Wednesday's What's It?

What's It?

Here are a few clues:

• It is found outside
• It is made of copper (but hubby says similar items can be made of other metals)
• This particular one was made in 1969
• The worker who might be connected with this item will use a tool similar to this:

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Do you think you know what it is?

Think electricity.

This object is a quick disconnect link for electric lines coming into a transformer. One power line is bolted tight to the switch on the right size, just below the open ring. The linesman, using one of the tools shown above, can open the triangular-shaped hole on the left of the hanging the tool by twisting the bottom loop with a tool. Once the opening is large enough, the unit can be hung on the wire and tightened to allow electricity to flow into the transformer.

The electric company repairman guy gave us the connector when he had to replace the transformer outside our house. A few weeks ago there was a power surge and power went out all around us. After several hours we realized that we were the only ones in the neighborhood still without power. Once the power company came they assessed the problem, replaced the transformer and while doing so decided to upgrade the connection link. 

I am fascinated by things like this... but what the heck should I do with it now? Hmmm, if I were a clever sculptor who worked in metals and welded things together, I'm sure I could find a place for my hunk of copper. But, I am neither a sculptor nor clever with putting metal bits together to create something lovely! So, I guess it is destined to sit in a pile of stuff until it is pulled out to intrigue someone else at some later date.

Mares Dot Com

Hay, Doc....

What d'ya want now?

Do you know where 
O-H-I-O is?

O-high-o? Maybe.

Must be where we used to live.

On account of it was 

kinda high there.

I think the elevation 

was 7400 feet.

Hmmm, do you think 
we could find our way back?

Why do you ask?

There's a mare on some sort of
match site that says she's waitin'
for us and wants to kiss us...

Let me see that!

Coquettish Camryn

You've Got a Friend in Me

Yesterday we went on a day trip with Chris and Zoe. We had a wonderful time, but got home after dark. (Not hard to do when it is now getting dark at 4:30!) I ran down to the barn, got hay for the horses and fixed their dinners; one cup of EquiPride, a cup of Purina Healthy Edge and a cup of Timothy pellets. Mmmm-mmm!

But.... the boys didn't come galloping to the barn. How strange. Before I am even through dishing out the pellets, one is usually craning his neck over the stall door and thumping his size twos against the door. (Can you guess which horse would be so pushy and bold as to paw at his stall door demanding food; Right. This. Minute!?)

I grabbed a lead rope and went out into the pasture. What I found was so incredibly sweet, and yes,  a little bit funny. Pippin had gotten into the small area I fenced off this fall to munch on the newly grown grass. As we drove out of the yard earlier in the day we noticed that the deer had pulled down the top strand of wire. I put that on my 'to do' list. (Have you noticed how one never gets to the end of the 'to do' list when you own your own home?!) We'll blame the fence on the deer, because certainly neither one of my horses would do anything like that! So there was Pippin, pacing inside the small fenced off area. He was afraid to step back over the wire in the dark, yet he wanted to get to the barn to eat his yummy dinner. But... where was Doc? The lights from the house extended only dimly into the pasture, but I could tell he wasn't trapped in the fenced area with Pippin. As my eyes became accustomed to the darkness, I finally noticed a golden shadow, just on the other side of the small fenced area. Doc was standing as close to Pippin as he could get. He was waiting for his buddy. He didn't go racing to the barn until I extricated Pippin from his enclosure. Pippin, you've got a friend in Doc. Such a sweet, loyal friend, indeed!

On the First Day of Christmas....

Oh no!

First me...

Then hubby...

Then Chris & Zoe...

Who's next?

Hopefully no one is passing around
ugly bug 'gifts' at your house or office!

My First Horse

This is the story of yearning; a story of wanting...

or perhaps greed? 

Imagine a pre-adolescent girl - that would be me!
A long, long, long time ago!

Long before the modern 

conveniences of home? 

well, maybe not that long ago!

Like many almost 12 year-old girls
I wanted a horse.
I played with model horses.
I pretended I was a horse.

You cantered and jumped?

Did you whinny & neigh?

I put a horse on the top of my
Christmas list every year.

And you day dreamed and 

doodled them, too?

Not once did I discover a pony tied to 

the car bumper in the driveway
on Christmas morning. 

But didn't you get a 

Thelwell book one year?

And a Breyer horse?
And a purse with a snaffle
bit on the front?

One summer I spent a few weeks
playing with my cousins on their
farm.

And you got to have a horse there?

They didn't have horses.

Although one time they had a 

wily pony named Rascal 

who could dump even the

'stickiest' rider in a heartbeat!

And you know this because....?

