Keeping Time

Summer is just about in full swing. Flowers are coming up, the hummingbirds are back and there are scores of butterflies who come to visit what is so far in bloom.

Heath, the new English Shepherd puppy, has filled the vacancy well. He surprises me everyday with his intelligence and personality. At only 12 weeks, he is, of course, housebroken, has a solid "sit", "down" does various tricks already, is well on the way to a good "stay", closing cupboards and the back door for me, though not yet on cue, puts his toys away, sticks with me like a shadow and has been 24/7 entertainment. He's been good around the ducks, watching but not chasing, loves to visit the leppie calves, would LIKE to chase the chickens but the Maremmas aren't allowing it (luckily) although he has made himself useful already in helping me to round up 4 chicks that escaped from the brooder. In addition to that, he has killed 3 or 4 bugs in the house for me and has brought me a baby bird that died from falling out of the nest, and has killed a mouse and brought it to me as a treasure. 

Unfortunately, after receiving high praise, he, being an over-achiever, brought me a live potato bug later that afternoon. At that I was horrified, shuffling as quickly as I could around the kitchen island with Heath and his 'gift' to me, in hot pursuit. Not a pretty picture.

Everyday brings laughter as he thinks up something new. His mind is always working, you can almost see the wheels turning. It's been an incredible blessing to me, since losing Cider. My days which before were almost unbearable because of pain and loneliness, are so much better. He has been a great distraction and gets me moving more than I would if he wasn't around. It's amazing how quickly you can move when you suddenly realize you don't see the puppy and there are strange noises coming from another room. He has brought life and joy in abundance and it's infectious.

He learns like a little sponge and is very intuitive. There are days when we play hard and do lots of things, then there are days like today, where I am in so much pain, I can hardly stand to move and even laying here, I'm aware of how much my joints are hurting me. He naps quietly near my bed and occassionally stands with his feet on the bedside asking me to lift him up. He showers me with kisses then happily lays across my body while I run my fingers through his soft little fuzzy coat. He communicates every thought with his eyes and his body language, even his walk. It's uncanny how easy it is to understand him. When he's really excited about something and wants me to get up, his little tap tap of feet on the floor is a thump-thump. Not too hard to pick up on the difference!

Today I while I lay here writing, he jumped down from the bed and left for a little while. I could tell he'd gone outside because I could hear the magnets on the screen door click.  He returned at top speed, sliding around the corner on the slick linoleum and wood floors then picked up speed on the straight away by the bed and accelerated once again on the carpet, not crashing into any walls or furniture until his last tight turn. Thumpity-thump-Whump!!  He happily barked at me, wagging tail and bouncing on his front feet. I got up and followed him outside where he showed me that he'd taken his stuffed "froggie" out there, and had learned to croak it, so we had a session of throwing the big tennis ball, the froggy and doing some sit stays. He was overjoyed.

We went to town last week. A 4-hour one-way trip. Even though he only sees TheMan in the early morning, and again after work, he is always happy and excited to be around him. He was so thrilled to see him all day, he had to sit on the console of the truck where he could be constantly touching him. Note the leg over TheMan's arm.


 

There was pitiful crying and anxious watching of the door when TheMan would exit the truck to go in one of the shops. Until his return, I was ignored for this pose.

His appreciation to see TheMan return to us safely was shown enthusiastically.

There are about 4 times a day, he feels he needs a hug, so he asks to be picked up and he sits back in my lap for awhile like this...

It just doesn't get any sweeter!

The Maremmas have spent most of their time out with the sheep, only coming in for occasional foot and ear checks as the cheat grass, or foxtail, is at a dangerous phase now, due to the drought.
Things look like late August or September around here. As usual, they are doing a fabulous job of keeping the sheep and their lambs, the calves, the laying hens, and (21) three week old chicks safe from all comers.

Heath has wisely chosen them as role models….

 Throughout the day, he practices his new skills, such as putting his toys away in the toy basket…

Then he rests up for a new day.

