CHIT CHAT in VOLTVILLE

[rave]

Raven - I haven't caught up with everything on Voltville since I went out of town [and maybe I never will ] but I did see where you had to have a tree man come in to harvest some of your dead and dying trees. I feel you. Out here in my area, every tree feels like a precious gift of shade and green softness on the eyes. I'm sure the other trees will benefit from the thinning and will be the healthier for it.

Since you aren't up to date because you were gone: There are over 80 trees that are dead or dying. It's going to be a war zone. I haven't looked at the carnage from this morning. Instead - I left and went into town. That's something that I usually absolutely dread doing. Many of the marked trees have shoots coming up from the base. I requested that he make the cut high enough to avoid the shoots so that the tree may have the opportunity to live in through a younger version of itself.

Going camping somewhere to get away from the noise may be the best thing, so long as you stay warm. Can you go visit a relative? Use headphones to listen to music?

No relative option. I don't have a single one within 400+ miles. All of my friends are ... here with the exception of the one that recently had the pacemaker put in. I don't want to go there. Headphones may be helpful - although it would seem odd to me to listen to music other than the forest. But, the woods are not exactly musical with all of this goin' on.

I'm so sorry, Rave. I hope your campsite is far enough away that you can't hear the noise. I'm sending hugs and vibes that it's all over soon and you get through the trauma OK.

Camping at the farthest point away from the action, I still won't be able to escape it, even with my property being as large as it is. Thanks for the hugs and vibes though.

I've got a dilemma. I got this e-mail from the barn owner this morning: "I also want to talk to you about putting Penny by herself. I want to put my horses together after the 15th of this month and have them separate from the boarded horses. However I do not want to put Penny with Boots and Bella either due to your getting run into when Penny was in heat. I will make sure there is a gate you can get her in and out of during the day without crossing through my horses. I could let her out with my horses after dark and separate her in the morning if you would like her to have interaction with other horses during hours you would not be there."

The problem is, Penny gets frantic when she's by herself. There's a possibility that she'll get used to it, though it will never make her happy and content. Then there's also the possibility that she'll be so distressed that she'll colic. Being separate will not be good for her. I could put her with the barn owner's horses during the day, too, but if I want to get Penny out of the pasture, I'll have to deal with the horse that ran me down last year about this time. I really don't want to do that. Boots and Bella, the other boarder's horses, aren't acceptable, either. Boots is a gelding, and he may get too interested in Penny, and though Bella is a mare, she is very pushy, and I don't need to deal with that. Also, I'm not sure if the barn owner will keep her herd up near the barn during the day, and if the horses are allowed to go into the far pasture, I'll have to wade through a rocky, swift-moving creek to get her. I did wade that creek a few times and found that the footing is very tricky, and it would be only a matter of time before I slipped and fell in. That isn't pleasant in cold weather, even if I kept a change of clothes at the barn, just in case. I just don't want to go there.

Another option is to move Penny back to the barn where she lived before this barn. The main problem there is that the board is twice what I'm paying, which is why I moved Penny in the first place. It would be a severe financial strain to keep her at the old barn. And I don't know if now there's an open stall, though it would be easy enough to find out by asking the old barn owner. An advantage there would be that there's an indoor ring for winter riding when it's too icy on the trails. A disadvantage is that there's horrible mud near the gates, and once I actually got stuck in the mud and couldn't move till Penny came and saved me. I was able to lift a foot when she stood by me and I could lean on her and use her for support. She slowly and carefully walked me to the gate through the mud when she saw me in distress. I was very grateful. Ordinarily, Penny is reluctant to walk in that mud when I lead her, so she went way above and beyond the call of duty, coming to get me when she saw I was in trouble. I'll never forget that. If anyone tries to tell you that horses are incapable of being compassionate, tell them that story.

So what should I do? I e-mailed the barn owner back and asked if she could keep one of her horses with Penny, but she may not agree to that, or she would have suggested it. I also mentioned to her that I may have to leave for the winter. Why is nothing ever simple?

Oh Sandy - I'm at a loss here. No suggestions at all because I don't know horses. I can only send my wishes that you find a resolution that will be good for both you and Penny. Hugs back atcha.

