Winter days

I really am thinking it is cold outside. Its about in the upper 30's, maybe might get to the lower to mid 40's today. I checked the internet, and I am thankful for my cold weather. Its a minus 8 in Elko, I am so glad I am in Arizona.

We had a very nice weekend, a little chilly but not too bad. Jon went out hunting on Saturday, but didn't get anything. He and David went out this morning and I am sure that they are a little on the cold side. Yep, I think so. Its been misting off and on, and the temp is remaining steady in the low 40's with the wind ever so slightly making it seem colder. That is here, not out there, where the wind gets a little more blustier.

I cooked a roast Saturday, with shanks and then made green chile out of it and OMG, it was sooo yummy, refried beans and hot tortillas, it was delicious. Food to die for. :) It cooked all day, and the house was warm and smelled good.

We had a new boarder come in late Saturday evening from Mesa, she has a horse and two goats. The goats are small like mine, and they are females, and that really made Gus happy. He has two new girls to have fun with. Haha, it seems as if he has already taken them under his wing.

So, it was a good weekend, didn't do too much. We did go yardsailin on Saturday, but there was only a couple of yard sales, not too many, it was about 32 out and the wind was blowing. It was fun, and we were glad to be home inside where it was warm.

Happy New Year, everyone.

A new year.

So here we are coming to the end of another year. A new year, a new day, a new life. 

We all have the power to change our lives, to become more happy inside, which makes those around us happy as well. We have the power to be at peace with ourselves, though the journeys walked, may not have always been what we imagined that our life would take us. Without all the hardships, good time, bad times, sad times, happy times, through anger, tears, bitterness, through tears of joy, love and fun, we would not be here, where we are today.

Enjoy life, moment by moment. Turn loose of your past. If you are living in your past, then you cannot enjoy today. Let it go. Don't worry about tomorrow, it may never come, so enjoy today. Love, laugh, live. 

We learn through our mistakes. We learn through others mistakes. We all do things that may confuse others as to why we do them. We persevere when others may give up. We make choices that may make others unhappy or uncomfortable. But then, we live with those choices. We are shaped by them, and usually the outcome is better in the long run. 

I know that I have been through all of this. I know that I have learned, grown, and come to peace with my life. I have learned that letting go of my past is the best thing for me. To let go of grudges, painful memories, things that seemed to have a hold over my head. I now, don't let them take hold, and while the memories are memories, I can look back and even laugh. I know I am ok today, and will be ok as each moment comes my way.

Forgive. Easier said than done. But, when started and when it becomes a part of your life, you realize how much easier your life becomes, how much more satisfied you are with your life, and you realize that forgiving is really for you. You realize that you were holding onto things that drug you down, and now you can lift you up where you belong. 

I love my life. I have no regrets. I wonder, sometimes, if I had realized this back then, how different my life might have been, but then, I didn't and so I don't linger. I can't live my life in what ifs.

So to all my family and my friends, I love you, may you find peace this coming year, in your hearts, soul and spirit, may your life be filled with love and kindness. May God always hold you in His hand.

Christmas!!

Well, here Christmas has come and gone again!  I had a really good day, it was quiet, low keyed and just relaxing. I was a little sad because my Jake and Jessie didn't get to spend it with me. (sigh) I guess as they grow up and leave the nest it becomes more and more that way. I really missed having them both, it was so quiet. We watched a movie, but it wasn't scary, our Christmas Day tradition, haha!  (And scissors, makeup, cd's and little girls with pigtails!!!!)

But, it was a good day. We had a hawk that came by and two guinea hens. I had taken a couple of pics of the hawk, but yesterday I saw him in our goat pen. He had a little dove, eating his breakfast or brunch I suppose. Anyway, I decided to get a little closer, talking to him/her the whole time. He flew into a different section of our goat pen. The goats weren't sure about him in there. Then he flew up to the top of the fence. The goats being goats had to smell him. He didn't seem to care much.

You can see the goats here smelling his tail feathers. You can also see his bad leg.

Then he flew to our tree over the dogs and dove pen. The two guinea hens had made it into the tree, and were not happy about the hawk being there. I really don't know if its a hawk or eagle. My dove and little chickens weren't happy either. So I took a bunch of pictures, and was just tickled. He didn't seem to be too frightened by my presence.

You can see his bad eye here.

