Friday, September 25, 2009

Emin's afternoon at the "spa"



Tomorrow morning I will be riding my 29 year old Arabian gelding, Rocky Ridge Emin, in the parade at the Fair Grove Heritage Reunion. This will be his eighth appearance. I look forward to the festival all year long. It's a great time to visit with friends that you sometimes see only once a year. It's a time to browse all the wonderful craft booths that have invaded town for the weekend. And I cannot leave out the delicious corn on the cob at the Corn Shack and the cheesecake on a stick! Lots of family activities, demonstrations and music. It all gets kicked off this evening with the "75th Annual Pre-Festival Wiener Roast, Hootenanny and Shoot-Out" at the Sharp Ponderosa east of Fair Grove. Had a sad moment in town this afternoon though. Saw all the high school kids out setting up for parking and got a little teary-eyed because my son, Tyler will not be here for any of the festivities for the first time since we moved to Fair Grove 16 years ago. As most of you know, Tyler moved to Texas in June for college and is living with his Dad and family. Between the responsibilities of his job and school, it was just not possible for him to be here this year. It just will not be the same without him! I will be sure to eat an ear of corn for him and check out to see who has pulled what prank on which teacher in the dunking booth!

Little Orphan Annie Oakly update


Well, Tuesday was a very sad day for me. I made a decision to end the life of one that I had been successful at trying so hard to save. Annie was beginning to grow into an absolutely beautiful cat. This picture is older and I regrettably did not have any more recent ones of her. However, be it the fact that she was bottle raised by me and had no interraction with other cats as I did not want to put her with any of my other cats until I could test her and know she was disease-free, or that she just had a mental problem since she came so close to death. I don't know, but Annie was becoming increasingly more aggressive towards me or any other human. I never once in her short life heard her purr, but she consistently growled and pinned her ears at everyone. In the last week, she had attacked and bitten my finger while I was trying to pet her and then Monday night attacked and left some pretty good scratches on my hand when I reached in to get her food dish to refill it. All this from a 3 pound kitten! What would she have been like when she was a full-grown cat? It was suggested by several that I just put her out in the barn. I feel that it was more humane to end her life this way, than to put such a small, young and inexperienced creature out on her own where she would be very likely to get hit on the road or eaten by another animal. In a way, I feel like I let her down if it was non-socializing with other cats that was her problem. But I also feel that I gave her a very good chance at what could have been a wonderful life with me. I guess God had a plan for her, regardless of whether or not I understand it. She will be buried in my "pet cemetery" with the other cats and dogs whom have passed through my life, and I know that despite her temperment, that I did and will always love her. Enjoy your life beyond the rainbow bridge little Annie.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Chesney's newest "outfit"

Chesney is modeling her new bandanna. Her Mom bought it for her at Cider Days on Walnut street today. She'll be stylin' it at the Fair Grove Heritage Reunion next weekend. Chesney really enjoys going to the festival. While Mom browses all the craft booths and samples the delicious food, Chesney gets to meet all sorts of new friends. Anyone who knows Chesney knows that she loves everybody and never misses a chance to make a new friend. If you've never been to the Fair Grove Heritage Reunion, it is an awesome craft show, with lots of great food, family activities, music, and demonstrations of old farm implements. It all kicks off next Saturday with a parade at 9am. By the way, I will be riding my 29 year old Arabian gelding, Rocky Ridge Emin, for his 7th or 8th parade appearance. I'll post pictures after next weekend.