I'm late to the scene, as usual. We've had our share of rain the past few days, but today is sunny and bright, a beautiful fall day. My crud seems to be almost gone, I can breathe and everything!
...
Rave, I know you are hurting over the trees, I think you are a smart to remove yourself as much as you can until the deed is done. Loss is loss, and it's painful! Like Zero said, maybe some headphones would help block some of the noises? Maybe a fishing trip off the property? Hugs going out to you too.

Waving to all of my Voltie friends and back to lurking I go!

I'm so glad that your crud is almost gone. This flu, or whatever it is that's been making the rounds is a stinker!

Yes - it is painful to me. More than you can imagine. I have an extraordinary affinity with my trees. Maybe what I'll do is simply put in earplugs. The really heavy duty type. I can focus my attention on the sights rather than the sounds, and perhaps discover new things this way. I know. I sound like a crazy person. Y'all should be pretty used to that by now though. Just sayin'.

 

[CatLady007]

Sandy, do you know anyone with a horse that would get along with Penny, that you could entice to move to your current barn?

 

[SandySu]

Sandy, do you know anyone with a horse that would get along with Penny, that you could entice to move to your current barn?

I wish I did. In fact, one thing I thought of is seeing if my friend, who has 2 Fjord horses and a mini, would let Penny board there for the winter. She doesn't have much pasture, but that'll matter less in winter. I'll see first what the barn owner's reply will be. The perfect solution is if she'd let one of her horses stay with Penny. I have in mind the perfect one, too: Ali, the other mare. Ali is one of Penny's pasture mates now, and she's a mellow horse who minds her own business. If I took Penny off on a ride and Ali was left home, she wouldn't mind being alone for an hour or so. However, if Ali went out and Penny stayed home, she'd probably run the fence, whinnying. Still, I have the feeling no one will be riding in winter, anyway. I'm still also thinking about going back to the barn where Penny was before. The mud will be a problem till the ground freezes, and then the door at the back of the barn froze shut, and I couldn't open it a few times, even though they left tools to break the ice and pry it open, and apparently, others could get the door open. Still, I'd be able to ride in winter, maybe have others to ride with, and the feeling at that barn is very friendly. In ways, I miss it. The price would break the bank, though. I think I could manage it, but it'd be tight. Another advantage to the old barn is that it's half the distance from my house: 5 miles away instead of 10. That's not too big a difference, especially since getting there means driving on a rutted dirt road instead of state roads that are very well maintained, but I did it before. There's also a barn nearby that boards at the same price as the old barn, which I don't know much about. That's a little farther away, but probably not 10 miles. Again, back roads that'll be more difficult to travel. So if I have to take one of those options, I'm inclined to take the devil I know rather than the one I don't. Of course, this hangs on whether there's an empty stall at the barn I'm considering taking Penny back to. I was there not too long ago, and it seemed pretty full, though I wasn't taking particular notice, since I didn't think I might have to return there.

 

[JerryRM]

(((Raven)))

Good evening, Voltvilleians.

 

[SandySu]

I decided I'm going to bed early. I'm feeling tired, and Bill says he's catching a cold, so I hope I can avoid it. Probably not, if Bill is sick. So here's another fall scene. This was from a few days ago, and I think the colors are more advanced now, but I liked that yellow tree standing out from the rest. The roof is a storage shed for the local golf course.

 

[Renolizzie]

Hi Jer!

Hope you get something worked out for Penny the Horse, SandySu.

That is a lot of trees, RAven. Poor little thing.

I am very hopeful that the new horse will work out as Wiseguy's friend. Kristy says Nevada is doing even better with the gelding in the pen next to him now that his hormones have gone way down. She will be bringing the new little horse out this weekend.

 

[White Rabbit]

Saying Good Night All on a sad note:

Five soldiers coming home in coffins from Afghanistan and our Commander in Chief won't even pay for their funerals because he says the Republicans have shut down the government. The Commander in Chief of the entire Armed Services of the greatest Nation on Earth has multiple Millions of Dollars in discretionary funds at his disposal at any moment, yet he blames Republicans for not having money to bury our dead. SAD moment in our history and a sad commentary on our President.

