When to "Do" the Knees
I hurt my right knee when I was about 14 and my left knee some 40 years later. I did not know until I hurt the left knee that my ACL was blown in the right knee. That fact made my doctor and I decide I could cope with no ACL in my left knee as well since my right knee had been pretty functional for all those years.
So, I ended up having arthroscopic surgery on both knees within the last 10 years and various alternative treatments--prolotherapy and PRP (platelet rich plasma injections) that allowed me to continue on at a pretty good functional level.
My knees ached and there were many things I could not do. Climbing stairs could be hard on a bad day, and walking long distances was not always comfortable. I could not do anything that required movements similar to running or jumping, but I could ride my horses. I might be sore afterwards, but I was able to ride and train three horses in dressage, managing to train two of them to the FEI level.
But last year, a PRP treatment had minimal effect, and I was finding myself riding less and less. Finally, this Spring, I took a short trail ride and the next day, I could hardly walk. My knees hurt and I was miserable.
THAT was my benchmark moment. I had long ago decided that when I could no longer ride, it would be time to consider knee replacements. I am now 62, so my age suits the profile as well. Generally knee replacements do have a lifespan themselves and it's better to wait until you are a little older to have one in hopes you will not have to repeat the surgery in the future. (I may be on the borderline there....) However, I would not discourage anyone younger as long as they had reached the moment in their lives when coping with the pain, discomfort, and general disability of bad knees was no longer tolerable.
I had already evaluated the situation and knew what was going to trigger my decision. So, looking back and saying, "Gee, I should have done this sooner," as many people do, is not part of my thinking. Once my knees are 100% better--still in recovery phase--I may think that, but I honestly will have no regrets about waiting. My surgical decision was planned out well in advance and, as I noted, I did have treatment options that were keeping me relatively sound despite everything.
All that being said, my surgeon told me my knees were "really bad," which does add to the equation. Perhaps I am more tolerant of pain or better able to cope with physical problems and limits than other people.
As you all know, I also spent the summer swimming nearly every day, building up my cardio system and body fitness in preparation for the surgery. Since I could not do much in the way of good leg exercises on land, being in the water allowed me to use my leg muscles to build them up as well. Swimming also helped build my upper body strength, which was also a plus in my recovery, as I was easily able to push or lift myself with my hands and arms to get out of chairs or use walking assist devices.
I will not tell anyone that my recovery was pain free. The surgical incisions cut through muscles as well as skin and the new joints are inserted into my bones. For the first couple weeks, my thigh muscles ached and burned in various places and with varied intensity. Again, I may be more tolerant then some people are regarding pain. Pain meds in the hospital certainly helped but they did not make me pain free. My level rarely went below a 4-5 on my pain scale. However, to be honest, most of the time, it was no worse than the aches and pains I suffered in my old knees after a day of too much exercise.
I was determined to have a fast recovery. According to all the professional around me, I have. I spent four days in the hospital immediately after surgery--the standard for two knees--and then less than a week in the rehab center. In rehab, I only had four days of physical therapy before they decided I was well able to cope at home on my own.
The key? I was fit before the surgery. I already had learned skills to "coddle" my bad knees, so sore new ones were not a problem. And, above all, I kept a positive, cheerful attitude about the whole thing. So many people in rehab were depressed and obvious about their pain. I found that laughing and trying to lighten everyone's spirits was some of the best medicine I could take--and offer.
If you need replacement surgery yourself, here's my advice: First, set some kind of benchmark for yourself so you will know when it's truly time. Second, DO NOT wait until you can't walk or function anymore. That will only make recovery much harder. Third, research to find the right doctor. I ended up with only two consultations but was so blown away with the attitude and approach of the surgeon I selected that there was no question in my mind at all. Fourth, prepare yourself. Get your body into as good shape as possible. Eat right and exercise as well as you can within your limits. Do not neglect cardio vascular fitness either as heart and lungs are an important part of a good recovery. And do upper body exercise to build strength there. Fifth, plan ahead as much as possible for your hospital time so you will not be worried about what is going on at home with family and pets while you are gone. You will need to be selfish while you are recovering and totally consumed with yourself and not other problems. Sixth, learn all you can about your own care, medications, etc. so that while you are in the hospital, you can watch out for yourself. If you have a close family member who will be your care advocate, that's great, but if not, you will need to be ready to speak out on your own behalf if there are any issues regarding your care or treatment. Seventh, keep a positive attitude. The whole idea of replacement surgery is to make your life better. The road to recovery may have a lot of potholes and rough spots, but the end is well worth the struggle. Keep that in mind and learn to smile through the difficulties.
Yesterday, as I was walking in from the barn, for about five strides, all the stiffness in my knees vanished and I felt what it's going to be like an a few more months when I am further along in my recovery. All I can say is "Wow! That's what good knees feel like!!" It was more than enough to put a brand new smile on my face.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Slow Go, But Soon
Now, The Weather
I hope to get on a horse before the end of the week but two things have to come together.
First is the weather. Rain is predicted on Wednesday, which was the first choice day on my list.
Second is that I need a fellow horseperson here to help out. I'm pretty confident all will go well, but one more person here to hold my horse and just be there "in case," is important.
Chris who has been helping me with Chance's hoof will be going on an endurance ride at the end of the week, so she will not be here. Stacie, is, thankfully, pretty busy with her saddle fittings and sales, so I am not sure she can help out. I have another option left, but I'll wait to see how the weather changes play out.
My right knee is still moderately swollen and does get more stiff after I exercise, so I am not quite ready to leap into the saddle, but at the same time I am eager to see how it all feels after so long.
Chance is still a bit lame but so much better. We've had no clear evidence that an abscess has popped, but as I recall from the last time he had a sore hoof--front one--it was never quite clear where it finally resolved itself. I was hoping to ride him first, but Toby may get the questionable "honor." Tucker would actually be the easiest to get on as the new mounting block suits his height--kind of just a "step into the saddle on a 17 h horse." But he is not the most reliable mount for "beginners" like me. *lol*
Chris's wonderful husband, Larry, put new fence rails at the end of my riding arena where Tucker smashed everything. Now, I have to go out and poo pick, cut the grass that's grown up in there since I haven't ridden in so long, and then drag the sand. I discovered that the Kubota tractor is not quite as high a step up as I thought and with just a little extra effort, I'm pretty sure I can get on and off it enough to do some quality work with it. To tell the truth, that tractor has turned out to be one the best investments I ever made for my little farm.
My car? Two bad ignition coils and many hundreds of dollars later cleared one of the "check engine codes." The other one, a bad thermostat, needs to wait. The bank account could not handle the full repair estimate.
Then, in a fit of genius, I headed over to the school where I taught to see the auto mechanics teacher about the whole situation. Good news, bad news. His students can and will change the thermostat and flush my cooling system. It will only cost the price of parts. The bad? They could have changed the coils as well, saving me at least half of what I paid--no labor charge, just parts. *sigh*
The only reason I went to the professional garage first is that last time I had a "check engine" light the school shop tried to fix it, but their diagnostics found an issue too complex for them to deal with at that point. Now, I'm kind of kicking myself for not going there first.
Then again, there is the plus that the coil work has a warranty on it and it's kind of a big ignition deal, so that might be worth it. I will drive the truck for now for most of my errands, just to be safe since the car might overheat, and take the car to school next week.
Strange how after being retired for just over two years now, I had already forgotten the huge benefits of working in a vocational school where I could get so many jobs done for so little money. I have to reconnect my brain to the whole situation.
I did have a nice visit at the school with a few old friends, but already, most of the rooms I passed had new teachers and I only saw one student who knew who I was. That ties the school with the shopping mall across the ball field where I ran into another graduation student who is getting married and was helping her mother select a "mother of the bride" dress.
One for one. Fun day, even if it was more expensive than it could have been.
I hope to get on a horse before the end of the week but two things have to come together.
First is the weather. Rain is predicted on Wednesday, which was the first choice day on my list.
Second is that I need a fellow horseperson here to help out. I'm pretty confident all will go well, but one more person here to hold my horse and just be there "in case," is important.
Chris who has been helping me with Chance's hoof will be going on an endurance ride at the end of the week, so she will not be here. Stacie, is, thankfully, pretty busy with her saddle fittings and sales, so I am not sure she can help out. I have another option left, but I'll wait to see how the weather changes play out.
My right knee is still moderately swollen and does get more stiff after I exercise, so I am not quite ready to leap into the saddle, but at the same time I am eager to see how it all feels after so long.
Chance is still a bit lame but so much better. We've had no clear evidence that an abscess has popped, but as I recall from the last time he had a sore hoof--front one--it was never quite clear where it finally resolved itself. I was hoping to ride him first, but Toby may get the questionable "honor." Tucker would actually be the easiest to get on as the new mounting block suits his height--kind of just a "step into the saddle on a 17 h horse." But he is not the most reliable mount for "beginners" like me. *lol*
Chris's wonderful husband, Larry, put new fence rails at the end of my riding arena where Tucker smashed everything. Now, I have to go out and poo pick, cut the grass that's grown up in there since I haven't ridden in so long, and then drag the sand. I discovered that the Kubota tractor is not quite as high a step up as I thought and with just a little extra effort, I'm pretty sure I can get on and off it enough to do some quality work with it. To tell the truth, that tractor has turned out to be one the best investments I ever made for my little farm.
My car? Two bad ignition coils and many hundreds of dollars later cleared one of the "check engine codes." The other one, a bad thermostat, needs to wait. The bank account could not handle the full repair estimate.
Then, in a fit of genius, I headed over to the school where I taught to see the auto mechanics teacher about the whole situation. Good news, bad news. His students can and will change the thermostat and flush my cooling system. It will only cost the price of parts. The bad? They could have changed the coils as well, saving me at least half of what I paid--no labor charge, just parts. *sigh*
The only reason I went to the professional garage first is that last time I had a "check engine" light the school shop tried to fix it, but their diagnostics found an issue too complex for them to deal with at that point. Now, I'm kind of kicking myself for not going there first.
Then again, there is the plus that the coil work has a warranty on it and it's kind of a big ignition deal, so that might be worth it. I will drive the truck for now for most of my errands, just to be safe since the car might overheat, and take the car to school next week.
Strange how after being retired for just over two years now, I had already forgotten the huge benefits of working in a vocational school where I could get so many jobs done for so little money. I have to reconnect my brain to the whole situation.
I did have a nice visit at the school with a few old friends, but already, most of the rooms I passed had new teachers and I only saw one student who knew who I was. That ties the school with the shopping mall across the ball field where I ran into another graduation student who is getting married and was helping her mother select a "mother of the bride" dress.
One for one. Fun day, even if it was more expensive than it could have been.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Blown Away
I Am Free!!
I visited my surgeon, Dr. Purtill, this morning and the news was amazing!! No more physical therapy. he believes just walking and my everyday activities will be the best treatment for me from now on.
I can drive. I can do anything I want to do and....
I can ride!! He sat down in front of me to show me how my legs would be when I was astride a horse and warned me that I might be sore on the inside of my knees--pointing to the spot--but said not to worry as that would be normal. Otherwise, go for it!
I can do barn chores including lifting grain bags if I want to, but my knees would "tell" me what I could and could not do, so I should "listen" to them.
He told me my old knees were REALLY bad and stressed it. Apparently it was kind of surprising I was able to do anything at all on them.
On the even more plus side, I am "Way ahead of the curve" as far as recovery goes and a "Superstar!" I think my surgeon is truly enthusiastic about my recovery status. My knees have essentially normal bend and the swelling will go away on its own so I should not worry about it. I will have good days and bad days now and then, so I should not get frustrated.
He did tell me it takes a year and a half before the knees are actually fully healed, so I can expect less than perfection until then, but overall, I have had an incredible recovery. He complimented me by insisting most of that success had been my doing and my determination.
What a refreshing and exciting appointment it was. Dr. Purtill has such and upbeat and positive approach to the whole experience, fully believing his patient can do almost anything with their new joints. He made me feel there was no limit to future activities.
I am no longer on the warfarin, so I don't need to worry about what supplements I take--including aspirin which does always seem to help my aches and pains. I do have another prescription pain medication if I need it, but it may well be I won't have to resort to that.
Dr. Purtill said further PT could actually hurt with the stretching of the leg, etc. so it was better to just stop now. I have one more appointment tomorrow so I will do the exercises and get a nice massage, but not have the therapist do any other work on my legs.
Chance is still lame, so I can't ride him, but I plan on waiting until I am a little more sure about the stiffness in my knees before I do try to ride. I want to do some exercises off the horse first to prepare and I will not get on unless I have a knowledgeable horse friend here.
Christina put a new poultice on Chance's foot today but there is no sign of any kind of abscess yet. Guess it's just a matter of waiting.
On the bummer side--I drove my car to the pharmacy and on the way home, the "Check Engine" light came on. Last time it was a major bit of repair work required. That is kind of painful at the moment because my budget is pretty tight. I hate to do it, but I guess I have to take the car in ASAP for a "health exam." *sigh*
At least I can drive it there myself!
I visited my surgeon, Dr. Purtill, this morning and the news was amazing!! No more physical therapy. he believes just walking and my everyday activities will be the best treatment for me from now on.
I can drive. I can do anything I want to do and....
I can ride!! He sat down in front of me to show me how my legs would be when I was astride a horse and warned me that I might be sore on the inside of my knees--pointing to the spot--but said not to worry as that would be normal. Otherwise, go for it!
I can do barn chores including lifting grain bags if I want to, but my knees would "tell" me what I could and could not do, so I should "listen" to them.
He told me my old knees were REALLY bad and stressed it. Apparently it was kind of surprising I was able to do anything at all on them.
On the even more plus side, I am "Way ahead of the curve" as far as recovery goes and a "Superstar!" I think my surgeon is truly enthusiastic about my recovery status. My knees have essentially normal bend and the swelling will go away on its own so I should not worry about it. I will have good days and bad days now and then, so I should not get frustrated.
He did tell me it takes a year and a half before the knees are actually fully healed, so I can expect less than perfection until then, but overall, I have had an incredible recovery. He complimented me by insisting most of that success had been my doing and my determination.
What a refreshing and exciting appointment it was. Dr. Purtill has such and upbeat and positive approach to the whole experience, fully believing his patient can do almost anything with their new joints. He made me feel there was no limit to future activities.
I am no longer on the warfarin, so I don't need to worry about what supplements I take--including aspirin which does always seem to help my aches and pains. I do have another prescription pain medication if I need it, but it may well be I won't have to resort to that.
Dr. Purtill said further PT could actually hurt with the stretching of the leg, etc. so it was better to just stop now. I have one more appointment tomorrow so I will do the exercises and get a nice massage, but not have the therapist do any other work on my legs.
Chance is still lame, so I can't ride him, but I plan on waiting until I am a little more sure about the stiffness in my knees before I do try to ride. I want to do some exercises off the horse first to prepare and I will not get on unless I have a knowledgeable horse friend here.
Christina put a new poultice on Chance's foot today but there is no sign of any kind of abscess yet. Guess it's just a matter of waiting.
On the bummer side--I drove my car to the pharmacy and on the way home, the "Check Engine" light came on. Last time it was a major bit of repair work required. That is kind of painful at the moment because my budget is pretty tight. I hate to do it, but I guess I have to take the car in ASAP for a "health exam." *sigh*
At least I can drive it there myself!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Sympathy Pains?
