Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Today's Mail
Dear Friends,
When I went out the mailbox today I was disappointed to find a notice from
our bank that we had an overdraft. That forced me to put a check into the
bank that was a matching grant from Takeda that I was saving to put
towards Izabeau's large vet bill. With no adoptions taking place, we have brought in no funds recently. I
have tried to list donations that have come in from generous individuals
and corporations, but we are, again, in a rough spot. We have at least six horses scheduled for farrier work on Friday morning -
at $20 x 6 = $120.
We have hay scheduled to be delivered at $2.50 a bale x 100 = $250.00
We did want to schedule the vet to come out and do fall exams on our older
sanctuary horses, which include Arne, Bob Cook, Stylish Sharon, Little
Jeffrey John, Strawberry Jacki, Steelin Apples, Lakehills Texas, and Cash
Wilco and to do a general exam on Taser Gun and Cobrador Kosmos to help
them gain some weight, but without support we will be unable to do so. We made $140 at Wild West Days, sitting for two solid days in the sun and
trying to sell video games that were graciously donated to us by Kirsten D
(brand new in package). I am afraid it is going to take more than that to
get funds we need to continue supporting the horses. Ideas? I heard that at Canterbury Downs they have arranged that each and
every horse entered in a race donates $1 towards a guy who takes in
Thoroughbreds when their racing days are over. Who could we go to to
encourage the same in Chicago? Thoughts? It would help so much!
When I went out the mailbox today I was disappointed to find a notice from
our bank that we had an overdraft. That forced me to put a check into the
bank that was a matching grant from Takeda that I was saving to put
towards Izabeau's large vet bill. With no adoptions taking place, we have brought in no funds recently. I
have tried to list donations that have come in from generous individuals
and corporations, but we are, again, in a rough spot. We have at least six horses scheduled for farrier work on Friday morning -
at $20 x 6 = $120.
We have hay scheduled to be delivered at $2.50 a bale x 100 = $250.00
We did want to schedule the vet to come out and do fall exams on our older
sanctuary horses, which include Arne, Bob Cook, Stylish Sharon, Little
Jeffrey John, Strawberry Jacki, Steelin Apples, Lakehills Texas, and Cash
Wilco and to do a general exam on Taser Gun and Cobrador Kosmos to help
them gain some weight, but without support we will be unable to do so. We made $140 at Wild West Days, sitting for two solid days in the sun and
trying to sell video games that were graciously donated to us by Kirsten D
(brand new in package). I am afraid it is going to take more than that to
get funds we need to continue supporting the horses. Ideas? I heard that at Canterbury Downs they have arranged that each and
every horse entered in a race donates $1 towards a guy who takes in
Thoroughbreds when their racing days are over. Who could we go to to
encourage the same in Chicago? Thoughts? It would help so much!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Day Camps and Riding and Meetings, Oh My!
I am sitting at my kitchen counter watching Regis and Kelly on a vacation day. I am rather pie-eyed from fighting a double ear infection, and tired of sounding like I am in a goldfish bowl when I talk. I guess viral ear infections are harder to kick than bacterial, and I am going on my second week of dealing with it. I guess I've been so healthy the past many years that it was about my turn for something like this - what an inconvenience! Still, with all of my friends and acquaintances knowing at least one loved one battling with cancer and other horrific diseases, it is shameful that I even talk about my little head cold.
We had a great time visiting with Greg, from Chicago, who owns a farm near Seneca. He invited us over last Wednesday night to discuss options for marketing ASAP, thinking outside the box a little bit, and ways he and his wife might help. They adopted two horses from us over 12 years ago now - maybe you remember them? Nickel Slick and Barcelona! We got to see them and I swear Nickel Slick remembered me? They look FANTASTIC, and thanks to Dawn and Greg for their continued commitment to these horses as they get a little older! Thanks to Greg for his hospitality. He actually did come to see us the following Friday, as they are thinking of adding a horse to their family. The rains didn't help, but Greg was a sport and stayed to play with Taser and Cobra and others anyway!
