Are YOU a horse person???

You know you're a horse person when:

These will make you chuckle, I have added a few of my own!

...When taking a turn in your car do you sit up straight and give it the support that it needs without leaning into the turn?

This one is mine--I do this so much my VW bug probably thinks she is a horse!!

....Someone says, "Does anyone have a screwdriver?" You hand them a hoofpick.

....You poke your kids or your honey in the ribs, saying, "Over", in the kitchen.

.....You yell at the kids and the horse's name pops out.

....Your tax refund is targetted to horse saddles, tack, etc, not the family vacation.

....You kiss your horse more than your significant other, and enjoy it more...

....Most of your social life is with other horse folks.....

......You have a terrible fall off your horse, and your only concern is if your horse is okay. And when you end up at the hospital, you have a broken bone....TRUST me, I know!

.....You buy a watermelon and go and share the WHOLE thing with your horse.

....Sleeping in on your days off is not even important....LONG since faded from memory...

.....You go on a diet , not to be more attractive, but to be a better rider.

....Your first sign of spring isn't seeing a robin, but seeing a fly!

....You see a human hair in your food and it makes you gag, but horse hair goes down fine....

.....The trunk of your car is the auxillary tack box, never mind the hay and mud all over the floor...

.....You save every horse magazine you have ever bought....

....You count how many strides you take b/t cracks in the sidewalk, the shadows of trees, etc. You count strides to the beat of the music in your car and pretend that the telephone poles are the jumps....OH I DO THIS ALL THE TIME....Am i losing it?

A Little Perspective

A Little Perspective

Let me teach you.

When you are tense, let me teach you to relax.

When you are short tempered, let me teach you to be patient.

When you are short sighted, let me teach you to see.

When you are quick to react, let me teach you to be thoughtful.

When you are angry, let me teach you to be serene.

When you feel superior, let me teach you to be respectful.

When you are self-absorbed, let me teach you to think of greater things.

When you are arrogant, let me teach you humility.

When you are lonely, let me be your companion.

When you are tired, let me carry the load.

When you need to learn, let me teach you.

After all, I am your horse.

Willis Lamm 1997

Texas Views

View at the entrance of Triple H Equitherapy where I volunteer.



Linda & Red in the dried up creek bed on a Wed. ride at Triple H; still working on the scavenger hunt trails....

I call it boulder valley...
Can you see why I want boots for horseface now?



Yertle the Turtle. Rescued by myself last week from being run over by Linda's truck with horse trailer attached. We were on our way to ride in Bandera State Park and he was in the middle of the road. I got her to stop directly over him by SCREAMING, "TURTLE!!!" Hence, he was rescued from a flattening death.


And now, I present you with the SCARIEST Texas view there is. My son's bathtub that I found on Sunday after he had taken a "shower." How did he fit? Why is the shower caddy included in the playthings (carnage)? These are questions I will never get answers to. We will be modifying the amount of toys allowed in the shower, I assure you. This is by far one of the scarier Texas views I have personally witnessed.

How We Almost Lost Piper

Piper P. McPiperson

On the 2nd of December, on the coldest night of the year, some of the neighbor kids brought me a lost kitty. From my best guess he was about four months old. I probably would have sent him on his way while trying to justify in my mind that he lived around the corner, BUT when he was placed in my arms for the first time he went TOTALLY limp and started purring LOUDLY. After all, I already had two cats, and I was pretty sure what this would mean. Three cats, and that beloved LITTER BOX....ugh. But, did I mention it was the coldest night of the year?

I gave him the name Piper because, let me tell you, this cat has some pipes on him, and LOVES to snuggle and purr. I have never had such a snuggly lovey-dovey kitty. I have fallen asleep with him in my arms like a baby and he just snuggles in and purrs. The more snuggling the happier he is. We have a ledge in our hallway at waist level that he likes to sit on. When you walk by he reaches out and taps you with a paw as if to say, "HELLO, I'm here...pay attention!" In fact, as I write this he is asleep on my lap--purring. A hard fit nowadays, but he manages. Needless to say, Piper settled into our household perfectly.

