Mancos Mule MJ

Happy Birthday Maddie May

2011-11-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

It's been one year since we brought this scruffy mutt into our home and our lives.

It's now HER home, and she allows us to share it with HER!

Maddie May ...

somewhere around 4 years old today!

Dog & Horse Time

2011-09-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

I had time for my own dog today.

We took a short walk

and then after the barn chores

we tossed the purple Frisbee

before heading for the shade.

The flies have been really bad here this summer.

Maybe it's because of the humidity and heat.

Poor old Rhettly horse has really been bothered

but even with all the bumbs and itching

he has managed to remain cheerful.

Here's the new rescued pup.

It's taken two days of transporting

veterinarian visits

and finding a foster home

but just look at this cute face.

I think he's going to make somebody a great little dog!

Rescued, Fostered & Home Again

2011-08-06T17:57:00.000-07:00

It's been a month since my last post and even then the posts were few and far between.
I have been volunteering much of my time helping one of our local humane societies. I believe that saving just one dog will not change the world, but it will change the world for that dog. I have taken on the task of answering calls from people who can no longer keep their dog, have found a dog, or have lost their dog. Believe me when I say that all my dog calls, and all the stories I hear, do not have happy endings. Those stories, I will not talk about. Instead I would like you to meet the faces of the dogs that have recently been rescued, found foster homes, and finally found a new permanent home. All very happy ending stories, and today, with all the turmoil in our lives and in this world, we can certainly use a story,or eight, with a happy ending.

Sally

Rex

Cedar

PeeWee

Duke

Sampson

Bear

and last,

but not least,

Penny

Flag Day, June 14th

2011-06-14T11:55:00.000-07:00

Maddie sporting her colors!

The Big Fuzzy Wet Blur

2011-06-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

Two big surprises on our hike today. 1.) The cows have arrived for their summer grazing, and 2.) we (Maddie) ran into a shocked Dachshund. I've never seen a dog with short little legs run so fast, and all Maddie wanted to do was say HI! Unfortunately, in my trying to get on with our hike I didn't not stop to take photos of either new encounter.

This has been the hike that we have been taking since the weather has turned for the better here in SW Colorado. It is a great hot-weather hike because of the irrigation ditch that meanders through the forest. It's a good source for a dog that likes water to cool her shaggy body in, and then that same dog takes huge pleasure in shaking all over the person who is with her ... me. Very refreshing indeed!

Here is a small sampling of our many water crossings this morning.

Maddie is in constant motion and she loves to run and move very fast! Here she's getting ready to dive into the irrigation ditch. The routine also calls for her to then run past me at lightening speed just to make sure that I know how cold the water is this time of year. (snow melt cold)

Bridges are for sissies!

I tried to take a photo of her crossing this little foot bridge, but she jumped it. See her tail feathers in the bottom right hand corner and no wet paw prints on the bridge?

Here's the Big Fuzzy Wet Blur blazing the trail (or blazing up the trail - I'm not really sure).

A brief moment of almost stillness, and believe me when I say that, it's practically killing her. Too much to see and sniff to just be sitting here to get her Big Fuzzy Wet photo taken.

This is Maddie checking to make sure I'm coming. It's not exactly like I'm a slow walker, but no way was I designed to keep up with the Big Fuzzy Wet Blur!

They say it with their EYES.

2011-04-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

NO WORDS NECESSARY!

Walking the Dog

2011-03-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

One country block. A little over 4 miles.

It's a fairly straight-forward loop ... At a good walking pace that is,

but in the eyes and the ears of a dog, there's just too much to see and do!

Who came to visit?

Here's the sum of the pieces ...

Our big neighbor Bert.

And we can NEVER pass a good gopher hole ...

Okay, so he wasn't home! Better luck next time.

Maddie getting the evil-eye from the neighborhood girls.

Here's our valley looking north toward the La Plata Mts.

See the red roofs between the two trees?

That's home!

We're half way there.

And even with ALL the stopping to smell the gophers,

it only took us an extra 15 minutes!!!!

Wordless Wednesday Woofs

2011-03-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

BIG WOOFS

Just Chuckit

2011-03-17T12:07:00.000-07:00

A few photos taken of my friends here at MANCOS MULE!

Rhett & Polly

Sharing Tuesday morning turnout and breakfast.

Mad Maddie May

Learning to play with the chuck-it stick and her Chuck-it BALL.

Then taking a break on the last of the melting snow.
ALL brand-new experiences for the silly dog!

Adopt A Shelter Animal

2011-03-15T11:48:00.000-07:00

I know that I'm singing to the choir here,

but today is Adopt the Internet Day

and NOTHING melts my heartstrings like the face of a shelter dog !

Here is just

ONE Shelter

MANY faces ago

and ALL were looking for a New Home.

Rub-a-dub-dub

A dog in a tub...

Spiffing up and

hoping to smell good

for YOU ??

Adopting one animal will NOT change the world,

But it will change the world for that animal!

ADOPT A SHELTER ANIMAL

More Snowshoeing with Maddie

2011-02-22T13:44:00.000-08:00

Wish that I had big fluffy feet like Maddie,

then I wouldn't need to wear snowshoes either!

What's taking so long, Let's go ............. Let's go !

Ready ...

Set ...

And ACTION......

WOOOOOOO!

Snowshoeing with Maddie

2011-02-14T13:13:00.000-08:00

If you didn't blink

there was a very brief moment

caught before Maddie gallops off

in search of some unsuspecting rodent ....

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

from all of Maddie's friends here at Mancos Mule!

