Monday, May 30, 2011

A Bump (or two) in the Trail

As this past week unfolded into the weekend, two things have now occurred.

Young Jordan's stay with us has now come to a close.

We, along with the animals, will miss him and wish him well.



And two, 
Russ is on crutches, resulting from his big horse, Raz,
tripping and falling (rolling) on his leg during his Sunday morning ride.

A long evening at ER confirmed no broken bones. 
Thank you God~!!.

However, lots of pain, swelling and bruising.

 So stay tuned, as we truly... 


Count it all Joy.


 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything."
James 1:2-4


Sunday, May 29, 2011

One Week Ago

Joplin, MO

If that still, small voice is nudging you to act, one week later,
here's how.

Franklin Graham, son of Reverend Billy Graham, created Samaritan's Purse.

I met Franklin's sister, Ruth, a week ago...



Please hear Franklin Graham's plea.


And the crowds asked him,
“What then shall we do?”
And he answered them,
“Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none,
and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

Luke 3:10-11

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Lord's Plan

"The glory of young men is their strength,




And the splendor of old men is their gray head."
 

Proverbs 20:29



Until tomorrow, God willing.




Saturday, May 21, 2011

Open Hearts, Open Homes

Last week I started something.

Take a look see.

It's an every Saturday feature of sorts.

On Your MARK.
(Making Adoption Resources Known)

Featuring anxious children awaiting adoptive placements.

Ready? 
Are you sure?

Here we go...

This adorable two-year old, sweet Jacob, is available to enter your home and heart. 
Sibling groups are, sadly, more difficult to place.
Brothers...Francis and Keith
And finally,
the featured video this Saturday...his voice will melt your heart.
Be sure and turn down the soothing music on Playlist so you can hear Quinton's plea for a family to call his own.


Quinton

"Each one of them is Jesus in disguise."

Mother Teresa

Gulp.

Until tomorrow, God willing.

Puppy Breath ~ The Essence of Life

Featuring our friends, Joann and Larry (and young Ana) Fortier of
 Coyote Run Kennel.

It was time to take a hike over to their place this week for a dose of puppy breath. 
It was well worth it.

Two litters worth.



We got to see puppies in action.



Featuring "Juneau", from the Alaskan-themed litter.







Love flowing.



Woodland adventures.



Cuddles with future Champions.

(Read about Joann's 2010 Midnight Run 90+ mile Championship here...)



Lead dog training.



Coming when called.



Perseverance displayed.



Playfulness.

Oh, there is so much to learn as a young pup...


Thank you Joann, for sharing your time, passion and pups.

And most of all, your friendship and caring.





For those of you who don't know, Joann and Larry act as a "feeder" kennel to us.

Their dogs wrap up an incredible life on the race circuit, 
followed by training new pups on the trail,
and then begin a new adventure,
which allows them to finish out their amazing lives doing what they love,
at our place, just down the road.

Running trails.

We have received the following dogs from Coyote Run Kennel over the years.

Ranger, a "Shaw dog", who has been Russ' main leader for years.



And super "Shaw dog" leaders, "the Girls", Windows and Star, who run our guest teams.



Or just help out around our 40-acre farm, hauling wood from cabin to cabin, and such.



We are grateful for our treasured friends, the Fortiers.

And for their gifts of life. 

Not puppy breath, but breath with the knowledge of life.

The older, experienced, seasoned canines that come our way, to begin life anew.

Until tomorrow, God willing.

P.S.  We did get a new dog, actually a yearling, this week from the Fortiers.  Stay tuned.

 



Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Island Bound

There's only one thing better than being in my Wee House during a full moon.

And that is being on Mackinac Island.



Yes, it's that time again. 
Heading to the incredible women's retreat...Win-Some Women.
This marks my 13th year, with many years attending both Spring and Fall.



My last trip, which was last Fall,
was with friend and fellow homesteader, Homemaker Ang.



And a second blue-eyed beauty, my Mother-in-Love, Sue.

Both women are beautiful, inside and out.

This trip will be just Sue and myself, one we've taken many times together.



I'm looking forward to meeting Laura Story.

And all the other wonderful speakers, which includes Rev. Billy Graham's daughter, Ruth.
I was so pleased to hear Billy Graham rallied from pneumonia last week, at the age of 92. 
PTL! (Praise the Lord!)



I'm also looking forward to the familiar, which makes the Island so special. 
Horse travel.
There are no motorized vehicles allowed on the Island.



Exquisite food.
Female fellowship.
The name of Jesus on everyone's lips, hearts, and minds.



I rarely leave home, but to me, Mackinac Island feels like home.
And I hope that never changes.



Wish you could be here wish us.