 This was a few minutes before he became hung up.

Here are those guinea hens. I think the gray one is a male.

I went in and later we all came out and he looked like maybe he died or was dying. We saw that his right eye was bad, and then we noticed that his right leg was bad, atrophied. He was still alive but the bad leg had gotten hung up in the branches. David up-righted him with  a board, and we got him sitting up again. We left him alone.

I came out to check again later and then he moved to the chair in front of the dove pen. He let me take pictures of him, and again, didn't seem to concerned. I went and fed everyone as it was getting dark and we left him alone.

This morning he was on the ground still in front of the dove pen. He left sometime this morning, flying in all his glory again, as I saw him at lunch back up on the telephone pole. It made me happy to know he was able to leave.

My neighbor caught the guinea hens in her chicken coop, and will see if someone might claim them. So, to me, a present in the form of a wayward hawk or eagle, just to see him so close, and know that he did not appear to be threatened. Amazing.

I cooked a ham (yummy) with mashed potatoes, mixed veges, some re-fried beans, salsa, biscuits, and an apple and pumpkin pies.  I ate all day long, while I was cooking and sitting and eating and aaaoooo I am so stuffed still, haha. It was delicious, and it kept talking to all of us, eat!! eat!!! eat!!! EAT !!!!!!

So we did. And we all regretted it, but then went back for more. LOL!!!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, to all of my family and friends. I love you!!

A good weekend

It started out as a cold weekend on Saturday morning, but it warmed up quite nicely. We went to a couple of yard sales and the swap meet. I found some table legs that are kindof like claw feet, make out of really heavy wood. I am excited to have David help me put together some kind of frame and make a coffee table out of it.

Jon brought home a really old trunk, it really needs a lot of work, I am not sure if it really is salvagable, its pretty rough looking. I will give it a try, although I need to finish my table I started in the spring. Haha, its almost completely sanded, its a cute little table, a drop leaf table. I am hoping to work on it the next few weekends to get it done.

I gave lessons, and Tomasa was in a mood, a mood of I don't have to do what you say, your'e not the boss. OMG, she made those girls work this time. But, we are changing bits and will see how she works with the new bit. She is such a turd, sometimes, just plain stubborn. I made some more roosts for the chickens and turkeys, they loved them, were on them within the hour that I made them. I like having happy animals and birds. :)

The rest of the afternoon was low keyed, but good. I watched Warhorse Saturday night, by myself, which in itself was a good thing. I cried I don't know how many times, and bawled a couple. I was glad no one was home with me but the dogs. They just look at me like wat's up wit ju? Stupid dogs, couldn't they understand what a crybaby I am and how badly and quickly I get attached to them, let alone my family? UGH, I don't want to be around when one of them dies, as it will be bad..... :) Can't help it that I get attached. It scares me to have to be around when any of my family may pass before me....

Sunday, well, I made some cookies and probably ate half the dough. I am already cookied out, haha!!!  I don't know what I am going to do with the rest of these cookies..  I love the cookie sheets that I got at a yard sale, they are those real heavy kind, and they cook wonderfully. I am so amazed that I never bought this kind before.

David fixed our star and we got it back up, I am so happy to have it up again. I missed it so much, and so did our neighbors.

I  took cookies, chips and salsa out to the guys in the shop, went back in for a few minutes, and then went back outside and fell in love with a horse. Cisco, he is 1 1/2, part arabian, and a very smart fellow. I didn't want to really do much with him but the temptation was too much. I brushed him and cleaned him up and he just stood there, like he understood everything that I told him. He has only been haltered a very few times at our house, and usually had to be roped to get caught. He lets me walk right up to him.  Haha,  after I put him up, I got the big red apple out of Julios pen and attached a rope to it and threw it in Cisco's pen. He went to go check it out, nibbled on the rope, picked it up and with the momentum it hit his chest, in his eyes, attacked him. Haha, he wouldn't let go, so it kept banging off his chest, and he was trying to get it with his front hooves, trying to run from it, panicing, it was going to eat him, oh my, did I get a good laugh from him, I still am giggling. Whew, it was pretty darn funny. Poor horse. He finally let it go, and yes, he did go back to it.

It was a really good day, made burritos with fresh tortillas and left over turkey I had frozen, with some refried beans, oh sooo yummy. Watched a little tv and off to bed.

