The Kitten Who Lost His Name

This story is about a kitten who was once named Zues.  Zues is the son of our lovely Spooky and our Handsome Tonka. 

Zues didn’t always have that name.  (But more on that later) The name given to him by his mama was “Comfort.”  You see, Zues was a comfort kitten.  He did not use his big ol poly paws to swat his sister or brother, he did not use his big ol poly paws to grab his Mama’s tail.  He planted his big ol poly paws on humoms legs each and every time she came into the room.  When humom picked up the little wide-eyed kitten he would plant his big ol poly paws on her chest, look her square in the eye and say in his little kitten voice

“I am here for you, and I love you.”

 Comfort cat wanted only to love others.  His interest lay solely in the attention of humans.

Comfort cat was special, he played gently with his cunning brother, he out smarted his bully sister and he was always, always, the first one to greet humom when she came in the nursery to check on them.  Comfort cat needed a special home.  Comfort cat needed a home where he could comfort someone.  Someone that needed him.  The first family to ask about him was turned down because they didn’t need him, they wanted a kitten that would rough house on the floor with the kids.  Humom did look dubiously at his sister Spectress for a few moments…and then recommended another breeder that would have just such a kitten.

Spectress

   Humom daydreamed about Zues joining a family that would need him, just as much as he needed a human to comfort.  She pictured a small child in a wheel chair in which Comfort cat would sit upon the lap of the child throughout the day purring in sheer bliss.  Humom imagined Comfort cat with an elderly woman that just wanted to watch a kitten play with the yarn and would watch t.v. with her.  Humom imagined Comfort cat with a small child that was sickly and needed a friend, she envisioned little Comfort cat becoming the child’s constant companion, in the car, at home, on the way to the Doctor, there would be Comfort cat.   Or maybe a rebellious teenager that wore black all the time, and felt very sad inside, and there…would be Comfort cat. 

Tiny Tim Via Pinterest 

Hmm the possibilities were endless.  The second family that called about Comfort cat was a top contender, they had a little girl who wanted more than anything to have a kitten for Christmas.  They were a lovely family, but in the end…they didn’t need Comfort cat.  Comfort cat had to go to a very special home. 

Finally, the call came in, the call for Comfort cat, a young boy that had battled Leukemia wanted nothing less than a Mighty Highlander to call his own for Christmas!  Oh Joy!  This was the family for Comfort cat.  The young boy promptly gave his kitten the Mighty name of “Zues!”  aaah a wonderful name for a Comfort cat, strong, yet understanding.  Yes, Zues was a good name and the deal was sealed!

Humom was quite pleased with herself for holding out for the perfect home for each of the kittens, especially Comfort cat ~ oops ~ I mean the Mighty Zues!

Zues loved his new role, he was anxiously awaiting the day he got to meet his own boy that would love him and he would be able to comfort the boy when needed.  Zues was pleased.

Tragedy!

The bully Spectress swatted Zues right in the eye!  Zues squinted, Zues meowed…Zues smacked her back!  Spectress showed her remorse by attacking Lorenzo.   Humom did the right thing and attended to the right eye of Zues immediately, administering a triple antibiotic ointment to his little eye.  Looking, very, very closely, humom could see the two, very tiny scratches on the eye of Zues.  Ah well, no matter, Zues snuggled down with his Mama Spooky, who licked his head, and Zues kicked his Sister, who meowed at him in complaint and Zues swatted Lorenzo who then jumped on his Sisters head.  Yep, all is well in Highlander land.

Humom continued to administer the ointment to the eye of Zues, and took him to the Veterinarian for a checkup as well.  The veterinarian peered closely at the eye of Zues (who purred up at her happily) and pronounced his eye as healing quite well.  She even commented on his good behavior whilst she did her exam on him.  Zues purred happily at the attention.  Zues was happy to comfort the gentle vet and the smiling humom.  He was so excited to meet his new boy! 

Then there was the moment of the great tragedy, the tragedy when Zues, the Mighty, lost his name

….you see, when humom told the Mother of the boy about the eye of Zues,  and sent a picture to show off to the Mother how very well the eye was healing and how very happy he was at the Veterinarians office…the Mother of the boy changed her mind. 

