Well, …now it’s Thursday and Wednesday’s entry if floating somewhere out in the ether. Greg ( the computer…the everything guru ) told me once ( several times) that the computer only does what you ask it to do. All I can say is, I wish it wasn’t quite so obedient ! Yesterday’s entry was a work of art, a literary masterpiece ( since no one will ever see it I’m safe. Smile) I completed the entry on Word and went to transfer to the website. Poof…gone…disappeared and I couldn’t get it back. Then the computer wouldn’t do what I told it to do and bring it back. DOH !!!
Whilst we were away from the ranch on yet another doctor visit, in yet another doctors office, Ginger was captain of the ship, sailing solo, all alone with the horses, sheep chickens goats and cows. Just for moral and physical support we had arranged for the cavalry to arrive in the form of our wonderful neighbours Heidi and Robin. Cows sheep and goats seem to have an instinctive knowledge that one person can’t be in two places at once and perversely they invariably go in the opposite direction to the one intended. Being alone and watching a flock or herd’s butt going the wrong way, to end up who knows where, isn’t much fun. Heidi brought Art along. Art doesn’t do farming, Art is a tree man and confident in his own environment. I guess, from all accounts, Art the tree mans comment was, when approaching the big Shires…. “ you can only die once”. That didn’t sound too confident…?
Lady and Quest our two oversized equines don’t have to be asked twice to go home. The barn is warm and dry, the barn has hay and a bucket of grain, from 3pm two anxious horses stand by the gate and watch and wait. Art ( bravely) and Heidi entered the pasture and as usual both huge heads lower to allow even the smallest person to fasten head collars. ( hurry up, ..lets go !!) Stage one. Now, for total novice to perfect the art of getting big horse out of field without managing to have five toes crumpled under one big shire hoof is pretty impressive, next challenge,.... to get the one ton gentle giant back to the barn. Art was doing well, Lady was happy to be on the way home and so far all ten toes were intact. Heidi had Quest our younger gelding, bigger than Lady, also happy to be heading for home. No one had thought about Gertie the goose. Gertie had been on the pond, quietly having a few goose moments before she reverted to pseudo horse. Suddenly Gertie noticed the people and the people were taking Quest away. There they were, Art, Heidi, Lady and Quest processing down the farm road, their heavy hooves clomping on the gravel. Gertie panicked, Quest was leaving and leaving without her. Gertie clearly decided to act on instinct and in her anxiety took off from the pond in a flurry of webbed feet and wings, only to misjudge judge her landing, coming down on Quests back. Even the kindest gentlest horse may have a problem with giving a hitch hiking Canada goose a ride, luckily, though less than impressed, Quest startled but the call of the grain was stronger than the instinct to show a bit of outsized attitude. Gertie slid off the horses rump, down his tail and, back on terra firma regained her composure. The procession continued down the farm road, Lady and Art the tree man, Heidi and Quest the Shire gelding…..and bringing up the rear, waddling as fast as her webbed feet would take her was Gertie the confused goose. The Canadian Goose waddled as far as the barn…one day I swear that goose will be found roosting in the stall.
Thanks to all our helpers on the farm, we couldn't have done it without you.
Quatre came “home” yesterday, she has been in Seattle over Christmas but returned home, all two stepped out, refreshed and happy to get back to the barn and the barnfull of critters. Good to see that smile again.
Well, time I followed the back police directives…Nurse Cratchet will be on my case. There MUST be something I can do ????
Take care, keep safe, M
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