My uncle was a very handy guy.

He helped my wish come true.

He went out and bought

 a horse for you?

He went to his workshop.

He sawed and sanded.

He put in screws and bolts.

He fit on some casters..

He made a horse?

My uncle made 

a horse from a barrel.

My mother helped me

add details.

Meet "Chona Girl"

my very own 'first' horse!

In Review

Thanksgiving was P-E-R-F-E-C-T!!

It started with the weather; warm and sunny. We had the doors open! (The horses, wearing their lovely winter coats, were not quite as happy, however. They came in with 'sweat swirls' over most of their bodies.)

Everyone had a hand in preparing for the meal.

Even Tucker wanted 'in' on the action!

 New recipes (and new ways of viewing them) were employed.
Cookbooks are so passe!

Chris drove the Cuisinart.

Our Menu

Turkey

Glazed Honey Ham

Herbed Cranberry Stuffing

Cranberry 'Straight Outta the Can' Jelly

Pineapple Mandarin Fruit Salad

Sweet Potato Biscuits with Marshmallow Filling

Fluffy Whipped Potatoes

Groovy Gravy

Medley of Root Vegetables with a Balsamic Dressing

Creamed Pearl Onions

Broccoli

Sweet Thing's Sweet Potato Pie with Gingersnap Crust

Spiced Rum Whipped Cream

Apple Pie by Grandma Ople a la mode

Spiced Rum Egg Nog Coffee

Hubby, Zoe and Chris relax after dinner.

My Dad, David and Dad's girl friend recover from the repast.
Dad is enjoying the spiced rum coffee!

The morning after.....

What do you suppose Tucker is thinking?

Thanksgiving...a Different Perspective

 I hope you all have great things to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving day.

I am thankful for family and wonderful friends, one of whom sent me the following perspectives about the day....

I hope you have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

I Can See Clearly Now....

I  can see clearly now, my new glasses are here,

I can see all obstacles in my way*.

Gone are the scratched, and smudged and paint spotted lenses.

It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)

Sun-Shiny day.

Source

It has been three years since I had my eyes checked. My prescription didn't change too much, but it is heavenly to have clear lenses. Also, I splurged and paid for 'transition' lenses so I don't need to change to sunglasses when I go outside. Hooray!


Oh, and by the way, if the sun seems blurry.... it is probably not your eyes!


* Just because I can see "all obstacles in my way" does not mean I won't bump into them, trip over them or hit my head on them!!!

Better

Thanks for all of the warm wishes and kind thoughts. 

I am feeling better... I can actually sit up! 

Wow! 

What an accomplishment!

Oh, and my tummy just said, "I'm hungry!"

Today was the day of the deer.
They have been hanging around the house
and tormenting Tucker.

This little doe showed no fear.
She was really quite curious about
the fuzzy, noisy guy.

Hubby took all of the pictures
from our bedroom window.

Sick

I will not throw up.

I will not throw up.

I will not throw up.

I'm going to throw up.

Hurry up...

I will get up and feed the horses.

I will get up to get a glass of water.

I will get up to do some laundry.

I will get up to clean the house for guests.

I will stay here...

In bed!

I'm cold.

I'm hot.

I'm sick.

(No, I'm not. Yes, I am. No, I'm not, Yes, I am!)

Maybe I'll have more energy after I nap for a bit.

Being sick sucks!

I'm not a patient patient!

So, if you use my keyboard, 

will you get sick, too?

If you read my blog...

is it all germy?

Hope not!

Back to snooze....

Zzzzzzzz!

Up the Wall

I wrnt clrt9ihg lrst ntgut. 

I hrd lpts uf fyn, bmt my hgmds are kylribg me twis murtbng!

This was my first, ever, climbing experience. Both of my sons enjoy climbing and talk about it frequently. My oldest son took us to his gym in San Francisco where he climbs at least once a week. This is his way to exercise and relieve the stress of work and life in general. Our local recreation center has a 25' climbing tower and offers classes. I signed up for the adult beginner's class... and loved it! I learned how to tie the knots and how to belay my partner. I climbed up the wall four times and each time the instructor pointed out one way to improve my skills. I also practiced traversing the wall and pivoting my hips. 

By the time I arrived home I could tell that I had a workout! I was tired! This morning I can tell that I did some work. I have a few muscle aches... but my hands haven't recovered. They are still red and sore. So I guess the fact that I try to wear gloves for most of my horse chores has paid off in soft, ladylike hands. But... maybe I need to change my way of thinking!

