Knock. Knock. Anyone still there? I am back!

Well, it has been quite a long time hasn't it since I last wrote anything. When I looked at the last date even I was shocked it has been this long. Everyday I tell myself to at least write a quick hello to everyone.  But alas, I don't. So, this time I am. Just a quick one right now.

Grace just turned two. Yes, two! She had her two year old check up and she is perfect! Yay! Her mom is still unemployed. Still no child support.

I woke up January 1st and decided right then and there that this year I am taking it by the horns and climbing the ladder. A very dear, dear friend of mine somehow sent me such energy through an email that it was downright amazing!

All the animals are doing good. We lost several cats over these past few months, but other than that, all critters are happy and healthy. A friend of mine needed a home for two of her goats, so yup, the goats are here.

I am also quitting smoking! A 30+ year habit is hard to quit, but it is going to happen. And you can bet I have my days where I just want to kick someone's ass!

Selling on Ebay is going pretty good thanks with the help of the gal who owns the local feed store. She gives me items to list, I sell and make a precentage. It's win win for the both of us.

Yes, I am still a warrior for the animals.

Thanks to Facebook I have been able to keep up to date with Jim, Ron, Sophie, Tina, Lilla and others. And I think of John, Stew, and many others everyday.

Like I said this is a short one.

Until next time........................

Fare Thee Well For Awhile

As much as I have been meaning to get back to blogging on a regular basis it just hasn't been in the cards. Lately there has been so much going on. Gracie's mom was fired over an emergency here at home. Her bosses are lying and fighting her unemployment. Hopefully after the unemployment hearing she will get her unemployment. This whole thing has been emotionally draining as well as financially.
AJ, my Mustang has some serious hoof problems that I am trying to get under control.
I took in two more goats for a Face book friend who is going through some of life's challenges herself.
The work car needs, well some work thanks to a gas leak. Which only leaves the trucks for transportation and with the gas prices climbing again that is putting a pinch on things. Living in the country does have its disadvantages at times.
I am back to selling on EBay which thanks to the economy isn't going as well as before.
Gracie is already going through the terrible twos. And Gracie's mom is still fighting for the sperm donor for child support ( which he still hasn't paid anything on).
Plus I am active in saving the Mustangs, trying to end dog breed discrimination, trying to stop slaughterhouses from opening to slaughter horses,  helping the elephants who are living horrendous lives, etc....
In a nutshell, life is not leaving much breathing room. Yes, I am aware if I step away from helping the animals that need a voice would give me more time, but it isn't in me to do that.
I believe we are never given more than we can carry at a time, but I have to admit, my plate has been full enough these past few years to last a frickin lifetime.
Okay, enough of the whining.  
So, my goal is to start blogging on a regular basis come winter.
I truly hope when I come back I will still have some followers!
Jim and Ron, please give Miss Sophie a big hug for me.
Stew, I will catch up with your wonderful posts about your profession.
John, I really miss keeping up with your adventures.
Tina, please give all the donkeys a hug from me.
Lilla, keep up all the good work.
Deb, I'm sure your Grand baby has already been born. Hugs.
Kelly, continue to get the word out about elephants! You are amazing.
Inger, hope life has dealt you better cards now.
Everyone else who I didn't mention, hugs to you all. Hope to see you when I come back.


Great big group hug!!!!!!!!!!!
Love ya'!
xoxo

Until next time..............................

A project, BSL and Grace

Oh my, I actually have a few minutes to post!

I have been wanting to get to a project for awhile and yesterday I actually found some time to do it. Periodically I see an old rotted out wood stump and when I do I bring it down from the hills behind the house. My idea was to finish hollowing them out, secure the bottom and plant flowers in them. And I did it!!!

I have also still been busy trying to stop the BLM roundups of our Mustangs. And now I am involved in getting BSL stopped.  BSL stands for Breed Specific Legislation. Pit Bulls are the main target of this ban. Dogs are being taken from their homes and killed because they are the wrong breed! I don't know if any of you heard, read or followed what was going on in Belfast North Ireland concerning a dog ( who by the way was not a bully breed) named Lennox. Rather than go into detail, do a search on Lennox and read for yourself.  The BSL ban infuriates me as well as thousands and thousands of other people. No one has the right to target any breed and try to eradicate them. Sometimes I wonder if there is hope for the human race when it comes to certain people who think and believe they are Gods!

