Mikey’s Blog

Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

Casper’s Boots

The Boa Boots have arrived!

Casper’s front end

You can see why Casper was retired. His front end is so wide naturally and his knees have knobbed up after years of roping. He still gets around just fine and I think he’s real happy to have a job taking care of a little girl. His job is important and he takes it very seriously.

As a parent, it’s such a relief to have a horse as good as Casper. I never worry that he will buck, run off, do something dumb. Not going to happen. Casper is steady as a rock and handles like a Corvette.

He sure is happy having these boots. They make all the difference in the world. Casper had a very hard time on our rocky ground. Every little rock hurt him. Now he goes out without a care in the world.

Cruisin along

Riding with Mommy

Mercy’s outriders

She doesn’t need us

Just her dogs

Tuckered out

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Monday, July 3oth, 2007

The Ladies Ride

Judy on Monte

Grandma and Mercy on Vinnie

Bye girls

(and little dog)

Ok, here’s how you turn barrels

1. Keep your hand on the horn

2. Don’t fall off

3. Remember to smile cause Mom’s taking pictures

We don’t always do horse stuff

Doesn’t everyone play T-ball in heels?

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Friday, July 27th, 2007

Trying Equicast

We spent this evening trying out a new product at the request of the client.

We LOVE new stuff.

Details about this product to be found at Equicast.us

Here’s the pics

This is what we started with

Shelly walls, low heels, laminitis

Shoe on backwards

Yes, it’s supposed to be

The right front

Not as bad, but low heels

Right front almost done

The pink stuff is vetwrap.

It held things in place

while the cast cured

Left front, working on finish

Purple vetwrap

Both fronts done

Now, “did it work” you ask? So far, yes. The mare walked out much better than when she came up. Fingers crossed, this makes her life a little easier.

Because not a day goes by without a visit from Arizona’s wildlife

Here’s your token tarantula picture for the day

He was hanging out by the faucet in the dark

Did anyone notice?

He only has 4 legs on one side.

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Tuesday, July 24th, 2007

It’s all about the horses

The youngest farrier - under the biggest horse

She’s a cowgirl too

Riding in the desert

Working with Kat

Today I got this mare’s paperwork. She is a former racehorse, bred in Kentucky. Went through the Keeneland sale as a yearling, raced at 2, won a race in New Mexico, $4k. Huh.

She’s fun to ride.

We like each other

Wade and Nina

Wade’s been fooling with Nina for a while now. I’ve had her a few years and just never got around to breaking her to ride. She has this slight aversion to the saddle….

Who wants the first ride?

Wade, apparently

He’s waaay braver than me!

He gets it done

Wade shod 8 horses this morning, then came home and helped me get 5 ridden.

Isn’t he the best?

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Monday, July 23rd, 2007

Mood: Exasperated

This evening Mercy and I set out to hang with the horses. Take a few pictures, brush some manes and tails. 3 horses had cactus in them, blown around from all the monsoon storms. I like to just go out and be among them sometimes, fuss and putter, ya know?

The old gray mare

Smokey

Note the large brands on her hip. These apparently tell you where exactly she was rounded up on the Navajo Reservation. There is a Bar N on her shoulder, although it’s hard to see in this picture.

She is boss mare. This is her job. I believe every horse has something they excel at. She lives to be a big meany to the youngsters. She’s nasty mean.

Hey, someone’s gotta do it.

She gets ridden about twice a year, just to keep her reminded that she IS broke to ride. I got on a few weeks ago, bareback. Wade had quite a laugh watching this. Smokey chose not to recall a thing about being ridden. Just a little bit goofy. But she settled down and got with the program. Which was good, cause she was making me nervous for a second there.

This is my handsome devil, Monte

Oooo he’s pretty isn’t he?

He knows

My camera ran out of batteries at this point. I collected Mercy and headed indoors.

At this point I need to insert something. If any of you watched the internet news today, a Chihuahua saved a toddler from a rattlesnake. I had just read this story, and had them dang snakes on the brain again, which probably worked in my favor. Cause you know what’s coming next….

Lookit there!!!

Right next to my front steps!!!!!

AGAIN!!?

Oh yes.

BUT…..

This is a repeat offender. Yes folks, it’s the SAME snake that was next to my back porch last week. What’s with this guy anyway? Either he has issues or he’s just plain not smart.

