In searching through the web I came across some old Nebca newsletters. Old, I mean 1990's. In this read, I saw names that I see at all the trials. I see writings by my mentor and trainers that I 100% respect. And, then there's me. Wet behind the ears, know nothing me. I can't believe that I am even allowed to share the same ground as these people. I wonder- am I respectful enough? Am I too irreverent? What makes me think that I will ever rise to the caliber of these folks? Why do they spend time with me? Oh boy, are my eyes opened.
To all of you who are in that league- the folks who have truly walked the walk, and sit and listen to us blindly blah blahing what we really don't know diddly about, I apologise now, and I will simply watch and learn. And, please know, that there are those of us who wish we had 1/10 of the knowledge that you retain in the cuticle of your pinkie.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Miscellany
Last night I slept like a rock. I think it finally hit me how hard we worked on Sunday. I guess it's true- I am getting old. Joy.
I am not sure, but I think I got bitten by a spider on Sunday. There are two what look like fang marks on my lower leg. Not too itchy, but definitely inflamed. I never felt a thing- guess it could be those horrible gnats.
I don't know if the steers arrived yesterday. Shall have to call my brother today to find out. I don't know when I will get up there again- busy week at work.
I think this will be the week that I rip out the carpeting in my bedroom- if I can get one of my friends to help me. It is just too old and decrepit to keep around.
I am hoping to enter a trial, but money is so tight- I don't know if I can (and still afford to live for the next few weeks). The credit situation in this country is so bad- and we all are culpable. Stupid, but culpable. I have lots of bills to pay off and then, and only then will I feel like I can breathe.
It would be nice to have a looking glass to see just where you would be in 10 years. I hope that wherever I am, I am solvent and happy- and it doesn't matter one whit where I am, just that I am happy- not unlike I am now.
My yard is looking extra wonderful lately- with all the rain. The plants have taken off, and it's just great to come home to such nice landscaping.
I found out yesterday that I have almost $300.00 balance (credit) with my oil company- that is extremely great! I will keep that for oil for next year, and I may fill up now when the prices are low.
Danny is doing well. He is spending more time loose in the house, and getting more comfy with the rules. Lucy has decided she doesn't like him, so she is learning that life can stink, and if you touch him in a negative way, that your world will be rocked. Lucy is a spoiled little brat. Yep, I said it.
Danny was at work with me during a meeting the other day, and while in the office, he found tennis balls, three of them in fact. That kept him occupied for a long time- you know, keeping them all together, trying to figure out how to keep all of them in his mouth... He is a big hit with everyone. His tail looks to be one big time fluffy thing. He is growing slowly. He will be 5 months on the 11th, so soon he may get to start with sheep. Of course we will see how he does, and not rush him, but I think he is more than ready now!
Well, that's it for now.
I am not sure, but I think I got bitten by a spider on Sunday. There are two what look like fang marks on my lower leg. Not too itchy, but definitely inflamed. I never felt a thing- guess it could be those horrible gnats.
I don't know if the steers arrived yesterday. Shall have to call my brother today to find out. I don't know when I will get up there again- busy week at work.
I think this will be the week that I rip out the carpeting in my bedroom- if I can get one of my friends to help me. It is just too old and decrepit to keep around.
I am hoping to enter a trial, but money is so tight- I don't know if I can (and still afford to live for the next few weeks). The credit situation in this country is so bad- and we all are culpable. Stupid, but culpable. I have lots of bills to pay off and then, and only then will I feel like I can breathe.
It would be nice to have a looking glass to see just where you would be in 10 years. I hope that wherever I am, I am solvent and happy- and it doesn't matter one whit where I am, just that I am happy- not unlike I am now.
My yard is looking extra wonderful lately- with all the rain. The plants have taken off, and it's just great to come home to such nice landscaping.
I found out yesterday that I have almost $300.00 balance (credit) with my oil company- that is extremely great! I will keep that for oil for next year, and I may fill up now when the prices are low.
Danny is doing well. He is spending more time loose in the house, and getting more comfy with the rules. Lucy has decided she doesn't like him, so she is learning that life can stink, and if you touch him in a negative way, that your world will be rocked. Lucy is a spoiled little brat. Yep, I said it.
Danny was at work with me during a meeting the other day, and while in the office, he found tennis balls, three of them in fact. That kept him occupied for a long time- you know, keeping them all together, trying to figure out how to keep all of them in his mouth... He is a big hit with everyone. His tail looks to be one big time fluffy thing. He is growing slowly. He will be 5 months on the 11th, so soon he may get to start with sheep. Of course we will see how he does, and not rush him, but I think he is more than ready now!
Well, that's it for now.
