Movie Tuesday

Finally, we went to the movies again. There has been nothing worth seeing for such a long time. Today we saw Super 8 and we all liked it. Not an Academy Award Winner, but entertaining and fun. Popcorn was good, too.

Spike

Last Friday, Spike, our 16-year-old Yorky, gave us a scare. At about 9 p.m., he had a seizure that seemed to go on for several minutes. Afterwards, he was disoriented, walking into corners and roaming around the house. He didn't seem to know where he was. He slowly came out of it after about an hour and eventually went to sleep on his bed in the living room. I, however, didn't sleep a wink all night. On Saturday I took him to the vet. They took an exray, but the only thing they could find was an enlarged liver (double the normal size).

I found out something interesting. They told me that seizures seem to happen at the same time of day...a day later or two or a year later. There's no way of knowing, but it will probably happen at the same time of day. Huh. Also, I was relieved to learn that there is no pain involved. It looked like Spike was in terrible pain, but they said no. It's neurological only--no physical pain.

As of today, Spike is acting like his normal self--eating or sleeping all day for the most part. He spends a lot of time in the closet.

Trail Ride on Thursday

This is a picture of Doc standing at the horse trailer in the Rooster Tail parking lot in the Laguna Recreation Area. This is where we've been riding lately. We used to park at Wooded Hill but found the Red Rooster parking area a lot easier to get in and out. Wooded Hill has a long, bumpy road before you get to a very small parking area. Red Rooster is right off Sunset Hwy and has several long rig parking spots. The only drawback is that it's across the street from a fire station. They just love to sound the siren over there. 

Doesn't Doc look great wearing his treeless saddle? So handsome!

We didn't ride last week because Joyce was out of town and it was Spike's grooming day. The week before we had a great ride. We took the Big Laguna Trail so we could get a view of the lake.

This is a patch of lupin we came across. 

You can't really see the lake, but it's out there just past the trees.

An off shoot trail to the left brought us to the Campbell-Chilwell Family Cemetary. 

The  monument reads:   IF YOU SEEK THEIR MONUMENT, LOOK AROUND

Cryptic, huh?

Guests

We've had a few visitors this month. Our friends Haim and Nettie were here from New Jersey and met us and the San Diego Zoo. We had lunch at Albert's Restaurant, one of our favorite things to do at the zoo. Afterwards we took the tour bus and let the animals look at us. Then we walked around a little while we ate our ice cream.

The flamingos were practicing to be contorsionists. I know they often stand on one leg, but have you ever seen a flamingo do this?

Or this?

This sandbar is where the flamingos sit on their nests.

More Guests

Just last weekend we had guests both on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, our friends from Canada, Karl and Hilkka, drove all the way out from La Jolla where they were staying--about an hour plus drive. We had dinner at a new Italian restaurant in Boulevard. We just had pizza and it was just ok. Nothing special.

Then on Sunday we had a visit from my high school friend, Nancy, and her daughter and grandson. Of course the 12-year-old was fascinated by the turkeys. 

It's always nice to have guests at the ranch. 

Oh My Poor Turkeys

Sunday evening Dennis found one of our four remaining turkeys dead on the far side of the pond. The other three turkeys were hiding in the trees near the house. They were afraid to come down, but we chased them into the back yard where at least they would be safe. Later, we tried to herd them to the round pen for the night, but they were too afraid and took off across the pasture.

The next morning we found two sitting on the pier, but the other one didn't turn up until later. They were huddled near the fence just outside the back yard. Homero got them in the round pen at night and this morning they were much better. They came up to the house and didn't seem so traumatized. Poor turkeys. Now there are only three.

Dead Bodies

WHY are cats compelled to leave little (and sometimes disgustingly large) "presents" for their beloved owners...or should I say staff? Is it to repay us for filling up their cat bowl or to demonstrate what kind of food they'd really like to see in there? I don't have a clue, but I'm getting tired of finding dead bodies outside the kitchen door or INSIDE the kitchen.

Yesterday I found a tiny mouse on the doorstep followed a few hours later by three-quarters of a gopher on the kitchen floor. Uck. I HATE to pick up dead bodies. Uck, uck, uck.

I actually did "research" on the internet on the question of why do cats bring their catch to the house. Amazingly, there are a lot of posts on this question with answers including:

- they want to feed you
- they want praise
and my personal favorite ... they want you to cook it!

But the whole day wasn't consumed by dead bodies. Dennis and I  prepared a barbeque dinner of filet steaks, roasted potatoes, and asparagus. Mom and Geno joined us and we ate outside in the patio. The dinner was really good.

Day Trip

On Friday Dennis had to drive to Palmdale (about 3 hrs. away) to pick up some equipment for the business, so I rode along as the dummy so he could drive in the fast lane. Joke. I really went because he asked me to go so we could have some "quality time" together. What was he thinking?

It wasn't that bad. We left at 4:30 a.m. but had to come back after 12 miles because Dennis forgot his drawings and I forgot to take my medicine. After driving for 3 hours we met a business associate that Dennis was meeting at Coco's in Canyon Country. Finally, breakfast. I just hate it when they post the calories in the menu. Limits my choices. Turns out, though, Eggs Benedict, one of my favorites, is also one of the lowest calorie items on the menu. Cinnamon roll French toast was out. Way too many calories.

Then we went on to Palmdale (about 20 more miles) to pick up the equipment. On the way we passed the Vasquez Rocks, which was interesting. We were in Palmdale about an hour or so loading the equipment, then took off again for home. We took the back way (Hwys. 14/138) and passed another rock formation, the Mormon Rocks, as we went through the Cajon Pass in the San Bernardino mountains. There's still some snow higher up in the mountains, but not where we were. Otherwise all we saw was traffic and more traffic.

When we got to Santee, he had another meeting for about a half hour. Then we got ourselves a Jack in the Box taco followed by a Blizzard at Dairy Queen. Today I can't fit in my pants.

We got home about 6:30 p.m. Long day.

Spike gave us a good talking to. He missed his lunch and dinner was late, too! Poor guy. The instant I got in the house (past the barking dog), I gave him his dinner and a couple of cookies, too. But he apparently wasn't satisfied because a little later he stood right in front of me, looking me in the eyes, and peed on the carpet. Bad dog! Luckily he's so small it was only about a tablespoon worth of pee. Still ....

Trail Ride on Thursday

It was good to ride again on the trail. Last week we had to cancel because the truck wouldn't start. Turned out to be a blown fuse. So easy to fix, so hard to find the problem. Anyway, today was another beautiful day. I can't believe how fortunate we are to have this weather...sunny but not hot. It's been staying in the 70's for the most part. Not too windy either. I know it's going to get hot this summer, but I'm enjoying what we have right now.

The trail ride was uneventful (meaning no trauma), but when we got back Doc set back when he was tied to the trailer. He's never done that before, but he's been doing it at other times more often recently. I think he needs to get his eyes checked. Maybe he sees movement but doesn't know what it is. And, of course, being a horse, his first instinct is to flee.

Otherwise, he again was a perfect horse. I'm so lucky to have him. Now that my knee is messed up, I have to be very slow and careful getting up and down. He stands like a rock, thank goodness.

Doc's Training

I took Mom to a doctor appointent in La Jolla on Wednesday, so I missed my riding lesson. Betsy came over and gave Doc a training lesson instead. Believe me, he had to work a lot harder than when I ride him. But Doc loves Betsy, so I'm sure he was okay with it. Betsy said he was PERFECT. He picked up both leads at the canter and NO BUCKING. Mind you, Doc never bucks when he's being ridden, but he acts up sometimes when he's being free lunged. In any case, he was a GOOD BOY!

Movie Tuesday

We're going to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean today. We haven't been to the movies in a long time mostly because Dennis has been busy with work, but also there hasn't been much to see. It was either Pirates or Xmen today. Yawn.

Gone Again

The fifth turkey is gone again. He went missing Sunday night and still hasn't shown up. There must be a turkey monster around here somewhere.

Artfire

 Too busy to post? Yes! I've been consumed with retaking photographs of my jewelry and art glass for the Artfire site. This time the photos are staged, as recommended by the site. Something like this: