If we are supposed to make lemonade, then, honey, we have enough of a supply to last us well through Labor Day.
The horses are fine, the girls are fine. The husband is still alive and living in the same house. Barely.
Personal crisis up the wa-zoo.
THE one good note - set your clocks forward at 2 am. :) Spring is going to spring on us one of these days. Of course, our weather forecast is for rain, snow, sleet. But mostly rain at our elevation.
Horses, horses and more horses are in the market place and on the list for auctions. If you were thinking of buying or getting a horse, it's your time. People are having a most difficult time GIVING trained, sane, safe horses away.
Due to the economy, the lack of work, the foreclosures, the animals are on the first line of 'disposable' things in people's lives. If you have the means, support your local rescues or humane societys. If you can foster, donate, socialize, educate or volunteer, now is the time that we have the most need.
Hang in there. I don't think we've hit bottom yet, but hope that we are close enough to call it. Things will get better. They always do.
Be greatful and appreciate all you do have. There are so many out there that don't even have the basics.
So, while I am whining that it's not spring yet and the snow is still coming, those might be pennies from heaven for those that plow. Ignore me and my belly-aching. I truly have it good. And I do most humbly appreciate it.
IF you need help with your horses, go to www.newenglandequinerescues.com and find the help page. DO NOT let your animals suffer. There is someone who will help.
:)
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
What Happened to Spring?
It's 9:17 pm. It's 12 degrees outside. What in the world happened to spring being right around the corner?
I'm freezing my butt off. It's too cold outside. I had to get hay earlier today. Then I came home and put the horses in. No time to schmooze... no time to snuggle.
My wonderful husband keeps telling me that spring is right around the corner. Yeah, right. Just like the light in the tunnel is not the oncoming train. Just wait for the wreck.
So, for those of you who are still in the frozen north, hang in there. Do what I did. I went online and found a bunch of pictures of people riding their horses on green grass and started to cry.
That's ok, though. I'm inside by the wood stove and at least the tears aren't freezing on my face.
Sigh. Ohy, vey.
I'm freezing my butt off. It's too cold outside. I had to get hay earlier today. Then I came home and put the horses in. No time to schmooze... no time to snuggle.
My wonderful husband keeps telling me that spring is right around the corner. Yeah, right. Just like the light in the tunnel is not the oncoming train. Just wait for the wreck.
So, for those of you who are still in the frozen north, hang in there. Do what I did. I went online and found a bunch of pictures of people riding their horses on green grass and started to cry.
That's ok, though. I'm inside by the wood stove and at least the tears aren't freezing on my face.
Sigh. Ohy, vey.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Man's Guide to the Female Equestrian in his Life...
EASY TO LOCATE: She's either off on the horse or out in the barn
UPHOLDS THE DOUBLE STANDARD: Smooches with the most bewhiskered beast, but quickly recoils when you need to shave.
OWNS ONE VACUUM CLEANER: And operates it exclusively in the barn.
A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY: Providing the party is given by another horsey wife.
ECONOMY MINDED: Won't waste your money on permanents, facials, or manicures.
A CULINARY PERFECTIONIST: Checks every section of hay for mold but doesn't blink when she chars your dinner a little.
OCCASIONALLY AMOROUS: But never leaves lipstick on your collar, at worst, slight trace of chap stick.
EASY TO OUTFIT: No need for embarrassing visits to uncomfortable little boutiques. You can find all she wears at your local tack store.
FEATURES A SELECTIVE SENSE OF SMELL: Bitterly complains about your sticky-sweet cigar smoke while remaining totally oblivious to the almost visible aroma of her boots drying next to the heater.
UNMISTAKABLE IN A BATHING SUIT: She's the one whose tan starts at the nose, ends at the neck, and picks up again at the wrists.
A DEDICATED CLUB WOMAN: As long as the words "horse" or "riding" appear in its name.