Picture from the Vets office

 She said she no longer wanted Zues for her boy, not with an injured eye!  Without a boy, the mighty Zues, no longer had his name, you see the name that comes from your special human is given to you straight from the heart.  Zues could no longer be called Zues by a human that would no longer be his. 

Thus, we now have Comfort cat, he is available to comfort the right person in the right home.  He may grow up to have a tiny white spot in his eyes as a reminder of his lost name.  The Veterinarian says that because he is so young, he may not ever have a tiny white spot.  I think he will, I think Comfort cat will carry it with him to show the world that even though he does not look perfect on the outside, his inside is most beautiful thing about him.  Comfort cat will await his new human and his new name with pride and with dignity.  Just know that even if he does have a tiny white spot in his eye, he will still play fetch 2000 times with the little clothe mouse, he will still climb his way up to your lap when you are seated, he will still put his big ol polly paws on your chest, look you square in the eyes and say

“I am here for you, and I love you.”

Comfort Cat 12/12/2015

Do you need a comfort cat?  If so, please contact us and we will be happy to talk to you about our kitten that lost his name. 

Forever Kittens Spooky

Written by: Spooky, Mother of Comfort Cat

Comforts eye today 12/12/2015

Extra Information about Comfort Cat, 
He is a Male Highlander, 
Natural Short Tail
Curled Ears
Poly Toes
His Deposit has been forfeited by the 
former adopter ~ Merry Christmas to his new
family!  This is $200 off of his fee!
He is officially ready for his new home on 
January 3, 2015.  By that time, his eye will most likely show no signs of having ever been scratched. 

How to Catch a Wild Indiana Gate!

When we first spied the wild gate, it was so well camouflaged that we thought it was a large pallet of the of the simple "to carry big things" species.

We crept up to the "pallet"  slowly, so as not to startle it.  It stayed put..imagine our surprise when we noted that it was actually a wild Indiana gate!  A rare native of the land.  A gate of this type is rarely seen, untamed and in the wild.  Sure, once in awhile, we may come across an older wild Indiana gate, a mere shadow of it's former self, but still limping along, or sometimes even a fossil here and there.  This gate was a fine specimen!  Fairly young and spry from the looks of it.

We decided to capture the gate and tame it for ourselves.  The gate hunkered down for a fight, it really hung in there.  Wrapped in branches of old dead trees, and underneath large logs for safety the gate was difficult to move.

Wild Indiana Gate

 We were determined, we brought out the ropes, we lassoed, tied, we tugged, we pulled, and ...finally we subdued the stubborn gate.

We noted a bit of a broken patch that explained why such a young gate was found out in the wild like this.  We think maybe it was a farmers cull from a semi tame herd nearby.  We quickly chose to take him home and patch him up and get to work on taming this wild Indiana Gate.

In the photo below you see the Wild Indiana after his capture, defeated and unharmed, he is ready to get home and begin a new life protecting the soft muzzles of the horses of ...
Windy Hill

The Wild Indiana Gate subdued! 

Saddlebred Remington Update!

Remi has graduated to the next step!

At last blog Remi loaded as into the trailer the very first time with all 4 feet.  Well, he has made some more improvements.  He now loads into the trailer, and we are working on closing the door behind him while he remains calm.

We are also working on Remi loading himself into the trailer.  I don't like to walk into the trailer with a horse.  I prefer that they load themselves.  So, we are working on that now.   He is progressing nicely. See below:

Last but not least, Remi's owner was able to come out and she loaded him into the trailer for the first time herself!  It's one thing to see videos of your horse loading, or to know that someone else is loading him, but it's another thing to load him yourself.  Don't forget, Remi has a personality that  notes every little difference around him.  Different, person, different perfume, different ...anything.   He really needs confidence building and practice, so that's what we are working on with Remington.  Meanwhile, here is the video of Remi loading into the trailer at his owners request!

Yes, he was nervous, but he persevered and his owner remained calm and assured him that he would not be eaten. Thus, he loaded and stayed in the trailer nicely.

