surprise! We suspect her mare went visiting a mustang stallion, but no one knows who she hooked up with for sure.

As best as I can recollect I have had Star since June of 2005, just over 2 years. Seems longer than that, doesn't it?

Then there is Keno. He is a BLM horse. He is quite a stout fellow. We believe he is Percheron and quarter horse but again, no one knows for sure.

Keno is just too cute and oh sooo... sweet!


Keno must be is 9 or 10 years old now. I guess I have had him about a year, I'm not sure. Does anybody remember when I got him?

Anyway... for the past year these horses have pretty much been expensive yard ornaments. One would think that 2 horses would be enough for 1 gal, eh? Especially 2 horses that aren't being used for anything but cuddles and hugs. Well, not this gal. Let me introduce you to the newest members of Almosta Farm.

* * * * * * * STRAWBERRY and FLASH * * * * * * *

They are between 5 and 7 years old. I will ask my friend next time I see her and find out for sure. They are supposed to be well bred but yet again I don't know their breeding. I plan to ask my friend that as well. Bottom line... they are beautiful, gentle animals who were in need of a home. I thought to myself, "I have a home" and there you go!

Strawberry is a strawberry roan, considered a breeding stock paint horse. She is more petite than Flash (which is a trait I like). I can't say that she has a better personality than Flash because they are both very kind and gentle horses. Strawberry has not been ridden except by little kids who have enjoyed climbing on her like a jungle-gym and riding around the pasture with bailing twine as reigns.
Flash is a sorrel paint. I think she is an overo paint but I have always been a little confused by the color distinction between overo and tobiano. Tiff, if you are looking, is she overo or tobiano?

Flash's previous owner considers her green broke because she (the owner) hasn't spent any time teaching her (Flash) to rope or reign etc. She has been ridden with saddle, bridle and bit. She has also been ridden by young and old all around the 120 acre ranch she came from. She too is a kind and gentle mare.Right now the new comers are in the round pen, separated from the the rest of the gang, (after all, we don't want any horsey explosions now do we). Keno is very curious and anxious to meet the girls. Star, on the other had seems a little put out, (just look at that face). I think it is a mare thing though. The other girls are a little stand offish as well (check out Strawberry... poor, sweet Keno).

Honorable mention should be made to my 4 boarders. Carolyn has had her 3 horses at my place for nearly a year now. She also picked up a new horse from the same place I got my 2. That makes 8 horses in all... yes we are getting crowded!

TTFN :)

"I AM tall and beautiful"

I have a precious little dachshund. His name is Rusty the Rustling Digger Dog but I just call him Rusty most of the time. His does live up to his name though. Rusty for his color ~ rusty red. Rustling for the way he likes to rustle the chickens or cats or anything else he thinks he can make an impression on. Digger ~ oh yes he is! And although he doesn't know it, he is a dog.

Rusty is a very happy and very loving little fellow. I recently took a trip to Alaska to see my daughter. I couldn't bear leaving Rusty behind this trip because if I did it would have to be in a kennel... all by himself... no one to love! (Rusty MUST have his daily dose of lovin') Sooo... off we went together to Alaska, (he traveled very well, by the way).

When we reached our destination Rusty was just a little confused. He was glad to see me and let me know it. But he still was to face a lot of new things, not the least of which was 4 other dogs. He met the 2 little dogs, Henry and Frank, in the car. He wasn't at all sure he liked the idea of sharing space with 2 strange dogs. There was a lot of growling and snapping on the ride to Sasha's house.

When we got to Sasha's house he got to meet Duke and Rosco, the 2 big dogs. Poor little Rusty just didn't know what else to do so he would stand between my legs and growl and snap at what I am sure he thought were terrible adversaries. Although small, Rusty can put on quite a show. He stood his ground and refused to leave my side at first. It wasn't long that things started to quiet down and Rusty began to interact with the other dogs.

While we sat and visited, Sasha, Eric and I watched as the dogs strutted their stuff for each other. There was a lot of sniffing and posturing and finally Rusty began to wander amongst the other dogs on his own. I cannot begin to tell you how fun is was to watch the drama play out as these 5 precious pets tried to figure out whether or not to be friends. All 5 dogs are beautiful and sweet individuals. As we marveled at this I made the comment that Rusty was really very timid and shy but that he seemed aggressive because rather than run and hide he would attack his fears. Sasha began to giggle saying, "What does he do, give himself a little pep talk?" and we were off. We started laughing and expounding on that thought.

In a final moment of jest Eric commented (as if he were speaking as Rusty), "I DO have long legs... I AM tall and beautiful..." and with that we all nearly busted a gut laughing. This may be one of those scenarios when you really had to be there, but having been there I laugh out loud every time I think of it.

Rusty and I would like to thank Duke and Henry for letting him stay with them and being so nice to him. We would also like to thank Duke, Henry, Frank and Rosco for showing him such a good time at "Dog Park". And of course we are so grateful for Sasha for being the sweet person she is and having the sweet puppies she does.