This morning as I was going out to start the truck, there was a very large hawk on our star. He was all ruffled up and just looked at me. He flew on of the telephone poles out on the road and just stayed there. It was pretty cool, nature always amazes me.

Everyone, have a merry merry Christmas.

From up on Frye Mesa

 I like looking at the pecans on the trees after the leaves have fallen

 And of course, Mt Graham

F

Let them know

In the aftermath of all the senseless shootings and violence that is happening in our far from perfect world, I encourage everyone to make sure that they let their loved ones know that you love them and are thinking of them. Thank them for all that they have done, through actions, kind words, and just plain being there for you. 

Our life is too short for us to hang in misery, self appreciation and self absorbed in ourselves and our problems. We all have things that go wrong in our life, they seem so large and insurmountable at times, but everyone else does too.  As we all are seeing, far to common, that our lives are far too fragile and sit in such a delicate balance of never knowing when we may be gone. Whether it be through Mother Nature, or health issues, car accidents, or just this horrible violence that seems to be plaguing this world. 

Let them know.

But not only in these few weeks that it remains so fresh in our memories, but throughout the rest of our lives. A phone call. A text. A Card. An email. Face to face talking. It doesn't matter. Just let them know. 

Thank you for what you have taught me. I love you. 

Just an update

I cannot believe that almost a week has passed since I last wrote. Talk about falling off the boat, sheesh.  Well lets see, all is well. My nieces wedding was on Saturday, and she looked so pretty in her dress. She is such a low keyed person, it was really nice because there was not too much fruufraws going on. Everything was very simple, yet so elegant. The colors were white, purple and black, and the reception decorations were beautiful.

They had a luncheon late morning, the food was delicious, and I enjoyed sitting with my brothers, sister in law and my mom. We talked and James talked about his mom and how she gave his little brother his first black eye. He had a mouth and was mouthy with her, and a little hotheaded. The raised 4H steers, and the incident was around that. Their friend Kurt was there and after she knocked Jeff down and pummeled him, she looked at Kurt and asked him if he had a problem with it, and he said, No, Mrs Barney. Oh we laughed, listening to him tell the story, it was hilarious. It made for a fun time.

I visited with Mom in the morning, and then we went to the luncheon, and then did a little shopping after the luncheon. Then my oldest brother Bevan came by and we visited for awhile, played with the dogs, and then fed, watered all the animals. I made dinner and then we got ready and went to the reception.

I saw my other brother Dave and his family there, and some other family and people that I knew. It was so nice and relaxed. We left a little early as Bevan had to get going back to Phoenix. Apparently, as Mom was backing up to come to the reception, she backed into Robs infamous mud and got her car stuck in it. She was not too happy, but it happens. We all kindof giggled a little about it, although Rob should really get it fixed that people don't fall into it after it rains. But I think he rather enjoys getting to pull people out.

Sunday was cold, and we didn't do alot, other than fabricated a bird feeder out of a plastic pickle jar and a cookie sheet. It worked out ok, although we need to make some modifications on it. Mom came by and we were able to visit a little more before she left back to Scottsdale. We spent the rest of the afternoon inside other than feeding the animals.

It was cold Monday night and Tuesday morning, as well as the next couple days. I realize what I feel is cold is not cold to some others, but anything under 60 is cold for me, haahaa, I am not a cold weathered person.

Our goats are getting really close to kidding, and I am excited to see what we get this year. David made some cute little houses out of two halfs of a water heater so that the babies would have a place to get out of the weather. The big goats already checked them out, so I do hope as this weather comes and goes, that they use them. I want to get a big bale of straw to put in them to help insulate.

Well I wish everyone Happy Holidays, as they are here. Enjoy them  :)

Rain and snow on the mountain.

Yeah, we finally go rain here!! There is snow on the mountain, and it rained of and on all night long, and so far today, its been off and on. The wind blew all kinds of crazy last night, and it knocked my star and windmill stand over.

I can't believe how the wind changes directions so rapidly all the time. It blows this way and then that way, in just split seconds. CRAZY!!!

The clouds are dark gray, heavy looking and such a nice break. Our dust for sure will be settled now, its more like mud, clay mud, the kind that hangs around and collects more as you walk. Before you know it you have 2 to 3 inches of mud stuck to the bottom of your shoes, HAHAHAHAA!! 