HAS YOUR LEISURE AT HEART: Eliminates grass cutting by turning every square inch of lawn into pasture.
A MASTER AT MULTIPLICATION: She starts with one horse, adds a companion, and the next time you look there are five.
KEEPS AN EAGLE EYE ON THE BUDGET: Easily justifies spending six hundred dollars on tack or feed but croaks when you blow ten on bowling.
AN ENGAGING CONVERSATIONALIST: Can rattle on endlessly about pedigrees, training or breeding.
SOCIALLY AWARE: Knows that formal occasions calls for clean boots.
A MOVING FORCE IN THE FAMILY: House by house, she'll get you to move closer to horse country (and farther away from your job).
EASY TO PLEASE: A new wheelbarrow, custom boots, or even a folding hoof pick will win her heart forever.
SENTIMENTAL FOOL: Displays a minimum of six 8x10 color photos of the horse in the house and carries a crumpled snapshot of you (taken before you were married) somewhere in the bottom of her purse.
SHOWS HER AFFECTION IN UNUSUAL WAYS: If she pats you on the neck and says "you're a good boy", believe it or not, she loves you!
MOTHER HEN: If you say you feel bad , she says she is sorry, take some meds and go to bed, you're essentially on your own. Let the horse(s) get sick or injured you may not see her for days as she has temporarily moved into the barn.
Things every man should realize before marrying a horsewoman.
1. The horse(s) will always come first, understand this going in.
2. A clean house is a sign of an ignored horse, this is unacceptable.
3. You can be King of the castle; that makes it your responsibility.
4. I'm Queen of the barn. Invasion of your things will be considered an act of war.
5. Grass is sacred. However, the horse is allowed to tear up the sod with his hoofs. If you do the same with your 4-wheeler, you're dead.
6. I fed the horses, you're allowed in the kitchen; so feed yourself.
7. Horses can't use pitchforks, but you CAN use the vacuum.
8. If you must write in the dust, please don't date it.
9. Manure is a wonderful aroma and useful by-product. Make the best of it, plant me some roses.
10. If I helped you 'mess' the bed, don't expect me to 'make' it too.
11. Kitchen closed on all beautiful days.
12. A little horse hair in the washer won't kill you, it's clean.
13. Whenever you think you are a 'real stud' go take a closer look at the fellows in the barn. They are gelded.
14. Ring bell for maid service. If no one answers, do it yourself.
15. The house was clean once this season. What more do you want?
16. If you don't like my standards of cooking and cleaning, then lower your standards.
17. A clean barn makes a happy horse; A happy horse makes me happy. A happy me is much easier to live with.
18. PMS is nothing compared to a woman kept from her horse.
19. A messy kitchen is a happy kitchen, and my kitchen is delirious.
20. YOU can help keep the kitchen clean. Take me out to dinner.
21. If you want dinner on the table when you get home, bring the pizza with you.
22. A dozen leafy green bales in the barn means more and smells sweeter to me than a dozen roses in a bouquet.
23. The hell with a real fur coat, (my horse already has one)... give me real fence instead.
24. You want to know where you rate with me? Just count the horses and add one.
25. So this isn't home sweet home... adjust!
(some minor alterations were done by Lynn :)
Jennifer A. D. Madden, D.V.M.
Few Horse Farm
97 Mountain View Lane
Elma, WA 98541
UPHOLDS THE DOUBLE STANDARD: Smooches with the most bewhiskered beast, but quickly recoils when you need to shave.
OWNS ONE VACUUM CLEANER: And operates it exclusively in the barn.
A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY: Providing the party is given by another horsey wife.
ECONOMY MINDED: Won't waste your money on permanents, facials, or manicures.
A CULINARY PERFECTIONIST: Checks every section of hay for mold but doesn't blink when she chars your dinner a little.
OCCASIONALLY AMOROUS: But never leaves lipstick on your collar, at worst, slight trace of chap stick.
