Where did it go?

There is half a tiramisu cake in my refrigerator and I have three nights to finish it off before I try and kid myself that I'm going to eat less crap in 2012.  Besides making empty promises for the New Year I'm also left turning around to look at what just happened in 2011.  One of the coolest things I did was start this blog.  I wouldn't have done it without the easy suggestion made by my friend Laura Z. over coffee one day.  And presto here we are today! I also have to thank my sister, Katy, for motivating me to not go home and couch it after work and to meet her at Starbucks for Wednesday Night Write Nights.

Who are those super models with their glam pets?
Oh well that's just us... Autumn, me,  Katy and my niece Penelope Pants.

As a major bonus of the blog I got you guys...my great supportive readers, who take the time to tell me how they have been enjoying my stories.  
Not only has this blog been a source of enjoyment for folks but it has helped to further their knowledge.  For instance, my seven year old nephew now knows what castration means after my sister-in-law had to explain it to him after reading my blog aloud at the dentist office.  Thanks to my writing you have been blessed with the knowledge concerning the use and purpose of the ejaculator.  You now know that some goats prefer to eat salami over hay and some get dressed in girdles. And yes, it is possible to get peed on in the face by a horse.  None of the super skinny models in those fashion magazines could ever win the veterinary hospital Not So Petite Rodeo Princess Award.  That one is reserved for real woman who aren't afraid to eat an entire Costco tiramisu pie in six nights. 
I have found, by sitting in Autumn's stall and reading to her my published blogs aloud, that I have been able to make myself cringe when I hear myself repeat all the type-o's, spelling errors, missing words, double words...you know... I don't need to list them all out. You've seen the grammatical carnage in these things...and yet you still keep on reading.  That takes courage, patience, skills and dedication.  I commend you.
Besides the blog being one of the major highlights of the year, Autumn and I had the privilege of participating in a riding clinic with the top notch horse trainer Johnathan Field from Canada.  Autumn and I had a great time spending an entire weekend together, learning a language we could both understand to help us through her training.  She showed off her skills, moving her tusheyto the left and right and doing her super model turns off her front legs.  When it was time to throw it in reverse, holy smokes did she back that thing up!  Not only did she look good doing all these exercises but she was also learning a bunch of valuable skills to help transform her into a great riding horse. 
Training was not the only thing on Autumn's agenda that weekend...love was.  Autumn fell head over heals for....


Hubba.  Hubba!
Troy



 ...Troy.  They were stabled next to each other, whispering to each under the cover of darkness at night and softly nickering to each other across the arena during the day.  At the end of the clinic, Troy's owner, Tyla, and I exchanged numbers to plan a date at the beach for the two love birds to meet again. 
But, Troy wasn't the only one to catch Autumn's eye that weekend.   Every time I got near Jonathan Field my power steering would quit and Autumn would drift over to him batting her big eye lashes.

You go girl!
Jonathan Field on Autumn

Her little job of trying to get noticed paid off  when he asked me if he could take her for a ride.  How could I say no?  I swear that horse was smiling the whole time he was on her.  Needless to say, Autumn loved the clinic.  Besides pulling out cupids arrows, we both enjoyed spending time together and learning some useful new training tools.
As for summing up the rest of the year Autumn and I went on tons of awesome rides with our great friends.  I have to extend a special thanks to Cindy and Diane for being my riding partners in crime.


The Jackson Hill gals on Clam Beach



Wendy & Trition, Rick & Amakua, Kimberly & Mae, Elly & Hanna, Mary & Shiloh, Diane & Poncho, Me & Autumn, Cindy& Syria

 We raised over $2,000 for the Cancer Society and St. Jude's Children's Hospital with your help and the Jackson Hill Gang.

Rebels with a cause! 
Me & Autumn with Cindy & Syria at the American Cancer Society Ride for Life.

Looking good and doing good!
Nancy, Shannon, Cindy, Jen, Diane and me.

My husband, Casey, and I finally went on a vacation.  We headed to the Eastern Sierra Mountains.  We drove out of Bishop California and headed up 12,000 feet into the sky to see the oldest living things in the world.  The Bristle Cone Pine Trees.  These trees are over 5,000 years old.  They were seedlings when the great pyramids of Egypt were being built.  They were already 2,000 years in the making when Jesus was born.  Those trees who are still alive today have sat where they were dropped as a seed in the White Mountains and grew to watch every single sunrise and sunset for the last 5,000 years.  They are the world's oldest and ultimate meditators.  I was blown away by these elders.  I never thought that this forest that my husband always dreamed about visiting would catch a hold of my wonder the way it did.

Spectacular still, after five millennium.

Moon walking on the dolomite moonscape of the White Mountains. 
12,000 feet in the air and in the world's crappiest soil is where the Bristle Cone Pines like it best.

2011 was a great year! I'd like to thank and send my love to my husband Casey for all of his love and support. But... I would also like to let him know that I'm still upset that he peeled the "I Love My Wife" bumper sticker that I stuck on his truck and he drove around with it on for days

before noticing it was there.

