Wordless Wednesday

Still holding off on the snow

This weekend was all about getting wood in- with Ted working out of town so much this summer, it was one of the things that got put on the back burner, and now, I need some fuel for that burner! So Saturday we headed up the mountain.

This photo was taken from the landing where we were cutting firewood; overlooking Wynndel and Duck Lake. We got a load and headed home, I love the view from up there.

This is a little closer to where we live, our place would be just out of the picture on the left. Those mountains (the Selkirk mountains) are straight west of us. We live "down on the flats" which is land reclaimed from the Kootenay River. To the east of us are the Purcell mountains, locally called the Skimmerhorns, and they are sporting a fresh coat of white paint  snow.

Why do they have to eat the weeds in the dirt when they are surrounded with plenty of grazing??

We've got a good start on filling our new woodshed, a couple more days labor and I'll be set for a while.

I must say, I'm glad we didn't get hit with the snow that Janice got today. I'm going to have to get a photo tomorrow of my pansies that are still hanging in there!

Sunday Stills

Interesting challenge this week:

The challenge this week is for you to post a couple of pictures……..one bad and one good of the same sort of subject. Do a critic of your own work.

So here goes:

 The bad- ears wonky, and a distracting pole in the background.

Better- shot from a lower angle to eliminate the pole, and the tongue gives a focal point and adds humor. Ears still wonky but draw the eye from one horse to the other.

The bad- nice light but poor angle.

Better- the light isn't as good, but the angle of the shot is more interesting.

11/11/11 We will remember them

God bless all those who died for our freedom, and all those who continue to fight against evil and injustice throughout the world. I attended the ceremonies at the Legion today, so following is a photo essay of the tribute paid by our town. God bless our troops, and the children portrayed here who care enough to join Cadets and Scouts. I am particularly impressed with the Sentries at the cenotaph, who stood silent and unmoving for over half an hour in the pouring rain.

The Legion Colour Party

The parade led by one of our war vets

The Mounties resplendent in their Red Serge

The following two groups represent our hope for the Future.

Bless his heart!

Then there was the Salute from the local pilots- the "Fly-By" at the end of the two minutes of silence.

Rio at 7 months

My little "heart throb" turned 7 months old today. So this post is just about celebrating him, in all his baby glory.

Wordless Wednesday

Introspection

I guess I'm feeling a little blue today, not sure why, couldn't get motivated to do anything with the horses today on my day off. Lots of things to think about, and feeling like I need some motivation. Chickory needs riding, Rio could use some ground work, and Beamer could use some exercise. Hey- so could I! I think it's the pre-winter blues; we need to fill the woodshed, the house needs cleaning, I have paperwork to do, sewing that needs doing, halters to make, things that need to be stored for winter- and all I wanted to do today was just cocoon. 


I think this post from Breathe hit me hard this morning, especially since two other bloggers, GoWestFeralWoman and Rising Rainbow are dealing with serious illness;  and this coming Saturday is the second anniversary of my mother's death. I have a landmark birthday coming up in two months, and I guess I'm feeling old and vulnerable; life is so uncertain and so precious. We don't know the number of our days, but we can  make the best of the time we are given.

Maybe I should kick up my heels and let my hair down....

Gallop full speed into the future....

Enjoy the beauty that surrounds me....

No matter which way life takes me....

But today, I think I'll just cocoon.

Sunday Stills

Shooting in the dark- for this challenge, I went back to my little Sony Cyber Shot camera for all but the first photo.

Nothing like a wood stove burning bright on a cold dark night....

Some candlelight.....

Warming up the room with a soft glow....

Even the Teddy Bear agrees.

Another good dog day

Those of you who read my facebook will know that Sammi has found her new person; she will be living in Kimberley, and I think she has found an awesome home. I took Tess, and went with Janice and Kali up to work sheep again today, and Sammi and L. came to play too- it was a border collie day- 6 of them were there, and we had a wonderful afternoon.

