Sold To The Highest Bidder!

        Guess what?
        Turkey Butt!
      He he he he he.

     I don't know if it is the taste of spring weather we have had, or being crazed by cabin fever, but I just had to start this post with Hercules' rear end.  He does this display when he is trying to warn others off. He never scares me, I just think he is big and beautiful, in addition to being silly, so I take pictures of him.

     Wednesday morning I trudged off to work as usual, but a little later in the morning Joe and Britney went on a new adventure.  They went to the farm auction in Congerville with the hopes of buying a baby calf.  I had equipped them with on-line instructions on how to go about doing this.  Not having been there I do not have first hand information, but I did pump both for highlights of the day and Britney took lots of pictures. 
                                                            Joe in the pen going through the
In a nut shell, they bought a                    check list with the prospective
Normande/Holstein/Angus cross            calves while Britney took notes.

who was a week to ten days old and weighed in at 90lbs.  Joe has since named him Norman after his breed sake.  I have given him the last name Wellington, a friends suggestion that I liked.  So he's AKA Beef Wellington. Ha, ha ha ha.  Norman, #3965, was the healthiest one of the lot, and Britney and Joe's first pick. 

     When the bidding began, he was in with another calf. Joe was aggressive in his bidding, not hesitating to go up the next bid level.  He felt reluctance would show indecision and he wanted to make it clear to the other bidder, that he wanted the winning bid, which he got at $200 (a bit high)  Since he only wanted one of the two, he got first pick, and the other guy got the second calf for $195 (his last bid).  

Norman had to have a vet check, and Joe paid a little extra to have the vet give our new calf some injections... we think vitamins and de-wormer.  Once that was all done, they easily loaded Norman into our horse trailer.  He
                                                      follows people around like a big

puppy.  Once home, we unloaded Norman into Zorro's stall, let him look around as we got him settled in, and then brought him a bottle of "milk" (calf starter formula). 









He needed a minute to figure out the bottle (different nipple than he was used to) but soon had it sucking good.  Once done, he kept nudging us looking for more...and followed us all around the stall.            Such a cute little calf.

     I took Amiga over to Marj's to ride during Courtney's lesson.  I had missed mine due to no trailer, and taking care of Norman.  I listened to Marj's instructions to Courtney using them as reminders as to what I should focus on with Amiga.  I tried to keep Amiga out of the way as best I could, but both us girls are working on steering refinement with our horses (turning with our seats and not the reins so as not to pull them off balance) but this enabled the two sibling horses to gravitate towards each other quite often.

     
     The kids at school Thursday were really wound up. We had a pep assembly because the basketball team had made the final four and were headed to State.  Soon after I got home I drove over to Marj's to meet Dr. Carlson who was going to look at Courtney's horse.  Zorro continues to make good progress, but still needs to get stronger.  Later in the afternoon, Amiga and I meet Marj (who was riding Vinnie) at the Bridge on Brian's road.  We rode together in the fields and along the road for awhile. The wind was blowing cold and it was getting late, so we each headed home with our trusty steeds.   Norman continues to do well and be vigorous about his feeding.  We get a real workout holding the bottle, with him tugging and pushing on it the whole time he sucks.

     I gave a test on Friday (I know, I'm an evil teacher).  The students were still rowdy, but got quiet and focused during the test.  I let them talk once all were done with the test.  I hit Farm and Fleet after I left school, and once home, I started preparations for our trip to southern Illinois....Joe had recently reserved a cabin down there.  Because Marj was out of town, I later went with Amiga to ride with and keep Courtney company while she rode Zorro.  I didn't get home from that until 9:15.  Poor Joe had to come fix a flat trailer tire while we were over there.  Thankfully it occurred when it did and not during our trip.    

     Joe, Amiga and I were on the road heading to Shawnee National Forest by 7am Saturday. It was a long drive (4 1/2 hours) but went well and we were thankful the spare trailer tired held up okay.  I was also glad to get a bunch of my lab reports graded during the trip.  Once checked in at Hayes Canyon Campground, we got Amiga unloaded and settled in to her outdoor covered pen.  Then we got unpacked and settled into our little cabin as well.

