The Really Bad, No-Good, Awful Monday

Just last night I was lamenting that I really had nothing to blog about. I haven't sat on Carmen or been able to do any ground work for a few weeks with the weather. My time with the horses consists of grooming and feeding of cookies.

cute face looking for cookies

who can resist this face?

Alternate title: Be Careful What You Wish For. (ominous fore-shadowing)

Last night we had a winter storm. It started as snow around 8 p.m. but overnight turned to rain. This morning the farm looked like a sheet of ice but it was actually deep slush. Things looked okay around the barn so I went in to get their breakfast ready.

When I walked into Carmen's stall the shavings felt squelchy under foot. I took a second look and saw that her stall was flooded.

Alternate Title: I Hate Mondays (well any day with a nasty surprise)

I gave her and Irish their feed and hay, headed into the house to ask Ed for help and then grabbed a shovel. I have drainage ditches around the barn but they were full of slush which was preventing the water from getting carried away.

Between the two of us we got the ditches cleared out and the water flowing. Ed then went and got on the tractor to clear out by the stall doors while I did some more shovelling.

All of this before coffee.

Alternate Title: Love is Shovelling Snow to Save the Horses Because You Love Your Wife (too long I know).

Once it was clear I let the horses out and went in the house to have coffee. I then headed back out to
clean the stalls.

So much mess

Alternate Title: FML (short and punchy don't you think?)

It took forever.

Thank God for shop vacs. Also, they are foul evil things. I can just picture them being invented by a group of engineers:

Here, look, I have invented this thing that is powerful and very useful. 

And it looks like R2D2- super cool. 

But it's not evil enough. What can we do to make it both a blessing and a curse? 

Well, let's put teeny wheels on it that only work on the smoothest of surfaces. 'Cause who's going to use it on those?

Yeah! and then have it move in random directions so that it's guaranteed to either stub a toe and/or bruise a shin. 
*enthusiastic nodding*

Daryll, you are a genius. Now, I've constructed a hose that is stiff to make it impossible to unwind but when it does go it will fly up and hit you in the face. 
*applause*

Now you're talking! And, and, and, we can put on a cord that is long enough to make the user optimistic but short enough to be just unable to reach the thing needed to be shop vacced.  

Ta Dah! It's now totally rad. 

*high fives all around*

*ahem* Anywho....

In the end I got the stalls cleaned up and the wet bedding put in the manure pile. During the day I kept making sure that the ditches were running. In between the weather alternated between sunshine, hail and snow.

Early afternoon I was out futzing around the stall doors and Irish's door seemed to be stuck. I pulled on it. It wouldn't move. So I pushed it.  And it fell off the track.

Really Universe? You couldn't wait for this little gem?

Alternate Title: Things Can Always Get Worse (sigh). 

I sent another text to Ed and he came out to help. Together we got it down. Turns out that the bolt holding the front runner on had come off. Fortunately Ed had the part to fix. But we couldn't get it back up between us. The snow was built up and the water was making it all hard. So Ed called a friend to come and help. They got it together. Hopefully, it will hold until a real fix can be made when things thaw.

We are entertained.

Things seem to be calm now. My back is killing me. On the plus side I got my steps in (actually by 11 a.m) and the water is continuing to drain. But the temperatures are dropping and I will be shocked if Irish's door is not frozen solid in the morning.

Alternate Title: Cross that Bridge When You Get To It (cross your fingers). 

Carmen enjoying her nice fluffy shavings and clean stall. 

Servant For Sale

Hello Bloggers, Carmen here. It is with great sadness that I announce that I have to rehome my servant.

see how sad I am? 

There have just been too many times that she has not demonstrated the care and attention that I expect from my help.

Not so long ago she disappeared for months. She said it was something called 'vacation' and that it was only for 7 days, but I don't trust her sense of time as much as my own.

Yes, the male servant stepped up. While he is diligent he does not seem to be as worried about my emotional well being as the female servant.

Yes she returned and has been making sure that I have the optimal blanket for the temperature and has brushed me numerous times.

But still. She left. Making up for it after does not count.

I could (possibly) have forgiven that (but never forget, I am a mare after all) but then I am sure she is responsible for the latest outrage.

Irish has free access to hay in his stall. I have to pick mine from this thing called a 'slow feed hay net'. It is a frustrating device that limits the speed at which I can consume my hay. It is not fair.

I am a clever mare though and have learned how to eat from it very efficiently. It seems too efficiently. Because last night I came into the stall to find this:

Look at those holes! They are tiny. A gerbil couldn't get anything from this monstrosity.

I tried to tell her how upset this has made me:

She just gave me a pat and said 'don't worry honey, it will be better because it will make the hay last longer overnight.'

Can you believe it?! I told her that what would make the hay last longer is MORE HAY but she didn't seem to understand that. She did throw a half a flake in my stall to keep the hunger pains at bay but still. 

If you think I'm exaggerating look at this:

How on earth am I supposed to get sustenance from this? (Irish stop snickering!)

The hypocrisy is unbelievable. She recently posted on FB that she was out to dinner:

do you see this covered with mesh? No, you do not. 

