We are ready for Spring!!!

Looks like it is going to be another long drawn out wet spring... I know after a long grey and wet winter the northwest is anxious to start seeing some less cloudy skies and some warmer temperatures. This year the sun is even slower in arriving! At least I can say it has been warmer and grey and rainy. The days are getting longer and the spring bloomers are still blooming. It is nice to see the splashes of color on the cherry trees to break up the grey of the skies.

A winter get away

I needed to get out so I made plans to go camping. Russ had mentioned wanting to try camping in a Yurt. So we found a pet friendly camp grounds that had yurt rentals. I booked a few days over the weekend and started making plans. I thought for sure late Feb would yield at least some slightly warmer temps especially since were going south into Oregon. Well Somehow I missed the fact we were also going somewhat east and up in elevation.

We packed warm things and planned for the cold weather but not snow! We pulled up to our yurt in a quiet setting in the cold, damp late afternoon.

We got unpacked and settled and went out for a walk.. just in time for the

wet air to turn over to snow!! It was beautiful but cold! We noticed the paintball field across the road from our campsite but it looked shut down for the season. We got back to the yurt and got a fire started in the stove and made sure we had plenty of dry wood on stand by to keep it warm through the night.

The doggies were cold too. Everyone wanted to sleep as close together as possible! It was not easy getting out of bed to stock the stove to keep the fire going through the night...

The snow stopped falling through

the night and the temperatures must have staved hovering just above freezing. The next morning brought clear skies and by afternoon the snow was melted around camp.

We took a drive to state land further down the road for some hiking. The further we went, the more snow had fallen but not yet melted. Max and Phoenix enjoyed the snow! Russ enjoyed monitoring the temperatures.

We got back to the yurt to find the nice quietpaintball field in full swing with several teams stalking each other trying to get to the goal post without getting splatted with paint. Russ and I were able to safely observe the activity on the other side of the screens. It was fun tow watch the families strategize how to get around their brothers/Dads/ Sisters on the opposing team. It was clear they were having fun. I was happy to be on the other side of the screen and not a part of that game. By late afternoon, the field had quieted down again and all was peaceful at camp again. Russ and I ate dinner and enjoyed a quiet clear night and bundled up knowing the temperatures were going to be colder that night. We kept the fire going and managed to stay a little warmer through the night. We woke up early, packed up and headed home. It was a fun winter adventure with some real winter weather thrown in. We were tired but had a great time!

A Need

When I was visiting out at the farm in late January, to get some horse connection,
I noticed the horse trailer parked down by the barn. When I saw Lester, he asked if I had taken a look in it. With his question, I figured they had picked up a new cow or something. I peaked in the trailer on my way out and was greeted by a soft little white nose, a gentle sniff and a bright white face. There was a young colt in the trailer! I felt the spark as soon as he touched my hand. This little guy had a need as badly as I did.

Lester said he needed a place to go and he figured he had the space and knew someone who might be willing to work with him. Later, he said, he's your's if it seems right.

I have been working with the little fella, teaching him about standing still, wearing a halter and being led. He came with the name of Two Feathers, I was calling him Charlie but I think his name is settled on Flash.

Warren's spirit

Warren lived on a friend's farm with a herd of cattle and several draft horses and a couple ponies. He was very happy to have 40 acres to romp on. I still frequent the farm to get my horse fix and visit with my friends. We took the old draft and one of the ponies for a ride in the back field the other day. I saw Warren's hoof prints in an area we had ridden the week before. Part of me wanted to preserve that place and never let those tracks be disturbed. Then I realized that I am clinging to everything physical I have of Warren, knowing that this is is all there will be. The physical does not matter. It is Warren's huge heart and spirit that I truly connected with and spirit is eternal. His body could not sustain him any longer and it was time for him to let it go. Warren's spirit lives on everywhere. I can feel him in the field, hanging out in the trees.. watching me wander all over the field. He is with me.

Warren

You know me and therefore you know the big blonde Belgian draft horse, Warren.

I have been staring at the screen trying to find the right words. Warren had a very sudden and severe colic Sunday afternoon. We took him to Oregon State University veterinary hospital and he went in for surgery. There were no twists, but a great deal of gas in his colon. We still don't know what caused it or why. His 24 hours of post op were very slow for recovery. Tuesday night was promising; he was looking and feeling better. While we were visiting, his heart rate came down and he was more like his normal curious and social self. Wednesday morning he hit a wall. On our Wednesday evening visit he let us know it was time to say good bye.

Warren, the giver, prankster and strong, gentle soul.

12 and a half years he has been a wonderful part of my life.

I am sad; I will miss his physical presence, our rides through the woods, his mighty shoulder, his big, warm eyes, his "talkative" lip. His spirit will always surround me and all the other lives that he has touched in his 14 years.

I share this with you because directly or indirectly he has touched all of your lives.

Warren, you have given so much. You are a tremendous horse with an amazing spirit and so much loved. I am thankful for every moment we shared together. Your physical presence will be missed, my dear friend, but your spirit remains with me always.

Out in the woods

Did I mention that I love my job!? Today I went out to the remote town of Packwood to review some practices done on forestland. Today's task was to verify that the 10 year old, densely planted timber stand had been pre commercially thinned down to the target density. The trees were packed in at over 1000 trees per acre and after thinning, the stand was at 375 trees per acre. That means there were lots of little trees cut down so the remaini trees could have light and space to grow healthier and taller. My co-worker and I hngiked around over slash from the thinning and counted trees in 1/50th acre plots we averaged out plot data and determined the stand density for the property. This is only a small piece of the many unique requirements of my job, but I really enjoy it.

Good bye 2010; hello 2011!!

The last few days of December always generate a time of reflection and a sense of hope and anticipation for the new year. What will 2011 hold??
Only time will tell but I am looking forward to it!