And then if you are not careful, you will be slipping and sliding all over and down to the ground if you are not careful. I love it!

But to have moisture in the air, to have the dust settled, we have little ponds all around, its so good, and the smell of wet dirt, as the rain comes in, oooohhhhh, the best smell!!

Its supposed to rain today, tonite and maybe part of tomorrow. We will see how it goes, what a relief, its been so long since we have had any rain.

No deer, but a great time

Well, my hunt is over, but the country and good times that I had were well worth it. I didn't really need another deer in my freezer anyway, haha.

I saw some beautiful country on horseback, and really enjoyed the riding. We flushed out 3 does on Wednesday, and they weren't to concerned about us at all. They just went on their way grazing and picking their way through the brush. It always so neat and exciting to see any kind of wildlife in their natural habitat, doing what they do, living the way that God meant them too. My horse and I walked over a cottontail. It thought that it was being so sneaky, darting under and to the side of us. 

On Thursday, we hauled a steer to slaughter to Guzmans for Uncle Bob. At Guzmans there was a beautiful longhorn steer that wanted to play. Its horns had to be at least 5 feet across, and the base at least 21 or 22 inches. It was so cool. I think we need to get one.  On the way back we went through the backroads of Bonita and  Stockton pass, stopped and glassed in several places. It was some beautiful country. David saw one, but we both decided that that was such a long hike to where the deer was, rough but beautiful country, and neither of us were up to that hike. Cross canyon it was an easy 1000 yards or more, and on land, down into a canyon and then up and then down then up and down and up, with huge rocks and cacti,  UGH!! So we decided to leave him there. 

Friday, I worked (I did not want to go back to work, as the country is so much nicer) and caught up on all that had been left. I had a headache by the end of the evening that was a bit painful.

I woke up with it (the headache) on Saturday, so we decided to not go until the afternoon. We went to a few yardsales, came home and I took a nap which really helped. I went to Frye Mesa, with Jon and Brooke,  and of course, Jon decided to pick on me just like David with the skinny road and deep canyons. And Brooke just kindof jumped in too. Talk about a bunch of stinkers. 

We hiked alot that afternoon, and even though I know he went slow, I still felt like a little kid, trying to keep up with my mom or dad. Ohh ha ha, he walked my legs off. I was pokey, but managed to hang in there. I am not sure how far we went but it was pretty steady going the whole time, and the last hour was up hill. Probably a few miles. The grass was about 2 feet and in some places up to 3 3 1/2 feet. There were rocks all over but fairly good going. When you dropped into the little canyons, it became a little rougher as the grass was denser and hid the rocks, cactus and yucca and century plants that had died and fallen down. You had to be careful, but it wasn't nearly as rough as Unit 32.

Jon would get on the rim of the canyons and he made me sick, as he was usually standing on a near perpendicular ridge. (I could be exaggerating a little, but not much). No fear at all!!! And then he would roll big rocks down the canyons in hopes of scaring something out. No luck, but it was really neat to hear the rocks cracking and banging against other rocks, and then the echos of it rippling through the canyons. It must be quite frightening to hear a landslide of rocks or even snow, the roaring must be so intense.

The bad thing about being pokey, is that when the fast people stop to let you catch up, as soon as you catch up, they head out again. Soooo, no rest for the pokey I guess. I tried really hard to keep up, and by the end of the hike that evening, I just figured to put my head down and keep on moving, even though Jon was looking for a deer, I decided to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and at that point, I hoped that he really didn't see one. He would stop, and I would keep going, and then he would just catch up and pass me. The thought of packing it our either up the hill or down the canyon, at that point, was just not very thrilling. And then, that meant I had to drive off down the road off Frye Mesa, because he would have wanted to take it down the canyon. I am such a chicken on roads like that. 

He would say just a little farther, Mom. You can see the truck Mom. Its just a thousand yards Mom. The truck was a little twinkle in the distance and that didn't include the canyon we had to cross still. 

Thank Jessie for getting me into Zumba, I think it really helped to get me into shape. I only go twice a week, but even though I ached the next day or two or three, my legs held up under the hike and horseback riding. No excuses for me now, haha, gotta keep it going. I don't quite recover as well, but its a good kind of sore feeling. 