I do have to say, when I saw him last he wasn’t far from the house (100 ft maybe) but he was on the other side of the fence. Like that means anything to a snake. I know.

I’m guessing of course. He might be a different snake. But judging his rattles, size, blah blah, I’m pretty sure it’s him. He looks familiar.

You know, he never let on he was there. No rattling, and I stepped my foot less than 12 inches away from his head. Then Annie the dog got too close - to see what we were so interested in. I was ushering Mercy into the house, turned to see Annie’s face less than 3 inches away from his. I screamed at her, you better believe it.

She listened too. Got no choice when I scream. Hey, it’s screaming or a big vet bill. I’ve got a big voice - not a big checkbook.

With all this, he never rattled until we moved the rocks and put the loop around his head.

THIS time, he got a car ride. He’s now about a quarter mile away. He BETTER NOT come back!!!!

No, he doesn’t have 2 heads. He’s just too quick for my camera.

Pissed too

Not happy to leave his hiding spot

Don’t come back

or off with your head

I count at least 8 rattles. I know - my camera sucks. Santa better bring me a new one for Christmas. (hint hint)

Anyway, that’s the first one that’s ever come back in 7 years.

For that, he earns a special place in my heart. He really liked me. I could tell.

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Sunday, July 22nd, 2007

I shall miss them

Mercy and Ellie Mae

I’m all done feeding at Painted Promise Ranch and sniffle I’m going to miss them!!!

I took Mercy, Grandma and Great Grandma with me last night to dole out the love while I cleaned pens. Mercy just LOVED Ellie Mae and I think it was mutual.

The Three Amigos

(don’t they just LOOK like trouble?)

Mercy inspecting Eve’s feet

and Mary Ellen’s

Grandma

surrounded by ass

-they stripped her naked in less than 3 minutes-

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Saturday, July 21st, 2007 – 7 a.m.

All I do is feed

My name is Tanner and I am CUTE

(aka – the ankle biter)

Folks, it’s been a long week. I’m honored to be feeding for Painted Promise Rescue Ranch the last few days. So breathe easy, Tanner is not mine. I just couldn’t resist picturing his cuteness for all the world to see.

Every morning and evening I am feeding their 8 dogs, 2 cats, and 24 (yeah, that’s right) mini donkeys, mules and horses. Then I come home and feed my 15 horses and 9 dogs. And I got off light, they took 2 dogs and 6 horses with them!!!

I’ll do the math for you. That’s 39 equines, 17 dogs and 2 cats, TWICE a day.

I’m having a blast!!

On top of that, the last 2 days we’ve been so busy I’ve had to go out and shoe a few horses.

Yesterday I spent time with a gorgeous Welsh stallion who was terrified that I would smack him. His owner said he had a bad experience with another farrier and since has been super jumpy. She wasn’t kidding. He thought for sure I was going to hurt him. After a few minutes reassuring him, we got the job done. He relaxed - sort of.

In other fantastic news, I hear through the grapevine one of our clients was saying nice things about us on the local radio. Whoever it was, thank you!

Quit taking pictures and FEED ME

It is an experience feeding them all. Not just that, but there are several that require medications, and very specific instructions on who gets what. I carry the list with me and consult it at least 20 times per feeding to make sure I get it right. Their human being, Susan, is like me. I like things done a certain way, ON TIME. Most people don’t realize that if animals are used to being fed at a certain time, and you mess it up, bad things happen. Animals get cranky and start kicking each other, or worse. So I adhere to Susan’s schedule.

I also check waterers, observe for problems, and clean pens.

So by 6 a.m this morning, I was running around covered in hay and yesterday’s horse sweat. I haven’t had a shower lately (whew stinky). 90some degrees out, raining, rainbow in the sky. Gotta love it. Not to mention I had Tanner biting my ankles, going back and forth with each step I took. Little devil.

It’s a fine life J

In even better news, the truck is back and IT WORKS!! Thank you God, thank you thank you. I was going to post a picture of me kissing it, but I haven’t had time. Now I just have to get the flat tire on the trailer fixed and I’ll be caught up.

Speaking of which, it’s time to get hay, so I better run off and hook up the flatbed.

