Up, Up and Away!

     "What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do."
Author unknown





     Knowing that this Monday was our last day with Britney, Joe and I both came home right after work.  We enjoyed messing around with the barn yard animals, went for a nice walk even though it was quite windy, watched TV together, and enjoyed a grilled steak dinner.
Britney saying her goodbyes.
The baby chicks are getting more adventurous and the ducks continue to enjoy time in their big pool.  I am a bit worried about  Norman who seems quite congested and especially has troubles after downing his bottle. Amiga continues her "grazing pen" rotations.

 




         
     Tuesday we were all up around 4:30.  I hugged and kissed Britney good bye and Joe and she headed down the drive at 5am.  Her flight was scheduled to take off at 6am.  She is headed up, up and away to Guatemala for two years of missionary work.

     Its was sad to see her go, but I am so excited for her and proud of her for doing what God has called her to do.


  I didn't leave school until 5pm.  It had hit 90 degrees.  There was a breeze, but the humidity made it feel even hotter.  I checked in on the farm animals after changing into summer grubbies.  The chicks and ducks were completely out of water except for the yucky dirty stuff in their little pool.  I brushed Amiga and picked her hooves and gave Norman some lovin'.  Joe mowed weeds and spread sand out in the round pen where we had gotten a load dumped.
 

     I did extra work during chores so it would be quicker and easier in the morning.  Now that we are again empty nesters and because it has been so hot, Joe has decided that his Iowa Boxers and T shirt are appropriate attire for lounging around and watching TV.  (Britney I need you back home.)  Before bed, I removed the flannel sheets and put on cool cotton ones.  With the windows open, and the breeze blowing in, I was out like a flash....while my dreams took me up and away to riding on the back of a galloping horse through amber waves of grain.

      Wednesday I was up earlier than usual, did some of the chores and left for school at 5:30. It was nice to have third pick for a parking space.  I rushed home to be here for the farrier who came at 1:30. Amiga's hooves were past due...but he didn't think she looked terribly lame, just a little off on her step.  The ground squirrels continue
tunneling and making upheavals all over the yard. We may have to barrow our nephew Nathans dog.











One at a time I moved each of the three ducks out to their big pool.  It was starting to get pretty gross looking though.  I had a ton of grading so drug myself in and got started.  About the time Joe got home from work I couldn't even keep my eyelids open, and plopped down on the bed in the office and took a nice long nap.  When I woke up and sat back at my chair, what did I see outside the office window? ...Joe in his boots and boxers taking Amiga in to be feed. 

     Later we had to rush to get the ducks back in because a big storm was blowing in, but it never did rain....just lots of wind...which helped to cool the hot house off.  It had made it into the upper 80's.  I was excited to get e-mail messages from both Britney and Daniel when I sat back down after dinner.  She made it safely to Guatemala and he is on a 3 1/2 day leave relaxing at a hotel.

     Thursday I was up at 4am trying to finishing up all my grading to hand back.  Students needed it to study for Friday's test.  I worked late again, finishing up a bunch of xeroxing for the rat dissection lab to be started Monday.  I got home to see that my Mother's Day photo book (Joe and Britney made) had arrived in the mail.  I just love it.  I was fairly caught up with school for the next 24 hours, so messed around outside and watched Survivor with Joe.  "Joe Boxer".

  It took two hours to shop and restocked kitchen pantry and refrigerator on Friday. Then I mowed and helped level the sand in the round pen. 

  








      We had a great grilled pork chop dinner and then met our neighbor Brian out at the barn to neuter Norman.  As it turned out, his male parts were up, up and away, until just recently and we realized he was still a bull calf not a steer.  We helped Brian band Norman, which is a less messy way to castrate, but maybe not less painful.  Joe and I held Norman down while Brian did the

banding.  We had a few technical difficulties, but Brian got the second band on well.  By the time we were done, Norman just laid there completely exhausted.  He was back up on his feet at the sight of his grain, an extra feeding to take his mind off
                                                                                   other things.

     The predicted storm came right on schedule just as we were finishing.  I love that farmers seem so carefree and eager to chat about this or that, whenever you pause to reflect on life, which we did while we watched the storm blow in.




     It stormed all Friday night and rained off and mostly on all weekend. It got quite windy and the temperature took a dive into the 40s with a weekend high of 53.  So, there were no outdoor activities to speak of.  The exciting news is that Zorro came home late Saturday afternoon.  I went to watch Courtney's lesson with him.  Once finished,we were discussing when and how to get him home.  We decided
to try loading him in their stock trailer and low and be hold...he got on within 5 min.  We were amazed and surprised, and quite relieved.  So Richard drove him to our place and we unloaded him and got him set up back in his old stall. Upon arrival Amiga started whinnying quite loudly and he answered back.  So sweet.  We took Marj and Richard to dinner at Jacks to celebrate.

     Sunday morning chores took an extra 15 minutes....but I was so happy to have Zorro back with us. Amiga is also quite happy. His first day home wasn't very exciting for him.  He had to stay in his stall all day because of the weather.  If the ground is wet or muddy, we are going to keep him in.  The same is true for Amiga.  So they had each other for company.  Zorro finds Sir Loin and Norman fascinating, but I don't think he is as happy to see Amiga as she is to see him.

     Monday it stopped raining but was still very cold (down to 36 at night and a high of only 59).  I stayed late at school to help a student with a test review.  Once home I decided to let Zorro out in the paddock.  I fenced the two "cow boys" out on the back pasture so Zorro had the place to himself.  He was a riot.  He would trot/gallop stop and look around, put his head down, pause, and then buck,  look around as if to see if he had impressed anyone.  He'd eat, trot off, eat, rear up, etc.  Turning five years old today has made him no less silly or young at heart.  If he were a unicorn...he would fly up up and away.

 

     I suspected Daniel was headed up, up and away to Afghanistan...but  the communication has been pretty much non existent.  The military is very careful about not disclosing time, location, or mission...until it has been completed.  Because US soldiers are targeted by some, they keep their travel plans quiet.

     I think if Amiga would get over her lameness and I could go on a nice ride, up up and away on my trusty steed, I would feel better about life.  Worrying accomplishes nothing.   I need to trust God, and keep praying for Britney, Daniel, Amiga, etc...  which I do.
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