Monday, December 30, 2013

Lost

My 18 year old son's best friend died on Christmas night. He OD'd. It is shocking, tragic, and heartbreaking.

We loved this kid.

They became friends in 6th grade. Nick used to follow Max home from the school bus. (He lived, and died,  just around the corner). They grew up together. Then grew apart. But often talked. About ten days ago, they had breakfast together. Nick told Max that he was clean, not using any drugs. He and Max were thinking about moving to Portland together.

I'm trying to remember when it was that Nick stopped by the house - a few months ago? I thought he looked great - same big smile, same sweetness.
We didn't see much of Nick in recent years, as their paths hadn't followed in the same direction. But the love was there still. And always will be. I am wondering if and when I will ever stop crying. How can he really be gone?

"Like a steam locomotive, running down the track. He's gone, he's gone, nothin's gonna bring him back".
We Love You Nick.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Friday, June 7, 2013

Friday, May 24, 2013

Desert Tortoise

Dos says Good Morning!

Friday, April 12, 2013

Monday, April 8, 2013

Our new Pony!

We have a new pony! It's a long story how I found him, but this pony needed a new home. I didn't know how badly, until he got here.
His hooves have possibly never been trimmed (our horses get their hooves trimmed every 2 months).
Underweight, although not drastic.
Still a stallion (never neutered).
Shedding in weird patches.
But the biggest thing wrong: Terrified. Scared to death. Literally shakes all over. Runs away. Cannot catch him.
Abused.
This is Winslow, day one.

So, got his hooves trimmed. My blacksmith was so kind and patient. Spent a week working with him everyday, several times a day. Very hard to catch him. Usually takes two people - have to corner him. Left his lead line on him, so when you get close can either grab or stand on the lead line. Once caught, his terror is blatant.
Then he got gelded (neutered). This is major surgery. The vet was awesome. My friend Elaine, who came to lend moral support, fainted in the stall. :)
This is Winslow, no longer a stallion. Very wary of me.
And now he must be exercised twice a day, to help his incision heal. At first I thought, how will this ever work? But, bit by bit, he got a tiny bit easier to catch. And lead.

It was a great day, when he would trust me enough to put his head down and eat grass (instead of watching me constantly in fear).



The bonding and trust between us has grown. I bring sweet feed with me to his stall, and he will come to me. I've taken off his lead line. I exercise him every day. We go on walks. I'm teaching him that it is ok for him to be brushed, and washed with a hose. I now have him in a stall next to my "big" horses, and Belle (my mustang mare) has fallen in love with Winslow. You should see. :)
He's still scared, but not as bad.

He is so adorable, and so sweet. Not an aggressive bone in his little body; just wants love. I'll keep you posted!


Friday, March 1, 2013