Something in the Way He Moves

It's been interesting to watch Prince return to his former self.  Due to his round eyes, we started calling him Mr. Peabody, after the cartoon character.  His nickname is now Peeb.

 

Peeb has become the boss of the herd.  Bob, who has a personality of uncertainty, turns to Peeb for all the decisions.  Peeb is a kind boss but has his limits - like when Bob sticks his head in Peeb's rear end during grain time.  Peeb's response is a squeal and a good strong kick.  (Bob has gotten the message.)

 

Yet Peeb is well behaved and tolerant with humans working around him.  He picks up his feet, stands quietly when tied and leads like a dream.  I've only lunged him once but can tell he's been there before.

Just like Bob, Peeb shows a keen interest towards cows.  I suspect he's met them before.

When Peeb first came to us in skin and bones he could only walk slowly in the fields.  But as he's gained weight his paces have returned.  He has a nice slow, smooth trot.  But yesterday was the first time I got to see him lope for more than a few paces.  It was beautiful - slow and collected.  It put a big smile on my face. 

Something in the way he moves has me thinking Peeb is going to be a great ride.  Now if the weather would only cooperate!

In a Fog

For ten days we have had low temperatures and damp, freezing fog.

The temperatures at night have dropped into the teens and it barely reaches freezing during the day.  Our driveway has been one long sheet of ice making my morning walk with Hank impossible. 

Our rural road is rarely treated for ice (or snow).  J and C must navigate their way on ice to the local highway before reaching treated roads, not fun.

The wind chime remains quiet waiting for a fresh breeze to arrive and scour out the fog.

Outside there is a silence similar to when it snows.  Even the birds are quiet (probably frozen to a tree).

The freezing fog sticks to everything.  Its moisture sneaks into the corners of my winter clothes as I do the evening feed.  When I finish and return to the house I find it sticking to the outside of my clothes.

So although it's pretty to look at, I'm ready for this weather to make its exit.  Rain and wind never sounded so good!

Good to Go!

Last week was Prince's second shoeing since I brought him home nine weeks ago.

We had record rains in December and Prince has been looking pretty wet and muddy as he recovered and just got to 'be a horse'.

While I waited I decided to give him a good grooming session.  He's filled out nicely - no more bones sticking out!

All of his open wounds have totally healed.  Even his feet are now in great shape.

The shoer, who had first seen Prince only a few days after I brought him home couldn't believe Prince was the same horse and suggested I now start working with him to develop muscle tone (instead of flab).

Prince must have known what that meant because as I released him after he got his new shoes he took off bucking like a young colt!

Prince is good to go!

Lots of Work but So Much Fun!

Going to the cabin:

Best to start early, it's going to be a long day.

The roads can be a challenge.

Upon arrival you have to determine where your cabin is.

How do you get into your cabin?  You dig and dig and dig until you break through and find your front porch.  Once you've enlarged your hole and can see down into the porch, you sit down, grab the roof (inches above your head) and slide down into the front porch (kind of fun).


You will need to dig out 'escape' windows as well as your chimney and power mast  However, it's best to first dig some steps to get back up out of the front porch (sliding down once or twice is fun but getting back out isn't).

Your first day at the cabin revolves around a shovel and snow.  However, once you've finished with the shovel, hauled your stuff in, have the cabin warming up and have changed out of your sweaty clothes and into some dry ones, it's time to play.

Lots of work but so much fun!

Sleep well!

Vacation(?) at the Cabin

My husband's shovel and gloves, taken from the roof at the cabin...

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Our adventure on Christmas Eve really shook J and I up.

There we were all stressed about getting to town and the grocery store before it got (more) crowded so we could hurry back home to finish wrapping when we'd come upon our neighbor, on the other side of our road/fence line, trapped underneath his Rhino.

The neighbor, without a shirt, only in sweats and slippers, had jumped into his rig to go check the mail at the end of his road which is down 10 acres on the other side of his property.  I'm sure he thought he'd only be gone for a few minutes.

While backing up he'd turned too quickly and the rig had gone over.  His leg had been pinned and seriously broken.  It will require surgery in the upcoming week.

While we'd been cozy in our home wrapping packages and looking at the rain/snow mix outside, he'd been out in the weather, trapped and unable to move.  We only came upon him as we drove down our road to the store.  J happened to look out across the fence line to the neighbor's house and see the rig turned over.  That was over two hours after he'd flipped it.

The day took on a different color after our experience.  Getting to the store and beating it back to finish wrapping wasn't important after fire/aid arrived and we left the scene.  And because we'd had a good dose of reality, the rest of the day and every day since have been like a golden miracle we are grateful to have.

Both of us have noted that we initially had some trouble sleeping afterwards.  We've discussed the event often as it still pings around in our heads.  But one thing that stands out since that day is, don't sweat the small stuff. 

And we don't.

Santa Was Listening

Look what I got for Christmas...

The Buffalo Purse I wrote about a few Posts back - Santa was listening!!  :)

Hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas!!