Rafer Johnson Turns ONE

On Saturday, July 19th, Rafer Johnson had his first birthday!

I was out of town, so his party was delayed until I could get home, and now that I am, we'll be celebrating.

He has been nothing but a joy since he arrived, and I'm not quite sure how we managed before he got here. Was there a time when Salina did not have a constant and loyal companion? Or when we did not get endless donkey hugs? Or I did not have a barn manager to help me perform every chore and task? It's so hard to remember a time without him.

Thank you, Rafer Johnson. You're the very best.

Keil Bay's test results

I spoke with Patsy from Healthy Bodies this morning and she had Keil Bay's kinesiology test results ready. I was so excited to hear from her, and should be able to get him started on his treatment program in a couple of days, when the herbs and supplements arrive and I'm back home.

Here's the breakdown:

low on EFAs
probiotic level is low
he's dealing with systemic yeast and fungus
has a mold allergy
digestive enzymes are low
white cell count is low (probably due to the yeast/fungus/mold)
seratonin is low
he has several beans which need removing

Six-week treatment plan for the Big Bay:

flax - 5 tbsps 2x/day for 4 weeks
probios paste - 1/2 tube 2x/week for 2 weeks (and 1 tube hereafter, two weeks after each deworming)
olive leaf - 2 tsp. 2x/day for 4 weeks
echinacea - 1 tbsp 2x/day for 6 weeks
digestive enzymes - 3 capsules 2x/day for 3 weeks
rhodiola - 1 tsp. 2x/day for 2 weeks (I think - she will send written instructions with herbs)

Total cost for this testing/treatment:

hair and saliva test plus telephone consult - $25.
herbs and supplements: $109.50
re-test in 6 weeks - $25.

Based on everything I've read about Patsy's work with horses (and people) and the kinds of results her clients get from her recommendations, I CANNOT WAIT to see how Keil Bay does. My prediction is that he and I will be in a great place by Labor Day.

Now I have to figure out who's going next - my goal is to work my way through the herd, but I'd love for all of them to head into the fall/winter with their treatments behind them.

I'll report more as I get Keil Bay going on his plan. Once I can report actual results I'm experiencing, I'll add contact info for Patsy. I've heard nothing but good things thus far, but I like to have my own first-hand experience before recommending things.

we are all abuzz here

I wish I had photos but will have to describe - basically, there is a hive of bees living in the wall in the magic mansion, and they've had a beekeeper working for 8 weeks to get the hive moved into a portable hive they can move elsewhere.

This morning I was in the library and saw a bee in the window, inside. A little while later, after I'd left the room, bees began to come in through the closed windows, the vents, and the light fixtures in the ceiling. The grounds manager had to seal off that entire area and call the beekeeper out to see what could be done.

I got a mini-seminar on relocating bees, and instructions on what to do if they come after me, which is not likely but a possibility.

From my bedroom window I can see the bees buzzing around wildly - they are very excited, not angry, because the original hive has now been reopened so they can get their honey out and move it to the new hive.

My husband kindly emailed me some passages from Ted Andrews about bees:

Bees have been mythical symbols throughout the world. . . . Probably
the most consistent symbolism has been that of sexuality and
fertility. . . Bees are also long-time symbols of accomplishing
quests that seem impossible. . .

If a bee has shown up in your life, examine your own productivity.
Are you doing all you can to make your own life more fertile? Are you
busy enough? Are you attempting to do too much? The bee reminds us
that activities are sweeter when we take the time to enjoy them.

The bee is a reminder to us to extract the honey of life and make our
lives fertile while the sun shines.

I am loving the intense, rich activity of these bees.

on location

Okay - I'm officially on retreat and getting my arrival routine underway at the coffee shop that has internet access so I can check email and blogs before going back to the magic mansion - where dial-up is only for the very very patient.

It's a total pleasure to be back here. Where folks in a few places recognize me and I know my way to all the best spots. And the moment I settle in to write, the flow is there.

Send good vibes for effective editing and a book that takes off like a rocket when it queries.

:)

You know you're starting a good day when...

you're sitting in your "new" bedroom chair, which you have angled just so to be able to see the side pasture out the window, you glance up from reading Lonesome Dove, and see a mini donkey doing morning laps around Salina as she meanders up the hill. Black mare heading to the barn in the a.m. means it's nearing breakfast time. Donkey doing morning gallop means there is a chance he will be tired and mellow for the med he will be taking after his breakfast!

The geldings know that Salina is operating on pre-BCBH time (Billie Changed Breakfast Hour) so they remain down in the front field, enjoying that lush grass before the sugars rise and I close the gate.