Yesterday was such an AWESOME day! We will post pictures soon, but the CC summer school classes came down for a short day camp. Remmie, Janimal, and Chief were the busy horses, providing rides to the many students. For some it was their first time on a horse. What a neat experience for them! Some started out with tears, clutching on to staff, but ended with a smile.
Judy, Jessica, and Ben King were my HUGE helpers, providing activities and popsicles for the kids as part of a girl scout project they were doing. Without their help I could not have pulled it off.
After day camp my good friend and adopter of Pavo (formerly Musical Mike) came over to talk about a new design for our web site. If you all remember, he and his wife, Kim, were the ones who designed our web site and were webmasters for a long time. It was so good to see him again and I found out there is a great video of Pavo on youtube that I would encourage all of you to watch! Go to www.youtube.com and type in Horse Trains Human.
It is so amazing to watch and brought a smile from ear to ear! So be watching in the next few weeks for some exciting changes to our web site.
We spent the weekend as hopeful tenders of a booth at Wild West Days in Viroqua. It was my first time at this event, though we have ridden in the parades there for the past several years. The amount of units in the parade Friday night were down - last year there were over 60 units and Friday night this year we only had 31. I guess the economy continues to worsen and people just don't have the extra dollars to travel to do things with their horses that they have done in the past. I took Rachel and Jessica up to ride in the parade, and we had a lot of fun!
Saturday was a huge disappointment to us, with little sales of our video games that Kirsten N. donated to us from her company. The kids still had a great time watching the rodeo, and Rachel and Jessica each took a turn riding the mechanical bull! I hope to be able to share videos. On Sunday we had more success - there were actually fewer people in attendance, but more shoppers! I shopped as well, and found a booth that makes sun catchers, zipper pulls, and more out of horse hair. I brought the hair I had been saving from Star Cheetah (he passed in 2006 at the age of 30) to have made into one of each. She asked for a picture, which I also brought her. It is good to know his memory will live on through these items. IF anyone wants her name and contact information I can get that for you.
In other news, Izabeau continues her recovery and convalescence with Cyd and Craig in Iowa. Thanks again for all the hard work you have done to get her to your place and give her the medicine she needs to recover from that nasty molar abcess. We have several horses available to adopt in Illinois right now- there is a push for a place for Superbowl Joe and Ooops, in case you can help out?
So, parades, booths, day camps, meetings, and now today I am just going to enjoy my family and my critters! That is, after a care conference at the nursing home where my mother is, currently. She had a fall and afterwards suffered some intense back pain, which ended her up in emergency. Since this was the second or third time she has come in with problems after a fall, they wanted her to go to a nursing home for evaluation and rehab. Sigh......back to where we were two years ago. I really pray for a quick rehab and plan to, hopefully, break mom out of there next week!
I hope to take several long trail rides with the August I have left - an overnight would be "the bomb" - we'll see what happens!
Hugs,
Sue
We had a great time visiting with Greg, from Chicago, who owns a farm near Seneca. He invited us over last Wednesday night to discuss options for marketing ASAP, thinking outside the box a little bit, and ways he and his wife might help. They adopted two horses from us over 12 years ago now - maybe you remember them? Nickel Slick and Barcelona! We got to see them and I swear Nickel Slick remembered me? They look FANTASTIC, and thanks to Dawn and Greg for their continued commitment to these horses as they get a little older! Thanks to Greg for his hospitality. He actually did come to see us the following Friday, as they are thinking of adding a horse to their family. The rains didn't help, but Greg was a sport and stayed to play with Taser and Cobra and others anyway!
Yesterday was such an AWESOME day! We will post pictures soon, but the CC summer school classes came down for a short day camp. Remmie, Janimal, and Chief were the busy horses, providing rides to the many students. For some it was their first time on a horse. What a neat experience for them! Some started out with tears, clutching on to staff, but ended with a smile.
Judy, Jessica, and Ben King were my HUGE helpers, providing activities and popsicles for the kids as part of a girl scout project they were doing. Without their help I could not have pulled it off.