I didn't want it to come to this. I really didn't. But I have spent enough time trying to teach her and 'rewarding the try'. At some point you have to say enough is enough.

I spent a hungry night composing the sales ad. Tell me what you think:

Experienced Servant for sale:

Average height, mature, female servant for your consideration. Understands basic horse care including grooming, keep regular feed schedule and turn out. Not stingy with treats. Worries a fair amount about a horse's weight and manipulates feeding to compensate. Sometimes has ideas above her station and wants to ride and even show. However, with patience these things could probably be trained out of her. 

Requires an experienced horse, beginners need not apply. 

Good home preferred. 

Once I have found a home for her I will post an ad looking for her replacement. If you think you can fill her position send along a resume (attached to carrots) and I will review and, possibly, set up an interview. 

Sincerely

Princess Charlante of Oakfield Farm

________________________

Who does she think she's kidding?

 Honey, neither one of us are going anywhere. You will be fine and it will feel better to not start the season off over weight. Plus I noticed that all the hay was gone from the net this morning so you clearly figured it out. 

I may have to, though, start putting a net over my food..... I will take that under advisement. 

Your Servant

Teresa.....

How to Hike to an Ice Cave

I had many memorable experiences on my vacation but this is one for the books (some things may be exaggerated for dramatic effect. But not by much).

It starts with my best friend suggesting we go on a hike to see an ice cave (actually it’s a tunnel through a glacier but everyone calls it a cave). I agree because, well ‘do all the things’ is kinda my life motto.

Look up hike online, realize that you haven’t really hiked in a long time and you are 54.  Have  doubts as to the wisdom of this.

Suppress doubts.

Drive to small Yukon community with friend and another friend. The clouds are low and there is a light snow falling. On the way see wild elk and horses.

Drive by entry point and turn back. Entry point is a highway km marker and some orange tape tied to trees.

Bundle up in preparation. Be really glad you went to bathroom at gas station right before.

Walk through trees and then up a frozen steam bed feeling confident.  The snow is granular and it’s like walking in sand and your right knee is complaining. Shush knee and keep going. The world is gray all around you and visibility is limited.

Friend of friend points to hazy mountain in the far  distance and declares ‘the ice bridge is in a pass through there’.

can you see that mountain? I had to squint

Decide she must be joking and keep going.

Realize she’s not joking. And the mountain is looking just as far away as it did 20 minutes ago. At some point knee stopped bitching and has subisded into sullen silence. Decide it’s because you worked through the stiffness and not any other reason.

Mountain still far away.

Get overheated and stop to strip off layers. -13 has never felt so warm.  Pack is now heavier but the
coolness is refreshing.

Briefly wonder if this is the leading cause of death for menopausal women in the North.

Mountain is closer but incline is steeper.  Friend of friend (who's 20 years younger) assures you that it’s not far now. Look at her map on phone and feel like she’s overly optimistic or lying to keep you motivated. Decide that it's probably both.

it's in the cleft in the middle (sort of. I think)

Rest breaks are becoming more frequent. Contemplate quitting. Decide you can see cave in distance. Keep going.

The last km to cave is steep and the terrain is harder. Even more breaks. Body is telling you that it hates you and will never forgive this outrage.

Cave seems to be on wheels as it never gets any closer. Begin to feel like Sam accompanying Frodo to Mount Doom. Feel grateful that at least there won't be any giant spiders. Shit, did something just move?  Realize that it's highly unlikely to be giant spiders or bears. Probably.

Decide you are going to cave so that you can tell it to go to hell. Wonder if you are overreacting.  Decide you don’t fucking care.

at last- I can see it but that last uphill was so painful

Make it to cave. Take deep breaths while it dawns on you on majestic this is. You have hiked to a glacier.

Explore cave and take lots of photos. Rest for about 20 minutes while you chew on a frozen granola bar. Wish you had a dog sled to go back.

the floor was littered with ice that has fallen from the ceiling.
It was too treacherous to walk on 

I loved striations

I'm standing in the entrance and took this photo of Cynthia for scale,
otherwise it can seem smaller than it really was. 

Start the trek back. Realize how much easier it is  to go downhill. Relatively.

 Resolve to increase fitness when you go home.

On the trek down grayness clears revealing that you are surrounded by the most spectacular mountains. Breathe in the fresh, clean air and listen the silence. Stop to take many photos. Also put layers back on because -13 now feels cold.

the light in the Yukon is just magical

walking away, the mountain seems majestic. Not daunting

Keep walking wondering if you can find the orange markers to get back to car. Point out a tree that you saw on the way back.
Me: We're almost there. I remember that tree!'
Friend looks at all the trees surrounding us and then at you with a worried expression.
Assure her that you are okay.

See a snowmobile pull out from woods and wonder if they would pick up a hitchhiker. Best friend says 'I really hope they pulled out on the trail that takes us back to the car'.

Finally you see it. Fall into car and drive back to town. Go to local restaurant (only one open) and order large hamburger and fries. Devour meal with all the grace of a starving hyena.

