Some Some Summertime!

No grand vacations this year - an over-nighter in Midland with Noni.  The usual water and outside activities.  Horses and feral hogs, horned toads and desert tortoise, library story time, playing soldier at the Fort, said Yeh-Yeh-Yeh-Yeh-Yes to Va-Va-Va-VBS, peaches and juice pops.

Spring is springing

Our front yard flowering quince.  A sight for winter-weary eyes.  I wish the picture could show the deep rich coral color it is.  Our D'Anjou pear tree is bursting with buds.  Last year it produced many hundreds of pears - if you like pears, they are so sweet.  I will be brushing up on pear recipes this summer.  Come visit and bring a big box!

High, low and in-between

That pretty well describes our lives the last few months.

We've moved back to Texas and have settled in, though we are missing "The Big Empty" of northeastern, NM.

You never know what life holds, but God is with you. And what He put on my heart long ago is a love and need for the beauty of His Creation. We may not be exactly where we want to be, don't know why He put us back in Texas. What He has given me here reminds me that He never leaves me. Walking out my door and seeing what was laid out before me everyday in the pictures of New Mexico I've posted here before, is the same beautiful creation He's laid out for me here. A glorious view of His work in the high country and range lands. He wants us to have faith in things we cannot see, and yet He still knows what I need here and gives me a tangible gift every day reminding me of His presence.

Change is in the air!

It's with this post I say we're moving back to the mountains of west Texas. As fall starts to set in on the early mornings of the high elevation grasslands of New Mexico, we'll be chasing summer south soon. Home is where your loved ones are, so I guess it doesn't matter where you live as long as you have those you love around you.

I'll miss this area of New Mexico. God's Country for sure.

Meet Olivia!

One chapter ends another begins and they all flow together to form the story of us.

I put down the last of my own dogs down a couple months ago. His name was Gunner. He was 17 years old. I bought him in 1992. Long before a husband and children were even mere specks of thoughts in my head.

Mesa had come along about the last year of Gunner's life. She'd never been without a companion. After Gunner died, she was somewhat out of sorts at being left alone. Dale and I decided to consider getting her a pal to play with again.

We kicked around some ideas on what might work for us. But mostly what wouldn't - sheds too much, nice for cuddling but too small for Mesa to play with, a puppy vs. older dog, etc. etc.

While we were busy making indefinite plans, the couple who sold Mesa to us had contacted us about a Neapolitan Mastiff/Great Dane mix who was only 1 old and already on her 4th home. Who'd have thunk as a puppy that a Neapolitan/Great Dane mix would get TOO BIG?? doh! So, as she outgrew homes and owners, she eventually made her way to us.

I'd already had an English Mastiff/St. Bernard cross years ago. All 225 lbs. of him. So I gingerly brought up the idea to Dale of adding a canine pony to the family. I think I'd finally worn him down - he's looking to downsize the animal population around here, but has a wife who'd take them all if she could.

He agreed to go see her, and we'd decide after we saw how she got along with our kids and Mesa. Well she was a pathetic site. Having been starved at her last home. Not a problem, we know how to feed 'em here. She was a little aloof and confused not knowing who or what else was in store for her. But we decided to take her as she was gentle with the kids and unconcerned about Mesa too.

Anyway, here she is. She's settling in fine - less of an adjustment for her than for us. While completely enamored at the idea of having such a unique, ginormous dog around, one thing that isn't pointed out in detail in the hopeful honeymoon phase, is the amount of DROOL they produce. Seriously. You have no idea until you've seen it in person.

Good thing she's such a pretty girl, because her personal hygiene habits leave a lot to be desired. :)

The journey begins!

After months of research, I came up with the curriculum for my daughter.

We're using:

Singapore Math and Math Mammoth
Writeshop Primary - grammar and comprehension
Starfall and Phonics - reading and spelling
Spanish phonics
Sign language
Apologia Science - this includes learning some Latin
Bible study
Read-alouds
Handwriting practice
Lots of one-on-one reading time and games that apply to all the subjects

We also use various CD-ROM's, free downloads, workbooks and have discovered the treasure trove of both early reading and nice textbook/educational books at thrift stores.

We need to play a little catch up!

After my daughter lost her sweet old mare last year, we put the word out and found a nice 13.2, 5 yr. old dapple grey pony mare. We named her Lilly. Miss Lilly. She's a sweetheart. The kids are both just starting to ride, but we hope that they come along and enjoy Miss Lilly for years to come. Picture of Jayden and Lilly to come.

Home's Cool!

After year-long consideration and nearly as much research on the subject, we've decided to homeschool our children.

There are many reasons for this. The most important reason is because God gave us these children to raise and no one can love them and bring them along like we can.

The other considerations: we're not crazy about the public school system in our area or our state. In general the school system simply can't meet everyone's needs and both the best and the brightest and the could-be-better-and-brighter both suffer for it. There is potential in everyone and the entire group is shorted when the bar isn't set high enough or not everyone gets the help they need to reach it.