After day camp my good friend and adopter of Pavo (formerly Musical Mike) came over to talk about a new design for our web site. If you all remember, he and his wife, Kim, were the ones who designed our web site and were webmasters for a long time. It was so good to see him again and I found out there is a great video of Pavo on youtube that I would encourage all of you to watch! Go to www.youtube.com and type in Horse Trains Human.
It is so amazing to watch and brought a smile from ear to ear! So be watching in the next few weeks for some exciting changes to our web site.
We spent the weekend as hopeful tenders of a booth at Wild West Days in Viroqua. It was my first time at this event, though we have ridden in the parades there for the past several years. The amount of units in the parade Friday night were down - last year there were over 60 units and Friday night this year we only had 31. I guess the economy continues to worsen and people just don't have the extra dollars to travel to do things with their horses that they have done in the past. I took Rachel and Jessica up to ride in the parade, and we had a lot of fun!
Saturday was a huge disappointment to us, with little sales of our video games that Kirsten N. donated to us from her company. The kids still had a great time watching the rodeo, and Rachel and Jessica each took a turn riding the mechanical bull! I hope to be able to share videos. On Sunday we had more success - there were actually fewer people in attendance, but more shoppers! I shopped as well, and found a booth that makes sun catchers, zipper pulls, and more out of horse hair. I brought the hair I had been saving from Star Cheetah (he passed in 2006 at the age of 30) to have made into one of each. She asked for a picture, which I also brought her. It is good to know his memory will live on through these items. IF anyone wants her name and contact information I can get that for you.
In other news, Izabeau continues her recovery and convalescence with Cyd and Craig in Iowa. Thanks again for all the hard work you have done to get her to your place and give her the medicine she needs to recover from that nasty molar abcess. We have several horses available to adopt in Illinois right now- there is a push for a place for Superbowl Joe and Ooops, in case you can help out?
So, parades, booths, day camps, meetings, and now today I am just going to enjoy my family and my critters! That is, after a care conference at the nursing home where my mother is, currently. She had a fall and afterwards suffered some intense back pain, which ended her up in emergency. Since this was the second or third time she has come in with problems after a fall, they wanted her to go to a nursing home for evaluation and rehab. Sigh......back to where we were two years ago. I really pray for a quick rehab and plan to, hopefully, break mom out of there next week!
I hope to take several long trail rides with the August I have left - an overnight would be "the bomb" - we'll see what happens!
Hugs,
Sue
Thursday, August 12, 2010
If Wishes Were Horses
Zach with Ace...a one time orphan we saved in Amish country three years ago
Rachel and her cat Stormy Day, a one time orphan we found in the bushes on a very stormy day
A quiet day in the fishing boat on the Mississippi two Saturdays ago
Fargo, Craig's horse, during his bout with Thrush....he's okay now!
Tonite, despite the intense heat, I went outside after work. I sat on my little bench swing and relished in the companionship of my dogs, kitties, and watched all the horses standing in the sun, tail to head, swishing flies. It felt so great to be home. Oh, BTW, the kids were inside in the air conditioning!
Don't you ever wonder when that time in your life will come when you don't have to go somewhere, do something, and can just sit and enjoy all that God has provided for us that we are thankful for? It was one of those moments, "Be still, and know that I am God". Still, I have that fear. It is a fear that I may never have the time to sit and relish in the very thing I go out to work hard to support each and every day. Don't you ever feel that way? We get up, put on the morning coffee, get dressed, put dogs and cats outside, feed everything, then jump in the car and rush to work. Work work work, then home to do chores. Ride? Oh, that's a luxury reserved for when everything else is done! Inside, food.....inside, clean.....inside, laundry.....feed family, animals, shower, drop for six hours sleep, get up and do it all over again!
I know that many of you work more hours than I do. I do love my job, and know that God wants me there (I think?)...but when the scale goes off balance, I have to constantly readjust the best I can to bring things into balance again. It's kind of exhausting! Walking up from the upper pasture after removing a fly mask from my beloved 29 year old Stanardbred gelding, I realized that I was exactly where I wanted to be - home. Do all of us feel this way? Can most make their dream a reality? To be home full time? Or am I a spoiled child that wants it all??
