Just Random Stuff, Months ago

Sam is waiting for his kids to come play with him, there is nothing this dog likes/loves more than his kids...and maybe cows

So, they do as he begs and play on the trampoline with him

We got this new pup given to us, to try out. He's part Border Collie and Stag Hound (I think) Basically, he's a border collie with a grey * hound (almost) body. * Lots of speed, and agility, I can vouch for that. * When he came to live with us, he thought jumping on you was the most fun. * When I discovered this silly thought that he had, well.....he had to have a "Come to Jesus" meeting with me. * Now he jumps up and down, spins in mid air, twirls like a ballerina, smiles and begs to be allowed to come closer and be hugged.... but for the most part, never jumps ON me. * I despise that. * I have many reasons for * that. * It's just plain rude to say the least, and can hurt bare legs that I might be sporting come summer. My main reason is my grandkids. A dog this size jumping up, is feet/claws on their face. It wouldn't matter one bit if "he didn't mean to hurt them" if he did hurt them. No excuses, EVER. Say what you mean, mean what you say, back it up. He's a nice dog!

Penny had puppies on one of THE COLDEST days. Don't let the sunshiny look of these photos fool you. It was cold! This wasn't (obviously) the day they were born, they kind of look like puppies here, rather than the little rats that they first resembled. 5 were born, 4 lived. A good lesson when (on this day of photos) Jilly found the 5th one and brought it out to me. She thought it was sleeping. A fact of life, is that there is death. Both Bryce and Jilly were sad, but I didn't hide it from them.

Luckily for us, we found puppy homes for them all. And penny is back to work again!

Grandpa is out riding with Jilly. Jilly has been "starting" her first horse this spring. And Grandpa is demonstrating to her some of the "flexions" that we like to see in a horse. Note that the neck is bending softly, but the reins are LOOSE. So much nicer than having to D R A A A A G G a horse where you wanna go.

Like Grandad, Like Granddaughter. * See the look of concentration? * This mare is only learning .... but Jilly has to really think and "feel" and she does a super job trying.

And of course, Wayne has to be Child from time to time. I don't think he'll ever grow up!

Then we go in and have some homemade Potatoe soup. Compliments of a recipe Joe Howard gave me once. Thanks again, joe, Miss you!

I do believe she likes the warmth of the soup, ate the WHOLE bowl!

On another day..... The mare is coming along just dandy

Al is riding in Jilly's saddle, and apparently

1. gets a leg cramp 2. gets off to stretch it 3. thinks it's gone 4. it's not! bwwaaaahahahahah

On such a nice day, the warmth lulled Bryce asleep. This is where I found him.

This is the puppies a little later. They are doing just fine doncha think? Like their Mom and Dad, they LOVE kids!

This is a horse we got recently, I'm sure you'll see more of him. He came from the Horsehoe Bend Area. He belonged to my son, and I have inherited him.

This is Scout the dog. He loves watching the "goings ons" around here * .... Sure love him

Bryce is very into riding this year. Marshmallow is perfect for him. Barely walking around for the most part. He can get her to trot, but I can tell it's against her better judgement at times.

This horse also is worth his weight in Gold. I'm taking him to Wyoming this year to show him off a bit.

There is a priceless perfection in horses that stand quietly for a child to learn like this.

Again, here are the pups a little older. Scout likes to act as if he absolutely hates them. And in part he does. They're like a little chain saw with their teeth. But for some reason, every puppy born here thinks HE is THE BEST. The brown Dog, can play really rough with them, as you can see from the bottom far right photo. The Pup WANTS to be close and play, but knows he might also get run over, literally. With all the ground around here, that Brown Pup seemed to always run over their heads and bowl them over. But, they never gave up!

And sometimes they get even!

Though this pup is obviously falling over, he's taking part of the brown pups face with him, in those chain saw bits. * Then he comes back to get more,...but the older pup says, "I'll chew your face OFF!" !

Let's have a drink and think on it. Let's be friends.

So, later this day we got to go to Jilly's Spring Concert. I love looking at all the different expressions on the children's' faces. * Some so smiley, some shy, some waving, ... it's limitless.

It's funny. I don't even really know, but I can look at some of these kids, and KNOW who their family is. It's as if the faces are the same, but the names have changed. (sometimes to protect the innocent)

I love that they sang

God Bless America

Go

To this Beautiful Flag

God Bless Her