Wabbit

 

[Uncle]

@ "Wabbit" - SIR, I would so appreciate if "You" would Please provide link to that quote by "Our" President or even any possible statement by President Obama saying that specifically . . . Thanks

 

[White Rabbit]

Here it is Uncle

» Gov’t Shutdown Denies Military Families Money for Funerals Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

Or Here Wall Street Journal: Shutdown Delays Benefits to Families of War Dead - Washington Wire - WSJ

And again here:

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/201...delay-in-payments-for-families-of-fallen?lite

And the President's statement was in his press conference yesterday when he blamed it on Congress.

I am under the impression that the President has discretionary funds totaling millions of dollars to disperse for the military in an emergency and with the stroke of a pen or phone call could have avoided all of this.

 

[SandySu]

Hi Jer!

Hope you get something worked out for Penny the Horse, SandySu.

That is a lot of trees, RAven. Poor little thing.

I am very hopeful that the new horse will work out as Wiseguy's friend. Kristy says Nevada is doing even better with the gelding in the pen next to him now that his hormones have gone way down. She will be bringing the new little horse out this weekend.

How exciting! Of course you have to take pictures of the new horse -- we haven't seen him yet -- and photos of him meeting Wiseguy would be good, too. Can you put them in neighboring pens at first? Many people just put new horses together, but letting them get used to the sight of the other horse without actually being together at first is probably the best way to do it if you have the setup for it.

 

[Renolizzie]

Good morning Volties.

Coffee is on. A nice dark Sumatran.

The current government sucks and I haven't a clue what to do about it although the whole the Republicans/Democrats are evil and it is their fault is getting on my nerves. Some Republicans and some Democrats, maybe even most Republicans/Democrats, but not all Republicans/Democrats are not working for the good of the USA. The fault belongs to both parties in my book.

Personally, I would move to another country at this point if I could afford to.

http://[URL=http://s1364.photobucket.com/user/renolizzie/media/2013%20Hunting%20Trips/2013Oct7076_zps3996694d.jpg.html] [/URL]

'this will cheer us all up and make us forget about our rediculous governent. It is the best photo I have ever taken of camera shy Penny Poo Poo.

 

[JoAnnW]

I wish I did. In fact, one thing I thought of is seeing if my friend, who has 2 Fjord horses and a mini, would let Penny board there for the winter. She doesn't have much pasture, but that'll matter less in winter. I'll see first what the barn owner's reply will be. The perfect solution is if she'd let one of her horses stay with Penny. I have in mind the perfect one, too: Ali, the other mare. Ali is one of Penny's pasture mates now, and she's a mellow horse who minds her own business. If I took Penny off on a ride and Ali was left home, she wouldn't mind being alone for an hour or so. However, if Ali went out and Penny stayed home, she'd probably run the fence, whinnying. Still, I have the feeling no one will be riding in winter, anyway. I'm still also thinking about going back to the barn where Penny was before. The mud will be a problem till the ground freezes, and then the door at the back of the barn froze shut, and I couldn't open it a few times, even though they left tools to break the ice and pry it open, and apparently, others could get the door open. Still, I'd be able to ride in winter, maybe have others to ride with, and the feeling at that barn is very friendly. In ways, I miss it. The price would break the bank, though. I think I could manage it, but it'd be tight. Another advantage to the old barn is that it's half the distance from my house: 5 miles away instead of 10. That's not too big a difference, especially since getting there means driving on a rutted dirt road instead of state roads that are very well maintained, but I did it before. There's also a barn nearby that boards at the same price as the old barn, which I don't know much about. That's a little farther away, but probably not 10 miles. Again, back roads that'll be more difficult to travel. So if I have to take one of those options, I'm inclined to take the devil I know rather than the one I don't. Of course, this hangs on whether there's an empty stall at the barn I'm considering taking Penny back to. I was there not too long ago, and it seemed pretty full, though I wasn't taking particular notice, since I didn't think I might have to return there.

Sandy... did the current barn owner give you a reason for separating them since she knows they should be together?

 

[Renolizzie]

How exciting! Of course you have to take pictures of the new horse -- we haven't seen him yet -- and photos of him meeting Wiseguy would be good, too. Can you put them in neighboring pens at first? Many people just put new horses together, but letting them get used to the sight of the other horse without actually being together at first is probably the best way to do it if you have the setup for it.

We are setting up a separate pen where they can see each other. The pen will have to be a few feet away from Wiseguy's pen since I have a tree and Wiseguy's gate to contend with but they will be able to see and smell each other. Wiseguy is like a bloodhound and uses his big nostrils to explore his world.

