Hi! Come On In... The Barn Door's Always Open.

[~Sam~]

Happy June the 1st! Can you believe it's June already? Where does the time go?

I had thought to have some recent photos of my critters and myself to share with you today, but Kenny and I got busy over the Holiday weekend and then it rained. But I'll get a few new pics in here real soon.

Well... it's 7:30 AM. In about a half an hour I have to gather my buckets together and go out to feed and milk. The kids are weaned, I'm giving away a gallon or two of milk and spilling the rest... No, I don't cry over it... Today I'm going to try to make Kumiss! That's Milk Beer. Never had it, but I'm gonna try this out. Who knows, I might even like it and I might gain some much needed weight.

On my To-Do List today is:

*Chores

*Put Raven, my horse, out with Kaibab, our wethered buckling. I tried them together in the pasture on Saturday. Seemed to work out really well. Kenny was mowing the pasture while I took Raven across the stream and sat with back against a tree. I didn't sit there too long before the lightbulb went off in my brain... Put up the insullators for the goat wire! We had put up an electric fence, 3 wire, and before I could put Kai out by his little self I needed to put up a wire between the bottom and second strand so he couldn't get out. Kaibab is two months old today.

*Wrap the Goat Milk Fudge I've made, and mail the packages off.

*Pick up a House Sales Contract from Staples. We're buying the little house across the stream. It's a cute little place... I'll put some pics in when I get around to it. We want to keep the magic intact here in this valley. And the place was part of the original deed, so we're just making it a part again.

*Bath Annie, our dalmatian. Boy! does she stink! I had to close the door to her room (my study) last night because even she couldn't stand the way her beddie smells...

*That's all I can think of at the moment... I'll try to get back here sometime later.

You All have a Good One... Kay?

[~Sam~]

Hi Again! Got the chores done and went to the P.O. I put Kaibab out with Raven and was able to take some pics to share...

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/638Forum_14-_House_from_Barn_Door.jpg
Our Home from the Barn Door

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/638Forum_17-_Joline.jpg
Joline

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/638Forum_16-_Ebony.jpg
Ebony

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/638Forum_17-_Rosemary.jpg
Rosemary

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/638Forum_18-Kai_on_Bridge.jpg
Kaibab on the Bridge

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/638Forum_20-Kai_Raven.jpg
Kai, Raven and my feetsies

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/638Forum_23-Cross_to_the_Otherside.jpg
Crossing the Bridge, Together

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/638Forum_24-We_Have_Success.jpg
We do have Success... I'm on the otherside of the wire-that-bites

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/638Forum_25-Come_On_Girls.jpg
Come On Mom!

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/638Forum_15-_Ken_at_Campfire.jpg
Gonna Hang Around the Campfire and put a ... Well... you know what. Sunday Nite 5/30/04

http://www.hipgallery.com/photopost2/data/500/638Forum_26-Reflections_of_Me.jpg
Reflections of Me in my GMC... since no one was here to take a pic of me... I improvised


Holy Shit !!! Mucho Thunder...Gotta Go!

Back again @ 1:56 PM... I was able to get Raven and Kai into the barn before the skies let loose! Boy-O-Boy did it pour! Came down in buckets it did...

Sam

[angelgodiva]

Hiya, Sam, I just found out you had set up a forum. Nice pictures, lovely place you have.
I had quite a week, I went on a camping/fishing trip last weekend and was walking down a steep, grassy hillside wet with dew when I lost my balance and twisted my knee. Down I went with a sickening popping noise and much excruciating pain!
It took me about an hour to pull myself up the 12 feet or so I'd gone to get back up to the side of the road where I could be seen by traffic. By now it was around midnight and I unrolled my blanket and pulled it over me. I couldn't stop shaking and was in light shock.
Bob finally managed to flag a car down and the girl who was driving (we were on foot, we have no car or cell phone) called 911 for us.
I had my first ambulance ride at around 1am on Saturday and went to the ER.
I had xrays, which were negative, got a brace and a crutch and went to my Dr. on the following Monday.
I went to three other doctors after that. I couldn't get anyone to listen to me when I told them something was broken in my knee. Finally I went to my primary care doc, who just got back from vacation today. He ordered an MRI, which I will have on Thursday morning. He says many soft tissue injuries cannot be detected by an xray and an MRI is needed. I already know what it will show. I heard something break, and I felt it snap. Dr. V says he thinks I'll need surgery, so I will be crippled when I show up at HHB's at the end of the month, but mending.
God, this hurts like holy heck even with Percocet! Too bad I don't drink.
So, that was my week, but things are looking up now. At least something is being done about it!

[freesue]

;) Hi Sam,

I just found your forum. I haven't been around for awhile. Seems when I get the time, I'm just too damn tired, and when I'm not too tired, I'm too damn busy...."..and the world goes 'round and 'round and the painted ponies go up and down...."

Anyhow, now that I found ya....I'll be stoppin' in from time to time.

Nice pix btw.

Sue

[~Sam~]

Ride the Pony, Ride the Pony...

Girls, girls, Girls! What my gonna do with you?