Marvel at the scenery on the drive home. There are mountains in every direction as far as the eye can see. Doze off at some point. Fitbit cheerily chirps at you to ‘go for a stroll’. Tell it to fuck off.

Everything hurts. Back home pour glass of wine and have  hot bath.

Hike to cave: 2.5 hours. Hike back 1.5.

No regrets.

A Week of New Things

I am back from a truly wonderful vacation. I spent the time with Cynthia having a blast and having all sorts of new experiences.

If you don't mind I'll share these with you along with some photos.

So sorry that there's no horse related material.

#1. Experience -37 delicious. 

The first day there was bitterly cold and I can honestly say that I have never been out in such cold. Despite that we bundled up and went to watch the start of the Yukon Quest Dog Race. The teams race for 1,000 miles. I can't even imagine doing such a thing.

Cynthia and Renata putting a brave face on the cold

the dogs were flying

I was okay for a bit and then all of my exposed skin was feeling like it was being peeled off. We fled to the car and home. We then headed out for brunch and then drove down the highway to catch some more dog teams. 

Fortunately, the rest of the week was much warmer: -12 to -20 most days. 

#2. Trying New Foods:

I tried a bison burger and it was delicious. Like amazing delicious. Like the best burger I have had in a long time. And I am fussy about my meat. I rarely like game (absolutely loathe deer). 

I also tried Elk sausage which was made at a local deli and was really good as well. I did not have one bad meal on my whole trip. 

I also highly recommend that potato & bacon soup

#3.  Blowing Glass:

Cynthia took me to Lumel Studios to see their artwork. It is a funky little place in downtown Whitehorse. Turns out that they do workshops. So I found myself signing up for an hour to make some items. It was so much fun. I could see myself getting into this quite easily (like I need another expensive hobby). 

Cynthia had this gift waiting for me- a white horse from Whitehorse.
It's a example of their beautiful art work

I made three things: a hanging ball, paperweight and a wine glass (it has a thumb holder)

#4. Curling

Curling is not a new thing. I have been doing it for years (you know- the sport on ice with brooms and rocks). In fact I got Cynthia and Andrew into it a few years ago. They joined the Whitehorse Curling Club and needed a spare the week I was there. It was a lot of fun- the club is lovely and the people are fun. 

But what was more exciting was that we scored 8 points in one end. This is a big deal in curling. It means that all of the rocks from our team scored in that end. Think of it like a hole in 1 in golf (only more rare) or getting a dressage score in the 90's. A curler can go their whole life and not score 8 points in one end. 

 I stole this picture from the FB page for the club. 

We had our picture taken and the details are submitted to Curling Canada for awards. It was all very exciting. 

#5. Hike to a Glacier

I have a whole blog post about this hike but it was stunning. And hard. Really hard. 

But beautiful. 

#6. Dog Sledding! 

I honestly never thought that I would ever do this. We went to Alayuk to do a 2 hour dog sledding through some beautiful scenery. When we arrived they supplied us with the winter clothes to be safe. My driver was this young and very handsome frenchman. 

When he said " come to the back room and I will get you the clothes you need' I looked at him and said 'Sure you can dress me'. Proving, once again, that I can be really awkward even at my, ahem, mature age. 

The dogs were beautiful and well trained. Two of the dogs in my sled were going to the Iditarod dog race. 

ready to go

The patriarch, named Willow. I loved him- he had such presence

at break time some dogs were impatient

while others relaxed and enjoyed some attention

I got to actually drive these beautiful creatures. That was quite the experience. 

I actually took this while being a passenger. 

 It would be fun to try with Guinness but we simply don't get enough snow. 

#7. Hot Springs

No photos but hot springs are wonderful things. It's amazing how mellow you feel after soaking in these. It took all the pain out of sore muscles (that come from trying these things). 

#8. Northern Lights

I did get to see the Northern Lights. Not the really fabulous ones but still it was cool. Trying to get photos was interesting (i.e, hard). 

There were other things I did (like the wildlife preserve, shopping, exploring).  I fell in love with Whitehorse. It was beautiful and everywhere you went there was something to do. Ed and I are going back in September and will be doing some new things (like paddling the yukon river). 

Honestly, if you have a chance, go. You will not regret it. 

I know I'm glad that I went.

Get Away

2019 did not have the best start for me. I am, though, an intrinsically optimistic person and believe that the start does not have to set the tone for the remainder.

Spring will come and the weather will improve.

In the meantime we just have to keep going.  Not that we have a choice, right?

The choice comes from the ‘how’, not the ‘what’.

For me this includes having some fun along the way.

So I am off for a week of adventures.

Not somewhere warm. Nope, no sunny beaches for me.

Instead I am heading North. To Whitehorse to visit Cynthia.

It will be cold. But it will also be beautiful and very different.  I hope to experience all sorts of things that I wouldn’t be able to deal here.  Plus I will be spending time with my friend- laughing, talking and enjoying some wine.  If you follow me on Instagram you will likely see some photos.

I can’t wait.

See you in a week or so.

Bye babies. Make good choices