 

[JoAnnW]

Good morning Volties.

Coffee is on. A nice dark Sumatran.

The current government sucks and I haven't a clue what to do about it although the whole the Republicans/Democrats are evil and it is their fault is getting on my nerves. Some Republicans and some Democrats, maybe even most Republicans/Democrats, but not all Republicans/Democrats are not working for the good of the USA. The fault belongs to both parties in my book.

Personally, I would move to another country at this point if I could afford to.

http://[URL=http://s1364.photobucket.com/user/renolizzie/media/2013%20Hunting%20Trips/2013Oct7076_zps3996694d.jpg.html] [/URL]

'this will cheer us all up and make us forget about our rediculous governent. It is the best photo I have ever taken of camera shy Penny Poo Poo.

Thanks for the coffee Lizzie! What a great picture of Penny Poo Poo!! Such a cute little face!

Well said Lizzie even though I don't want to say much more about this current situation.

I hope Wiseguy and Nevada will like each other and I can't wait to see pics of them.

 

[Renolizzie]

Thanks for the coffee Lizzie! What a great picture of Penny Poo Poo!! Such a cute little face!

Well said Lizzie even though I don't want to say much more about this current situation.

I hope Wiseguy and Nevada will like each other and I can't wait to see pics of them.

I really hope they like each other, too. Kristy says that Nevada is doing much better with his hormones and has mellowed out a lot. Wiseguy really needs a friend. Let's hope this goes well. I will definitely have the camera battery charged and be ready to take photos.

It is 49 degrees this morning so warm and cloudy. There is a real chance of rain which would be fantastic.

 

[celticluvr]

Lizzie,

Your little Penny is soo cute! Yes she is. Sorry I'll grow up now

I can't help myself around animals

 

[Renolizzie]

Penny really is adorable. You should see her when she plays with the toy. She barks at it and then crushes it with her mighty teeth. Then she whirls around with it like a bucking bronco going backwards. She then throws it into the air so she can start over again. Finally, she brings it over to you to have you throw it for her. Makes me laugh every time.

 

[celticluvr]

awww, That is so cute! My little Bruno has a whole collection of stuffed animals that only I can give him... anyone else gives him something its death to the stuffed animals.



There he is! He is a Boston Terrier and Chihuahua mix with a slight heritage of husky.

 

[awsum140]

Thanks for the coffee, Lizzie!

Bo plays with nylabones like that. We toss them, he chases them, shakes them around, throws them himself then gnaws the heck out of them. The we "distract" him, grab the bone and away we go again. That's become a nightly ritual but we have to be careful of the TV and furniture, LOL.

All I'll say about what happened to the returning Heroes is that it is a national shame.

 

[Uncle]

Here it is Uncle

» Gov’t Shutoutrosity Denies Military Families Money for Funerals Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

Or Here Wall Street Journal: Shutdown Delays Benefits to Families of War Dead - Washington Wire - WSJ

And again here:

Military foundation steps up to cover 'disgusting' delay in payments for families of fallen - U.S. News

And the President's statement was in his press conference yesterday when he blamed it on Congress.

I am under the impression that the President has discretionary funds totaling millions of dollars to disperse for the military in an emergency and with the stroke of a pen or phone call could have avoided all of this.

Really do not mean to get into political or heavy discussion, especially about this particular issue and the benefits that are being withheld . . . It is reprehensible that this is even happening or much less even being used as a political leverage by either party . . . Or those who wish to put down the President . . . This was and still is a mistake that was created by Congress - NOT President Obama - and has nothing to do with what he said in his address to the nation about what some people are trying to force him to do to distroy one of - IMO - is the best things to happen to health care in then USA in decaids. BTW: It is not the President who has the authority to correct this with a "Stroke of the pen" - since it was Congress who wrote the bill to continue funds to pay the military during their shut down of the government and limited what these funds could be used for - THEY CONTROL the USA Budget - Not the President of the USA . . . So it is up to them to fix this situation . . . That is why they are now creating and writing another bill . . .

AND - I will leave it at that . . .

As for the Alex Jones link - No Comment . . .

Now - Although "We" have different political view points about certain issues, I just really hope "We" are GOOD . . .

Okay - time for me to go back to lurking, especially since I am on my way to the airport to get back to Florida . . . I being reading all your post later . . .