     After looking at the trail map and planning our course, I saddled up and Joe put on his hiking boats and we headed out.  We had a beautiful 3 hour ride/hike.  It was hilly and rocky in a number of places but Amiga did superb.  She crossed creeks, concrete and wooden bridges, stepped over logs and went wherever directed with little or no hesitation.  She was great....and I am so proud of her.  At one point we tied her to a picket line and we hiked down to see a waterfall.  Joe took a tougher trail on the way home while Amiga and I stayed on the easier route because I knew she was getting tired.  I'll let the pictures do the talking. 

          Once back to our cabin, I put Amiga in her pen to let her relax.  I went in and brushed her well and picked her hooves.  Then I lounged out in the grass and let Amiga graze.  (Joe ran
into town to get some supplies.) 

 

     While Joe watched some basketball before dinner, I rode Amiga bareback around the camp grounds.  I thought she might like to stretch her tired legs out a little.  It was fairly empty, yet many vacated campers had been left there for the winter I guess.

     We roasted hot dogs over a fire, enjoyed some cold beverages and
sat and talked.  Amiga never showed any anxiety about her temporary accommodations, but munched on hay and sipped on her water.

     Early Sunday Joe had to run up to the camp office where he could get an internet connection and do a bit of work.  I sipped my tea, fed and brushed Amiga, did some dishes and straightened up inside the cabin.  Joe wasn't long and we hit the trail...this time going in a completely different direction. 

Joe led the way part of the time, while Amiga and I took the lead at other times.  Notice the daffodils in the photo to the right.   Spring is earlier down in southern Illinois.

     We rode/hiked for a little over two hours.  There was a lot more pretty scenery...and I can just imagine how
nice it will look when it greens up.

 

     Joe and Amiga both fatigued quicker than yesterday so we did not finish a loop we were on.  We found a tack shop at a different camp ground, but it was closed.  I decided to walk Amiga a few minutes to give her a rest and my legs a break and to stretch them out.  Back at the cabin for more relaxation... Joe napped and Amiga ate while I worked on this blog post. 






We rode/hiked to Eddyville for lunch. Both Joe and Amiga were not as energetic as earlier.  I untacked and tied Amiga at the hitching post.  We sat where I could keep an eye on her. 

     On the way back, from the restaurant, I continued with Amiga going back to the trail from yesterday.  I just wanted to get a little more riding in.  In short time I could tell Amiga was getting too tired.  The temperatures hit the mid 70's so she was also hot I'm sure.  She did stop to drink at a few of the several creeks we waded through, but she was willing to keep going.  Knowing she was hot and tired, I turned back after 15 minutes.  She started tripping  and miss-stepping a lot on the way home.   I hoped I hadn't pushed her too much.

      We struck camp and hit the road for home about 2pm.  I worked hard on school work most the way home, getting all of my grading done.  At a gas fill-up, we discovered that the spare trailer tire had gone flat, but there was no air available so we continued on, not knowing how long we had been driving with it that way.  The other tire on that side was managing all the weight, and at least it wasn't the side of the trailer Amiga was on.  We made it safely home around 7pm.  Amiga hesitated going into her stall because Norman had been in there and she is still not too sure about him.  
                                                                                    I brushed her

while Norman drank his 10pm bottle.  I bought a bottle holder (great investment) that slips onto the gate and really saves time along with our arms and back.  Amiga seemed relaxed and content.  I think she had enjoyed our weekend trip.

 
      Monday was a beautiful day of  partial sunshine and 70 degree weather.  I did a bunch of laundry and hung the big stuff out on the clothes line.   Missy was not much help with her dirty little paws.

 










     Amiga rested out on the front pasture, recovering from her big weekend, while the cats and dog relaxed with Britney.

     I had put chicken wire around these Day Lilies to keep the fowl from trampling them while digging around, but Missy didn't get the memo to
"Keep Out!"


     Later I had to go to town for a Dr. Apt.   It was past time for an annual check up considering I haven't seen a doctor since 2008.  I also ran into school to feed and water everything. 

     When I got home, there was more sunshine, continued basking and an air of contentment and relaxation.   We had a pot luck for Linda's birthday at Growth Group Monday evening.

     The day ended with another peaceful feeding of Norman while I brushed Amiga before bed.