Chance is Off
Yesterday morning Chance was dead lame on his right hind. It was so sad watching him make his painful way into his stall for breakfast.
I did a quick check and found absolutely nothing as far as injury, heat or swelling. A gave him some Bute and decided to see how he was later in the day. When I went out in the early afternoon, he was still holding that leg off the floor so I decided to call the vet.
My vet called me in the early evening and told me to give him some more Bute. If if was a soft tissue or joint injury the Bute would improve him. If it was a hoof abscess, it would not do much.
By this morning he was better, but still favoring that leg. My vet came around 9:30 and after a quick exam decided the most likely cause was a brewing abscess in his hoof. She is not 100% sure, but flex tests on his main joints did not seem to affect his level of lameness and he was reacting to pressure with the hoof testers.
For now, his hoof is wrapped in animalintex and icthamol. My big problem is that I am not exactly sound enough myself to change the wrap. But, my friend Chris who has her horses on the next road over was gracious enough to come over to help out and will come to change the wrap tomorrow for me.
My vet brought her assistant who is just recovering from getting kicked in the jaw by a horse during a vet treatment. She was fortunate that her jaw was not broken, but she is still having headaches and a stiff neck. Today was her first day back in the field, so I was glad Chris was there to hold Chance for part of the exam. The assistant did lead him for the soundness check, but he was a very good boy and remembered his manners so she was OK.
All three Boys got their flu and rhino shots as well, so the visit served a dual purpose.
We are looking for some kind of improvement in Chance by Monday. I'm a bit frustrated that I cannot soak and treat his foot myself, but my knees are not quite up to that kind of bending and hoof holding yet.
Bless my exceptional horse friends who are so willing to help out. I honestly think of all the people I have ever known in my life, horsemen are the best in sharing and caring when it comes to any problem I have had with a horse. The love for our animals runs deep and there is a bond among us all the rest of the world might never truly comprehend.
Yesterday morning Chance was dead lame on his right hind. It was so sad watching him make his painful way into his stall for breakfast.
I did a quick check and found absolutely nothing as far as injury, heat or swelling. A gave him some Bute and decided to see how he was later in the day. When I went out in the early afternoon, he was still holding that leg off the floor so I decided to call the vet.
My vet called me in the early evening and told me to give him some more Bute. If if was a soft tissue or joint injury the Bute would improve him. If it was a hoof abscess, it would not do much.
By this morning he was better, but still favoring that leg. My vet came around 9:30 and after a quick exam decided the most likely cause was a brewing abscess in his hoof. She is not 100% sure, but flex tests on his main joints did not seem to affect his level of lameness and he was reacting to pressure with the hoof testers.
For now, his hoof is wrapped in animalintex and icthamol. My big problem is that I am not exactly sound enough myself to change the wrap. But, my friend Chris who has her horses on the next road over was gracious enough to come over to help out and will come to change the wrap tomorrow for me.
My vet brought her assistant who is just recovering from getting kicked in the jaw by a horse during a vet treatment. She was fortunate that her jaw was not broken, but she is still having headaches and a stiff neck. Today was her first day back in the field, so I was glad Chris was there to hold Chance for part of the exam. The assistant did lead him for the soundness check, but he was a very good boy and remembered his manners so she was OK.
All three Boys got their flu and rhino shots as well, so the visit served a dual purpose.
We are looking for some kind of improvement in Chance by Monday. I'm a bit frustrated that I cannot soak and treat his foot myself, but my knees are not quite up to that kind of bending and hoof holding yet.
Bless my exceptional horse friends who are so willing to help out. I honestly think of all the people I have ever known in my life, horsemen are the best in sharing and caring when it comes to any problem I have had with a horse. The love for our animals runs deep and there is a bond among us all the rest of the world might never truly comprehend.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Slow Progress
Ups and Downs
The trouble with judging my healing progress it that day by day, things change.
My knees themselves remain stiff, mostly from swelling. Part of it may still be that my body is trying to decide whether or not to accept the artificial knees. There is a bit of a rejection process involved aside from the fact that my bones have new pieces inserted in them.
My upper leg muscles vary from day to day. Since I did some lifting out in the barn the other day, including a bale of hay, there was some extra stress which made them a bit more sore than normal. But yesterday's physical therapy pushed me through that and today, the muscles are not bad. It's the knees themselves that ache.
On the plus side, walking around seems to help. And, I can finally ride my exercise bike. Getting the right leg to go all the way around was the hard part, but I've passed that crisis. I was riding the incumbent bike in therapy, so adding some bike work at home will be good.
I visit my surgeon on Friday and hope he will give me the OK to drive. I plan on testing myself with the car in the driveway before I go, just to see how it feels. Since I did drive the lawn tractor with no problem, the car should be easier as it takes less pressure to move the pedals. Since it's an automatic transmission, my right leg needs to do the work. I'm pretty sure I'm ready.
The Boys were out in the pasture when I went to feed them this morning. I'm glad they were not hanging out at the barn looking for me since I slept a little later than I've been over the last week. I put all their feed--including grain, hay cubes, and hay--in the stalls and called them in. Chance came first, at the gallop, followed closely by Tucker and Toby, galloping in as well. Seeing them come like that when I call is always fun. I'm sure anyone would be impressed at how eager my horses are to respond to me.
Now, if they'd only come galloping in when I just want to work them. *G*
The trouble with judging my healing progress it that day by day, things change.
My knees themselves remain stiff, mostly from swelling. Part of it may still be that my body is trying to decide whether or not to accept the artificial knees. There is a bit of a rejection process involved aside from the fact that my bones have new pieces inserted in them.
My upper leg muscles vary from day to day. Since I did some lifting out in the barn the other day, including a bale of hay, there was some extra stress which made them a bit more sore than normal. But yesterday's physical therapy pushed me through that and today, the muscles are not bad. It's the knees themselves that ache.
On the plus side, walking around seems to help. And, I can finally ride my exercise bike. Getting the right leg to go all the way around was the hard part, but I've passed that crisis. I was riding the incumbent bike in therapy, so adding some bike work at home will be good.
I visit my surgeon on Friday and hope he will give me the OK to drive. I plan on testing myself with the car in the driveway before I go, just to see how it feels. Since I did drive the lawn tractor with no problem, the car should be easier as it takes less pressure to move the pedals. Since it's an automatic transmission, my right leg needs to do the work. I'm pretty sure I'm ready.
The Boys were out in the pasture when I went to feed them this morning. I'm glad they were not hanging out at the barn looking for me since I slept a little later than I've been over the last week. I put all their feed--including grain, hay cubes, and hay--in the stalls and called them in. Chance came first, at the gallop, followed closely by Tucker and Toby, galloping in as well. Seeing them come like that when I call is always fun. I'm sure anyone would be impressed at how eager my horses are to respond to me.
Now, if they'd only come galloping in when I just want to work them. *G*
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Back in Blue
I Hike The Pasture
My legs were sore again today--typical after physical therapy--so I took it easy for most of the day. I did a number of my stretching exercises and decided walking was a good option.
It was a beautiful day. Sunny and warm, in the low 70's, it was exactly the kind of day I'd love to ride. But I am not quite ready for that. I actually figure I'd be fine on the horse, but the challenge of mounting and dismounting might be a bit daunting.
Well, mounting might be OK as I do have my nice mounting platform. But when I think of how stiff I was after riding around the lawn on the mower for an hour, I'm not sure I would be able to get my right leg to cooperate enough to dismount. Still....
Don't worry. I won't try until I am sure it will be OK, and even then I will make sure I have another rider around to help just in case.
What I did instead was take a walk around the pasture looking for Tucker's blue flysheet. I found it in the farthest corner of the field. Now, mind you, the flysheets my Boys are wearing have all seen better days and are largely held together or tied on with pieces of baling twine--a marvelously useful invention. In the case of Tucker's sheet, the front surcingle had been replaced with twine and it had broken, so he had just kind of stepped out of the sheet.
All three of the Boys accompanied me on the search, leaving the fly free barn to follow me out to the pasture. They were quite curious as to what I was doing and were very friendly about it all. I guess they are looking for some attention. Tucker actually walked back into the barn right at my side as if I had a lead rope on him.
Once there, I ushered him into the aisle and began working on getting him back into his blue sheet. Once I tied it back together and dressed him, I sprayed him with fly spray, sprayed Toby and Chance, and then emptied and scrubbed the water trough.
Trough refilled, grain bins moved back into the feed room from the aisle, and a few branches picked up off the lawn, my day of work was over. I wasn't a lot of work, but it was productive and at this point, I'm pretty pleased to have managed a few chores.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
My legs were sore again today--typical after physical therapy--so I took it easy for most of the day. I did a number of my stretching exercises and decided walking was a good option.
It was a beautiful day. Sunny and warm, in the low 70's, it was exactly the kind of day I'd love to ride. But I am not quite ready for that. I actually figure I'd be fine on the horse, but the challenge of mounting and dismounting might be a bit daunting.
Well, mounting might be OK as I do have my nice mounting platform. But when I think of how stiff I was after riding around the lawn on the mower for an hour, I'm not sure I would be able to get my right leg to cooperate enough to dismount. Still....
Don't worry. I won't try until I am sure it will be OK, and even then I will make sure I have another rider around to help just in case.
What I did instead was take a walk around the pasture looking for Tucker's blue flysheet. I found it in the farthest corner of the field. Now, mind you, the flysheets my Boys are wearing have all seen better days and are largely held together or tied on with pieces of baling twine--a marvelously useful invention. In the case of Tucker's sheet, the front surcingle had been replaced with twine and it had broken, so he had just kind of stepped out of the sheet.
All three of the Boys accompanied me on the search, leaving the fly free barn to follow me out to the pasture. They were quite curious as to what I was doing and were very friendly about it all. I guess they are looking for some attention. Tucker actually walked back into the barn right at my side as if I had a lead rope on him.
Once there, I ushered him into the aisle and began working on getting him back into his blue sheet. Once I tied it back together and dressed him, I sprayed him with fly spray, sprayed Toby and Chance, and then emptied and scrubbed the water trough.
Trough refilled, grain bins moved back into the feed room from the aisle, and a few branches picked up off the lawn, my day of work was over. I wasn't a lot of work, but it was productive and at this point, I'm pretty pleased to have managed a few chores.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Recovery Continues
Horse Care Routine Begins Soon
I will be doing the morning feed starting tomorrow and my horsesitter will come in the afternoons to feed and clean stalls. I'm not sure how long this new arrangement will continue before I take over full care, but it's not too far in the future.
I have an appointment with my surgeon next week during which I hope he will give me the OK to drive again. I have been depending on the kindness of friends to take me to doctor's appointments, physical therapy, shopping, and to choir. While I certainly appreciate all this, it's hard for me to impose upon others when I should be able to take care of things myself.
PT is going well. I cannot say there have been huge changes, but each time I go, I feel a little better. I am still not lifting extra weight with my legs, so the basic exercises are not too taxing. I am not sure I would be able to lift much weight yet anyhow as my muscles do ache when pressed too hard. I have to remember that they have to heal from the surgery too. My knee replacements were pretty invasive surgeries. It is going to take some time.
By the way, it is national Physical Therapy month here in the USA. My clinic is running a special raffle and has given all patients a tee shirt, a tote bag, and a water bottle as a gift. It's kind of fun and each time I go for therapy I get another raffle ticket. Guess I picked the right time to have my surgery!
My next adventure is to mow the lawn. Since I have the riding lawn tractor, the only challenge will be pushing the forward/backward pedal with my foot. The tractor has an automatic transmission, so there is no other trick to driving it. My Kubota has the same kind of transmission, but it's higher to get on and off of, so using it to drag the arena--another task on the horizon--might be a bit hard. But, if I can climb on and off, I'm willing to try.
When you are handicapped by physical limitations, it is always a problem to figure out how to do what other people would consider relatively easy, normal tasks. Those of us who are truly able bodied--or on the way to recovering out "ablebodiness" need to think of that now and then.
It is a humbling thought.
I will be doing the morning feed starting tomorrow and my horsesitter will come in the afternoons to feed and clean stalls. I'm not sure how long this new arrangement will continue before I take over full care, but it's not too far in the future.
I have an appointment with my surgeon next week during which I hope he will give me the OK to drive again. I have been depending on the kindness of friends to take me to doctor's appointments, physical therapy, shopping, and to choir. While I certainly appreciate all this, it's hard for me to impose upon others when I should be able to take care of things myself.
PT is going well. I cannot say there have been huge changes, but each time I go, I feel a little better. I am still not lifting extra weight with my legs, so the basic exercises are not too taxing. I am not sure I would be able to lift much weight yet anyhow as my muscles do ache when pressed too hard. I have to remember that they have to heal from the surgery too. My knee replacements were pretty invasive surgeries. It is going to take some time.
By the way, it is national Physical Therapy month here in the USA. My clinic is running a special raffle and has given all patients a tee shirt, a tote bag, and a water bottle as a gift. It's kind of fun and each time I go for therapy I get another raffle ticket. Guess I picked the right time to have my surgery!
My next adventure is to mow the lawn. Since I have the riding lawn tractor, the only challenge will be pushing the forward/backward pedal with my foot. The tractor has an automatic transmission, so there is no other trick to driving it. My Kubota has the same kind of transmission, but it's higher to get on and off of, so using it to drag the arena--another task on the horizon--might be a bit hard. But, if I can climb on and off, I'm willing to try.
When you are handicapped by physical limitations, it is always a problem to figure out how to do what other people would consider relatively easy, normal tasks. Those of us who are truly able bodied--or on the way to recovering out "ablebodiness" need to think of that now and then.
It is a humbling thought.
Sunday, October 02, 2011
Bit of Good Work
Stiff But Solid
I gave my new knees their first test today. The riding arena is in dire need of a thorough poo picking, so I decided it would be a good chance for me to see how things felt and if I could push the wheelbarrow.
Success on all fronts! I only did two almost full barrows. It actually felt good to push against the weight with my legs, so I figure they got a good workout. It may not be standard physical therapy, but it was exercise. And, I am most happy to report that the stability in my new joints is striking. My legs felt really solid under me! What a difference from what I've been feeling all these years!
It actually makes me quite excited for how I will feel in the future once all the stiffness and swelling are gone.
There is still some heat and swelling in my knee joints, and the muscles get stiff and sore if I sit or stand in one position too long. During exercises, including the therapy, my muscles do not hurt. (This for Claire.) It is afterwards, when they have rested for a bit. The muscle fibers need to stretch and contract repeatedly in order to get stronger and once I am done working out, sometimes they want to cramp up. Massage, heat, and moving definitely helps and I am already noticing that they are feeling better a little at a time.
The swelling in the knees is not extreme either, but after therapy that too increases. So the treatment is ice packs.
I have been trying to stretch each knee myself, but it's not quite the same as when my therapist works on it for me. If you've ever had an injury that needs therapy, I am sure you will understand.
While I was picking the arena, Chance came over to "help." First, he needed a snuggle. Then, he needed to knock the wheelbarrow over so I had to fork everything back in all over again.
Does that mean I actually cleaned up three wheelbarrows full?
I gave my new knees their first test today. The riding arena is in dire need of a thorough poo picking, so I decided it would be a good chance for me to see how things felt and if I could push the wheelbarrow.
Success on all fronts! I only did two almost full barrows. It actually felt good to push against the weight with my legs, so I figure they got a good workout. It may not be standard physical therapy, but it was exercise. And, I am most happy to report that the stability in my new joints is striking. My legs felt really solid under me! What a difference from what I've been feeling all these years!
