We have had a quiet time and much improvement over the past three days. I chose to sleep, rather than blog, because as the adrenaline has subsided, exhaustion set in. I am greatly refreshed now, though the weather is cold and windy as winter gasps.

Harry was introduced to walking with a cane instead of a walker, but Devan advised he wait a while before doing too much. We had an appointment for haircuts with our friend, Shawn, on Friday, though, so caution was thrown to the wind. Harry insisted on using a cane, and since he is “on room air” now, not needing supplemental oxygen, it was like old times! Though I will admit to rather of lot of worry on my part, at breaking the PT rules…

Not only did we get haircuts, we had blueberry pancakes to celebrate, which indicates that Harry’s appetite is improving.

Devan paid a PT visit Friday afternoon, and far from being unhappy with Harry for breaking the rules, he was delighted! He worked Harry on the step off the porch, but I failed to take pictures. I am beginning to try to help with some of the horse duties, to spare Jane a little bit. Slowly, life is returning to normal…

The birds have been hungry as cold returned. And, sadly, the stream developed a problem just before the cold front came in, and we now await expert help. My efforts, with Jane, were unsuccessful, and wasted several hours.

We had a few minutes of snow yesterday morning, falling onto our only car. On Monday, I picked up the white car that had been under repair since December 10, when I wrecked it, and sold it back to the dealer from whence it had come. We only had it for 5 months, and we really only need one car. The white car was almost too nice for our lifestyle, anyway. The dogs agree!

Eddy alerted me very early in the morning to a visitor in the south pasture. I wouldn’t let Eddy out to consort with coyotes, because we had to leave. Once Eddy finds a compelling scent, he will not be lifted! To get back at me later, he stole my napkin off my lap. Naughty, adorable, Eddy!

A beautiful evening sky at the end of a pleasant day, as Harry proceeds toward recovery…

Wishing for more pleasant days than difficult ones… Be safe, be well, be grateful and be kind. Slava Ukraini! Peace…

A red letter day is a significant day. The term has its origin in the religious printing of saints’ days or religious holidays in red on calendars. Well, today is Ash Wednesday, and the first day of Ramadan and the beginning of the Chinese New Year – year of the Fire Horse, so plenty of reasons for a red letter day!

But here at Bronze Fox Farm, we have had a red letter day in the more secular sense of the word. First, an early visitor to the back porch was a red winged blackbird, a harbinger of Spring.

Then, Eddy and I took a letter to the mailbox, and had a walk in the woods, which are off limit to him when wearing his Freedom Collar, so it was very much a red letter day for him.

Next, the really significant event – Devan came for PT, and Harry walked with a cane, instead of the walker! This was real cause for celebration.

It was a very warm day. There is cold in the near future, but every nice day is a treat in February. Harry spent some time in the sun with his dogs, while I went to the barn.

The horses were shocked to be brought into the barn for the first time since Harry’s fall on January 3. Matt Hallahan, a young horseshoer, came to trim their feet late in the afternoon. He was very nice, and the horses look quite happy with their pedicures. Fred has gone to Arizona to escape winter, but he will probably return for their next shoeing appointment. It was a relief to find someone to tend to them. I forgot to take pictures while he was here – too busy talking, as always!

Marmalade came down the ladder to see the horses back in the barn…

Tom Morris was seen on a hay bale yawning…

Wishing everyone good red letter days.

Be safe, be well, be grateful and kind. Slava Ukraini! Peace…

I know it’s not a unique way to look at life, but I always think it’s like rafting a river. The past two days have been some rough water – not rapids, just a little chaotic, and I am very tired.

That said, the weather has been delightful, and Harry has been able to get outside into the sunshine.

Harry has had trouble sleeping until recently, but we are hoping that hurdle has been cleared (to mix a metaphor).

Speaking of sleeping, the Ginger Boys got two good portraits yesterday and today…

Here are some bird pictures…

Yesterday, we restarted the stream. The sound of the running water is a delight. The birds are happy, and Eddy is very pleased, too!