Meet Heath

It has been difficult blogging this year, due to a variety of issues. For those who are new, I was wheelchair bound for over 6 months in excruciating pain when a pre-surgical injection went wrong. My leg has now been replaced (knee, that is) and is in good shape. The death of my old friend Cider was very hard on me, and I am still not able to write about him, but one day I am sure I will. Meanwhile, life goes on. I knew before Cider left me, I was going to have to have another dog. I just can't live without one. Being alone all day gets old, when you can't be active. It was no problem at all when I was healthy, because there are a thousand things to do, from breaking colts to landscaping or any number of things, but being sedentary makes for a lonely life. I had spent a good deal of time researching what breed would be the best fit for my needs. I knew I couldn't have another Golden Retriever as it would be impossible for me not to compare him with Cider. I settled on an English Shepherd after reading up on the breed, reading lots of posts on forums and speaking to breeders. One in particular, Mary Peaslee of Shepherds Way. I had filled out her puppy buyer's form 3 years ago and now the time had come to purchase a pup.

I contacted her and found she had just gotten back from taking a dog down to be bred in N. California. I waited anxiously from January to March, when the puppies were born then to May, when I could finally pick mine up from Jennifer Keuhn of Compatible K-9, as her Pixie was the dam. She spent hours and hours working with the litter from the time of their birth and she and Mary did temperament testing and matching to buyers. The pup chosen for me was Heath, and I could not have chosen better. He's been an absolute joy to have around.

He weathered the 8+ hour trip home with no problem. Jennifer's work paid off as he was relaxed and happy, ready for the adventure even though it was the first time ever away from his littermates, dam and family. He did some co-piloting and when he was sure all was well, he napped.

I brought the Maremma's in to meet him. They were not exactly enthralled with him and wound up on the couch together, hiding from his little needle sharp teeth. Mind boggling how dogs that fearlessly confront cougars jump up on a chair to get away from a small puppy.

However, Heath did enjoy cuddling in Mr Potamus' fur when he wasn't looking...

He adores TheMan...and can often be found competing with Scottie for a spot at his feet

And Scottie takes revenge by denying Heath access to his toys...

All in all, the little guy has settled in nicely and made my life a whole lot cheerier and less lonely

He's become my little shadow and we have been having a great time having new experiences together...including some that were not so neat. We lost a couple of mother ducks that were setting on eggs. No idea what killed them. One afternoon, Heath and I stumbled across one of the remaining ducks, with her neck stretched out from under the porch. Just to make sure she was as dead as she looked, I poked her with a stick. She wasn't. Heath and I made it to the back door at just about the same time with an angry duck in pursuit. It's going to be an awesome summer now that I have a partner in crime again, I can tell.

We've Just Begun

It was time for my three month post-op checkup. I put almost 40 eggs in the new incubator, poured in some and water. We made arrangements for someone to fill waters and watch over the milk cow, horse, sheep, chickens, ducks and dogs and packed for our 12 hr. drive down south. We pulled up just in time to see our son and a neighbor talking out front, while his youngest daughter, 3 yr old Kinley was playing with Evelyn, the neighbors 3 yr old daughter. I climbed out of the pickup with my arms open wide and said “Hey there Kinley!!!” Kinley waved and headed for the house, and Evelyn ran up to us and gave us both a hug. Evelyn doesn’t know us so it started us both laughing.

It was the day before Abby P’s 7th birthday and their other grandparents were also down so we could have a little celebration dinner. I picked up the packages we had wrapped and carried them into the house where Abby ran and gave me a hug, and with a big smile said “Are those for me?”

I told her “No, these are for Kinley.” Her smile disappeared, her arms dropped and she politely mumbled “Oh, ok”. 

Laughing, I told her that I must have misread the names, as it was actually HER name on the packages and she skipped over to the wall to place them where her other gifts were piled up. We had a fun evening, Abby was a charmer and we hit the sack early.

Monday was a day for recovery, as the 12 hour drive down is brutal on my auto-immune issues. I’d been running around like a champ the night before, but apparently some little gremlins had snuck in during the night and beaten me and I woke up sore all over.

TheMan’s mom was in the hospital so it was good that we were down and could go to visit her. We spent about 5 hours visiting with her then after hours of alternately standing and sitting, so I was pretty sore for a couple days. The Dr’s office called my daughter in law’s phone to confirm the appt. while she was at work (we gave her number while I was recovering at their home). She in turn called my son, Cody, who was home from work that day, and he told me. I said “Ha! Well, that’s nice. It would have been a real bummer to drive 12-15 hours and have the appt cancelled!’

Ten minutes later, they cancelled my appt.