**On a side note, yes, I know I am way behind on the blog.  I really am working with Remington on the whole shots thing.  I have footage of him somewhere reacting to a sharp toothpick, in the same manner in which he reacts to a real shot.  Heck, even pinching the skin on his neck causes him trauma.  I will post as soon as possible.

Saddlebred in Training!

Remington Day 4

 Remington is here in training at Windy Hill.  We adore "Remi" as we affectionately call him.  I spell his name (Remi/Remy/ Remie)  ~ it's all the same.  So, if you happen to catch that peculiarity, all hate emails shall be ignored.

Remi was terrified of trailers, I mean, really, really frightened.  To the point of breaking into a cold sweat and tying up just because he is close to one! 

Getting Remi in a trailer to actually get here was a night mare.  When the trembling Remi arrived here and unloaded from the trailer he was off his feed for three days.  Remi was scared.

I knew we would have our work cut out for us.

On Day one of his training my goal was simply to get him within 6 feet of the trailer without having a nervous breakdown.

By day 3 I had him touching the trailer with his nose comfortably and then walking away.   I used the Parelli touch game for this.

Here you see him below touching the trailer.  His owner and I were thrilled with his progress!

I was so happy to send the above video to Remi's owner!  In only three days, he had progressed from nervous wreck to trailer toucher!  Hurray for Remi!

Remi Day 6, he has his face in the trailer!! 

I know it doesn't seem like much for a horse to have his face in the very, very end of the trailer, but for Remi this was a really big step.  He spent days 4 and 5 eating just outside of the trailer.  This was only after a rousing game of touch the trailer for about 10 minutes first.  He wouldn't even consider eating near the trailer if I had not played touch the trailer first.

                                                                  ~ baby steps~

Days 7-10 eating with his head AND neck in the trailer!

Remy was breifly stuck at this point in regards to his comfort level.  He would rather walk away and not eat at all than to put even ONE foot in the trailer.  So, listening to the horse, I allowed him to eat this way for 3 days, each day asking him to juuust come a little further and gauging my next move based on his reaction.  This work was down twice a day, every day.  Starting first with touch the trailer, until on day 10 Remi ignored my request to touch the trailer and just calmly ate his meal.  I asked him to come forward and put one foot in the trailer.... Remi declined.

Day 11

 On day 11, we started out as normal with just head and neck in the trailer.  However, this time when I moved the food back a little bit further, instead of walking away...Remi did this ~

Remi stepped into the trailer!! Both front feet! 

And Calmly back out when he was finished eating! 

I was thrilled with this great leap of faith from Remi!

                                ~ Then the vet came~ 
Remi has to be the most observant horse I have ever met.  He watches everything.  He is always very interested in what the humans are doing.  He knows what is going on at all times.  When the red vet truck pulled up he promptly took himself to the very farthest reaches of the pasture.  How did he even know?  I can only presume vet trucks carry with them a certain "vet smell" that horses can pick up on.

I explained to the vet that the first time I had wormed Remi, I worked with him for over an hour in order to get him to accept worming without too much protest.  I further explained that I normally give my own vaccinations, however Remi was against that idea to the point of being dangerous.  The vet was very kind and worked with Remi for a good 35 minutes to get the 2 shots administered to Remi ~ this after being knocked over twice!  Remi's owner had really wanted Remi's teeth looked at, however Remi was having none of that!  Suffice it to say, it was a very traumatic experience for Remi.  Over the next few days, Remi regressed back to the horse that wouldn't step into a trailer even if you had baked apple surprise laid out on a buffet for him.

                                           ~I listened to the horse ~ 
In my years of training horses, so many people have commented that it just "takes so long" and "Why don't you just put him in the trailer already!"  I know there are many different ways to train a horse to trailer load.  In the case of Remi, due his great fear based on bad experiences he has had in the past with trailers, I chose to train him to trailer load the same way I do the mustangs straight off the range.  Yes, it does sometimes take a long time.  However, when I am finished with Remi, he will be more than happy to walk onto a trailer at any time ~ without the food as a reward ~ 

Fast Forward to Day 18

I worked with Remi every day, twice a day, concentrating on  getting him more and more comfortable with the trailer.  

