So many wonderful memories - Happy Birthday Ladde!!

About a week old

6 weeks

First birthday with carrot cake

Learning...2 years

Ladde, me and Ray.  3 years old

 Mount up and prepare to be flagged!

Me & Ladde on the right, his little Paint love on our left with Ray.  Day 1 colt starting class.

 First day in the big pen.  Ladde feeling his oats!

 We had survived!!  Seneca, OR - Ray Hunt Colt class - 4 grueling days, but some of the best ever!!

 Sisters, OR  Me and my boy years later...

It's been an awesome journey...
My big, bold and beautiful Ladde turns 17 years old today.  Happy Birthday big guy!!!!!!  :)

We are having a very windy and rainy introduction into spring today.  So, just to keep everyone safe and dry, and mainly to give us some peace of mind, we left the horses inside today.  Just before heading off to work, I made my way out to the barn to wish my big boy special birthday wishes.  He really has been a blessing to us, each and every single day since he was born.  He fills my heart with happiness and gratitude that we can share our lives with this amazing and wonderful horse.  I don't like to brag, but Ladde's pretty much perfect!  :)  Truly.  Well, except for one tiny infraction...he really, really, really likes to get dirty.  *sigh*  And when Ladde gets dirty?  Well, let's just say he knows what he's doing.  He doesn't just roll in the mud.  Nope.  He grinds the mud in, and joyously arches his neck up and throws his head back and twists and groans in ecstasy while the mud (and grass) gets embedded into his forelock and forehead.  There are days when the mud looks as though it's ran down his sides and dried, it's that thick.  And to brush him out takes a lot of time, and effort.  I have to stand on the mounting block just to reach his back and the top of his butt comfortably, and still my arms are aching and sore.  Who needs a gym?  That's a lot of horse brushing!  We don't just call him the big guy.  He is a big guy!!  He stands a true 17 hands tall, and although we've never actually weighed him, we've been given estimations that his weight is likely around 1500 pounds.  Give or take.  That's a lot of horse, especially for a Foundation Appaloosa who came from my feminine, and oh so refined little 15 hand mare, Kadie.  No wonder she quit after one child!!

I recall to this day how that morning 17 years ago played out...I don't think I'll ever forget.  I missed the birth, but happened upon the newborn in a precarious predicament within a few hours time...perched upon a pile of very large rocks that were stacked in a corner of the small pasture where Kadie had been confined awaiting her eminent birthing.  The only place that he shouldn't have been in the whole place, was the one spot he'd chosen to lay down - outside wall of the barn on one side, gate leading outside on adjacent wall and about 6 feet of space to the fence where all the other horses were rubber-necking to get a glimpse of the new arrival.  Kadie had placed herself between the others and her foal, and had been pawing the wall for a long time, judging from the marks she'd made above the foal perched on the rocks. Apparently, he couldn't get his footing and lay there like a stranded ship on a corral reef unable to do anything.  He also had a huge and extremely bright pinkish-red abrasion on his rightt hip from who knows what...he has a scar to this day from that first-day wound.  So, he didn't have the gentlest introduction into this world, but he's always been a tough little cuss.  Mule-kicked me into the corner of their stall when he was only 4 days old, but that's another story, for another day...  We had a meeting of the minds that day, although it rather resembled a wrestling match between a woman and a foal...after catching our breath, me removing straw and some other vegetable matter from my hair, a hierarchy or pecking order, if you prefer, had been established that remains to this day.  Don't mess with gammy, she'll take you down...we've built on that foundation and have forged a relationship that I wouldn't trade for anything.  I adore that horse. Truly one of my greatest blessings of all time.  He's one cool dude.

Somewhere on this blog in my archives is the complete and unabridged, or as close as my memory serves, story of that wonderful day in history.  If I weren't so technologically challenged, I would create a link here for anyone who's interested to read in its' entirety...but I ain't that good!  So, iffin you're so inclined to read the story, you'll have to find it in my archives for yourselves.  :)

I'll head to the grocery story at lunch time today and make a purchase to celebrate this special day...it used to be carrot cake, but at his age he needs to start watching his diet and be more health-conscious.  So...pears and carrots it is!!!  Ladde loves pears!!!  What am I saying?  The boy loves food, of all kinds!!  Big boys have big appetites don't you know?  A small gesture to bring my birthday boy pleasure...and when Ladde is happy...I'm happy!