Angel! Holy smokers Girl! What a way to spend a saturday nite!

I'm glad you're taking care of yourself by getting things done pronto like. Glad you have a good primary care guy too! The MRI sounds like just the thing.

And I'm so sorry that you've hurt yourself so badly. I'll be thinking about you today and will try to send some soothing energy your way... The goat milk fudge is on it's way, you should get it tomorrow. I forgot about the holiday weekend last week, then remembered and put the fudge in the refrigerator to stay cold. Didn't want it to melt in some hot P.O. building over the long weekend.

Gee... I'd like to meet up with you guys over the 4th. I read dilligaf's thread in old hippies. It made me smile and wish that I had a horse trailer so that I could load up my herd and bring em with... I'll be there in spirit with all you guys. That's the best that I can do ... Can you just see me unloading all these beasties down in GA? What a trip that would be.


Sue! So glad to hear from you! I've thought about posting in your forum for months, but like you I've been tired and busy. The kids are just weaned and my work load has more than halved... So... here I am again with a few minutes to talk with good friends.

I had some good fun yesterday both in taking the pics and spending the time with the girls and boys.

Glad you'll be coming back too. I've missed ya.

Love You Both,

Sam

[Sus]

Hi SAm!


I just found you too...want to say hi, even though I don't have much time to post today...I'm doing the library computer thing, and only have an hour a day (home computer broke)

Nice place you have here...I'll be back!

Sus

[~Sam~]

Hey Sus !!! Really good to hear from you. It's cool to be away from the keyboard for long stretches of time. I'm always surprised at the amount of stuff I get done when I'm outside this room.

Get back as you can... It's always a pleasure to talk with you.

Love, Sam

[retrofishie]

Hi Sam!!!
I just found your forum and i love it.
i grew up on a farm, then moved out on my own into the city.
i'd love to buy a farm again someday and be as self-sufficient as possible.
have a great day.

[~Sam~]

Hey Retro!

Glad you made down the last couple miles of bumpy road... Welcome!

Sounds like you have a plan. I got back to the farm in my 20's, I hope you make it back too. It's a good life.

Talk with you soon!

Sam

[rubymontana]

I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy your forum...it is like being in the same room with you, the way you post is so real. Anyhows I like it here and seem to always come here first thing when I log on....keep on sister! Peace, Ruby

[~Sam~]

Gee! Thanks Ruby! You know... I keep all of you guys with me, here on the farm, when I log out. I'll be writing about a few more of my animal encounters this week... and I AM glad that some of you like to read them.

I spent a lot of time looking for a Standard Donkey today. One who's old enough to teach my young horse some of the ropes while keeping each other company as Pasture Buddies.

I'm finding out quite a lot about myself as I work with Raven. I don't really know what I'm doing... but then again, neither does he. So we're learning together about the possible relationships between horses and humans.

Just bought myself a book called; The Tao of Horses, or The Way of the Horse. Should be a good read because I'm truly not into dominating him. I'd like to be a friend and someone that he can depend on that's for sure. Only time will tell.

I changed the splint on Kai's leg this afternoon. I have to tell you that I Was worried about swelling and circulation... but his hoof was nice and warm and normal color. Put a little more padding between his leg and the splint, and made it so he can use his hock joint. Again... time will tell if I done good.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sam

[rubymontana]

Yep, I really know what you mean about learning together...with Raven, I had a horse about 12 years ago. A magnificent beast he was! He was about as close to a human being as you could get without being actually human, but then again, he was humaner than some who called themselves humans. God I miss him. Had to sell him because we moved to the city to make a living. I still have his picture on my dresser. Young boy of the saddlebred persuasion, very tall, high spirits? Hell Yea! And quite forgiving of my ignorance. Now I have a boy of the Great Dane persuasion....still quite tall and very much horse-like....I can see now that I have a pattern. It is good to read your posts....Ruby

[~Sam~]

You must be a tall woman too, Ruby. I like Saddlebreds, they have a really nice way about them. And Great Danes too! We had one we called Biscuit. I miss her, and it's been close to 20 years since she passed.

Raven is a Rocky Mountain Horse. He's gaited, and I hope to ride him someday. Geez... that sounds like a song.

That book is called the Tao of Equus... I'll share some of the insights with you when I read through. But right now, I really do have to drag myself away from this screen, make up my buckets, put my feet on and get out there.

I'll talk to you later, Kay? Until then....

Love,
Sam

[rubymontana]

I am in reality 5'2"....I must have this complex...not sure what, but I really never thought about this until you said that I must be tall. Now I will have something to chew on all day. I will let you know if I figure it out! Ruby

[~Sam~]

Oops! Sorry about that Ruby. I think it's my inclination that made me say you're tall. When I started looking for a horse one of the criteria was that he be 15.3 or taller. That's cause I have really long legs in proportion to my torso, so I don't want my feet hanging on the ground. Raven is 15.3 hands and still growing... that's a tall horse. For those who don't know; a hand, used to measure a horse from the ground to the highest point on their withers, is 4 inches. So 15.3 hands would be 63 inches.

