that was weird it cut off most of my post and only printed the start. anyway about the cans one guys horse flipped out about them so he practiced all year for the next play day. they switched from black garbage bags to white and his horse flipped out again. he only practiced with black bags

I'm not going to try and re do the whole post. see ya all later. it's 4 here and I'm going to get another hour of sleep take care

This morning we planted a bunch of mini daylilies and some hosta.  We just had a nice shower so they should set in well.

There is a contorted filbert tree that we are taking out.  It is growing wild and blocking out everything else - and not providing anything in it's own right.  (not even contortion)  Penny and Shasta are enjoying the leaves from the branches I dragged out to them.

I believe Randall's eyelids are looking better.  This is moderately encouraging.

Three Good Things Today:  

1.  climbing rosebush beginning it's bloom

2.  resting up

3.  gentle night shower

These are all thumbnails displaying one of the ways for riders to change positions.  This tandem pair leapfrogged it.  Another version was to pull the back rider to the front via one side.  I had never seen this done before.  We were impressed with their ingenuity.  (from the Play Day horse show)

Nancy -  I have to say Rachel's tat sounds pretty sharp.  Just think, it could always be worse!  Some of the things they come up with nowadays - various piercings and whatnot.

It must be terribly difficult having your home torn up for an extended period.  You have my empathy!

Hello Everyone!   

Janey - I think you've got the right idea!  Sounds far more enjoyable too.

The combo of wrestling with Penny and then doing yard work was definitely felt today.  

(I noticed she wasn't highly active either.)  It did not seem to affect her sweet disposition one iota.  If I could peer in to her mind - I wonder what I would find?  She clearly holds no grudges against me.

In fact, both she and Shasta were quite sweet and placid.  Suspicious!

Linda A goat that does handstands!

As for the tattoo..Rach did a internet search and found a picture of a Missouri Foxtrotter that she liked. She then drew it out and added what I would call the wind blowing behind the horse. She then brought it to the tattoo artist and he did his thing. She said it hurt like H E L L - O.

I remember as a little girl watching Dark Shadows. It first came out when we were on summer vacation in the mornings. I got hooked. When I had to go back to school I tryed to play hookie/was sick/was hurt/was tired to stay home and watch it. My Mom caught on to my game quickly. I would love to go see the movie.

I do have some pictures of the dining room from start to finish. I don't have all the furniture back yet. I am waiting for cabinets for the kitchen to come in and when they do the stove, frig, and table will have to be moved in there. I don't think I will ever NOT be torn up.

Nancy

Linda...I would say "Dark Shadows" was filmed more like "Beetlejuice", than "Edward Scissorhands".  Had quite a few LOL moments.  It takes place in 1972, hence the 70's music soundtrack.

Yes, that black & white Lemur just celebrated his 33rd birthday!  HIs name is Romeo.  There were also ring tailed lemurs, and red ruffled lemurs..all very pretty and those eyes , so piercing.  They had quite a few different monkeys, the cutest were the marmosets...so very tiny.  The babies were the size of a newborn kitten..and they were swinging around and looking at us.  I could of taken them all home.

They had a pair of grey wolves and a kiddie pool for them..was funny to see them splashing & romping in the water like a dog in the backyard!

We went and bought a membership, 2 adults, $45/year.  I can get to the zoo in about 5 minutes.  I told Dale I would use that membership pass quite a bit...I can see the updates on Facebook about when they have 'zoo talks' on different animals & when some feedings are.  I could scoot right over there to see!

WOW...very cool on getting Penny's hooves trimmed.  Shasta was probably glad it wasn't her, I'm sure she was enjoying that immensely!   The way you describe Penny's attitude and affection for you, I bet after a few trimmings you won't have any problems with her.  She may never like it, but she'll tolerate it for you.

Columbine

Today was another fine day.  It was also one to go down in history here - Penny's first hoof trimming!

First I watched several YouTube vids on it.  The one from the KY extension office I thought was the best so it got multiple viewings from me.  He stressed keeping calm and keeping the goat calm.  Their subject stood in stocks placidly while he demonstrated.

I cut some fresh hayand placed it in her haybag to keep her occupied.  Had her halter on and clipped to the stall wall.  Shasta had a treat ball - but left it in favor of watching the proceedings which were going on directly in front of her stall door.

All in all we did pretty well I thought for two first timers.  The vid said to straddle the goat as if you were mounting a horse - but backwards.  (Do NOT sit on the goat - that was stressed.  Seems a no brainer.  I'd sure like to show it to that mom who had her girl riding one!)

This maneuver was so interesting Shasta hung her head over the stall door to observe more closely.

I do recall at one point Penny huffing and puffing due to her wriggling.  There were boughts of odd goatie acrobatics - usually comprised of one leg wiggling around in the air in a circle behind her - not unlike a pitcher warming up.

Then I separated her split hoof to trim the inner side of the toes - wowieeeeeee ~ that got a reaction!  That caused her to stretch the leg straight out in the air behind her with both toes spread WIDELY apart - looked like a charley horse.

Actually, reminded me of someone who can not bear to have their toes touched.  She strongly resisted having those toes touched, pulling back on her halter until it tightened around her beak.  (rope adjustable halter/lead combo)

Back feet done, I did the fronts next.  Interesting - there was a goodly amount of white goat hair lining the inside of my black pants.  Made me think of those silver tipped gorilla's.