Two weeks ago, I took him to get neutered. He had NEVER exhibited tom cat traits such as extreme disappearances, spraying, or aggressiveness towards my two girl cats. Also, his little ball sac stayed flat, leading me to the thought that maybe he had cryptochordism (where the testes stay up in the abdomen and don't drop) and a fleeting thought that perhaps he was already neutered. I quickly discounted the latter; no one ever answered our LOST KITTY signs, and the rate of cats and kittens being dumped in this town is HUGE and made the second option HIGHLY unlikely.

So, at the clinic after waiting for an hour, we finally checked in and I expressed my cryptochordism fear to the tech. She looked at his little sac and agreed with me and said she'd have the vet check it out. I went out to the waiting room and waited to pay. Five minutes later, the tech was back with Piper in tow. The news: not only was he neutered, he was ALSO micro-chipped. She handed me the phone number and ID code to call the micro chipping company so that he could be reunited with his original owner. I paid for the shots they had given and went to my car. I quickly dialed the number for the microchip company. It never crossed my mind not to. What if I had lost my pet? What would I do if one of my beloved animals were gone and no one called me?

The company told me that his "name" is (was) Indiana and that the previous owners had never reported him missing. The company rep. tried to call the owner but got voice mail. I gave permission to leave my number for the PO (previous owner). Five minutes later, PO called. I spoke with her and she could not believe that he had been found. I asked her where she lived and found out that it was OVER three miles away with a BUSY four lane highway in-between. When I asked her if she wanted him back she said yes. I also told her that he now weighs 12 lbs. and was not the tiny cat that she had lost. She seemed surprised at how BIG he had gotten. By this time I had had the cat longer than she had! I told her that I would be happy to come drop him off that evening after she got off work. It was only after I hung up that I burst into tears.

Informing my son when he got off school that day did not go well. He was at his dad's that day as I had a wedding shower to attend that evening, but I told him that I would bring Piper by his dad's to say goodbye if he wanted me to; that it was up to him. He said no, he wouldn't be able to bear it. 1/2 hour later he called back and said that he did want to see our boy before he left. I was terribly sad and crying at this point too. This is a one-of-a-kind cat and we love him, AND he is my son's special kitty.

I had told the PO that I would call her at 5pm to get her address and agree on a time to drop off the cat. When I called she wanted me to meet her in the parking lot at her kid's daycare. As I was trying to get ready for a wedding shower and fit in my son's goodbye visit, I told her going to that FAR location to meet made no sense, I would bring him to her house which is closer. She proceeded to give me directions to her street, but would not give me the exact address saying that her house was really hard to find. She said to call when I got there and she would meet me in the street! (Which is a lie. I drove to her street and down it, and each house is clearly marked.) This just struck me as WRONG (and I got one of my feelings--which are usually right when it comes to people) and I, not knowing how to react, said, "OOOKKKKKK," very reluctantly and I'm sure it was apparent that I was put off. There went my dreams of being able to visit our Piper periodically and make sure he was OK!

I quickly called my friend, who I knew would have advice on WHAT TO DO as well as be objective and tell me if my feelings were truly valid. She would tell me if I was just being the broken-hearted gal who didn't want to give up her cat and was looking for any reason to keep him, or if this was a valid reaction. After all, why wouldn't PO give me her address? I called HER (PO) to return HER cat (that was never reported missing) and even offered to bring it to HER. Hardly the MO of someone wanting to scope out her house and steal things... Plus, I want to make sure he isn't going to a BAD home, after all, I have had him longer, and his welfare IS my concern. My friend told me I was never going to get all I had to get done AND make it to my friend's shower; I should call PO and tell her to contact me the next day to iron out the arrangements. So I did. PO agreed and we hung up. I then decided that if she wouldn't give me her address when she called the next day, I would ask for $100 to compensate for the food, monthly flea meds, and shots I had provided. I was initially not going to do that, but since I felt so uncomfortable, my experience tells me that if people are truly good pet owners they will put out $ for them.

But she still hasn't called back.