I also would like to thank Mom, Katy, Dad, Rachel, Kieran, all of my family, friends, readers and whoever is in charge of giving me this great and lucky life. 
I have to give a huge thank you to my greatest friend and muse Autumn for being my inspiration for this blog, for giving me so many cherished memories to write about and for making me so happy.  I love you girl!

My muse carrying me into my stories.

HAVE A GREAT, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!  Thanks for reading!  If you would like to be added to my mailing list please email me at Jacksonhillhorseygirl@gmail.com.

Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com

A Seabird to Comfort

My husband, Casey and I got home around noon on Sunday after spending Thanksgiving with his family in Napa.  After unpacking the car I was off to go find Autumn.  I wasn't long after I had Autumn in her stall that Cindy wandered up to the barn with Syria, Autumn's best friend horse.  "Do you want to go to the beach?".  Forty five minutes later we were on their backs riding next to the surf.  The wind was still, the waves clapped and the sky was washed in a water color of quiet clouds. 
We strolled along in a peaceful daze until something caught our eyes.  Autumn and I noticed a little tiny form not to far away.  We walked closer to inspect and there before us was some type of seabird.  He was black and duck shaped, with a long point tipped bill, with a white belly and blue feet.  He looked up at us and of course, I started to worry out a plan for him.  Autumn stretched out her neck and sniffed to him while Syria had a "I'm not getting close to that thing!" look on her face.  Cindy and I decided that we would ride a bit more and if he was still there on our way back that we would take him home. 
Well, the rest of the ride for me was making a game plan for the little guy.  I could get off Autumn, carry him back to the parking lot, put him in a bucket for the ride home, tuck Autumn in her stall, bring him home, feed him canned tuna, put him in a dog crate with hay...wait...wait...no. A towel.  Would I need a heating lamp?  How would I feed him with that pointy bill?  What time in the morning does that wildlife rescue center open anyway?  With all that chitter chatter in my head I didn't realize that we were already standing back over him.  I got off Autumn and walked up to the little guy unsure what to do.  I looked at Autumn and she was giving me the same eye contact that she gives me when she wants a cookie except she followed it up by looking at the little seabird then back to me.  She repeated this a few times before I got the message.  I bent down and scooped up the little guy without any fight.  He was very weak but not too weak to have diarrhea all over my coat that I wrapped him in (no good deed goes unpunished as my good friend Karen likes to say). 
As we headed back to the trailer Autumn could not keep her eyes off of him.  She would sniff him gently on one side of me and then she would cross behind me and then sniff him gently on the other side.  She did this for our entire 30 minute walk back to the trailer. 


Autumn comforting the weak little seabird.

 By the time we made it back to the trailer the poor little seabird seemed close to flying up to heaven.  I decided that maybe it would be more peaceful for him to be by his home for the last part of his journey instead of my dog crate.   I found a little spot close to the dunes and promised that I would check on him on my work break the next day.  We all wished him well and hoped for the best. 
The next day on my lunch break I drove to the beach and scrambled as fast as I could through the sand to the spot where I had left him.  I found him there but he was gone.  I felt bad that maybe I should have taken him home and tried harder but the whispering wind and the song of the sea's waves somehow made me feel that it was better for him to be where he was laid. 

Thanks for reading!  If you would like to be added to my mailing list, please email me at jacksonhillhorseygirl@gmail.com.
Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com

Wrong Side Of The Stall

Somedays, Autumn just gets up on the wrong side of the stall.  On those wrong side of the stall mornings, I know without turning on the lights that she's having one.  Her glare pierces through the morning darkness striking up the "oh great!" feeling inside me. 

Just give me a cookie and no one will get hurt.

There is no nicker on these mornings, no friendly nuzzles.  It's strictly get me my food to her or else!!!  What's or else?  Thumping her giant hooves against her stall so hard that the entire barn rattles and shutters making the automatic waterers cough out their water.  I bet she has registered a 4.8 on the Richter scale when she has had her monthly visitor in town and I haven't been quick enough serving her breakfast.  I don't waste any time making a behavior teaching lesson out of this.  It's not worth it.  I just get her breakfast.  I don't even bother to brush her on these days.  I just do my barn chores as she scowls at me in between snatches of hay. 
It's not just me that she gives the scowl to.  It's every horse in the barn.  If Willy, the gelding in the stall across from her, is in she'll just stare at him all night long with her ears pinned back.  Unfortunately, Autumn's plan of making him feel like crap about himself backfires because Willy seems to be into that hate/love sort of thing.  He just looks at her with hearts dancing in his eyes.

I skip the riding on these days.  Riding on these days is never one of those magical blog worthy moments.

Autumn having a "that time of the month" ride

When she's finished eating, I walk her to the pasture down the quickest path possible.  It's not an easy task walking an 1850 pound PMS-ing, ears cocked back with eyes flaming cookie monster filly.  Relieved when I reach the gate, I take off her halter, give her a cookie that she almost rips my arm off for and then she thanks me with the  "that's it?" death stare.  Still alive but shaky after that if looks could kill moment, she will stomp way her past me giving me the old tail swish right in the face as she bitches her way across the pasture and through the herd.  I don't mind going to work on these days and even make it there a little early.