I'm 5'9" now. Used to be taller but age and gravity take their toll on a body, lol.

Take Care Now,
Sam

[themnax]

never lived on a farm myself. grew up in the woods along the railroad in the mountains my dad worked for instead of any kind of a city though. did set onions, gathered filberts, and packed strawberries. didn't care much for the onions and filberts farm labour but didn't mind the packing shed cause they had to keep it cool in there. had a girl friend once who loved horses and had a couple. always thought they were kind of over rated, horses that is. always loved most critters, and very few have ever not loved me once they got a chance to know me.

[~Sam~]

Animals know what's in a person's heart, themnax. They really do. And I'm glad you saw your honest heart returned to you in the love in a critter's eyes. It's just about the best thing in the world.

Sam

"Enlightenment is not a matter of imagining figures of light,
But of making the darkness conscious."

~ C. G. Jung

[teepi]

Hi Ya Sam,

Wow I've been slowly branching out from"old Hippies", and I'ts a whole 'nother world out here.

Finally went to the kitchen table, and then saw you on the couch, and now I'm here.

Yes deary, I am typing larger than usual....aaarrggghhh!!!!
I have these new glass things I have to wear in front of my eyeballs.
B-day next week...time I guess for the world to start gettin' a bit blurry...gee probably some GOOD and bad points in that. Maybe this is better...yes less intrusive, sorry gotta feel this out.

Your place has a very peacefull vibe from what I can see and feel from you.
Thats what Larry and I looked for, and we love living out in the woods.
I too have a horsey story...

When I was 10 I lived in a foster home in Chesapeake Va.
We lived out in the country and had a Shetland pony"little Champ", he just plain did not like us to ride him which made us even more determined, "us" being me, my foster brother George, and his sister Kim.
We would get on bare back and hold on to his mane and if there was any kind of mud puddle around he would promptly go to it lay down and roll over on his side...

If there were no mud puddles he would start running at high speed...then...STOP Dead..and usually you would go flying.
One day Kim was trying to ride him and he took off for his shed, she ,being only 8 forgot that the top of his shed door was low..forgot to duck...SPLAT!! Broken nose.
They got rid of him soon after.

Also I refused to feed him as the little shit would get a raging hard one when I went out there alone and it would scare the hell out of me....lol

Thanks for sharing your place with us,
teepi

[>>>--------]

The land and your friends are beautiful sam.

Reeferman - Sandy

[~Sam~]

Teepi! Geeze, I'm glad you found the personal forums. Sometimes, they're a respite from the confusion of the open forums, even though I like that confusion most times. I never would have been able to find the peace that our place offers if I hadn't of let the dying Sam die, and who I've morphed into come to life. I appreciate your being flexible enough to make the journey with me...

That was a terrific story about Champ... little bugger wasn't he? Ponies and horses get that way when they don't have an elected leader to choose and follow. As I've been finding out with Raven....

I know what you mean about the glasses! Sometimes I forget mine out in the barn and when I come in here to type, I have to write in larger print so's I can read what I wrote... Ahhhhhhh... the foibles of growing older, eh?


Reeferman!!! Holy Smokers Man... Am I glad to hear from you! I've been wondering what became of you with the changes in the forum. I have liked your arrow since I first saw it... Now I know why... it were You! So. How're things by you these days? Seems as though you've been through a lot of changes yourself, a long way from the first trip isn't it?

Good to hear from you both!

Sam

[>>>--------]

Hey Sam, things are good by me. Yes things have changed a whole lot since my first trip! right now im in hong kong with my partner, and were heading off to India in a couple of weeks, weve got 3 month visa's then were going to Italy to check out this place : www.damanhur.org (http://www.damanhur.org/) Ive got family over in italy and slovenia.

I dont know if you remeber Sam but i had good friend named Phoenix who was a black labrador. Well i had to make a tuff choice, i had to find him a new home as i was going to live and travel overseas with my partner. But thats the way it was supposed to work out i suppose. i miss the bugger alot.

Ive always liked you Sam, somthing about ya i just cant put my finger on!

I really do like your land and your place. There is something about the American Wilderness and the country side there which really attracts me. I plan to find myself in the states at some time, dont know when though.

Anyways ill catch ya round Sam.

[~Sam~]

Wow! Hong Kong! I guess things Have changed for you, and for the better too.

Yes, I remember Phoenix. You were looking for a way to feed him a vegetarian diet. I'm sorry that you had to give him up. But when you have to grow and find adventure, that's a small price to pay. And like you said, it was sort of supposed to happen. A lot of folks get trapped by what I call Anthropopathism... they give their animals, in their own minds, the needs and wants of humans and become tied down because of their own needs and wants. I like to use mine for a good excuse once in a while... but there is always someone willing to take care of these guys should I want to take a vacation for a couple of weeks.

You take care out there on the road of life, Reeferman. And if you ever find yourself in Southern Central, PA... why you give me a call and Ken and I will come and get you and bring you here for a goodly visit.

Enjoy Italy... Enjoy your Life, Man... I'll be thinking of you.