Big excitement at the end of this very busy day – Jane’s pony, Calvin, and Sandy, the donkey, escaped and rampaged through the area. It was quite a lot of excitement, and in the end, our relatively new neighbor, Matt, appeared with an apple and saved the day! Calvin was maniacal, which caused the three horses here to be very excited and almost impossible to sort into a different paddock. Jane caught Sandy, and we all had to watch Calvin gallop and gambol like a lunatic, until he saw Matt offer an apple (nicely sliced, too!).

Jane continues to do most of the work here. I hope that someday we will be riding together again.

Finally, a beautiful sunset…

Be safe, be well, smooth sailing! Slava Ukraini! Peace…

Yesterday, Jane shared the information with me for Don Walsh’s upcoming services. It was a Facebook post from Homestead Veterinary Hospital, and I don’t do Facebook, but I got a screenshot. Below is the link to the obituary and information.

https://www.schrader.com/obituary/donald-walsh-dvm

Seems appropriate weather for the way I feel, but it is also Valentine’s Day, and I was very fortunate to spend it with my Valentine. Alas, I did not take many pictures today. Harry has gone to bed early with his sidekick, Weedy, so I snapped a photo of them with my phone just now!

The day began with Eddy rampaging out at dawn to meet three coyotes in the south pasture. I heard yips, and looked out to see Eddy running from a trio of coyotes. I clapped my hands, and the coyotes stopped chasing Eddy, but Eddy turned and watched them until they departed. He would not come when called, of course. There wasn’t much light, so I only got one pretty bad picture of two coyotes in the septic drain field on their way south.

Niece Rachael is a wildland firefighter, and although she lives in Montana, she is currently working in Alabama, doing prescribed burns. She sent pictures, which are always dramatic! What a life she leads! My brother, Jamie, her father, had the nickname Jamie Danger at Yellowstone, when he worked there. Jamie is echoed in Rachael’s gutsy lifestyle.

The horses were wet but content, with shelter in the shed and plenty of hay.

Birds were plentiful, but pictures are meager today.

Roscoe had the right approach to this wet and miserable Valentine’s Day…

Be safe, be well, be kind, be grateful – we need the rain as well as the sunshine. Slava Ukraini! Peace…

Fantastic weather has followed the miserable deep freeze and snow. There are still remnants of snow in places, but it feels like Spring. Jane had another obligation, so I fed the horses this morning. It was wonderful to be outside on a glorious day, and back to “normal” life. The horses enjoyed the day, too.

I took few bird pictures…

Roscoe and Rosie were enjoying the sunshine, and I got a picture of them with my phone, but it was not good enough to post. I looked up an old picture I took of them in the shed – eight years ago, already! It is one of my favorite pictures of those siblings, who are 14 years old this year!

Best part of the day, was a chance to sit on the porch in the sunshine with the man I love. He was able to cross the threshold and relax a while just like the old days!

Be safe, be well, enjoy the good moments. Be kind, and be grateful. Slava Ukraini! Peace…

I’m crosseyed with exhaustion, so here is just a quick update. Harry actually slept through the night last night for the first time since he has been home. It was a great day for taking it easy, with warm temperatures and sunshine. Bart had two long naps that I saw!

Before nap time, our long awaited “drink rail” on the porch was installed this morning. That’s what the company calls it, but for us it is a bird feeder.

And here are some bird pictures…

A new Occupational Therapist named Jill paid a visit this afternoon, since Patrick is off this week. She had Harry do minimal exercises, gave us some good advice, and all vital signs were excellent.

Harry is looking well, as are the dogs…

Be safe, be well, be grateful. Goodnight! Slava Ukraini! Peace…

The day started early – we departed at 7 AM to see the surgeon, Dr. McLaughlin, because Harry started having some sharp pain yesterday.