After going through the different hills and valleys that are really part of training any horse, Day 18 proved to be a major breakthrough for Remi!

See the Video below!

I am so proud of him!  I have more work to do with Remi's trailer loading.  The final goal is to have Remi loading himself into the trailer and waiting patiently for the bar to be put up and the door to be closed.  We still have some work to do, but I am 100% confident in his ability to be a trailer loading champion!

Remi's owner loves to trail ride ~ Remi was newly obtained July 15th and she hopes to have him trailer ready prior to the end of trail riding season.  She even plans to take him all the way to Florida this winter!  Based on this information, I want Remi to love the trailer.  

I love a hot blooded horse with some interesting quirks to fix!  Remi is right up my alley!  His other issues include:

• A huge ~ dangerous aversion to shots ~ anything shot like and all pokey things in general
• Any kind of pressure on the crest of his neck or pole
• Anything that looks like wormer anywhere near his face.

I intend to get Remi's normal "before" reactions on video and keep you updated as we go along.  I have already missed a little bit of the before part, as I have begun working with him on these things already.  I shall get his reactions on film ASAP!

~ As a trainer I feel it is really important to get "points" of progress on film, or in someway documented.  The biggest reason is because, quite often from the owners perspective, it appears that the animal has not made any progress, or that it is taking too long.  I never push the horse beyond his mental, physical, or emotional ability to comply with the desired action.  I DO push the horses boundaries, but I never push beyond.  It's a fine line.  

All you see here...

This is Tonka ~ his official name is "Exotic Sweetspots Tatonka of Forever Kittens Cattery."  We call him "Tonka"

Tonka future stud

Now, when Tonka first arrived, Mooshi ~ our tomato loving Persian stud took Tonka aside and explained how things worked around here.  This is the way it went down.

Mooshi, Persian Stud

**When the young upstart boy Tonka arrived, I Mooshi of the valley (as I like to call myself)  explained to the muscled teenager how things worked around here.  I believe in love and romance and kindness to others.  I pointed out all the lovely highlander ladies here, with the curled ears and short, shiny, fur, and cute little bob tails.  I pointed to my short legged, and smiling and playful Napoleon/Minuette wife and said

"All you see here is mine, everything that the light touches is mine."

Tonka had the grace to nod wisely in a manner that belied his young age.

I then pointed to the shadowed area in the deeper recesses of the house...in the hazy grey area a form could be seen, almost blending perfectly with the surroundings...in that corner was my wife of an arranged marriage....the great "Pinky"

Pointing in that direction, I said "See over there?"

Tonka replied with that purring, chirping noise that Highlanders make.

"That's Pinky, Pinky is yours"

The lovely Pinky

Tonka purred.  Pinky flicked her tail in annoyance.

It seems that all is well in studom so far, humom has locked up all of my beautiful Highlanders, away from both myself and Tonka, stating that they  have had enough babies for now.  My sweet wife Cheesy is also away from me, though I know she pines for my presence.  All that is left here is myself, Pinky and Tonka.

I don't spray, Tonka doesn't spray and Pinky speaks to no one but humom.  I hope it continues in this vain.

Humom insists that despite my love for curled ears and short tails Tonka is the chosen husband for the Highlander girls.  HA!  Has she learned nothing from my own arranged marriage to the beautiful and elusive Pinky?   Surely she knows that this shall never work!  In my peace loving and quiet way, I have made overtures towards Pinky with her silky fur and flicking tail, I have even been so bold as to visit her in her place of shadows.  All of this has been for naught.  I have cried the cry of many a Persian King for Pinky, she simply turns her golden eyes my way and answers with her voice of silver a plaintive "Have you seen humom today?"

Pinky's story of how she is very much the Queen of our Kingdom despite her disdain at the thought of producing a heir for the stunning Persian race is for another time.

This is the story of Tonka and I sharing the Kingdom here as reining studs.  It seems that Tonka and I are of like-ilk.  He is friendly and loving as am I.

