Hi Friends,
Well, one more day of voting..............actually today was the last day........we will pray for even a little monetary gift, and thanks to all of you for voting for ASAP. We did get quite a few vote for being a little ol' organization with a big heart!
I drove about 25 miles today with a former student (since our truck is getting new u-joints) and his truck to pick up what I thought was 50+ bales of hay at $1.50 a bale.
We came home with 12 bales - what would fit on the back of his pickup, because we had no wagon to bring more home with. The ball on Mitch's hitch was too small to fit the wagon, so we were SOL. Sigh.........after I paid Mitch and paid for the hay, that 12 bales came to $31.00. OH, well, let's hope we can find some hay a little closer at a good price this week.
Nothing really bad or good to report. We did place a couple of horses this week, and we were excited to be invited to Running Aces Race Park in Minnesota today to take part in their festivities. Thanks to loyal Carmen who was there with enthusiasm to represent ASAP. We tried to meet yesterday so I could pass over the banner and lots of promotional activities, but between Zach's ball tournaments, grandma's needs (she wasn't feeling well this weekend), and the needs of the animals at home, it was not to happen. Carmen was at a family reunion and I sure didn't want to tear her away from that either.
We received one adoption fee of $300 this week, and a $300 donation last week from a wonderful woman in Niles, Illinois who felt compelled to give. Also I want to thank Pam Galein for her gift of $400 in June - somehow that was left out and I sure don't want to forget her. She is so extremely happy with Frank N Hank. Also got pictures of Mc Dominant with a young gal who finished first in several classes last weekend.
Hopefully those will make it up on the site if they aren't there already!
Our board meeting on Friday night in Winona should prove to be quite productive, as we search for more ways of bringing badly needed funds and hay/supplies to ASAP. Putting our heads together with the owner of a corporation who sponsors ASAP and a veterinarian who has gone out of her way to donate each time ASAP has asked will make us a stronger and wiser organization.
Many kids over on Friday night until Saturday for Rachel's end-of-the-season softball sleepover. One of the highlights was riding horses on Saturday. Chief, Tex and Fargo were three favorites. Everyone felt sorry for Chevie, who is still recovering from his horrible injury on the 4th of July. Having Chevie in need of good care has proven positive in some ways, however. Chevie and I are spending quite a bit of time together. I am finding out that he is ornery when he eats in his stall at graining time, and respect his wishes for personal space. He loves quiet walks around the farm now with me. He is snoopy and nosy all at the same time, stopping to sniff flowerbeds, ladders, car trunks, mailboxes, signs, and an occasional cat or dog. His curiosity demonstrates his intelligence. He listens to me very well on the ground, and is easy to guide without a rope or chain over his nose. He is trusting and kind. He does have a tendency to step on his lead rope if you aren't careful, but doesn't panic too much when he goes to try to pull his head up. I love Chevie, and hope for the day that his very own person comes along.
We are starting a business venture in a nearby small town. We are going to have a booth similar to what flea markets do, and sell ASAP items which have been donated to us. The proceeds of all tack and equipment will go to the horses at ASAP. I am pretty excited, but holding my breath. We have to have the booth space set up before next Friday night, so Friday morning will find us getting the truck (hopefully it's fixed!) loaded and organized. If you have any tack or items you think might be appropriate for resale, don't forget us if you wish to make a donation.
Had quite a little shock again on Friday when I learned that an ASAP horse had been sold to a young gal in Michigan for $1,000. This gal claims she did not know the horse was an ASAP horse, but now that she can no longer afford his board, she assigned "ownership" of the horse to ASAP and this is how we discovered he should have never been sold. So, the adopter adopted the horse at a fee of $350, then quite handily turned around and sold him for $1,000. I AM OUTRAGED, but thankful that this gal has contacted us so that the horse can come back to ASAP. By the way, the original adopters WILL BE CONTACTED.............ahem...............(trying to remain calm). It never ceases to amaze me at least once a year that people forget what they sign when they sign it. For example, I had a gal come to the farm in March and wanted horses for a camp. She was gifted two horses. Within a month to two months one of the horses came up on the internet FOR SALE, and we were alerted by a wonderfully alert and observant person. I contacted this gal, and reminded her that we had stood and talked and gone over each contract rule before she signed the placement agreement. She initialed every place and agreed to terms. Why, then, would she try something like this? Maybe something that should be on the board meeting agenda. Some organizations give adopters ownership within five or six years, yet I am hearing from some organizations that the horses are disappearing before that time! So how do we get people to hold to what they sign? I wonder....
I'll leave on a good note, though. I continue to read Helen Keller and her book, "The Story of My Life". The things she writes puts me to tears. For example,after meeting an animal communicator by accident one day while putting fuel in my car, I realized we had spent about 30 minutes talking. I went away from that meeting refreshed and with a sense of wonder. This is what Helen said about this:
"There are red lettr days in our lives when we meet people who thrill us like a fine poem, people whose handshake is brimful of unspoken sympathy, and whose sweet, rich natures impart to our eager, impatient spirits a wonderful restlessness which, in its essense, is divine. The perplexities, irritations and worries that have absorbed us pass like unpleasant dreams, and we wake to see with new eyes and hear with new ears the beauty and harmony of God's real world. The solemn nothings that fill our everyday life blossom suddenly into bright possibilities. In a word, while such friends are near us we feel that all is well. Perhaps we never saw them before, and they may never cross our life's path again; but the influence of their calm, mellow natures is a libation poured upon our discontent, and we feel its healing touch, as the ocean feels the mountain stream freshening its brine." WOW
Susan
