The Flu Strikes

 The pictures and video were all taken on Thursday. In the afternoon of that day I became sick with the flu. Thursday started with Mark helping me load Rosalie and Valerie for their vet appointment. Neither one looked pregnant and they were confirmed in foal last year. We arrived about 15 minutes early and waited inside. Dr. Hoerr had a new picture up of Psalm 23.

Mark was very helpful. He led Rosalie up to the clinic then I switched and took Rosalie and gave him Valerie while Rosalie was put in the stocks. Once she was in I had him stand next to Valerie while Dr. Hoerr did Rosalie's ultrasound.

Rosalie is in the blue halter while Valerie is in the purple halter. Rosalie was open, just like I thought. I wasn't sure how Valerie would go into the stocks but she followed me right in. She also is open. Disappointing but nothing to be done except bring them in for breeding in April or May.  I really was pleased with how well behaved both mares were.. Mark led Rosalie to the trailer while I took Valerie, they both just stepped into the trailer and once they were loaded I went back in to pay.  Now I will need to fix the website. Mark was dropped off at home then I went right to Middle Grove to drop off the mares. When I arrived I regretted taking Mark home first. The herd was napping at the gate. I wasn't sure if I would have enough time to open the gate and pull in before they all came running. The video below proves I got the job done.

Mike wanted Roseberry home to work with her so she was haltered and led into the trailer and tied. I should have brought Bulu's colt home, he came right up to me. He still needs to be registered, He has been at Middle Grove and I had forgotten to pull hair for the registry. Should have done that but was starting to feel chilled. 

About then I got a message that I should bring Dreamer home, Dreamer is Madiera's filly by Valiant born Sept 9th, 2025 and more than ready to be weaned. She came right up to me but didn't stand well for haltering so instead I just walked Madiera into the trailer and Dreamer followed. Madiera was then unloaded. The herd was still at the gate so instead of trying to get out I took the trailer to the far field then put the halter on Dreamer. After waiting about 20 minutes I drove back to the gate. The herd was about half way up the hill which gave me enough time to open the gate and drive out. Roseberry and Dreamer were put in the paddock with the other weanlings. Dreamer was tied as I wanted to make sure she remembered that. 

She will be looking for her mama but no calling yet. The others just settled down to graze.

I worked a little with Dreamer asking her to go forward a step at a time but soon thought I think I'm going to faint. I was glad the golf cart was up and took that back to the house then for the rest of Thursday and all of Friday could only sit moaning. I hadn't had anything to eat since Culvers on Wednesday night so thought I would try some oatmeal but I held the bowl, and just by smelling that started vomiting. After another miserable night this morning I'm starting to feel better and even drank a cup of coffee. 

Financial Trouble

 The guests coming to the barn this morning were arriving at 8:00 am so the heat was turned on last night, the lights were turned on this morning and I ran over at 7:00 to sweep up any ladybugs in the gym, empty all the garbage cans and make sure the place was perfect. We were ready to leave for Chicago around 8:00 am. The guests hadn't arrived yet and had told me they would bring cash to pay for it so I left them an envelope in the barn and asked them to put the cash in that envelope and put it in the drawer and I would pick it up as soon as I got home. We made it to the car dealership just after 11:00 am but it took a little while to get the paper work in order. Mark had already bought and paid for the car so it wasn't too long. It kind of shocked us how BLUE it is.

He took a few minutes to get familiar with it before heading home. He drove that car while I followed him home. As soon as we got home I drove over to the barn to find food left out, papers taped to walls, some crumbled up and left on tables and no cash. I sent the man that booked it a message telling him he could pay Joan using Venmo (that is how he paid the last time) but so far he hasn't paid. He had rented before so I thought I could trust him. He sure seemed like a nice guy when we met him so maybe he is in financial trouble. I took the golf cart up to the barn to find a big halter then the truck and trailer taken back to Middle Grove to pick up Valerie. The (big halter) wasn't big enough, so I looped the lead rope around it and led her to the trailer that way. I wasn't sure how she would load but she walked into the small side door and about that time the wind grabbed the big back door and blew it wide open, she promptly walked right out and took off at a run with the halter that was only part way on and the lead rope dragging. I found another halter in the car that was just slightly bigger, walked up to her and tried that on. That barely fit. She was loaded again through the small side door but this time I made sure the back big door was latched. Once in I tied her up left for home. I needed to stop for gas and when I did realized the lead rope she was tied to had come loose and she was standing at the back of the trailer looking out the back. I called her to the front and used the outside loop to tie her more to the front, filled the truck and made it home. Before unloading her went to the stall barn to find an extra large halter but hadn't even stepped into the barn when I heard water running where no water should be running. The automatic waterer that had been turned off for the winter had the valve break.

