Thursday, February 28, 2013

February's Last Day

Chilly, breezy and spitting a cold rain, but February is going, going gone!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Last Sunday In February



The fog burned off, and what could have been a very pleasant day turned into a day for kites. The wind chill made it seem so much worse.

In the morning, during my barn chores, Lexie slammed the barn door open and knocked it off the rail. Darn!

Later in the day, after spending all day in the new 'man cave' painting, he took the dogs out and immediately had his hand mangled by the 4x4 gate post. My advice to anyone who will listen, 'cause he won't, WEAR GLOVES. Not because it's cold, but because we need protection from mishaps that occur with out-of-control dogs and horses.



We managed to get most of the painting done in the basement, working on ceiling repairs, and will paint that before the weekend. We also must move EVERYTHING out of this room and into the work shop so that the flooring can be installed. Ideally we will paint the work shop before we move on.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Cold, Blustery Saturday

We worked on 'stuff' around the house - this and that. We haven't ridden in so long, hope when I next get a chance I'll remember how it is done!

I snuck off to the grocery, but resumed chores when I got back.

When the fog rolled in it made everything feel warmer, everybody stayed out for the night.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Freezing Presipitation

Red Sky in the morning, sailors take warning.....

Friday rain turned to ice as soon as it got dark. The roadways weren't that bad, but everything else had a thin candy-coat of ice. The grassy areas and gravel parking lot were icy, treacherous.

The patio pavers were like an ice rink, really. I slid, out of control, several times while going about my evening chores.

They stayed in overnight.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Deep Freeze

At this time we are in another stretch of cold weather. Bright starry nights, howling wind, frozen water buckets, hard ground. Not fit for man nor beast.

Days are getting longer, but the cold is relentless. Last night he put them in shortly after we got home. It wasn't even full dark, but they wanted in, out of the wind. Can't help but run, the wind pushes you along briskly.

Nothing is better than flannel-lined jeans. Toasty warm, can't even feel the wind. I highly recommend purchasing a pair if you're going to spend any time outside.

Monday, February 18, 2013

President's Day Holiday - Wrap-up

I love three-day holidays, however, this weekend came with frightful weather. Friday was rainy, so they came in as soon as we got home. The morning was dry, but the wind-chill was 10 degrees. O boy.

We chose to do projects around the house. Skip was slightly 'off' in his right front and was better to let him take it easy.

We packed up the car, twice, for trips to the dump. When we moved we did purge lots of stuff, but we ran out of time; in the end we just had to get everything out of the house. There are boxes of junk that desperately need to be gone.

Lots of items are recyclable, so we stacked the car accordingly. Also cleaned out the flattened boxes from the shed. I feel like I've lost 500 lbs.!

On the way home we stopped by the BigOrangeBox, picking out colors for the 'mancave.' This is going to look fantastic! We also looked at floor covering, think we'll go with sheet vinyl instead of indoor-outdoor carpeting. I worked on house-wifey stuff, he mudded and sanded the drywall project in the basement.

Sunday the wind was howling, snow flurries throughout the day; cold, cold, cold. The boys wanted in before it even got dark.

Monday, the holiday, we ran errands in town, then worked on the basement project, wiping up the drywall mud dust, then priming the walls. Won't be long before we apply color to the walls.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Skip is 'Off'

Skip is off, limping around like a three-legged dog. Last night we gave him Bute with his grain, and he did feel better. This morning I gave him the same.

He is moving a little better, but maybe it's the pain-relief from the Bute. I'd rather not call the vet and have her puncture the abscess, then have to soak/wrap/duct tape his foot.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Ménage à trois

Well, not technically, but it is Valentine's Day, so we'll go with that.

The dynamics in the house have shifted. Max cannot comprehend his good fortune in finding a playmate that can teach him games and gives as hard as he can.

Irene is thrown into the mix. Lexie is allegedly good with cats, but she does like to chase or lunge at Irene. Lately, Lexie is licking Irene and Irene is petting her back. A sight to behold.

The other day, Lexie had her whole head in the basement door's mouse door. Irene was on the landing. Lexie was licking Irene, Irene was sweeping Lexie's head with her tail.

Just this morning, first time ever, Max walked into his cage with just an 'in,' no running into the bedroom or living room. No evasive maneuvers, keep-away or anything like that.

Is it too soon to declare peace has come to the house?

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Ash Wednesday

Today marks the start of Lent. The boys stayed in, again, overnight. This has been a pattern and they do expect it. They start milling around the gate around 10 each night if they aren't already in.

The ground was frosty and I hear various, conflicting weather reports about the rain/snow/mix that is predicted for later today.

Spring is right around the corner, right?

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Second Weekend in February - Wrap-up

Friday evening the wind was howling, and the wind chill made it horrible for the boys. I brought them in at 7 to feed and didn't let them out until the morning.

I went out later in the night, around 9:30, to clean stalls and replenish water. Skip notoriously goes through water. While freshening up KC's stall I hear Skip urinating in his stall. Sounds like a gusher. This is actually a good thing!

I finish up with KC's stall and move on to Skip's. I pick up the wet spots and the manure, generously replenish the sawdust. While back in KC's stall for a little snuggle I see Skip drop and roll. He didn't make it all the way over, but he managed to get shavings in his mane and tail. He really does enjoy a clean stall!

The wind had diminished slightly on Saturday morning, but they went willingly out. Later in the day it did die down, but we were busy doing this and that.

Caught up on laundry, he steam-cleaned ALL the carpets, and continued with his dry-wall project. He even painted one wall with primer.

Sunday we went over to the old house. There has been a Blue Heron sighting and some of our Koi are gone. I strung fishing line in a grid pattern, about 2 feet apart, to negate this large fishing bird. Because this pond is spring fed, it never freezes. When other ponds freeze, birds come to the pond. Come on Spring Thaw!!



Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Groundhog And All That

On Saturday the groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, didn't see his shadow. Promises an early spring. We haven't had much of a winter, so I'm all for that.

KC has started shedding, but the snow cycle continues. Never more than an inch, but enough to be a nuisance for driving.



It warmed up, a little above freezing, so was able to dump the ice out of the buckets. Now there is block ice here and there. I even saw flocking Robins, spring is right around the corner.

Monday, February 4, 2013

I'll See You Again

I lost a treasured friend today

The little dog who used to lay

Her gentle head upon my knee

And shared her silent thoughts with me.

She’ll come no longer to my call

Retrieve no more her favorite ball

A voice far greater than my own

Has called her to his golden throne.

Although my eyes are filled with tears

I thank him for the happy years

He let her spend down here with me

And for her love and loyalty.

When it is time for me to go

And join her there, this much I know

I shall not fear the transient dark

For she will greet me with a bark. ~ Unknown

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Max & Lexie

Lexie really is a sweet dog, and forgiving, too. She is teaching Max some basic games, which she knows all the rules to and so will always win.

Friday, February 1, 2013

February 1 - Time Marches On

Today woke to a snowy landscape, and black ice. Everybody stayed in for the night, seeing that wintery day made me glad for it.

KC has already started shedding and there is evidence that the groundhogs are moving around, even in the snow.