I hope everyone is having a good time up north riding their horses. Susan, thanks for trusting me with your babies. Fingers crossed, I haven’t screwed it up yet.

If anyone is interested in adopting, fostering, or donating to a good cause, please consider Painted Promise.

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Sunday, July 15th, 2007

Mood: Jumpy

It’s only slightly ridiculous, the amount of creepy creatures this state has, and why they persist in following ME.

This little guy tried to land on me

These actually grow to be 4 inches long. But this was big enough to drive me inside the house.

You only think you’re safe in the house. This was my wake up/cardio workout for the morning today. I caught him out of the corner of my eye.

Yes, that’s my pants he’s on.

Sitting on the bed, putting socks on, I almost put my arm down on this little guy. Once I SAW him, I shrieked and jumped up. Scared Wade half to death.

Not very big

But big enough to hurt!

Remember, shake out your boots, pants, whatever. You never know who’s decided your boots smell good.

We released him. So he can come back and get me next time….

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Thursday, July 12th, 2007 - in the p.m.

We are a Rattlesnake Preserve

Or

There’s a snake in the grass!!!

I once saw a sign on a gate out here that said “Rattlesnake Preserve – No Trespassing” and I thought, now that is the best No Trespassing sign I’ve ever seen. I think I might have to make my own.

After finishing chores this evening, heading to the porch to feed the dogs, I heard what I thought was the sprinkler system going. Except I hadn’t turned that on and 3 dogs were surrounding a bush next to the back door.

Why do I hear Bill Engvall saying “Here’s your sign”?

Do you see him??

There really was a snake in the grass

This guy was a sidewinder too. I researched this today. Sidewinders have horns above their eyes. His are hard to see for the grass, but I assure you they are there.

Of course Wade wasn’t here and it was dark. I held Mercy and the dogs back. Those dogs all listened!!! (afraid of me and my broom) We waited for Wade who said he was 10 minutes away. I didn’t want to try to catch this snake and hold the flashlight at the same time.

Mercy offered to hold the light, but no thank you sweetheart. You fearless little chip off the block.

Meanwhile, given the choice, this guy decided our house wasn’t the best place to hang out and headed west. I was in hot pursuit. Who knew I’d grow up to be rattlesnake paparazzi.

He had quite a few rattles. (more than the last 2 snakes, but this guy was smaller in length) I opted not to get close enough to count them. Just today I watched an idiot on Animal Planet stick his camera up in the face of a sidewinder and then get bitten on the finger, so I had that fresh in mind while I took these pictures.

Wade got home just in time and we all waved bye-bye to the snake.

See ya!!

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Thursday, July 12th, 2007

Good Day

110 degrees today

My name is Noodle

Poor Noodle. This is his pathetic face, wondering why I am blinding him with that little gray box thingy. We tell him every day that he is the most handsome boy. I love him. Green eyes and all….

Her first pair of swim goggles

Someone please help me understand men

Wade comes out wearing this shirt.

First – I wouldn’t be caught dead in it. I thought men didn’t wear things that had flowers on them. His response is that it’s “in style” right now. I just look at him. Where are the fashion police when you need them?

Next he says he’s had it a LONG time. I just look at him.

Then he says he has no clean T-shirts.

That’s right, blame it on me.

Second – note the gaping hole. As I’m eyeballing this shirt, he says “Is it ok?”

I say nothing (trying to think of way to be tactful)

He turns toward me, I see the hole and then I say “NO no no”

“It’s just a little hole” is his response. If I can put my hand in it, it’s not “just a little hole.” A little hole is the size of a pencil eraser.

I made him take it off.

He smiles sheepishly, untucks it, and there’s THIS

COME ON!!! I can stick my whole LEG in that!!! Is he kidding?

He knows I want to throw it away. I folded it and set it on the counter to toss as soon as he walks out the door. I turned back and it’s gone. I know he hid it.

Does anyone understand this phenomenon? Why men can’t part with that beloved shirt/pants/socks, whatever? It has more holes than fabric. It can’t be mended. TOSS IT

I’ve discussed this with other women. It’s universal.

Why Why Why????

PS – I get the truck back Monday!!! Oh THANK YOU LORD. Only $500 to replace a slave cylinder.. and $100 in gas to go get it

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Monday, July 9th, 2007

Happy Day!