We lost quite a bit of water so I'm not sure when it broke. I didn't hear it before I left for Middle Grove and was only gone an hour and a half.

I took the golf cart to the house to turn the water off to the entire property until we could figure out which valve in the pit went to that paddock. Mark uncovered the pit had me turn the water back on and found the right one to shut off. This one also goes to the foaling apartment so that will not have water until Saturday when Mike gets home to replace the valve. The weanlings and Rosalie were very interested in what we were working on.

Valerie was also in that paddock but was checking it out well instead of watching us working. We finished about 5:30 pm giving us just enough time to shower and get ready for church. Craig Stickling had the message tonight about how we are all ministers and all needed. Click HERE to watch that. After church a fun group went out to Culvers.

I turned the phone on and saw the barn and the apartment rented for a 2 day family reunion. That makes up for losing the rent today. I guess we win some and lose some.

This car Mark bought has the option of self driving. We put our home address in and it did well taking us home until it was time to turn into our drive. That spooked both of us, Mark hit the brakes and grabbed the wheel and we made it home. This is going to be a real learning experience for both of us AND the car. 

Not Pregnant?

 Up at 5:00 am but still tired. Instead of going back to the pictures were downloaded from the phone onto the desktop then the blog posts from last week updated. I left for the Berean office just after 8:00 am and stopped at Hardees to pick up cinnamon and raison biscuits as a treat for the Berean volunteers. We were thrilled to have Vonnie back and she was VERY needed. Ray is back in the hospital so we were missing Shirley and Ray, Sharon went to the ER this morning. Bruce and Leila are still in Arizona, with Leila struggling with that hip that will not stay in place and Marvin and Gail in Gulf Shores. We just had Skip, Kathy, Shirley, Vonnie and me to get the work done today. We had a lot of mail. 

One envelope came decorated with fruit loops.

The letter inside was also highly decorated.

As we were short handed most of us needed to do 2 or 3 different jobs to get everything done. We finally sat down for our break around noon. Someone, and we think it must have been Lukie, left a big heart shaped box filled with chocolates. 

We shared that plus those cinnamon raison biscuits. Notice those 2 post boxes next to Kathy. Those were filled with Bibles and studies going out in today's mail. Both were filled to the brim.

They were dropped off at the Hanna City post office just before they closed at 12:30 pm. From there I went straight home to hook the truck up to the stock trailer for our trip to Middle Grove. We had problems with the adjustable hitch Mark bought last year. Over the winter it had rusted and we were not able to get the pin off to adjust it. We ended up taking it off the truck and using the old hitch. 

When we arrived at Middle Grove we drove to the far field and the horses heard the truck and trailer and came running. I should have had the video going, the came galloping down the hill surrounding the trailer but I only got the phone going as they got to us.

I just took one quick picture before looking for Rosalie.

I needed to bring Rosalie home as she is due the end of March but when I found her, it is pretty obvious to me and also to Mark that she is no longer pregnant. She was loaded anyway into the trailer as we have an ultrasound scheduled for her at 8:00 am on Thursday. I decided to bring Disco (Dancer's colt) home with us to get him ready to sell. He was haltered and led into the trailer then the halter taken off. Dahlia (Rosalie's 2025 filly)was the other weanling I wanted to bring home so the halter was put on her. I had Mark open the back door to the stock trailer to walk Dahlia in and Shadow jumped in first so we ended up bringing all 3 of them home. Rosalie was unloaded out the side door of the trailer. Shadow followed her. 

Disco and Dahlia weren't too sure about jumping out that door.

