The Times, They are a-Changin'

As I drove past the farm fields today, I noticed something.

 The corn is beginning to dry and turn brown.

So are the soybeans.

And if you look closely at the trees in the picture above, you'll see that some of the leaves, while not quite turning color yet, are losing their vibrant green color and fading into a softer, yellower green.

Autumn is on the way. And I am not sure I am ready for this:

Mom - My Horsey Supporter

My mother has always said that I have loved horses since my youngest years. She would tell me that, as a toddler, I would get excited about the horses we saw as we drove along in the car. (You know, back in the day before car seats. I was probably standing up in the back seat, pressed against the window, looking at the horses!)

Mom, all glammed up for my sister's wedding in 2009.

She, in the guise of Santa Claus in 1963, bought me the china horse that started my now-1,000+ piece collection of model horses.

I named him Brownie, and as you can see, he is very well-loved. Today I keep him in my china cabinet with my finest Hagen Renakers and other expensive chinas. (A fond memory of Brownie is holding him close to me as I lay in bed sick with the measles. I remember feeling so awful, but I still wanted my pony close by.)

Mom was an animal lover from the get-go herself. While never as horsey as me, she did like them, and used to go riding with her cousins at her Aunt Clara's farm in Watseka, Illinois.

Mom riding at her aunt's home. Notice she is also holding a little dog! This picture was taken around 1938.

During my childhood, I argued with my parents that our back yard was big enough for a horse. All we needed to do was to fence it in, and I would do the rest. Well, that really wasn't feasible, but my parents listened and continued to encourage my love of horses by giving me riding lessons, taking me to local horse shows so I could watch, and buying more pieces for my ever-expanding collection.

Finally the day came in January 1970 when they bought 8 acres on the Wabash River - room for me to have a horse! Two months later, I had Amy.

Amy and me, March, 1970.

Experienced horse people know what happened next. I got another horse - you can't keep a horse alone as they are herd animals. And then another, and...

 Amy and Pokey.

Cee and me, swimming. (Gosh, that was fun, swimming with a horse!)

We also had Nick and Flame, and later Indy and Sugar. Plus, I cared for other people's horses, Scoj and Lass, plus a donkey, Jose! (More fun!)

We may have been a backyard horse operation, but I did all the work, read books about horse care, observed how others did things, joined 4-H, showed in local shows, and through that process became a life-long horsewoman.

A favorite recent picture of my mother participating in a gigantic family water fight at my home.

Mom left for "greener pastures" yesterday. Her passing was peaceful and gentle, and I was with her when it happened. I visited her daily, and at the end of our visits, we always held hands and said a prayer together.

Mom and me, holding hands in prayer our final time yesterday.

Good-bye, Mom. You were the best. And thanks for supporting and encouraging my lifelong passion for all things horsey.

I love you and will see you again.

Tornado!!

Ever watched those news videos of a tornado coming down, and you see a few cars driving along nearby and wonder, "Why on earth are they not getting out of the way?? What are they thinking??" Well, I was one of those folks yesterday afternoon and I know what they're thinking:

"No.... it couldn't be a tornado. Not right next to me. Couldn't be."

"Don't be an idiot. You are NOT seeing a tornado. There are no warnings out and the sirens aren't blowing."

"This isn't tornado weather - it could not be a tornado. It's just an odd cloud.

"Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?"

"Where's my phone?! I think I am watching a tornado!"

"Oh, my gosh! Is it coming toward me or away from me??"

"It is roping out. That IS a tornado."

"Look at it move! I think it's moving away from me. Yeah, it's going away from my car."

"I can't believe what I just saw!"

I was driving on 600 around 6:00 PM after work, heading out to see Abby. I had just passed Battleground Middle School when I saw an odd looking cloud over the field to my right. I like to weather-watch, and I have seen several tornados (albeit never this close!)  and I was struck by how much it looked like one but dismissed that thought as it was not your traditional tornado weather. There were no warnings, no hail, no ominous green cast to the sky.... nothing that indicated possible tornado formation.

As I drove along, I kept an eye on it, and the funnel came down and touched the ground in the field next to the road. Yep, a full fledged tornado, on the ground in the cornfield. Right next to me.

Still in disbelief, I watched it as I drove, getting a little nervous that, if it really was what I thought it was, I was only a couple hundred feet away and did not know which direction it was going.

As I gaped at it, it very suddenly roped out, snaked a bit through the corn, and then dissolved into nothing. I held onto the steering wheel, grateful that I was okay and that the tornado had not hit me, any homes, barns, or the road.

About an hour later, the local news station posted a video of the tornado that someone at the middle school had taken of it. The link is here; as I watch it, I still find it a bit hard to believe that it formed in the field next to me. And actually, I am really grateful to have had the opportunity to witness one form, touch down, and dissipate.