Redemption Song | Playing For Change

2011-02-08T13:06:00.000-08:00

Just felt like sharing a song today.
Hope you enjoy it!
Memories of ... Bob Marley ... some things never change!

Our Unhelpful Help

2011-01-31T07:05:00.000-08:00

BEING HELPFUL ...

Is sometimes

in the eyes

of the

BE-HELPER

My Morning, Revisited

2011-01-27T13:43:00.000-08:00

It was a beautiful morning.
It was cold, but not too cold.
Sunny, but not at all windy.
All and all, a perfect day
to do my daily barn chores,
and then walk the dog.
I have finally learned to juggle
the leash, the camera,
and this new dog!

The dog, by the way, has not had her bath yet.
It's been too cold, so she gets brushed and then goes for a good roll in the snow. Anyway, that seems to be working, at least until the muddy season hits. Hopefully by then it'll be warm enough to soap her up and give her the scrubbing that she has earned!

So, here's my morning in photos.
I decided that it's about time to show my blogging friends that life goes on...
Same place,
same daily chores,
different DOG ... but as you would guess,
she's starting to grow on us.

Maddie watching the neighbor's cat!

Not sure she'll ever be trusted leash-free.

Polly from muzzle to rear

Rhett from muzzle to rear

Good Morning Rhett

Chow's down

Cleaned stalls and shut doors

Polly patiently waits until the coast is clear and clean ...

and then lets fly with a steaming-hot new pile for me!

The barn winter ready ...

Blankets off and time for the "DOG WALK"

Let me add that on a day like today, I enjoy it more than she does.

So, It's OFF we go ...

Gloves, leash, dog, camera and away we go...

Ending with a treat for the birds

and one for the DOG.

This and That

2011-01-16T10:31:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we took the dog for a Red rock walk and came home with mud all over, so today may be BATH DAY! I'll let you know how THAT turns out, and we'll see who gets the bath!

We also finished the hardwood floor in the kitchen yesterday. The tricky part was getting the refrigerator out and up onto the new floor without the help of an 800 pound gorilla! It took a little ingenuity and time. Now it's on to baseboard and kick plate building.

What do you get when you mix a muddy dog with a new floor?

You quickly try to teach a new word ...

STAY!

I'll let you know how THAT works out!

ONE BOARD AT A TIME

2011-01-11T13:22:00.000-08:00

RECIPE FOR A NEW KITCHEN FLOOR

Take and mix together:

1 cold winter weekend
1 husband with woodworking skills
1 less-than-helpful dog
AND ME (THE WIFE) to organize!!!

What do you get?

Almost a new kitchen floor.

One more weekend

and it's a wrap,

a done deal,

Fine'!

One more weekend ... a real floor!

and then just finishing touches.

It's a New ...

2011-01-01T14:59:00.000-08:00

It's a new ...

Day.

It's a new ...

Dawn.

It's a new ...

Year!

What a difference a Day makes...

2010 2011

Seasonal Greetings

2010-12-19T13:44:00.000-08:00

"MULETIDE GREETINGS"

And they say

that you can't teach a NEW DOG OLD TRICKS ....

Maybe they are right?

O.1 O.2

O.3 O.4

O.5 O.6

O.7 OH WELL

May Your Holiday

Be Merry & Bright

from all of us here at

Mancos-Mule-MJ

Pick the Correct Personality

2010-12-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, let's see if any of you can guess this dog's personality just by looking at a few photos? It's not a contest, it's just for the fun of it.

We think, that after living with this dog for a month now, that she might be a Lab-Terrier mix of some kind or a "Somekinda" Terrier? What??? So if any of you have Terriers of any kind I'm in need of all the help and/or advise we can get!

Here are a few recent photos ... of the Maddie May our new/older "Somekinda" Terrier.

So hey all you Terrier experts .... any comments, suggestions, or words of encouragement in changing our training techniques from working with a Herding dog to working with a Terrier-mix would be greatly appreciated!

Turkey Trot - 2010

2010-11-25T12:59:00.000-08:00

This is one very lucky turkey. It was only fitting that a real turkey should strut his stuff and start off the 2010 Turkey Trot that is held here annually to benefit our local "For Pets' Sake Humane Society".

Under a clear sky and very cold, sub zero temperatures we started the trot. Everybody, both two-legged and four legged, quickly warmed up the day. What a great way to really feel thankful.
Here are just a few of the very active participants.

We are Thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you out there in blogdom!

Ready, Set, Go ... New Post

2010-11-12T13:48:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about a new post for a while now, but wasn't quite sure where to begin. So, let me start with ...

This has been a very nice break for me. Enough so, that I think I will do less posting and spend more time following all your blogs. I have really enjoyed reading your daily/weekly posts. Having said that, I do have something to share now.

Cape Mendocino, Fort Bragg (my hometown), California 10/24/10

Everyone paces themselves after the loss of an animal. I expect that the pace is different for each situation and for every individual. For me, in the beginning, it was hard to take a deep breath. It was hard to sleep. It was especially hard to do all the familiar things that I always did with my good friend Maggie. Within a very short time I realized that it was more than just missing Maggie. I knew that I needed to have another dog in my day to day life. Selfish, maybe, but about three weeks ago I started looking for a new canine-in-need, to call our family dog and to help fill the big void in our lives.

Meet ... "Maddie May"

Maddie May ... Day #5

We Do know that she was in need of a good home. We Do know that she was rescued after being dumped along the side of the road. We Do know that her foster family named her Maddy. We Do know that we didn't have the heart to change her name because she was just starting to respond to being called Maddy. We Do know that we tweaked the name a little, and that we now call her Maddie May. AND yes, it's confusing, but every time we goof and call her Maggie, we Do know that it's a very loving slip-of-the-tongue.