Dahlia got brave and came next.

Disco didn't want to be left alone in the trailer and hurled himself out.

I led Dahlia and the other two followed her right into the paddock and started chowing down on the hay.

I spent some time removing burrs from Rosalie's tail and forelock. The weanlings didn't seem to have any burrs. Rosalie has such a thick long tail.

Unfortunately she sure doesn't look pregnant but she sure is a magnificent looking mare.

I sent a text to the people wanting to buy her 2026 foal that she probably lost the pregnancy. So sad but it happens. They would like to try Valerie but she also didn't look pregnant. I'll need to bring her in next. Both Rosaleigh and Tessa are obviously pregnant as are some of the Thoroughbred mares. 

The barn rented for tomorrow morning so after removing burrs I drove the car over to work on the barn. It really looked clean and ready for company but the heat needed to be turned on tonight as the company is coming in around 8:00 am. 

Flying Home

 This is actually Monday's blog written this morning now that we are home. Mom and I were up early again. The sky was very black, no moon, no twinkling stars showing at all, just thick dark clouds. The wind had died down and the Gulf waters were much calmer with small waves instead of the ferocious beating waves from Sunday. Sunday the red flags were out, the waves were crashing and very loud. What a difference. Mom commented, "each day the Gulf is so different." It was also much cooler today with the wind coming from the North. Mom was the first to see a dolphin this morning. As we were getting ready to fly out this afternoon all the sheets and towels were washed as Fedi and Ruth were coming in to take our place. We used the last of the fried potatoes with our breakfast of eggs and toast. Amy and I both got texts that our plane would be delayed by 45 minutes. Around 11:00 am we got another text that the plane was delayed another 45 minutes and would now be taking off at 7:05 pm instead of 4:35 pm.  Late this afternoon the clouds broke up and the sun broke out lighting up one area with light. If you click on the picture you can see people talking and standing around in the light.

The pictures were taken around 4:30 pm

 Diane came to take us to the airport at 5:30 and Rachel arrived at the same time to stay with mom. We were delayed by my artificial hips going through security. They took me aside and gave me a very thorough patdown explaining it slowly what was going to happen before starting. The explanation was taking so long I interrupted and said, "it's ok, just get it done" but the tsa lady was new and told me she had to explain it first. She had me take off my shoes and examined them. Thankfully my socks had no holes in them and the shoes were clean. I traveled down with the step in shoes the kids gave me for Christmas one year that I never wear out in the paddocks.  She took so long at one point I had 2 of them working on me. Maybe because I was wearing a skirt that had lost the back button and was kept closed with 2 large safety pins.  When they were running their hands up my legs they stopped and asked if I wanted to go behind a curtain. Nope, just get on with the job, although I said it nicely and not at all impatiently. I could not possibly have looked like a bomber or at all threatening. I think they just wanted to have the newbie practice. We couldn't see the plane arrive but saw Ruth through the window as she arrived. Diane had to wait at the airport I think around 15 minutes. The plane was packed going home, in fact over booked as one lady told me her husband was supposed to fly back on this flight but there was no room. Both Amy and I had window seats just 2 rows apart.

Below is as the plane is getting ready to take-off.

The less than 2 hour flight flew by. Well it seemed to go quickly as I was finishing a book. The entire flight there was a baby crying. This flight had lots of children on it. As today was a holiday some families had flown down for a 5 day break. Once we landed we had to wait a bit as Amy and I were at the back of the plane. I asked the stewardess how many this plane held and she replied, "180" really surprising that a plane of this size could come and go from the small Gulf Shores airport. This plane was the ONLY plane at the airport.  

Once we were off the plane we needed to find Mark's car. Ruth had sent pictures and told us it was parked in section c near row 5 but that parking lot was packed. The 3 hour drive home seemed to go quickly. Nice to have Amy along, we were visiting so much that her exit came up quickly. She was home by 11:30 pm and I made it home by 12:02 am. The coffee was made before climbing into bed. Thankfully Mark had the bed warmed up and I was probably asleep within 2 minutes. Thankful to have a safe trip home!