Tonka has turned his nose up at the tomato of friendship I offered him.  I was offended at first, until he offered me the bath of friendship (in humoms tub) ~ there are some things that Highlanders and Persians just won't agree upon.  I don't mind a bath from humom, in fact at times I find it enjoyable, but unlike the Highlanders, I most certainly won't hop in the water anytime it's running!

Where I am laid back and ultra passive, Tonka is laid back and very, very friendly.   Sometimes we have a game of chase or cuddle, but mostly we take turns sleeping and purring.  He purrs even more than I do.  I am sure, when he gets older, he will share his view of our Windy Hill.

Brimi, Persian/ Highlander play

This is Brimi, he is son of Winnifred AKA Polly and Mooshie.  He has Mooshies purr>love>flop personality perfectly balanced with Polly's get into everything and steal all the toys from the other cats personality!    His very favorite toy is the one you see him playing with here.



Brimi is available for adoption at Forever Kittens Cattery

When to GIVE UP!

When to Give Up!

….and how was your Saturday?   Today at 7:30 a.m. I awoke to my dog whining to go out.  Nothing unusual about that.  I do what I always do in the morning and take a head count of the horses…

            They all missing… wait…no, the old mare Sugar is still here, and donkey is at the end of the driveway.  Remington who is temporarily stationed in the round pen neighs his disapproval as I take Sugar away from him. Both Donkey and Sugar are rewarded generously with treats and grain as I lock them up after moving the riding lawn mower out of the barn isle. This of course,was done in true Windy Hill fashion, riding lawn mower got stuck on the edge of the door three times before I was able to get it out of the barn isle successfully.

         Sugar is put in a stall and Donkey is put with Mystical Magic and my little black cart pony in the open area of the barn.  

      I note that Mystical Magic and Pony have knocked the gate off of the hinges.  I blame Magic.  **Note to self** fix gate after retrieving horses. 

            I trudge upstairs and look out all of the windows, as they give me a great view of everything that is around me.

no horses in this direction

no horses in this direction

no horses in this direction either

horses?  Nope

no horses here

 I see no horses.

I get in the car that has the bad (something or other mechanical that makes it so I can’t drive the car)

I have to take the car because when I find the horses, I don’t know how I am going to lead one out the window and drive a stick shift.  The car in an automatic, and I will be driving very, very slowly.

The gas tank reads empty.  I pray it lasts long enough to get the horses.

Realize I forgot a halter and lead rope. 

Stop car, leave it running (chastise myself for leaving car running on an empty tank)

Find halter and lead rope, and get back in the car.

Drive around looking for horses.

Text mechanic asking if he would like to help put up a fence today.

No response.

Text my friend Traci and let her know all the horses are out.

  Assure her that her horse is safe in round pen.

Traci tells me to call mechanic. 

Continue to look for horses.  Finally find them peacefully grazing in the neighbor’s yard.

Neighbors cars are all there, neighbors are conspicuously absent from scene when I knock on the door in hopes of pleading for help. 

Chalk it up as par for the course.

All horses are looking at me, ears perked, bodies poised for running away.  Except Silky, she looks at me with her soft eyes and puts her head down and comes to me.

I praise her greatly and silently wish I had a treat for her.

I put the halter on her and head for the car.  I then put the lead rope through the window and I drive at zero miles an hour towards home leading ever-faithful Silky out the window.

Silky out the window as we drive zero miles an hour

I thank God it is not midnight in January in a sleet storm this time. 

The other horses watch doubtfully.  I tell Piper to “come on” because he seems to be the one who is most concerned with this odd sight.

Piper canters to catch up with Silky and the car, calling to the others to follow.  The others follow, except Lila, she continues eating.  I continue to drive.

Piper stops.  I stop, Silky stops.  Piper neighs again at Lila, Lila slowly begins walking our way.

I thank Piper and God.

I note that there are no cars on the road and thank God for that also.

Horses following car and Silky, Piper in the lead

I receive an interesting text from my son that says “were you chasing Donkey this morning?”  I respond that I am chasing them all right now.

No response.

I distractedly wonder if my phone is on the fritz.  I shake the phone slightly.  No response.

Continue driving at zero miles per hour stopping when Silky gets too far behind.

Princess neighs, and look in my rear view mirror to see that Princess has stopped and is heading back the other way. 