Socialization can be a 4-letter word. We have raised our children with manners, values and compassion. They do not have the skills at this age to discern and handle the kind of people they need to both surround themselves with and separate themselves from.

Understanding and reaching educational goals with a heart and mind on their long-term academic future is important to us. Having the freedom to be able to teach them through various curriculum as per their talents and needs and having more time to do that one-on-one in the home is going to benefit them like no overwhelmed and unfocused school system can.

Proverbs 4:1-17
GOD - In this house we serve and honor the Lord and will bring our children up as He wants us to with the wisdom He's given us.

I won't surrender my children to this world. I will equip them to live in it.

Seasons and things anew!

Winter is turning loose of us here. Not that we had much of a winter between 08 and 09. The wind was our winter this year and since it's impossible to escape the wind in NM, we're happy to see it rise to a comfortable degree.

Earlier this Spring a friend of ours found our daughter a pony. We'd been through a couple of horses for her this past year and had all but about given up on that idea for now. Then came Lilly. Miss Lilly if addressing her formally. Will be posting pictures of her soon.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Doesn't matter what the temp says - it's always beautiful out here. We're blessed!

Christmas photos 2008

Time to round up the kiddos and get some photos taken for the season. The kids are now 4 & 5. The roan mare is 5 now, turning out to be a super horse - one or both of these kids is going to have a jam up rodeo horse someday.

Riding lessons

We haven't been able to find a suitable replacement for Fuzzy, so our next best idea was to get our daughter some riding lessons on trusted lesson horses. Lately we have been hauling her once a week to a 3-Day eventing trainer. She looks so tiny up there! The horse she's riding in the photos is "Socks" - reg. name Mi High Socks. He's an advanced eventing horse but does really well with the little ones too. All the private owner and lesson horses were body clipped for the winter show season. He's a shameless treat-beggar, and known as the "King of Carrots", so the crest on his hip is a crown and carrots crossed like sabers.

Texas Swing in the Big Empty

'Spanish Two-Step' was a simple melody that Bob Wills had made up in the early '30s. He'd written the fun instrumental piece when he was living and working as a barber in Roy, New Mexico, inspired by a style of dance out here. He recorded it in 1935, and renamed it 'San Antonio Rose'.

"The Big Empty" refers to the beautiful expansive rolling prairie, east of the Canadian River, from the northeastern New Mexico Highlands to the Texas panhandle. Those who love this area appreciate it for what it was and what it still is.

Wagon Mound Supply puts on a dinner and dance through the summer months known as the "Solano Starlight Ballroom" out in Solano, NM, which is between Roy and Mosquero.

Here is a photo of the historic buildings where the dances are held. They string the lights and spread corn meal on the dance floor. The band sets up on a flatbed trailer. It's a great time, next year will be their third year to hold the dances. They have four of them - from June - Sept. and it's always a good turnout. Good clean community and family fun.

Via con Dios, Fuzzy. And thank you....

BEYOND THE FENCELINE

When you look beyond the fenceline
and see that I'm not there,
Please remember that I'll never forget
how much you really cared.
I appreciate all the love you put into my soul,
often making me feel as though I was once again,
a newborn foal.

When you look beyond the fenceline
and see an empty space,
I'm hoping for thoughts of joy
to replace those tears on your face.
Although our time together was taken away too soon,
I'll always be watching over you -
through the sun, the stars and the moon.

When you look beyond the fenceline
you should not feel all alone,
for a part of you came with me
the day I went to God's home.
Although I didn't want to so soon, to be put to rest,
I assure you dear friend,
that my spirit and soul still feel the very best.

When you look beyond the fenceline
and think of me for a while,
remember all the fun we shared and
those times I made you smile.
Remember how we'd run the fields but never run away,
I'll never forget your gentle touch on my coat of bay.

So when you look beyond the fenceline,
don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me,
I'm right there in your heart.

When The Rains Came

We've been blessed this summer with nearly daily rains since June. I wouldn't mind enough days of dry weather to get the hay cut and cured - as long as it comes back for a good while once the hay's up.

Of Colts and Critters

It's been awhile since I've posted about Gator and Smokey. Both were sent down to Josh Armstrong back in Feb. 08 for 60 days to be started and are riding great. We're putting mostly ranch riding miles on them this year. Gator will be one of my barrel horses and Smokey will be Dale's cutting horse.

All creatures great and small....
This little guy needed my help the other morning and spent about 45 minutes getting back on his feet sitting on my hand while I fed him. Just call me "The Bird Whisperer".

