Ranch Sorting

Melanie and Gus

Despite the wind and freezing temperatures, muscle pains and illness, my friends and I took our horses to a ranch sorting clinic.  All of our horses met some cows a few weeks ago, but this was their first time actually working cows and learning to play by the rules.



Me and Odie

Here's a quick run down of a ranch sorting event -

• There are two connecting pens with a gate in the middle with 12 cows on one side
• Cows are numbered 0-9 with 2 unnumbered cows
• The object is to move cows from one side to the other in order beginning with the number the announcer calls.
• If any of the cows cross the line in the wrong order, or any unnumbered cows cross the line, you are eliminated.
• Riders ride in teams of 2 and take turns cutting the cows and manning the gate.
• If you do really well (fast with lots of cows), you can win money.

Becky and Maverick

All three horses did really well all day.  With a little practice, health on our side and some warmer temperatures, I think we could be really good!



Melanie and Gus and Me and Odie

Spring Has Sprung!

Spring has sprung here in Maine, a little earlier, a little warmer and a lot drier than normal.  Here on the mini-farm there is a lot happening.  Greg added some dirt and some weed block to the garden.  The asparagus bed is finished and the rest of the garden is ready to be planted. 

The ducklings and chicks that we ordered have arrived and will soon be ready to be on tick and slug patrol.  For now, they are happily peeping under the heat lamp and driving Gauge absolutely wild!  (pics to follow)

I had to build a second chicken coop to accommodate all of the fowl.  The ducks are moving into the small house attached to the garden and chickens will now live on the other side of the goat shed.  Herbie and Fergus were extremely interested, but not overly helpful, in the construction of the new coop.

Last weekend, we competed in our first triathlon of the season at the University of New England.  The race was very well run, the weather was fabulous and Greg was thrilled that it was a short pool swim.  To top it off, we stayed with Sarah and Jason and got a chance to visit with my mom and play with Ella while we were there.  They even came to cheer us on at the race.  Thanks guys!

Recently

We have been trying to make the most out of the little snow that we have.  I found a great place for cross country skiing in Waterville called Quarry Road Recreation Center.  We have only made it down there once, but the weather and the trails were great.

At home, we been doing a little work on the house.  We have removed the bar and added an office loft.  Greg is excited to have his own office space and it really defines the kitchen.  A new and smaller bar will be build soon and then the flooring projects can begin.

I have been down and out with a bad case of the stomach flu and am currently at the laundry mat doing sick bedding as we speak.  Later, I will decontaminate the rest of the house.  I am very hopeful that Greg will not come down with it.

We still don't have much snow which makes for an icy driveway, but easy walking in the woods.  The dogs love to investigate the bog.  We're still hoping for at least one big snow before the end of winter!

Winter Ready

The pond is ready for skating!

 Greg and I shoveled and swept off the little snow that we had.

Moose loves winter.  It is the only time that he benefits from having a pond in the backyard.  It is much easier to get the ball when you don't have to swim.

There is a pretty strict no skate policy on the left side of the pond, where the stream enters.  I tried to make that clear with the snow line.  Though I don't think any one would drown, I bet the water is pretty chilly right now. 

We are ready for winter, but still waiting on snow so that we can get the skis and snowshoes out.  

What We've Been Doing Lately

Not a whole lot.

The surgery was kind of an eye opener for me as to how much one relies on their stomach muscles.  I was able to get off the couch and out of the house a few days after the surgery, but still couldn't really do much. I have never been more bored in my life.

Christmas was quiet, with a little Dutch tradition.

We did get out and do some easy hikes in Orland and in Camden.  It was just a little icy.

This is what Moose has been up to, pretty much all the time.....

The other dogs do this most of the time.....

And the outdoor animals......

Those goats will do anything to get to their food!

Rope and Surgery

Greg surprised me two weeks ago with this rope.  Yes, it is in the house.  It was hanging and ready to climb when I came home from working at the barn.  It is really a Christmas present, but since I was scheduled to have surgery on the 23rd, Greg thought I should be able to use it before I was laid up.

I did have hernia repair surgery yesterday.  I was super nervous to be anesthetized, but it all went well.   I am super sore and really bored.  It is a good thing I got some use out of the rope earlier, because I can't even sit up by myself right now.  I'm hoping to be a little more active in a few days.

Christmas Card Bloopers

We did our Christmas photo ourselves with the camera placed on a muck bucket and on time delay.  We lucked out with the final picture, but overall, it was a pretty comical experience.