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Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com

Pee On

At the veterinary hospital, I have to schedule the occasional horse castration.  There always seems to be an air of awkwardness for both the client and myself when booking this type of appointment.  The clients problem stems from not knowing what to call this procedure.  The normal terms for the procedure are "castration" or "gelding".  Stumbling over what to call it, I've had clients ask to have their horse "neutered" or  to have his "testicles amputated" or he needs his "nuts chopped off".  Sometimes it takes me a minute to figure it out when a client tells me their horse needs "brain surgery" or a "vasectomy" or his "tubes tied".
Once the client has spit out their request, I then get to hit the awkward question ball right back in their court by asking something they never prepared me to ask in college ..."Have both of his testicles dropped?"  There's always a few seconds of dead air on the line until I get an "Ah?" or a "hum" and then I usually get "How do I know?".  This is the second best thing I get to say when booking this type of appointment "You'll have to feel for them."   Good bye pride!  33 years old and I get to ask people at work... Have you grab your horse's balls lately?  
A normal response is something along the lines of why wouldn't he have them both?  I then have to explain that sometimes one testicle is hanging solo while  his buddy is hiding up in the body somewhere. This is called a cryptorchid.  If one isn't swinging next to his dance partner the simple 1 hour procedure with one doctor turns into a two doctor search and destroy mission. 
Last year, we did have a cryptorchid castration to do.  The doctors had the horse lay into an easy sleep under general anesthesia.  He was propped up in a cradle, laying on his back with legs up in the air.  The procedure was going well, we got the first testicle who was at home base and the doctors went out to seek out the one that was hiding.  Luckily, this sucker wasn't to far from where it should have been.  The doctor was starting the removal when the horse started to pee.  "Grab his Penis!" the doctor yelled at me.  Well, I grabbed a hold of that slippery sucker and redirected the stream away from the incision site and bam!  I peed it right in my face.  The normally unfailing concentration of the doctors was broken to laugh at my new facial.  I got a little pissed off but I've seen both of those guys get diarrheaed in the face horses and cows and I was over it.  Now I just felt a part of the club.  After the procedure, I wiped off my new membership as the horse recuperated just fine after his "brain surgery".
Thanks for reading!  I HAVE LOVED everyone's comments.  I really appreciate you taking the time to read my blogs!  If you are new to the blog you can be added to my mailing list by emailing me at Jacksonhillhorseygirl@gmail.com.
Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com

Saddling Up with Poncho for St. Jude

Autumn and I would like to thank all of you that sponsored us in the Saddle Up For St. Jude Children's Hospital fundraiser ride.  We raised $560.00 for a great cause!  You guys are awesome! 

Autumn and I riding for St. Jude Children's Hospital.

 I was a little nervous that I wasn't going to be able to get Autumn to the St. Jude ride because my trusty traveling and trailering companion, Cindy,  was away on a trip.  About a year ago, my great friend Diane had bought a new extra high extra wide trailer just to fit Autumn in with her horse Poncho.  Like I said she's had the trailer over a year and I never once dared put Autumn in there with Poncho. Why would I not put Autumn in a trailer that my totally awesome friend bought just so we could go off and have a great time together with our horses???  Fear that's why!  Autumn hates Poncho.  When she was little...okay the size of a normal horse....Poncho used to rough house with her pretty hard and when she got bigger it was pay back time.  Every time she sees Poncho she pins her ears, gives him the death look and goes after him.  I couldn't imagine locking them in a crammed box together side by side.  I had visions of Autumn kicking his legs clean off or driving down the road and seeing Poncho getting kicked straight through the wall of the trailer and bouncing down the road.  With the St. Jude ride being such an important event and with Diane's reassurance we gave it a try (not without me making her promise that if Autumn hurt Poncho that I was going to pay all of his vet bills).  Diane bravely put Poncho in the first half of the trailer and shut the divider.  I lured Autumn in with a flake of alfalfa hay.  As soon as she got in there and saw who was tucked next to her the bitch ass glare from hell flamed across her face. Oh crap!  I was getting ready for her to rip the divider out with her teeth and chuck it out the door and beat the life out of poor Poncho when she noticed her alfalfa hay and she started eating.  That was it.   No blood.  No bone crushing.  No high speed trip to the horsey E.R.    Diane and I were totally jazzed that now we could hit the open road with our tolerant equines partners.

On the road with Diane & Poncho

Saturday rolled around and Diane trailered us up to Orick, which is the home of the tallest tree in the world, a redwood measuring  379 feet!  The day was beautiful and the crowd of people were friendly.  Diane and I decided to ride off towards the beach with six other gals.

The Beach Babes gathering at the water hole.

We followed and crossed Redwood Creek.  We passed under highway 101 back up on to the levy and through green pastures dotted with grazing cattle.  Autumn didn't quite know what to think of the cows. 

What the hell is a cow and what does "Moo" mean?

She was coiling up beneath me getting ready to floor it out of town but Poncho stepped up before her keeping his cool.  Like a gallant knight he lead her safely past these mooing, projectile pooping oddities.  After that big event, Autumn and I calmly strolled along, marveling that we were encircled by mountains covered in the biggest redwoods in the world, flanked by green pastures,  a twinkling river, the Pacific ocean before us and great friends surrounding us all helping the same great cause.

