A memory kind of day

My mom's been doing a lot of sorting through old papers & pictures. She sent a few along recently, and that got me started looking through some of the ones I've managed to collect. We had - well, not exactly a menagerie - but a number of critters over the years. And they appear as regular characters in my school assignments and in family photos.

This little booklet must have been first or second grade, and after chuckling my way through the six or so pages, I though it might be fun to put photos with the descriptions. (It's interesting to note that neither my spelling, nor my penmanship have substantially improved!).

Shandar photos were fairly easy. I have numerous shots of my poor, long-suffering pony. Usually draped in something, whether kids or other odd get-ups. He was really a saint most of the time. (Although yes, occasionally hard to catch!)
I learned all sorts of horse dos & don'ts under his patient tutelage and my folks' watchful eyes - this must have been shortly after Shan came to live with us.
That blanket? I still have it. It's TB-size. And it was NOT cold when this picture was taken. If you look closely, he's asleep. Not sure what I was up to.
I recall spending a lot of time pretending to be asleep, just to see where he'd wander. Usually, back to the barn.

Then there were the cats.

Muffin, our first kitten, grew up in a household with two little girls who fought over everything. She very quickly learned that my mother was the boss, and we could safely be ignored or intimidated. She could, and often did, bring home bunny feet and partridge wings, leaving them proudly on the doorstep.
Climbing up to go to bed in the top bunk when Muffin was there first went something along these lines: "Ow! - Mom! She won't let me up!"
[From the kitchen - in a stern tone:] "Muf-fin." [Sounds of me climbing gingerly into bed, making sure not to accidentally kneel on a paw or tail.]

More later - must go do something productive with my day.

Foxy - day 3

Foxy was fine last night, which was a great relief. They were all moving with caution, as the lot looked like a chocolate cake batter someone had unkindly poured water into. It didn't smell as appealing, though. And it was slippery.

Having forgotten to put on my rubber boots before wading in, I decided I might as well continue as I started.

[Plug here for Mountain Horse Mountain Rider boots - (I think they've discontinued thesel, or at least they've gotten difficult to find in the US, unfortunately, but I LOVE them.) In spite of the fact that they're leather with laces, I have yet to go home with wet feet after wading through the over-ankle deep slop. Wet pant legs, yes. But my socks are always dry. They're not cheap, but one pair lasts me several years of winter/summer wearing. And I wear them in everything, 'cause I'm always forgetting to put on muck boots.]

On the other thing.... Well - my co-workers were mad, which was nice. I'm still on the lookout for that window to show up, and I have moments of panic now and then, but on the whole, I think we'll all weather this just fine. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers - they're much appreciated, and I'll keep you posted. Unless something major occurs, though, I'm probably going to stick to horse topics here. It's cheerier! :)

Friday Book Review: Chicken soup...

Anyone out there a short story fan? I'd say non-fiction short stories, but in this case, that might be stretching credibility just a tad. If you are, you may have run across the Chicken Soup series at one time or another, even if you haven't actually read one.

In case you're unfamiliar, the Chicken Soup for the [insert object of affection]lover's soul books are supposedly true accounts of miraculous, inspiring, and/or touching experiences revolving around someone's experience with the named thing. So in this case, horses.

Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul II by Jack Canfield

I received this as a present one Christmas. I've never read a Chicken Soup book before -- if you're a fan of anthologies like this, you probably already know what you'll find inside. If you've never read one, some advice: unless you're a fan massive quantities of sweetness and light (think eating a whole cake, or a giant swirl of cotton candy all at one go), it may be best not to read them in one sitting.

I did. Which in retrospect was most likely a mistake. Read over a period of time, I probably would have enjoyed all of the stories more. Read all at once, by two thirds of the way through the book, I was on inspiration overload.

The first third of the book was great -- I sniffled my way through part of a box of tissues. The last handful of stories were for the most part realistic and believable, and I enjoyed them, as well.
A few in the middle, however, rubbed me completely the wrong way. If you're a horse owner, you'll know which ones when you hit them.

Overall, it wasn't a bad read, and there are a couple of stories I may read again some day or recommend to friends. When, if ever, I read another Chicken Soup book, however, I think it will be one or two "bowls" at a time.

And I really mean that last sentence. I don't know that I would voluntarily pick one of these up again outside of a doctor's or dentist's office waiting room or other, equally dire, location with a serious dearth of reading material. (Which is why I bring my own book along when I visit those places!)

Waiting for the other shoe

On the good news front, Foxy was doing much better tonight. We (T came out to give me a hand) soaked feet - rear left & front right - just to be safe, but she was only slightly off trotting, and was standing & walking without favoring anything. Guess we'll see what tomorrow brings. Maybe it was a strain, or maybe the mysterious migrating lameness will be back again tomorrow.

On the bad news front, it was definitely a pink letter day. The economic downturn has hit home here.

My last day at work will be May 31st.

I'm still processing.

It was a surprise,
but not a complete shock,

The possibility's been looming for a while. I was assured of positive references, and that none of this is anything to do with me, personally. Doesn't make it any easier, does it?

So, we have some decisions to make here. Stay? Go? For a job in my field, I'd probably have to relocate, which isn't an unattractive proposition - not entirely, and especially not now. But whatever gets decided will be a joint decision. Rome wasn't built in a day, and nothing's going to get decided tonight, that's for sure.

You know, I stewed all day wondering what the mysterious meeting at 4 PM with the director & provost would be - I knew it wasn't going to be good news. So in a way, knowing was a relief. But I didn't feel better about things until I'd been out to feed tonight. The horses are completely oblivious, happy to be fed, and with warmer weather. Sunny waiting semi-patiently at the gate, hollering when he saw me climb out of the car (he's the only one who does). My fuzzy mental health fix.

I'll have lots to do at work the next couple months getting things wrapped up and someone(s) trained to take over the essential stuff. Unfortunately for those still employed, what I'm doing is still going to need to be done, whether I'm there to do it or not.

And bad as today's news is, we will be okay. Doors don't close without others opening, and I'm doing my best to see the positive side of things. I'm not quite sure what shape positive will take yet, but I know it's there!

Aw Foxy, what now?

Last night Foxy looked a bit sore, but I couldn't find any hot spots, bumps, bruises or anywhere that poking or prodding made her go "OUCH!" so J & I tentatively chalked it up to a slight pull or strain from being chased around in the less than great footing.

But this afternoon she wasn't just a bit off. She's dead lame on her right front. Still no heat in it anywhere, no bumps, not an ouchy spot to be found anywhere from shoulder on down. She will stand solid on it, but favors it - a bunch - when she moves. Since she's the one who apparently blew 4 abscesses simultaneously last summer...I'm thinking she has another one brewing. So while she ate her grain I stuck her foot in a bucket of Epson Salts & hot water (she was so thrilled) for about 15 minutes. Figured it couldn't hurt anything, at very least, and with her hoof completely cleaned off I could take a good look. Still nothing obviously wrong other than that something obviously hurts.

Foxy cleaned up her grain just fine, and was headed over to start in on some hay when I left tonight, so at least it's not effecting her appetite.

Left a message for J to take a look when she gets home, and let me know if she called the vet what he had to say and/or when he's coming out. She called a few minutes ago. The verdict for now is look at her tomorrow and see what's what. More soaking won't hurt, and we'll go from there.

Also managed to tear a nice hole in my jeans (and me) on the fence, and I think I'm coming down with whatever kept H home from school the last two days. Bleh. Some spring break this is.