Happy Birthday "Wagtail Ladde" !!!!!!  aka LaddMonster, Ladde, Petite Flower, Big Guy...you get the picture.

Oh, and Happy Spring Equinox everyone!
Lorie @ Cingspots

Another (hopefully graceful) transition!

Aah yes, those transitions, changes in life that we all continually encounter...we just try to handle them as they come, and hopefully those transitions take place gracefully, with little more than ripples in our daily routines.  Because whether we readily admit it or not, I believe that most of us, like our animals, are creatures of habit.  And change can be a decidedly uncomfortable, oftentimes unpleasant and downright scary undertaking.  But change we must!  We must always remember that life is a series of continual changing, evolving and growing.  Without that change, life would quickly become stagnant, and we'd most likely die.  Literally or figuratively, wither up and be no more.  Such a pleasant thought!

The most recent transition to which I'm referring is the retirement of my husband.  Having been laid off from his job early last year, his unemployment benefits are finished.  This coming month of February will be the first time that he will be collecting the first of (hopefully many) social security benefits payments.  Yikes!!  For some reason, I envisioned this as something that would happen a long way off, you know, when we're old.  Ahem...does this mean we're old?  Nope!  Quite the contrary, I see this as another chapter in our lives.  With God's mercy, it will be a long and fulfilling chapter where we have more personal time to enjoy doing the things in life that we previously didn't have much time to enjoy.  Working is something we must all do in life, but it seriously infringes upon our personal pursuits!  And frankly, I can be a bit testy about how little of our time we're able to utilize and enjoy doing what we want.  It's just never seemed fair to me, especially when I look around and so many families have only 1 working family member.  Do these stay-at-home working family members seriously realize just how much of a luxury that is?  I understand working around the home, but it is quite different when one has to commute to a place of employment 5 days out of every 7 and be there without fail, doing whatever it is that you do in order to collect your paycheck.  It's vastly different than working from home, scheduling your own hours and accomplishing whatever it is that you determine will be done in that particular day.  Very different.  Aahh well, but then life just isn't about being fair is it?  Life just is, what it is.  Life is what you make of it.  I have a good life, and I'm thankful.  I also admit to looking forward with great anticipation to the day when my time is much more, my own time.  In the meantime, I'll continue to commute and do my job to the best of my abilities, and also be thankful that I do have a job that I usually enjoy, and that helps to pay our bills, and take care of our animals and our home.  But I digress...

My point is, we're adapting to this most recent change.  I'm actually looking forward to my hubby being at home more often, and being able to pursue projects around our property and our home without everything trying to get finished on our weekends.  Hopefully, this change will enable us to follow more entertaining pursuits on our weekends!!  Now that is something to look forward to!!  I am all open for that...poor guy, just don't know if he realizes everything I have in mind for utilizing his time.  This must be how it is for husbands though, their wives always finding new and more clever ways to fill up those idle hours.  Idle - hah!!  Ladies, you can relate right?  :)  And besides, you realize what's said about idle time being the devil's workshop don't you?  Mustn't contribute to that!!

In other news that is news, our weather is considerably warmer and wetter.  It's much more akin to what we usually expect in January.  The mud is back to being sticky and wet, no need for the water trough heater, and the blankets are only for Miss Kadie on those particularly wet and blustery days.  However, she doesn't really need a blanket for warmth at all, I just don't want her getting wet and chilled.  Our temps are in the upper 40's by night, and into the 50's by day.  A light jacket or vest is all that's required to ward off the winter's chill.  I've noticed recently that the horses are starting to shed their winter coats as well, so are the dogs.  Just maybe, we're in for a warmer and drier spring than we've had in the last several years.  That would be wonderful!  I've noticed the daylight hours being a bit longer as well.  There's still some light in the sky when I head home in the evenings, and daylight savings is less than 6 weeks away.  I'm amazed at how well I'm handling my SAD this year.  Although, there's nothing in particular that I'm doing, it just doesn't seem to be bothering me much yet this year.  What a blessing that is!

