The Assassin Bug

 No walk today, I had an early morning doctor's appointment to get my blood drawn again. Tuesday's draw evidently didn't include everything that Andrea wanted to see. Of course it was a fasting one. I didn't have any supper last night nor any liquid. I left right at 8:00 am for the Brimfield office and had to wait for about 20 minutes before they drew my blood but then they had bad news. I was going to have to go to another facility for a 3rd blood test that would need to be done in the dark. They could get me in at 10:50 am. I debated if I should just go home, get the apartment ready for the guests coming in and then drive back out but decided against that. Instead drove to Sam's club and picked up more cat food, paper plates , plastic cups, bleach, an apple pie for our Sunday dinner, blueberries for Mark and some walnut/cranberry bread getting done by 9:30 am. I sat in the parking lot for a while then decided to just go and hope they could get me in early. Nope they didn't, I wasn't called in until 11:00 am. I didn't get home until 11:45 am and had told our guests that the foaling apartment would be ready by noon. Mark came with me and used the hand held vacuum looking for anything on the floor while I mopped the floor. The rest of the apartment was clean and ready but I had gone in and out a few times. We were just finishing up when the guests arrived. Mark and I went out the back just before they came in the front. They have 2 dogs and have been here before. They were so thrilled to be back they took the pictures below and shared them with all of their Facebook friends. 

They told me they had watched the video of taking the group out to Middle Grove and wondered where that was and if those were ours or wild horses. Mark and I left then for the bank to get the camper titles out of the safety deposit box. From there we went to Bartonville Hardware to pick up one 45 cent screw for the golf cart Mark is working on. The last stop before heading home was to Kroger to pick up 3 gallons of distilled water, a bag of honey crisp apples and a few bananas. We left the car outside as Mark wanted to wash that. I found out what kind of bug that was that was on the mare paddock gate.

It is called the assassin bug and eats Asian beetles and stink bugs among other insects. They bite and the bite is painful so don't pick them up but if we see any others I sure wouldn't mind feeding those stink bugs to him. They sure are ugly. Did you know that not even the fish will eat those stink bugs. Joan told us she filled the hand held vacuum with them then threw them in the lake. The fish came up, opened their mouths to eat them but spit them out immediately.  

Merlin Gone

 I drove the golf cart over early this morning to check on the foals and they were exactly where they were supposed to be. They were grained as was Valiant. Ruth arrived and actually beat me to the meeting place. Diane had a funeral, she is on the funeral committee and has been very busy this year. Joan is still gone but due home tonight. After breakfast Mark and I started moving the campers over and storing them in the indoor. Before putting the first one inside I moved the tractor outside, but I was wearing a skirt. Jumping off the tractor the skirt got caught on the clutch, flipped me and I landed on my back, so hard it knocked the breath out of me. I had to lay there for a few minutes before getting back up. Mark was wondering what was taking me so long. Just Monday at the doctor I was asked if I had fallen and I could say no. Hopefully they won't ask me that tomorrow morning.

We put 3 inside and one of the Salem's outside as I had someone ask about that. The family coming had asked for pictures but instead I took the video below.

They were pleased with the video and said they would come at 10:00 am Saturday. When I got back to the house I spent some time downloading the pictures and videos Sarah sent. I was too busy earlier to even look at them before today. The pictures below were taken on Saturday when Sarah and Nolan came to help Mark fix fences.

Below is Zion in her Halloween costume with her paint pony and hunting bow.

I remember as a 16 year old galloping Twinkle bareback through the woods with my bow. We didn't have TV so we read a lot, dad was always reading Westerns and when he finished I would be next in line. I could pretend with the best and knew I'd be a great hunter. I'm laughing at myself because I really was 16 years old and still pretending. On Sunday Sarah let Israel and Zion go on a trail ride.

Of course when done they had to pose for pictures.

At 4:00 pm the lady coming to pick up Merlin let me know she was close. Of course it was raining so Merlin was taken out of the paddock and put in a stall to dry off a bit. They arrived by 4:15 pm and backed the trailer into the indoor for loading. Merlin was such a good boy, he walked right into the trailer then stood while we got a couple of trailer ties hooked together so he could be tied but still travel in comfort. I didn't think to take any pictures of him as he left. Below are a couple taken a few weeks ago. He really is adorable and his new owner is very pleased.

