Remembering the Acreage

I was poking through some photos and found this one of Tucker, my first horse. She left us at 28 years. She is still on the Acreage, the place she really liked

This fellow came back for 4 years straight. He must have liked my fence post!

Riding with the hounds. There was only Boots and Brooklyn on this trip. Sometimes I had upwards of 10 dogs along. The neighbours dogs seemed to know when I was saddling up and joined in. After 5 hours of riding on the mountain, their butts were dragging

Ask Me If I am .....

Having Fun!

Yep, definitely fun!

 The Moose was a bonus

Thanks go to Michelle for using her iPhone!

Nostalgia!

It may not be a Van Gogh or a Michelangelo, but it hangs in our garage just like it was. About 6 (or 7) years ago, we showed a young lady maybe about 10 at the time, how to groom a horse, pick the feet, and ride in the pasture. Her name is Siobheal ( pronounced Chev ael). It was fun and she was a game little gal especially when the horse rubbed a staple and tore her designer jeans, plus a little skin. She was also game when the horse realized the rest of the herd was down at the end of the field and decided to gallop on down, about 250 yards. Even though the lip was quivering, she stayed on the horse and persevered. It probably inspired the song "Cowgirls Don't Cry". Like I said, a game gal!

Any way, she painted the masterpiece when she went home. It meant a lot to us to have this even though she was scared. It has a place of honour on the wall by my work bench. Yep, I miss horses and kids! I think she is about 16 now and hope that if she sees this, she is not too mortified. Hint and rule #1 " keep the horse between you and the ground" Hint #2 Just like flying a plane " Any landing is a good one, if you can walk away from it"

Update on the Big Move!

It's hard to believe that Elaine and I have been off the Acreage for almost a year!
 I am happy to report that her heath has improved a lot! Praise God! Elaine is now walking without a cane, or walker and is back to work 2 to 3 days a week helping other people cope with their problems.

There are some pros and cons to the move.

The first thing is that the work load for both of us is way down. On the other hand, I still miss my horses. A lot!

When I go and police the yard I end up with 2 grocery bags of land mines (from the dogs) instead of 5 wheelbarrows from the horses. (Per week)

It's far easier to get to town for groceries and stuff. The downside is we go shopping more often and spend more money.

The costs of maintaining the house and property are way down. No tractor to repair. No fences to fix from the moose. No off road events due to icy roads etc. On the other hand, see shopping above.

In both places there are photography opportunities galore. The town critters seem to be a lot smaller. I miss my resident moose and deer though.

The BIG bonfire was an annual event. In town, I took out the fire pit as it was too close to the buildings and it was not the same.

We miss seeing people we got to know well, but we have met others to fill in. There are good people in both places.

It's a lot easier to go for coffee when it's only a kilometer to go instead of eight. Nothing has really changed though as the acceptance by the good-old-boys (Rednecks) is still marginal even though we have been in the area for 14 years.

The Millar Center is real close and they have a hot tub and steam room, plus a lot of things I don't use such as the weight room, the running track, the exercise machines all of which could take the place of the work around the Acreage, tree cutting, poop scooping , snow plowing root popping etc. It's free to me as a "Super Senior". Gee, I don't feel that old! It's easier to grab a coffee then head over for a soak.

Instead of exercising the dogs by taking them horse back riding, I get to do it by walking which is probably good for me. At times I "walked" up to 9 dogs at a time on the Acreage.

All in all, it's been a good move, but did I mention that I miss my horses, a lot?

The End

for now!

Cuteness

Of course I am biased! We don't get to see these Grand Children  every day, due to the large distance involved. Be prepared for several photo bombs!

 My already phat horses are now slightly phater mainly due to being fed treats for two days by 2 slightly happy kids. Hey, Mom, these kids really need their own horses!

 I haven't finished the last hand armful that you gave me!

 Nice horsey!

 A little to the left, please.

 More food! Now!

 Did I mention that they were part monkey?

Finally, Some Horse Time!

The last couple of days are the first time in about a month that I was able to get out and ride. Today was Biz's turn. The monster mulching machine had just done the pipeline right-of-way just down from our place. I took Alpine down the trail two days ago, and she was awesome. There were a few things that she was cautious about, but we worked through those OK.

 The path is very well chewed up dirt and wood chips from the mulcher, and was generally great for footing, although a little slippery in spots.

 Biz had no trouble with this giant, horse-eating sample box. She went right up to it as if she saw these things every day. Alpine had to be talked by it both ways.

 After the ride i hosed down both horses since they were both sweaty, Biz from riding and Alpine from running up and down our fence line. She doesn't like it when I "steal" her herd mate.

The look in the eye says that 1 1/2 hours was enough for an out of shape horse.

  Biz was not co-operating for the photo shoot, so here is one more of Alpine.

Round and About

The baby Ospreys are doing quite well.

 Mrs. Osprey would not co-operate for a fly by, so I had to make do.

 The girls are still doing what they do best...eat.

 How many times do I have to tell you "Not my bad side"? The scar on my shoulder and the bite mark on my neck are not pretty!

 That's better!

Never a Dull moment On the Fenceline

 The cows showed up in the neighbours field this morning. Biz was not sure about them so headed for the barn, or me, as it was feeding time.

 Alpine was close behind. Boots was not bothered at all.

 About an hour later, this stump eating,  tree chewing monster appeared. They were mulching the natural gas right-of-way to get rid of the downed trees. Yes, they sent a guy with a sniffer tp check for leaks first.

 It chewed and ate it's way along at about 6 miles per hour.

 The cows now have a clean road to walk along.

Like I said, " Never a dull moment on the fence"

Thoughtless Thursday

It's thoughtless 'cause it's so darn hot and all the Boss wants to do is work on the access ramp. Somebody has to keep these critters under control. They are getting a little too far away.

 I will give them my patented Stink Eye. That should bring them in closer. Glad I didn't have to move too much!

 Don't look at me. I don't do horses. Besides somebody has to keep an eye on the Boss in case he falls of the ramp, or hurts himself. Besides, I am a bird dog, and it's too hot!

 I mean it! It's too hot! Now let me sleep.

Or maybe I'll go smell the roses. Naah, bad idea. Too far!

Wordless Wednesday