Grey skies return

As in literally, not figuratively.  :)  We've had over a week (?) of glorious, spring-like weather.  I easily lose track!  It has been beautiful, and warm and so very welcome.  I still can't walk around the pastures without muck boots on, but it's significantly drier.  The horses have enjoyed the sunny days and warm temps as much, maybe more, than we have.  But alas, this afternoon our skies turned grey once again, and our old (tiresome) friend, Mr. Rain has returned.  *sigh*  And just in time for the weekend - wouldn't you know it?

Oh well, whatcha gonna do???  Stay inside, keep the home fires burning and eat apple pie!  Oh my!!
Sounds good doesn't it?  Maybe watch a movie or two, catch a nap, read a little...sounds pretty good to me.

Last weekend Jessie (our daughter from another mother), came over for coffee.  She's the one who lost her horse Lil Buck a few weeks back from a colic.  She's been burning the candle on both ends, tired from an overly busy school schedule and two part-time jobs.  She's in nursing school and has the two kiddos, her little farm and hard-working, understanding and supportive hubby.  That's a lot on one person's plate! We'd talked earlier and she sounded a bit down, so my thoughts were that she was in need of a little understanding conversation and a place to relax for a bit.  She is always welcome in our home.  She and her little girl, Kamryn visited until early afternoon.  We enjoyed a good, home-cooked breakfast, hot coffee, girl talk, and some time spent soaking up the sunshine on the back deck. We had a great visit, laughed at the antics of the dogs playing in the back yard and Kamryn let me use her as a guinea pig trying out all sorts of ways to fix her hair.  Such fun!   I really don't know how Jessie does it.  Even when I was her age, there was no way I could have tackled all that she is trying to handle.  And, news to me is that she's been suffering from a few physical ailments of her own.  For the last few years she's enjoyed being on a roller derby team.  Lots of fun, good exercise, but takes a toll on the body.  In one or more of her hard falls, she apparently encountered a slight concussion that's been wreaking a bit of havoc on her.  Headaches, difficulties sleeping, some memory lapses and her emotions were going haywire.  She got scared and finally sought some medical help.  Just knowing the physical source of so many anxieties is helpful.  At least now she doesn't need to think she's going crazy, and can get some help that's needed.  She's been told to slow down, take things easy and stop trying to do so much.  That's a tall order for this gal, but she knows she needs to cooperate to get better and see her goals come to fruition.  I wouldn't want to be in her shoes for anything!  Especially the nursing school part!

We got a new BBQ a while back, and the hubs got it put together the other day.  We've had burgers for one meal, and delicious, smoky chicken breasts and potato salad last night for dinner.  I could easily get used to having dinner ready when I get home from work!  And...bless his heart - last Tuesday he damp mopped all our floors and put a coat of wax/shine on the wood floors.  They look beautiful, all polished and clean.  Usually on the days when he's not working, he also has the horses' stalls all cleaned, waters filled and hay rations in their stalls when I get home.  I just get to do a little schmoozing, kisses all around and give them their little grain rations before tucking them in for the night.  Wow! I could really get used to this...I'm starting to feel rather spoiled.  :)

I was thinking about Annie earlier today, happened to look up at the calendar and realized that it's been one year ago today that I said my final good-bye to the best dog ever.  Oh, how I miss her.  I always felt so loved by her.  She was at my side wherever I would go, and kept her eyes on me at all times.  I think that she thought that was her job - to keep watch over me always.  She was such a blessing to me, and I loved her so much.  And I always knew, that if someone threatened me with harm, she would protect me with her life.  It never came up, but is something I always just knew in my gut.  I just can't hardly believe that she's been gone for a whole year.  Sometimes it feels like just yesterday she was here, and then at times it feels like so much time has passed.  I don't understand how I can feel both ways, but that's how it is.  I'm so happy that she was my dog.  I will forever feel blessed that she chose to love me, and she knew that I knew she loved me.  :)  We've had several wonderful dogs in our lives over the years, each one unique and cherished by us.  But Annie was my girl, and she chose me as her person.  What a gift.  She was worth every single bit of pain I've felt when I lost her.  If I could, I would re-live every single moment of it, all over again.  In a heartbeat.

But, it doesn't work that way.  Life goes on, and we find new dogs (or people) to love, and to enrich our lives.  I've always believed that they're gifts to us from God, who loves us and wants us to be happy and feel loved.  Animals know so much more about loving than we do.  They love completely, and unconditionally.  If we were only half as good as they are...