And,  to do so safely.

Just a Summer Night

Just a summer night at the barn with my girl and her friends.

 Snickerdoodle, Trouble, Sultanna, and Hokey.

The horses are currently out in the northwest pasture.  It is L-shaped and the biggest, so sometimes I have to go out and find them.

Diablo, Sultanna, and Snickerdoodle.

Today I hadn't walked too far out before they they spotted me, and as soon as they did, they began heading in my direction. Since I am still wobbly post-op, I turned and began walking back to the gate. The ground is uneven in that area, and while I am very comfortable being surrounded by horses in a pasture, at the moment I don't think I could get out of the way should a tussle break out.  

I looked back over my shoulder to see if they were still coming, and they had picked up the pace and were coming at me fast! Luckily I was close to the gate, a place where I felt more secure and less likely to fall. (My right leg had become very weak prior to surgery; I am still getting the strength and coordination back in it.)

I had an apple and some peppermints for Abbs tonight.

 As usual, she licked my hand when she finished her treats. (I think she has the most beautiful eyes.)

 We visited a bit, and then she headed back out to rejoin her friends.

Teachers start back to school the day after tomorrow, and the students next Tuesday, so I don't have too many more free days.

All the more reason to enjoy a warm summer night with my girl.

Almost Back to Normal!

Judging by this video (taken in my back yard while I was dog sitting for Lisa), I'd say Millie is feeling like herself again! She gets her staples out later this week, and we are very, very grateful she pulled through the surgery after her gallbladder ruptured.

Fe

A Satellite Tour of Abby's Home

Using Google Earth, I took some pictures of Abby's home. I talk about the old barn the new barn, the blue barn, the different pastures... It can be hard to keep them straight!

Officially, the property is called Gibbs' Equestrian Center. (I just call it "the barn.") It is located in a very horsey section of the county; just within view are three other horse properties. And, the drive from my home is only five miles. If I am coming after work from school, it is actually just a short jog from my route home. Either way, a visit to Abby is convenient.

 This is an overview of the property. Sorry for the red pin - I could not remove it!

The agribusiness next door is the only thing in these photos that is not Tim's property. They dry and store grains from the farmlands in the area.

An elderly couple lives in the old farmhouse. They've lived in it forever, and Tim has some sort of agreement with them about letting them remain in the home. I suspect that when they leave or pass away, he will tear the farmhouse down.

My favorite spot - the old barn! Like the farmhouse, it's 100+ years old and is in good shape. I love to visit with Abby inside it. The lane back to it, though, can be difficult to navigate in the snow.

 The northwest pasture. It is L-shaped and the biggest pasture on the property.

The northeast pasture. It has a bit of a grade going up to the old barn and farmhouse. Sometimes the herd gets to galloping around, and can pick up a little speed as they race down it!

The loafing shed. Tim built it after these pictures were taken, but the red circle is where it is located.

 The hay field. Tim gets several cuttings a year from it and stores the hay in the old barn's hay mow.

 The new barn. It has an indoor arena, box stalls lining both the east and west sides, Tim's workshop where he restores buggies, wagons, and sleighs, a tack room, a bathroom, a lounge, and an office. It's really nice inside, but both he and I prefer to keep our horses outside, so the box stalls rarely get used.

The small paddock is a nice place to put a mare and foal, a new horse as you prepare to introduce it to the herd, or where I take Abby if I want to spend time with her without the other horses. Sometimes I bring her in there along with a lawn chair. I sit, and she grazes. But she will always stop grazing and come over to see me as I sit, just to touch base I suppose!

The southeast paddock is pretty. It's another place Tim will put a mare and foal, or a new horse. It's actually a pasture, but I've always called it a paddock!

The southwest pasture. It's next to the hay field, and sometimes the horses stand at the fence and watch Tim as he cuts hay. (Especially Trouble, who is SO nosy.)

This is the caretaker's home. It's a really nice house and every window looks out at horses! Tim's daughter and her husband live there, and they keep an eye on the place. (Tim lives about a mile away.)

Last but not least, the blue barn and its pasture. It is rented out by a middle aged couple who are here at Purdue University. They have three Rocky Mountain Spotted Horses and they do all their own work caring for their horses. The time they come out rarely coincides with mine, so while I have met them, I really don't know them.

I sometimes pinch myself that I am able to keep Abby here. Tim trims her feet, gives her her vaccinations, and feeds her hay in the winter. I have not had ONE vet call since arriving in April, 2012.

We are both very happy at Tim's!

Look Who's Better!

One week ago we were all in tears, thinking Millie's time had come. Well, just look at who is better!

 Snuggled up on Lisa's bed for a snooze.

 Sleeping in the living room while her mama works at the table.

Stretched out in the sun on the deck.

Yep! Millie is doing well!!