We took a day trip to the beach last Sunday.  It was raining on and off all day, but there was very little wind.  The surf was angry and the tide was in, which made walking on the beach a more cautious affair.  Despite the weather and the formidable waves, we donned our coats and hats and walked to our heart's content.  I've definitely noticed Annie slowing down a bit lately.  She loves walking, but she prefers to stay close by my side and keeps my pace rather than running off with Ruby.  It just breaks my heart to admit this, but it's true.  My girl will be 8 on April 30th, so she is a mature lady, a puppy no more...I will love her and care for her every single day that we have together.  I'm her person.  She's a momma's girl, and always has been.  :)

When we grew tired of walking, we went into McMenamen's Pub for their amazing clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls.  Oh my - their chowder is the very best I've had since I worked for Lois DeVore many, many years ago.  She took her chowder recipe with her to her grave, and the world would grieve if it only knew what it was missing.  I can honestly say that this is the first chowder I've EVER had that even remotely comes close to Lois'...and that is saying something.  It is delicious and I highly recommend trying it if you have a McMenamen's near you.  Try it alongside an icy glass of their Ruby Ale...they brew it themselves and it's infused with raspberry puree.  So good!

anticipation...

 My sweet hubby had cleaned the stalls and put hay rations out before we left, so when we got home, all we had to do was bring the horses inside and give them their grain.  They were definitely ready.  Warm, cozy stalls are much more inviting than standing outside in mud and rain.  Our ponies love their little homes, and that makes us happy!

January full moon over cingspots

May we all look upon our transitions with grace and with thankfulness...
Blessings, Lorie @ Cingspots

We've had joy, we've had fun, we've had seasons in the sun...

And the summer sun remains.  It has been a good week now with extreme heat in the Willamette Valley.  Normally our temps are in the 80's, but we've been under a heat advisory with temps soaring into the low 100's.  Thankfully, the humidity remains fairly low.  The summer wheat field has been thrashed and is awaiting the baler to be made into wheat straw.  A beautiful sunrise shown below,  before the oppressive heat commands our full attention.  We've been watering down the yard, trees, flowers and garden morning and evening trying to keep everything from burning up.  Our pasture grass is long gone.  We've been feeding hay continuously, and never got a break this year.  We put out the mister in the early afternoons for the horses to visit if they choose, and we leave the hoses on a continual drip in both water troughs so the drinking water stays as cool and fresh as possible.  The horses have the apple trees or the outside barn and lean-to for a shady respite from the heat.  The flies seem to be unusually pesky this year despite using fly predators monthly, fly masks daily and fly spray.  But, we're getting through it, and this weekend is supposed to be cooler with predicted temps in the mid to upper 80's.  That will be nice.  We've borrowed my nephew's canoe and plan on heading to a lake and doing a little rowing, exploring and swimming.  I'll pack a picnic lunch, my trusty camera and we'll see what we can see.  Sounds wonderful to me after being stuck in this clinic all bloody week...at least I've had air conditioning here.  :)

A peek through the deck wall...

 An early morning hot air balloon just across the wheat field, across the creek and across the neighboring field.  Not bad for my little pocket camera...zoom, zoom, zoom!!

 And this is what we saw when looking straight up while giving the horses their breakfast.  Wish I would have had my camera the day that Eagle spotted his first hot air balloon over his morning breakfast.  :)  He sure can run fast when he needs to...

 A quick and tasty supper from last night.  Grilled chicken breast with garden fresh grape tomatoes, cilantro, onion and sour cream on white corn tortillas.  Yum!!

 I had to practically drag Annie into the pool for a little bath, but afterwards she got back in herself and just stood there.  Guess the bath wasn't so bad after all, huh?

 Ruby is much easier to bathe in general than Annie.  She just stands quietly until you're finished...such good girls!!  They felt much, much better afterwards.

 This ought to make you smile...Ruby LOVES the high-powered sprinklers at the park!!!  Such fun.

 And, if I didn't have to head back to the clinic after our park visit, I'd have been playing in that sprinkler right along with her!  She was cool and comfortable, while Annie and I just watched her in the sweltering sun.

Life is short.  Live large!!!  I do believe that's Ruby's motto.  I sure do love this little dog.

Heading home for the weekend.  I am so ready.  Hoping today is the last of our heat wave and looking forward to a little R&R.  We're going out for dinner tonight, just me and my hubby.  A little picnic and canoeing with my husband tomorrow.  Trailering Ladde over to the farrier's on Sunday morning for his shoeing re-fit and maybe a visit to my favorite roadside fruit stand on the way home.  That's about as much as I have planned, and it's sounding pretty good to me right about now.

If it does cool down some, I hope to find some time to work Eagle and Ladde as well.  With the hot evenings this past week, I haven't done much other than what was necessary to ensure their comfort.  Whatever...we'll see.