Horses in the rear view mirror

Decide to get Princess on a second trip.  Tell Piper that one of his girls has escaped the herd.  Piper looks back and neighs at Princess. 

I look in the rear view mirror and see that Princess has gathered the wayward Lila and is bringing her at a full gallop back to the car. 

Piper nods with approval and we carry on.

The home stretch ~ we are going up the driveway!

Once we have arrived at the barn, I decide to put Silky and Sahir in the remaining two stalls, knowing that Piper and Lila will not stand for such things.

I turn around to see a human exiting an SUV. 

“Would you like some help?!”  She asks.

I want to grovel at her feet with gratitude. 

I restrain myself and say  “I would love some help”

She introduces herself as “Tracy”

I find out that she is a neighbor from one road over.  She also has horses.

**Tracy’s are good people, I have never met a Tracy I didn’t like.  I have firmly decided that I shall one day marry a Tracy.  Michaels are good people too, if ever meet someone named Michael Tracy or Tracy Michael I shall propose on the spot!  If I am rejected, there is always Rohypnol.****

 

We get the stall horses put in stalls and I decide to put Piper, Princess and Lila in the round pen with Remington.

Silky, Sahir and Sugar in stalls

I open the gate and Princess walks in immediately. 

I take Piper next because he has been following me around begging to be haltered.

I halter him, I take him to the round pen.  He touches noses with Remington and squeals and strikes out, getting his foreleg stuck in the bars of the round pen. He panics and pulls back on the round pen, Remington panics and runs out of the round pen. 

Princess remains in the round pen. 

After a quick once over to ensure myself that Piper is unharmed, I put him in the round pen with Princess.

Remington is contentedly eating grass with Lila.  They trot happily down the driveway towards the road. 

My new found friend Tracy (with a “Y”) and I follow, chatting amicably. 

Remington realizes that he has never gone that far, screeches to a halt in an admirable sliding stop, turns on his haunches with finesse, and canters to the barn, Lila trailing behind.  (I saw her roll her eyes at him)

Tracy and I exchange phone numbers while the horses traipse about the yard joyfully stopping to grab a bite of grass upon occasion.

Lila decides she has played enough and comes to me asking to be haltered.  I don’t bother haltering her, as I don’t have one handy. *note to self, take halters off the horses in the round pen.*   I place a rope around her neck and put her in the round pen.

Remington follows, with grass hanging out of his mouth. (Like mother like son.) 

Piper charges the fence at Remington, ears pinned and teeth bared, pouncing on his front legs in a cat like motion.

Tracy and I decide that Remington does not need to be in the round pen. 

We say our good-byes and I thank her profusely again.  She smiles and nods, and lets me know that she will keep an eye out for my horses in the future.

I call Traci (with an “I”) ~Remington’s owner ~ and let her know the continued saga.  She suggests putting Remington in the mini pasture next the round pen. 

A splendid idea!

The first thing Remington did is go to the lowest portion of fence, hand his head over the edge and eat the grass on the other side. 

Remington reaching over the fence

I sent Traci a photo. 

Remington looked directly at me and then chose to back away from the low part of the fence and eat in the pasture.

Fix sagging fence with a likely looking piece of wood and fiber glass post.  Decide it will work temporarily. 

I decide Remington is content, and send Traci another photo of his Royal contentedness.

Contented Remington

With a big sigh I realize there is more to do.

 ~ and to think, I wanted to sleep in today…perhaps catch up on the house cleaning, hang a few pictures.  Maybe go for a nice horseback ride in the afternoon.

I text the mechanic letting him know that I found the horses.

No response. 

I then proceed to try to fix the gate that Pony and Donkey have taken off the hinges.

Not quite....

Fail.

Figure one hinge is good enough, put a heavy tote in front of the gate and latch the other side. 

Shrug in semi-approval.

Mystical Magic knocks over full water bucket kicking at Donkey and Pony.

Attach hose to spigot and go about getting water for everyone.

Donkey, Pony and Mystical Magic in open area

Note that Remington is happily grazing just outside the round pen and Piper is herding the mares to the opposite end of the round pen away from Piper. 