TTFN :)

Home Alone

I really miss being around my friends and family. Despite my last post about how lucky we are to be able to enjoy easy access and easy communication with each other there is nothing quite like being there. I don't get to see the people I love and have loved in my life nearly enough if at all... my kids, my brothers, my nieces and nephews, my aunts and uncles, my long lost or almost lost (but never forgotten) friends.

Pictures are always appreciated but are a poor substitute for the twinkle in someone's eye or the expressions they make when they say, "... you're so funny... you're so cute... I LOVE YOU, etc"
I MISS YOUR FACES! Lest I sound ungrateful, I am always glad to get a visit or to go visit someone.

Dillon and Cerra came up to see me not long ago. I picked them up at the airport on September 6th. Of course their flight was delayed 1 1/2 hrs (they have the worst airport luck of anyone I know). When they did get in we loaded up and drove straight home to Weiser. We didn't have any special plans and didn't do anything particularly exciting but we had fun just hanging out and enjoying being together. Doug, Cerra's dad and Kathleen, his wife came for a BBQ that Saturday, (Doug is a hoot! by the way). A couple of my friends stopped by and a very nice time was had by all. Kathleen took some nice pictures of our beautiful sunset (which I don't have any copies of) and Cerra and Doug messed around with the horses (some cute pics on Dillon's and Cerra's site). I dropped Dillon and Cerra off at the airport September 9th just in time to make it home for Sasha's birthday September 10th. I really missed being there but I got to hook up with Sasha shortly after that.

September 16th I met Sasha at the airport in Boise and we flew out together to Alaska by way of Seattle, (the Seattle airport has a little subway that you get to ride to get to certain gaits... FUN). I spent the week with Sasha in her new home in Anchorage. We shopped a little, ate out a few times, took the dogs for walks a couple of times, took Duke (the big dog) to the 'dogie wash' (he was really a dirty dog), and worked on the house A LOT!

I took my little dog with me on this trip and was very glad I did. He is such a happy little soul and such a good and cuddly companion. We had a lot of laughs at his expense (but he seemed to be laughing right along with us so I guess it really wasn't "at his expense"). Sasha will remember "I AM tall and beautiful!" LOL (another story).

We got Sasha's bedroom finished in time for her to move in her new KING SIZED BED in. It was delivered Saturday before I left. We had planned a pajama party for that night until we realized that my plane left at 1am! I missed the PJ party but I did get to lay in it and enjoy the beautiful, peaceful room before I had to go that night. The view from her bedroom window would make you think you are out in the wilderness. Her bedroom in on the upstairs floor looking out over her back yard. When you lie on her bed you look out the window to see the tops of evergreens with the moon and the stars in the background. It is awesome!

When I left Sasha wanted to know if I was all charged up to come home and fix up one of the many rooms I have been talking about painting. Ummm... not so much.

The one thing good about coming home on an earlier flight was that I got to see Cerra. She was in Boise for the annual Women's Fitness Celebration and hadn't left for home yet. We visited over a nice breakfast and went shopping for her birthday. It made for a nice transition for me from Anchorage back to home.

So here I am, back home alone. Thank goodness I have my animals to entertain me. To all my family and friends, I will try to take time in my busy schedule to keep in touch. Will you do the same? I love you!

TTNF :)

HOW LUCKY ARE WE

When my grandparents were young, people lived and worked close to home. When a family member moved away, they really moved away. Long distance communication was done via the postal service and that communication was slow. People seldom traveled long distances to see anyone.

When phones were invented the service was limited to whether or not a phone line existed in the first place, then whether or not the operator was busy. If you were fortunate enough to have a phone line to your town and have access to a phone, (sometimes a community would share a phone in a central location), then you would have to worry about how many people were using the line. If too many people were on the line you were just out of luck and would have to wait your turn. My mother remembered not having a phone until she was in her teens. It was the old, call the operator, party line, everyone can listen in, type service. (Oh my GOSH! I even remember the party line!).

When my grandparents were older with children of their own they did have a cars. They still didn't travel long distances very often unless it was to actually move their family to a new location. My mother recalled their one big trip when she was young. They packed up and drove to Cardston Alberta Canada to the LDS temple there to be sealed as a family.

Cute side story... My sweet grandpa Olaf, 'til his dying day, did not believe in airplanes, rockets or anything that meant people could fly. He just did not believe they existed. When he watched the moon landing on TV he just laughed hysterically, (and with some indignation), over the huge farce the government was perpetrating on a trusting society.

Well baby, JUST LOOK AT US NOW! It is easier than ever to stay in touch with friends and relatives no matter what the distance. Now we can call each other any time we want to! Not just from the house but from anywhere and at any time. As an added bonus we have the Internet at our beckon call. Pretty neat, eh?

Besides the phone and the Internet we can travel somewhat effortlessly anywhere in the world (as long as we can afford it that is). We can drive a car, take a bus, take a train, or subway or travel by boat, plane, helicopter... what ever ~ when ever ~ where ever!

HOW LUCKY ARE WE?!