Impasse

Pippin and Doc can access their stalls from the run-in shed. Generally when I begin rustling in the hay (I said rustling, not wrestling!) they trot into their respective stalls from the back and I am greeted by two eager faces peering over the fench doors at the front. Except for last night....

Pippin, move your lard butt
I can't get into my stall.

I can't move.

I seem to be stuck.

Well, back up. 

No, you back up.

I was here first!

Their predicament, which they solved with a little bit of force (is there any other way? Oh, and all was OK; horses and the door) reminded me of Winnie the Pooh:

Winnie the Pooh: [tries to climb out the front door of Rabbit's house but is stuck] Oh, oh, help and bother! I'm stuck. 

Rabbit: Oh, dear. Oh, gracious. Oh. Well, it all comes from eating too much. 

Winnie the Pooh: It all comes from not having front doors big enough! 

C is for Clouds

Click on the image above to visit 

Jenny Matlock's AlphabeThursday site.

Colorado has crazy cool, colorful clouds!

Click on links below to visit other AlphabeThursday posts.

Planning for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 1988

I talked with a friend yesterday who told me she had her turkey for Thanksgiving and had begun preparing some dishes that she was going to freeze until THE day, and had laid out the ingredients of other dishes. She had washed her best china and ironed her favorite table cloth. She kept going on and on and on about her preparations. Oh, crud, is Thanksgiving next week?!! I haven't done a thing yet! I guess I better figure out the menu and do some shopping.

My boys are coming for Thanksgiving. At least one is bringing his girl. In fact I received a happy iChat message from son wondering if son and girl could come a bit earlier. Originally he was flying in on Thanksgiving itself, but then found out he had the week off, so he's coming on Tuesday. What fun! Oh no! That means I have to everything done two days earlier!

As far as food for THE day goes, I know that my shopping list will include a turkey and the fixings to stuff it. I need to get some sweet potatoes to make a whipped casserole. That's a request from the boys. I've been told that a Thanksgiving meal isn't complete without mashed potatoes. I'm trying to decide whether to do the ubiquitous pumpkin pie or make a pumpkin cheesecake. I made one a few years ago that I baked on top of a 3/4" carrot cake. It was rather yummy. No green bean casserole here, but I will have some sort of green vege. And of course, we'll have cranberry sauce - plopped straight out of the can into a perfectly sized cranberry sauce dish - again, a family favorite!

Will you be cooking a Thanksgiving meal?
Do you have family favorites that must be on the table?
Do you prefer whole cranberries, either from the can or prepared from the bag, jellied cranberries or a cranberry relish?

Top Ten Blunders, Wrecks and Near-Wrecks

Or... stupid things I've done on a horse!

This summer Linda at Equestrian Ink published a post about blunders, wrecks or near-wrecks.  I started thinking about some of the not-so-smart things I did on or around horses in my youth. Of course, now that I am older and wiser I never make stupid mistakes. (Do you really believe that statement?!)

So, here's my Top Ten, in David Letterman style. Some day maybe I'll fill in the details on the more interesting blunders!

10. Traded a horse for a sail boat. 

9. Fell off in a horse show and couldn't get back up again (despite not being hurt at all).

8. Pretended I was in the circus, standing up on my horse's rump.

7. Trained (evidently not very well) my friend's pony to drive.

6. Did a flying dismount but got my jacket caught on the horn of the saddle.

5. The horse I had just purchased ran away from his owner and couldn't be found for two days.

4. Rode into a cow field without realizing the farmer had put a bull in with the cows.

3. Rode side saddle, at a canter, on a regular English saddle.

2. Jumped on a polo pony in the field in order to catch another polo pony named, "Shy".

1. Took my saddle off while riding back to the barn.

Do you have a Top Ten list for something in your life?!

A Week of Mondays

Mondays are usually my busy days. They tend to be booked with things to do all day. This is going to be a week of Mondays. It's one of those weeks. You know, the type of week where just about every minute is filled with something? And then, the following week is Thanksgiving?!! How can it be time for Thanksgiving already?

So, what's going to keep me so busy?

Let's see. Monday I'm going to a coffee/tea get-together in my old neighborhood. I'll get to visit with all of my friends from there and the new owner of my former house. After that I'll do my normal Monday stint at the therapeutic riding center. I'll get home in time to make dinner. No... I don't have to make dinner! Woohoo! We are going to the Fly Fishing Film Tour!

Tuesday I'm doing my new normal stint at the therapeutic riding center closer to my home. From there I go to get my teeth cleaned and then to do some work for my dad. That evening I'm going to Dream Dinners. We went to a community business expo and they were offering a free visit, so I thought I'd see what it is all about. You go to their 'kitchen' and compile one or more meals that you take home and freeze. Have you ever tried it? I'd love to hear what you think.