Some very beautiful country, and now that I know I don't have any room for excuses, we are going to get back out and keep on trucking through this country. I will probably put in again next year, but now I know that I can do a halfway decent job at it. We also are going to try to get a camp trailer again, and be done with the tent thing. I hope, it hurts to get up off the ground. Oh my, well, I am so glad I put in, as it got me back to one of the places that I love the most, OUTSIDE, in the COUNTRY, hiking and having a good time.

Trades and sales

So, we have been trying to increase our chicken herd, as coyotes have cleaned us out in the past, I am sure that we have lost to close to 200 chickens altogether. We are always trying to find hens, as I collect the fresh eggs, and we eat roosters, when we get too many of them born or given to us. We have friends and family that will always give us roosters. I don't mind, as they usually are ok.

I was listening to trades and sales yesterday, and a man came on with some free chickens!!!  I couldn't pass it up. I usually make David call on the stuff I hear, but this time I called. All the other times, we waited too long and lost out on them. I called and asked what kind, and she, the mans wife, told me a mix with a small banty rooster. I told her I would call my husband to make arrangements to pick them up. Yeah!!

The man called me back and told us after 5:30 to 6:00 would be best, and of course I said no problem. We went by their house (happened to be Jon and Diane's old house) but they weren't home. So I called and left a message. 

David went and took his shower and was in his shorties, socks and cutoff T. I still hadn't showered, and then they called us at 6:50. We flew up, got ready, and off we took, in the Ford dually. With a rabbit cage tied to the back. We got there and they had all the chickens gathered up, and then they started telling us all their names. Haha, I thought I was bad. There was Reba, Mama, Dandy Dan, and it went on. An assortment of chickens, and she told us some were Easter egg chickens. 

We loaded them up in the cage and headed home, stopped at Super Stop, and I just giggled, because Who Does That? Its dark out, (but light under the canopy of the gas station), we drive up in a flatbed dually, he's walking around in shorties with velcro slip on shoes with socks scrunched down his hairless legs, with a ball cap and big old jacket?????  With a rabbit cage full of chickens on the back of the truck???  Haha, I told him that I was going to get him some bib overalls and a straw hat!!!  Heeheehee.

My new chickens were happy to be in a new home, my other chickens were happy too, and all was well this morning with all. I will get some pictures of the happy herd.

My Hunt

My hunt started on Friday. We took our horses out and we went to some beautiful country, that was just perfect to horseback ride in. It has been several years since I have rode a horse for much longer than an hour, and we rode for 3 to 4. It was great.

We rode through cactus, ocotillos, mesquites, rocks, up and down, and it was absolutely beautiful. We didn't see any dear, but the country was just so refreshing. All the different colors just soothed me.

The horses did great, Tomasa picked her way through all the cactus, paid attention, I couldn't ask for a better horse. She is so funny sometimes. The weather was just perfect, just warm enough to be perfect.

On Saturday we went out again, this time with Jon and Brooke. We hiked for about 4 hours or so, and the country here was just as beautiful. Hardly any cactus, but lots of catclaws, mesquites and small greasewood plants, lots of grass. Again, this would be good country to ride in as well.

We saw two bucks, a two point and a three point. The first skedaddled like his tail was on fire, and the second moved away as soon as he heard us. It was ok, no biggy, I still have 4 more days that I can hunt, and I am not being perrtickular, as I have been taking my camera. Haha, I would like to get one, but I am not going to be crushed either.

We came home, went to Super Wok for lunch, I laid down for about 25 minutes and got up and got ready to give lessons. By the end of the day, I was pretty beat. I had charlies in my calves, and today, they are still there. I am hoping that Zumba will help work them out.

Ugh, I was so sore on Sunday, but I am a little better today. I am looking forward to going back out on Wednesday. We are maybe planning on spending most of the day out there, we will see. I am usually not a whiner, but ya know, maybe its time to become a little bit of one.

Reused cast iron

Well, today is so far a good day. Yesterday, I painted a cracked cast iron skillet with a satin black spray paint. The pan had a fairly large crack that looked like it had been braised, but there was still a place that was obviously cracked. I had purchased it at a yard sale, so not much spent on it.

My niece is getting married, and she wanted some cast iron to cook with, and so I have put together a set for her and have painted this skillet and I am turning it into a clock. I think it turned out pretty cute. This skillet I originally bought for her, but when I was cleaning it found the crack. We still have to put the movement on it and it will be all done. Yeah!