So, I'm sittin' with a few friends, eatin' lunch at work, and the talk is centered on crime, because of an incident that happened close to home on Wednesday. At 45, I'm by far the youngest lady present. One silver-haired lady, Melba, in her soft-spoken, quiet way, said, "That's why I always carry my weapons with me--not here! (at work), but everywhere else I go." She then added, "If I ever went to the big city of Dallas, I'd carry a pistol in both hands". To which Lucille advised, "Then you'd best just stay out here in the country." Without missing a beat, Melba replied, "Yeah, then I only have to carry one (gun)". Well, I'm definitely glad this (work) week is over. Vivian's passing on Wednesday hit me hard, and then the rest of the day just got worse and worse, culminating with my falling (onto the cement floor) 2 hours before quitin' time. I am still sore from that, especially in my left arm and my right knee; although both knees are bruised. Thursday went better, and today was fine. I was supposed to go in early, though, and I played hookey for the first 2 hours, then went in at 7:00; but I really needed that extra sleep. It seems that high-emotional times make me more tired than just working hard all day would do. Supposed to rain again for a few days (blah), but then be nice for Thanksgiving. I hope so! Sarah and a friend or two will be home from college on Thanksgiving Day, just in time for noon dinner, and I can't WAIT!!! p.s. HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY today to my niece, Stacie--yea!!!!

Mila on Apache, Rita on Styx, and Gates on Toy,...and Ranger's ear. Riding at the Grasslands, Saturday, November 6, 2004. Notice that Mila and Rita (and I, but you can't see me), were wearing blaze orange vests--it was opening gun season on deer. My husband, Bob, took his spike buck that very morning, with his black powder gun, somewhere out there on the Grasslands. Apache looks pretty clean, doesn't he? That's because he (and Ranger both) had a bath at the local car wash that morning!

Monday, Monday

Today is a dreary day, weather-wise; foggy & wet. We got off work at 11:30 (lunchtime); no backs, legs or arms (for the seats). So a bunch of us Weber Rats went to eat lunch at the Smokehouse in Lindsay. They still have the best B-B-Q and onion rings I have ever tasted. One year ago today I bought our third horse, an AQHA registered sorrel gelding named, "A Real Gamble", a.k.a "Gabby". I really bought him for me, but Bob sorta took him over right away. But that's OK, because Ranger (Sarah's horse) is REALLY MY horse--HA! I've only fallen off of him twice now. What I'd really like to do, is buy some harness and a small wagon, and teach him to drive. Actually, I'd like to teach them ALL to drive. Gabby and Ranger (the two sorrels) would make a beautifully matched team, but Ranger and Apache (sorrel & paint) would pull well together, if they were matched up, since THEY actually LIKE each other. I can't wait for Gates to teach me how to drive his Draft Team; Clydsdales, "Sara" & "Bonnie".

We are up high, on a plateau which we just climbed. This trail runs right along the edge and it's pretty much straight down, to the left of us. This will be a stunning view soon; when the leaves start turning all red, yellow and gold! That's Mila on the Paint (Apache), and Rita on the Arabian (Styx) in front of them. At the Grasslands, November 6, 2004.

Gates on Toy, Mila on Apache, and Rita on Styx. At the LBJ National Grasslands, near Decatur, Texas. We're on the White Trail, I believe. Oh, and that's Ranger's ear in the lower, right-hand corner...his left one, I think! Saturday, November 6, 2004

Gates closing the PIMLICO "horse gate". They are called horse gates, because they are designed to be easily opened and closed from horseback. We're on the White Trail (this area is also part of the Red Trail) at the LBJ National Grasslands. Sat., Nov. 6, 2004.

Gates riding Toy through the "horse gate" named PIMLICO. Toy is a registered paint horse, and he's 5 years old. That's Ranger's right ear in the lower left-hand corner of the picture, as I was riding him (Sarah's horse). We bought Ranger 8 years ago, when he was only 5 months old, from this man in the picture.

At the Grasslands

Last Saturday (Nov. 6), we rode on the horse trails at the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) National Grasslands, near Decatur, Texas. There were four of us: Rita, Gates, Mila and myself. It was one of those breath-takingly beautiful days; fresh and clean, clear and bright--sunny but not hot--simply perfect. The leaves have not yet turned with their Fall colors, but they will soon, I'm sure. When they do, I will be there to gaze upon their loveliness. This weekend is too cold and wet, but we will try again for the next weekend. And after that, comes THANKSGIVING weekend, and Sarah will be home, bringing a couple of friends from college. Hopefully we will have some really nice weather in there somewhere, so we can go horsie riding...maybe even at the Grasslands!

L to R: Styx-17, held by Rita-51; Gates-53, on Toy-5; Mila-19, on Apache-12; and Ranger's face (he's 8). At the water tank at TADRA POINT, at the LBJ National Grasslands, near Decatur, Texas. Saturday, November 6, 2004

Seth, age 5. November 2, 2004

Gene.

L to R: Kat, Amy, Doug (holding Carolyn), & Sherie. Kids in front row: Matthew & Seth. Oct. 23, '04

Some scary people (my family). Halloween party at the Farm, Saturday, October 23, 2004. Left to Right: Gina, Lynda, Tara, and Doug, holding Carolyn Grace, age 2. Tara & Jeff's baby boy was born just 5 days later. They named him Jacob Michael.

Rita and Bob at The Ranch. Saturday, October 23, 2004

Rita on Styx, and Bob on Toby, taken by Janette on Ranger, at The Ranch, Saturday, October 23, 2004

Dad, Mel & Doug at the cemetery, the day we set the footstone for our oldest brother, Henry, who died last year. It was a beastly-hot and humid day, as you can tell by Doug's sweat-soaked shirt. The footstone was in honor of Henry's military service; a Vietnam Vet. Sept. 18, 2004.

Sarah's boss, John, age 58, with the Kubota and the square baler, on the "Two-Fifty" (250 acre hayfield). Wed., August 25, 2004.

John baling square bales with the Kubota as the sun goes down. Wednesday, August 25, 2004.

Tank Hess-22, fueling the 4450 John Deere, at sunset, on the "Two-Fifty" (250 acre hayfield). Wed., Aug. 25, 2004. This is the same tractor that she rolled into a gully in 2002.