We Don't have a clue what she is, or where she came from, or why she knows so very little about being a family dog, but we Do know that we will try to help her be the best darn dog that she can be! And we welcome this dog-in-need into our home-in-need of a dog.

Break Time

2010-10-13T06:59:00.000-07:00

I'm going to take a little blog break. Although I have been keeping up with some of my favorite blogs, I haven't felt very inspired to post anything lately. I guess you could say that I have blog-block. Hopefully, when I come back, I'll have something cheerful to write about. Until then, happy and interesting blogging to you all.

Maggie May - Last Words

2010-10-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

Let me begin by saying,

"Go give your dog a big Hug for me!"

When someone who has been your best friend and constant companion is no longer here, it's very hard to continue your daily rituals without them. I had not realized how many little unimportant things had become automatic, and unnoticed in my day to day routines with Maggie. I guess when you are retired, like I am, and spend most of your waking hours working at home, the way I do, you simply don't realize how often you are having a conversation with the dog! And so this past week, I found it very comforting to have those little conversations with her wonderful spirit.

Most of you who read my blog have your own animals, so I don't need to tell you what this week has been like for Toma and I. I've tried many times during the last few days to think of some final words to say about our Maggie. Unfortunately her life started out badly, and I'm sorry to say, ended sadly. What I now hope to remember is the ten great years in between, that was her life!

So here's to Maggie, the good listener, the hard worker, our protector and old friend. We will miss you, but there's no way that we'll ever forget you.

Maggie - 1998 - September 27, 2010

What Goes Up ....

2010-09-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

.... Must Come Down.

As I was making pancakes this morning

look what landed in our freshly cut pasture.

The mule and the horse were not too pleased with the invasion

but I'd have to say that they handled it with "flying colors"!

Maggie May was just as surprised as the rest of us

but she loves company

and became the self-appointed welcoming committee.

The Canadian balloon pilot graciously gave us

a complimentary bottle of champagne

for providing such a soft green landing pad.

Totally unnecessary, but very thoughtful!

Gosh, you just never know

who will be dropping in!

Then we finished the morning off with

my long-awaited pancakes!

I guess you'd have to say that we all

had a very exciting and colorful morning.

Up, Up and Away

2010-09-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

It's all about hot air.

Hot Air Balloons that is!!

Here are a few photos

taken early this morning at

the Annual

Mancos Valley

Hot Air Balloon Festival.

After watching the launch

we raced home

to make sure

that our animals were

feeling sane and safe!

All was quiet back at the ranch ...

Even with BIG, colorful balloons

spewing flames and falling from the sky!!

Go figure?

Arenal, Costa Rica

2010-09-24T07:37:00.000-07:00

Arenal Volcano

This is ol' me on zip line number one in the Arenal Cloud Forest. There were a total of seven lines on the descent. Each got a bit longer. I must say the first was the most difficult ... After that there literally was "NO turning back", and it was "ALL downhill" from there!

Have you ever driven in Costa Rica? Believe me when I say that this was probably the safest mode of transportation in the country. Driving the Costa Rican highways, especially in and around San Jose was crazy. Or, maybe I have just lived in the country too long. Now, I can actually understand why we learn, at an early age, to form lines and wait our turn.

Day one and day seven were spent getting to and from airports and traveling. Days two through six were overwhelmingly beautiful and filled with warmhearted and friendly Ticos!

I will post a few more photos in another blog, but right now I'm neck deep in reentry tasks. Mostly trying to catch up on hugs and kisses from an old dog named Maggie May, who will not let us out of her sight and wants to make sure that we are really back!!!

Really love to travel, always love to get home!

And Away We Go ...

2010-09-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

Hubby and I will be off on an adventure this coming week.

Here's a BIG clue ...

I think that the critters here at the old homestead are all set up with caregivers. Caregivers who have long "what to dos" lists. The lawn is mowed, arena harrowed, the animal feed is bagged, the barn tidied, and the house is clean enough. (Why is it that when we leave to go somewhere, we like to have a clean house while we're away? Guess we don't want the caregivers to think that we are normally slobs?)

Well, I have to go start packing. Everything that we'll need will go into 2 small carry-on packs. Never the less, I need to decide just what I can't live without for one week. Too bad I can't pack Maggie May in the backpack, but customs would frown on that ... I'm sure!

See you in a few ... Guess we're going on vacation.

Happy Trails Everybody!

It's a Good Day

2010-09-09T12:03:00.000-07:00

Some days are good.

Some days, not so good.

Today was a very good day!

"I'm ready mom, Fire it up"!

Do you mean the tractor Maggie?

Well no, but if you have to, then go ahead...

Fire it up!

Well, that was a good mornings work,

but not quite what I had in mind.

Can we go now mom?

I'm really ready!

Maggie and I felt good on our little walk this morning.

We picked up the paper.

Sniffed & peed on the mail box post.

We even got to say good morning

to the big napping bull up the street.

Sniffed and peed a lot more ...

Then came home

brought in the horse and mule

and gave them their morning feed.

I know that for most of us

there are more important things in life

than just sniffing and peeing.

But if that is what

"Fires You Up",

Then I say,

"Go For It"!

Today's a Good Day ...

and now we're napping!

The Kitchen Stove

2010-09-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

Although a rather boring subject for most of my followers, it has been a major step for the chief cook, and those for whom I cook, here at Mancos Mule .... The kitchen stove has found it's permanent resting place. Now I get to put it to work!

Here's a little photo essay of the travels of my new stove.

Three years of moving from from spot to spot...

sitting in the kitchen

covered up in the kitchen

top added & plugged in to see if it works

moved to living room

moved, but still in living room

hardwood floor installed for stove

moving

still moving

The kitchen stove has landed ....

Timber!

2010-08-31T11:41:00.000-07:00

the Homestead 2006

The Poplar trees alongside the driveway were not healthy when we bought the place four years ago, but just this past year they have become even more rotted and dangerous. Last year we hired a tree service to try to save what was still healthy tree. Even so, we still had limbs and branches breaking away in the wind, and there was more rot in the trunk and limbs than healthy branches.

So.....

this is how we spent

a good part of this past weekend.

Here's Toma tying a safety line

so the trees would not fall

in the wrong direction...

Tree against Nellie (my truck)

and Toma (with the chain saw).

Nellie and Toma won!

Past and future firewood

The wood that was not rotted

is now so-so firewood.

The fence and horses are safe

from falling limbs

and

I now have a better view

looking south

out of my kitchen window!

Another Nice Ride

2010-08-24T07:17:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning Toma and I got the horse and mule ready, hauled to a nearby trailhead, and went for another very nice ride. All this on a mule that was so sick at this time last year, that we almost put her down. I feel blessed and lucky every time I have the opportunity get her saddled up and off to the woods for a change of scenery. And to make it even BETTER ....

I know that the mule loves it more than I do.

Happy Trails to all of you out there in Blogger land!

Hiking with a Dog

2010-08-21T13:32:00.000-07:00

Several Years of Dog Hikes

and some things NEVER CHANGE

Lots of sniffing

even more peeing

Bright-eyed

Bushy-tailed

Rock Pose with Effie - 2001

Riverbed Pose - 2002

Beach Vacation Pose - 2003

Red Rock Pose with Fostered Dog Pose - 2004

Trail Ride Lunch Break Pose - 2005

Fall Hike Pose - 2006

After Hike Pose - 2007

In her Mule Herding Pose - 2008

Snowy Day Hike Pose - 2009

Lake Pose - 2009

Finally another Rock Pose - Today

Maggie's hikes

are getting shorter

take longer

and yet ...

she still loves to go

and ...

her heart's still in it!

So are ours.

And The Thunder Rolls ...

2010-08-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

Maggie stays inside when the weather gets "iffy". By "iffy" I mean that you can look in any direction and it'll look very different.

Here's the direction the weather is coming from today, and it'll be here very soon. It's rolling this way as I write this. I only hope that I'll get my post done before the thunder and lightning arrive.

You can see by these first two photos how different the sky looks depending on which direction you are looking.

Earlier Maggie and I took a little walk across the back pasture. We were being watched by a very curious, but neighborly, cow. If Maggie only knew what power she had over these cows, she'd be thrilled. They are use to REAL Border Collies, not old clueless ones!

Look what the rain has done ... Walking through the back pasture we noticed all the new growth. Not only has the grass turned a very dark green, but looking a bit closer we found all sorts newly growing things trying to find some sunshine from their grassy beds.

Old fungi

New fungi

Isn't this a Dandy...

Bind Weed ...

Fox Tails ... I need to pull these

AND More fungi

A goose feather ... blownin' in the wind!

And all this by just watching my feet!

Speaking of blowing. It's here....

"The Thunder is Rolling"

It's starting to Rain

Lightning

Bye now

Rainy Day & Irrigation

2010-07-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

Woke up to rain this morning.

Feels great, and it took away that hot, muggy humidity.

Here's the view out the new kitchen window

of the neighborly bull.

Rain drops

on the pipe rail fence.

The first thing on the list ...

Maggie and I had to move some of the field sprinklers.

Here's Maggie

in her rain jacket

checking the fence line.

She's in charge

of keeping the neighborly geese

on their side of the fence.

Notice my mule Polly

noticing me.

Waiting on her morning feed.

Look closely to her right,

beyond the fences,

and you'll see

"the hole".

This is the hole

that we had dug

one year ago.

This hole was dug to bury

this very sick mule.

Lucky for us,

lucky for Polly,

we gave her one last chance

(and 3 months of antibiotics)

to recover.

Here she is at 25 years.

So far, so good.

Call it superstition or

call it whatever you want?

I will NOT fill in "the hole".

It makes it's own quiet statement ...

With that said ...

I'll end this post with

Peek-a-Boo Polly

and Peek-a-Boo Maggie.

They're probably both hiding

from the old lady who digs big holes!

Enjoy your day,

where ever or who ever you are!

Busy Day

2010-07-18T14:09:00.000-07:00

Because it's so HOT today, I'm sitting here blogging.

Yesterday, was a busy day. Probably too busy. It all started with an EARLY morning ride. The forest was already starting to have that crackly, dry feeling under foot. Even at that early hour you cold just tell it was going to be a "hot one".

On the way home we stopped at one of our local haunts and picked up a breakfast burrito. The guys waited patiently in the trailer with their windows open because of the heat!!! Maybe they thought the burritos were suppose to be for them?

We all cooled off when we got home by giving the two guys baths. Toma gave me an early BD present of a flash water heater for bathing all the critters outside. It's a nice way to just take the chill out of the really cold water. Didn't take photo because Polly was already too curious about the propane tank and the little bit of noise that it was making. Long story short ... first bath with new water system was a success, and everybody ended up shiny and clean. For a little while anyway!

Finally, in the heat of the afternoon we helped the folks from the Fresh Start Horse Rescue load up the hay we grew here. They were very happy to get the hay, but I think we felt better giving it. They merely paid for the baling cost. It was a good deal for all.