Making the best of it, I said, “Well at least we got to be here for Abby’s birthday dinner and I get my hair cut tomorrow, because it REALLY needs it.”

Next morning, TheMan went back to the hospital to visit his mom without me, as I was still hurtin’ and promised to remember to get me to my hair appt by 11:00. He pulled up at 11:30. I look like “Cousin It” and have no idea when or where I will be able to get it cut.

We met a daughter and her family for lunch. Their two boys are wild typical boys, but they have it all under control. It was nice to see the bigger brother so affectionate with his little brother! 

We missed getting to see our oldest son and his family as well as our youngest daughter and hers. It's always so hard when we go down there, as it feels like we are constantly running and constantly driving after already driving 12 hr just to get there. It wears me out, but it's so good to see family.

The last night there, we went to dinner with my youngest son and his family, and our ‘honorary son/daughter’ and their kids, at Shogun’s, a Tappenyaki Restaurant. It was SO much FUN!!! Watching the reactions of the kids was priceless. The chef was awesome, TheMan was a terrible catch, allowing 5 shrimp to fall to the floor, Abby was amazed and Kinley was unimpressed. The other 3 kids had been there before, but still enjoyed it immensely. Ryan sat 1/2 on PapaRandy’s chair and 1/2 on mine, so I opted to stand. The kids scarfed up the food and so did I. It was excellent and a great memory.

 Looking unimpressed....

 But the big flames got everyone's attention, as did the flipping of knives like they were 6-guns and all the other fun stuff...

and everyone got a turn at catching food that was thrown at their mouths...this child with the flip top head did well...

TheMan dropped several shrimp before successfully capturing one, and I apparently spent the night looking either horrified, or looking as though I was melting, even though my face hurt from laughing...go figure. I caught all but one shrimp...except I couldn't close my mouth fast enough and they kept bouncing back out. I guess I have rubber teeth...

The eldest of the kids came back with us for 2 weeks. It has been a pleasure, helpful, and entertaining to have her here. She also has given me incentive to keep getting up and getting stronger, on the less painful days, so she's sort of like a physical therapist in a way...or maybe even an emotional therapist since she's much fun to have around and it's hard to be cranky or depressed with her here.

Having not milked SushiMoo since Sept, right after she calved, I wondered if she'd do ok.  Planning to wean her calf finally (at a ripe old 10 mo of age) I opened the back gate and looked at about 15 cows and leppie calves staring my direction. I lifted up a bucket and hollered "Sushiiiii!" At which point the Maremmas went DIRECTLY to her and followed her up and into the corral. I was astounded, both by the fact they knew her name and that she responded to my call. She was a dream to milk, except she wasn't providing much. Since it is a great deal of work and she had to be dried off by June anyway, we only milked a few times then let her dry off so she can go back out with the others and prepare for her next baby.

Meanwhile, the dogs have kept a close eye on our little guest everywhere she goes, within their realm. They stare while she works with the horse and follow her around the pasture to make sure nothing gets pushy with her.

One week down, only one left. We want to make the best of it. We've done lots and hope to do lots more, then she'll head back home to her family and I'll be home again, only not alone. Because next week, right after dropping her off, I will be picking up my new puppy!

It's been quite a year, and it has only just begun.

A Little Sunshine

The weather is unstable, the barometer rises and falls. I slumber in the reclining chair because it’s too uncomfortable to lay down still. I hear the jingling of bells hung on the door, that will someday aid my new puppy in alerting me he needs to go outside, as TheMan comes in from feeding and caring for the animals, as I am still unable to do it myself. He throws hay and checks waterers for my old horse, Mister, the little band of hair sheep and their lambs, gives SushiMoo, my last milk cow her grain, feeds the chickens and ducks and takes care of the band of leppie calves in the corral beyond the high rock wall. I hear the cornflakes bounce off the sides of his bowl as he prepares himself some breakfast, then gives me a kiss goodbye and he and his faithful Scottie head off to work on whatever the ranch needs him to do today. He works 7 days a week because that is ranch life. There is always something that needs doing and cows don’t take weekends off. It’s hard work but it’s a good life. He’ll come back for lunch and then for dinner and if I am not able, he fixes that and does the dishes as well. It wasn’t always like this, I remember working 3 jobs and trying to take care of my family. A few hours a day as a bookkeeper, returning home to ride colts and give lessons, then do his paperwork at night for the small company we started making livestock panels and kennels. Housecleaning, laundry, dinner and dishes were always needing attention with four kids in the house. He always pitched in to help where he could. Now things are different. I have so much I want to do, but cannot. One of the hard things about this disease is not knowing from one day to the next if I will be able to function. I’m grateful for my new knee and contemplate the love my family showed me the many weeks I was in their care while recovering as they selflessly fit me into their schedules at doctors, hospitals, home while they all still had to work their full time  jobs and take care of their own children and homes. It is the flip-side of this disease, that I would never wish to be disabled or reliant on my kids, not be a burden, but because I often am, I’ve no doubt of their love. Through my travails they standby and lift me up and rather than bitter because of my pain, my heart is full. 