(OH, EXTREME JOY!!!!)

I am highly suspicious that he WAS dumped in our neighborhood, the distance he was away from her neighborhood to mine is SSOOO far for a kitten. Also, you can get your pet from the Humane Society already neutered, with shots, and a microchip for $60, so my initial thought that he came from a good home is totally in question.

She has one more week and then I can call the microchip company and fill out paperwork to have him put into my name! Piper, we almost LOST you and we love you SOOO much, I am glad God decided that you get to stay with us!

What do you all think? Would it have been the right thing to do to ask for $ if she wanted her cat back and wouldn't let me see the environment where he was going to live? What would you have done in this situation?

Miles and Piper P.

The babies of Spring are GROWING!!!

Below is a little view of some of the new things that have come with spring to my friend's ranch where I keep Jackson. I thought you might enjoy seeing some spring babes and new additions....

This is Gertie. She is pretty shy right now, but you can tell she wants to socialize so it won't be long! Miles wanted to name her Gertrude the Goat, but we settled on Gertie which is much more appropriate!

Miles and Queen of Sheba. Linda named her that because of her superior demeanor, she is a funny, friendly goat. Gertie and Sheba aren't babies, but they have only been at the ranch for a week, so they get to be in the post. Plus, they are just so darn cute! I love goats. We raised goats on our farm when I was a kid, and they are just silly, friendly, fun pets to have around. You get so attached to them. If you have only one horse they make the perfect companion animal. The horses really like them too!

Baby bunny tummy and feet. One day old.

Same bunny two weeks later.

Miles holding a baby. His eyes aren't open yet.

Brand spankin' new in their nestbox.

Same batch at two weeks. SO CUTE!!!!

Miles holding a chick at ~7 days of age. We bought 23 chicks of approx. 6 diffrent types. When I asked Miles what he would do with chicks he said, "I'll collect their eggs and groom them."

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME?"

This is a baby "Top Hat" chick. See his little mohawk growing?

This is him a few days ago at about 2 mos. of age. I named him Eric.

Eric is my friend who had a mohawk at our senior prom.

They grow SOOOO fast.

We even have one who has no feathers on his neck (forget what they're called).See him up in the left hand corner? Oh, and we have three Top Hat Eric's. But the biggest one is really the "real" Eric. In this pic they are about one and a half months old.

TRULY a mama's BOY! (birthday boy is in da' house!)

Jackson and I--This pic really captures his personality!!

Scamperin' behind his mama...

Jackson and his mommy...

He's been fast from day one!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms out there a day early! And if you aren't a mom you'd best get on the phone and say, "hello.." to your own, and for those of you who can't do that anymore, a heartfelt "hello" sent up to the heavens will make her happy. I guarantee it. We mom's don't expect a lot, really. We get too much in return every day of the year. My son came home yesterday from school with a BIG rolled up art surprise for my present this year. I love his homeade stuff the most, and I am quite sure the art work is worth it's weight in gold. Not to mention it's REALLY good.... I am a lucky girl when it comes to the mom side of things! Not just my son, but my beloved dog of 15 years, three cats (sometimes they don't count, it depends on the day...) and.... JACKSON!!!

And TODAY IS JACKSON'S BIRTHDAY!!! He was born on Mother's Day, 9 May 1999 at ~9pm at night. All those 9's must be lucky right? I just received a Happy Mother's Day/Happy Jackson's B-Day e-mail from his breeder when I woke up this morning. I quickly sent her some recent pics of Jacks and an update on us, she likes to keep track of the horses she's helped add to the world (sure sign of a good breeder!).... She is the one who provided me with all of his baby pictures and the one's of his daddy and brother too. She told me the story of when he was born, and without her, I would never have known that Jackson was born on Mother's Day. She said the whole family was away for the day and she was home alone when Jackie (Jacks mom) foaled at about 9pm at night on Mother's Day. She told me that because of that Jackson has a special place in her heart. Well, knowing my horse, I am SOOOO not surprised. ;) I have the birthdate on his paperwork, but it never would have occured to me to think of his being a Mother's Day baby! So that pretty much explains why I have such a mama's boy for a horse, dont'cha think?