Speaking of new dogs, Charlotte is now a tiny bit taller than Ruby is.  She's quite slender and long-legged, but already a wee bit taller.  Poor Ruby, for her sake I wish Charlotte would have grew just a little bit slower.  She runs faster, jumps higher, plays rougher and generally keeps sweet Ruby on her toes.  Sometimes I wish that Ruby would just lay down the law, but she just doesn't have it in her, to be that forceful with the rowdy, rotten, overgrown and tireless puppy.  *sigh*  But they are fast friends, sleeping buddies, and share absolutely everything with one another.  But sometimes, those looks that Ruby gives me...my heart feels for her.  I just tell her that puppyhood doesn't last forever, and then I remind her of how very patient dear, sweet Annie was with her.

Ahh, kharma will bite you in the butt every time.

Until next time,
that's it for now at Cingspots

Life on a big, round ball

...moves along and never for a moment, ever slows down.  Not very poetic, but most appropriate.  Well, I think so anyway.  I live in constant amazement at the passing of time.  And how, with every passing year that time thing seems to move at an ever-increasing pace.  I sometimes feel like I'll wake up and be like 80 years old tomorrow.

As is common when I attend funerals, they bring forth many emotions that are usually kept deep beneath the surface.  My cousin died last week and it was a "celebration of life" accompanied by many pictures taken throughout his life, presented in movie form.  Very well done and enlightening on many levels.  Lots of family and friends, both known and unknown by me, were present.  But emotions aside, my overwhelming feeling was one of sadness that, although he was my cousin and I've seen him here and there throughout my life; I didn't know him.  I did not know him as a person. But his life seems to have been full.  He leaves a wife who obviously loved him and whom he deeply loved, 2 grown children and 6 grandchildren.  He was a decorated Army veteran, did 2 full terms of duty in Vietnam, was a drill Sargent for many years and then a medic and finally retired from the military.  As a civilian, he started a landscaping business, loved to camp and fish, and loved to grow vegetables in his garden.  Hmm, who knew?  Interesting to me how I can know someone my entire life, and never really know them.  Another argument in favor of real conversation, rather than shooting the breeze.

My take-away message is this:  life is very short, and death is sure.  Make the most of what time we're blessed with.  I wonder how many others' feel the way I do.  These milestones in our lives serve as reminders.

We've been given a break from our torrential rain the last several days.  Last Friday was overcast, but dry and cool.  And then Saturday morning dawned beautiful!  Clear, blue skies and full-on sunshine.  It was so incredibly warm!  Although I was home sick with a wicked head cold all weekend, our windows and doors were flung wide open to let in the fresh air and lively birdsong.  Oh my, it was just lovely.  Monday was even nicer, if you can imagine that.  Not sure what our high temps were for the day, but I spent time sitting outside on the deck for the first time since early last Fall and the sun felt so good on my face and shoulders.  Just heavenly!  Seems like we're always thrown a bone sometime in February with a false spring.  Likely, so we can tolerate more of winter's woes until sometime in April when spring officially gets going.  :)  Not that I should complain about our winter though - besides the rain, it's been another very mild winter season.  Not much of a winter at all really.  But when the sun comes out and the skies are so blue, everybody just seems to perk up and feel so happy.  Whatever ails ya, can be easily overcome!

We must be as boring as all get out because I really have nothing news-worthy to report of late.  Life just keeps on, chores and horses to be tended, house to be cleaned, working at the clinic everyday and dogs to be entertained.  I am happy to report that Miss Charlotte came through her surgery with flying colors!  According to her doctor though, she had a very traumatic day.  Barked all.  day.  long.  :( Poor, sweet baby!  She did not appreciate being left at all.  And since that day, she is suffering from what I believe is, separation anxiety.  Either that, or she's been possessed by some little dog devil who wants to chew things she's not supposed to be chewing!! *sigh*  My poor chair!  My poor car seat!  Oh dear...

This too shall pass...right?

And what's worse - she's just too darned cute to beat.  I am toast.

The farrier is due tonight.  Trims all around, and I'm happy to report that Ladde continues on the road to recovery.  Yay!!!  We've been cleaning his feet and painting his soles with hoof hardener 1-2 times a day for a couple of weeks now.  It's working.  His soles are tougher and since the weather has been nice, he's been on full turn-out with the herd.  Oh my, I cannot tell you how happy that makes him - and me!  I do believe I can finally see light at the end of this tunnel...and we had him re-tested last week.  Insulin, glucose, Leptin and ACTH (cortisol) levels are all within normal range!!!!!  I was so happy I kind of cried a little.  Oh, but they were happy, happy tears...

I have faith that our boy is back.  SO thankful (!)

Hope you have reasons to smile and give thanks too,
Lorie @ Cingspots

another sign of approaching spring - my daphne starting to bloom