Grace's sperm donor ( biological father) is starting to cause trouble now.  I mentioned this to Grace's mother not long after she was born that I had a feeling the sperm donor would cause problems somewhere down the line. He won't pay child support but wants to see Grace. However, he is doing drugs and is an alcoholic. I have a feeling this all may be going to court.

Well, my few minutes is up. Grace just woke up!

Hugs to you all!

Until next time....................

A Quick Trip to San Francisco!!!!

Made a quick trip to my absolute favorite city.........

San Francisco!!!!! The city by the Bay.  My Aunt had a mild stroke a few months ago and I have been wanting to go visit her. It's been nine years since I've been down there. It was time. And thankfully the stars lines up perfectly to make the trip. It is a 6 hour drive from here to there.

Here is a trolley car. Look at all those wires above! Wow! That's what makes the trolley go round.

I love old buildings. There is so much history. And the craftsmanship is superb.

And with old buildings there are new ones.

The freeway ramps are ridiculous. They remind me of octopuses with ramps going here and there.

On the way back home to Oregon there was this beautiful metal dragon sculpture out in a field. The mountain in the background is Mt. Shasta.

These are the California Crags. Amazing.

Cinder Mountain. Well, that is what most people call it but it is officially named something else, just don't know what it is.

Mt. Shasta. Legend has it that Aliens live inside the mountain!


I have also been busy trying to prevent the slaughter of horses for meat. Petitions, emails and phone calls being made to stop the slaughter of horses. Not only for our domesticated horses but for OUR wild Mustangs as well. I just don't understand this war on horses.

And of course there is the everyday day life here on the farm which keeps me busy.

The deer have decided to sample everything in our gardens. Thankfully they have decided that the tomato plants aren't that tasty.

There is also a raccoon who comes up to the house every evening and cleans up the remaining cat food.

Today is the 4th of July, the birth of these United States of America. Happy Birthday to these great States!

And yes, I think of you daily and hope everyone is doing wonderful.

Until next time.....................

Want to see one ugly rooster?

I have been meaning to post a few pics of Troy. He is a black Frizzle Bantam and he sure turned out to be one ugly rooster. So ugly he is staying!

His feathers barely cover his body!

Troy standing next to Jeff Lewis. Jeff Lewis is Stew Pot's son. Sadly Stew pot was eaten by foxes last year. And yes, Jeff Lewis is very friendly. I can still pick him up without him being fussy. Troy on the other hand is afraid of his own shadow.

Oh, in answer to a few questions. Only a few of the roses have a scent which I am grateful for since I am allergic to rose smell.
I will talk more about the caretaker in a day or two.

Until next time................................

Roses

Thought you might like to see just some of the roses here. As far as I can determine these rose bushes have been here since the 1960's. Will show the other roses on the property in a day or two. The roses up at the barn I believe are older.

Oh, and speaking of barn, the upstairs of the barn used to be for hay, but in the 1970's a studio apartment was built for the caretaker who has since passed away.

Until next time............................

Busy Busy Busy

What can I say. Been busy as usual.

After much hard work and some aggravation we are finally able to irrigate the pasture.

It is so nice to see the sprinklers going. Every third day we have to move the irrigation pipes to another riser to water another portion of the pasture.

On top of getting the irrigation up and running the barn cleanup started. Thanks to my oldest daughter she has busted butt getting rid of the blackberry bushes and other foliage that covered the front of the barn. This pic is when we first started.

This pic shows progress.

Finally, the blackberries are gone as well as the other overgrown foliage. We were totally surprised to find another window, a working water faucet and five very old rose bushes underneath all the overgrown vegetation. We also found an ancient grape vine with stocks as thick as a small tree.

After the cleanup the barn is going to get a fresh coat of paint. I swear the barn is smiling and feels better now that the cleanup has started. Poor old thing has been neglected for many years.

Some of you might find this interesting. Months ago I heard old fashioned music coming from inside the barn. When my oldest daughter was up there a few weeks ago she also heard the music. So you are probably thinking what is the big deal. Well, there is no electricity in the barn and the nearest neighbor is a quarter of a mile away!

I finally expanded the chicken coop. Now I have happy happy chickens.

The garden areas are doing great, although I had to open my big mouth and make a statement how the deer have left the gardens alone. Last night I saw deer tracks going into the lower garden and as I followed them I noticed that they have eaten some of the tomato plants. Really! I didn't want to have to build an enclosed area around the garden, however it appears one has to go up. Sorry deer, as much as I love you all, I adore my veggies and don't want to share with you!

Until next time.............................