Blessings everyone!!

A medley of summer days

Surprising how quickly I can tire of the summer heat these days.  Don't get me wrong, I love the sunshine and the long daylight hours, but it's just been a few days now of hot weather to give me pause, and to remember fondly the mild last couple of months...seriously, somebody just slap me already!  I have absolutely nothing to complain about!  I'm just spoiled, I guess.  *sigh*  Why can't I just be happy?  Why can't I just be thankful and stop expecting perfection in life?  When I watch the news and see what so many other people around the country, and the world are enduring weather-wise?  I should be ashamed.  Really.  Here, in our little corner of the world, we are very, very blessed.  I must be getting old.  I'm either too hot, or I'm too cold.  My comfort level has reduced to an extraordinarily small scale.  But, I didn't decide to post today to complain.  Nope, quite the contrary (believe it or not).  I just wanted to put up a few pictures that I've taken in the last few weeks from our lives so far this summer.  A few candid shots of the person and the animals in my life that mean so very, very much to me.  And a few dreamy shots as well...

My beloved Annie...the dog who picked me, the moment I first laid eyes on her.  My constant companion every single day.  My blessing.  Isn't she beautiful?  

A view I enjoy every day while driving to and from my job at the clinic.  In the distance, the Coast Range and a farm field in the fore...the beach is just past those mountains.

Last Thursday evening the beautiful full moon in the eastern sky.  

This picture was taken looking out over the beautiful Pacific Ocean from the wall in Depoe Bay.  My hubby and I had just walked out of the restaurant where we'd had dinner in celebration of our 28th wedding anniversary.  July 21, 1984 - July 21, 2012  We've shared a lot of wonderful memories in that time together.  :)

This beautiful view is one that visitors can enjoy who visit Cape Lookout - the rugged Oregon coastline and all that green...

 I thought this house was just so cool and cozy looking.  It's made of all brick and a few stones here and there.  The yard was out of control and very overgrown, but to me, that just added to its' appeal.  It was about a block in from the ocean.  I'm sure you could hear it, but there was no view.

 Such a serene shot...I just thought it was so pretty.  This picture was taken several miles away from the lighthouse (by road) from the same location as the picture mentioned earlier on Cape Lookout, just looking South, instead of North.  We've climbed to the top of this particular lighthouse before, but not today.  The view from atop is simply breathtaking.  On a clear day you can see for miles and miles, but as you can see, on this day the beach was cool and overcast.

 My precious little family awaiting my return from a "nature call".  Annie turned 8 this past April and Ruby will turn 2 this coming Friday...oh, how the time flies! 

A pretty little foot bridge to the beach at Ojo State Park south of Newport.

Me and my girls - same beach.

Since it was such a cool day, the dogs had plenty of energy for play...

A fairly rare opportunity to capture Ruby not on the move.  :)

Sweet Annie with an "adoring" gaze at her poppa.

Love this sign!!  We need one of these for our shed where we feed the cats.  My hubby calls them the "little bandit bastards"!!  Heehee, we really do enjoy them, they're just too cute not to appreciate.

*sigh*  Now here is my idea of "the perfect little beach cottage"!!  Isn't it just adorable!?  Directly across from a beautiful view of the surf, just a sandy little trail down to your beach...aah, a little slice of heaven!  Someday... 

This is the opposite end of the same little beach house.  A quaint and cozy little seating area where you could spend time relaxing or visiting with friends.  I especially like the addition of the barn doors, and wondered what lies just inside...

And this is the beach.  A picture perfect spot!

And on a far grander scale, this is the house my hubby describes as his "perfect beach house"!  I have to admit, it is pretty incredible; and talk about a view!!!  I can envision evenings by the fireplace watching spectacular storms at sea...
You sure wouldn't want to make the mistake of wandering off the lawns' edge, would you?

A closer shot of the churning ocean just below my hubby's dream house.  Simply spectacular!!

And a closer view still of a pretty amazing house!!  Only in our dreams...

This lovely old bridge is the only road in leading to where the house is located, and is part of their view inland.

So many beautiful sites and a wonderful accumulation of adventures so far this summer!  What have you all been up to this season?  I hope that each and every one of us remembers that summer is fleeting, and should be savored.  