I marvel at the faithfulness of God and my family to one so unworthy...because I do feel unworthy, unable to do my part anymore, unable to help out, instead always needing. It’s not a comfortable place for me and I don’t do it with the grace of someone like Joni Tada or others whose struggles are greater and more insurmountable than my own. But I am grateful, that He has shown me I don’t have to be worthy to be loved. He promises that over and over, in His book to me, and His work on my behalf, and it is illustrated to me through my family and I am awed, all at once both humbled and grateful.

The sun is out this morning and with some difficulty, I step out on the back porch and hear the call of the mourning doves and the chirping of the smaller birds as they fill their little chests and hearts with the fresh spring air. The ducks watch me covertly (they think...but I can see them there on the lawn, still as statues). 

The warmth of morning shines down from the East and I can see the garden slowly coming back to life, with all His promise to me that “Weeping is for a night but joy comes in the morning” 

(Psalm 30:5). The green swordlike blades of the iris have pressed through the rocky soil and will soon bear flowers with falls of bright yellow, purple and one sky blue. The long canes of climbing rosebushes are already covered with small, shiny green leaves as they hide under the tumbleweeds and mustard that always ends up in our yard along the wall after the harsh winter winds. The lawn is greening up again, the fruit trees have flowered and promise sweet juicy apricots, apples and peaches later in the year. I notice a small nest in the big tree by the house,  probably from last year. Amazing how something as small and delicate as a bird can create a nest durable enough to get through one of our winters. Another small miracle. Blue and purple pansies have burst forth in the half barrel by the door from the seeds their parent plants dropped last year and the perennial plants and flowers peek their heads out of the soil, pregnant with promise. 

It's still chilly out so I step back inside and my eye is captured by the few houseplants that helped carry me through a long winter indoors. Even those have been a gift beyond measure, evidence that there is life all around me and it's not all about me.

I peruse the living room, plotting a plan of attack, should my body allow it. The dust lies thick on the furniture, both a result of neglect and living on a ranch in a 100 yr old house with windows and doors that, while still closed, will generously allow the wind in to blow my hair in my face. One of the perks of ranch life is that you never lack something to do. There is always housework, no matter how much of it you may have done the day before, and in the unlikely event it should stay done for a day, there are always the cabins and employee housing the boss’ wife needs help with, since people are in and out of here all the time. But I am tethered to our little old rock and concrete house, at least for the moment. I eye the new dog crate that stands by the sofa and simultaneously feel a stab of sorrow over the loss of my wonderful old friend Cider and a flush of hope over the new puppy that will be coming home with me this spring. I imagine him as he might be, looking forward to teaching him all that I taught Cider and then some, consider the laughter he will undoubtedly bring back into my life and the companionship that will come with it. Soon the hummingbirds will be back and the butterflies. 

Until then, I will rely on my short and infrequent visits from the Maremmas, who warmly give me nose bumps and tiny doggie kisses, moan to show their appreciation as I rub their ears then, quickly satisfied, lay by the door anxious for someone to let them back out with their sheep. 

I opt to fight some of the mats on Mr Potamus in lieu of cleaning house. He always manages to pick up the worst kind of burrs and stickers to wind up in his long fur and become impossibly tangled. It's difficult to attack them with just one hand, but I manage to get most of it done and he lays all nice and fluffy again on the floor which is now messier than before. Better done before the big cleaning than after.

There is much to look forward to, and while waiting, I dance, if only in my mind. Life is good. God is good.

