Changes

 So much has happened since I last blogged but I've got to get back to journaling.  With hubby being a cowboy preacher, my life changes with where God leads us.  Never in a million years did I ever think that we would be uprooted from central Texas, from what has always been known as "home" for us, to moving to the South Plains of Texas where it is a whole 'nother world. We are now living in West Texas between Lubbock and New Mexico.  But we go where God calls us. We have moved from living along the historical Brazos River on a pecan orchard with 215 trees to a land of little rainfall and no trees.

We have experienced the Great Blizzard Goliath of 2015 - THAT was an experience!  The snow drifts were so high that we literally walked over the top of the fence to get to the horses.  It was nearly a month before we saw the last little bit of snow melt.

I have never seen quite as magnificent sunsets as I've seen here.  The whole sky lights up with the closing of a day.

I have to say that the people here are some of the most warm, inviting folks I have ever come across.  That is what attracted us first.  God made some very special people here.

You might notice that the name of my blog has changed with my physical location.  Too difficult to change the URL address but that's okay because journaling on the orchard is part of my life.
I'm looking forward to catching up on the blog since our move.
Happy Trails,
Berte

It's Hot!

Driving on I-20 in Weatherford, Texas, yesterday evening....too hot!!!

Happy Trails...

Berte

Bales of Gold

Fortunately, God has been very gracious providing us with rain this past spring and first of the summer.  The hay cuttings have been much better this year than last with the drought.  I do believe hay was higher priced than pure gold...IF you could find it.  With four horses now (and still a Longhorn), we'll be a bit more prepared.  This is load #1...and the great thing about it...I didn't load or unload one bale...Buddy kept telling me "Mama, you don't need to be doing that".  Okay, so I did get to drive the truck and trailer.
Happy Trails...
Berte

Update on Horse Question

I've got an answer (from a vet) on my horse question posted here. It's an allergice reaction to flies and gnats and she's itching (which I already knew) and scratching herself raw.  So, she got Dexomethasone, a corticosteriod hormone, to relieve her itching.  I'll continue with the soothing shampoos and fly spray.  I just hate putting so much fly spray on her in this heat.  It's like it's cooking on their skin.  Even though I sprayed more on her tonight, the flies were all over her legs.  It's awful.
We never really had a winter here so the bugs are in full force.  Flies, crickets, gnats... I wish I could swish my pony tail like my horse does!
Thanks for the help and the comments.
Happy Trails...
Berte

Gotta Horse Question

Jess gets this fungus on her every summer but she's never had it this bad and I need to know if anyone out there uses something that works on there horse that might have the same thing.  She's got it on both neck/shoulders, halfway on her mane and her tail.  She's itching like crazy.  Not worms because she's been wormed.

 I've even thought it could be flies but I use fly spray and I've never seen flies cause this so fast and create such itching.

I've used M-T-G but it does nothing but stink.  She is miserable. Tonight I used this MicroTek shampoo, Betadine scrub and then sprayed a fungicide.  I'm hoping this combination works.

I would love any suggestions.  Thanks.
Happy Trails...
Berte

A Saturday at Home

Buddy's off at a Pastor Retreat so me and Jacob are just hanging out here today.  A quick trip to town to look for a birthday present...okay, no luck in this small town..gotta order online.  The sheetrock men couldn't work in the back room because of light fixtures and ceiling fans so I guess that'll be on the to-do list before Monday.

Our back pasture is so dry and no grass so I'll be nice and let the horses in the yard ....and Button, the longhorn.  I usually don't let her in because she destroys everything around the house.  If you don't know, we made the mistake of raising her with the dogs so she thinks she has every right to anything and everything connected or close to the house.  I swear she would come in if we let her and those horns fit thru the door!

Aha... she's already at it...and even left me a prize... can ya see it in the foreground?..lovely..

Come out, come out, wherever you are...

If you think for one minute, I don't see you..you're sadly mistaken...

Goofy cow...we don't get along when she's in the yard..otherwise, I can usually tolerate her...

  oooohhhhh...got an itch...this tree feels good...

   Aaaahhhh, now I'll try this side and this branch is sure gettin' that spot on my back...

Oh.. this is my Saturday.  Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Happy Trails...
Berte

Spring Fever in Summer?

It is disgustingly hot here but not near as bad as last summer so I shouldn't complain.  It's only been in the upper 90's this week and not 110.  But after sitting out at my friend's house yesterday and taking in all her beautiful surroundings, I'm encouraged to come home and work on my porch garden and build some flower beds.  If ya'll saw the pictures from yesterday, go view my post here .  Now, keep in mind she has a full time yard man and also someone that cleans her house....oh, yeah, dream on....
Anyway, at one time my porch garden was looking pretty good but after the drought and antique picket fence being blown away by a storm, I was disheartened and didn't want to bother.  Now I'm ready...so it's probably gonna be a trip to the nursery to get some plants.  Hopefully, they will survive this heat and dogs digging to China. 
We're also constantly dealing with fallen tree limbs...

Either the tree limbs are falling because they are brittle and too dry or, as this year, they are brittle and so full of pecans.  Ever hear the term "hold your horses"?  Well, around here, we use it often because if we're out riding or just messin' with the horses and you hear a "snap, crackle, pop", it's not a bowl of Rice Krispies....it's a tree limb gonna fall in a milisecond and you don't have a clue where! 

Happy Trails...

Berte