Helmets are so important when dealing with these unpredictable, 1,000 lb. animals. I certainly hope to never have a bad fall off one of my girls but falling is bound to happen. Love you Mom and thank you Courtney for reminding me of how important helmets are. Bless you!

Now I must deal with FireWEEDS?!

Sigh. Yesterday as I was waiting for the waters to finish filling, I noticed some ground cover type plants near the fence to the run in shed. I didn’t want it to have a chance to grow up on the fence so I started pulling it up. My arms immediately began burning! Thankfully, I had my work gloves on. I (stupidly) grabbed the couple other bunches despite the pain and then ran to wash off. Little did I know, this would not work. I sprayed them with the natural antiseptic I use on Cass and hoped it would bring relief. My arms continued to tingle all the way home.

Once home I popped an allergy pill and showered. Arms still tingled all the way up to my shoulders. Scottie brought home 3 different “itch” ointments from the drugstore. None worked. We perused the internet to find out exactly what plant I’d run across and couldn’t find an exact match. I napped while my arms still tingled. As evening hit I emailed our doctor my symptoms and photos of the enemy invader! He got back to me quickly with the answer. I was attacked by a type of Stinging Nettle called Fireweed. We needed to use adhesive tape to pull the stinging arrows out of my arms! Good Grief!

The urticating hair or trichome has a bulbous and very fragile tip which breaks off at an angle and results in a perfect tool for piercing skin.  Basically, the shaft of the hair resembles a glass tube due to the deposition of silica in the cell wall during formation (Thurston 1974).  When the urticating hair tip is broken, it has the action of a hypodermic needle and injects the urticating substances which cause the intense pain and result in irritated skin rashes.  ~ from The Botany Circular #34, FL Dept. Agric. & Consumer Services, Plant Division.

Woke up today with just a slight tingling remaining. The problem now was how to pull up this malicious Fireweed so it could no longer hurt me or the animals. I armed myself with new work gloves, a sturdy rake and a shovel. Thankfully, after walking the fence lines and the barn, there were only a few of these plants intermingled with the harmless foliage. Found this guy hiding in the front of the barn, but not for long!

Eva looked on from the safety of the shed as I extricated the enemy from our lands.

I didn’t have any yard trash bags so had to make do with a regular one. With my goal being to not touch the plant I devised a system to hold the bag open. It worked fairly well. It’s not easy to pick up something without actually picking it up!

I will remain vigilant in my war on these nasty Fireweeds!

Get it Jimi!

Eva had her daddy wrapped around her thick, little paw before ever arriving!

We survived her “pokey bone” surgery when she wasn’t even a year old. Those 2 months of crate rest was excruciating for all of us! She didn’t start out having to wear both the muzzle and E-collar. That happened after she ate a full-length leg bandage or two.

Wonder what she was saying to me?

We survived introducing her to the horses. They’ve since become an integral part of her daily routine. She and Cass have a lovely relationship and she learned (the hard way) to be a bit more careful around Becca.

Cass wanted to be friends from the start, Eva fought the urge to bite her!

We survived adding four rescued Australian Cattledogs to her pack. She’s cool with it as long as they remember she’s the head-cowgirl-in-charge!

The missing ACD is Barby, she hates everyone and doesn't participate.

My girl, Eva. She’s somehow become the dog I always hoped she’d be. Her purpose was to heal my broken heart. She has my heart and I know she always has my back. Such a bond and trust is an unbelievable gift.

She went out shopping in her birthday bandanna and after gorging on gourmet cookies, gross cow parts and basking in the adoration of her favorite aunts (check out Louise’s) she chose her special birthday toy.

She always sits funny like this, remnants from the "pokey bone".

My gorgeous Eva Marie. Her registered name is Sapphire’s Songbird of Serendipity. Coming to our family as she did was certainly serendipitous. I’ll end with a song from the songbird for which she is named, Eva Cassidy. It also happens to be her birthday.  We wish both Eva’s ~ Happy, Happy Birthday!

Tes sucking up to the teacher.

Catch me if you can!

Tes goes in for the sneak sniff!

The last post I mentioned our new training tool at the barn, EasterBunnyElf. I had forgot to show off our gift from Gary. Being the sweet man that he is and knowing we wouldn’t get one ourselves, he got Cass and Becca a flashy rope halter and lead from his favorite on-line store, Half Circle Ranch. Cass was more than happy to model.

Cass gave me the “look” when she realized she wasn’t just modeling. She was going to have to do some work. This time she didn’t miss a single step as she bravely walked toward EasterBunnyElf! We walked all over the pasture, me twirling him around my head and she confidently clopping behind. We celebrated with a scratching all over from EasterBunnyElf then she was free to do as she pleased. She hightailed it back to the shed where she quickly reminded me to bring her some hay. I adore this horse!

Cass was sure it was a monster out to eat her. I jiggled it on the ground in front of her and made her walk toward it. Made it jiggle beside her, then scratched her all over with it. It got even more interesting when I raised EasterBunnyElf over my head. Oh, my! It was a completely different monster now! I turned around and had Cass walk behind me, toward EasterBunnyElf keeping him beside me. I worked my way up to having him twirl around the top of my head while Cass walked along toward the weird thing. When we were done I had my girl walk over the very monster she was sure was going to eat her . Very proud.

True to character, Becca walked right up to EasterBunnyElf and introduced herself!

As we ran up to the fence the last dog was being handed off to a good Samaritan. Though we left empty-handed our hearts were still urging us on… do something. The next day we arrived at the shelter to help in the clean up after the devastating fire. I can’t remember how many days we worked cleaning but I do remember going around to everyone at the television station where we worked taking up a collection. We raised nearly $1,000! That’s pretty empowering. What began as a heart’s pull to “help” turned into our life’s work.