On a side note... On October 28th Autumn turned 5 years old.  My little Filly is growing up!  Where does the time go?   Happy Birthday Autumn! 

Autumn enjoying her birthday mush cake thing I made her.

Thanks for reading!  If you would like to be added to my mailing list please email me at Jacksonhillhorseygirl@gmail.com.  I look forward to hearing your comments!
Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com

Kum Ba Yah, Domestic Saddle Violence and Smooth Legs

Two weeks ago, Autumn and I packed up our sleeping bags and headed down to Cueno Creek to go horse camping with Cindy and Syria.  Actually, I wish all we had to pack were our sleeping bags.  After making three car trips back and forth to Cindy's, I was finally loaded up. With the last, and most important thing stuffed into the trailer, Autumn, we were off.  We headed south for the two hour ride through some of the tallest and oldest redwoods left in the world.  We pulled into into the camp close to four and we emptied the trailer and set up camp. 



Roughing it.

 Cuneo Creek is the creme de la creme of horse camps.  Each campsite comes complete with corrals and running water.  There are areas to mount up easily on your horse...a great perk if you own Autumn.  After a long  ride you can take your horse to the specially made giant sand box for them to roll around in.  The riding trails roam for days through 350 foot tall redwoods, through creeks, mountain meadows, orchards and old homesteads. 
But, one of my most favorite things about the camp are the showers.  The big roomy showers that have hot water that never runs out.  Showers that aren't anything like my shower at home...the trailer shower.  The trailer shower is the length and width of two men's size 12 shoe boxes side by side. There is no sticking your elbows out when shampooing your hair in the trailer shower without taking out the wall.  Forget about shaving your legs with out being double jointed in there.  But when I'm at Cuneo Creek there is no doubt that I am the cleanest gal with the smoothest legs in camp. 

This trip wasn't all about having fun and smooth legs.  This was a trip where an important decision had to be made.  For the past three years I have been socking away money from odd jobs for my dream saddle.  All my great friends at the ranch chipped in and gave me a loving part of the cost as a Christmas gift and it took until this October to get the final amount.  I had the saddle, on a trial basis, for one week to decide if it fit Autumn and myself properly.  If it didn't fit Autumn right I could send it back as long as it didn't acquire any blemishes. 
Cindy and I decided to play it safe and ride the wider trails and through the mountain meadows to avoid any clawing branches.  The ride was going well, and the saddle seemed to fit  but I still wasn't sure until Autumn decided to make my decision for me.  It was a warm day with swarming bugs that Autumn swished at with her tail.  They seemed to really be getting her because she had to stop and stomp her feet to shake them off.   She drifted to the side of the trail and over a low bush to scratch her belly.  I figured that was okay, since it wasn't tall enough harm the saddle way up on her back.  But, when Autumn's legs began to buckle and she started dropping to the ground...well, that's when that bush got tall enough to beat the living hell out of the $1,300 unpaid for after three years of saving, saddle.  I kicked, yelled and swatted at Autumn but she wasn't listening.  Something clicked in my head, and myself yelled at me to abandon ship.  I dropped my stirrups and did the crappiest ninja roll over her neck and head and watched as Autumn rolled in ecstasy in a patch of poison oak in the new saddle.  When her itch was scratched and she was pleased with herself, she got up and shook it off. 
I was stunned.   I looked at Cindy and said "Well, I guess Autumn wants me to keep the saddle." 

The new saddle after Autumn domestically abused it.

Luckily,the saddle only had a few scrapes and bruises and it didn't want to press any charges after Autumn's assault. So, now I'm a proud owner of a dream saddle that happens to fit and it already has the first dent out of the way. 
The rest of the trip turned out to be awesome! 

Cindy and Syria

We rode over the river.....

Autumn drank the river



...and through the woods...

I guess we should say "rode under the woods".

To the showers we did ride.

Farewell, giant perfectly hot showers...until next time.  I will think of you often.

Thanks for reading!  If you would like to make a comment or to be added to the mailing list please email me at Jacksonhillhorseygirl@gmail.com
Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com

Adrenaline Junkies Come In All Sizes

Hi!
Autumn and I are at it again! 
Autumn and I are participating in a Saddle Up for St. Jude event benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  The trail ride is on Saturday, October 29th at Redwood National Park in Orick. The money we raise will help St. Jude Children's Hospital find new treatments for cancer and other catastrophic diseases. We are hoping to raise $1,000 and we would love your help.  You can donate online at the following link: Donate on Margaret & Autumn's Behalf
or, you can email me if you would like to send a check to: Jacksonhillhorseygirl@gmail.com. 
No donation is too big or too small. 
Thanks for helping us help a great cause!
Margaret & Autumn


Adrenaline Junkies Come In All Sizes
The other morning, as usual, I was bouncing over the ranch's dimpled dirt road late for work.  I was keeping an eye on Lilly, my crazy running maniac pooch, as she sprinted side by side with my front tire when something caught my other eye.

What the hell is that?