 

A Good Day

 It was so sunny and warm this morning we stayed out on the balcony watching the big waves crashing into the shore until it was time to go inside for church.

Diane got Peoria up on the big screen TV in the living room. Mike Kaisner had the morning message. Diane brought over 2 kinds of soup grilled sandwiches and a fantastic baked dessert for our lunch

After lunch Mike and Diane left going out of town to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.  Spark arrived and watched the afternoon message with us. Caleb Plattner had that. We went right back out on the balcony to enjoy the sunshine and stayed out quite long this afternoon.  Later Amy started cooking.  She first made a big pan of goulash for our lunch tomorrow but made a big pan full so Ruth would have a meal ready when she and Fedi arrive tomorrow. Amy also cooked orange glazed carrots for our dinner tonight. Rachel grilled hamburgers, Rhonda made a salad, i fried up potatoes and we had a feast tonight here with ice-cream topped with hot fudge and hot caramel for our dessert. 

Rachel brought over her guitar and after supper we sang. The song below they call David's song. He heard this song at the hospital after 18 minutes of being dead then revived. 

 It was a good day!

Good by Aunt Jinnie

 Mom awoke at 2:00 am. When I explained that it wasn't yet time to get up I had to tell her rather loudly as she didn't have her hearing aids in. That woke up Amy and she came out ready to party. Well really just to see if she was needed. We soon were all back in bed and sleeping.  At 5:00 am the coffee was started. Mom and I enjoyed seeing the sliver crescent of the moon over the Gulf water,

and a little later the beautiful colors of sunrise.

Diane and Mike drove Aunt Jinnie to the Pensacola airport this morning.  She was on her way back to New Jersey and sent us a text when she landed in Newark.  We were glad to know she made it home safe but we will miss her. Amy met her brother and sister-in-law at Bahama Bob's for lunch. After lunch they all stopped here for a visit. 

We had a steak and shrimp for dinner. It was a little cooler today so didn't get out in the sun much today. Mark sent news from home of fixing fences and getting the place spruced up for our busy season. 

Solar Coaster Ride

 A better night last night. We had a beautiful sunrise with the dark red sun popping out of the Gulf. Diane, Beth and Rhonda came over for s visit.  Then Aunt Jinnie and Amy walked over to Beth's to meet Mike and Diane. They took the Solar Coaster to the boat launch and the 4 of them took a boat ride into the Gulf to look for dolphins. From there they took a tour of the bay. 

Mom and I enjoyed the sunshine on the balcony and were still there when the boat riders were back. This evening Rachel invited us over for a chicken teriyaki kabobs, rice, and egg rolls. For dessert she served French Silk pie. We are now back watching Little House on the Prairie.  Some beautiful pictures came in from Irish's first filly by Valiant. 

I also saw some pictures of Galena's filly by Evan today.

Too Tired

 Kind of s rough night made for a tired day. We didn't do much other than enjoy the sunshine on the balcony and sitting in the hot tub. Amy and Diane went shopping for groceries early. We had tuna salad sandwiches for lunch and leftovers for supper. Spark and Rhonda stopped in for a visit. 

Original Oyster House

 We had another beautiful day. Caroline the quilter arrived for a visit with mom and Aunt Jinnie. They all either quiltd or knotted together every Thursday mornings for years. This afternoon Amy and I joined Diane and Beth on the beach for a couple hours.

Beth and Greg's along with Mike and Diane and us 4 went to the Original Oyster House for dinner.

After dinner we watched the governor of Tennessee talk at the prayer breakfast. When that was over we were able to watch Peoria's Wednesday night church service on-line through AC Central. David had the message.on the feeding of the 5000 but of course it was much more. Click HERE to watch that. 

Fort Morgan

 No beautiful sunrise the morning the fog was pea soup thick. We could not see the Gulf water from our 10th floor balcony. The fog was supposed to burn off by 10:00 am. Diane picked us up at 9:30 am and drove us to the pier at Fort Morgan. It was sunny and hot. That pier is handicapped accessible and was wonderful for mom in the wheelchair.  We saw so many dolphins fishing and pelicans swimming right next to them to steal the fish they would scare up to the surface. 

