more riding

They are out there... probably in the back right corner. For some reason that is their hang out spot lately.

















And, we went for a ride. It really was great, again.


















Nothing particularly interesting aside from this bliss. I'm doing what most do: coordinating work, hay, bedding and dog barf, but it's more fun to think about the trail ride.

happiness is...

If we are friends and I don't get together with you, I hope you understand. It's because I like it here so much that I don't leave often. That and that I spend so much time with animals now that I swear like a trucker frequently, it's better than I stay away from others. The horses are in the top paddock today, soaking in the sun. They are very happy lately.

yackie mackie

Do dogs like bran mash?

yes and no.

yes they like to eat it.

no they do not like to digest it.

After feeding out a bran mash I let Mackie lick a little. Bad idea. He yacked in two spots. One right outside the barn door. I'm surprised I did not step in it. The other place he yacked, I did step in it.

icy

new weather today: ice. haven't had that yet this winter. yes, we've had ice, but not like this. we're fine, did not lose power and the horses are happy. the dogs too.
















The big four leggeds did go out in this today for a while with rain sheets on. They made it their mission to eat their hay (keeps them warm) while I mucked out. They are out there in the pasture photo, but are under a tree with their hay.

I can always count on Java, my trusty steed

Photo is of Java getting ready for a ride. She is my trusty steed. In real life I'm a real estate agent. Java pretty much comes to a halt when she hears the phone (she learned this trick when the market was hot). So, we're on the trail and the phone rings, she comes to a nice stop and I'm chatting away.... in the woods on my phone sitting on my horse who is standing while I chat. Yes, odd. Then I drop my glove. It's in the 20's... must have glove. I tell the person on the phone I have to call them right back. Java keeps standing while I get off, talking to her the whole time about how silly to drop my glove while in the woods alone, and she happily accepts a candy cane piece as a reward and I climb back on. Then stands while I dial the guy back and she continues with the ride on the trails while I blah blah on the phone, crossing a stream and all. Dang Java is great.

And, guess what!? The weather right now... it's snowing... again.

BB - Before Barn

Ah, warm days, green grass, sun higher in the sky and longer outdoor time..... The barn was not here yet, this photo was taken BB - Before Barn.

silly

Dressed with as many layers as possible (lined Carhartts are perfect in every sense of the word, except I cannot ride in them), plus blaze orange, and pony tail sticking out (I normally put my hair up in my hat, but would rather use money to have extra shavings in their stalls than a haircut!) Mr. Java's Mom took this video of us being silly. We just finished a walk in the woods and thought some more fun on the fern path at home would be good finale. It was.

riding

The weather is now decent ... temps in the 30's. Java and I had a wonderful ride on the property today. The 'fern path' had the nicest footing and Java seemed to love it, so we found ourselves going back and forth on it, what a nice ride. She is an absolutely wonderful horse and really enjoys it when we get out for rides.

This video is of us cantering up the path, but it ended up looking like a lot of Java's fuzzy mane and wind noise.

the simple life and Carhartt lined overalls

I'm like an old man always talking about the weather... but there's so much weather to talk about lately! We got snow, a beautiful powdery blanket. Then single digit temperatures. Oh yes, I DO wear Carhartt's lined overalls. And yes, I look funny. And yes, I'm OK with that.

I'd write more, but instead would like to go drink a glass of wine in front of the fire before having a nice dinner. Yes, that's right. So, I'll post more later... hopefully not about the weather. Probably about Java and how great it is to have your very own barn and happy horses in it.

all is well

The usual here with the only real change being candy cane treats during rides: grain, hay, rolling, running, riding, grain and more hay then we all sleep. Mr. Java's Mom is building our very own feed bin.

We went to the local spot for our lumber:

And, he started:

Java was near by to supervise. Actually, she would not settle in the big pasture with Creme this afternoon (morning was fine), and I brought her to her smaller paddock to unwind, which after a little grazing, started a marathon nap. Then a nice long trail ride with Creme and neighbor horses and we had a great time. More hay and then sleep... as usual.

Merry Christmas

To: My Java's Barn Blog family and fans,

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Java

I think she's happy

I think Java is happy. But lately, it's all "I'm bored" in the pictures. She went from being high maintenance, to almost no maintenance: "I want in, I want out, I want THAT hay, not THAT hay, and more water and this and that and a blah blah" to the new Java: "WHATEVER". I love the whatever version. One reason for her expression in these photos could be the blanket... she does not really like clothing. She has not had to wear a blanket since the rain we got on Sunday, she's a little happier looking, definetly extra fuzzy, but still very whatever. That's cool with me.


Here are photos this week of Java putting on here best "whatever" expressions. I think she's happy, right? Here are some examples (no she is not part Donkey or Mule, not that we have anything against donkeys or mules, but it's winter, she's not exactly show-ready lately).

a good dose of snow

Like a lot of other areas, we got a good dose of snow. It's a nice light snow, and the horses were eager like kids to get out and play. Both rolled in the snow several times, and then went back to just another normal day, eating hay.