It actually makes me quite excited for how I will feel in the future once all the stiffness and swelling are gone.
There is still some heat and swelling in my knee joints, and the muscles get stiff and sore if I sit or stand in one position too long. During exercises, including the therapy, my muscles do not hurt. (This for Claire.) It is afterwards, when they have rested for a bit. The muscle fibers need to stretch and contract repeatedly in order to get stronger and once I am done working out, sometimes they want to cramp up. Massage, heat, and moving definitely helps and I am already noticing that they are feeling better a little at a time.
The swelling in the knees is not extreme either, but after therapy that too increases. So the treatment is ice packs.
I have been trying to stretch each knee myself, but it's not quite the same as when my therapist works on it for me. If you've ever had an injury that needs therapy, I am sure you will understand.
While I was picking the arena, Chance came over to "help." First, he needed a snuggle. Then, he needed to knock the wheelbarrow over so I had to fork everything back in all over again.
Does that mean I actually cleaned up three wheelbarrows full?
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sore Muscles
Physical Therapy
I am rather surprised at how sore my muscles are the day after physical therapy. There is a decidedly burning ache in several spots that my painkillers do not seem to relieve.
I really hurt on Tuesday, but I carried on with most of my home exercises anyhow--what horseperson wouldn't? Then by Wednesday, I felt much better, only to go to therapy at the center in the afternoon.
Today, Thursday, I am quite sore again, although it's not quite as bad. This is a hopeful sign that over the next week or so, things will get better. I am using heat on the muscles and ice on my knees and that helps but I will admit to being pretty darn uncomfortable a good part of the time.
But, I also have to remember that I had bad knees for a long time. My right knee's damage was nearly fifty years old and over those years, my body and especially my leg muscles adapted to a skewed carriage and conformation.
Now, my legs are straight with correct support and the muscles have to re-learn how to work properly, stretching or contracting in entirely new ways when I both walk and move my legs. It would have to be very much like what a horse goes through when it begins correct retraining after having moved in a stiff, inverted way for much of its life. Suddenly asked to be round, to carry itself with unfamiliar, unfit muscles, I am sure it too would experience some of the discomfort I feel now.
The only advantage that the horse might have over me is that its muscles would not have been damaged by surgical incisions, so it might recover a little faster than I am at this point.
This experience will serve me well when I start to ride again, both for me and my horses.
We are all going to have to retrain some muscles that just might decide to protest as we work through our new adventures.
I am rather surprised at how sore my muscles are the day after physical therapy. There is a decidedly burning ache in several spots that my painkillers do not seem to relieve.
I really hurt on Tuesday, but I carried on with most of my home exercises anyhow--what horseperson wouldn't? Then by Wednesday, I felt much better, only to go to therapy at the center in the afternoon.
Today, Thursday, I am quite sore again, although it's not quite as bad. This is a hopeful sign that over the next week or so, things will get better. I am using heat on the muscles and ice on my knees and that helps but I will admit to being pretty darn uncomfortable a good part of the time.
But, I also have to remember that I had bad knees for a long time. My right knee's damage was nearly fifty years old and over those years, my body and especially my leg muscles adapted to a skewed carriage and conformation.
Now, my legs are straight with correct support and the muscles have to re-learn how to work properly, stretching or contracting in entirely new ways when I both walk and move my legs. It would have to be very much like what a horse goes through when it begins correct retraining after having moved in a stiff, inverted way for much of its life. Suddenly asked to be round, to carry itself with unfamiliar, unfit muscles, I am sure it too would experience some of the discomfort I feel now.
The only advantage that the horse might have over me is that its muscles would not have been damaged by surgical incisions, so it might recover a little faster than I am at this point.
This experience will serve me well when I start to ride again, both for me and my horses.
We are all going to have to retrain some muscles that just might decide to protest as we work through our new adventures.
Monday, September 26, 2011
"T" for Tucker
"T" For Trouble
The two "t" words are synonymous.
Sunday, my horsesitter turned Tucker out in the riding arena with the sand footing because we still had mud and we need to be careful with his shoes. All was well when I left for church.
Sitting through the service with my stiff knees was a little challenging, but it was fine. And since I knew the anthem we were singing I was able to join the choir. The group went out to lunch afterwards and I enjoyed a nice salad bar meal.
I came home--I still have to beg rides from friends since I am not yet driving myself--in the early afternoon and relaxed for a bit.
But something kept nagging at me. I just had a feeling Tucker was no longer in the arena. I gave in to my sixth sense and went out to the barn. Sure enough, the arena was empty and Tucker was hanging out in the barn. What did I find in the arena?
Two possible avenues of escape:
In the first pic you can see the lower fence rail just hidden in the weeds behind the open gate. In the other two pictures you can see the smashed fence rails. They look to be sabotaged from the inside, so Tucker is the only available suspect. There are a lot of vines a bushes in the way there, so I have to think he got out by the gate, but you never know. He had no scrapes or scratches on him that I could see. *sigh*
So, with no rain in the forecast for a few days, he is on full turnout because the arena fence needs repair.
Today, in the early afternoon, I went out to put the fans on in the barn.
I was greeted by a naked Tucker! No flysheet. What???? Where???? No sign of it and I am not quite yet up to hiking the paddocks and pasture on a quest.
Now, he is dressed in one of the orange flysheets. It doesn't fit really well, but it will do until I find the missing one.
Some children just seem to get in trouble at every turn.
At least there is some grass to munch on.
The two "t" words are synonymous.
Sunday, my horsesitter turned Tucker out in the riding arena with the sand footing because we still had mud and we need to be careful with his shoes. All was well when I left for church.
Sitting through the service with my stiff knees was a little challenging, but it was fine. And since I knew the anthem we were singing I was able to join the choir. The group went out to lunch afterwards and I enjoyed a nice salad bar meal.
I came home--I still have to beg rides from friends since I am not yet driving myself--in the early afternoon and relaxed for a bit.
But something kept nagging at me. I just had a feeling Tucker was no longer in the arena. I gave in to my sixth sense and went out to the barn. Sure enough, the arena was empty and Tucker was hanging out in the barn. What did I find in the arena?
Two possible avenues of escape:
So, with no rain in the forecast for a few days, he is on full turnout because the arena fence needs repair.
Today, in the early afternoon, I went out to put the fans on in the barn.
I was greeted by a naked Tucker! No flysheet. What???? Where???? No sign of it and I am not quite yet up to hiking the paddocks and pasture on a quest.
Now, he is dressed in one of the orange flysheets. It doesn't fit really well, but it will do until I find the missing one.
Some children just seem to get in trouble at every turn.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
At Last
PT Begins
I had my first PT session yesterday and it made a huge difference. The biggest result was that my physical therapist did some deep massage on my leg muscle and got rid of the dreadful knots that were causing the muscle to tighten. It's not yet perfect but SO much better.
I won't bore you with the exercises I did, as they are fairly standard for knees and the same ones I did in the rehab center. I was pleased to find that I could manage some of them with my right leg that I could not do in the hospital, so there was definite progress, even before the massage.
Around the house, I am walking with neither cane nor crutches, but I do use the crutches when I go out.
This morning, my horse sitter put Tucker out on the arena for me--we have mud and he has his shoe issues. I went out a bit later to fly spray him and only used the one crutch on the way out and none at all for a little while when I was handling him. Needless to say, I was very careful, but it did feel good to get some real work done.
So far, the Boys seem to be careful with me, so that's good. I will have to be careful in turn as I cannot make any fast moves to get out of the way.
It's warm, damp, and just rather miserable outside, I must confess. Summer is lingering and it is not pleasant at all. Here's hoping we get some cooler fall weather sooner than later.
I had my first PT session yesterday and it made a huge difference. The biggest result was that my physical therapist did some deep massage on my leg muscle and got rid of the dreadful knots that were causing the muscle to tighten. It's not yet perfect but SO much better.
I won't bore you with the exercises I did, as they are fairly standard for knees and the same ones I did in the rehab center. I was pleased to find that I could manage some of them with my right leg that I could not do in the hospital, so there was definite progress, even before the massage.
Around the house, I am walking with neither cane nor crutches, but I do use the crutches when I go out.
This morning, my horse sitter put Tucker out on the arena for me--we have mud and he has his shoe issues. I went out a bit later to fly spray him and only used the one crutch on the way out and none at all for a little while when I was handling him. Needless to say, I was very careful, but it did feel good to get some real work done.
So far, the Boys seem to be careful with me, so that's good. I will have to be careful in turn as I cannot make any fast moves to get out of the way.
It's warm, damp, and just rather miserable outside, I must confess. Summer is lingering and it is not pleasant at all. Here's hoping we get some cooler fall weather sooner than later.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Still Waiting
In Stasis
I am waiting for approval from my insurance to start my physical therapy. Strange system, but that's how it works.
In the meantime, I am catching up on my sleep and doing some of the exercises I was sent home with. The only thing stopping me is the stiffness and pain in my right thigh muscles which is a bit over the top at times. It feels as if that muscle was strained or pulled and I just don't know how far to push before doing damage....if any.
My staples are out which is good as the surgical incisions feel better now. But that persistent stiffness is rather annoying. Hopefully, everything will be squared away before the end of the week.
My farrier has told me he will be here tomorrow to put Tucker's shoe on and do Toby's and Chance's feet as well. Of course, now there is rain in the forecast again, so we will have to be guarded about Tucker's turnout until things dry up again. Poor boy. He is SO good about being locked in his stall.
The other day we put an Easyboot on him and put him out for a while but the boot slipped off as it still wasn't exactly the right fit for him. At least he got some turnout.
Not much more for now. Going to eat some of the onion soup I froze before I left for the surgery. Yummy.
I am waiting for approval from my insurance to start my physical therapy. Strange system, but that's how it works.
In the meantime, I am catching up on my sleep and doing some of the exercises I was sent home with. The only thing stopping me is the stiffness and pain in my right thigh muscles which is a bit over the top at times. It feels as if that muscle was strained or pulled and I just don't know how far to push before doing damage....if any.
My staples are out which is good as the surgical incisions feel better now. But that persistent stiffness is rather annoying. Hopefully, everything will be squared away before the end of the week.
My farrier has told me he will be here tomorrow to put Tucker's shoe on and do Toby's and Chance's feet as well. Of course, now there is rain in the forecast again, so we will have to be guarded about Tucker's turnout until things dry up again. Poor boy. He is SO good about being locked in his stall.
The other day we put an Easyboot on him and put him out for a while but the boot slipped off as it still wasn't exactly the right fit for him. At least he got some turnout.
Not much more for now. Going to eat some of the onion soup I froze before I left for the surgery. Yummy.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Beauty in the Eyes of the Beholder
Two Portraits
Remember how I said everyone at the hospital kept saying what beautiful knees I had? Trust me, they weren't talking about my real legs, but the apparently awesome staple job on my surgeries.
So, to them, this was apparently beautiful:
I think we measured them at about 7 inches or so, pretty straight and each held together with some 50 or so staples. Swelling is worse on the right than the left but neither one looks dreadful. There are some bruises in various places and I did have some blisters from some of the surgical tape and bandages. Those are healing nicely as are the incisions.
So, one concept of "beauty."
Somehow I prefer example #2, which is a beautiful "we 'k'need' you" bouquet sent to me from Carole and Don at Ansur Saddlery.
Lovely, lovely flowers that have managed to stay fresh looking for nearly 10 days now. And my catsitter best buddy Shelley put them out of kitty reach, so they have manged to survive getting chewed up.
Now that's what I call beautiful in both vision and sentiment.
Thanks to all of you who sent good wishes, good vibes and words of encouragement. I will catch up on responding on blogs I visit during the week but sitting too long at the computer makes my legs ache a bit, so I am doing a little at a time.
I did go out to the barn this afternoon to give each Boy some apples and some extra hay. Tucker is still stuck inside with his missing shoe as we wait for Scott who got backed up and busy these last weeks. I suspect as the show season draws to a close a lot of his clients who compete are needing shoeing jobs ASAP, and my retired crew is just having to wait a little longer than normal.
We'll get there. They all looked fine and were very respectful of my crutches, so that was good. Not scared, just careful around me. Hope that continues.
Actually, I can walk without the crutches but it's much safer to have them for added balance, especially outside. In the house, I have plenty of furniture, door frames and walls, to steady myself so sometimes I use only one and if I only have a few steps to take, might not use any at all.
Healing continues and each day it gets a little better. I am sure physical therapy will help, but it's not going to be easy. I'm resting up to get ready and doing most of the exercises at home. But it's just not the same if you don't have a therapist to encourage you.
And, boy, would a nice massage feel good about now!!
Remember how I said everyone at the hospital kept saying what beautiful knees I had? Trust me, they weren't talking about my real legs, but the apparently awesome staple job on my surgeries.
So, to them, this was apparently beautiful:
So, one concept of "beauty."
Somehow I prefer example #2, which is a beautiful "we 'k'need' you" bouquet sent to me from Carole and Don at Ansur Saddlery.
Now that's what I call beautiful in both vision and sentiment.
Thanks to all of you who sent good wishes, good vibes and words of encouragement. I will catch up on responding on blogs I visit during the week but sitting too long at the computer makes my legs ache a bit, so I am doing a little at a time.
I did go out to the barn this afternoon to give each Boy some apples and some extra hay. Tucker is still stuck inside with his missing shoe as we wait for Scott who got backed up and busy these last weeks. I suspect as the show season draws to a close a lot of his clients who compete are needing shoeing jobs ASAP, and my retired crew is just having to wait a little longer than normal.
We'll get there. They all looked fine and were very respectful of my crutches, so that was good. Not scared, just careful around me. Hope that continues.
Actually, I can walk without the crutches but it's much safer to have them for added balance, especially outside. In the house, I have plenty of furniture, door frames and walls, to steady myself so sometimes I use only one and if I only have a few steps to take, might not use any at all.
Healing continues and each day it gets a little better. I am sure physical therapy will help, but it's not going to be easy. I'm resting up to get ready and doing most of the exercises at home. But it's just not the same if you don't have a therapist to encourage you.
And, boy, would a nice massage feel good about now!!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Sleep At Last
Home Sweet Home
How lovely and quiet it is here compared to the hospital. I have caught up on some of my sleep, but there is much yet to go.
My pain is moderate and fairly well, though not 100% controlled by pain meds. It's mostly a cramping kind of feeling that might feel better if I could stretch and bend my legs completely, but there is some swelling so that's not quite in the cards. I've been using ice on the swelling and heat on the very sore muscles in my thighs.
Nest time I change clothes...in long pants now--I will take a picture of my sutures. Each leg has about 50 staples holding the surgical site closed. Every expert who has seen them has commented, "What beautiful knees!" Apparently, my surgeon's skills are quite impressive. I suspect the inside is as good as the outside.
I can feel a huge difference in the stability of the joints already although the soreness and swelling do impact how things feel. Still....wow!
I hope to start my out patient physical therapy next week. In the meantime, I have to discipline myself to do my exercises at home but right now sleeping feels so much better. Hopefully after another nice nap, I will feel more energized.
Everything here at home seems fine although Tucker is stuck inside after losing his shoe. He also cut his ankle a bit, but my horsesitter is treating it. He should be just fine.
Off for my nap.
How lovely and quiet it is here compared to the hospital. I have caught up on some of my sleep, but there is much yet to go.