They paid the balance in cash and I don't like to keep cash in the house so as soon as I got back to the house took the car to the bank in Hanna City and deposited it. Mark had been working on the old golf cart in the back of the stall barn and he got back before I did from the bank but figured out right away where I had been. He said he heard us loading and the truck leaving. We didn't get a lot of rain, it was just drizzling all day but that sure made this gray day feel really cold. I think our high for the day was 52 degrees.  Time to pull out the electric blanket. Oh wait we don't have one of those. Mark thought I should buy one but I spent the money I was saving for that on 3 metal manure forks today and they are supposed to arrive by Saturday. Much more practical and much more needed. Maybe next month for the electric blanket.

Max Hoerr's Visitation

 We got an inch of rain during that storm last night. I drove the golf cart over early to the indoor arena to check on the foals and give them clean water. They still had a bucket of water but both were glad to drink fresh clean water. They were left in the barn while I met Diane for the walk. When we got to the horses I was talking with my airbnb guest when Mike arrived. I showed him where they broke the boards. We finished our walk and I went in to make breakfast for Mark. Mike called shortly after to let me know he had fixed the boards. He was there loading a tractor to take to Middle Grove so I asked if he would help get the filly's leg cleaned off so I could treat it. He held her while I hosed it off. She scraped her leg when jumping over the fence. I used the spray on bandage to keep it clean. Mike led her back to the paddock while I led Merlin. Both led well. They were glad for their grain and to be back outside. 

Mike took off for Middle Grove. I cleaned up the indoor, then picked up the laundry and the garbage from the apartment and took that back to the house. Mark went back to work on the old golf cart while I finished the apartment and our laundry. At 4:40 pm we left for the funeral home to go to Max Hoerr's visitation. We got there after 5:00 pm and the line was already very long. Mark let me out to get in line while he tried to find a parking place. Holly and Brian Zobrist came in right after us so we had a nice long time to visit while waiting. We saw and visited with many many people from our past. Dave and LaNae came in after us. I asked him if he was supposed to be preaching tonight. He said, "yes, I'm going to dial it in" then laughed. He WAS supposed to song lead. There was no way he was going to make that. By the time we got through it was too late to head to church but we turned on AC Central and saw that Gregg was having the service. We will have to watch that tomorrow as he was just about done preaching. We stopped at a Wendy's for a very late supper and both ordered the taco salad which comes with a bowl of chili. A good meal for a drizzly cool night. We drove up to the barn on the way home to make sure the foals were not out and they were not. So far so good. We are now home and ready for bed.

Crazy Foals

I left the house at 6:00 am to go vote. I had to actually wait in line at that time.  Instead of heading to Joan's first on our walk I asked Ruth and Diane if they wouldn't mind going to the horse barns. I had not yet checked to see how the weanlings did last night. Imagine my surprise, when we turned the corner to see this waiting for us. 

They started in the middle paddock with Penny yesterday and got out during the night. I put them in the last paddock and grained them and checked the paddock over thinking this paddock is much more secure. We walked over and saw the floor of Mike's barn. Home comfort had come and spray foamed the floor.

It looked like snow. Cement will be poured over that soon. I had a doctor appointment at 8:25 am so left for that after one round. Skip sent a message that they were finished by 9:30 am and since I was still at the doctor didn't go to Berean. He must have had plenty of help.  When I got back to the farm the weanlings were NOT in the last paddock. They were in the middle paddock back with Penny. Nolan came to help get Gypsy covered but when I pulled her out to tease she was out of season so was put back. Instead I asked Nolan to keep the horses from running out while I put in a couple bales. I moved one in with Stardust and Gypsy. 

And a second one in the middle paddock. The foals went right over to eat on it.

The hay looks rough on the outside but on the inside is nice and green and since it is 2nd cutting, not first it is not too stemy. Both sets of horses were enjoying it when I left.

Then it was time to work on the barn. I had plenty of help with that today and quit at 2:30 pm. About that time the foaling apartment booked for today so I took the golf cart over to clean up any mess the foals made when they were on the porch but on the way saw my Farm House guests out so stopped to talk to them. They are brothers from Florida and South Carolina here to deer hunt at Banner. 