I slowed to a safer speed, not wanting to run my own dog over, to get a better look at the thing that was stuck on my windshield.  Balanced on my passenger side windshield wiper was a little mouse.  Like a mini surfer on a wave he flowed with the changing currents of the road.  He hung ten over the windshield wiper blade, coasting with the swell of the car, as the wind blew in his face. 

Totally Stoked!

 He was in the zone.  But, the tide had to change for this little extreme windshield wiper rider.  I had to get to work.  I pulled over, got out of the car and walked over to the passenger side.  He looked up at me, no fear in his eyes and stayed on his surfing windshield wiper.  He didn't want his endless summer to end.  "I'm sorry I have to your kick you off your wave little dude."  On his own, he scooted on to the  magazine and I lowered him down to the grass.  He sat there a minute, looking at my car before he scurried off into the forest.  As I drove off to work I wondered why that little guy climbed up there in the first place.  Had he done this before with anyone else?  He was a cool little guy, I hope catches a ride with me again someday.

Thanks for reading!  If you would like to be added to my mailing list or would like to send me a comment you can do so by emailing me at Jacksonhillhorseygirl@gmail.com.

Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com 

A Long Way Down

When I first started riding Autumn I would just clip some reins on her halter, find a trunk of a car to climb up and then I'd climb up on Autumn.  I had no fear up there.  I rode her in the woods, through rivers, over bridges, on the beach, in the ocean, in the arena...everywhere bareback.  She did great. 
Then it happened...The fall.
I ran up to the barn one morning and rode Autumn up to the pasture.  I had a few extra minutes so I let Autumn graze in the few remaining green spots that survived the dry summer.  As I sat on her, I thought about the crummy garage sale I was about to have in a few hours.   I sat on Autumn swirling in the dread of the event when something spooked her.  She did a small jump to the side that headed me straight into making an uninsured introduction with the ground.  In my slow motion decent all I could think was I hope this isn't going to be expensive.  I splatted on the dirt and the ground stunned my left side.  Tears welled up in my eyes and I could barely move my arm.  I gave to quick look around to make sure that no one witnessed the lamest fall on the planet and let a few tears fall.  Autumn stared at me with a look that said Seriously?  You fell off of me from that little spook? 
Yeah Autumn, I obviously did!  It was all because I was thinking of that stupid garage sale I have to have.
 Then it was written all over her face  What were you doing thinking about the stupid garage sale when you are riding me?
Of course she was right.  I limped her to the pasture gate, gave her hug and kiss and let her loose with her friends. 
As more movement restored itself to my arm I thought back to my younger days flipping ass over tea kettle jumping horses over fences at a hand gallop and not being able to remember the ground hurting so much.  Then the quote came drifting back to me that I heard from the older equestrians back then...The older you get the less you bounce.  Yep, they had that one right. 
Well, I did get back in the saddle...bareback anyways.  I rode her and at first I still felt pretty confident but then...things started to change.  I became the hypothetical hypochondriac. I began to imagine every possible way I could fall off of Autumn.  What if a dog jumped out of the bushes and scared her?  What if a motorcycle went by and slid out and crashed into us?  What if a mountain lion attacked us?  What if Sarah Palin was in town flying over us in a helicopter trying to shoot wolves and took us out?  Like I said, it was getting bad. 
I would get myself worked up into a fit of panic.  I began to talk myself out of riding Autumn bareback altogether.  I could ride her in a saddle and feel confident but at the same time I  missed the closeness and freedom of riding her bareback.  I read books and articles on how to overcome my fear... breathing techniques, singing, mediation but nothing would work.  I would clam up and Autumn could feel it.   I could tell that my fear was making her scared.  Then my fears started to play out through her.  When she thought that I was scared she thought that there must be something out there worth being scared about.  I made a decision to just ride in a saddle and hopefully my fear would disappear with more time on top of her. 
That garage sale was now two years behind us when I was sitting in the audience of Cavalia. Cavalia is basically Cirque Du Soleil with horses and acrobatics as it's stars. It is wild, beautiful and I recommend that everyone see it if they can.  Anyhow, as I was being dazzled by all the horses one act caught my eye.  The performers were vaulting off a giant Belgian.  As the Belgian horse cantered his performers would swing, tumble, sit stand and  flip all over him with the help of a surcingle with handles (basically a belt that wrapped around the horse's heart girth with handles on top side of his back).
The gears started churning in my head and when I got home I hit he web.  It took me only seconds for one of these handled vaulting surcingles to pop up and it just happened to be on sale.  It was fate giving me a new set of training wheels.  I clicked it into my shopping cart and one week later I had my handle bars!

Climbing back on the horse again!

I snuck out to the arena at first light and took Autumn for a test ride in them.  The confidence meter had it's first flicker of life.  Next day, Autumn and I hit the trail.  Day by day my confidence tank was filling up despite the people at the ranch having a great time making fun of my handle bars.  They wanted to know when my first performance would be and if I could do a tumbling demo for them.  I just had to suck it up and take the abuse like grown woman riding a horse with handles.
Then I decided, on my Christmas Eve ride on the beach with Cindy and Syria to leave the saddle at home.  I fastened my confidence bars onto Autumn, found a beached log to climb up on her and we headed for the sea.  I was still a bit nervous but Autumn walked me through it and then she trotted me further through it. The ride was lovely and I can remember that I took a deep breath and asked Autumn to take care of me.  I gave her a squeeze and she gently cantered me along the sea's edge.  Autumn carried me away from the day of that crappy garage sale and into one of the best rides she ever gave me.  She's such a great and patient friend!  So is Cindy for being seen with me in public with my handles!  Thanks Cindy!