My pain is moderate and fairly well, though not 100% controlled by pain meds. It's mostly a cramping kind of feeling that might feel better if I could stretch and bend my legs completely, but there is some swelling so that's not quite in the cards. I've been using ice on the swelling and heat on the very sore muscles in my thighs.
Nest time I change clothes...in long pants now--I will take a picture of my sutures. Each leg has about 50 staples holding the surgical site closed. Every expert who has seen them has commented, "What beautiful knees!" Apparently, my surgeon's skills are quite impressive. I suspect the inside is as good as the outside.
I can feel a huge difference in the stability of the joints already although the soreness and swelling do impact how things feel. Still....wow!
I hope to start my out patient physical therapy next week. In the meantime, I have to discipline myself to do my exercises at home but right now sleeping feels so much better. Hopefully after another nice nap, I will feel more energized.
Everything here at home seems fine although Tucker is stuck inside after losing his shoe. He also cut his ankle a bit, but my horsesitter is treating it. He should be just fine.
Off for my nap.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Rehabbing
Perchance I Am A Star
Apparently, I am progressing rapidly through all the rehab challenges and may well be going home before the end of the week. *hope, hope*
My physical therapist and I have pretty much decided on some elbow crutches as my best get around option. I have the other kind of crutches at home already so I will have a choice as for some circumstances, the regular crutches do give me more security.
Other than that, I have been able to handle most of the in home tasks well. The therapists are a bit challenged by my need to figure out how to take care of the horses, so that has been fun. We've spent some time discussing and brainstorming all kinds of ways to make my little horse set up friendly to my somewhat limited abilities.
I've gotten some cool ideas and will just need a little bit of hired muscle to implement them.
I might be home sooner than anyone expected, but we shall see. There is a meeting this afternoon during which the doctors and therapists will discuss my future.
Stay tuned.
Apparently, I am progressing rapidly through all the rehab challenges and may well be going home before the end of the week. *hope, hope*
My physical therapist and I have pretty much decided on some elbow crutches as my best get around option. I have the other kind of crutches at home already so I will have a choice as for some circumstances, the regular crutches do give me more security.
Other than that, I have been able to handle most of the in home tasks well. The therapists are a bit challenged by my need to figure out how to take care of the horses, so that has been fun. We've spent some time discussing and brainstorming all kinds of ways to make my little horse set up friendly to my somewhat limited abilities.
I've gotten some cool ideas and will just need a little bit of hired muscle to implement them.
I might be home sooner than anyone expected, but we shall see. There is a meeting this afternoon during which the doctors and therapists will discuss my future.
Stay tuned.
Friday, September 09, 2011
Off to Rehab
Well, That Was Interesting
My insurance will pay for my stay in rehab, but would not pay for my transportation to rehab.
A pittance compared to the expenses of the surgery, but because I was "ambulatory" I did not qualify for transport. I guess they thought I was going to walk here!
I called my friend Richard and he agreed to drive me from Philadelphia to Edison, NJ, for my next adventure. Nothing exciting today as they will not do rehab on me today, and I am waiting to talk to the doctor about my program.
Kitties are fine at home as are the Boys, so all is well. I have both a horsesitter and a house/kitty sitter. Good people all.
Pain varies, and today I have much more swelling in both knees, but the right more than the left. Hopefully the rehab exercises will help all that.
Off to explore the web.
Lost all my bookmarks, so I may not be visiting all your blogs. But I think I put links on my Follywoods side bar.
See you next time.
My insurance will pay for my stay in rehab, but would not pay for my transportation to rehab.
A pittance compared to the expenses of the surgery, but because I was "ambulatory" I did not qualify for transport. I guess they thought I was going to walk here!
I called my friend Richard and he agreed to drive me from Philadelphia to Edison, NJ, for my next adventure. Nothing exciting today as they will not do rehab on me today, and I am waiting to talk to the doctor about my program.
Kitties are fine at home as are the Boys, so all is well. I have both a horsesitter and a house/kitty sitter. Good people all.
Pain varies, and today I have much more swelling in both knees, but the right more than the left. Hopefully the rehab exercises will help all that.
Off to explore the web.
Lost all my bookmarks, so I may not be visiting all your blogs. But I think I put links on my Follywoods side bar.
See you next time.
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Doing OK
Surgery Went Well
I am a bit sore but already walking down the hall with a wlker and a physical therapist. Pain is tolerable so I should manage OK.
Just got the bandages off and I have a rather long line of staples down my leg across my knee joints. Comes with the territory.
Using Hospital keyboard on the Tv and it's a bit strange.
Nurses are great here with super care and the food is pretty good.
All for now.
I am a bit sore but already walking down the hall with a wlker and a physical therapist. Pain is tolerable so I should manage OK.
Just got the bandages off and I have a rather long line of staples down my leg across my knee joints. Comes with the territory.
Using Hospital keyboard on the Tv and it's a bit strange.
Nurses are great here with super care and the food is pretty good.
All for now.
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Not Much Really New
Just Getting Ready
I good friend spent the morning with me going to the feed store to stock up on feed while I am in the hospital. He helped me unload when we got home which was really great as I am literally on my last legs.
I did, however, introduce him to the "antique" store behind the tack store. Antiques may be in there somewhere, but the "Used furniture" and used everything else part of the place is the focus. I actually bought a really nice rolling suitcase there last week for $5. And I've often gone in to get props for various plays at school. I have two cabinets in my living room I got there too. One is a china type cabinet to display my horse statue collection and the other is a corner unit where my TV sits. Prices? At most $100, as I recall.
If you want it, they probably have it somewhere in the store. It's a huge jumble of a yard sale that goes on 6 days a week. This time, there was a wind up Victrola with a bunch of records there. The cabinet was really cool, the Victrola worked and the whole thing was going for $225. I would think an antique collector would snatch that up. There was a woman there who was on the brink of buying it, so it may be gone already.
Horses are all set now as far as feed goes. I still have to tidy up the barn and finish a few things in the house. And, I still have to pack, although most of my things are sorted and ready to go.
Off to do some caulking. More tomorrow.
I good friend spent the morning with me going to the feed store to stock up on feed while I am in the hospital. He helped me unload when we got home which was really great as I am literally on my last legs.
I did, however, introduce him to the "antique" store behind the tack store. Antiques may be in there somewhere, but the "Used furniture" and used everything else part of the place is the focus. I actually bought a really nice rolling suitcase there last week for $5. And I've often gone in to get props for various plays at school. I have two cabinets in my living room I got there too. One is a china type cabinet to display my horse statue collection and the other is a corner unit where my TV sits. Prices? At most $100, as I recall.
If you want it, they probably have it somewhere in the store. It's a huge jumble of a yard sale that goes on 6 days a week. This time, there was a wind up Victrola with a bunch of records there. The cabinet was really cool, the Victrola worked and the whole thing was going for $225. I would think an antique collector would snatch that up. There was a woman there who was on the brink of buying it, so it may be gone already.
Horses are all set now as far as feed goes. I still have to tidy up the barn and finish a few things in the house. And, I still have to pack, although most of my things are sorted and ready to go.
Off to do some caulking. More tomorrow.
Friday, September 02, 2011
Might As Well Wear Them Out
My Knees, That Is
I didn't exactly set out to do it, but I seem to be managing a fair job of using up what is left of my own knees before I replace them. They have been super aching the last week and I have been very busy on my feet, not giving them much rest.
Today, I spent some time sorting my jewelry for a special sale at my church and continuing some of the major cleaning in the house. Then I checked the weather forecast and realized we might get some more rain--just what we don't need--on the weekend, so if I was going to mow the lawn, I'd better get at it.
But, of course, the lawn tractor battery was dead, so while it was charging, I took advantage of the coolish day and did some weed whacking with my electric string trimmer. I did a good part of the front bank but hope to finish Sunday when there isn't so much traffic speeding by. I have to work along the shoulder of the road and these drivers simply don't bother to slow down if I am out there. It's scary.
Battery charged, weeds trimmed, I began mowing. It is a far from thorough job as there are some tree limbs down and I don't have the energy to clean them up at this point. Besides, my kind neighbor told me he'd do it while I was in the hospital. Thus, I just kind of mowed around the bigger limbs and moaved a number of the smaller ones out of the way.
Lawn mowed, I realized after I put the little tractor away that I'd forgotten to pull the arena drag back into its spot after I moved it to mow. Since I can't pull the drag by human power, I decided to start up the Kubota tractor to move it.
But once I got the Kubota out and about, I figured it was a waste to just put it back without doing something, so I decided to clean out under the east side run in shed in front of Toby's and Tucker's stalls.
Three hefty front end loads later, with some pitchforking on my part to get all the stuff that kind of rolls out of the loader, and that job was done.
Then I fed the Boys who had spent a good part of my work time "helping" by constantly getting in the way of the tractor. I had to cart a bale of hay over for dinner, and I honestly wasn't sure I was going to make it.
Chores done, I decided to go to the pool. I figured a short swim at the most and a nice ride around the Lazy River at the least would feel good.
OK, I ended up doing ten laps and my leg exercises.
But, I must admit the nice hot shower surely did feel good afterwards.
I am worn out and so are my knees.
But it was a good day with much accomplished.
I didn't exactly set out to do it, but I seem to be managing a fair job of using up what is left of my own knees before I replace them. They have been super aching the last week and I have been very busy on my feet, not giving them much rest.
Today, I spent some time sorting my jewelry for a special sale at my church and continuing some of the major cleaning in the house. Then I checked the weather forecast and realized we might get some more rain--just what we don't need--on the weekend, so if I was going to mow the lawn, I'd better get at it.
But, of course, the lawn tractor battery was dead, so while it was charging, I took advantage of the coolish day and did some weed whacking with my electric string trimmer. I did a good part of the front bank but hope to finish Sunday when there isn't so much traffic speeding by. I have to work along the shoulder of the road and these drivers simply don't bother to slow down if I am out there. It's scary.
Battery charged, weeds trimmed, I began mowing. It is a far from thorough job as there are some tree limbs down and I don't have the energy to clean them up at this point. Besides, my kind neighbor told me he'd do it while I was in the hospital. Thus, I just kind of mowed around the bigger limbs and moaved a number of the smaller ones out of the way.
Lawn mowed, I realized after I put the little tractor away that I'd forgotten to pull the arena drag back into its spot after I moved it to mow. Since I can't pull the drag by human power, I decided to start up the Kubota tractor to move it.
But once I got the Kubota out and about, I figured it was a waste to just put it back without doing something, so I decided to clean out under the east side run in shed in front of Toby's and Tucker's stalls.
Three hefty front end loads later, with some pitchforking on my part to get all the stuff that kind of rolls out of the loader, and that job was done.
Then I fed the Boys who had spent a good part of my work time "helping" by constantly getting in the way of the tractor. I had to cart a bale of hay over for dinner, and I honestly wasn't sure I was going to make it.
Chores done, I decided to go to the pool. I figured a short swim at the most and a nice ride around the Lazy River at the least would feel good.
OK, I ended up doing ten laps and my leg exercises.
But, I must admit the nice hot shower surely did feel good afterwards.
I am worn out and so are my knees.
But it was a good day with much accomplished.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Laptop Dying
Battery or What, But Not Really Worth It
My laptop keeps hibernating and giving me a "critical battery" message. Then it tells me to switch to AC power, even though it is already plugged in. I suspect the whole power system has gone haywire.
Repair, or not to repair? $100 or so for a battery and a minimum of $30 just to diagnose the problem and who knows how much to fix it. H-m-m-m-m.
My Ansur commission check will just about cover the cost of a neat little Gateway Netbook---so I bought one. I may well end up taking that with me to my medical adventure instead of the tablet. The size is not a very much different and the netbook runs Windows, so it is easier to use. Works a treat with the WiFi too, so I am all set.
Bless the electric company guys for getting us back to full power, the cable guys for restoring all that soon after, and my wonderful hay man who came today with a trailer load to keep the Boys well fed while I am away. Things are about back to as close to normal as possible.
I am still cleaning house, after a lost day due to storm prep, but I will get just about everything done. I do need to do at least a partial lawn mowing and perhaps do some weed whacking before I go, but that's a Sunday job so I don't get run over on the road.
The barn and Boys are OK, but I do need to put out feeding directions and label things and I need to go to the feed store to stock up so there's plenty of feed on hand.
The Boys are, it seems, delighted to have their fans back on. It has not been excessively hot after the storm, but even with all my fly controls in place, there are some annoying flies about and the fans blow them away. All the rain has provided too much good fly breeding habitat. I'm sure they are worse at other barns, so I won't complain too much.
I am using the water I stockpiled to fill the water tub by the barn`so it won't go to waste. I am happy to find out that the two storage containers look to be able to fill the water trough twice. That's good to know. All in all, I probably had enough water to last the horses for at least a week. Yea!!
I took some of my thawed out frozen food over to a friend's house last night and three of us had a nice dinner. I ended up cleaning out the entire freezer as a result, so now there is plenty of room for new food. I hated to throw some things away, but it wasn't worth taking a chance. It seems most everything had thawed out during the storm, and even though it kept cool, it's not worth a risk of eating stuff that's refrozen. Some of it was probably on the brink of expiration dates anyhow, so cleaning out was due.
I did make a nice pot of onion soup and have put a container of it in the freezer. I've never tried that before, but it's worth a try.
Off to get the cleaning done.
My laptop keeps hibernating and giving me a "critical battery" message. Then it tells me to switch to AC power, even though it is already plugged in. I suspect the whole power system has gone haywire.
Repair, or not to repair? $100 or so for a battery and a minimum of $30 just to diagnose the problem and who knows how much to fix it. H-m-m-m-m.
My Ansur commission check will just about cover the cost of a neat little Gateway Netbook---so I bought one. I may well end up taking that with me to my medical adventure instead of the tablet. The size is not a very much different and the netbook runs Windows, so it is easier to use. Works a treat with the WiFi too, so I am all set.
Bless the electric company guys for getting us back to full power, the cable guys for restoring all that soon after, and my wonderful hay man who came today with a trailer load to keep the Boys well fed while I am away. Things are about back to as close to normal as possible.
I am still cleaning house, after a lost day due to storm prep, but I will get just about everything done. I do need to do at least a partial lawn mowing and perhaps do some weed whacking before I go, but that's a Sunday job so I don't get run over on the road.
The barn and Boys are OK, but I do need to put out feeding directions and label things and I need to go to the feed store to stock up so there's plenty of feed on hand.
The Boys are, it seems, delighted to have their fans back on. It has not been excessively hot after the storm, but even with all my fly controls in place, there are some annoying flies about and the fans blow them away. All the rain has provided too much good fly breeding habitat. I'm sure they are worse at other barns, so I won't complain too much.
I am using the water I stockpiled to fill the water tub by the barn`so it won't go to waste. I am happy to find out that the two storage containers look to be able to fill the water trough twice. That's good to know. All in all, I probably had enough water to last the horses for at least a week. Yea!!
I took some of my thawed out frozen food over to a friend's house last night and three of us had a nice dinner. I ended up cleaning out the entire freezer as a result, so now there is plenty of room for new food. I hated to throw some things away, but it wasn't worth taking a chance. It seems most everything had thawed out during the storm, and even though it kept cool, it's not worth a risk of eating stuff that's refrozen. Some of it was probably on the brink of expiration dates anyhow, so cleaning out was due.
I did make a nice pot of onion soup and have put a container of it in the freezer. I've never tried that before, but it's worth a try.
