Back At It!

Judi and I have just about used up our days off. We had a great day today as we worked at bringing in the last few loads of this winter's firewood. We fell about a dozen (standing dead) trees and then bucked them up. Judi operated the splitter and I split and loaded about 8 cords. We burned up all the branches and debris. With the autumn colors in full displayand the aromatic smell of fresh cut wood, intermingled with the smoke smell I thought I was in heaven.

On Tuesday Art picked my horse and I up and we rode all day bringing in a neighbors cattle. I love this area. Four of us on horse back brought in several hundred head and sorted them for the liners to transport. Funny... some folk dream of a vaction a broad, but not this guy. I get such a charge out of brush popping cattle and spending time in the saddle. My horse although very green is starting to get some "cow sense". It is neat to see him coming along.

We are without a doubt, blessed!

Happy Anniversary Judi!

Wild and free, and lots of fun.
She wasn’t even twenty-one,
It don’t seem that long ago,
I married a pretty Miss I’d met,
at a Kid’s camp in Ontario.
Now I never was no handsome dude,
And she was pretty as can be,
So I suppose her friends was wonderin,
Just what she saw in me!
She’s been by my side ever since,
Through the good times, wrecks and tears.
Somehow it don’t seem possible,
We’ve been married thirty three years.
While I’ve gained some weight and lost some hair,
She’s still pretty as can be,
And I’ve spent thirty three years a wonderin’
Just what she sees in me!

A Servants Bell

Tho this cowboy's life is a livin' rage,

and his lovely wife he lives to please.
There lurks inside of him a little boy,

Who dearly loves to tease.
Now on a recent trip to town,

the logic of his purchase, I really couldn't tell.
But you could see the devil in his eyes,

when he found this Servants Bell.

Now a Servants Bell is what rich folks use,
when calling their servants to fill their every need.
Why they're suppose to fetch and carry,

or even groom the masters steed.
Well this cowboy bought that tinklin' bell,

and headed for the ranch.
And pondered on the benefits,

if this bell should work perchance.
Now his wife she is a pleasant gal,

and she doesn't mind his tease.
Ya see she loves her scruffy cowboy,

and does her best to please.
Well, . . . The details of this story, . . .
I really don't think I want to tell.
"Cause things didn't work quite out the way

they were suppose to, when he rang his little bell.

But there is one thing that I can tell you,
and that is that we hope that someday doctors

may find some cures. To explain why he jingles when he walks,

'cause he does it without spurs.

Rudy Gonzales Cowboy Poetry

What's Up With Gracie?

What Gracie has: Angular Limb Deviation (ALD) is seen most commonly in young foals and is defined as a deviation from the normal axis of the limb in the frontal plane. There are two general terms used to describe the deviation. Valgus refers to a lateral deviation of the limb distal (below) the point of the deformity. Varus refers to a medial deviation of the limb distal to the point of the deformity. The most common deviation (as in Gracie’s case) seen in young foals is a lateral deviation which originates at the level of the carpus (knee), known as carpus valgus.

There are a few options, most are very expensive. We are checking into the next steps for Gracie’s future. At this point, although I am a very positive person it does not look very bright for her. We will keep you informed.

What man is a man who doesn’t change for the better, the world he lives in?

Reflecting on this statement I am compelled to say that not only do I personally strive to live this, I am fortunate to have friends with the same mind set. Today that was proven more than once. My “world” (circle of life) was strengthened today. First, by my friend Art Harfman. As some of you may know I had a wreck last year on “Jazz”, a horse I was breaking. Besides a bruised ego, and few sore bones I also I ended up with a fear of riding that I couldn’t seem to shake. In my stressed out mind only my old Quarter Horse “Bud” was safe. Earlier this year I bought a very well bred Foundation Quarter Horse. He is an incredible dun gelding, but only ground broke. I saved and saved and finally sent him to Rod Lewis a trainer Art recommended. When I went to get him Rod showed me the results and I was amazed. Rod had put an incredible “stop” on him. Yet I was real antsy about throwing a leg over. I took him home and rode about ten minutes. Koda was great, but I was… well I was nervous. My confidence level was low. A short while later our friend Coralee (excellent horse person) was down for a few days and she put a few hours on him and even got me riding a bit. But in the back of my minded was this cloud of apprehension. Day before last Art called and asked me to go on a round-up. He sort of asked me, but it was more of a convincing me to ride Koda on this cattle round-up. I wavered in my going or not going…. But like the friend he is he persevered and along with Judi’s push (even though it was her birthday) I finally went (I thought it was my idea). Those two are good!

Well, today I conquered my fear. I still have respect, you need that, but I’m over my hesitation. Koda was great! Six to seven hours in the saddle, brush popping cattle can work wonders for both your confidence and your horse.

Then to top off the day (Judi’s birthday) a dear friend of ours, Trevor dropped by with a card and flowers for Jude. Wow, we were almost in tears. Thoughtfulness is a gift! So to all of you who have changed our lives for the better ….. THANK YOU!