Harley's forelock

It's a thing of beauty to me.  Without fail, every single time I look upon it, I smile.  There are a few things in my world that are what I'd describe as a "sheer delight";  and Harley's forelock is definitely one of those things.  There is no doubt about it - it's just adorable. And poofy.  And cottony...and absolutely suitable to this horse's character.  *sigh*

How I love that horse!  The best way for me to describe it, is akin to a baby bird.  Picture them, in their nest, little heads all puffy and soft and fluffy...that's Harley's forelock!  To a tee, it just fits.  Scooter, his momma...hers was just the same.  :)  

I tried really hard to get a good picture of it, but he wasn't exactly being cooperative. That too, is true to his nature...my Harley horse is ornery.  Not a mean bone in his body, but there's plenty of orneriness...oh yes, plenty of that!  When he was younger, and sighted, he was always stirring the pot.  We commonly referred to him as our, "fly in the ointment".  And it fits.  Boy, does it fit!!  Nowadays, because of his blindness, he has to be a bit more placid in nature, when it comes to being in the herd.  He still does pull out a few of his shenanigans, but only when he knows he can make a quick escape!  

I'm trying to spend a little extra time in the barn with the horses every evening after we've finished the chores.  A little time for grooming, scratches and just fussing with them because this time of year, there's little time for anything else.  

It's been over 2 months since Missy's OsPhos injection for her navicular.  The drug is supposed to prevent further bone degeneration by pulling in calcium from the blood to the damaged areas, which strengthens the bone and prevents more damage.  Or something like that.  I'm no doctor, and that's a very simplified explanation, but it's the best I can manage.  I think it's helped.  A little.  Nothing real dramatic for sure.  But then again, I was realistically only hoping for some improvement.  Anything is better than nothing.  But after the new years' day ride, which was an easy, walking only ride, and a trim a couple of weeks ago, she's quite sore.  I'm not sure if it was the ride barefoot in soft ground, the trim, or possibly both.  She's been wearing her boots, more often than not, for over 2 weeks now.  It's just disheartening to see my girl so tender-footed so often.  I wish I could just fix her...

I wish it were in my power to fix Harley's eyes, Missy's feet and Annie's cancer.  But we all know that's not going to happen.  So we just make the best of what is.  And move on, doing what we can.  And hoping.  And yes, I pray for them all the time...

are we ever going inside????

Our weather remains very mild; warm and wet.  We were below normal in rainfall for January, but we've made it up in a single day.  We had about 2" of rain last Saturday and as you can see from the pictures of the horses - they've been enjoying the mud.  Last night I spent a long while trying to scrape the mud off of Ladde...to no avail.  It's thick and encrusted in his hair so deeply that it's going to take more time than I had energy for, in one evening.  That horse...

 
He actually doesn't look half bad in this shot, more wet than mud, but after last night I don't think there's any room on his body that's left uncovered.  I don't believe any hope remains of getting him clean, without a trip to the car wash...

Kadie with her "curlylocks"

The last couple of days have not been great for Annie.  Recheck on Monday...

January in NW Oregon...not bad at all

Eagle was being muley because he wanted his grain.  :)

see?  how can you not smile?

Remember I was saying that I hadn't decided upon my word for 2015, but that I was going to keep my 2014 word in my pocket for safe keeping?  Well...I've decided to keep my word from last year.  It still feels right to me, and just about perfect, but I'm going to elaborate on it, just a bit.  Last year I chose "faith".  Just perfect.  

This year, I'm adjusting "faith" into "faithful" and adding "fruitful" to it.  That pretty much sums up my aspirations in a nutshell.  I want to be faithful in all that I say and do, which will in turn, allow me to be fruitful in my life.  

The definition of faithful is to be loyal, constant and steadfast.  

The definition of fruitful is producing good or helpful results, being productive.  

But one without the other isn't enough.  By being faithful, I hope to be fruitful and produce good works.  If I continue practicing being faithful, I like the fruit of a tree, will produce good fruit.  Like the Bible says, "I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me", and without Him, I can do little or nothing that is of value.  

"FAITHFUL" and "FRUITFUL"  for 2015

I like it.  

The last couple of days our weather continues to be mild, but is dry.  We're having sunshine, high clouds and a gentle breeze.  Truly, it hasn't really felt like much of a winter.  We need another cold snap to kill the bugs off.  Looking out my bedroom window, I noticed that my lilac bush is budding.  Oh my, and I haven't even trimmed my rose bushes yet!  *sigh*  According to the calendar, we haven't even reached the mid point of winter yet, and already my plants are awakening.  I feel like I'm already behind schedule...

My hubs is continuing the work on our home improvement projects.  Soon, we'll be finished with the living room and moving everything out of our bedroom to begin there.  We'll sleep upstairs and pretend that everything isn't, once again, in a state of dishevel.  I am seriously dreaming of that day when it's all done.  Do you think that will ever happen?  *sigh*

My birthday is tomorrow.  I'm going to be 55 years old.  Good grief.  I'm not sure what I'm supposed to feel like, but my mind says that it's impossible.  I can't really be 55 years old!!  That sounds so old, but I don't feel old.  I feel older than I once was, with certainty; but I'm feeling good, in fact, much better in many areas than when I was younger.  It's good.  I'm thankful that I'm maturing and gliding into the "autumn" of my life.  That'd be about right, wouldn't it?  Autumn?  I'm no spring chicken, but I'm not a winter.  No siree!!

I'm alright with autumn.

Blessings everyone, 
Lorie