In the morning on Wednesday I will be up very early. Hubby is having oral surgery and I have to get him to the center by 7:00 AM. While he is undergoing all manner of torture, I am heading to Staples to make copies and collate papers. That will be painful enough for me! Then I get to bring hubby home and pour him into bed... and see to his every need during the day. If he is feeling comfortable, and if I feel comfortable leaving him alone, I'll take Tucker to his Jumps and Tunnels class, where maybe (I'm not holding out too much hope) he won't embarrass me by barking incessantly at the other dogs!

Ah, Thursday. Hmmm, Tucker is going to day care at a program in a private home. We are hoping that this will be where he spends a few days over the Christmas holidays while we are away. The owner also does other animal care and will be coming by to feed and love the horses each day. I will do an afternoon stint at the therapeutic riding center. They were short on volunteers this session so I agreed to fill in. Then, Thursday evening I'm going to a Book Club meeting to discuss Cheap Cabernet.  And, no, I haven't completed the book, so I'll be trying to find some minutes here and there to get that done!

And finally, Friday comes along! I actually don't have a thing on the calendar for the day, yet. But I am hopeful that I can get an appointment for my Dad and take him to see someone to help him with some legal issues.  If the weather is nice I might actually snag some time with the horses! But, that evening I'm trying something else that is new to me. I'm taking a climbing class at the local recreation center! Both my sons participate in climbing. I had the chance to watch my oldest guy doing some climbing when we visited him early this fall. It looks like a lot of fun, yeah, and some hard work! But, that hasn't killed me yet!

My youngest son was excited about my taking some lessons. He has suggested that we all go climbing over the Thanksgiving holidays!

So, that's what is on the calendar for the week, but then I have to sandwich in some other things that I want to finish before Thanksgiving:

• I want to finish tiling the foyer (there will be a post about that when I do complete the job!) 
• I have one curtain made for the dining room and think it might look a bit nicer if I had two of them hanging when the family arrives! 
• We have only hung a few pictures, and the rest are stacked in the dining room. They need to go - either on the walls, or stacked someplace else so we can actually get into the room for our dinner. 
• Since our oldest son won't be celebrating Christmas with us I'm thinking that I'll do Christmas for the boys and their girls on Thanksgiving. So... I had better get some Christmas shopping finished  and get the gifts wrapped! 
• And then there's the normal stuff that needs to be done; cleaning, planning meals, preparing guest rooms, shopping.... 

I don't think I'll be bored!

What about you? What is keeping you busy and do you have some fun things going on this week?

Out Came the Sun...

And dried up all the mud.

So the itty bitty Haffies

Didn't have to wade through all that crud!

Notice that the leaves are gone off the deciduous trees. 

(On the right and on the left)

Well, after our 35 mph gusts yesterday, 

I guess that's to be expected!

I have five new followers that I'd like to welcome.

First, John Markowsi who writes An Obsessive Neurotic Gardener. John lives in NJ and his goal is to have a beautiful yard in 590 days. Stop by to follow his progress, or maybe just to become inspired to work in your own yard!

Another new follower is Lana from Farm Life Lessons. Lana and her family are planning a move out of suburbia and into the country in Texas. Recently Lana has put up several very informative posts about Australian Shepherds. You gotta know how much I enjoyed those!

PJ writes Seens From the Back of my Eyelids. I am enjoying her eclectic posts. Check out her blog to see what I mean!

Leovi is from Spain and has two Web sites. Both focus on his photography, which is truly awesome. The first is La Fotografia Efectista Abstracta and his other is Black & White Abstracts. Leovi is also a Leonard Cohen fan and has a series of abstracts in his honor. I'm not a huge fan of abstract work, but I can get lost just staring at Leovi's photos. They are very luminescent.

My fifth follower is The Crazy Sheep Lady, who writes four blogs. Four.... can you imagine! I've been following one of her blogs for a while, Punkin's Patch, and I enjoy seeing and reading about her sheep, sheering, spinning and knitting. Just check out how cute the sheep are on her blog, oh, and look for Hank, her Great Pyranees... he's oh, so cool and calm!

Doc's Diatribe: At the Spa

Hey, there, Tucker.

I think you ought to come in and try it.

They say that mud baths are very relaxing.

The mud's supposed to suck the stress out.

Source

It's supposed to wash out impurities 

and increase blood circulation.

It's supposed to soothe aches and pains.

I just think it is a pain.

Pure and simple!

Would you believe people pay money 
for something like this?!!!

Stupid humans!