Bales of good hay waiting in the heat. And a neighbor checking it out.

Two trucks and two trailers later, away it went!!!

It was a very hot day, but a good day.

No rain yet, dry hay safely bucked and now in the barn

just waiting to help feed a horse in need.

My week ... Busy

2010-07-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

This past weekend has been a continuation of the last 2 months. Kitchen remodeling 101.

I can't say that we are enjoying the process, but we are beginning to see the progress, and we are actually getting closer and closer to a finished kitchen with every weekend that we spend working on it!

I'll just stop yakking and show you a few photos of the work in progress.

It's Beginning to look like a KITCHEN!

Yesterday we had our pasture cut for hay.

We are donating it to one of the local Horse Rescues at cost.

Today I'm doing the

"PLEASE DON"T RAIN, yet, DANCE".

This coming weekend we are ....

GOING RIDING!

MJ, Polly, Toma and Rhettly - "The ghosts of rides past"

Rain .... Yeah!

2010-07-09T10:42:00.000-07:00

It looked like rain .....

It smelled like rain ....

It even felt like rain ....

I am sorry for those of you who have had too much rain. SW Colorado has seen very little moisture so far this summer. I seriously hope that I have not jinxed this area by posting this, but yesterday we had our first rain shower. It sure helped to drop the humidity and cool things off !

Stay Cool

(whatever the temperature is in your neck of the woods)!

Colorado Sky in July

2010-07-01T12:39:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of JULY!!!!

Another New "Neigh" bor

2010-06-28T11:47:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to our new neighbors.

The newest of the group is a buckskin filly.

She was born last week.

I have really enjoyed watching the three week old colt

trying to get this new baby to play.

So far he hasn't been too successful.

She stays very close to her mother's side.

My, what a difference a few weeks can make...

This has been great entertainment!!

My Dad

2010-06-20T16:21:00.000-07:00

Good memories today, Father's Day.

I'm one of the lucky people to have had a great dad.

He was in his late fifties when he started riding.

This is my dad in 1972,

Ten Mile Beach, Fort Bragg, California.

Maggie Survived Her Haircut!!!!

2010-06-08T16:56:00.000-07:00

Here is the clipped dog herself,

Feeling pretty COOL!

Before and After

Maybe feeling a little naked too!

Gone Riding!!!! Finally....

2010-06-04T10:32:00.000-07:00

Okay all you non-believers, WE did it! We headed out early this morning, had the trails and the woods to ourselves, and after almost one year of nursing my mule back to health, we both had a wonderful ride! It was a short ride, lasting just over an hour, but it was probably one of the better rides I've ever taken because it was so long overdue! My appreciation for the perfect day, the perfect animal, and the perfect riding companion is beyond my ability to describe. Right now I feel blessed and grateful! A very good time was had by all!

Toma on Rhettly

The two "old, happy ladies"

Happy Birthday Polly and Where's MJ

2010-05-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

Last year I didn't think that we would see this day, but my mule Polly celebrated her 26th birthday this past Tuesday. By CELEBRATE, I mean that she got a few extra carrots and a longer turnout with her good buddy Rhettly. If everything comes together right, hubby and I are even going to saddle up, and go for a celebratory ride this coming weekend. Keep your fingers crossed!

I haven't been posting much lately. You might say that I have been buried in drywall dust. WE are remodeling our kitchen. At the moment we have no real place to call a kitchen, just tarp covered appliances, unpainted walls, and dirt and powdery dust everywhere. By WE, I mostly mean hubby and I, are remodeling our kitchen. If you have ever taken on a project like this then you would know that it takes much longer this way than simply calling in the carpenter, the plumber, and the electrician. AND because the hubby works outside the home full-time we did decide to contract the drywall and a little rough framing work. However the rest of the job has been very labor intensive, involving lots of ripping and tearing, and crawling around in some very undesirable places.

Now, when you really have no place to call a kitchen, you make do. However, by MAKE DO, I mean that your kitchen is spread all over the house. Finding all the right items to try to fix a simple meal isn't as easy as one would think. Part of the kitchen is here in our office, some parts are in the bedroom, and most of it is downstairs in the family area where I have set up a make-shift command station. There is a small sink and some counter space down there, but because the stove and refrigerator are still upstairs, well, let me just say that I get plenty of exercise when I cook!

Anyway, that's enough of me and my kitchen woes. I just wanted to explain why I haven't been around much lately. It's been hard to get motivated to post something on my blog when my computer desk is also where I am temporarily keeping the flour and sugar! It's tough when normally I tend to be a rather organized person....oh well, this too will pass, and hopefully it will all be worth the trouble!

I'm going to end this post on a good note with a photo that I took yesterday of my friend Maggie, who is still holding her own on her new meds. Happy dog, happy family!

Have a very nice weekend everybody!!!

Maggie May Renewed

2010-05-17T15:36:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post our Maggie May has not been well. After many trips to the vet, we finally learned that she has a cancerous tumor in her bladder. That's the bad news. The good news is that she is responding well to an oral drug treatment. We made the decision not to do any invasive procedures because of her age. We did decide to start her on a treatment that can help to reduce the size of the tumor. Not a cure, but at least a temporary fix to give her some more quality time doing what she likes to do!. Here are a few photos taken just a couple weeks apart. You be the judge .... one before the treatment, and one taken after about 3 weeks on the medication. Happier dog, happier family!

Can you guess

which photo was taken

Before the treatment

and which was taken After?

Oh Mother, who are you?