Off to get the cleaning done.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Power ON
At Last
Posting from my tablet as my laptop insists on hibernating.
Power came on while I was relaxing at the pool, finishing my swim with a nice hot shower.
Still waiting for the cable, Internet and phone service, but with my wifi, I will be fine.
The only news on the horse front is that my ground is dry enough for Tucker to be out again. I also am a bit anxious about getting a supply of hay before I go for surgery. My hay guy has not been there yet this week--no power.
Enough for now. Never thought having electricity woul be such a thrill.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Well, At Least I Know
Why the Power is Out
These pictures are from about a mile down my road. The road is actually closed, but people keep driving past the barriers, including people in tractor trailers. A car can get past the downed tree, but there is no room for a truck, and worse, no real room for a truck to turn around. I called the police to let them know the barriers were down.
G The middle picture shows another tree branch just hanging on above the wires. Bummer. When I call the power company, they have a recorded message still on that says we may not get power until Sunday.
Then I headed to the next road over only to find that all barricaded. There are several spots with downed wires there, and a nice PSE&G guy who said there was no way they could predict when the repairs would be complete, or where my road was on the list.
I took some more pictures over there:
All in all, it looks like a mess, and we don't even have any major flooding here. There are some places in the State under several feet of water.
My cousin, whose house is at the shore on Long Beach Island called to let me know all was well there. They have power and managed to escape being flooded. And they are between the ocean and the bay! i am happy for them, and also surprised. But I think the storm took a turn inland and hit us instead, sparing the coast a lot of potential damage.
I have a generator that I'm running for several hours every day. I had to jump start it with my car as the starter battery is dead, but it's up and running and seems to keep my refrigerator working--sort of. I don't know if it has enough output to run the pump in the barn if I need water for the Boys, but so far, out there, so good.
Poor Tucker is restricted to the riding arena for now until the mud dries up, but that my happen pretty fast as we are having some lovely, sunny and dry weather.
My basement water is gone and while the floor is still wet, it's going to dry out quickly too. Not so at my aunt's house next door. Without power the sump pump does not work, and apparently she has several inches of water in her basement. I am charging her caretaker's cell phone right now so she will have a way to call out.
Chance was delighted to find lots of apples fallen off the tree--so many I had to collect some and put them in a bucket so he didn't get sick. My neighbor dropped by to tell me he would clean up my fallen tree branches while I was in the hospital and also check in on the horses.
So, there is a silver lining to every cloud, I guess. At least I can generate some power here and I am getting the house cleaned as a way of keeping myself busy.
I am hoping the pool may be open so I can go for a swim and have a nice hot shower. Sponge baths in cold water are not exactly fun. I can heat the water on the stove, but somehow, that seems like a waste of gas. Besides, what fun is a disaster if you don't suffer at least a little?
G The middle picture shows another tree branch just hanging on above the wires. Bummer. When I call the power company, they have a recorded message still on that says we may not get power until Sunday.
Then I headed to the next road over only to find that all barricaded. There are several spots with downed wires there, and a nice PSE&G guy who said there was no way they could predict when the repairs would be complete, or where my road was on the list.
I took some more pictures over there:
My cousin, whose house is at the shore on Long Beach Island called to let me know all was well there. They have power and managed to escape being flooded. And they are between the ocean and the bay! i am happy for them, and also surprised. But I think the storm took a turn inland and hit us instead, sparing the coast a lot of potential damage.
I have a generator that I'm running for several hours every day. I had to jump start it with my car as the starter battery is dead, but it's up and running and seems to keep my refrigerator working--sort of. I don't know if it has enough output to run the pump in the barn if I need water for the Boys, but so far, out there, so good.
Poor Tucker is restricted to the riding arena for now until the mud dries up, but that my happen pretty fast as we are having some lovely, sunny and dry weather.
My basement water is gone and while the floor is still wet, it's going to dry out quickly too. Not so at my aunt's house next door. Without power the sump pump does not work, and apparently she has several inches of water in her basement. I am charging her caretaker's cell phone right now so she will have a way to call out.
Chance was delighted to find lots of apples fallen off the tree--so many I had to collect some and put them in a bucket so he didn't get sick. My neighbor dropped by to tell me he would clean up my fallen tree branches while I was in the hospital and also check in on the horses.
So, there is a silver lining to every cloud, I guess. At least I can generate some power here and I am getting the house cleaned as a way of keeping myself busy.
I am hoping the pool may be open so I can go for a swim and have a nice hot shower. Sponge baths in cold water are not exactly fun. I can heat the water on the stove, but somehow, that seems like a waste of gas. Besides, what fun is a disaster if you don't suffer at least a little?
Sunday, August 28, 2011
All is Well
No Power,But Not A Total Disaster
I will be quick as I am running on batteries. The power has been out since about 11 PM last night.
We had lots and lots of rain, some wicked wind, but so far, no major disaster here at Follywoods. I had a battery operated radio on nearly all night. There was one tornado warning, but it was not in my area, thank goodness. Trouble is the radio died suddenly this morning and it was not the battery. I found another one, but it's only AM , so now I can't seem to get the NJ station I want to listen to. However, there is another one, so I have that on now.
Called the power company for an update, but they didn't even have an automated message on. I will check online to see what I can find out.
I finally decided to lock the Boys in the barn during the storm. If it continues to clear, I will let Toby and Chance out in the afternoon. Tucker will have to stay in due to his shoe issues.
My biggest upset is that I actually have water in my basement for the first time I can remember. Not sure where it came from. It is an inch or two deep and mostly on the east side. I don't really have a pump to get it out, so it will have to dry up on its own. The stuff that's wet will survive. It's just a bit disturbing to have water down there as it is usually pretty dry.
So, that's it for now. I will report back later or if anything exciting happens.
I will be quick as I am running on batteries. The power has been out since about 11 PM last night.
We had lots and lots of rain, some wicked wind, but so far, no major disaster here at Follywoods. I had a battery operated radio on nearly all night. There was one tornado warning, but it was not in my area, thank goodness. Trouble is the radio died suddenly this morning and it was not the battery. I found another one, but it's only AM , so now I can't seem to get the NJ station I want to listen to. However, there is another one, so I have that on now.
Called the power company for an update, but they didn't even have an automated message on. I will check online to see what I can find out.
I finally decided to lock the Boys in the barn during the storm. If it continues to clear, I will let Toby and Chance out in the afternoon. Tucker will have to stay in due to his shoe issues.
My biggest upset is that I actually have water in my basement for the first time I can remember. Not sure where it came from. It is an inch or two deep and mostly on the east side. I don't really have a pump to get it out, so it will have to dry up on its own. The stuff that's wet will survive. It's just a bit disturbing to have water down there as it is usually pretty dry.
So, that's it for now. I will report back later or if anything exciting happens.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Prepped and Primped
Ready for Whatever
I bought a really big grass/trash can at Home Depot. Not sure how big it is but I am suspecting it's about 50 gallons. I filled it with water right by the regular water trough, along with a muck bucket I bought a while ago to put water out in the pasture.
I also had three 50 gallon water troughs, but one of them was missing the plug.
Thus the search began. You would think that with three Rubbermaid water tubs, two with the drain plug replaced by an electric heater, that I would have the plugs I'd taken out. I have three cabinets in the feed room along with numerous buckets holding various hardware items.
On the upside, trying to find the drain plug required that I look everywhere, and looking everywhere meant that I couldn't simply rummage about without cleaning up as I went along. So, the morning of search became the morning of clean.
Cabinet one, no plug. Cabinet two, no plug. Nor was there a plug in any bucket, shelf, or place I looked. I did manage to fill five feed bags with stuff to throw away, and I found a nice collection of double end snaps along the way.
I called the tack store, and sure enough, they had the drain plugs I needed. I cleaned myself up a bit as I was covered in grime at that point, and headed off only to run into what looked to be an endless traffic jam on the way into the first little town I needed to drive through. So I took a convoluted detour and got to the store.
I figured I'd pick up some shavings for the stalls but they were out, so I drove to Agway, just a few blocks away and bought four bales there--they had plenty. Home again, I tidied up the barn, unloaded the shavings and, on the brink of exhaustion knee wise, decided to go for a short swim.
It was hot, humid, and sunny. The water felt absolutely wonderful but I only did five laps before riding around the Lazy River a half dozen time, just relaxing.
Dove home, stopping at the WaWa to buy some chocolate milk--just a craving. The gas station there was a madhouse, with tons and tons of cars. Everyone was buying gas before the storm.
Home again, I started the water hoarding. I filled all the tubs, buckets and new barrel out at the barn, as well as two buckets of water in each horse''s stall.
I'm guessing I have water for the horses for perhaps four days now. I may fill some more individual buckets in the barn aisle when I feed in the morning, and I still need to bed Tucker's stall. Of the three, I am going to have to keep him in as the rains blow in. The hurricane seems to be weakening as far as the winds go, but it's still going to bring some heavy rain. It the course doesn't change, we will be not far away from a direct hit, leaving us at the very least, in for a really bad soaking with pretty windy conditions.
I'm about as ready as I can be, so now it's just a matter of "wait and see." Besides, that's about all my sore, worn out body can do right now anyhow.
I bought a really big grass/trash can at Home Depot. Not sure how big it is but I am suspecting it's about 50 gallons. I filled it with water right by the regular water trough, along with a muck bucket I bought a while ago to put water out in the pasture.
I also had three 50 gallon water troughs, but one of them was missing the plug.
Thus the search began. You would think that with three Rubbermaid water tubs, two with the drain plug replaced by an electric heater, that I would have the plugs I'd taken out. I have three cabinets in the feed room along with numerous buckets holding various hardware items.
On the upside, trying to find the drain plug required that I look everywhere, and looking everywhere meant that I couldn't simply rummage about without cleaning up as I went along. So, the morning of search became the morning of clean.
Cabinet one, no plug. Cabinet two, no plug. Nor was there a plug in any bucket, shelf, or place I looked. I did manage to fill five feed bags with stuff to throw away, and I found a nice collection of double end snaps along the way.
I called the tack store, and sure enough, they had the drain plugs I needed. I cleaned myself up a bit as I was covered in grime at that point, and headed off only to run into what looked to be an endless traffic jam on the way into the first little town I needed to drive through. So I took a convoluted detour and got to the store.
I figured I'd pick up some shavings for the stalls but they were out, so I drove to Agway, just a few blocks away and bought four bales there--they had plenty. Home again, I tidied up the barn, unloaded the shavings and, on the brink of exhaustion knee wise, decided to go for a short swim.
It was hot, humid, and sunny. The water felt absolutely wonderful but I only did five laps before riding around the Lazy River a half dozen time, just relaxing.
Dove home, stopping at the WaWa to buy some chocolate milk--just a craving. The gas station there was a madhouse, with tons and tons of cars. Everyone was buying gas before the storm.
Home again, I started the water hoarding. I filled all the tubs, buckets and new barrel out at the barn, as well as two buckets of water in each horse''s stall.
I'm guessing I have water for the horses for perhaps four days now. I may fill some more individual buckets in the barn aisle when I feed in the morning, and I still need to bed Tucker's stall. Of the three, I am going to have to keep him in as the rains blow in. The hurricane seems to be weakening as far as the winds go, but it's still going to bring some heavy rain. It the course doesn't change, we will be not far away from a direct hit, leaving us at the very least, in for a really bad soaking with pretty windy conditions.
I'm about as ready as I can be, so now it's just a matter of "wait and see." Besides, that's about all my sore, worn out body can do right now anyhow.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
What Next, A Hurricane?
You Got It...On the Way
Looks like we are going to get nailed by hurricane Irene. I am miles inland, but that doesn't help too much. If the winds are really bad, trees will go down and that means no power.
Out here in the country, that means no water, as my water comes from my wells and the pumps are electric. I do have a generator that, I think, would run a pump if it gets really bad, but I need to prepare regardless.
The house is not a big issue. I have bottled water on hand and extra water stored in 5 gallon containers. I have a gas stove, so that doesn't need power so I can cook. Food in the refrigerator will keep for several days if don't open it much, and again, the generator would run that for periods of time.
It's water for the horses that worries me. I will fill two outside tubs, add at least one manure tub of water, and fill all the buckets I have. Two, at least in each stall, and the extras, along with the water containers in the horse trailer. That should hold us for a few days, just in case.
I am sure I could find a way to bring water over here from the sandpit across the way if I needed it. All I'd have to do is get permission from the owner who happens to be my hay guy. They might even be able to help me some other way as far as water goes.
The trick of living in the country is to be as self-sufficient as you possibly can be. And that means being prepared for emergencies. I have candles, flashlights and batteries. I will fully charge my laptop, tablet, wifi and, of course, my cell phone so I have light and communication. The laptop might sound a bit strange, but I do get a lot of news and information through the Internet, so with the WiFi connection, I can get online. I won't waste the power posting too much, but I will let my blogging friends know that all is well here.
I keep hoping this storm will change course and go out to sea. It doesn't look too promising, but it's happened before. We can only hope.
Tucker is already stuck inside because we had some more soaking thunderstorms today. I'll put him out in the riding arena tomorrow, but from the forecast, he'll be inside for the bulk of the weekend. I feel bad for him, but I can't risk his losing a shoe at this point because his feet are already on the brink of being too short and if he breaks off any more hoof I don't think Scott would be able to get a new shoe on.
Fortunately, he does not fuss too much about being in.
Looks like we are going to get nailed by hurricane Irene. I am miles inland, but that doesn't help too much. If the winds are really bad, trees will go down and that means no power.
Out here in the country, that means no water, as my water comes from my wells and the pumps are electric. I do have a generator that, I think, would run a pump if it gets really bad, but I need to prepare regardless.
The house is not a big issue. I have bottled water on hand and extra water stored in 5 gallon containers. I have a gas stove, so that doesn't need power so I can cook. Food in the refrigerator will keep for several days if don't open it much, and again, the generator would run that for periods of time.
It's water for the horses that worries me. I will fill two outside tubs, add at least one manure tub of water, and fill all the buckets I have. Two, at least in each stall, and the extras, along with the water containers in the horse trailer. That should hold us for a few days, just in case.
I am sure I could find a way to bring water over here from the sandpit across the way if I needed it. All I'd have to do is get permission from the owner who happens to be my hay guy. They might even be able to help me some other way as far as water goes.
The trick of living in the country is to be as self-sufficient as you possibly can be. And that means being prepared for emergencies. I have candles, flashlights and batteries. I will fully charge my laptop, tablet, wifi and, of course, my cell phone so I have light and communication. The laptop might sound a bit strange, but I do get a lot of news and information through the Internet, so with the WiFi connection, I can get online. I won't waste the power posting too much, but I will let my blogging friends know that all is well here.
I keep hoping this storm will change course and go out to sea. It doesn't look too promising, but it's happened before. We can only hope.
Tucker is already stuck inside because we had some more soaking thunderstorms today. I'll put him out in the riding arena tomorrow, but from the forecast, he'll be inside for the bulk of the weekend. I feel bad for him, but I can't risk his losing a shoe at this point because his feet are already on the brink of being too short and if he breaks off any more hoof I don't think Scott would be able to get a new shoe on.
Fortunately, he does not fuss too much about being in.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Earthquake
And I Thought It Was My Hardboiled Eggs
The earthquake in Virginia was felt all the way up the Eastern Coast, including here in New Jersey.
