Life On and Off an Acreage

In-sights into moving from an Acreage back to Town, plus a few things I find of interest.

Two things that horses are scared about:


1. Things that move
2. Things that don't move




Old enough to be eccentric, but not rich enough

August 1, 2011

A Great Weekend!

Elaine has gone to summer camp with the grand kids so I kind of had a honey do list. However, yesterday, I played truant and saddled up Alpine. I figured she needed some miles on her, and I needed a trail ride. So, off we went. The gate was open to our neighbour's half section and the cows (bulls) weren't in there yet. Alpine was a little skittish at first, but settled down into a steady trot. Can that horse trot! Two hours later, she was still trotting on the way home. It was very difficult to get her to walk. She just wanted to trot! I am not sure if that is a trait of the Morgan horse or not. It took a good half hour to catch her rhythm, which appeared to be totally different from the other horses. I was tempted to go to a cantor, but decided as I was alone in the middle of 320 acres populated by deer, moose and whatever, it was probably not a good idea.
I hate to say it, but I think that I am a little out of shape, as my legs did not want to work very well after the two hours.
Boots came along for the ride and man, was his butt dragging by the time we got back! I could tell where he was in the hay field because there was a bow wave spreading out. Brooklynn started out, but disappeared about 20 minutes into the ride. I found her sleeping under the deck looking very comfortable. 

Today we have a high wind so it's back to chores. I trimmed some brush growing around  hiding the shed, transplanted my slightly root bound mint, weeded a garden and picked a half gallon of our raspberries. It looks like it's going to be a good crop! Last year we put 100 pounds in the freezer and will probably get the same amount this year. Now, all I need is a good recipe for raspberry crisp, or ?

Tomorrow its back to town to water the church plants (Elaine's job, normally) then over to check on the hay cutting/ baling. I am hoping my truck will last long enough to get the hay home. Fortunately, it is only about a 2 mile round trip times ten to get the 300 bales home. It turns out that I not only blew a plug, but lost a valve. The transmission is also starting to slip. I really like the truck, but it is a 2001 and how much money do you feed into it?  It's 16 hours labour at $80/hour plus the cost of a used motor. I haven't looked at the transmission cost . It is probably time to cut the cost and look at a good used replacement. Drat!

I hope all you folks in Canada had a really good long weekend, and that you folks in the U.S can get a working compromise regarding debt reduction. We don't need another world recession!




6 comments:

  1. Sadly, we, the people, are not in charge. I, too, wish the same thing.

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  2. lordy, ain't that the truth!?

    alpine is just such a lovely horse. i'm so jealous as i've wanted a morgan since i was a little girl... alas. not in this life...

    so i'm guessing the thumb is doing alright with all your riding and chores. be safe again now that you're on your lonesome again!

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  3. 100 pounds of raspberries! Wow!
    Terry at Moondance

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  4. Gail spoke some wise words that I agree with. Your farm truck sounds like ours. Getting older, but we hate to part with it.

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  5. I just made a delicious blackberry coffee cake that was super easy and got rave compliments from the work crew that was painting my house. If you're interested drop a comment on my blog and I'll shoot it over to you.
    I'm not sure if my butt could take that much trotting, but I am glad you decided not to canter while you're going it alone.

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