We Have a Loft

By Dick

Life in Tennessee is certainly different than it was in California. This past weekend’s experiences demonstrate one more time just how different it is.

Katrina and I both worked in office buildings with elevators in California. That can be a thrill in “Shaky Town”. When you live where the earth moves on a regular basis, living or working in a multi-level building can be a moving experience. Stepping into an elevator is a true demonstration of fearlessness. If you have ever “rode” through a good sized earthquake on anything over a single story building you won’t forget it.

Back to the point, when you are in the lobby of a building trying to catch an elevator and the doors start to close what do you do? You yell, “Hey Elevator”! Some kind sole either sticks his hand out to stop the door or (more…)

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First Baby Born

By Dick

WOW, that is all I can say. A new birth is always a magical moment. I don’t care if it is your first child, your first grandchild or your first litter of cats; giving birth makes a beautiful day. If your car didn’t start, if your boss yelled at you, if your family is feuding, if your shoes hurt, it doesn’t matter; the slate is clean when the new baby comes.

Today a new baby arrived at Legendary Farms. We knew Jetta was expecting any day and we made all the necessary preparations but didn’t think it would happen for another week or so.

As I walked out to the barn this morning to do my chores I spotted a new face. A beautiful little black Jack was galloping in the birthing area. As I got closer my excitement erupted and I shouted out. I was afraid I might scare the new little one with all my joy but to my surprise mommy and baby came running up to me!

As I entered the area, proud mommy Jetta, came up to show off her new baby. She was so happy and excited she threw herself against me and rubbed her head on my shoulder. It was just like a human child giving her father a hug when seeing his new grandchild for the first time! The baby was perfect and not a scared thought in its beautiful little head.

Just like any proud grandparent (more…)

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Olympic Gold? Barn Skiing?

By: Dick

Could Shawn Johnson be Barn Skiing in the next Olympics?

As this is being written, the Olympics are winding down and we all know Michael Phelps won 8 Gold Metals. It is a real accomplishment to say the least. However, has he ever been Barn Skiing? Have you?

You are probably asking yourself, “What is Barn Skiing?”

I humbly have to admit it is a sport I invented; (more…)

Technorati Tags: barn skiing, gold medals, mule, olympics

DOLLY

By: Dick

When we left California right after January 1st we looked a little like a modern day Noah and his diesel burning 36 foot arc on wheels. We were in our motor home with cages of numerous doves, three dogs, two cats and a lot of Tylenol! It’s a 2,000 mile journey with natural enemies next to each other. The cats were in cat carriers staring through the openings at doves in bird cages. The dogs were in dog crates next to the cats. All we needed were a few monkeys swinging from the curtains! Since it was January there wasn’t much talk about taking long walks.

We surprised everyone and arrived in Tennessee without incident. Since then our animal family quickly began to grow. First there was Dolly. The best dog we have ever owned. She was running wild in the neighborhood, the result of some one’s decision to abandon a wonderful animal. She was left to fend for herself and beg or catch food as she could.

Although hesitant at first, we soon (more…)

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Brit

By: Dick

We just said good-bye to the first member of our animal family, who has now joined someone else’s family. For the first two and one half years we have been collecting animals on a regular basis. Now it is time to sell a few. This was a difficult decision. Brit is an absolutely gorgeous Tennessee Walking horse. He stands 16 hands tall; that is really tall for a Walking Horse.

He was living on our ranch when we bought the property and we purchased him from the seller. The seller was moving to a sub-diivsion and could not keep him. When we first got Brit he was under weight and not very happy. He was snorting and starving for attention, but very intimidating. Katrina is the horse rider in the family. I like the horses but when you are on top of a 16 hand animal, that is a long ways to fall. Brit always acted very tough and tried to show us that he was the boss.

That all changed one day; (more…)

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In this picture Lucile looks so innocent, that is how she kills so many rolls of toilet paper, they never saw her coming!

Lucile is one of our two cats. Katrina went to the pound and fell in love with a cat. She called and asked if it was ok to bring the little boy cat home. Of course I said wait, I want to see what this animal looks like. My plan was if I give her time to think about it and she thinks I am coming over to give her a hard time she will just go home and forget all about it. Well, I showed up and I fell in love with a little girl cat.

That is how we left the pound with two cats instead of one. Linus the boy was to be hers and Lucy, the girl was to be mine. Surprise, the cats had different ideas. Long story short, Linus (the boy) is my cat and Lucy is now Lucille (the girl) and is Katrina’s cat.

Linus is a little lazy and a lot fat. His story at another time.

I have to admit that Lucille is the most remarkable animal. She has very expressionistic eyes. You can always

(more…)

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Show Time!

By Dick

This is “Sweety”!

Katina’s donkey, Sweety was entered in the third class. Thank goodness someone was going before me! There were two donkeys in her class, so we knew she couldn’t do worse than second. The rain stopped and the sun came out, it was hot.

She bravely strolled off into the ring with Sweety. Sweetie is a very pretty donkey and has an excellent body, but the first time she had a halter on was two weeks before the show. She had never been shown before and tends to be a little reluctant to new experiences.

The judge had each participant do what they needed to do, scrutinized the animals and made her decision. Sweety won! Oh, my, God! First time in the ring for either of them and they won.

When we were loading the trailer to leave for the show, Sweety was such a handful I told Katrina to leave her home! When they came out of the ring I apologized to Katina. This experience reaffirmed my knowledge that this redhead is more stubborn than any donkey. She stuck to it and got Sweety to perform for her. The competition was strong. I am not just saying that, her competition had a beautiful animal that had previously been in the show ring numerous times and never finished worse than third.

Before we left for the Fairgrounds our idea of a successful day was to have all five of the donkeys go into the ring and walk down past the judge and not embarrass us. A blue ribbon against stiff competition was just “icing on the cake”.

Next up was Katrina again. It was a much bigger class and she was showing her favorite little jack, nine

(more…)

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Bedford County Fair Miniature Donkey Show

By Dick

In our previous post you read about the trouble we had loading the miniatures, well now we are at the show and have to unload the little ones. All and all it was about the same effort only in reverse. For those of you who live in the north, it was again like Kindergarten when you went out to play in the winter and the teacher had to help 30 spoiled little brats put on overcoats and boots for recess. Recess was over before the last kid was outfitted for fun. I was afraid the show would be over before we got all of the little ones out of the trailer and cleaned up!

After the appropriate amount of chit chat with the other competitors and looking over their striking animals it was time to clean our asses. Anyone got a fire hose? Remember this is a fun show and our competition were grooming like it was Miss Ameirca.

(more…)

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