I was here, sitting at the computer when it hit, just before 2 PM, and I thought that either the hardboiled eggs I was was cooking on the stove and exploded in the pan, or that my cats in the sunroom had toppled something or gotten into a scuffle.
There was a kind of rumbling noise that lasted at most 2 seconds here. DJ, the kitty who was sitting on my lap leapt off and sat rather startled on the floor. As I looked down the hall, I saw Reggie also sitting on the cedar chest in high alert. That kind of clued me that it wasn't cat activity, because they were not looking anywhere that the other cats might be.
I checked the eggs to find that the water had boiled low, but not enough to make the eggs rattle about or explode. It was only later that I found out the earthquake had struck and that explained the noise.
After I thought about it for a while, I realized that shortly before that, Reggie, my black kitty had been sitting at my feet meowing and meowing. I tried petting him and playing with him, but he would not be soothed. I now suspect he was trying to tell me that the quake was about to strike. They do say some animals are very sensitive and that the earth itself gives off vibrations before an earthquake, so I am now claiming he was trying to tell me something was wrong. Bless his little furry face.
The horses were not at all upset when I went out a bit later, so aside from the noise, I don't think there was much action here.
Apparently, the bedrock on the East Coast is more solid than on the West Coast because it has rarely been shaken by quakes, so the vibrations travel farther. This theory is interesting to me because other areas of New Jersey--not too far away--were rocked far longer and with much more vibration than I was. My land lies above an aqufer, as I have noted before. There is a deep layer of sand not too far below the surface and below that rock layers and large underground water pockets. There is also an underground waterway of sorts. What I suspect is that much of the quake was absorbed into those layers of sands and water, kind of "cushioning" any more powerful vibrations.
We are not prone to earthquakes around here, so the big worry is always whether even a relatively minor quake will cause damage to any structures not built to withstand the shaking. I am sad to report that the Washington Monument did suffer some cracks in its upper stone work and will be closed "indefinitely" until assessment and repairs can be made.
Some of my online friends reported things knocked off shelves, but that seems to be about all. West Coast readers will, perhaps scoff at the "big deal" we are making here of the quake, but it is such a rare event on this side of the country that it does stir up a lot of talk.
Now, we are waiting for a hurricane. I am a little concerned about that because Irene's course has changed and it's going to hit New England after passing very close to the New Jersey coastline on its way towards land. While I am inland, the rotating winds on the outside of the storm are often some of the worst, so I am well within that strike area. The forecast is calling for a "Nor'easter" which means heavy rain and wind coming from the rotating winds. Rivers and streams around here are already pretty close to flood stage as it is, so the 6"-9" of rain possible from this storm will not be welcome.
Again, my land is high enough not to flood, but tree damage is a serious threat.
I am not looking forward to early Sunday/late Saturday at all. *sigh*
The earthquake in Virginia was felt all the way up the Eastern Coast, including here in New Jersey.
I was here, sitting at the computer when it hit, just before 2 PM, and I thought that either the hardboiled eggs I was was cooking on the stove and exploded in the pan, or that my cats in the sunroom had toppled something or gotten into a scuffle.
There was a kind of rumbling noise that lasted at most 2 seconds here. DJ, the kitty who was sitting on my lap leapt off and sat rather startled on the floor. As I looked down the hall, I saw Reggie also sitting on the cedar chest in high alert. That kind of clued me that it wasn't cat activity, because they were not looking anywhere that the other cats might be.
I checked the eggs to find that the water had boiled low, but not enough to make the eggs rattle about or explode. It was only later that I found out the earthquake had struck and that explained the noise.
After I thought about it for a while, I realized that shortly before that, Reggie, my black kitty had been sitting at my feet meowing and meowing. I tried petting him and playing with him, but he would not be soothed. I now suspect he was trying to tell me that the quake was about to strike. They do say some animals are very sensitive and that the earth itself gives off vibrations before an earthquake, so I am now claiming he was trying to tell me something was wrong. Bless his little furry face.
The horses were not at all upset when I went out a bit later, so aside from the noise, I don't think there was much action here.
Apparently, the bedrock on the East Coast is more solid than on the West Coast because it has rarely been shaken by quakes, so the vibrations travel farther. This theory is interesting to me because other areas of New Jersey--not too far away--were rocked far longer and with much more vibration than I was. My land lies above an aqufer, as I have noted before. There is a deep layer of sand not too far below the surface and below that rock layers and large underground water pockets. There is also an underground waterway of sorts. What I suspect is that much of the quake was absorbed into those layers of sands and water, kind of "cushioning" any more powerful vibrations.
We are not prone to earthquakes around here, so the big worry is always whether even a relatively minor quake will cause damage to any structures not built to withstand the shaking. I am sad to report that the Washington Monument did suffer some cracks in its upper stone work and will be closed "indefinitely" until assessment and repairs can be made.
Some of my online friends reported things knocked off shelves, but that seems to be about all. West Coast readers will, perhaps scoff at the "big deal" we are making here of the quake, but it is such a rare event on this side of the country that it does stir up a lot of talk.
Now, we are waiting for a hurricane. I am a little concerned about that because Irene's course has changed and it's going to hit New England after passing very close to the New Jersey coastline on its way towards land. While I am inland, the rotating winds on the outside of the storm are often some of the worst, so I am well within that strike area. The forecast is calling for a "Nor'easter" which means heavy rain and wind coming from the rotating winds. Rivers and streams around here are already pretty close to flood stage as it is, so the 6"-9" of rain possible from this storm will not be welcome.
Again, my land is high enough not to flood, but tree damage is a serious threat.
I am not looking forward to early Sunday/late Saturday at all. *sigh*
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Pre Op
Testing, Testing, One Two Three
I drove to Philadelphia yesterday for all my pre operation testing.
From here Philly is about an hour and fifteen minute drive, if you don't hit traffic. Remarkably enough, I didn't hit traffic until I was near the first set of city exits off I-95 and while that lost me perhaps 15 minutes, once I cleared the inexplicable traffic jam, getting to the hospital itself was not too hard. My GPS kept disagreeing with the written directions I had from the hospital, so I compromised between the two and pulled up to the valet parking garage with minutes to spare.
So, what does pre op admissions screening involve? Well, for one, lots of questions. Every nurse or doctor along the way asked me to identify myself with name, address and birthdate. This way, they are sure each time they are filling out paperwork for the right person. Then, an every stop, I had my blood pressure taken. Even with the stress of the moment it was fine each time--I am on medication for hypertension and it seems to work really well.
At the first stop, I had a lot of blood taken for something like eight different tests. I also had an EKG done to check my heart--good too--and someone listened to my lungs and heart. They made lists of the medications I was taking including any vitamins, and, eventually, the anesthesiologist came in to talk to me.
That was the low point of the day. Apparently, I will not be getting a general anesthesia as I've had before for surgery. My doctor is known for efficient knee replacements, so it usually takes him about three hours to do two knees. Despite his speed, this is considered to be a long surgery, so they prefer to go lighter on the anesthesia. Ugh. I will be getting some kind of drug to make me relax and then I'll get an epidural--injection in my spine--to cut off all sensation below the waist. Apparently, I need to be somewhat awake when they administer this. Great. Then, once I am both totally numb and unable to move, I will get some more "relaxing" stuff, and off we go. I may be partially awake during the surgery itself, or I may drift off and go to sleep. I am hoping the latter.....
Once I'm in recovery, they will bring me out of my "twilight" state and I'll be there for perhaps another hour--the epidural is supposed to last about four hours--unable to move as the drug wears off. At that point, I will start to "feel the pain" of the surgical procedure and I'll have my "pump" to use to administer painkillers as I need them.
Oh, Goodie. What fun....not. I must admit, I am a little freaked out about this aspect of the surgery.
When I had my hysterectomy, I had the morphine pump and used it on the second day, when my shoulder began to hurt so badly. By the third day, I was sick to my stomach all day. I'm not keen about taking morphine because of that. I also am pretty sure I had a bad reaction to it when I broke my wrist. So I guess I need to tell them at the hospital before I have my surgery that this might be a problem.
Anyhow, after that disturbing bit of news, off I went to the cardiologist for another consultation. He checked me out and said everything looked great for double replacement surgery. Apparently, all patients are not good candidates for this. He said my doctor is particularly conservative in selecting patients for bilateral replacements, and usually, once he sends someone for testing, it's pretty sure that patient will qualify just fine, and he said I was no exception. He said my swimming was a great idea and that most teachers were highly motivated people so that both were an added plus for a good recovery.
Nice. I needed an "upper" about then.
I stopped at a nice little deli for lunch--recommended by the nurse at the cardiologist--and had a really good grilled chicken an avocado salad. Since I was next going to donate blood for my surgery, I was supposed to be sure to eat.
That left nearly two hours before my blood donation. I'm not sure what sights or stores might have been in the area, but I decided to sit in the hospital lobby to read my book rather than wander about the city. My knees were bothering me anyhow, so if I'd gone too far, I might well have regretted it. After about a half hour, I decided to find the blood donation room to see if there was any way they could take me earlier.
A little "wending my way" about the hospital and I found the spot. Sure enough, early was fine, so an hour before my scheduled appointment I was hooked up and surrendering a pint of blood. The hospital was running an internal blood drive as well, offering tee shirts and meal ticket incentives to hospital employees, so I had plenty of company in the room. We all chatted a bit in between our book reading.
I was done and on my way in about 45 minutes.
Parking, even with the courtesy discount was still $14 for the day and I tipped the valet another $2. With lunch, my insurance co-pay at the cardiologist, and my iced tea and doughnut on the way home, the day cost me about $40. Not too bad since I managed to avoid any tolls on the road by the route I took.
My GPS had a mind of its own on the way home. Something must have gone a bit wrong when I first plugged in the command for "home." I was driving through city streets going no where. At a stop light, I reprogrammed the "fastest route" option, then hit "home" again, and suddenly, it directed me off to the right--where I knew Route 95 was lurking, and with a bit of a "take a U-turn" and a little sensible interpretation on my part, I finally made my way to Route 95 north and headed home.
I made it back in time to attend the EVA (our local conservation group) meeting where we were discussing our involvement in the future of the farm we helped preserve.
Then I drove home to feed the Boys and collapse on the couch to watch TV for the evening. Enough done for one day, I think.
Now it's a matter of getting ready for the Big Day.
Mixed feelings here. On one hand I am really looking forward to the prospect of actually having good knees again. On the other, it's a little scary.
I drove to Philadelphia yesterday for all my pre operation testing.
From here Philly is about an hour and fifteen minute drive, if you don't hit traffic. Remarkably enough, I didn't hit traffic until I was near the first set of city exits off I-95 and while that lost me perhaps 15 minutes, once I cleared the inexplicable traffic jam, getting to the hospital itself was not too hard. My GPS kept disagreeing with the written directions I had from the hospital, so I compromised between the two and pulled up to the valet parking garage with minutes to spare.
So, what does pre op admissions screening involve? Well, for one, lots of questions. Every nurse or doctor along the way asked me to identify myself with name, address and birthdate. This way, they are sure each time they are filling out paperwork for the right person. Then, an every stop, I had my blood pressure taken. Even with the stress of the moment it was fine each time--I am on medication for hypertension and it seems to work really well.
At the first stop, I had a lot of blood taken for something like eight different tests. I also had an EKG done to check my heart--good too--and someone listened to my lungs and heart. They made lists of the medications I was taking including any vitamins, and, eventually, the anesthesiologist came in to talk to me.
That was the low point of the day. Apparently, I will not be getting a general anesthesia as I've had before for surgery. My doctor is known for efficient knee replacements, so it usually takes him about three hours to do two knees. Despite his speed, this is considered to be a long surgery, so they prefer to go lighter on the anesthesia. Ugh. I will be getting some kind of drug to make me relax and then I'll get an epidural--injection in my spine--to cut off all sensation below the waist. Apparently, I need to be somewhat awake when they administer this. Great. Then, once I am both totally numb and unable to move, I will get some more "relaxing" stuff, and off we go. I may be partially awake during the surgery itself, or I may drift off and go to sleep. I am hoping the latter.....
Once I'm in recovery, they will bring me out of my "twilight" state and I'll be there for perhaps another hour--the epidural is supposed to last about four hours--unable to move as the drug wears off. At that point, I will start to "feel the pain" of the surgical procedure and I'll have my "pump" to use to administer painkillers as I need them.
Oh, Goodie. What fun....not. I must admit, I am a little freaked out about this aspect of the surgery.
When I had my hysterectomy, I had the morphine pump and used it on the second day, when my shoulder began to hurt so badly. By the third day, I was sick to my stomach all day. I'm not keen about taking morphine because of that. I also am pretty sure I had a bad reaction to it when I broke my wrist. So I guess I need to tell them at the hospital before I have my surgery that this might be a problem.
Anyhow, after that disturbing bit of news, off I went to the cardiologist for another consultation. He checked me out and said everything looked great for double replacement surgery. Apparently, all patients are not good candidates for this. He said my doctor is particularly conservative in selecting patients for bilateral replacements, and usually, once he sends someone for testing, it's pretty sure that patient will qualify just fine, and he said I was no exception. He said my swimming was a great idea and that most teachers were highly motivated people so that both were an added plus for a good recovery.
Nice. I needed an "upper" about then.
I stopped at a nice little deli for lunch--recommended by the nurse at the cardiologist--and had a really good grilled chicken an avocado salad. Since I was next going to donate blood for my surgery, I was supposed to be sure to eat.
That left nearly two hours before my blood donation. I'm not sure what sights or stores might have been in the area, but I decided to sit in the hospital lobby to read my book rather than wander about the city. My knees were bothering me anyhow, so if I'd gone too far, I might well have regretted it. After about a half hour, I decided to find the blood donation room to see if there was any way they could take me earlier.
A little "wending my way" about the hospital and I found the spot. Sure enough, early was fine, so an hour before my scheduled appointment I was hooked up and surrendering a pint of blood. The hospital was running an internal blood drive as well, offering tee shirts and meal ticket incentives to hospital employees, so I had plenty of company in the room. We all chatted a bit in between our book reading.
I was done and on my way in about 45 minutes.
Parking, even with the courtesy discount was still $14 for the day and I tipped the valet another $2. With lunch, my insurance co-pay at the cardiologist, and my iced tea and doughnut on the way home, the day cost me about $40. Not too bad since I managed to avoid any tolls on the road by the route I took.
My GPS had a mind of its own on the way home. Something must have gone a bit wrong when I first plugged in the command for "home." I was driving through city streets going no where. At a stop light, I reprogrammed the "fastest route" option, then hit "home" again, and suddenly, it directed me off to the right--where I knew Route 95 was lurking, and with a bit of a "take a U-turn" and a little sensible interpretation on my part, I finally made my way to Route 95 north and headed home.
I made it back in time to attend the EVA (our local conservation group) meeting where we were discussing our involvement in the future of the farm we helped preserve.
Then I drove home to feed the Boys and collapse on the couch to watch TV for the evening. Enough done for one day, I think.
Now it's a matter of getting ready for the Big Day.
Mixed feelings here. On one hand I am really looking forward to the prospect of actually having good knees again. On the other, it's a little scary.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Shoes On
Tucker is Back In Action
Well, not exactly as he is still in his stall because the mud is still pretty muddy. Scott put his shoes on--not easy since one hoof was pretty broken in the wall.
