uniquities

Yesterday was one of those days when everything seemed new, special, and unique. My daughter and I headed out to the barn mid-morning and didn't get back inside until dinnertime.

One of the first uniquities I discovered yesterday was what I'm calling the sunshine mushrooms. We have many unusual things popping up this year with all the rain, but this one is my favorite. There was a smaller one that looked even more like nature's rendering of the sun, but I lost it!

Apache Moon got his first acupuncture treatment. I was pleasantly surprised to see the "needles" - they actually resemble very thin pieces of wire. He was a good patient, nervous a few times, but willing to work through that. At the end of the insertion he had a double row of needles going from wither to rump. It was quite odd to see, but within about 10 minutes he fell asleep!

The needles in the areas that correspond with the triple heater meridian came out extremely bent and twisted. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it. The others came out perfectly straight. So Patsy was totally on target with her kinesiology results. The acupuncturist/vet also pointed out to me that he tends to stand right foot slightly forward, and that his left front hoof is wearing unevenly to the inside. Given that the massage therapist found tight shoulders, all of these things are beginning to fit together. We arranged a schedule of treatment to see if we can clear this blocked meridian and impact his overall movement and comfort.

Interestingly enough, when I tacked Keil Bay and rode him yesterday afternoon, he did beautifully at the walk, but at the trot it felt like something was going on in the right front. We did a little more trotting and then ended with some lateral exercises and stretching. Will keep an eye on him.

On a different note - we got a truck! I can now haul more than just the pony!

And finally, a favorite sign of approaching autumn:

honey bees and baths

This morning after feeding, mucking, and giving full baths to Keil Bay and Salina, I went dripping down to the labyrinth path with the loaded wheelbarrow, tired but hoping the outer loop would energize me.

My husband went down yesterday and did some weed-eating to make the path passable again, and as I went down the hill through the woods (passing an assortment of mushrooms I've never seen before in my lifetime) and walked out into the sunlight and the path, I was completely taken aback by the 8-foot tall yellow wildflowers swaying in the breeze.

It was like walking into the color yellow. Dazzling.

I walked onto the outer loop and realized suddenly that the flowers were full of honey bees - it's the first time in over a year (other than my time at the writing residency) that I've seen honey bees in the wild.

I'm absolutely thrilled that they're out there, and although I was hoping to take the geldings down one at a time to walk the outer loop, I've decided it's a better idea to let the bees have the labyrinth undisturbed until the blooms are done. They were so focused on their work. They're so important to the earth.

As this is the last in a string of warm days for at least the rest of this week, I'm giving horse baths. Keil Bay got soaped up from head to hoof, as did Salina. This afternoon we'll do Cody and the pony. Rafer Johnson would probably enjoy a good dust bath, so perhaps I'll get a few handfuls and rub it into his fur for him. He can lie down, but he doesn't seem to be able to roll! I'm beginning to see just how important those rolls in the dust are for good donkey hygiene. His fur isn't quite the same as normal since he hasn't been rolling - even though we're brushing him each day.

milestones

The week started in some chaos but it has ended with a number of milestones. As you can see, Mystic the kitten has learned not only how to get out of the cat door but how to hang with the big kits up on the rail by the butterfly bushes.

Apache Moon has learned to put the little hole in the bottom of his grazing muzzle to good use. He is grazing and drinking water and for the most part acting like it's no big deal. Except for when he realizes any of us are looking at him - then he picks his head up, stands, and looks pitifully in our direction. Ponies!

Rafer Johnson is beginning to put weight onto his casted leg more and more. Tonight when it was his time to graze outside his stall, he turned right instead of left and marched straight out to the gate. Just as if it were any other night and he was ready to be turned out. All the way down the barn aisle and across the barnyard he was walking with a perfectly normal gait - each foot bearing equal weight.

The outer loop to the labyrinth is complete. When I walked down this morning, I realized that four crows were in four trees - one in front of me, one behind, and one on each side. They were calling to one another round-robin style, and when I stopped and listened, I realized they were marking each direction. North, South, East, and West. It felt like they were doing a location check for me. Here's the labyrinth. Here you are. Here's where you are on the earth.

cats and donkeys

This is why we don't worry too much about Rafer Johnson being lonely.



There is almost always a pal close by.



He got another wonderful card today from Ken, Marty, and Redford. I'm heading out to check on everyone and put it on his wall.

rainy days, a writing spider, and a much-loved donkey

We've had more rain today, a rather soft but steady rainfall that sets the tone for a quiet, peaceful afternoon.

Last night when I went to let Keil Bay out of his stall after his dinner, there was a huge and lovely writing spider with her web right at the handle of the stall door - there was no way I could miss it.

At first I took her presence as a sign that I needed to write about Keil Bay. Then, that I should write about the horses instead of the novel. Then, that I should just write, period. It has been a dry week in that regard. But finally, I wondered if perhaps Keil Bay has a book in him, something that might be snatched up by HBO and made into a series, putting me into early retirement and the Big Bay into the limelight.

Later in the evening I was in Rafer's stall. His mood was very perky and mischievous, and he gently butted me from behind as I was fluffing his hay pile. This morning my good friend emailed to say that last night, the entire Reiki group she leads sent Reiki to Rafer Johnson! I think it worked!

This afternoon I managed to get the camera out in honor of a USPS delivery that arrived after lunch.

Check out Rafer Johnson's Wall of Love!

He has a beautiful card from his family of origin: Ken, Marty, and Redford. Inside, the card says "Heal." What a perfect mantra for a donkey growing new bone!

He has his branch to de-bark, his Jolly ball, his lick ball (in the white tub to keep out flies and ants), and a cardboard box full of balled up socks (they even have horses on them!)

But, the piece de resistance is the new Sheaffer poster that came today. The caption says: My excellence confuses you.

Perfect!



And as you see, Rafer Johnson was thrilled. He took a moment to pay homage to his good cyber-friend Sheaffer.



Even Keil Bay came to check it out!



I also got a Sheaffer mug for coffee. Head on over to Sheaffer's place and you can follow the link over there if you'd like to support donkey rescue.