2010-05-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

If you are so lucky to be a mother,

Happy Mother's Day to you!

Mother's Day 1950
Some of us can only remember our mothers
with love and fondness.

Happy Mother's Day to those of you!

Mother's Day 2002

Some of us have had the good fortune

to be loved as if we were mothers!

Happy Mother's Day to those of you!

In honor of all Mothers,

whoever and wherever you are

have a wonderful Today!

A Little of This, A Little of That ...

2010-04-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

We got a little springtime snowfall, which is not unusual for this time of year here in SW Colorado. The temperature dropped enough to grace us with a couple inches and I suppose that by this afternoon it'll be gone.

Photos this morning ... from new-to-me birds, rusty bull snaps, and even a couple things in between ....

And it's yet another good day!

Our Sunday morning here in Mancos

2010-04-18T13:58:00.000-07:00

First thing this morning I got all the animals fed, and then Toma took Maggie for her "short" walk. After we had everybody temporarily satisfied, Toma and I headed out for a walk around our neighbor block. It takes about an hour and fifteen minutes without stopping, but this morning I was packing the camera, so it took a bit longer.

You just never know what you are going to run into on this little outing. This morning we encountered a mama fox. It was clear that she didn't want us to come too close to the entrance to her den. I'm sure that she has kits, although we haven't seen them yet. Anyway, this is her attempt to lead us away from the den.

I guess you could say that she's a "very foxy mama"!

I love this walk. You can walk the block and see more animals than you do people or vehicles. Actually the only vehicle that we had to move out of the way for was an ATV and the ranch hand driving it. The animals are more elusive.

Like these deer for instance....

Can you find them in the brush?

The family critters were all very glad to see us when we got home. Especially Maggie. Friday we finally learned that Maggie has a bladder tumor. It is so very difficult to leave her at home now when we need to go for a real walk. I think that this life-passage is probably harder for us than it is for her, but I'm not really sure. She still has that Border Collie willingness, but her poor old body just can't do it anymore. So every day we still go for Maggie-walks, going only as far and as fast as she can manage. We have always had a dog in tow on our hikes or horse back rides. It's very strange, this walking without a dog!

Thirteen year old Maggie loving "doing her thing".

The horse and the mule got their one-hour-turnout. I had mowed the small pasture yesterday, and we are still carefully watching their protein intake.

Rhett 22 and Polly 25 chowing down on spring grass.

Here is photo proof of the difference between "who" loves to eat? and "who" eats to live? I call them in with a little grain.
Guess who comes a-running?

.... and so ends another good morning in Mancos.

Spring Turnout

2010-04-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

With these older guys I have learned to make gradual changes in their feed and daily routines. Unfortunately they get very little exercise and in this area the green grass comes on fast in the spring. So they get "slowly" reintroduced to their pasture each year when the snow melts off here in the valley.

Spring in this area is a mixed bag of high wind, sunny days, snow flurries, very cold nights, and it can all change drastically from one day to the next. Today was a beautiful day with sunshine and warmer temperatures. Here are a few snaps of my two lazy guys enjoying about an hour on the small pasture this morning. It is amazing how quickly this old brown dead grass turns to lush green protein.... way too much protein for these two characters.

Spring is springing......

May of last year ... too much green grass!

Are You An April Fool?

2010-04-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

WHAT has BIG, Long Ears,

Sweet, Brown Eyes,

Absolutely LOVES Carrots,

AND is here to wish you a

HAPPY EASTER?

Did you guess...

POLLY?

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-31T16:47:00.000-07:00

BIG difference

2010-03-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

One week in March!

What a BIG difference ...

one sunny, windy week can make.

March 13, 2010

March 22, 2010

The mule loved her first spring warm up in the round pen. Chalk up a few points for Polly! The horse however was an idiot! It looked like I was trying to work with a very frisky caterpillar that wasn't quite convinced that he was through hibernating for the winter. We had to take it all very slowly. For some reason he thought that we should be doing everything at warp-speed. The boy just couldn't believe that I was actually asking him to do something besides stand around and look at the snow fall! Guess these last few months have taken a toll on all of us here. The yellow horse's excuse, cabin fever, or in his case, corral fever! Chalk a couple more points up for the yellow horse!

I should have taken a photo or two, but I haven't yet mastered how to pay attention in the round pen and take photos at the same time. You'll just have to believe that we have ALL had our first little workout for the year. Chalk one up for me!

BTW
Weather forecast for tonight:
Spring rain turning to snow!

USPS Stamps to the Rescue – The Campaign

2010-03-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

USPS Stamps to the Rescue – The Campaign

In celebration of the new Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet stamps, the Postal Service™, together with Ellen DeGeneres and Halo: Purely for Pets, is giving shelter pets around the country a First-Class Meal.

Check out this website. Maybe you want to help make a little difference in the life of a few good dogs!

http://www.stampstotherescue.com/thecampaign.asp

It's called Caution not Stubborn

2010-03-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots taken this morning
under a very blue, warming sky.

As soon as the blankets came off I sat on the ground in front of Polly's stall to take a few pictures of her. This mule is suspicious of ANYTHING out of the ordinary. That includes me if I do something that is not part of her daily routine. Sitting on the ground was cause for stepping back and thinking about me for a while. I was definitely out of her comfort zone!

So I waited a few minutes ...

and so did she.

This is a rock solid mule once she makes up her mind that something is safe and okay! I have learned, sometimes the hard way, that you just don't want to hurry her into making decisions. Especially if it's something really scary or odd, like me sitting on the ground by her morning breakfast! What could I have possibly been thinking?