Monday, May 4, 2009
On the horizon
Yesterday was a full 10 hours working on fence. We are done for now. I say for now, because if I plan to get sheep in that pasture, I need to get another wire strung that is 6" from the ground. Also, if I plan to lamb, the folks at Premier suggest a line of barbed wire at the base... I hate barbed wire, so I am not sold on that yet.
I have some pics, but will have to re size- too small. Anyway, all the 5 wires are up and set including an extra small section. We got one gate set. There are two more gates to set, and of course electrifying the whole thing.
There were some screw ups yesterday, which I can say honestly, were not my fault. Let's just say that when you are stringing wire, you really ought to string and staple, and not string a bunch, lest they get tangled. It is no fun fixing that morass.
The steers are supposed to come today, and I got a call this morning saying that the meat chicks he ordered are in. They will go in the cleaned out part of the barn (gross). I work with poultry, I KNOW the mess they make. Apparently, my brother is really trying to make a go of this- which I 100% support. We are talking about me moving onto the property. We shall see. I would like to, but I would prefer to live away from the main house. My dogs need room to run.
Anyway, it sure has been a lot of work (this fence), but it will have been WAY worth it, if we can get this once working farm back in fighting form.
Will get more pics, and of course, pics of the steers and the chicks.
I have some pics, but will have to re size- too small. Anyway, all the 5 wires are up and set including an extra small section. We got one gate set. There are two more gates to set, and of course electrifying the whole thing.
There were some screw ups yesterday, which I can say honestly, were not my fault. Let's just say that when you are stringing wire, you really ought to string and staple, and not string a bunch, lest they get tangled. It is no fun fixing that morass.
The steers are supposed to come today, and I got a call this morning saying that the meat chicks he ordered are in. They will go in the cleaned out part of the barn (gross). I work with poultry, I KNOW the mess they make. Apparently, my brother is really trying to make a go of this- which I 100% support. We are talking about me moving onto the property. We shall see. I would like to, but I would prefer to live away from the main house. My dogs need room to run.
Anyway, it sure has been a lot of work (this fence), but it will have been WAY worth it, if we can get this once working farm back in fighting form.
Will get more pics, and of course, pics of the steers and the chicks.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Pay it Forward
A few days ago in the local paper, there was a small piece about doing a good thing for someone. One of the suggestions was to pay for the person behind you at the toll booth. My brain is fried lately, so I was thinking that I would like to do that, but HOW on the thruway would you know what they owed?? Okay, will get back to that.
This last time I worked Lucy, I employed my calmness. Lucy is hyped enough for both of us. I sorted the sheep without problem. She stayed where I put her, and didn't push sheep over me. It was so nice. We drove and she was comfortable. I barely peeped a down on my whistle and she took it. Then, the best part. I sent her on a fetch. She came up beautifully, started them toward me, and then, in just the right place, downed on her own. Just calmly lay there waiting for the next command. It was truly a thing of beauty. If these sheep were no so fetchy, she would have had to stay on them, but they have become rather dogged at times.. It was so absolutely great. Even later, when she did get pushy, I stayed calm, and reminded her what she was doing. She was much more smooth, and so was I.
Okay, back to pay it forward. I was coming over the bridge, which is a $1.00 toll. I pulled up to pay the toll, and the guy said "The person before you paid for you". I had my $1.00 in my hand already- so I said "here, I'll pay for the person behind me". It really sort of made my day. People can be "good".
Later, in the grocery store, there were some folks at the produce section checking out the green bananas- they were lamenting how green they were. I happened to pick up the last ripish bunch- and the man was looking longingly at them. I said "you should go for the green, they ripen too fast". He said "I have six kids". I handed him the bananas. No big deal for me- but he was super thankful.
This last time I worked Lucy, I employed my calmness. Lucy is hyped enough for both of us. I sorted the sheep without problem. She stayed where I put her, and didn't push sheep over me. It was so nice. We drove and she was comfortable. I barely peeped a down on my whistle and she took it. Then, the best part. I sent her on a fetch. She came up beautifully, started them toward me, and then, in just the right place, downed on her own. Just calmly lay there waiting for the next command. It was truly a thing of beauty. If these sheep were no so fetchy, she would have had to stay on them, but they have become rather dogged at times.. It was so absolutely great. Even later, when she did get pushy, I stayed calm, and reminded her what she was doing. She was much more smooth, and so was I.
Okay, back to pay it forward. I was coming over the bridge, which is a $1.00 toll. I pulled up to pay the toll, and the guy said "The person before you paid for you". I had my $1.00 in my hand already- so I said "here, I'll pay for the person behind me". It really sort of made my day. People can be "good".
Later, in the grocery store, there were some folks at the produce section checking out the green bananas- they were lamenting how green they were. I happened to pick up the last ripish bunch- and the man was looking longingly at them. I said "you should go for the green, they ripen too fast". He said "I have six kids". I handed him the bananas. No big deal for me- but he was super thankful.