The kids are miffed that I am not home every day to take them school shopping or to the pool or river to swim. That makes me feel guilty! I guess maybe as a woman we all feel guilty about not being everything to everyone if we are working outside the home.......thoughts, anyone?
OK, still we are all healthy. Thank you God! I know so many friends and acquaintances struggling with health issues right now - things could be much worse.
Special thanks this week to Jackie T., who is sponsoring some of the vet bill for Izabeau. Also, very very special thanks to Craig and Cyd H., who not only picked Izzy up and got her to the vet clinic for immediate attention when her molar abcessed, but they picked her up and took her home to convalesce. Thanks to them for the long green grass she is eating and enjoying now that she is feeling better, and for the special love and care.
Three day camp clients scheduled for tomorrow....but the storms are coming. Again.....I am always so disappointed when the weather keeps us from sharing our farm with others.
Coming up:
Ride at Wildcat with 4-H club scheduled for tomorrow is canceled due to trail conditions and impending weather.
Wild West Days - next weekend the 20-22....parade Friday night, then we have a booth Saturday and Sunday. See you there!
Rock and Ride for Rescue in Romance - October 16 and 17
October 16 - Romance Tavern - karaoke at 2 pm, followed by Joe Cody Band at 8 pm
Food and beverages, door prizes, raffle, silent auction - fun!!! $10 per person or $25 a family
Horses welcome at camp - bring yourself or bring your horses - hookups on site.
Trail ride Sunday at Duck Egg County Park.
Call the office for more details or email asapinc@mwt.net
Coggins required (2010) - original and copy
Bring yourself for the day, or stay for two - bring your friends!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Roll With the Changes
Cobra and his pasture mates Magnus the Fjord, Fargo the Paint, Taser Gun, and Remmie
Taser, left, Cobra, right
Taser and Cobra - good buddies!
Zach's team mates
Taser and Fargo at Yellow River
Ebony is growing up!
Zach getting ready to bat
Taser at Yellow River
Sue gives Taser a hug after a long ride
When I don't write for awhile, and don't post pictures, it means I am so busy I can't hear myself think. Thank goodness, thank goodness, thank goodness, BASEBALL SEASON AND SOFTBALL SEASON ARE OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!
We not only had a busy summer with ballgames literally almost every night in God knows where, Wisconsin, but we had a tournament for my daughter Sunday morning at 9 am about 45 minutes to an hour from our home! Just when I was spitting tacks I got an offer that made my attitude instantly improve - go to Rachel's first tournament game at 9 am, then go to Yellow River to ride afterwards!!! I have pictures but lack the time to post them tonite. Taser Gun and Fargo, Craig and I had another glorious ride on Sunday depsite the humidity and heat. Only two things happened that were noteworthy - halfway up a large hill in the woods a large popple branch snapped from high up a tree and fell abruptly to the ground in front of us. This caused Taser to do an abrupt turnaround with me grabbing the saddle horn, but he stopped in response to me pulling the reins immediately. Good boy! He takes such good care of me.
Once at the bottom of the trail we joined a gravel road and about a mile from where we started Craig and Fargo stopped. I asked, "What's going on?". Craig looked ahead quietly, then said, "I'm just not sure if that snake is alive or not"......YIKES! A long snake (I am not exaggerating) - about 3 feet long - was stretched out across the gravel. The snake looked at us and we looked at it. The snake must have decided it was safe to cross, and he slithered to the other side and disappeared into the tall grasses by the corn field. We determined it to be a bull snake! Thank goodness. Yellow River has a reputation for rattle snakes this time of year, so it made us hyper aware as we continued our ride. Taser Gun was so good - he didn't freak out at all about the snake.
We have served more clients this summer than ever at ASAP. Youth ages 12-18 have been here at least three days a week. Horses have been ridden and ridden and ridden, and loved. We also had the privilege of adopting out two very special horses - Honey Fitz and Barts A Bad Boy!
It was so sad to see them go, but I assure you the gals who adopted these horses are A-#1 top notch gals with experience and heart. What a great feeling.