In these 20 years we’ve seen the tides drastically change. Animal shelters are now the place to go. Puppy Stores are still around but attitudes toward them are certainly different. Facebook whirls frantically with rescue groups sharing photos and stories of animals in danger and needing help. Stories of amazing rescues go viral and once what was a lonely rescue road of your own heart’s burden, is now supported by thousands of like-hearted friends. It is a wonderful thing.

Seeing this on Facebook today made me giggle and proud to be the owner of a rescued heart.

I apologize for the out-of-focus pic but I wasn’t quite awake, yet

Jessica, 100 pound Akita Princess

Next up was the barn to check on my big girls. I passed farms with their horses out in blankets. My girls scoff at the very idea! When Cass left Canada nearly 4 years ago, it was 50 BELOW zero! So, for us to be in the 30′s is no big deal. I’m sure she prefers to be chilled rather than sweating her butt off in our summer temps.

It was hovering near 34 degrees @ 8:30am.

One of my worries overnight was whether our water pipes would freeze. We have a well with three pipes placed throughout the barn area and front pasture. I knew the pump would probably be ok since it’s inside the barn. I covered it with tarps to be safe. I also covered the main pipe outside the barn wall but I didn’t do a good enough job. It was frozen.

Hey! There's the ugly hat

I put an extra water trough inside the shed, hoping it wouldn’t freeze and it didn’t. There were hay drippings in the water so I know the girls drank from it. The other 3 troughs were frozen over.

Ice, ice baby...

I must admit, the frost upon the pasture was pretty.

My most northern-blooded gals, were peppy and in great spirits. Their luxurious winter coats are far more insulating than any blanket would be.

The longer winter coat helps trap the body heat against the skin. Also, tiny muscles in the skin raise the hairs, creating tiny air pockets that heighten the insulating effect. Putting a blanket on a horse, flattening these hairs, can actually make them colder than without one.

Becca and Cass may have also been in great spirits because they’re getting a special treat for a few days. I went to the feed store yesterday to get our regular, coastal hay and they were out. A few stores in area have gone out of business so my store is getting swamped with large hay orders. The next truckload comes today but I grabbed a bale of the “good stuff” to get us by. This is a mix of Timothy and Alfalfa, which is too rich for them (and me!) on a regular basis.

Frosty the Fjordhorse aka Cass says, “WhooHoo! Bring on the cold!”

Wonderful moments were cherished this year. Cass & I conquered many fears, the biggest which was actually riding!

Very first time on her back. She acted like we'd been doing so her whole life.

Scottie & I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary this coming April! He’s still my best friend and always makes me laugh, no matter how mad he may make me. 2011 rattled us a few times but we’re both smart enough to see things through and find our loving hearts.

Our beloved Pookie Bros., Frank & Sam, shortly before both passed at 16 years.

We got our dog, Eva, her very own puppy for Christmas. She’s thrilled! It’s been neat watching her drop that serious exterior and play like only cattledogs can play. I guess we can now say you’re official Tesla Mae

The established cowgirls check out the new gal in town.

2012 brings with it endless possibilities. I’m excited to continue my journey with Cass & Becca. It’s up to me to be the herd leader they deserve and I will do that for them. New cowgirl, Tes, will be acclimated to the barn life. I’m counting on her to follow Eva. The barn is where I find my peace in this crazy, terrifying, sometimes sad world.

Mother & daughter sharing some breakfast hay.

Cass always wants to know what I'm doing.

Becca's so cute I can barely stand it!

Cass relaxing and enjoying life.

How can I feel anything other than blessed when I am here?

Becca is looking forward to an exciting New Year!

Everyone, please stay safe tonight. Tomorrow brings with it all the promises of a new day. We have the power to make it what we want. Happy New Year!

Eva waits for Cass to finish so she can check her bowl.

I miss my Dad. He passed away 2 Christmases ago. That sure puts a different spin on my already tender emotions. He loved Christmas! It was his tradition to wait until Christmas Eve to do any shopping. Our big celebration was Christmas Eve so as family would be arriving to begin the festivities, he’d rush in with bags in tow and I’d secretly wrap the gifts. He always got Mom the coolest jewelry. I remember one Christmas he had me wrap up a framed photo of Frank Sinatra, her absolute favorite singer. She was so confused when she opened it then it was revealed he’d bought tickets for his upcoming concert! I used to fuss at him for waiting to shop and making me have to frantically wrap. Wish I could do that for him this afternoon.

My far away family will be gathering today for tasty food and drinks. There’s a new crop of great-grand-babies awaiting Santa who will entertain everyone as they open presents. It will be loud. Kids will scream and laugh. There will be music playing and butts shaking. There may not be dancing into the wee hours as in the past (they’re all kinda old now) but they can still shake those tail feathers, our Momma, too!  Christmas is about family and love. I may not be there with them but I feel them always in my heart.

Santa visited my girls a bit early this year. He brought their favorite cookies, which they haven’t had in a while due to their weight-loss program. He told me Christmas is in your heart, not where you are.

Where else would you hang a horse's stocking?

"I can have them? Really?!"

Sweet Santa made Eva & Cass honorary elves! They fill my heart with Christmas cheer no matter the day, though Eva may not look too happy about doing so…

Guess we can call her Angry Elf

Cass is, of course, Sweet Elf

This is the soundtrack to the Christmases of my youth – we are quite a funky, bluesy family. Enjoy!