Almost there
Last night after work, I met my brother and we got three more strands pulled, and stapled. I figure it is about 1 hour per strand on this short end. My brother also had to cut down more dead trees/brush. The black flies were horrendous. Reminded me of New Hampshire last June.
We still have to put in the wooden fence near the barn, and gates, and electrify everything. Tomorrow will be a full day indeed.
Woke up this morning feeling SICK. Let the dogs out, fed them, and back into bed. Maybe just too much good old fashioned work and sun....
Well, that's it for now. We'll see what the weekend brings.
We still have to put in the wooden fence near the barn, and gates, and electrify everything. Tomorrow will be a full day indeed.
Woke up this morning feeling SICK. Let the dogs out, fed them, and back into bed. Maybe just too much good old fashioned work and sun....
Well, that's it for now. We'll see what the weekend brings.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Re-thinking...
Hi readers :) Thanks for bearing with me while I had a minnie woe is me moment.... You know, the thing about trialing, etc... Well, I suppose in our blogs, we have to let off a little steam. Carolyn, I read your blog and took heart- thanks buddy.
So, didn't do fence yesterday- but should have. It's fixing to rain all weekend... Worked sheep again. As I was sorting, Lucy was pushing sheep over me. I had had it with that. I could get hurt. So, I went out to her and basically chased her off the sheep. Then, I worked her. For whatever reason she listened VERY well. She was a bit hesitant on the drive, but that's because, I think, she was thinking.
Then, I had another epiphany. Lucy does most things at break neck speed. She can lie down on a dime when it suits her, turn to stop sheep when it suits her. Why can't she lie down like that when I ask? Answer? Because she doesn't want to. Later as I was working her, I was giving down commands and she was hitting the ground so fast- like a kid at the last seat in musical chairs. And, she didn't get up again. So, what I did then was to reward her by allowing her to walk up on the sheep, and push them off me. I made sure I didn't look at her, so that the pressure was instantly released. So, that's my plan. From now on, if I do not have a down on a dime, we are done- at a trial, I leave, and if we are working, then I calmly go up and correct her (by bringing her back to where I asked for it). I was just so mad yesterday, my friend could see that. He was duly impressed with her about face in listening. Why am I mad? Because this goll darn dog is a good sheep dog- and this is the one thing that just bungs every single thing up. Also, she gets nervous because I do, because I feel like she won't listen. My whole way of operating will change- I simply will not repeat a down, when I know she has heard it- I will follow up, that's it and say nothing.
Danny had fun playing with his puppy friend yesterday. He really needed that. At one point I had the sheep near the gate, and Danny came up very interested. The sheep and he were nose to nose- they just wanted out of the paddock, and Danny just wanted in ;) He seems to have no fear at this point. He is getting more antsy to work these guys- as is evidenced by his mouth.
I have a first communion this weekend, and then fencing, that's about it. Busy again, but HEY- I am losing weight with all this exercise, and life is meant to be lived when you're living!
So, didn't do fence yesterday- but should have. It's fixing to rain all weekend... Worked sheep again. As I was sorting, Lucy was pushing sheep over me. I had had it with that. I could get hurt. So, I went out to her and basically chased her off the sheep. Then, I worked her. For whatever reason she listened VERY well. She was a bit hesitant on the drive, but that's because, I think, she was thinking.
Then, I had another epiphany. Lucy does most things at break neck speed. She can lie down on a dime when it suits her, turn to stop sheep when it suits her. Why can't she lie down like that when I ask? Answer? Because she doesn't want to. Later as I was working her, I was giving down commands and she was hitting the ground so fast- like a kid at the last seat in musical chairs. And, she didn't get up again. So, what I did then was to reward her by allowing her to walk up on the sheep, and push them off me. I made sure I didn't look at her, so that the pressure was instantly released. So, that's my plan. From now on, if I do not have a down on a dime, we are done- at a trial, I leave, and if we are working, then I calmly go up and correct her (by bringing her back to where I asked for it). I was just so mad yesterday, my friend could see that. He was duly impressed with her about face in listening. Why am I mad? Because this goll darn dog is a good sheep dog- and this is the one thing that just bungs every single thing up. Also, she gets nervous because I do, because I feel like she won't listen. My whole way of operating will change- I simply will not repeat a down, when I know she has heard it- I will follow up, that's it and say nothing.
Danny had fun playing with his puppy friend yesterday. He really needed that. At one point I had the sheep near the gate, and Danny came up very interested. The sheep and he were nose to nose- they just wanted out of the paddock, and Danny just wanted in ;) He seems to have no fear at this point. He is getting more antsy to work these guys- as is evidenced by his mouth.
I have a first communion this weekend, and then fencing, that's about it. Busy again, but HEY- I am losing weight with all this exercise, and life is meant to be lived when you're living!
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