P. was working Moss on a group of lambs when we got there. I love watching her work her dogs, they are so responsive- I've got to get one of those whistles and learn how to use it.

The lambs weren't too flighty, so after Moss worked, it was a good opportunity to work Tess, who hasn't been on sheep for a year.

We were pleased with the way she worked, and I think Tess was pretty happy to be working.

Janice took Kali out and while she was doing that, I chatted with Sammi's new owner, and I think she is the perfect person for Sammi. I look forward to keeping in touch with them, and we may see Sammi in some agility shows in the future- she might even be competing with Tess's daughter Abby, who is well on her way to showing in agility next year.

This is a bit of a family photo, the only one not related is Sammi, on the left. From left to right, there is Quill, who is Tess's daddy, in the back is Moss, Kali's daddy, and in front of him is Kali, and on the right is Tess, Kali's mother. So Kali's mom, dad, and granddad are in the photo.
After our dogs worked, P. worked her new dog Druid, who is about a year old. What an intense dog he is! A very different mindset than all the dogs in the photo above.

At the end, we all got to talking, and Janice and I are both convinced that we need to get about 3 dog-broke sheep each. I believe that it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission, and Janice already has the go-ahead from Dave, so things might get to looking a little sheepish on our blogs in the near future!
One more photo, with all six dogs as we headed back from the sheep field:

Happy, well behaved dogs

Chill in the air

We had our first snowflakes today- just enough to put the fear of winter in me. Lasted only 10 minutes though! The horses are feeling the chill in the air, and it's making Gussie quite frisky, she did a lot of rippin' around today when I turned Rio out with the mares this afternoon.

Speaking of Rio, he is starting to look like a horse and not a baby.

He has lost that growthy ribby look and I think he just gets better looking every day!

Don't you think he looks a lot like his sister, Janice's horse, Jazz? (Except for the white!)

Sammi working

Here is a link to the post Janice did on Sammi working sheep
She did a great job on the photos and explanation. Thanks, Janice.

Wordless Wednesday

November- already!

Things are pretty quiet here; we are trying to get a few things done before Ted has to leave for work again; firewood, fall yard cleanup, winterizing vehicles etc.
Now that the cows are off the pasture, I have turned the mares out on a bigger pasture, where they can stay out overnight- which really annoys Beamer; he can't aways see them, so he goes rippin' around.

When I bring him in I have Rio next to him for the night so he should be quiet- I hope!
He has a bit of swelling above his left knee; not sure why as I can't see any cut or puncture.

You can see it in this photo. I'll see if there is any change in it tomorrow; he may have just banged and bruised it; I'll put some anti-inflammatory oil on it and give him some time off.
For those of you who are Stacy Westfall fans after watching the bridleless reining videos I posted, here is a link to her blog. She has a 4 video series on halter training that I found quite interesting.

Sammi is doing well in her training, and there are some people who are interested in her, so I'm hoping they will decide to buy her. Janice saw her work today, and will be posting some photos shortly. The trainer really likes her and wants to make sure she goes to the right home. Good Sammi!

Sunday Stills

This was an interesting challenge to photograph:
Choose a starting spot, walk 25 steps in any direction and take 3 photos. The 25 steps can be outside your home, inside your home, in your neighborhood or away from your neighborhood.
Once your steps have been counted out, you must anchor one foot, you can pivot on that foot but your anchor foot may not move. 


I chose to use Beamer's steps instead of my own, as we gathered cattle Saturday morning. Because, he can anchor that pivot foot!

Here is our starting shot:

I counted out 25 steps:

We pivoted:

No cows left out that way!

Pivoted the other way:

Nothing but morning mist over there!

Pivoted the other way:

More mist and the mares. Cows are all gathered! (All 26 of them....)

For the 50 step part of the challenge, I took a starter shot when I was leading Rio out to join the mares in their pasture:

50 steps brought us into the pasture and I turned him loose. 

As I turned, I found that Reba was watching closely:

I turned the other direction- and there she was again! Much nicer to photograph her than boring old mist that you can't see anything through.