They told me the funniest story. Since it is just the 2 guys staying at the farm house when they would go in to use the downstairs bathroom they just left the door open and for 2 solid days each time they wanted a shower they hiked up those stairs to take one in the upstairs bathroom. They were kind of grumbling about that until the 3rd day and the bathroom door shut and BEHOLD, there was a shower behind the door. They were laughing and laughing. No more hiking up those steps. I left them and went up to clean the apartment porch and found the 2 weanlings in the paddock next to Valiant's. That was even better I could grain them without worrying about Penny getting too much grain.

Those crazy foals, I left there thinking they would SURELY stay in this paddock. Except when the new airbnb guests arrived at 8:30 pm at the foaling apartment during a tremendous rain storm they sent a message through airbnb, "there are two foals standing out here in the rain."
I jumped on my golf cart and asked Mark if he would follow me over on his as I was going to need his help. It was raining so hard we could hardly see to drive. There was a big tree down on the main drive. I was able to move it enough for the golf carts to get through.

We drove straight into the indoor arena, turned the lights on and went around shutting the doors to that. Then I got some grain, drove Mark's golf cart out into the rain storm to find the foals as his has headlights. They were standing next to the middle paddock gate by Penny. They followed me into the barn and Mark shut the gates behind them.

He filled two buckets of water for them and there is plenty of hay. I grabbed a shovel and started digging out the front track so we could shut the big doors. These foals have already escaped from 3 different paddocks and I wasn't going to just shut the gates, those doors needed to be shut and tied. Mark found a shovel and helped with that. Finally finished and left the barn lights on for them.  Below Mark is walking over to his golf cart. 

We were going to stop and move the tree off the road but before we got there a car stopped and moved it. I think it must have been Spark. Below Mark is in front of me just past where the tree fell.

By the time we got inside we were both completely soaked. Every piece of clothing was saturated and dripping and we both wore rain coats, it was just blowing too hard and the rain was coming down in sheets it soaked us good. We drove through puddles to get back to the house. It will be interesting to see how much rain we get by morning.

Weaning Day

 Diane, Ruth, Barb, Janet, Evelyn, Sharon and I walked today with Spark only joined us for a bit and Joan is now in Branson, MO. After the walk we all had breakfast together at the barn then made lunches for all of the travelers. Before they all left we had a song and a prayer together. It was really a wonderful time of re-connecting. I needed to drop off check off at Meisters and as soon as I got home from that Mark helped get the stock trailer hooked up to the truck and helped me load Tessa and Harli. Today is weaning day for their foals. The two mares were taken to Middle Grove. Below is the video of when they were let out of the trailer. There was no calling or running around. Instead they just started grazing then leisurely walked away to find the herd. 

I had Mark stay with the foals to make sure they didn't try to jump any fences. When I got back they were not at all upset, just eating hay quietly. When I went to over to take the video they came walking over to see what I was doing then started playing but no drama at all of losing their mamas.

The next job for me was to tease the paint mare the girls bought 3 weeks ago. She was in season so I called Mike to help with this cover. Valiant was used and he carefully got the job done. I started laundry but didn't work too hard today. Philip called at 4:00 pm to let us know the girls had games at Farmington at 5:00 pm. I showered and was ready to go by 4:15 pm. We made it there in plenty of time to see both games. Below is the 7th grade game. Kensley made the first 3 baskets for the first 6 points then a bit later a 3. In just a few minutes of the game she already had 9 points. She didn't play very long in this game but it was fun to watch the others.

The 7th graders won their game. The 8th grade game was a lot of fun to watch. Kensley and Taegan got to play together a lot of the game.

They play well together. I know at half time Kensley had 7 points and Taegan had 15. They both added to their numbers in the second half but didn't get to play very long in the second half as they were up so far at half time. Below is some of that game.

Our Sunday

 With the time change morning seemed to last a long time. I got up at 5:00 am but it really was 4:00 am so once the clocks were all changed I had plenty of time to read. When we left at 9:05 am, Aunt Jinnie was already walking from the barn to the house. Church was great, Gabe Stickling had the morning message on 1st Kings 2 and Acts 15. Click HERE if you would like to watch that. So many people wanted to talk to Becky and Mark at lunch time they really didn't leave in time. They were supposed to meet Elizabeth at the Kansas City airport so might need to break a few speed limits to make it in time. David had the afternoon message, finishing up the minor prophets study on Zephaniah. Click HERE to Watch that.After church we took Israel, Nancy and Aunt Jinnie home. Sarah had the girls so used the golf cart to take Eden and River on that while Zion rode Stardust and Israel rode Penny on the trails.