Perhaps next time. 
Let's plan...

Until tomorrow, God willing.



Sunday, May 15, 2011

Mustang Mayhem

3 + 1 = change

Big change, when it comes to adding another horse into the mix.

It's a slow, painstakingly slow, process.

A week ago Friday, we added another horse.

But it wasn't just any horse. 

It was Traveler, who had been here before, years ago, for a short period of time.

We weren't anticipating much reaction, as he knew all our horses. 
Nothing much had changed, except the fact that 4 years had passed...
and our young horses had grown into a mature herd.

It started with our good friend, with a trailer, as we don't own one.

Once a horse is at our place, if he leaves, he leaves by hoof power.



I was excited, following behind, as we traveled deep into the Jordan Valley and beyond.



Upon arriving, we loaded Traveler without incident and began our trek home. 
Coming home less than an hour later, our 3 horses were immediately on alert,
seeing the trailer pull down our long drive.

It resulted in a whinny or two, (or three) as the truck pulled to a stop.



With the assistance of Russ, Traveler slowly exited the trailer without incident or concern.



And began to become familiar with his new surroundings.



Once on terra firma, 
a cough the size of Texas prompted an emergency
Friday night visit from Chris Randall, DVM, our new large animal vet.

Medications were dispensed, injection given, and worries alleviated.

We were assured Traveler wasn't contagious, which was our first concern.

So, with a green light, the introductions of the geldings began.

First, Raz...our largest horse, who is Russ' main riding horse, and work-horse-in-training.



Then Nauish, our youngster of the crowd, another BLM Mustang, who is still in training.



Perhaps they are sharing secrets of their Mustang heritage.



Then Buck, the smallest and oldest, and our first horse ever, at Russ-Stick Acres.



Then, it was time to introduce Traveler to our fence boundary.



Even though he had been here for a short period of time, 4 years ago, he needed reminders.



We didn't want the excitement of the increased herd to plow a horse through the fence.



Unknowingly or otherwise.

It is always worth the effort when it comes to the safety of horses.



The excitement grew as the horses realized they were growing in numbers.



Our 3 horses were a cohesive unit.  Would they accept a 4th horse?



Once Traveler was in "their" area, on Saturday, the introductions continued.



Note...the quickly constructed shelter from the other round pen was for naught.
The construction took place due to his arriving ill,
keeping us busy while waiting for the vet to arrive,
with the possibility of Traveler being quarantined looming before us.



Now in the new area with the other horses nearby,
circling the round pen like whirling dervishes,
it was made obvious more fencing would need to be in place.
Introductions weren't going as well as we had hoped.

Wire, flags, posts, dust, dirt, sweat, missed anticipated grilled Saturday dinner,
wiped brows, sore backs, and hours later, it was accomplished.

A new area, all his own, which also included the round pen. 
The result ~ flagged fencing that kept Traveler a wire away from the 3 other horses.

Traveler would be near the other horses, but separate. 
Only able to chat over the pink-flagged single wire fence.



Sunday, fine. 
Monday, fine. 
Fence talk was working.
Monday night...not fine.
Chaos and destruction ensued.
Traveler decided he had been separate long enough. 
During the night he busted down a gate,
and tore through several strands of hot electric wire.
Not just in one section, but in several spots, decimating the existing fencing.
By early Monday morning, his task was complete. 
He got his way, as former band stallions often do.
He was in with the other horses, up close and personal, whether they liked it or not.
They didn't.
Russ, upon getting his coffee early Tuesday morning,
stood in the window to survey our place,
as he does every morning with coffee cup in hand,
only to see a gate down, and ripped out fencing lying crumpled on the ground. 

The lightening-laden, thunder-clap Tuesday morning,
all day,
and well into the early evening hours, 
was spent reconstructing fences by Russ, donned in rain gear,
and no doubt sweat,
brought on by hard work.

One huge plus, our trio didn't leave.
In addition, Traveler didn't leave the multiple gaps of freedom, 
so hastily provided by his efforts. 

The horses role? 
They were coping with their new untimely, unwanted guest.

Lots of air kicks, snaking of heads, avoidance, confrontation,
strikes with front feet, rump bites,
and on and on.
Luckily, and surprisingly, this former band stallion, Traveler, didn't leave a mark. 
Nor did he have any marks from the trio.
And finally, things slowly settled down a tad.


The struggle of who's the boss continues a week later, but with less fanfare.
Still the snaking, the air kicks, and the bites on the rump.  But less frequent.
And more time spent on snagging new sweet grasses, and enjoying the weather changes.



We know that spring will roll into summer,
and the decision of who's in charge will still be played out, Mustang style.

Until tomorrow, God willing.