Thanks for reading!  If you would like to be added to my mailing list or would like me to post your comment please email me at: Jacksonhillhorseygirl@gmail.com
Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com

One Day To The Next

Last week, each day seemed to have something break, not go on fire, leave for a fire, not shock and then get shocked.  We had an eleven o'clock appointment for a bull to come in to get semen tested.  So, first thing I did that morning was to pull out the ejaculator and charge up.  At 10 o'clock, I decided to just check that it was all ready perform and... it  wasn't.  There wasn't a charge to be aroused.  I told the doctor the ejaculator wasn't going to make any memories that day and ran for the phone.  


Piece of crap ejaculator!



The clients that were coming in had to round up their 2000 plus pound crazy hill bull, load him in the trailer and drive a switch backed road from hell for an hour to make it to our office.  I called their house and his wife said he was on his way.  I tried his cell phone but it went straight to voice mail.  Crap.  He pulled up an hour later and we had to tell him we wouldn't be able to get our end of the bargain up.  Next thing I know, I'm online trying to figure out where the hell you get an ejaculator fixed.  Let's just say you need to be real specific on your search phrasing when the word ejaculator is in it. I also wouldn't recommend hitting the image selection unless you have really narrowed down your search.  Eventually, I did find the right place to send it and and off the ejaculator went on the wings of the postal service. 
     Now Tuesday, I told myself on the way to work, was going to be a better day.  It started off plainly enough then all of a sudden two bright red fire engines pulled up in front of the office.  I gave the look around over my shoulder.  No smoke.  Next thing you know I have six young firefighters, in uniforms standing around me.  The doctor walked in after them, coming back from a farm appointment, and gave me the raised eyebrow.  They explained that they wanted a tour of the office in case there was a fire and they needed to get in to rescue the animals. I graciously showed these young heroes around the office and walked them outside pointing out this and that.  Then a white pickup swerved into the parking lot and screeched to a halt right beside us.  It was my husband.  He was driving by and saw the trucks and sped in to see if everything was alright.  When he found out that there wasn't a fire he gave me "the look".  When the firefighters left I gave him a call to explain what was going on.  He said "Yeah I saw you.  You were having a real life  fantasy." 
No... no...That's a ridiculous thing to say.  I'm mean come on.  A real life fantasy? Please!  I have better things to fantasize about like figuring out how to get an ejaculator fixed.  
     The rest of the week was filled with helping sick goats get back up on their feet again, getting dragged around by mules, spinning blood samples without the cover on and exploding the test tubes in the centrifuge machine, getting hung up on the electric fence at the ranch by my back pack and having to find a stick to whack it off with while getting repeatedly shocked at 6 am...Up and down, up and down...the whole week was like that. 
    By the end of the week my husband got a phone call that he was going to have to travel eight hours east of us to fight a wildfire...in a uniform.  He'll do anything to make me happy! 

My Real Life Fantasy.   I love you Casey!



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Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com

A Whale That Stopped Traffic

Crowds hanging off the Klamath River Bridge on California's Highway 101 to see Mama Whale.

     For almost two months a gray whale had parked herself underneath California's Highway 101 in the Klamath River.  For the first month she was joined by her calf  but then he left her for the ocean.  I hadn't heard about it until I saw the story on the cover of our local newspaper.  I picked up a copy, took it home, showed my husband and by 7am the next morning we were on our way to see her.  Excited road signs warned that in 53 miles pedestrians were crossing the highway at the river.  We arrived at the Klamath River, that runs through the Yurok Indian Reservation, and pulled onto the side of the road behind a bunch of early risers.  I looked anxiously ahead, worried that she was gone.  I read that Mama Whale (this is the name that just sort of became hers on it's own in media circles and by the people) and her calf swam up the Klamath River on June 24th, 2011 and on July 22nd her calf left her to swim back to the salt of the Pacific Ocean.  Mama Whale stayed behind and continued to circle under the bridge. 
     When I got to the railing I watched as the 45 foot gray whale floated through a mirage of green waters beneath me. 

This beautiful giant that has swam through my mind in stories and photos now appeared right below me.  Everyone on the bridge was transfixed.  Every time she swam back under the bridge the growing mass of people would dodge the logging trucks whizzing by at 65mph to get to the other side.  Adults, kids, foreigners even dogs looked over the bridge. For weeks, above and below, the bridge was filled with on lookers.  People kayaked out to her, they paddled out on stand up paddle boards.  People even dove in the water to swim next to her.   She cast a spell over the people who saw her.  When she exhaled her heart shaped spray would cause all that watched to inhale it in.

     No one knew why she let her calf swim off without her...why she didn't follow him back out to their home.  Everyone, who marveled at her on the bridge and uploaded photos of her on to their Face book page all wondered why she was there.  She was giving us all an exciting experience with her presence but were we watching her  suffer?  Was she sick? Dying? Exhausted?  Were we watching her demise?  I heard many times on that bridge with the traffic screaming by unnoticed "I hope she's okay." The Yurok tribal members were praying for her and singing her sacred songs.  Others went to the river's banks and played flutes and violins to bring her comfort. From the railing I wished to her that she would be okay and swim back to her home.
     I looked at the stream of new arrivals walking on to the bridge and I was struck by how many people wanted to see this natural wonder.  This wasn't an amusement park.  This wasn't an animal trained to do tricks.  It was just a giant gray whale swimming beneath us on the bridge.  She was circling beneath us alone, her calf had left her or maybe she made it leave.  She circled beneath us not letting us know why or how we could help her.  She didn't ask for anything with all of us watching her.  She let us wonder. 
     I wondered why she picked under the bridge.  Some thought she liked the attention.  Some thought that she was sending a message.  Some thought there was no motive...that she was just a whale.  I don't know.   Maybe with her last few weeks of life she wanted people to see her.  She is a mother.  Maybe she wanted people to see her and to remember that her baby was still out there.  A piece of her swam out to the ocean to begin it's life that could span the next six decades.  Maybe she was asking us to protect it.
     She passed away on Tuesday August 16th.  She spent over 50 days in that river until she finally rested herself on the beach.  She shared with us her mystery and gave us all who watched her on that bridge the memory of her and her calf.  Sitting here now, I just sort of know...she wanted us to remember what her wonder brought us.

Good bye Mama Whale.

Thanks to my great photographer and Hubby Casey!
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Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com

Washed Away

I roll over and beat another five minute snooze out of the alarm clock before I jump on to the freight train that stops at the routine of my life. Wake up, feed the cats, get dressed, feed the horses, go to work, spend 9 hours getting flabby in the office, stop at the post office, feed the horses, go home, feed the cats, again, feed the dog and eventually my husband and myself.  After all that's done I  get everything ready for the next day and I fall over.  Next day...repeat. Dot…dot…dot…
Lately, the weight of my routine has been slowly crushing the hope that has filled my dreams.“Let me get my violin.” is what my mom would say to that. And she’s right.  I’ve got nothing to complain about...But, I still get stuck in dumps once and I while and that’s when I go and find Autumn.  She carries me away from the loneliness of not having my family near, from my inventory mistakes at work, from my jeans fitting too tight, from the bills that need to be paid, from the gibber jabber at the ranch.  All that gets  left behind in her giant hoof prints as she carries me away.

Then it's just me and her. 

No dreams needed.

Autumn takes me to a place where all of my troubles get washed away.

She never asks for anything in return.

She's just there for me.

And life is good again.

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Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com

First Day Of School

Standing at the gate I wondered where the rest of the fence was. The hot wire fence ran left for a couple dozen yards and it ran right  a few dozen yards before each end disappeared through the trees. 



Standing in front of Autumn's school yard.

 I was told that the upper pasture was on a few hundred acres that were partially fenced.  There is fencing to keep them out of the road and barn areas but at the opposite end of the property...the end that joins up with tens of thousands of wilderness acres...well that's not fenced.  Due to a lack of meadows aka food in the untamed forest, the horses just stick around the ranch. 

The Playground.

Well, it took me a few months of walking Autumn up to that gate, unlatching it and latching it back up and quickly aborting the idea before I actually did it.  Every time I stood at that gate I was transported to my first day of school....a new place...new people...no mom... Every time I lifted the handle I worried about Autumn's first day in the pasture.  How was the herd going to treat her?  Would they be protective and nurturing to this one year old giant filly?  Or were they going to try and steal her lunch money on the play ground? Would she have anyone to sit next to at lunch?  Would I be able to find her again? 
It was a gray day when we actually walked through the gate and I latched it behind us.  I took off her halter and I let her lead the way.  She was curious about everything.  Everything that was new to her she bravely marched up to and sniffed, climbed, splashed and tried to eat.

Autumn checking everything out.

 Her curiosity took her deeper into the woods and led her right to the herd.  Crap!  Right away I knew that Autumn was going to get her lunch money stolen on the playground that day. The herd of about fifteen encircled her.  Swishing tails and stomping feet blocked me from jumping in to the fight. Autumn was making little chewing gestures (this is body language used by young horses when they are in a threatening situation to show other horses that they don't want any trouble and they are just babies) but the herd wasn't buying it.  At age one Autumn was now the biggest horse in the herd.  Not only was she the new kid but she was also the big kid.   


Oh no!  Bullies!

 With their lips snarled back, I stood helplessly and watched, as the horses sank their teeth into her.  Others charged her at a dead run stopping last second to wheel around and kick at her with their sharp hooves.  She tried to run out of their circle but they would cut her off.  I started yelling, throwing sticks and rocks at the horses but they ignored me. 
I didn't know what to do.  I decided that I needed to get some help but as I turned to run, help came to Autumn.  A little chestnut gelding named Copper, came running to Autumn's side.  He pinned his ears back and jumped at any horse that came near her.  Copper kicked out and  snapped his teeth at the punks that dared to take another shot at Autumn.

Autumn's new best friend!