A girl and her pony

Meet Fuzzy. We used to not let Jayden ride when she was really little as all we had were colts. Once I got a nice quiet mare she refused to ride. I was sure I'd ruined her on horses for good. Her dad was tickled...less mouths to feed, tack to buy, farrier work to be done, you get the idea. But recently she has started asking for a pony. Ponies are an endangered species in New Mexico, even rotten ponies. So we forgot about it for awhile and stocked her up on bright pink and purple riding gear (an obvious barrel racer in the making) to keep her occupied. Then a couple weeks ago, someone donated 2 horses to the ranch. Lifelong companions, one a team roping horse, the other...Fuzzy. A 27 yr. old "gummer" mare who really I'm sure thought her riding days were over. But that she's needing some specialized care, we offered to do that for her, took her off welfare and asked Jayden if she'd like to have her own horse. Jayden laid eyes on her and it was love at first sight. She wanted to ride her as soon as she could get into the corral. That smile hasn't left her face. She's caught the bug. She loves Fuzzy. She thinks this old toothless mare is the greatest horse there ever was. It chokes me up to see her busting with pride telling everyone she meets about her Fuzzy. Wants to ride her morning and night and makes sure we're feeding her correctly and when it's time to go inside for the evening, always tells her "Goodnight Fuzzy...I love you."

Our discriminating carnivore.

Not long after we moved here we had an unfortunate late-night meeting with a thieving undesirable. That coupled with the fact that my husband has "never met a stranger" put fates together that night.

Needless to say we started looking for an intimidating gate-greeter, and found her. She's a Bullmastiff/Great Pyrenese mix we purchased from a Cane Corso breeder who does rescue on the side. She's just what we'd hoped, was easy to train, is highly protective, not intimidated, loves "her" people and is our steadfast guardian. Call before you drop in. :)

We also have oodles and oodles of fearless bears out here, a few mountain lions. We had hoped she'd make a good bear-protection dog, but that isn't her forte'. I'm pretty sure she'd offer me up as a sacrifice so she could get a good headstart for home if we ever crossed paths with one.

The Kidlets

We're "late life" parents. Had my daughter at 37, my son at 38. It's not actually 'having' the kids later in life that's difficult, I mean really....I was well-medicated during the 'having' part. It's going through toddler-hood completely unmedicated that's rough on a gal. :)

But reality is that God is good and blessed us with two beautiful and very easy-going kids. Jayden is wise beyond her years and Jace is our comic relief. He is SOOOOO gonna hate me when I create his own page here. He has no shame, anything for a laugh and I have the pictures to prove it. Should be good fodder to show all his girlfriends someday.

Halloween 2007

December 2007

Our "Rides"

Boon A Little

with Bill Freeman aboard

It was supposed to be real easy. We had a real simple plan. I'd get back into competition and so would Dale. Well...in the last 4 years we've bought, traded, lost, bought, gave-away, bought again, sold again, retired, found again and are selling again (which means I get to buy again) a number of performance prospects over the last couple of years searching for the right one(s). And besides, a girl's got to have two horses to haul with. According to my daughter, one to wear pink, the other to wear purple.

Dale left the cutting pen for a number of years in order to finish his Masters degree and eventually be reinstated as a non-pro. Finally after spending four years working with my barrel horses he finally found "THE" new cutting prospect he'd been waiting for. A young gelding by Boon A Little (140k NCHA) and out of Peppy Docs Mimosa (100k NCHA). Good works do pay off! He was finally and justly rewarded for having a wife who barrel races - and especially having to help train her mares. ('nuff said on both counts).

Peppy Docs Boon - AKA "Smokey"

Boon A Little x Peppy Docs Mimosa

The long-awaited, much-anticipated and well-earned WUNDERPFERD.

I don't know about the barn name though. Our daughter named him. And well, she's 3. Maybe it was all those early-morning father/daughter Gunsmoke-watching bottle-feedings in her infanthood making an impression on her. Dale likes it a whole lot better than her first choice, "Cherry". Smokey is 2, won't be futuritied so he gets to be a fat pasture colt until early 2008, where he'll be going to Josh Armstrong, then he'll be started and on his way to a career in cutting.



Georgia Dash - AKA "Gator"

Sour Mash Dash x Sunny's Little Cuss

(And believe you me, she comes by "Gator" honestly). Denise's up and coming "go fast" horse. 2 yr. old granddaughter of First Down Dash. She's also got Easy Jet, Custus Rastus, Chickarun and Go Man Go. She's a bit of a...well, she's a snot. But she's intelligent, athletic and FAST. She's the sweetheart of the barn - even though Dale accuses her of having a "malicous and larcenous heart" he'll still refer to her as "Precious". I write that here because he would call me a liar if I told that in public. :)

A Drift Of Roan - AKA "Salty"
Ortiz Star x Driftwoods Poco

Our newest addition! 4 yr. old mare, 16 hands. Orphan Drift, Two Eyed Jack, Leo, Clabber Bar, and Poco Bueno. Solid, hard-knocking, rodeo, roping and ranch lines. You can't ignore "want to" and she's got it in spades. She's just started her slow pattern work, but she's got the "can mortally fly" part down pat. Powerful and talented horse, wicked fast. She was being held back by her breeder/owner to be her replacement pro-rodeo horse, but she decided she's got too many to get out from under and sell before she can get back on the rodeo road, so rather than make the mare wait much longer, she decided to let her go to a competitive home. She'll also be trained to rope.