By the way.....

Yoo Hoo! .....

Can we get your attention PLEASE?

FINALLY ....

Happy St. Patty's Day to You!

from Maggie and the rest of the

Mancos Mule Team!

A WEE Glimpse of Spring

2010-03-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Mancos Melt Parade

March 6, 2010

Snow melting in the round pen

under Blue, Blue sky

March 14, 2010

Neighborhood Skunks are "out and about"

Round Penning Robin!

March 12, 2010

Between a Rock and a Hard Spot

2010-03-11T10:31:00.000-08:00

Winter turning to Spring pasture...

I'm sure that I mentioned that I had fallen and fractured 2 ribs. That was in January, all was healing and although I was not 100%, I was feeling better by the day. That was, until last week. I had the horse in the barn and was cleaning feet. They get nasty this time of year, and both the mule and the horse have developed a little thrush problem.

In the above photos are:

Polly (the mule's) foot in wet corral conditions and

Rhett (the Horse) doing what he loves to do best ... eat!

Anyway, Back to the story. It seems that my streak of clumsiness and being in the wrong place at the wrong time continues to haunt me. Those of you with horses know how, even when doing it properly, being under a 1000+ pound horse /mule puts you in a somewhat vulnerable position. Okay, now add the fact that at that very moment a huge chunk of frozen snow decides to fall off the barn roof! Within seconds the normally good-ground- mannered horse lurches forward and slams me into the stall door. Damage redone. Some would say (like my husband Toma and my doctor) that I probably shouldn't have been there in the first place, but I had already been doing this for about a week with no ill-effects. No one to blame, but maybe myself, and so here I am again with very sore, but re-healing ribs. This is going to be one long winter-into-spring season! AND Lots of extra work for my very helpful husband, who already leaves for work in the dark and gets home in the dark. Now he gets to do my barn chores too!

Here are just a few random photos of my friends looking very discussed, dirty and bored because their chief cook and bottle washer is once again on temporary leave of absence!

I can't help but hope for a little help

from good Old Mother Nature.

Because of these two old guys

I'm hoping for a gentle winter to spring transition!

Snow Angels by Rhett

2010-03-01T15:39:00.000-08:00

Rhett

On our first real sunny day ....

Rhett

One minute after his blanket came off.....

Another good day,

another good roll.

What more could a guy want?

Pages from the Past

2010-02-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

Meet my first horse.

This is Chipper.

He was given to me as a three year old for my thirteenth birthday. We spent 18 years growing up together. What kid could ask for more. He was a Welsh/Quarterhorse and stood about 13 1/2 hands. Never underestimate size. He could out walk and out maneuver most bigger horses. He was quick in mind and quicker on his feet. On the trail, he would go anywhere. I will never forget what I learned and shared with him. There's nothing like memories of your first horse.

These photos are almost as as old as me, and fading with age, but you can recognize that we were a team. I could not imagine growing up any other way. I was a very lucky kid.

Gymkhana and drill team photos of yore ....

Snowy Day Cabin Fever

2010-02-21T09:55:00.000-08:00

Original - Barn in the snow

Something to do on a snowy day.....

Photoshop - Version 1

Photoshop - Version 2

Five Weeks Later

2010-02-16T13:26:00.000-08:00

Valley fog resting at the base of Mesa Verde this morning.

After the last five weeks of grumbling about my ribs and the pain, I finally went back to see my doctor. This time, to be cautious, she sent me for x-rays. Seems that I did have 2 fractured ribs. Good news is that they are healing. The bad news is that they just aren't healing fast enough for me! I know any of you out there who have daily barn chores, with animals to care for, know that it's not very easy to rest your back and abdominal area. Oh well, so much for excuses. The worst of it is over now. I just need to learn to be more patient with taking things a little slower, and with a little more time, all will be well .... AND I will be a happier horse/mule keeper!!

Countdown .... Spring Equin ox .... 33 days

Valentine's Day Post

2010-02-13T17:12:00.000-08:00

HAPPY

VALENTINE'S

DAY !

From MJ and Maggie May

The word for Wednesday ... SUNSHINE

2010-02-10T14:19:00.000-08:00

Homestead in the SUNSHINE

The Horses taking in the SUNSHINE

All undressed, but no place to go!

And last, But not least ...

My SUNSHINE .... Maggie!

Have Shovel, Will Travel

2010-02-08T14:24:00.000-08:00

It seems that the only thing that I have to talk about is SNOW. But then we have lots of SNOW to talk about. Anybody need some? I will have to say that I am a bit sick of all this shoveling. What makes it more troublesome is that my injured ribcage is still not 100%, and because of all this blasted shoveling, it probably won't be 100% any time soon! Yes, it does sound like I'm feeling sorry for myself, but yes, I will get over it!!!

Recipe for Sore Ribs

1 Hour of Barn Chores

Add 1 path of shoveled snow

(to get to the barn)

Add 1 path of shoveled snow

(to get to the manure pile)

Add 2 shoveled areas for horses to stand

Stir, boil, and then simmer until Very Tired!

If only I could teach just one of these guys to shovel SNOW!

But as you can see

they would rather eat and rest

while I do the work.

Now I ask myself,

"Who is the Beast of Burden"?

Meet Our New Neighbors

2010-01-25T06:59:00.000-08:00

The recent storm that blew through our valley covered everything with a powdery white blanket of snow. Over this past weekend we were able to observe and enjoy the antics of a couple of our neighbors romping and playing in their new white world. Yesterday our dog Maggie let us know that these same neighbors had taken up residence under the huge stack of hay in the pasture next door.