She did not like the idea that her front feet were next.  I could hear the man from the video in my head 'keep the goat calm'.    Shasta found this so interesting she wanted to see everything I did each step of the way.  I could not decide if she was lending moral support to Penny or laughing inwardly at her plight.

Feet done, I decided that wasn't so bad - so went to re-examine the backs once again.  Thought maybe I could take a little more off now that I knew what I was doing.

This is how I learned - goats can do handstands!!  Yes, they can balance beautifully and for extended periods of time on their front hooves.  This time the struggle was mighty.  I had no desire to have my teeth knocked out by her wriggling hind hooves which were winding up to sock it to me!  (not even the troublesome sensitive teeth - though I did momentarily think she would do me a favor should it happen.)

Shasta leaned in and I could feel her breathing on my neck.  Had the sense if Penny let out one little peep Shas was going to tug on my pony tail to let her loose!

I did get a few cuts on that back hoof, and then she pretty much exploded.  In the balancing act of hers that followed, two hind legs in the air - the shears nicked me right through my gloves.  That was okay though - I much rather take a nick than her.

Both girls were rewarded with grazing the areas the mower had missed, as I weeded the lavender hedge.  Sneakers off leash was an angel.

Three Good Things Today:   

1.  Learning something new

2.  First trim behind us

3.  Goat doing handstands!

Hello Everyone!  

Susie - Thanks on the Dark Shadows review.  I would not have expected the 70's music.  How did they remake the series - was this more like Edward Scissorhands, or a lol comedy?

Very cool on the zoo.  I checked out the web site.  That black/white ruffled Lemur is beautiful.  Colored like a Panda!  The white tiger is gorgeous.  You're fortunate to have something like that so close to you.  I have to drive an hour to get to ours.

I really enjoyed hearing all about that visit...could picture it just as you laid it out.

They used to post the feeding time for the large cats at ours.  I miss that.  When they'd bring in the raw meat for the cats - WOW was that something to watch them ripping it apart with gusto.  Gives you a whole new appreciation for their strength, their hunting instincts and what it could be like if you were their next meal.    Watching their muscles ripple as they moved about and jumped down from their perches was really quite beautiful.

I am glad you had such distractions yest. and hoped you got through it okay.  We were invited to a neighbor's who had their family over.  They were playing volley ball and having a great time.  Normally we would, and earlier I thought I could - but it was just not a day for me to socialize.

Cute gifs.  

We saw "Dark Shadows" on Saturday afternoon....when it was over Dale pronouned it FUN.  Thumbs up from both of us.  The soundtrack was good (70's music) too.  We both enjoyed it.

Yesterday morning we went out for breakfast, on the way home, spur of the moment...we went to the zoo.  Of course, I didn't have my camera .  We will go back tho and I'll take the camera.

It's a nice little zoo...the animals are well taken care of and we were surprised at the variety of critters they have.  You can look at their website, if you are interested, it's Zoo of Acadiana.

We were surprised how close you were to the animals.  The Bengal Tiger has a cement pond, just deep enough for him to lay down in.  He was playing & splashing in the water with his ball.  He would soccer kick the ball away...lay down in his pool..and then start staring at the ball.  I told Dale he was going to stalk it...and he did.  I could just imagine him stalking his prey..and then jumping on it (like he did the ball).  We were lucky to be there at that time to see him so active.

The lion was sleeping..there was also a white tiger snoozing.  The bear woke up and looked at us, I was amazed at how large & long his claws were

We're going to check into memberships, the zoo is so close to us, we would go back often and use memberships.

Linda...I hope you made it through Mother's Day OK..you were on my mind, it had to be a rough one for you.  When is your trip...later this month?  I know you'll take good pictures to share with all of us.

Three Good Things Today:  

1.  Beautiful Spring Day today - it felt good to sit and feel the sunshine on you

2.  Some small red roses began to open today - they are climbing up the wisteria vine

3.  Feeding Penny some fried peas and hearing her crunching on them

Sue - Thanks for the wishes; much appreciated.  Rough day for me and I am glad it is nearly past.  Susie and Annie my thoughts are with you as well.

I read your post and saw nothing wrong with it.  

A friend in CO had an English Setter/Samoyed cross for 18 years!  They had to help her over the rainbow bridge yest.  Can you imagine, 18 years?  Just amazing.  She was white with orange.  They named her Cinnamon.

She sent me a photo of her lying in the horse pasture with their ancient white Arab standing next to her.  They both looked fuzzy like cotton balls.  Deer would follow them through the pen in to the barn when it was feeding time, hoping for some spilled grain to magically appear.

well I posted a few times and it didn't work. I'm glad everyones doing good. I 'm still having a hard time dealing with myself so I'm going to grab my tent and take off for a few weeks. see where life will take me and get away for a while.  maybe I'll be able to pull myself out of my funk. anyhoo I hope everyone is doing fine. I'll miss reading these threads but there is no service where I'm going and it would run out of juice anyway. 

linda I left you a message trying to say what I don't know how to. you will enjoy yosemite. tourist season has started and it's already very crowded. remember there are secret spots to get away too. it is very beautiful. whatever ya'all do have fun and relax