EASY TO OUTFIT: No need for embarrassing visits to uncomfortable little boutiques. You can find all she wears at your local tack store.
FEATURES A SELECTIVE SENSE OF SMELL: Bitterly complains about your sticky-sweet cigar smoke while remaining totally oblivious to the almost visible aroma of her boots drying next to the heater.
UNMISTAKABLE IN A BATHING SUIT: She's the one whose tan starts at the nose, ends at the neck, and picks up again at the wrists.
A DEDICATED CLUB WOMAN: As long as the words "horse" or "riding" appear in its name.
HAS YOUR LEISURE AT HEART: Eliminates grass cutting by turning every square inch of lawn into pasture.
A MASTER AT MULTIPLICATION: She starts with one horse, adds a companion, and the next time you look there are five.
KEEPS AN EAGLE EYE ON THE BUDGET: Easily justifies spending six hundred dollars on tack or feed but croaks when you blow ten on bowling.
AN ENGAGING CONVERSATIONALIST: Can rattle on endlessly about pedigrees, training or breeding.
SOCIALLY AWARE: Knows that formal occasions calls for clean boots.
A MOVING FORCE IN THE FAMILY: House by house, she'll get you to move closer to horse country (and farther away from your job).
EASY TO PLEASE: A new wheelbarrow, custom boots, or even a folding hoof pick will win her heart forever.
SENTIMENTAL FOOL: Displays a minimum of six 8x10 color photos of the horse in the house and carries a crumpled snapshot of you (taken before you were married) somewhere in the bottom of her purse.
SHOWS HER AFFECTION IN UNUSUAL WAYS: If she pats you on the neck and says "you're a good boy", believe it or not, she loves you!
MOTHER HEN: If you say you feel bad , she says she is sorry, take some meds and go to bed, you're essentially on your own. Let the horse(s) get sick or injured you may not see her for days as she has temporarily moved into the barn.
Things every man should realize before marrying a horsewoman.
1. The horse(s) will always come first, understand this going in.
2. A clean house is a sign of an ignored horse, this is unacceptable.
3. You can be King of the castle; that makes it your responsibility.
4. I'm Queen of the barn. Invasion of your things will be considered an act of war.
5. Grass is sacred. However, the horse is allowed to tear up the sod with his hoofs. If you do the same with your 4-wheeler, you're dead.
6. I fed the horses, you're allowed in the kitchen; so feed yourself.
7. Horses can't use pitchforks, but you CAN use the vacuum.
8. If you must write in the dust, please don't date it.
9. Manure is a wonderful aroma and useful by-product. Make the best of it, plant me some roses.
10. If I helped you 'mess' the bed, don't expect me to 'make' it too.
11. Kitchen closed on all beautiful days.
12. A little horse hair in the washer won't kill you, it's clean.
13. Whenever you think you are a 'real stud' go take a closer look at the fellows in the barn. They are gelded.
14. Ring bell for maid service. If no one answers, do it yourself.
15. The house was clean once this season. What more do you want?
16. If you don't like my standards of cooking and cleaning, then lower your standards.
17. A clean barn makes a happy horse; A happy horse makes me happy. A happy me is much easier to live with.
18. PMS is nothing compared to a woman kept from her horse.
19. A messy kitchen is a happy kitchen, and my kitchen is delirious.
20. YOU can help keep the kitchen clean. Take me out to dinner.
21. If you want dinner on the table when you get home, bring the pizza with you.
22. A dozen leafy green bales in the barn means more and smells sweeter to me than a dozen roses in a bouquet.
23. The hell with a real fur coat, (my horse already has one)... give me real fence instead.
24. You want to know where you rate with me? Just count the horses and add one.
25. So this isn't home sweet home... adjust!
(some minor alterations were done by Lynn :)
Jennifer A. D. Madden, D.V.M.
Few Horse Farm
97 Mountain View Lane
Elma, WA 98541
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