March, March, Step in Time

Those clouds have been causing a little grief. The barometric changes have been brutal on my autoimmune disorders and I'm still not back on the medication needed to prevent damage, but I do go in next week and hopefully, all that will be taken care of. It's hard living on the ranch, or ANYwhere, when it hurts and you aren't very mobile. The great news is, my new knee is doing awesome. I walk as though I had done it all my life...which, of course, I have...but being in a wheelchair for so long, caused so much weakness, I can only stand up for a little while and only walk a short distance before having to sit or I will keel over. I'm not quite the epitome of an athlete that I once was, but oh well.

The Maremmas have been great. As Cowboy Roo is now top chicken, he has all but abandoned his flock of sheep to impress the hens. Because he always went out in the big pasture and grazed with the sheep, he feels quite comfortable taking his harem a long way from the henhouse, so Bru and Potamus have had to be extra vigilant making sure no predatory birds can swoop down to snatch one, as well as watch for coyotes, bobcats, cougars and other predators that commonly appear in the pastures...or used to, until the dogs came to work here.

This is Cowboy Roo following his first flock home, last summer.

and now he has his second flock, which is his harem

Roo watching over both of his flocks...

The lower pasture is quite large. The grass is just starting to green  up but the critters are happy to be out anyway. It is so big you cannot see the critters from here. Both big white dogs are by that large creep feeder, the chickens beyond that, the sheep a bit further and the cows at the far end. Yeah, it's a nice size.

I'm looking forward to getting stronger, making soap and baking again. The ducks are finally laying eggs for me and I am anxious to bake something using them as I keep hearing how much loft it brings using duck eggs. Maybe today I can push myself a bit more, although I'm feeling the aftermath of going out to the pasture and doing laundry, but I'll get over it. I've done more than my share of whining since last summer. It's time to put on my big girl pants and jump back into life again.

I'm very excited because at least one of our grandkids will be coming alone to visit for a couple of weeks. She's 11 and a big animal lover so I know she is going to be an enormous help to me. I can hardly wait to go get her. We will get to see at least a few of our other grandkids as well, as I am having my 3 month checkup on the leg when we go. I think the surgeon will be pleasantly surprised at how well I am doing, as there were so many problems and issues with the knee pre-surgery and he kept telling me how hard he had to work on it, but he did an amazing job and I couldn't be happier with it. It straightens, it bends and it holds my weight. It very nearly moves as fast as my other leg so I am beginning to walk like a pro. Pretty soon I hope to be riding as well. I've been unable to use my right hand since October so I cannot lift a saddle or halter Mister, quite yet...but soon, I hope. That is my plan anyway. I also hope to start milking SushiMoo very soon...just as soon as I am sure I can make it to the corral and back every single day, no matter the weather.

I've not  yet done my blog on Cider as it is still hard to think of him without grieving, but I am hoping to have a new puppy by June. I have an English Shepherd puppy reserved, that was just born last week so I am very excited. It will still be a couple of months, but at least I have that to look forward to and I am sure it will keep me busy and entertained, as it grows and learns what I hope to teach him and we hang out together. Until then, I will keep working at getting stronger every day I can and enjoying all the blessings that have been bestowed on me. Here's hoping you all have a fine, fine April!

There's No Place Like Home!

I apologize for being very inconsistent in my blogging …but I have finally returned home and am nearly ready to pick life back up where it left off…almost.

After having my knee replaced, I spent the following six weeks living in a reclining chair in my son and daughter in law's home. I was lovingly cared for, my son Cody bringing me coffee each morning he was home and a plate of dinner each night, when he wasn't gone at work, at the picture above. He works about 80 hours a week, so it's a pretty big deal when he's home. My daughter-in-law (known as a DIL, or Krystal, or Laura for the sake of brevity and a swollen right hand) cared for me most of the time. She is responsible for finally finding a surgeon capable of replacing my big mess of a knee. Every day she gets up early, feeds the kids then races off to work at the hospital where she often has to combat someone crazy in order to do her job, but she comes home each evening to help her older little person, Abby, do homework (I was amazed to see her doing "would, could, know, knee, too, two, to and other trick words in first grade and properly applying them. Most adults aren't that literate these days. I was still a year away from "See Jane Run" when I was in first grade) fix dinner, run two girls to gymnastics, find cuddle time with the very little person, do the dishes, the laundry and get them both showered and into bed…then add me to the mix! My oldest son drove an hour and a half one evening to deliver a care package to help my very upset stomach as I could not eat or keep anything down for days. The care package was lovingly packed by my other DIL, Laura who had just had surgery herself.  Later, when I was a bit better, she drove an hour and a half EARLY in the morning through Tule Fog to take me to Dr appts…TWICE! I don't think I would have done so well without the love of my family. They are the absolute best.