I have broken out of my funk!!! Want to know what brought this about? Besides having a day where nothing broke? Reading this other blog, Confessions of a Pioneer Woman – She’s plowing through life in the country – one calf nut at a time.

I knew as soon as I read that line, I was going to enjoy this site. And I thoroughly did, for several hours in fact. Be sure to go to the categories section and read Calf Nuts (of course) and Working Ranch 101. This woman takes amazing pictures and the commentary will have you howling. I had to tear myself away.

A must read. Go on, look!!! But come back…

My truck is still lounging in the cool pines of Payson. Apparently they haven’t gotten to it yet…. but the guy I got on the phone said it sounds like the hydraulics in the clutch… ?

Anytime they say clutch I think $$$$$. For now, I’m staying home. Safer and cheaper.

The upside is I’m getting horses ridden. Mercy has gotten to ride every day lately and Casper has boosted her confidence. What a perfect horse.

Casper is a retired roping horse. He’s built a little wide in his front end, kind of like a bulldog. He swaggers. His knees gave out years ago. He enjoyed a fine pasture life and now he’s sweating it out down here, wondering where all that grass went and why he has to cart around this little person every day.

Actually I think he enjoys the attention and getting to go out again. He’s been everywhere and then some. Nothing gets him excited except food. He’s the perfect babysitter.

She knows she’s cute.

This is just pathetic. You can actually see the tear in Shady’s eye. She wants to go sooo bad.

7 of the 9 dogs got locked in the trailer, the one place they can’t dig out of. Sometimes if we ride “out” in the desert I will take them all, but it gets interesting having 9 dogs running around, chasing lizards and running under your horse. One likes to jump on my stirrup, trying to get up in the saddle w/me. That’s a fun the first time on a green horse, lemme tell ya.

Since we planned to ride through the neighborhood, and there are 5 dogs across the road that run loose, I opted to leave the bulk of them behind. When all those dogs mix it up, it is so not cool. I let 2 follow us and it was ok, lots of barking, but no shows of bravado. Whew!

Wade and Mercy racing - at a trot.

The girls on the gray horses

Then it was bathtime and we told her to wash his butt…

We’ll never drink out of that hose again

Casper making it easy for her

It’s a good life. Weird, but good.

And one more fun thing to share with y’all.

Ladies, you ever want to have just a little bit of fun w/your man? Say he does something real dumb. In Wade’s case, he gave me a leg up on my horse and thought it was funny to give me a little extra push. I told him he’d pay later. Little did he know what I meant by that.

Say hello to my little friend (evil grin)

I bought this fun little novelty item several years ago.

Best 3 bucks I ever spent in my life.

Note – these tarantulas actually live around here, and every once in a while one will show up where you least expect it, like on the porch while you’re reading a book. Gets your attention real quick. All this talk about cardio…have one of these walk up to you. Your heart rate goes up plenty.

The trick to this prank is to get something that could plausibly be where you put it.

In Wade’s case I’ve put it under his pillow.

Twice!!!

Set it and forget it is my motto. You have to, or you walk around with that funny little giveaway smile.

The first time he found it I was on the computer and he made a noise like “BWAAAHHHHHAAAA” that was so good I had to go outside. I was afraid I’d wake Mercy I laughed so hard.

He didn’t think it was funny.

Later, it ended up under Mercy’s bed. Grandma came over, reached down to retrieve a pair of shorts…. screams.

Bonus!

Back it went into that drawer us women keep for things we never wear but are perfectly good and we can’t give them away. The one with the lime green leg warmers circa 1982 and those panties with jack o’ lanterns on them that glow in the dark. (not that I have those or anything)

Couple weeks ago I had a bad day and needed a laugh. It had been 6 months. Would he fall for it AGAIN?

Oooooh yeah….

He screamed like a girl this time, came stalking out and threw it my direction. This time I was already on the porch, laughing.

I’ll say it again. Best 3 bucks I ever spent in my life.

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Sunday, July 8th, 2007

What a relief. Today didn't completely suck!

It didn't start out so well. Wade forgot to get nails yesterday, so he had to rearrange our schedule for the day. He ended up shoeing at noon. It was 115 degrees today.

When he got back we both went out together to do 4 horses at 5 pm. Dropped the dumplin' off at Grandma's.