Remington outside the round pen

Send photo of Remington to Traci (with an “I”)

Ensure that all creatures have food and water.  This goes off without a hitch.  Thank God for that.

Piper pinning his ears at Remington

The Rest of the day is as follows:

     Determine I am going to put up the fence today.

            Call the mechanic ~ he’s a friendly sort, maybe he will help.

            Mechanic doesn’t answer (I think he is on to me)

            Glare accusingly at horses. 

Back the pick up truck up to the barn. 

Note that riding mower is in the way.  Get out of truck, move lawn mower, mowing a cheerful circle as a go.  Why not?  It’s fun, may as well have a good attitude about this whole adventure. 

Mighty Mower

Look at goofy mowed circle and laugh to myself.

Get back in pick up truck and back up to barn…

Note that truck slides a little in the mud near the barn.

Wonder if this is going to be a problem in the field.

Put T-posts in the back of the pick up.  Note that the T-posts are tied together with a tough plastic.

Pride myself on realizing I should grab a pocket knife.  (Think ahead, plan things out)  I smugly grab the mini scythe we use to open hay bales. It came with the farm, I’m sure it is a good luck piece.

Place all the posts in the back of the pickup, stop by the mini pen to grab post-pounder.  Leave the post hole digger there.

Drive pickup into field…slide all over the place.  * Note to self, I really need to get the 4 wheel drive in this thing fixed prior to winter.

Thank God it is not 90 degrees outside or raining. 

Get the truck parked.  Pray that I can get it out of the field when I am finished.

Reach for the first fence post telling myself how self-sufficient and independent I am.  Who needs the mechanic when I can do it myself?!

Cut my finger on the sharp edge of the T-post.  (Pride commeth before a fall)

Try to be tough and ignore the blood streaming from my finger.  Take the post to the spot I have chosen and realize my finger really hurts, and putting a fence in with a one finger held out is stupid.

Roll my eyes and walk back to the house to get gloves. 

Dig through winter clothes bin until I find suitable gloves.  Try to put them on.

Realize I need a band aid for cut finger.  Put on band aid, proceed with gloves.

*** back at the fence

Notice that the weeds are quite bad and chastise myself that if I am going to “do something, I need to do it right”

Trudge back up to the barn to get newly purchased super weed eater.  

Glare accusingly at horses.  (Pretty sure Sahir was laughing at me)

Note that the barn door had been left open when I picked up the weed eater and poured copious amounts of water out of it. 

Sigh heavily and pray to God that the weed eater starts.  Weed eater doesn’t start.

Pray again, and this time promise to feed a starving child in New guinea for a month for less than cup of coffee a day if the damn weed eater starts.

Weed eater starts…begin calculating how much it is to feed a starving child in New guinea.  Slyly begin making excuses about how I can’t really  feed a starving child in New Guinea…. Weed eater sputters….recalculate how much it is to feed a starving child in New Guinea.

Weed eat a few weeds on the way to the fence line. 

Find my best halter in the yard.  Pick up halter, hang it over shoulder.

Reach truck, put halter in truck.

Reach fence line, take care of the weeds in the immediate area.  Note that some of the weeds are trees. 

Ponder if trees will short hot wire out?

Decide to move on.  Plant a few fence posts in the ground in the spots I would like to have them.

Note that Remington has left the pasture he was put in to investigate what I am doing with the fence. 

Wonder where Remington managed to get out of fence.

Wish that I had my phone to take a photo of my horse helper.

Decide to trudge back up and get my phone and a drink of water.

Thank God again that it is not raining or 90 degrees.

Note the storm clouds rolling in.

Ponder if I can afford to feed a child for two months.

Decided to let it play out for awhile.

Upon fetching phone and water send text to Remington’s owner to ask if a tool for tree cutting had been left here.

Remington acting as chief fence inspector

Send photo of Remington in the field with me.

No response

Realize she is most likely calling all of her horsey friends in hopes of finding a new abode for Remington. 

Look for tool again.  Fail to find it.  Shrug shoulders and go back out to the fence.

Realize I left my gloves in the house.

Shrug shoulders and begin planting posts again.