Aside from the fact that they live in the city (in a really nice house) with a "drummer" next door, and I say that loosely as he apparently only knows 3 beats and plays them over, and over and over, day after day after day, a garbage truck that sounds like hurricane force winds and no critters, not cows, chickens or even dogs, it was a good time. The little people entertained me and my almost constant companion, (along with the sitter) 3 yr old Kinley, placed pillows under my leg, brought me ½ glasses of water (so it wouldn't spill) and shared her popcorn and, unfortunately her favorite cartoon with me…several times a day. (I believe I can probably recite every word of Garfield and Micky Mouse clubhouse in my sleep) She is quite taken with TheMan, otherwise known as Papa Randy. He just sits on the couch staring at the TV while she chatters at him and leans against him, and this has won him the highest esteem. Everyday I heard "I like Papa Randy, I LOVE Papa Randy" and so on and so forth. Once he returned to the ranch I assumed it would be MY turn to be popular. One day I told her "Kinley!" She answered "What?" I said "I love you!!" and with a sweet smile she looked at me and said "And 'I' love Papa Randy!"

Another day, Krystal took the girls and I for a pedicure. I was having difficulty getting into the chair and the lady asked "Are you all right??"
To which the older little person replied "She IS 59!" As if that was the root of all my problems. I couldn't stop laughing long enough to get up! I love the way these guys think. The first time I walked without a cane, the littlest little person screamed "LOOK AT GRAMMY KIM!!! SHE'S WALKING!"

I thought "oh, how sweet that she is happy for me!" Then she said "Now she will call Papa Randy and he will HAVE TO COME DOWN!!!"

It was a lot of laughs, a lot of love and finally the Dr told me I could come home, milk my cow, ride my horse when I felt ready and go see the surgeon in 6 more weeks. I missed TheMan and the Maremmas something awful. All the new lambs were born in my absence and the dogs took care of them.

The dogs are great about not only keeping the predators away, but if the ewe doesn't mind, they will often help dry the baby carefully and watch over it while she delivers a twin or triplet. The lambs often cuddle with the dogs or play on or around them and the dogs accept that with grace and patience. There were 7 lambs this year from 4 ewes. One ewe did die from unknown causes when her ewe lamb was only a couple of weeks old so she is on a bottle now. I look forward to going out and watching them play.

Sushimoo is back in and we will be weaning her very soon. The calf will go with the other young calves and I will be milking Sushi. It's been far too long since we have had good raw milk and buying milk products just bugs me no end. I  can't wait to make mozzarella and cream cheese, more ice cream and of course homemade butter!

The hens and ducks are laying eggs and I can't wait to start baking with the duck eggs. I keep hearing how wonderfully light and fluffy baked goods are with them! We'll be eating a lot of egg dishes, as we now have 66 eggs and this far from town I can't exactly gift or sell them.  The ranch cows will start calving in a month or so and that always means leppie calves, so I will be bottle feeding again as soon as my leg and back are stronger. I am looking forward to this spring and summer as I have high hopes for it!

I have a long road to go, but I am on the right road now, healing and getting stronger everyday and it is my hope that I can do all the things I am able to do, and can find a way to get around those things I can no longer do and have them done. Spring will be welcome here, as I am ready for flowers, and color and grass and butterflies. The drought has been just terrible here so we won't be putting the pasture in like we had hoped, or the new fruit trees yet. Maybe next year it will end and we will have a better year.

For now, I will be grateful for all He has done and know I can count on Him for all He will do.

The Ranch Rustics store on Etsy is open again. I will be making and curing soaps and adding them to the list as they are ready to sell. Whipped Tallow is available in Cool Water, Lavender and Bergamot Sandalwood fragrances. Custom fragrance can be made for a small additional cost. Soy wax tarts are available in a variety of fragrances until it gets too warm to ship them.

God bless all and thanks for stopping by!!

Petey