I got in the truck and asked if he wasn't afraid to have my jinxed self in his truck. I just got the "look" and a smile.

I was serious. We only have one truck left.

I managed to get thru ONE horse to his 3, and the sky didn't fall. Amen.

We got home and actually had some fun!!! Mercy informed me in all seriousness that "ME – CAS – WOPE- COW"

Which means she and Casper (her new horse) are going to rope a cow.

I had to try hard not to laugh. She's 3. But oh so serious. Never mind we don't have a cow (anymore)

I suggested we ride in the round pen. Not as exciting, but better than nothing.

Here they are with Maggie (one of the pups)

Then she insisted on going "out", so we set up some obstacles to prove she can handle her horse.

After showing us she had mastered obstacles, she wanted to go outside the fence.

Too cute!!

If only the pups were that cute. Once I finally got inside the house, I discovered they had gotten a bag of cotton balls (I didn't even know we had them) and spread them throughout the house. Charming. The doors were shut when we left, but at least 2 dogs can open a sliding glass door. One can open the fridge, hence the child-proof lock before I even had a child.

Someday I'm going to stealth cam them.

I fed them. Before I started OUR dinner, I swept up the mess. I heard those pups start a squabble. Not a dogfight, but the precursor.

That's one thing I won't tolerate is dogfights. So when they did it a second time and I had that broom so handy, I stepped out, yelled THAT'S ENOUGH and smacked the seat of a nearby plastic chair w/the broom. (You have to do a REALLY bad thing to get actually spanked here, like chasing livestock)

Good thing I didn't smack a dog.

It was an old chair anyway.

Wade comes in, looks at it and says "Have you considered maybe an anger management class?"

Hmmm. I thought I managed my anger quite well. Or not.

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Saturday, July 7th, 2007

A picture says a thousand words, right? Ok, here ya go

Boy what a good time. 4^th of July and we broke down in Payson, AZ. We went up to join some friends who were up there riding and one horse had lost a shoe. I promised we'd come. Now I wish I hadn't.

In the drive thru of Wendy's, the clutch went to the floor. Guess topping off that thingy the day before wasn't it. Something went out suddenly. Wade is yelling at me to pump it, and I'm yelling back that it's stuck on the floor, as the truck stalls out.

Luckily my insurance covers the towing, and this is us in front of the CLOSED Ford dealership. Enterprise rent a car was closed too. We ended up calling Wades brother to drive 6 hrs to come get us. We got to sit all that time, and we had a big fat stinky dog and Mercy w/us. Never taking the dog again.

It's 3 days later and still no word on the truck.

We got back home that evening, just in time to feed animals and run to town to see the fireworks, which we do every year. This year was disappointing in that something went wrong w/the show and just wasn't as good as last year. But we got to see EVERYONE. Small town.

We left there in the little work truck, to go back home and get the horse trailer, so we could pick up my grey horse Monte. He was going to go up north w/our friend, but decided not to load in the trailer for her when the time came. Luckily we had loaned her 2 horses, so she took Vinnie instead, even though he's a big monster.

So Monte was at her house, waiting on us to pick him up. It's dark (why oh why do we always do stuff in the dark??) but I was worried about him being in a strange place w/fireworks going off that night.

We hook up and get to the paved road, when Wade says "Did you check the tires on the trailer?"

Well no, I didn't. And I should have, because last week I took it out, it had a flat, I put fixaflat in it and some air, and promptly forgot about it.

So sure enough, it's flat again.

We go to the shop to get the battery operated air compressor. It's gone. Stolen.

We have one that works off the car lighter, so we unhook the trailer, back up the truck, jack up the trailer and start pumping air.

Worthless. It's not holding. Another can of fixaflat, and still nothing. It's 10:30 pm and we decide to put the spare on. Drag that out, put it on, guess what? It's not the same size. It's the spare from the LAST set of tires. We don't care. We're tired. It holds air.

Off we go. Stop at the Country Store for sodas. Get back in, go down the road and I realize the flashlight is gone. Pull over, search, nothing.

I REALLY need that flashlight to go into someone else's property. Otherwise we have to pull the truck and trailer into a tight space and back it out in the dark. I am so mad I could spit. With my luck there'll be 10 rattlesnakes waiting for me in the dark.