Everyone helped with dinner tonight and while that was being prepared the family kept coming.

Supper started a little later tonight but the food was good and there was plenty of it.

We visited a while after dinner switching chairs around so we could talk with everyone.

I took Nancy home after dinner and when I got back the camp fire was burning bright and all the adults were sitting around that sharing memories and laughter.

It is now 9:30 pm but feels like 10:30 with the time change. All have now gone to bed except me and I will be going shortly. Our time with the cousins will be coming to an end tomorrow morning. We have so enjoyed our time with them and hope we don't have to wait so long before they all come back.

Cousin Touring Day

 I was up at 4:30 am and used that time to read for a couple hours then ran over to the foaling apartment to make sure it was ready for the guests coming in today. I left the porch lights on for them when I left there.

Today we had a big day planned, meeting at the barn at 8:00 am for breakfast then packing our lunches to leave for the tour of the Giant Goose Ranch and Middle Grove. The problem arrived when the 2 couples from Utah overslept. They are on a different time zone and went to bed much to late. Michael, Peter and Evelyn's son brought some of his sour dough bread and we served that with our breakfast.

We spent quite a long time visiting around the breakfast table before finally getting up to make lunches and didn't leave for the Goose Ranch until almost 10:00 am. We went first to the hub. 

Then we drove over to the animal area.

Peter played while the animals begged.

Next we went to Director's Point to feed the fish.

We drove through the campground area and the cabin area. That place is amazing. Next we drove to Middle Grove and took a tour. We used Spark's side by side, Mike's jeep that pulled the trailer Spark built and had 2 four wheelers so everyone could go.

We found the horses but Spark went one way and Mike the other so the horses were a little confused until Spark drove his over to the jeep.

Finally when they both came from the same directions the horses came to us.

To get back we had to go up a very steep hill and it had rained out there this morning. Some of us less brave ones got out of the vehicles and walked up the hill. The video below shows how fast they had to go to get up this hill.

We then took the boat rides. Mark and Becky went on the solar coaster with Mike and Diane.

While the rest of us fit on the pontoon boat.

Joan caught a bass when we slowed down.

Diane was bragging and showed us the bag of microwave popcorn they popped in their solar coaster microwave. We went from there to Mike and Diane's tiny house in the woods.

The house is off grid and has 2 bathrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs. We all crowded in for a picture.

We didn't make it back to the barn until 5:00 pm. We were joined by more cousins, this time on the Meister side.

Below they are deciding who gets to have the prayer.

Mike was picked as whoever has the prayer get's to go first.

Mark told us about how dad taught the boys how to sing in a quartet. They were missing Bobby and Eddie (they had 6 guys but sang 4 part harmony). Below is one of the songs.

We had a wonderful evening of feasting, song, fellowship and of course a message from Mark.

Below is just some of the evening. 

Cousin Reunion Friday

 Spark didn't join us on the walk but Tony and Mike did. The trees are even more beautiful then yesterday around the retention pond just past Spark's house. 

When we reached Joan's house the sun broke through the clouds just for a few minutes and lit up the top of the trees across her field.

Right after our walk I went to work on the farm house as the new guests were coming in today. Sarah and Rhoda arrived with 6 children. Below they are getting Penny all groomed up for their riding lessons.

I finished the farm house in time for lunch at the barn.

After lunch we all walked over to Mike and Diane's to try out the excavator. Today everyone that wanted to got to try out Mike's excavator. Below is Tony.

All of the guys took turns and then Aunt Jinnie tried it.

Below is the video of her running it.

Later I needed to move the mares with their foals into the middle paddock with Penny. We will be weaning soon and need to take Harli away. I want them to be friends with Penny when Harli is gone. The next week we will move Tessa away. That went well. Tessa made sure Penny knew she was in charge of the paddock.

We went to Sarah and Nolan's to see the puppies later this afternoon.

They are 8 weeks old and leaving tomorrow for their homes but they sure are cute puppies. Barbara had to tryout one of the rope swings in their basement.

Phil and Sharon arrived so we had to leave to get back to meet them. Supper was served at 6:00 pm. Ruth and Rhonda made us a taco bar and it really was delicious. After supper we watched the video of the Zeug Reunion held in 2009.

It was another long busy day and we are thankful to have this time with our Bossart Cousins.