Happy Mother's Day everyone---and Happy 10th Birthday Jacks..... MUAH!!!

Can anyone help me figure out horse boots???

I would like to purchase a pair of boots for Jackson. Not necessarily the ones above, but since we ride on VERY rocky terrain quite frequently and Jacks is barefoot, I think a pair would be a wise investment. Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about fitting them, pros and cons, and what brand people have had the best experiences with. Since this will probably be $150 investment, I want to make the right one! So have any of you had experience with fitting these, found a brand you swear by, etc? I'd hate to make the investment, (go out on a really long trail ride in a new park since we travel..) look down, and have a missing boot!!! Not sure the velcro up there on the boot I have pictured is all that reassuring! So, PLEASE send me your experiences and those of any folks you may know to help me in my quest!!!

3 Thangz....

I was tagged QUITE a while ago to do this---sorry, BUT I finally DID IT!

3 Things to Share

Three names I go by:

1. Mindy

2. Myn

3. Miranda

Three Jobs I have had in my life:

1. Registered Nurse (BSN, RN)

2. Direct care assistant to developmentally disabled individuals

3. Dive Boat Betty (when I lived in Key West)

Three Places I have lived:

1. San Antonio, Tx

2. Philadelphia PA

3. Key West FL

Three Favorite drinks:

1. Monster Energy Drink (way too often!)

2. Tito's Handmade Vodka from Austin, Tx or Stoli and with diet tonic and lime

3. Imported pale ales

Three TV Shows that I watch:

1. Dr. G

2. Lost

3. House

Three places I have been:

1. Yucatan, Mexico

2. Canada

3. Ireland

People that e-mail me regularly:

1. Leslie

2. Linda

3. My mom

Three of my favorite foods:

1. A nice filet from the grill

2. Gourmet pizza/lasagna

3. Milk chocolate anything

Three of my favorite books:

1. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

2. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

3. Centered Riding by Sally Swift

Three of my favorite articles of clothing:

1. My Ariat paddock riding boots

2. Comfy jeans for riding

3. Victoria's Secret Bras

Three things I always have to have with me:

1. Aveda Lip Tint

2. Wallet

3. BlackBerry

Three things that make me happy:

1. My Son

2. Les

3. My pets--my dog, my horse, and my 3 cats--oh! and the turtle!

Three things that frustrate me:

1. Closed Minds

2. My quick red-headed temper!

3. Poorly written stuff that is misspelled--spell check it if you don't know, or LOOK it up in a dictionary! DELETE THAT! Misspell everything if you want! #3. I am SOOO tired of freakin' horrid drivers that I want to become a cop so I can give out tickets to everyone!!!! I am tired of being killed almost daily in this town!!!! AGGGGGHHHHHH! You won't get past the red light ANY faster by doing 9o until you get to it folks!!!!

Three things I obsess over:

1. Becoming a better rider and training my horse

2. Money...:/

3. Being a good parent (put into #1 slot)

Three qualities in a boyfriend/girlfriend:

1. Funny!!

2. Puts up with me and my crap

3. There for me in the good and bad

Three qualities in a best friend

1. Funny!!!

2. Loyal--Fair weather friends just SUCK!!!!

3. Knows everything about me---LOVES me anyway..

Three things that have impacted me most:

1. My military experience (not in a good way, but maybe a necessary one...)

2. Having my son (#1 slot)

3. Buying a horse and finding the road back to sanity through him

Three people that have impacted me most:

1. Mom/Dad/family

2. Galfriends

3. Old/Close Friends - the long-lasting ones - you all know who you are.

Three things I am looking forward to:

1. Riding my horse all summer and getting into awesome shape again...

2. Spending time with my son and with Les

3. My volunteer work at Triple H Equitherapy

Now, here's what you're supposed to do...and please do not spoil the fun.Copy the note, delete my answers and type in your answers. I'm not tagging anyone--most folks have done something like this, BUT if anyone wants to do it, consider yourself TAGGED, I would love to read about YOU!