I choose to go on. We get there at 11pm, waking up the whole neighborhood. I get Monte, who is happy to see me, and try to load him. He tells me NO. I tell him "THIS IS NOT THE DAY" (truth - I said a lot of bad words)

He wisely decides to get in the trailer. Meanwhile the neighbor guy tells me instead of backing up, I could drive down the wash. I laugh. NO WAY am I taking this little truck, w/a loaded trailer down A WASH in the dark after a day like this one. I'd rather back it up. And I did. Without hitting anything.

We go back down a mile of washboard dirt road, rattling everything loose on the truck and trailer. Mercy is with us, finally sleeping. 12 hours in a vehicle will do that to you.

We get on the pavement and Wade looks out the passenger side and notices a bright light. I'd remarked on it earlier, that he had the brightest license plate lights... he says "pull over" so I do. For what, the 4^th time tonight?

He comes back with the flashlight!!! It was sitting on the bumper, ON for 20+ miles and that dirt road. Go figure.

We went home, went to bed and wished for a better day tomorrow.

No.

The next day a microburst hit the shop, removing the roof to our shade we work under. Tore it right off. We got a call saying our roof was heading for the highway. Wade went down and got it. I refuse to even go look. My mom saw it and says it's pretty bad.

I can't imagine what else will go wrong.

Wade told Mom that he thinks I'm jinxed. He says he's never seen anyone have a run of bad luck like this.

I did break that mirror 4 yrs ago.

3 more years to go!!!!

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Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007

I decided to do this blog mostly to save myself time. Instead of writing multiple emails and inevitably forgetting someone, I can write it all once, here. I did this years ago, before it was so wildly popular. Then I had a child, and all that "spare" time went right out the window. Funny how that happens.

This is a journal documenting the lives of 2 farriers, 1 child, 15 horses, and 9 dogs. Every day is entertaining. You can be glad you're not us!

Today started out as a relatively ordinary day. Wade was gone early to shoe. I got up late, fed horses and dogs, waited for Mercy to wake up, and got a few things done. I piddled around, cleaning, sweeping, balancing the checkbook, answering emails. Very normal. I thought this was gonna be a nice day.

Once Mercy got up that all changed. Amazing how kids affect your world, although we won't blame it on her. She actually is well behaved. It's everything else that's not.

Wade came home from the mornings shoeing. Summertime, we work early morning and late evening. Midday you shade up.

That was not my destiny today.

Wade stayed home, and after a battle over washing the beeswax out of Mercy's hair (don't ask, that's a whole other story) and getting dressed, us girls were ready to head to town.

I gathered all the stuff we had to have and the stuff that was going to Grandma's house, and even with a list I forget to take the rifle, which needs a spring to hold the clip in. That is, if I want to shoot it more than once. (I could brag here and say I only need one shot, but the truth is I would seriously need the whole clip)

I don't use it often, which is why it's been on my list of things to do for a year now.

We get in the truck, start up and back up to the flatbed trailer, so we can pick up the weekly load of 17 bales of hay. I'm on a hill backing up when the clutch goes all the way to the floor and the truck stalls out. The clutch doesn't come back up. I'm completely freaked out, thinking "I've KILLED IT" and then "This can only be expensive" and then "How am going to get hay now?" and THEN "Now I have to go get Wade. Great."

Shaking, I get Mercy out, eyeballing the clutch on the floor. I step inside the house, tell Wade I've completely screwed up the truck, but I don't see how, since I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. His eyes get wide, he sighs, comes out. Opens the hood, lifts the clutch, gets under the truck. Looks at me sideways. I'm throwing my hands up and protesting that "I didn't do ANYTHING!!!"

He shows me a thingy (this is my girlie side shining thru) and says it takes Dot 3 brake fluid and we need to keep it topped off. Gets in, starts it up, it works fine. Now I'm the one looking sideways - at the truck. He assures me it should be ok to take to town, and if anything happens, just call him. He says he'll keep his cell nearby, as he goes back in and lays down again. Obviously relieved that it wasn't going to be expensive and his manly duties are done.

Mercy and I load back up, it seems fine. Great. Off we go. Stop at the library, the restaurant for lunch, the auto parts store for that Dot 3 fluid, and oh, did I mention it's 114 degrees out? No kidding, for those of you who don't live here. It really is that hot. Going to hit 117 in the next couple days.