From there we paid $5.00 each so we could go into the Fort museum and the fort. The museum has a couple really old light house lenses which really were works of art.

We got home around 1:00 pm and had a late lunch. Beth came over for a visit then Amy and I walked over to her house where Greg had just thrown a bunch of books in the dumpster.  We went dumpster diving and brought back a bunch to read. We spent at least an hour on the balcony enjoying the warm sunshine We had left overs for dinner. The sunset happened as we were eating but I took a short video off the balcony of the beautiful colors. 

Gulf Shores

 I was over cleaning the barn by 6:15 am. Mark came over to help with the sweeping and by 8:30 the barn was ready for our airbnb guests coming in tomorrow.  I still needed to move Evan into his paddock and put away one load of laundry before leaving. Amy was picked up by 9:30 am and we were on our way to the airport in Bellville, IL arriving there by noon. I went to the counter to get my boarding pass as when I tried to check in and either print it or get my ticket on the phone was given the message I was ineligible and must visit the counter. They explained there was a balance due of $22.00 on my ticket.  No way that was true since I had gone to the airport in Peoria personally to purchase my ticket. It took about 20 minutes with different people on the phone to finally wave the money and get my ticket. The plane wasn't full and Amy and I were able to sit together in row 9. We arrived just a little after 4:00 pm. Beth picked us up and dropped us off at Island Royale. Diane was with mom and Aunt Jinnie.  She started the tatertot casserole Joan had ready to be baked for our dinner.

We watched the sunset ate dinner and now mom and Aunt Jinnie are watching Little House on the Prairie.  We will soon head to bed.

Family Food and Fun

 As today is the superbowl party I meant to turn the heat on in the barn but forgot. Thankfully Mark remembered right after we got home from church. It didn't quite hit the target of 68 degrees before people started arriving but got close. We had a quiet morning just eating breakfast, showering and getting ready for church. We picked up Mackenson as Faith and Berlica were going to Tremont for a young group invite. We heard later there were 33 greetings. Amy told me later that church was packed and the singing absolutely gorgeous! Gregg Rumbold had the morning message in Peoria on Joshua 24 and Colossians 3 click HERE if you would like to watch that.  For lunch David and Lanae along with Eddie and Christa helped all the men serve a Valentines lunch for all the ladies of the church. They had red roses on each table and heart shaped pink and red napkins. LOTS of delicious food, those men really know how to spoil us ladies. The afternoon service was given by James Fehr and Craig Stickling. We will be praying about adding another minister to the Peoria church and the exhortation was on what, who and how to pray.  It really was important for us to hear. Click HERE if you would like to watch this message. We dropped Mackenson off first then Mark dropped me off so I could give the apartment a quick check and clean up any mess from when Mark was installing the new lights while he went to the gas station to fill up the car with gas. I will be taking his car tomorrow to the airport at Belleville, IL At 3:00 pm I left to pick up the chicken from Kroger. I had just pulled in a mom's to put some boxes inside when Karin arrived to pick up her mail. She came to my house, picked up Nancy and took her to the barn for tea time. There were already a lots of family there from Spark's family and Ruth's family so Nancy got to see a lot of people tonight. We also had kids from Rachel's family, Beth's family and of course our family. Below are some pictures of the evening and I'll start with the abundance of food.

Fedi brought in the door plaques he carved for his grandchildren. He made each one with love and made one for each of his 7 (so far) grandchildren.

As he had the prayer he and his family got to go first. Below are a few more pictures. 

After the meal the game was turned on, a few of the men were watching but the rest of us were visiting or playing.

Below is a short video of some of the fun.

Nancy wasn't feeling well and asked to go home to bed. I took her home as it was earlier than anyone else wanted to leave. I think she just ate too much. I didn't think her plate was extra full but found out later she helped herself to some of the pizza. Mark and I came home a little early as I have to be up early tomorrow to get the barn ready for airbnb guests before I leave for Belleville. 

The news came in on the I74 Tournament. Kensly's team remained undefeated by beating Galesburg also an undefeated team 24 to 13. It was a hard fought game and Kensley played amazing. The Fifth Grade Farmington Farmers are the new Champions of 2026's of the all those schools along I74..