I am going to wait a bit and then turn him out in the riding arena where there is sand for footing. Trouble is, we may have more storms coming over the next couple days, then a few days of dry and then more storms. I have a feeling his turnout will be limited for a while.
There is the run in shed out there and I will make sure he has water as well as hay available, so it won't be so bad, but it's far from being able to just hang around as he pleases. My big worry is the darn big flies. I don't know if they will follow him into the run-in or not. I guess I am just going to have to put him out there and keep an eye on him.
I will be keeping him in at night until the ground dries out. Usually, this time of year this is not a problem. But we have had over 10 inches of rain over the last week or so and the ground is saturated. Bummer.
And, of course I am not riding, so turnout is basically the only exercise the Boys get. I may, however, start to lunge Tucker just to make up for his confinement time.
At least I can do that now.
Well, not exactly as he is still in his stall because the mud is still pretty muddy. Scott put his shoes on--not easy since one hoof was pretty broken in the wall.
I am going to wait a bit and then turn him out in the riding arena where there is sand for footing. Trouble is, we may have more storms coming over the next couple days, then a few days of dry and then more storms. I have a feeling his turnout will be limited for a while.
There is the run in shed out there and I will make sure he has water as well as hay available, so it won't be so bad, but it's far from being able to just hang around as he pleases. My big worry is the darn big flies. I don't know if they will follow him into the run-in or not. I guess I am just going to have to put him out there and keep an eye on him.
I will be keeping him in at night until the ground dries out. Usually, this time of year this is not a problem. But we have had over 10 inches of rain over the last week or so and the ground is saturated. Bummer.
And, of course I am not riding, so turnout is basically the only exercise the Boys get. I may, however, start to lunge Tucker just to make up for his confinement time.
At least I can do that now.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Barefoot Boy and Not Good
The Attack of the B52
I put Tucker out on the lawn for a bit of a graze since he's been in his stall due to the missing shoe.
I had to wrap his foot in vetrap and duct tape to protect it since none of the boots I had fit. For some reason his toe is too long to fit even in the Cavello boot which usually is fine. I had two EasyBoot gloves as well, and neither of them went on either.
So out he went into the nice grass for, I figured about an hour. With a nearly two days of sun, the lawn was pretty dry, although I did expect he would make some hoofprints. No problem. I can cope.
What I did not expect was the attacking B52. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, a "B52" is my name for one of those HUGE horseflies that bite like crazy. The darn things are at least an inch long, and, I swear, they have vampire fangs.
Desptite his flysheet and flyspray, Tuck went bonkers when the fly dive bombed him. He bucked off across to the paddock gate, I'd guess hoping to get into the barn for refuge, but, of course, the gate was closed. I guess that took the fly off course because then everything quieted down.
But, in that single spurt of drama...guess what? Tuck pulled his other front shoe off.
No mud--just a leaping buck or two or three.
OK, well at least he's even in front for now. That shoe had to be loose or it never would have come off.
I don't know when Scott is coming, but hopefully soon. I hate having Tucker stuck in and, at the moment, I don't even have hoof boots to put on him so he can get out a little.
Turnout is so important. I know there are many horses that spend hours a day inside the barn, but there is no way I can believe it's good for them. Nature created a wandering, grazing animal in the horse. Their bodies are designed to move their minds instinctively want to have the freedom to flee from danger--or simply to move as well.
Fortunately, Tucker tolerates "captivity" pretty well, so he doesn't fuss by being in. An this time of year, the Boys do tend to spend a lot of time hanging out in the stalls with the fans rather than wandering about outside, so it's not quite as bad as it might be.
Still.
Wish he could go barefoot, but everytime I have tried, he has come up with a long term lameness. He's just one of those horses that needs shoes and simply doesn't like to keep them on.
I put Tucker out on the lawn for a bit of a graze since he's been in his stall due to the missing shoe.
I had to wrap his foot in vetrap and duct tape to protect it since none of the boots I had fit. For some reason his toe is too long to fit even in the Cavello boot which usually is fine. I had two EasyBoot gloves as well, and neither of them went on either.
So out he went into the nice grass for, I figured about an hour. With a nearly two days of sun, the lawn was pretty dry, although I did expect he would make some hoofprints. No problem. I can cope.
What I did not expect was the attacking B52. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, a "B52" is my name for one of those HUGE horseflies that bite like crazy. The darn things are at least an inch long, and, I swear, they have vampire fangs.
Desptite his flysheet and flyspray, Tuck went bonkers when the fly dive bombed him. He bucked off across to the paddock gate, I'd guess hoping to get into the barn for refuge, but, of course, the gate was closed. I guess that took the fly off course because then everything quieted down.
But, in that single spurt of drama...guess what? Tuck pulled his other front shoe off.
No mud--just a leaping buck or two or three.
OK, well at least he's even in front for now. That shoe had to be loose or it never would have come off.
I don't know when Scott is coming, but hopefully soon. I hate having Tucker stuck in and, at the moment, I don't even have hoof boots to put on him so he can get out a little.
Turnout is so important. I know there are many horses that spend hours a day inside the barn, but there is no way I can believe it's good for them. Nature created a wandering, grazing animal in the horse. Their bodies are designed to move their minds instinctively want to have the freedom to flee from danger--or simply to move as well.
Fortunately, Tucker tolerates "captivity" pretty well, so he doesn't fuss by being in. An this time of year, the Boys do tend to spend a lot of time hanging out in the stalls with the fans rather than wandering about outside, so it's not quite as bad as it might be.
Still.
Wish he could go barefoot, but everytime I have tried, he has come up with a long term lameness. He's just one of those horses that needs shoes and simply doesn't like to keep them on.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Shoeeet!
Well, It Is Wet--Very Wet
And I suppose I should have kept Tucker in, but the first downpours kind of caught me off guard.
Still. I had to abide a lecture by my farrier, Scott, about turning the Boy out in the muck. Or shall I say the lakes. To say that we had rain is an understatement. We had torrential rain, and it's not over yet.
The weather information is that locally we had over 7 inches of rain. 7.45 measured in East Brunswick which is about a mile from here. I don't have a rain gauge out right now, so I cannot verify that, but from the looks of things, I'd suspect that's pretty close to what we had. And the forecast calls for more to come.
Once more, I bless my little hill and the good drainage of the sandy loam soil and the aquifer below. But there is enough mud to pull shoes, and, of course, that's what Tucker did. The combination of wet hoofs, mud, and his short backed conformation/slight clubfoot make for a difficult situation.
So, for now, he is in his stall, awaiting Scott, who is not too happy about it. Nor am I.
Every time it rains I have to watch Tucker's feet. And long time readers of my blog know that I tried the shoeless option with no success. We ended up with long term unsoundness from either bruises or abscesses.
Fortunately, Tucker does not fuss too much about being in his stall. Right now the weather is still unsettled with more storms coming in. And, in the summer, all three Boys tend to hang out more in the barn than out. I hate keeping any horse in, but in this case, there is no choice. Once the shoe is back on and it dries up he will be able to go out.
I guess I will be going back to restricting his turnout again. That will mean keeping him in the riding arena when it's wet out. The footing in there still gets soggy, but it is sand, not mud, so there's less chance of shoes off.
The other Boys don't care much. Toby is perfectly happy because he is out and doesn't have to contend with Tucker's trying to steal his grain when he's not looking. Chance is so laid back about things, he doesn't have an opinion one way or another, except that is just means more apples for him. I did see Tucker out under the apple tree the other day, so I suspect there was some competition for the fallen fruit. Now, unless Toby decides to join in, Chance gets the bulk of the spoils.
I hate to think that the kind of rain we've been getting is the norm in precipitation. It is, unfortunately, the same pattern we had through the winter months last year. And here's the worry--in inch of rain can mean as much as 10 inches of dry snow and 5 inches of wet snow. Even if you average that out at a 1:7 ratio, we'd be under a blanket of nearly 50 inches of snow from the last few days' precipitation.
This will be the last time I complain about the summer temperatures. (Yeah, sure.....)
No swimming today. I didn't need a pool anyhow. I could've swum in the air.
And I suppose I should have kept Tucker in, but the first downpours kind of caught me off guard.
Still. I had to abide a lecture by my farrier, Scott, about turning the Boy out in the muck. Or shall I say the lakes. To say that we had rain is an understatement. We had torrential rain, and it's not over yet.
The weather information is that locally we had over 7 inches of rain. 7.45 measured in East Brunswick which is about a mile from here. I don't have a rain gauge out right now, so I cannot verify that, but from the looks of things, I'd suspect that's pretty close to what we had. And the forecast calls for more to come.
Once more, I bless my little hill and the good drainage of the sandy loam soil and the aquifer below. But there is enough mud to pull shoes, and, of course, that's what Tucker did. The combination of wet hoofs, mud, and his short backed conformation/slight clubfoot make for a difficult situation.
So, for now, he is in his stall, awaiting Scott, who is not too happy about it. Nor am I.
Every time it rains I have to watch Tucker's feet. And long time readers of my blog know that I tried the shoeless option with no success. We ended up with long term unsoundness from either bruises or abscesses.
Fortunately, Tucker does not fuss too much about being in his stall. Right now the weather is still unsettled with more storms coming in. And, in the summer, all three Boys tend to hang out more in the barn than out. I hate keeping any horse in, but in this case, there is no choice. Once the shoe is back on and it dries up he will be able to go out.
I guess I will be going back to restricting his turnout again. That will mean keeping him in the riding arena when it's wet out. The footing in there still gets soggy, but it is sand, not mud, so there's less chance of shoes off.
The other Boys don't care much. Toby is perfectly happy because he is out and doesn't have to contend with Tucker's trying to steal his grain when he's not looking. Chance is so laid back about things, he doesn't have an opinion one way or another, except that is just means more apples for him. I did see Tucker out under the apple tree the other day, so I suspect there was some competition for the fallen fruit. Now, unless Toby decides to join in, Chance gets the bulk of the spoils.
I hate to think that the kind of rain we've been getting is the norm in precipitation. It is, unfortunately, the same pattern we had through the winter months last year. And here's the worry--in inch of rain can mean as much as 10 inches of dry snow and 5 inches of wet snow. Even if you average that out at a 1:7 ratio, we'd be under a blanket of nearly 50 inches of snow from the last few days' precipitation.
This will be the last time I complain about the summer temperatures. (Yeah, sure.....)
No swimming today. I didn't need a pool anyhow. I could've swum in the air.
Friday, August 12, 2011
The Cost of Feed
Prices on the Rise?
Hard to say for sure, but I bought alfalfa cubes today at Tractor Supply and the price had gone up $1.50 a bag since my last purchase...just a few weeks ago. Is this foreshadowing of things to come?
When I switched to Purina Healthy Edge--high fat, low carbohydrate--I expected to pay a bit more than for a less speciailized feed. I was first using the Country Acres feeds--also a Purina product, but more generic. Then I switched to Triple Crown Low starch, and eventually ended up with the Healthy Edge. I think when I first started, the feed was $12.99 a 50 lb. bag. I it up to $15.99 now.
I am not sure what is inflating the price the most. The field corn producers are selling their corn to agri fuel companies, which does have an impact on the animal feed industry. I would also guess that the weather in the midwest is causing some issues. And what about the cost of transportation? With gas/diesel prices rising, it costs more and more to ship the product.
So far, my hay prices are still at $6.75 a bale for a nice mixed hay. My supplier is just across the street and delivers, unloads, and stacks it for me. That makes the price a real bargain. There may be cheaper hay right off the field locally, but I'm better off with this price and arrangement. Still, I used to be able to get good hay for around $3.00 a bale and I was paying around $5.00 not too long ago. Of all the feed stuff, I guess hay is the easiest to shop around for bargains--at least here in New Jersey. Farmers do make deals sometimes, and even my supplier gave me a discount when he had leftover supplies last year.
I am sure some of my readers pay more for feed and some pay less. It does vary from one part of the country to another and here, even from one part of the State to another.
But the "sticker shock" of today's alfalfa cube purchase sticks with me. I went to Tractor Supply expecting a savings of about $12 for three bags over my closer feed store. That savings was cut to $4.50 instead and with the price of gas at $3.50 a gallon, I'm not sure the extra driving miles didn't cost me most of that.
Then again, I haven't priced the cubes at my feed store since a few weeks ago either. Maybe, when I do, I will discover I actually did save what I'd anticipated.
All I know is that the Boys were happy to get their cubes at lunchtime instead of with breakfast. And extra feeding always appeals to them.
But I made the mistake of leaving Tucker's interior stall gate unlatched and when I went out to feed dinner just now, I had to clean the aisle of the barn where Toby and Tucker had spent at least a part of the day knocking things around and generally "redecorating." On the plus side, from the looks of things, Chance was not involved in their efforts. If he had been, I would have needed to do a lot more work trying to set things right again.
Oh yes...and nothing was ripped up.....
Hard to say for sure, but I bought alfalfa cubes today at Tractor Supply and the price had gone up $1.50 a bag since my last purchase...just a few weeks ago. Is this foreshadowing of things to come?
When I switched to Purina Healthy Edge--high fat, low carbohydrate--I expected to pay a bit more than for a less speciailized feed. I was first using the Country Acres feeds--also a Purina product, but more generic. Then I switched to Triple Crown Low starch, and eventually ended up with the Healthy Edge. I think when I first started, the feed was $12.99 a 50 lb. bag. I it up to $15.99 now.
I am not sure what is inflating the price the most. The field corn producers are selling their corn to agri fuel companies, which does have an impact on the animal feed industry. I would also guess that the weather in the midwest is causing some issues. And what about the cost of transportation? With gas/diesel prices rising, it costs more and more to ship the product.
So far, my hay prices are still at $6.75 a bale for a nice mixed hay. My supplier is just across the street and delivers, unloads, and stacks it for me. That makes the price a real bargain. There may be cheaper hay right off the field locally, but I'm better off with this price and arrangement. Still, I used to be able to get good hay for around $3.00 a bale and I was paying around $5.00 not too long ago. Of all the feed stuff, I guess hay is the easiest to shop around for bargains--at least here in New Jersey. Farmers do make deals sometimes, and even my supplier gave me a discount when he had leftover supplies last year.
I am sure some of my readers pay more for feed and some pay less. It does vary from one part of the country to another and here, even from one part of the State to another.
But the "sticker shock" of today's alfalfa cube purchase sticks with me. I went to Tractor Supply expecting a savings of about $12 for three bags over my closer feed store. That savings was cut to $4.50 instead and with the price of gas at $3.50 a gallon, I'm not sure the extra driving miles didn't cost me most of that.
Then again, I haven't priced the cubes at my feed store since a few weeks ago either. Maybe, when I do, I will discover I actually did save what I'd anticipated.
All I know is that the Boys were happy to get their cubes at lunchtime instead of with breakfast. And extra feeding always appeals to them.
But I made the mistake of leaving Tucker's interior stall gate unlatched and when I went out to feed dinner just now, I had to clean the aisle of the barn where Toby and Tucker had spent at least a part of the day knocking things around and generally "redecorating." On the plus side, from the looks of things, Chance was not involved in their efforts. If he had been, I would have needed to do a lot more work trying to set things right again.
Oh yes...and nothing was ripped up.....
Monday, August 08, 2011
Busy Bee
Busy Me
Someone else said, "Why is it you go for weeks with nothing to do and then suddenly, you are busy every day?" Well, not quite, but I suddenly found myself finding things to do all at once.