To the bank, CVS pharmacy, the hardware store, and then finally, to the feed store. One more stop for gas and we're done. I might remind you I'm dragging Mercy along, who is 3. You can't leave kids in the truck, so she gets out every single stop. This makes for a long day.

Wouldn't you know it, at the feed store I encounter the beginning of a real bad day.

There's a fresh double semi parked blocking the entrance, fully loaded w/hay - 8 stacks. No WAY am I getting in there w/my trailer. I sit there considering my options, and decide to go get gas. While there, I call the feed store and ask how long that truck's going to be there (30 -45 minutes) and is their hay still $7.50 a bale? Yes.

Ok, so it's the cheapest in town, and if its what's coming off that truck, it's worth the wait.

So back we go, to secure our spot in "line" which is actually just me blocking the driveway. We sat there for 15 mintues, found a decent place to "park" and went in to at least get the shoes we need. 2 boxes, one bag and $300+ later, we go back out and sit in the truck some more. Yeah.

The only saving grace is that there's virtually no one in the parking lot when the semi finally moves and I have to back this trailer w/this truck, which I'm not so good at doing. If I can see the trailer it helps, but this truck is too wide and high to see it. I have to use mirrors only, which I have not mastered, but I keep trying. We haven't had the truck very long and I haven't had to back this trailer so much, so it's always an ordeal.

Well wouldn't you know I totally ace it. And Wade not there to see it. Last time he had to back it for me, which is the ULTIMATE embarrassment. Really.

I hang my head out the window and exclaim to the guys who load stuff, "Hey, I'm getting better at it!!" which makes them laugh - I ought to shut up, next time I'm sure to hit something, jinxing myself like that. These same guys used to cross themselves when I would drive in. No lie

Anyway, it all gets done, I head home, Mercy falls asleep, Wade comes out and unhooks the trailer for me. We admire the hay, which was worth it. Mercy wakes up and we're off and running again. Wade goes to the shop to shoe for the evening, Mercy and I go to Grandma's, so I can finish putting up shade for the boarding horses and Mercy can play w/her cats and have dinner w/her Grandma and Great Grandma.

I get started on putting 4 sheets of tin up on the roof and screwing it down. I put the truck on one side and a ladder on the other and proceed to straighten it up. I get one side perfect, then you have to tweak the ends until it lines up, hold it there and run a drill while balancing on a ladder on rocky ground. I did ok until I got a metal shaving in my eye, which I knew was going to happen. Soon as you start thinking about needing safety goggles..... Luckily it didn't stick and I continued on, w/o safety glasses like the idiot I am.

Meanwhile, I'm listening to my dogs, two doors down, barking like crazy at the horses. There are 9 dogs. 3 are pups, and are bred to be working dogs. Their instinct is to herd anything that moves. And bark at it. As I listen, it gets progressively worse. I yell twice, and I KNOW they heard me. They stop for a second, and then go right back to it.

So I'm getting mad. Here's the deal. 9 dogs. One boss.

I am THE LAW and it has to be that way, and we get to why later in this story. If one doesn't listen, none of them do, and I kind of pride myself on being able to control them all by voice. But to get them that way (listening) usually once during puppyhood they get spanked a good one. Today was the day for 2 of them.

I finally lose patience and know I have to go down there. I was not happy.

DON'T MAKE ME COME DOWN THERE!!

I borrow Mom's truck and speed over. Meanwhile, my neighbors are doing the same thing I am, putting up shade for their horses. There are 10 people across the street from my house and I hate to do this in front of an audience, but enough was enough. I threw myself over the fence (really, I'm too old for that) chase them down, grabbed them by the scruff and spanked their butts. 2 dogs went in the horse trailer for the evening. It's an open stock trailer, so they were fine. They just couldn't chase horses anymore.

Don't get me wrong, I fully understand their instincts and it's ok, but when I say stop, they need to stop right now.

Back to Mom's. Not a peep out of any dogs.

I get up on the roof, which isn't real secure yet, and promptly bend the tin with my knees. Twice. I figure out where to put myself and am almost done when Wade shows up to give me a hand, which is good, cause it's getting real dark. I'm thinking "wonderful, we get to feed in the damn dark again." It's my big pet peeve and we're getting to why. Wade is wiped out from struggling w/one very difficult horse. I tell him about the dogs and he agrees w/what I did.

We all go home to feed. It's very dark, a full moon night, but it hasn't risen yet. Wade turns on a light and Mercy parks herself under it and sits tight. I've instructed her on this and she's fine, playing w/her plastic ponies. Wade's getting hay, so I turn on waters and head out back to swap a hose off the misters and into a tank.

The two Paso mares, Molly and Cadencia are being weirdos (nothing new) paddling around ahead of me, into their area. They run the property, but never stray far from Jack the donkey, who has his own pen back there. Molly darts forward, Cadencia right behind her, when Cadencia suddenly jumps sideways and snorts. I go on high alert and stop. Can't see a thing, thinking SNAKE. I listen close, but the misters are on one side, making it hard to hear. I take a step, unsure, and Cadencia jumps again. This time I'm sure there's something and I'm betting my life it's a snake.

Now I don't know where for sure the snake is, if it's coiled or laid out moving, and I don't know where to move these mares. I don't want them getting bit, but I can't see if there is for sure a snake, so I start hollering for Wade, for a flashlight, grab Mercy, call the dogs back, I think there's a snake!!! Barely controlled panic. I'm in the dark, with what is probably a venomous snake.

I realize it'll take him forever to get that light, and if that snake is moving, or mad, I don't want to be there. Sorry mares, but I needed light. I ran and got it, and meanwhile Wade got the snake pole. Sure enough, there's a sidewinder, not real big, 3+ feet, 6 rattles and a button. He's coiled in front of the wire and pallets I have stacked nicely.

And he ain't rattlin right off. That's a bad sign. He's been striking, so now I'm worried the horses got bit. I go check them, but nothing stands out. I figure I'll wait an hour and check again. (which I did, and they did not get bitten)

The dogs try to come check it out, and here's where they need to listen. I tell them BACK OFF, get in the house NOW, and danged if they don't all listen to me and go away like good dogs.

Meanwhile I hand over the flashlight to Wade, start lecturing Mercy about snakes (never miss an opportunity) and set to catching this devil. He evades me and my noose and crawls thru the fencing wire, making it impossible to snare him. I bug him until finally he goes on the outside of the fence, stretches out like he's going to leave. Wade says "He won't go, he wants to stay close to the pallets" and sure enough, that snake doubled back.

Here's the deal. If they're passing thru, I let em go. Sometimes my snake-catching pole will provide them safe passage. I generally gather them in a garbage can, take them out back and set them free. So far, none have come back. But I have a feeling about this particular snake. He'd be back, and someone will get bitten.

Finally I catch this devil, and boy is he spittin mad. I tell Wade to get me the can real quick. He's got Mercy on one hip and the flashlight in the other hand, and he walks off to get the can, which is 20 ft away, leaving me in the dark with a pissed off rattlesnake on the end of a pole.

I scream like crazy for him to "GET BACK OVER HERE!!!!" He comes back, drops the flashlight on the ground, so at least I can see the snake if he gets away from me.

Here's what he looked like. This is not the same exact snake, this was last week's snake. But you get the idea.

I wrangle him into the can and put a lid on it. After Mercy goes to bed I intended to release him. After much discussion, I opt to put him on the other side of the paved road, about a mile away, next to the train tracks. If he can cross 4 lanes of traffic and find his way back, well..... I'd have to kill him. But I don't think he'll be back.

At 10:30 pm I finally got back home. I stopped and let the dogs out of the horse trailer, after making them both sit and then praising them. Both seem to be listening much better.....

As I drove around the side of the house, I realized something was crawling down my pant leg, on the inside. I grabbed, pinched, and realized it was a flying ant. They HURT when they bite, and if you pinch one and don't kill it, it's going to bite you. I struggle to shift, work the clutch, hold the bug, and stop the truck w/o hitting anything, so I can drop my drawers. It's too dark to see the ant. I jump out of the truck, kick out of my boots, strip off my pants, put the boots back on, and keep driving.

Wade only raised one eyebrow as I came tromping in the house, holding my pants, hair standing on end, in my pink underwear, knee high white socks, cowboy boots and a tank top that reads, appropriately - SAVE ME.

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