Harry would not use the transport chair. He walked into the clinic, where they took him straight to X-ray, and shortly afterwards, Dr. McLaughlin delivered good news, that the hardware has not moved, and this is just part of the healing process. The body is trying to heal, and it needs rest. Harry might have overdone it on Tuesday when he was getting a PT assessment.

It is very frustrating that the recovery is not a straight line, but we know that. And it has only been 5 weeks – full recovery will take one year. We were told that at the hospital. It’s just that Harry has made so much progress, he is discouraged to encounter a setback. Dr. McLaughlin prescribed gabapentin, which will ease the nerve pain and might have the added benefit of enabling Harry to sleep at night. He is quite sleep deprived!

It actually hurts my hip just to look at that picture!

Not much time for any pictures around here, but I did get a mocking bird in the morning, and some cardinals as the sun was going down…

And rather than show more pictures of the horses schlepping around the muddy fields, here are three pictures of the boys doing their jumping jobs…

Roscoe channeled the doctor’s advice, and is getting plenty of rest, while Eddy is busy keeping watch.

Be safe, be well, get plenty of rest. Listen to good advice. Be kind, and stay grateful. Slava Ukraini! Peace…

Oh, this has been a chaotic day! It was very warm. In looking at the forecast last week, I chose today as a good chance to have the automatic waterer in the shed repaired. The weather complied, but the project was more difficult than anticipated.

I won’t go into detail, but I learned a few things, got a few more gray hairs, and enjoyed being outside for more than just a few minutes.

I saw Harlan briefly when he emptied the dumpster, but failed to take a picture. I haven’t seen him since Harry’s fall.

I did not take any pictures, because things were so busy. I kept running (well, shambling)to the house to check on Harry, and he was coping well, but suddenly began to have pain in the hip area.

We called Dr. McLaughlin’s office, and they moved our appointment for next Wednesday up to tomorrow morning, first thing. That will mean a very early start for us! No complaints, we feel lucky to be seen so quickly.

I am pleased to report that the automatic waterer is now working in the shed.

Here are two of my favorite pictures from the recent past, and a nice sentiment that I copied from the internet…

Be safe, be well, be kind and grateful. Slava Ukraini! Peace…

It’s been a good day here, with Spring weather and continuing progress after Harry got his first good night’s sleep since the accident.

The day began with a visit from Physical Therapist, Devan, who makes Harry work hard. He was relieved that Harry was no longer groggy, as the effects of the new prescription drug had overwhelmed poor Harry and left him groggy for about 36 hours last week!

Today, Devan worked on side sleeping position. The animals watched.

Next, came a trip to the studio!

The good part of an early therapist visit is that Harry can recuperate for the rest of the day. His appetite is improving, since we have cut back on the protein drinks.

Well, I was found wanting by two very annoyed birds today. First, the magnificent Mockingbird, who is very bold and does not mind having pictures taken. It was quite disappointed to find the suet had all been eaten and I had not replaced it! I received a very disappointed, judgmental stare.

I was chagrined, and immediately put more bird food out. But I didn’t get to the birdbath, which needed cleaning. To my dismay, I saw it in use! A little blue bird had the biggest frolicking bath I have ever seen. Alas, it felt that there really should have been more water available. I soon put it right, after taking pictures.

Bart decided to participate in the mud contest. He is in the lead now, I think.

Jane continues to do all the real work. Eddy loves to see her every day.

The sun was so warm, we almost forgot how miserably cold it was last week.

Be safe, be warm, be kind, and be grateful. Slava Ukraini! Peace…

Harry and I are both tired today, so here are just a few pictures. If I am tired, I can hardly imagine how exhausted Jane must be, with all the work she is doing.

Harry started the day with a bang, walking to the kitchen and almost cooking again! I convinced him that I actually enjoy cooking now that I am getting experienced, so he let me take over.

Here are a few birds…

Eddy loves his toy from Jane. He plays with it every day, and is very proud of it.

Roscoe has the right idea. Time to catch up on some rest…

A late varmint visitor again…

Be safe, be grateful, be kind, slow down, and rest. Slava Ukraini! Peace…