I gave a concert on Sunday in Pennsylvania, so that took up a good part of the day since it was a just about a two hour drive out. It was at a senior center where my choir director's mother-in-law lives. It is a lovely facility. We were treated to dinner and then performed the "Child's Garden of Verses" songs. Fun stuff.
We rehearsed on Thursday night and I had a chiropractor appointment on Friday. Then, Saturday, I suddenly realized the County Fair was going on, so, of course, I had to go. It was similar to most years, with lots of nice exhibits including the 4-H horses, small animals, sheep, goats, some cattle, and even some llamas. Some of the crafts, artwork, and needlework projects on display were absolutely amazing. There is such talent in our local area.
When I got home last night from the concert, I got a call from a friend whose car had broken down. She needed a ride to do some errands this morning. So I was off again.
That left the afternoon for a nice swim. I've actually been swimming nearly every day, so that's not too much of a novelty, but it does add to the "busy."
I still have to get my truck registration renewed and then get the truck inspected. I need to go see my hay guys, go get some alfalfa cubes, and then go to the chiropractor again this week. Meantime, I am making some headway cleaning the house. I guess I will be read when it's time for my knees.
I am a bit surprised to see the Boys out in the pasture on some of these hot days. I'm glad, but they had been hanging out in the barn by the fans when it was hot before. I'm wondering if the "bug" pattern changes as the summer goes on. We've had a fair amount of rain, so it's certainly not what I'd call dry. For some reason, they actually seem happy wandering around outside.
Of course, Chance has an ulterior motive. The apples are falling from the trees now and then, and he's always on the lookout for a treat. Clever boy.
Someone else said, "Why is it you go for weeks with nothing to do and then suddenly, you are busy every day?" Well, not quite, but I suddenly found myself finding things to do all at once.
I gave a concert on Sunday in Pennsylvania, so that took up a good part of the day since it was a just about a two hour drive out. It was at a senior center where my choir director's mother-in-law lives. It is a lovely facility. We were treated to dinner and then performed the "Child's Garden of Verses" songs. Fun stuff.
We rehearsed on Thursday night and I had a chiropractor appointment on Friday. Then, Saturday, I suddenly realized the County Fair was going on, so, of course, I had to go. It was similar to most years, with lots of nice exhibits including the 4-H horses, small animals, sheep, goats, some cattle, and even some llamas. Some of the crafts, artwork, and needlework projects on display were absolutely amazing. There is such talent in our local area.
When I got home last night from the concert, I got a call from a friend whose car had broken down. She needed a ride to do some errands this morning. So I was off again.
That left the afternoon for a nice swim. I've actually been swimming nearly every day, so that's not too much of a novelty, but it does add to the "busy."
I still have to get my truck registration renewed and then get the truck inspected. I need to go see my hay guys, go get some alfalfa cubes, and then go to the chiropractor again this week. Meantime, I am making some headway cleaning the house. I guess I will be read when it's time for my knees.
I am a bit surprised to see the Boys out in the pasture on some of these hot days. I'm glad, but they had been hanging out in the barn by the fans when it was hot before. I'm wondering if the "bug" pattern changes as the summer goes on. We've had a fair amount of rain, so it's certainly not what I'd call dry. For some reason, they actually seem happy wandering around outside.
Of course, Chance has an ulterior motive. The apples are falling from the trees now and then, and he's always on the lookout for a treat. Clever boy.
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Nothing of Note
Hot and Humid and a Bit of a Rant
Again the heat and humidity are building after a day or two of nice weather. It was nice for the County Fair that's been going on this week. I really need to drop over for a quick visit. Walking is worse every day with my knees, but I should be able to manage a hike around the fairgrounds.
Swimming's been good with nice water temperatures and not too many crowds. I guess families are on vacation this month. There are plenty of people at the pool, but not as many as were there in July.
The Boys are all fine as far as I can tell. When I went out for late feed yesterday, they were all out in the pasture and not at all interested in coming in. So I just put hay in their stalls and no grain. No point in putting hard feed out for free choice feeding. Tucker will find it and eat everyone's portion, and heaven knows, he surely doesn't need it.
I loaned my friends one of my Ansur saddles for a try. She rides endurance and, while she has a saddle that fits her horse well, she has had some saddle issues in the past. I will be interested to see if the Ansur works for her. She has two lovely Arabs--one for her husband and one for herself. They both completed a 50 mile ride last weekend and have one scheduled in another week or so. I can't quite picture myself lasting that long in the saddle, but I have to admit, every time I see pictures from one of their rides, I keep thinking how wonderful it would be to ride some of those trails.
I realize now that my knees have had more of in impact on my riding than I realized. I was often in pain when I was in the saddle. Mounting and dismounting were always a tricky deal, and walking afterwards hurt too. I am hoping that after the surgery, things will be a lot easier for me. I'm not very much interested in competing again, although I might want to take Chance in a dressage test at least once. Competition costs are expensive and all the effort it takes to just get ready for a show doesn't seem worth it, unless you have a horse that's talented enough to show well against the "big boys."
Frustrating, in a way. I used to compete in the hunter circuit and did really well. But as time went on, more and more politics started to move in as more and more money poured into the horses. People began to spend tons of money to buy horses that would win, leaving us "backyard" riders no divisions to compete in on a level playing field. I moved on to eventing, which was a lot of fun--winning again at times but mostly just enjoying the rides. Then, I started finding myself overfaced and I lost my nerve. At the same time, many of the "rider friendly" events fell to financial issues and the offering of "fun" competitions dried up. The rules changed, heights of jumps elevated, and I realized there was no way I could still compete with a smile on my face instead of a grimace.
So, I moved on to dressage.A moderately new discipline to the riding world around here, there were plenty of schooling shows, and once again, fun competitions to ride in when I started. Sometimes I won, sometimes I lost, but all in all, I always felt that when I went into the arena, I at least had a chance to do well. But dressage grew in popularity too. And now, like the hunter circuit, it's become a "big money" sport. Expensive warmbloods dominate the arenas. My best test will rarely score as well as a good moving warmblood's test of the same caliber, "just because." While I have long ago learned not to ride for anyone but myself and to set goals other than pinning in a class, it does take the fun out of it when you know you have little chance at all of earning a ribbon in a show you've spent well over a hundred dollars to compete in. I mean, it's nice to hold up a 60+% score for a class as a mark of achievement, but that darn ribbon makes it even nicer.
I simply do not have the finances to enjoy showing at this point. Spending money to have a judge give me a "0" on a leg yield (It happened and I have a photograph of that movement proving I did do a leg yield) just isn't my idea of good value for a dollar. My horses are interesting to ride, interesting to train, but not that most talented dressage horses on the planet. And if I could afford one of the most talented dressage horses on the planet, I'm not even sure what I'd do with him.
Do you think Totilas or Ravel would make a good trail horse?
Again the heat and humidity are building after a day or two of nice weather. It was nice for the County Fair that's been going on this week. I really need to drop over for a quick visit. Walking is worse every day with my knees, but I should be able to manage a hike around the fairgrounds.
Swimming's been good with nice water temperatures and not too many crowds. I guess families are on vacation this month. There are plenty of people at the pool, but not as many as were there in July.
The Boys are all fine as far as I can tell. When I went out for late feed yesterday, they were all out in the pasture and not at all interested in coming in. So I just put hay in their stalls and no grain. No point in putting hard feed out for free choice feeding. Tucker will find it and eat everyone's portion, and heaven knows, he surely doesn't need it.
I loaned my friends one of my Ansur saddles for a try. She rides endurance and, while she has a saddle that fits her horse well, she has had some saddle issues in the past. I will be interested to see if the Ansur works for her. She has two lovely Arabs--one for her husband and one for herself. They both completed a 50 mile ride last weekend and have one scheduled in another week or so. I can't quite picture myself lasting that long in the saddle, but I have to admit, every time I see pictures from one of their rides, I keep thinking how wonderful it would be to ride some of those trails.
I realize now that my knees have had more of in impact on my riding than I realized. I was often in pain when I was in the saddle. Mounting and dismounting were always a tricky deal, and walking afterwards hurt too. I am hoping that after the surgery, things will be a lot easier for me. I'm not very much interested in competing again, although I might want to take Chance in a dressage test at least once. Competition costs are expensive and all the effort it takes to just get ready for a show doesn't seem worth it, unless you have a horse that's talented enough to show well against the "big boys."
Frustrating, in a way. I used to compete in the hunter circuit and did really well. But as time went on, more and more politics started to move in as more and more money poured into the horses. People began to spend tons of money to buy horses that would win, leaving us "backyard" riders no divisions to compete in on a level playing field. I moved on to eventing, which was a lot of fun--winning again at times but mostly just enjoying the rides. Then, I started finding myself overfaced and I lost my nerve. At the same time, many of the "rider friendly" events fell to financial issues and the offering of "fun" competitions dried up. The rules changed, heights of jumps elevated, and I realized there was no way I could still compete with a smile on my face instead of a grimace.
So, I moved on to dressage.A moderately new discipline to the riding world around here, there were plenty of schooling shows, and once again, fun competitions to ride in when I started. Sometimes I won, sometimes I lost, but all in all, I always felt that when I went into the arena, I at least had a chance to do well. But dressage grew in popularity too. And now, like the hunter circuit, it's become a "big money" sport. Expensive warmbloods dominate the arenas. My best test will rarely score as well as a good moving warmblood's test of the same caliber, "just because." While I have long ago learned not to ride for anyone but myself and to set goals other than pinning in a class, it does take the fun out of it when you know you have little chance at all of earning a ribbon in a show you've spent well over a hundred dollars to compete in. I mean, it's nice to hold up a 60+% score for a class as a mark of achievement, but that darn ribbon makes it even nicer.
I simply do not have the finances to enjoy showing at this point. Spending money to have a judge give me a "0" on a leg yield (It happened and I have a photograph of that movement proving I did do a leg yield) just isn't my idea of good value for a dollar. My horses are interesting to ride, interesting to train, but not that most talented dressage horses on the planet. And if I could afford one of the most talented dressage horses on the planet, I'm not even sure what I'd do with him.
Do you think Totilas or Ravel would make a good trail horse?
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
A Full Day
In Between the Showers
I went to meet an Ansur client this morning. It should have been a relatively uncomplicated trip, but darn if I didn't get stuck in traffic in two of the small towns I had to pass through on my way. What should have been a 45 minute or so trip was more like an hour and a half. I ended up stopping for lunch on the way home--a much shorter drive.
Once home, I debated on my activities for the rest of the day. Rain was in the forecast, and sure enough, the sky clouded over and it started to sprinkle. But, it also got a whole lot cooler.
I've been putting off mowing the lawn because of the heat, so this was an opportunity not to be missed. Out I went to tackle what was beginning to look like a hay field. There is cut grass all over the place, but it does look so much better.
But then, I was overcome by "mower power" and decided to head out to the paddocks. I have lots of weeds. I drove around rather madly for another hour or so, cutting much, but certainly not all, of the weedy growth in the paddocks around the barn and bit in the front area of the pasture. My fence on the west side of the property is completely overgrown with weeds, bushes, briers, and even some small trees from my neighbor's overflowing property next door. To say things are out of control is an understatement. But as my fence man pointed out a few years ago, the undergrowth is an added security measure for the fenceline--if you could see the fence line. If I can ever get the money together, I would hire a brush clearing company to do all my fences, but for now, I have to surrender to nature.
The Boys thought the mowing was greatly exciting and put on a galloping bucking show. Chance seemed to delight in galloping madly in the places I'd mowed, I guess just to enjoy the weedless spaces. Tucker and Toby were not quite as enthusiastic, but they did a bit of frolicking too. Fortunately they stayed away from the mower and me, which was a good thing, as that might have become dangerous. I had my hand ready at the switch to shut off the mower should they come near, but all was well. They had started off in the far pasture when I was working, but I guess the allure of "something new in the paddocks" was simply too much to bear.
It was raining off and on while I mowed, and when I was done, I was feeling pretty soggy.
So, what better solution to being wet than to get wetter!! I headed off to the pool. No thunder or lightning so they were open. There weren't many people there, and the air had gotten downright chilly. But the water was wonderful! It was warm but not too warm and felt great. I did my laps and my leg exercises and headed in for a hot shower just as the rain started to come down again. Nothing bad, but enough to keep me wet.
Coming home to change into dry clothes felt pretty darn good this time.
I went to meet an Ansur client this morning. It should have been a relatively uncomplicated trip, but darn if I didn't get stuck in traffic in two of the small towns I had to pass through on my way. What should have been a 45 minute or so trip was more like an hour and a half. I ended up stopping for lunch on the way home--a much shorter drive.
Once home, I debated on my activities for the rest of the day. Rain was in the forecast, and sure enough, the sky clouded over and it started to sprinkle. But, it also got a whole lot cooler.
I've been putting off mowing the lawn because of the heat, so this was an opportunity not to be missed. Out I went to tackle what was beginning to look like a hay field. There is cut grass all over the place, but it does look so much better.
But then, I was overcome by "mower power" and decided to head out to the paddocks. I have lots of weeds. I drove around rather madly for another hour or so, cutting much, but certainly not all, of the weedy growth in the paddocks around the barn and bit in the front area of the pasture. My fence on the west side of the property is completely overgrown with weeds, bushes, briers, and even some small trees from my neighbor's overflowing property next door. To say things are out of control is an understatement. But as my fence man pointed out a few years ago, the undergrowth is an added security measure for the fenceline--if you could see the fence line. If I can ever get the money together, I would hire a brush clearing company to do all my fences, but for now, I have to surrender to nature.
The Boys thought the mowing was greatly exciting and put on a galloping bucking show. Chance seemed to delight in galloping madly in the places I'd mowed, I guess just to enjoy the weedless spaces. Tucker and Toby were not quite as enthusiastic, but they did a bit of frolicking too. Fortunately they stayed away from the mower and me, which was a good thing, as that might have become dangerous. I had my hand ready at the switch to shut off the mower should they come near, but all was well. They had started off in the far pasture when I was working, but I guess the allure of "something new in the paddocks" was simply too much to bear.
It was raining off and on while I mowed, and when I was done, I was feeling pretty soggy.
So, what better solution to being wet than to get wetter!! I headed off to the pool. No thunder or lightning so they were open. There weren't many people there, and the air had gotten downright chilly. But the water was wonderful! It was warm but not too warm and felt great. I did my laps and my leg exercises and headed in for a hot shower just as the rain started to come down again. Nothing bad, but enough to keep me wet.
Coming home to change into dry clothes felt pretty darn good this time.
Monday, August 01, 2011
Great Book Gone Digital
Led by the Grey
Peter DeCosemo has written a novel, "Led by the Grey." It is an absolutely enchanting book and it kept me totally involved from start to finish. I just received a note from Peter letting me know the book is now available in digital format--hard copies are difficult to come by.
Here is his message:
Peter DeCosemo has written a novel, "Led by the Grey." It is an absolutely enchanting book and it kept me totally involved from start to finish. I just received a note from Peter letting me know the book is now available in digital format--hard copies are difficult to come by.
Here is his message:
Anyway, I wanted to let you know that the novel has actually gone digital and is now available to down load in various formats. I know a lot of people in the U.S. didn't get to read it as the paper version has still not been printed there so they may be interested in this format.
For: Sony E-reader, iPad and iBooks.
For Kindle;
Would be wonderful if you could pass the message on to any of your groups or forums.
Kind regards,
Peter De Cosemo
This is truly a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it to all.
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