When the horses stopped rushing at Autumn, Copper tenderly embraced her with his head.  He soothingly reached up and rubbed his face next to hers.  Although, Autumn was only one year old, she was already bigger then her comforter.  The herd lost interest and wandered off leaving Autumn with her new friend and her totally relieved horse mom.  After that, I didn't have to worry about Autumn loosing her lunch money on the playground or not having a friend to hangout with at lunch anymore.  She had Copper.

Thanks for reading, for all your great comments and for passing my blog onto others! It really means a lot to me.  If you are having trouble leaving a comment and you would like me to post it for you or you would like to be added to my mailing list just let me know at jacksonhillhorseygirl@gmail.com
Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com

Mommy

I do not have any kids but I have Autumn.  Autumn lets me assault her with all my maternal "mommy urges" that come exploding from my 33 year old body.   Like a mom, the clock ticks for my Autumn.  I'm up at first light to feed her breakfast, groom her and go for a little ride before I turn her out in the pasture with her friends for the day.  On my lunch break I'll run to the feed store and pick up her groceries.  When I get out of work I head back to the ranch to clean her room, pick her up from the pasture, with a cookie in hand, and take her back to her stall where I have her dinner waiting. I then proceed to clean her hooves and groom the mud, sticks and adventures she collected throughout her day with her buddies.

Daycare

Then I'll sit with her quietly and read a chapter from my book before I tuck her in for the night.  Sometimes, I'll sneak out of the house in my pajamas right before bedtime and drive up to the barn just to give her one more goodnight kiss. And sometimes, I'll climb up on her back in her stall and just lay on her back and give her one great big long hug. 
This week I  got to buy her her first pair of sneakers.  Her feet were having trouble adjusting from the soft wet mud to the dry hard summer ground so I got her a pair of protective boots.  At first, she walked around like she was stuck in a tar pit, pulling her legs high up before being afraid to put them down.   Once she realized she could walk in them and that she could walk over the sharp rocks in them she became a huge fan.

Baby's First Pair of Shoes

When she grows out of them I don't think I will be able to hang them as a memento from my rear view mirror but I could use them to...to...rest a bowling ball in or something. 

She must have her dad's feet

Well, now that this story has come to it's end and even though it's my night off from all my ranch duties, I'm excited to get home and hike out in the pasture to find my Autumn.  When I find her I'm going to give her a big hug and kiss goodnight...just because I'm her mom and I love her.

Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com

The Tales of The Metropolitan Redneck Sisters Part 3-Milk, Cookies and Dance House Club Music

Time was kicking the days right off the calender to the date when Katy was set to make her way back across the country.  I was exhausted but determined not to waste a single minute while she was still here.  With Easter being such a huge success (check out http://jacksonhillhorseygirl.blogspot.com/2011/06/tales-of-metropolitan-redneck-sisters_08.html), coming up with something to top it was going to be a tough one.  How do you top shooting pink plastic flamingos and pegging the forest with Easter eggs?  You add dance music and Double Stuffed Oreos, that's how.
Katy was ready, like I had asked, when I rolled into her driveway.  She had no idea what my plan was and before she could ask I said "Take a look in the back seat."  Her face beamed like I had a pony on Christmas morning shoved in the backseat for her.  Piled behind us were two jumbo cartons of of eggs, a box of Double Stuffed Oreos and two milk juice boxes, one was chocolate because she loves chocolate milk.  We drove out of town and headed up over the mountains opposite the ranch.  We pulled over at a sound-of-music spot and whipped out the milk and cookies. 

All this place needs is some milk, cookies & some babes.

We, shamelessly, pigged out on cookies and sipped our milk as we watched a bike rider huff and puff his way up the road.  We talked and ate until we said we would never eat Double Stuffeds ever again and then we double stuffed ourselves back in the truck. 
When the scenery was lost to the shade of the trees we rolled down the windows and turned on the "Dance House Club" play list on the ipod. Katy pulled the eggs out of the backseat and let them ride shot gun.  The song "I Wanna Go Crazy" came on and that's when we went crazy (here's the link to the song if you want to go crazy for the rest of this blog  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vigA7yWue58 ).  So we pumped up the volume, took a shot of milk from our juice boxes and let the eggs fly from the nest. 


Oh yeah, we pulled over and brought the game to this mountain's face.

No sign was left unmolested...unless we missed.  We chucked the eggs in front of the truck, at stumps, the yellow lines on the road and at the sun.  We bopped around to the music riding a milk juice box, Double Stuffed Oreo high until the cartons were empty.
Katy stopped her dance bop when she saw the eggs were no more.  That's when I pulled out one last surprise for my little sister... a bag of over ripened California avocados.  Once again, my sister looked at me like I was truly the most amazing sister in the world.  She threw those avocados against the "No Trespassing Sign" with a careful calculation adding up to making her big sister proud.  And she did.  I am and have always been proud of her. No one can chuck an avocado like my sister.  No one.  

Thanks for reading!  If you would like to be added to my email list or if you are unable to leave a comment you can send it to me and I will post it for you at jacksonhillhorseygirl@gmail.com.

Copyright (c) 2011 Jacksonhillhorseygirl.com