Our teen-weeny heat wave has all but ended now.  Saturday our temps soared to 102, Sunday they were in the mid to upper 90's and yesterday was in the upper 80's with some humidity thrown in for good measure; but today we're comfortable.  I'm guessing we're in the lower 80's and the sky's a bit overcast, but not too humid.  I think we may even have had a few sprinkles of rain overnight, depending on exactly where you were.  One thing I'm always thankful for in the NW is that our evenings and overnight temps drop to a very comfortable upper 50's and 60's.  We really have nothing whatsoever to complain about.  So, if you hear me complaining...please, feel free to slap me silly, would ya?

Blessings all,
L

Remembering what made me smile this past year...

It's my birthday...no big deal, but I decided to post just a few pictures of some of the reasons I had to smile in 2010. This certainly isn't all that I've had to smile about, but some that I'm blessed to remember.

My beach trip last summer with the dogs. Nellie's last time at the beach...I'm so thankful she had so much fun.

A trip to the lake with the dogs...Nellie was just about to step into the water here.

And after taking that step...gotta watch that first step! :)

One of the many spectacular sunsets I can watch from my front porch.

Sorry for the gross picture...but I'm thankful that I can no longer remember Kadie's vulva looking this gruesome. It's gone...totally gone. Another blessing and this still makes me smile.

Completing home improvement projects with the help of loving, wonderful family members. Thank you Steve and Chris!!! We love you guys!!!

Harley. This guy makes me smile every single day.

Babies. This is one of two, new babies we have been blessed with in our family. This adorable girl is Lilly, and she's my great-great niece. I have another great-great niece named Faith, but I don't have any pictures of her yet. They make me smile bigtime.

My 24 year old retired horse, Kadie. Best mountain horse in the world. I didn't realize just how spoiled I'd become by riding such a perfect horse...she makes me smile every single day too. I love this horse!!!

And Ladde - what can I say about the Laddmonster, other than he's perfect. Kadie's one and only baby...and a gift from God. *smile*

This guy and this dog...LOVE them!!!!!!!!!! I kinda think Annie loves daddy too...what do you think?

Nellie...she gave us such joy! The time was short, but it was precious.

St. Annie...the best friend anybody coule ever ask for. Color me blessed.

Friendship always makes me smile...

My little flower garden off the deck. Not only did they make me smile, but they were a constant source of heavenly scent. Nice.

We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary last year - there's something to smile about! I love my honey!!! We've done it all...for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; for better and for worse...and we continue on till death do us part...**fingers crossed** hoping that's a long time down the road. :)

This is how they'd greet me when I came home. Nellie and Annie...buds.

Our animal friends seem to come and go, sometimes way too soon, in our lives. Princess, the kitty in the background - here one day, gone the next...and Nellie, gone but not forgotten. I smile because they all make my life better.

Pretty "Princess" kitty...I like to think that she's living the high life somewhere enriching someone else's life right now.

Silliness makes me smile. Nellie and Annie.

A beautiful sunrise looking out across the familiar field next door. I will never tire of seeing this gorgeous view.

Looking out on the morning rain...

...I used to feel so uninspired, and when I knew I had to face another day, Lord it made me feel so tired...before the day I met you, life was so unkind, you're the key to my peace of mind...cause you make me feel like a natural woman...

Those are not my words, but words from a dearly beloved song. One of my favorites, and somehow today, on my 51st birthday, they seem even more fitting. I think of my husband and can smile, I think of our dogs and can smile, and I think of our beautiful horses...and smile.

Guess I can't deny the inevitable any longer - I am no longer a "girl"... somedays my insecurities still get the best of me, but only emotionally. Time marches on.

I'm feeling a little bit nostalgic this morning. Maybe because it's my birthday, another milestone, maybe because it's raining...more probably because I've been looking through some old pictures and remembering. Oh memories - they are so emotional for me, in so many ways. No matter how much I try, I'm really not very good at "living in the moment". That is something I regret, for it seems like I have always been that way...not very good at appreciating the simple, but profound joys in my life while they are happening. I am trying to change, but for me, change is not easy. Maybe that's something a lot of people are uncomfortable with.

I think that's one of the many, many reasons I love horses so very much - their ability to live only in the moment. I also believe that any horseman/woman worth their salt is one who's mastered this, at least when they're working with a horse...it's the only way to be. The horse deserves this, nothing less.

And maybe - just maybe, that's why I love being with horses so very much...it's the only time I'm truly in the moment.

Life is worth all the work it can be...

Here's to another year...may it be good. Oh, and God please, pretty please...help me to become wiser and not just another year older?