Now, as I said to one adopter on Saturday, my heart's cry is for A Team Hall and King's Royal Fella. Why in the heck would anyone not come along to adopt these two well-seasoned trail horses? They are longing for a family, and I cry tears watching them stand alone without someone special in their lives. What a waste of talent!!!
Cobra has settled in well here and has already been ridden twice, despite not knowing if he had any history of being saddle trained! Pictures coming soon!
The board meeting went off as planned Friday night, with many things discussed that I will share in my next blog. Upcoming events:
Wild West Days - parade Friday night, then booth at the grounds both Saturdy and Sunday
Viroqua, WI
We have been invited to attend the Wisconsin State Horse Council District 5 meeting on Tuesday August 10 - looking forward to it!
We have been accepted into the Pepsi Refresh Challenge! We are eligible for up to $5000 in grants!! Thank you to Kings for pursuing this!
Vernon County Fair - 4-H horse show - September
Super Night - Balmoral Park - will Taser Gun attend?????? - September
Rescue Romance Fund Raiser - Saturday, Sunday October 16, 17
More details to come!
Sue
We not only had a busy summer with ballgames literally almost every night in God knows where, Wisconsin, but we had a tournament for my daughter Sunday morning at 9 am about 45 minutes to an hour from our home! Just when I was spitting tacks I got an offer that made my attitude instantly improve - go to Rachel's first tournament game at 9 am, then go to Yellow River to ride afterwards!!! I have pictures but lack the time to post them tonite. Taser Gun and Fargo, Craig and I had another glorious ride on Sunday depsite the humidity and heat. Only two things happened that were noteworthy - halfway up a large hill in the woods a large popple branch snapped from high up a tree and fell abruptly to the ground in front of us. This caused Taser to do an abrupt turnaround with me grabbing the saddle horn, but he stopped in response to me pulling the reins immediately. Good boy! He takes such good care of me.
Once at the bottom of the trail we joined a gravel road and about a mile from where we started Craig and Fargo stopped. I asked, "What's going on?". Craig looked ahead quietly, then said, "I'm just not sure if that snake is alive or not"......YIKES! A long snake (I am not exaggerating) - about 3 feet long - was stretched out across the gravel. The snake looked at us and we looked at it. The snake must have decided it was safe to cross, and he slithered to the other side and disappeared into the tall grasses by the corn field. We determined it to be a bull snake! Thank goodness. Yellow River has a reputation for rattle snakes this time of year, so it made us hyper aware as we continued our ride. Taser Gun was so good - he didn't freak out at all about the snake.
We have served more clients this summer than ever at ASAP. Youth ages 12-18 have been here at least three days a week. Horses have been ridden and ridden and ridden, and loved. We also had the privilege of adopting out two very special horses - Honey Fitz and Barts A Bad Boy!
It was so sad to see them go, but I assure you the gals who adopted these horses are A-#1 top notch gals with experience and heart. What a great feeling.
Now, as I said to one adopter on Saturday, my heart's cry is for A Team Hall and King's Royal Fella. Why in the heck would anyone not come along to adopt these two well-seasoned trail horses? They are longing for a family, and I cry tears watching them stand alone without someone special in their lives. What a waste of talent!!!
Cobra has settled in well here and has already been ridden twice, despite not knowing if he had any history of being saddle trained! Pictures coming soon!
The board meeting went off as planned Friday night, with many things discussed that I will share in my next blog. Upcoming events:
Wild West Days - parade Friday night, then booth at the grounds both Saturdy and Sunday
Viroqua, WI
We have been invited to attend the Wisconsin State Horse Council District 5 meeting on Tuesday August 10 - looking forward to it!
We have been accepted into the Pepsi Refresh Challenge! We are eligible for up to $5000 in grants!! Thank you to Kings for pursuing this!
Vernon County Fair - 4-H horse show - September
Super Night - Balmoral Park - will Taser Gun attend?????? - September
Rescue Romance Fund Raiser - Saturday, Sunday October 16, 17
More details to come!
Sue
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