Okay, I Officially Don't Get It

What's all this blogger talk about moving from FPT? When I sign in under my Desperate Horsewife account, it tells me I need to act fast. But sign in under my other account, and there's no reference at all to needing to make changes. What gives? Do any of my fellow bloggers wish to help out this slightly confused horsewife?

Yesterday I woke to the sound of pounding rain. Imagine my surprise when I actually climbed from my bed and looked outside to see snow! By afternoon the skies were clear and the wind was blowing a bone chilling breeze through the valley. Dusk came early with more rain spitting clouds. Truly the nuttiest weather we've seen in a very long time.

Last week Red had both a breakthrough, and a set back. A breakthrough in the fact that I was able to rub and scratch him on both sides of his body. The set back came when over the weekend he managed to get the snap undone on his lead, which then disconnected it from his halter. Since he's not once willingly come up to me, and since he's beyond sensitive about having my hand anywhere ahead of his shoulder (meaning...no touchie the facie, please), getting the lead back on would be a daunting task.

Red is no longer the muddy mess you see here!

Despite his lack of willingness to give up on some of his fears, Red is a far sight better than Sunny ever was her first few months here with me. He's decided he likes the taste of grain, so while I wasn't doing much physically with the horses last weekend, I did make the physical appearance with the tasty treat, and he began to associate me with something good and non-pressuring.

More on Red later (like...when Darling gets the photos uploaded!)

Sandy & I headed down to Curt's on Wednesday for our lesson. Wanted to see just how much Sandy could do on his own this time, so we dropped the reins and Curt went slow, working on the basics such as the stop and turns. I was pretty pleased. His turns to the right are sharper than to the left, but he's got it pretty much figured out. I still need to work on getting my timing a bit more on target when it comes to encouraging him to look at the bull when we stop, and checking him once we get the turn (so he doesn't race to the other end before the bull gets there!)

Watching the video put a smile on my face. Thought I was pretty hot stuff...till Darling came along on Rose and upstaged me...

'Twas a Rough Week

It was Friday morning when a weary City Boy came through the door after working the night shift. If I'd picked up my phone and checked messages received, I'd have noticed one that came through in the middle of the night from him saying, "I'm Okay"...but I didn't. So when he walked in with the weight of the world on his shoulders, unresponsive to my usual morning cheer, I had no idea why.

If you live in the northwest, even down into Oregon and beyond, you undoubtedly heard about the oil refinery explosion. This is where my City Boy works, and it's where he was, and where he was called to as a first responder. And by 7:00 in the morning, when Darling was just climbing out of her bed and he was heading to his, the world seemed cloaked in darkness.

Five people lost their lives. Two are currently hospitalized and looking at surgery (today and tomorrow, I believe.)

This event has hit everyone so hard...I can't even tell you the effect it has had on the community.

On Easter, my last post, I did my Sunday Stills on what Easter meant to me. I'd found the hymn on youtube and read for the first time the story behind the words. It touched me. All week they've floated in and out of my mind, comforting in a small way, knowing that no matter the hardship, my Lord is still risen and there remains hope for those who've claimed His name. I do not know how those who don't know Him face tomorrow when tragedy strikes...without hope, what is there?

T