 

Pinch hand between post pounder and post.

  Curse mechanic and wish for gloves.

Shrug and move on deciding that nothing more should happen to hands as I have already injured both. 

Thank God I am at least wearing muck boots.

Step in deep mud and water; realize I have a hole in muck boots.

Continue planting posts to the squish, squish sound of right boot.

 

Remington laughs out loud at me whilst standing in a dry spot several feet away. 

I roll my eyes and continue.

On a happy note, I found a wild raspberry bush!  I ate a handful for sustenance. 

Wild Raspberry Bush

~ I hope I don’t get bird flu or some other weird bird disease from eating them without washing them ~

I get far enough down the fence line that it is time to move the truck and plant more posts.

Trusty old pick up revs to life…

Stupid old pick up is stuck.

Stupid old truck is stuck

Doesn't look stuck does it? 

Text mechanic whilst wondering how much a case of beer costs to bribe him with.  No answer…(he really is on to me )

Curse mechanic again, and try to move truck again. 

            Fail

Curse truck, mechanic, and ex room-mate.

With a heavy sigh, I pick up T-Post and carry it to the next spot down the line. 

Return to bed of pick up for fence post pounder.

Go on in this manner until all posts are planted.

Posts planted

Return fence post pounder to bed of pick up tripping on fence wire along the way ~ twist 
ankle, and thank God I didn’t fall on something sharp.

Realize that I need about 30 more T-posts to make a fence. 

Pray that truck will get unstuck.  Attempt “rocking” truck out of mud. 

Remington laughs, the other horses line up in the round pen to watch curiously.  Lady Lila has hay hanging out of her mouth while she watches. 

I wonder if they are rooting for me.

Pray again, this time promising to feed a starving child in New Guinea for two months.  Truck stalls out.  (I guess HE is onto me also)   Pray one more time, promising that I really mean it. 

Truck starts.  Calculate the price of a cup of coffee for two months.  Wonder if it can be cheap coffee.  Truck remains stuck. 

Pray again, stating that I will pay gourmet coffee prices! 

Truck rocks forward encouragingly and dies.

Curse truck, mechanic, ex room-mate, broken car, twisted ankle and both hurt hands.

Remington laughs again, other horses have gone back to hay eating. 

Curse Remington and other horses.

Feel guilty and pray for forgiveness.

Attempt to get truck unstuck again, reiterating my promise of gourmet coffee prices.  Truck cheerfully comes to life and rocks forward encouragingly and does not move.  Try reverse, truck rocks backward, and does not move.

Do this dance several more times with Remington and other horses watching on.

Give up, grab phone and water and trudge inside the house to the squish, squish, squish of my right boot.

Note the spot where fence is down indicating where Remington got out of the pasture I put him in.  Ponder his decision to become the chief fence inspector and comedy back up while I planted posts. 

Wonder which horse I shall choose to ride to the store for supplies.  I eye Remington thoughtfully…. Finally settle on Silky.  Contemplate taking pony and cart to store for supplies instead.

Upon entering the house notice that Karma has gotten into the trash (she was still playing with it when I walked in)

Notice that Doom in sleeping in the living room on the forbidden couch. 

I don’t even bother to curse the dogs.

I clean up the trash, get the dog off the couch, and thank God I have a sheet over that couch because there is mud all over it.  Resolve to wash the sheet.

Look at the phone and wonder if I should call mechanic again. 

Ponder how long it will take me to ride a horse to mechanics house.  Wonder how much beer I can carry with me on the horse.

Wish I had beer. 

Send photo of Remington to Traci.  Text her that my truck is stuck in pasture.

Traci texts me to say she will bring out tree cutting tool tomorrow.

I eye the cold coffee in the coffee pot and decide it’s not even worth the effort.

Text Traci to tell her my truck is stuck in pasture.

Traci’s response:

“lol!”

I have to admit, it is pretty funny.

Tracy advises that I should stash a case of beer in the basement for mechanic required emergencies!

She has a point.

Another typical day at Windy Hill.

All horses are safe and secure and accounted for.  I am going to take a nap and hope that nothing goes wrong in the meantime.