Chicken Coop and Horse Poop

Bobby started working on a chicken coop today for the new hens that Jenny got us. It'll be a nice little condo for the girls when he's through. While he was working on the coop, I was mucking stalls and spreading poop. The grass is coming up nicely in the back yard now, between the little bit of rain we've been getting along with the poop and grass seed we sowed about a month ago. I also cleaned and disinfected the horse trailer with Simple Green (after being shamed into it by my friend Cathy). Those little flower things (or whatever they are) are still falling from the oak trees and staining everything so I'm going to wait until they're done to clean the outside of the trailer. We came inside after lunch to clean up, take a nap and wait for the big storm to come through.




I went riding with Cathy yesterday....she took the day off for her birthday and we had a nice relaxed ride at Sal Taylor Creek Preserve. When we stopped at the creek, I was teasing Cathy about Busta and how she has to stay on his butt to keep him from rolling in the water..... and to my great surprise....Stylin dropped and proceeded to take her a cool water roll WITH me and the new saddle I was trying out. Luckily - we both liked the saddle, because she made it a final sale by getting it completely soaked! Of course she picked the deepest part, but I was able to step off in the thigh high water and didn't get completely wet. Needless to say - Cathy got a big chuckle out of that!

California Coast & New Ride

I went to San Diego and Long Beach on a business trip this past week. It was a successful trip but I sure wish we had time to sight see a little. The only sight seeing I got to do was riding as a passenger along I-5 from San Diego to Long Beach and back. I was cool to see the different landscape - hills instead of flat land; the ocean to the West instead of the East and the different architecture and vegetation. I did get to see a Pacific sunset though. I also saw the West Coast Choppers shop which was just down the street from our office so I was able to pick Bobby up a t-shirt.

Today we picked up a used Nissan Sentra that Bobby found in Gainesville. I'm excited to be able to have a car again that will have decent gas mileage. The diesel for Big Red was killing me! We'll use the big truck just for hauling the horse trailer now.

It's Official - Congratulations !

Ringer is a permanent member of the Farmer family now....Michele and I sealed the deal at our club ride on March 14. I'm glad I had to opportunity to raise and train a youngster and I'm very happy to see him go to such a great home.

SPRING !!

What a beautiful time of year ! Our azaleas are blooming and the weather is wonderful. Our niece Melinda came for a week long visit and we enjoyed her company. She got our Dixie harnessed up and worked with her. We even took her down the street for her first "on the road" experience. She was very nervous so I walked along beside her with a lead rope attached as Melinda drove her. It went well for her first time pulling the cart out off of our property. She did better than I did when a big garbage truck went by, sped up, changed gears and HONKED as he passed us!! What a jerk ! We were giving him the signal to slow down as he came up behind us, but I guess he didn't care. We got her back in our yard and then worked her some more in her comfort zone, then ended the lesson on a good note. We took some videos and pics.

Easter day was great! We went to church and then came home to fix lunch for the family. We had Mom, Jenny, Robbin, Tim, JT, me and Bobby. (Melinda had to leave early in the morning to drive back to Nashville.) Everybody pitched in and lunched turned out yummy. After everyone was full and napping, Jenny and I loaded up and went for a ride at Sal Taylor Creek Preserve. We rode for 2-1/2 hours through some shady trails winding up at the creek - very few bugs and a nice breeze the whole time.

I also went on my first motorcyle ride in years and years. Bobby took me for a short tour of the neighborhood on Tim's bike. I was a little nervous, but it was mostly fun.

We are blessed ! He is risen !

Best Trail Riding and Camping Ever !

I just got back from the 20th Anniversary Osceola County Wagon Train and Trail Ride. BOY WAS IT FUN! It was my first week long camp out and also the first with so many riders. I heard that there were over 600 total participants and I think there may have been about 400 riders during the first part of the week. I camped with my friend Marilyn and her mule Clyde and met many new friends. I took loads of pictures and kept a journal so that I could remember each day. We were camped on the Whaley Ranch south of St. Cloud; it was very well organized and the food was delicious. Stylin and I both learned a lot during our week long adventure. Here's the link to my photo album and for those with nothing else to do, here's the link to my journal.

Ringer's Big Day

Ringer left yesterday for a month's trial with our friend Michele. She was looking for a calm, well started gelding and guess who fit the bill?

I spent the afternoon grooming him, lovin on him and then rode him for a little while before he went to his new home. He has a really nice set up with Michele and her current horse Dawn. Here's hoping that everything works out!

Uplifting, Inspiring and Fun

I was able to enjoy a wonderfully fun packed weekend which included riding my horse with friends, spending quality time with my church peers and also spending time with my family.

Friday morning I joined Marilyn and Cathy for a ride at Guana State Park at South Ponte Vedra. I had never had the opportunity to ride there before but had heard great things about it. I was not disappointed ... beautiful winding trails, marshlands on one side and the Tolomato River on the other. We parked at the main entrance in a lot shared with bikers, hikers and boaters. We had planned on setting off from the north entrance, but it was closed due to hunting. After riding for about 2 hours, we decided to check out the beach on our way home. We only had 30 min to play at the beach with our horses before I had to skedaddle back home.

Robbin picked me up from my house around 4:30 so that we could go to St. Simons Island. We had signed up to participate in our church leadership retreat being held at Epworth by the Sea. We spent Fri nite, Saturday and returned after lunch on Sunday. It was a beautiful river setting with majestic old oaks, manicured grounds and lots of Methodist history. We headed back home rejuvenated and closer to our friends at church.

Then this evening, we took Mom to dinner at a Japanese Steak House for her 75th birthday. Our chef was a lot of fun (of course, he had our group to work with) and we all had a wonderful time!

More pictures of the Friday ride and Mom's birthday dinner are at the Family Photo link to the right.