Here are a few photos that I shot through our upstairs window. They came out much better than I had expected considering that this hay stack is about 100 yards away, but I knew if I were to go outside with my camera these shy little neighbors of ours would have disappeared and I would have nothing to share at all.

I think that this is the male.

He appeared to be very restless

and moved around a lot

keeping a eye out for intruders.

The Fox on top of the hay is also a Red Fox

although she is what they call a gray

or coyote colored Red Fox.

Close up of Mr. Fox....

Mr. Fox

Keeping a watchful eye...

Out of the wind...

Enjoying the sunshine!

Just Another Snow Packed Day in Mancos

2010-01-20T11:08:00.000-08:00

Haven't posted in awhile .... I had a little mishap with the ice-covered roadway.
As it turned out, the road won.
I don't seem to fall down and get up like I did when I was younger.
A few left-over sore spots, but I'm getting back
to my more normal routines of everyday barn/horse keeping,
while still watching for those
elusive icy spots!!!

It's good to be BACK.

Here's the morning in photos ...

The snow-covered barn across the road.

It's not out-of-focus ... that's SNOW!

We've had another storm.

Warmer

wetter

than the last one.

A useless piece of winter farm equipment

sitting idle this time of year ....

Sorta' like me this past week!!!

Snow-covered Mule ... her choice!

Maggie and Rhettly

in their winter blankets

Enjoying the dry barn.

Evidence of

another critter trying to stay

out of the winter weather.

Maggie ...

very ready

to go for our

morning stroll.

And away we go ...

Right behind the Slow Plow!

Dog Sledding in Mancos

2010-01-09T12:52:00.000-08:00

This area of Colorado is home to a small business that will hire out their sleds, an experienced, expert musher, and their very special sled dogs for an exceptionally FUN half-day adventure. Yesterday we talked our company into taking this very memorable trip. If you enjoy the outdoors and like dogs, I can't think of a better way to experience both at their finest. The following photos were taken during the trip yesterday and some were taken 2 years ago when my husband and I went for this ride of a lifetime!

The thrill of the trail.

The dogs love what they do and are treated with care and respect.

They really enjoy their work.

Somewhere on the wide open trail,
after a fresh snowfall and a few days off,

these dogs and their passengers
were having the time of their lives!

We had three teams out the day we took this trip.
That's my husband and his team
coming up beside my sled on the right.

Unloading the sleds.

The dogs are still quietly waiting
in their kennels on the truck.

Harnessing and meeting the dogs.

We all got to participate.

Some of the dogs are more friendly than others!

Everybody had a beautiful day!!!!

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T13:40:00.000-08:00

Here's Toma blazing a path for the NEW YEAR.

May you all have Happy Trails in 2010!

It's a fresh start, so let's all make the BEST of it!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

Shelter Dogs From Christmas Past

2009-12-26T08:04:00.000-08:00

Archie/03 Jake/05

Two very adoptable Shelter dogs from Christmases past.

Happily they both found forever homes.

Please remember that many don't.

Help the homeless.

Adopt, don't shop!

View from the Porch

2009-12-23T09:47:00.000-08:00

Here's a photo taken last week of the view from our front porch. It's much easier to look at this view every time I open my blog than my own silly, smiling face!

Muletide Greetings to you All from the Mancos Mule Team!

GREETINGS of the SEASON

2009-12-10T15:36:00.000-08:00

From All of us Here

To those of you Out There

Joy to the World

It Looks like Winter is here....

2009-12-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

HI HO, HI HO it's off to work we go! ... Toma had to get the tractor out this morning to get the car out of the driveway to get to work, but after that it was smooth, but very slow, sailing all the way into Durango.

I had a similar task to get to the barn for morning chores. This time of year I don't fork manure, I fork poop-icles! Temperature was below zero when I first walked past the thermometer, but it has warmed up to about 28 for the high today.

Maggie and I took a photo of the house from our neighbor's pasture. The stacks of cow hay and our house made for a nice backdrop in the snow.

Winter has arrived in Mancos, Colorado!

Stupid Move

2009-12-07T11:30:00.000-08:00

Within a fraction of a second

I knew that I had done something very stupid

as with so many really stupid moves

thinking it didn't help

Blam

damage done

1200 pounds of mule

unintentionally slamming down

right on top of my left toe

ouch .... an understatement

So here's just a little friendly advise....When trying to readjust a turnout blanket never stand right in front of the animal wearing the blanket. Especially if there is a bit of static in the air. Pow, the mule got a static shock and shot forward like a bolt. In a blink of an eye she repositioned all her body weight right down on my foot, which happened to be right in the way of her forward motion!!! In my forty-plus years of keeping horses this is my second such injury. And kinda like a bad sunburn ... I feel very dumb to have let it happen!

Has it ever happened to you?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE

2009-12-02T07:45:00.000-08:00

Here's the Birthday Boy

58 years ago!

Here's the Birthday Boy

Last year!

I don't think he's changed much.....

Another year older

and another chocolate cake!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMA!!!!

Turkey Trot ... Dog style

2009-12-01T06:57:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving morning

one of our local animal rescue groups

had a benefit walk (Turkey Trot).

It was wonderful to see so many mixed-breed dogs and their human companions out enjoying the brisk morning air. Toma and I accompanied our dog Maggie. I can't begin to tell you how many new urine sniffs she found on this short, but exciting little walk. A good time was had by all. There were big dogs and little dogs, young dogs and very old dogs. But the nice thing was they were all there to help some of the less fortunate animals in our communities.

It was a good way to spend Thanksgiving morning!!