A week ago -

A week ago, Paj was in trouble.  We were in the house and we heard banging.  It was coming from the barn.  Paj was striking with his front leg.  His nostrils were distended, and he was breathing hard.  Classic colic signs.  I tried to get my easy keeper/hardy eater to eat a bran, but he would have none of it.  It was snowing, and we knew it would take a vet a couple of hours to get here.  And then what?  If he needed fluids, we'd still have an additional hour and a half haul into the clinic.  So we made the decision to take him straight into the clinic instead of waiting.  David drove him through the snow, and I stayed to take care of the others.  We both had fear in our hearts.  But when David unloaded Paj at the clinic, he seemed fine.  In fact, he showed no signs of colic.  His gut sounds were good, he wasn't dehydrated, and all vital signs were normal.  Paj spent the night for observation and was released the next day.  He was tired for a few days, and his appetite was off.  Likewise the humans. 

A week later, Paj is full of energy.  Me, not so much.

The Owl

It took me six months to get a photograph of the Great Horned Owl, and it isn't great, but here he is.

I think this is why my weather vane leans.  We usually enjoy this bird, but on the night of the wolf moon, I was having visions of Owl Fricassee.  And I don't even eat meat!  I don't know if the moon had him stirred up, but he was loud and fierce.  It sounded like a very angry owl was in the room with us.

The coyotes were active this morning too.  They were within 10 feet of the house at daybreak, and they had a good yip-off while I was cleaning stalls.

Valentine's Day

Another Gorgeous Sunrise

I wish I could say this was today's sunrise, but it's not.  It's from January 31.  I just thought it was a pretty picture for Valentine's Day.  Today it's in the teens and snowy.  Usually we have an open-door policy for the horses, but not today.  We let the horses out to play for a spell before lunch, but we kept the barn closed to keep the heat in.  It's cozy-warm in the barn.  They were all ready to come in for lunch after an hour out!  We'll let them out again this afternoon, and we'll get those doors open as soon as it warms up a bit.

Zan, Paj, and Boomer - ready for lunch

Reggie comes to Dave

Today is the six month anniversary of our move to Moondance Ranch.  We are so grateful to be here, grateful to be healthy and happy, grateful that our horses are thriving, and grateful for our friends.

From David

From David in California -

David and Charlie