Since this is my first winter with a barn at home, I was worried. Some people like to talk about how hard it is, wah wah, and I LOVE IT. Yes, there are only 2 horses here right now, and some people have tons of horses, but hey, if you only have 2, eventually 3, this is awesome. Java and Creme think it's pretty awesome too, they are about the happiest horses I've ever seen. If I can get the camera battery to last more than 8 seconds, I'll take some more pics.

the view from one of Java's windows

Out Java's back window:

happy java

Java must be finally settling in, because she is staying out longer and longer. Today it's cold and rainy, and I have offered 3 times to bring her in. She politely says hi, and does not want to come in. Nice.

Creme can be seen far in the background nosing around. He always likes to stay out, the more rolling in the mud the better, he is serious about full dirt coverage.

This is video of a typical Java interaction and expression.

Video:

lot next door update

SO, the lot next door: the new owner sounds like a good person. I'm pretty bad at reading people, but so far, so good. He has two guys starting on the lot, one with a chainsaw, the other... I don't know what he does, but they are very considerate of the horses and really nice, good people. No, they don't read this blog. They started cutting small trees today, and it's not too bad. Java and Creme could care less. And I like to think that I have lucked out and gotten a great new neighbor (when he builds and moves in) someday. I'll be a good neighbor to him and this may just all work out. I forgive the rotten stupid woman who did not sell me the lot, because at least she sold the lot to a good person. Yes, I still want to swear and call her names, but it would have been SO inconvenient to figure out how to pay for the lot right now anyway.

Here is video (yes, mom, video, click on it to watch, he he) of Java about to go out this morning. The chainsaw had just started. She's listening, then looking at me like "uh, mom, that's a chainsaw, thank goodness, it was getting boring around here. I'm ready, let's go out". Creme of course is getting impatient and whinnies to hurry us along. He's enthusiastic about food and turnout. Since he already ate, it's turnout time, and he's not one to wait. These guys don't seem to be bothered at all by the noise, neither am I. I'm glad this is working out. Mr Java's mom, not so much. I'll have Mackie talk with him.

update

As most of you are experiencing, the weather is wacky lately, this morning included. Currently frozen pellets, mixed with snow and rain. Not too bad actually. Java is looking outside, fascinated by the different sound of crunchy rain falling. I have her grain with me at the time of the picture, and she is in no hurry. She usually takes her time with breakfast. Creme meanwhile is wolfing down his grain as fast as he can, he's an enthusiastic guy.

And an update on the lot next door: yes, the woman who sold the lot is dumb and worse, rude. The buyer/builder seems to be a decent person. Not decent enough to sell the lot to us (yet, I'm an optimist). He says that he's going to put a total of one house on the lot for himself, and maybe an outbuilding out back (he does not have animals). He apparently has wanted that lot for years and loves it. The builder does not seem to be in a hurry, so I'll be thinking of solutions that benefit us and the animals. To be continued... nothing is going on there yet.

moving on

OK, so the scenery here will change a little now that the neighbor sold the lot next door. And, yes, I tried to buy it, offered to buy it, etc. I'm no softy, I marched right over as they were staking the lot out and laid it out that I wanted that land more, blah, etc, called our attorney, checked our aerial photographs of his house to see what kind of stuff he builds, etc, on and on.

Let's move on with the following good thoughts (hopefully these will become true): one house, builder will move in and be a wonderful neighbor. Oh, and have a John Deere tractor. And, love horses. And, get whatever he's going to build built really fast so I don't have to listen to land clearing and construction noise forever. The snow is melted now, but it's a pretty picture for this post. The lot I'm referring to is behind the barn. All that woods out back is the lot, and it continues along the top paddock. There's plenty of acreage, so aside from some major clearing that they may do, hopefully it will all be OK.

Fooey.

It's going to be OK.

OH GOD

If you find swearing too harsh, offensive or upsetting, please DON'T read this post:

I called the woman who owns the lot next door, LAST YEAR, and she solidly stated that she would not sell the lot next door, nope, no way.

Guess what.
She sold it.
She sold it to a BUILDER.
F*#*^#*&*#&*#*&^!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

trail-ride-in-the-snow pictures

The ride yesterday was fun, although the snow really picked up with some wind. By the time we came home, it was snowing pretty hard. Still fun.


Java looking at me wondering, are we really riding in the woods in the snow? And why are you taking pictures?































Walking along... it's so quiet with snow on the ground. The line on the trail in front of us was a dirt bike that came through hours before us (I saw him leave before heading out).


Video (mom, video, you have to click on it to watch it):

Then, Java back in the barn watching the snow coming down: