Story Updates - Week of March 9, 2008

Many things happen in one's life and sharing them has made a few of the somewhat awful things rather humorous. Here are updates from the most recent "news" just in case you were wondering.

Annie update -- the almost month old filly has not yet ventured out of her safe stall to see the big world, though last night she came very close. Stopping just at the entrance to the stall, Annie looked out into the barn to see what was out there worth investigating. Her mother, Lucy, walked around the barn, trying to coax her baby out, but to no avail. Maybe today Annie will feel comfortable enough to take that big step in her young life and venture into the barn.

Runaway colt update -- after helping coax Sammy back home after he left in search of a better life, the two neighbors received their tower of treats from Harry and David, not on the same day, although they were ordered together. Harry and David made good by sending the family of neighbors to the west a second tower of treats as an apology for delaying the first tower of treats. Well done, Harry and David. Neither Sammy nor Curly have left home nor bit anyone since last reported, which is very good news.

Eye update -- after removing all thirteen stitches from my two left eye surgical sites on Tuesday of last week, the upper incision opened on Thursday of last week, bled way too much, and then received four new stitches to hold it together. Interestingly the stitches caused no pain, and they will again be removed on Tuesday afternoon, hopefully for the last time.

Flu update -- eighty-six year old Milly recovered well from her awful vomiting, etc. episode of the flu that caused me to don latex gloves and a face mask to enter the sick room. The entire room has been wiped down with Clorox wipes (twice just to be extra safe) and the bed linens have been laundered. Milly lost 8 pounds during this flu episode and is still limiting her food intake to scrambled eggs, toast and broth. She returns to Minneapolis next Saturday after five months in Chicagoland. So now you know.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Baby Quarter Horse - 2 Weeks

Annie, the two week old American Quarter Horse, continues to grow at a rapid speed. Born three weeks early on February 13, Annie is a beautiful filly who seems to be maturing rapidly. She not only chews both hay and grain but actually swallows both -- an outstanding feat for such a young filly. She is alert and responds well to the human voice, jumping, running, kicking both front and back legs, and then screeching to a halt in front of the on-looker as if to say "look at what I can do now!" Wearing a Weatherbeeta Newborn Blanket since she was two days old, Annie is warm even when Chicago temperatures drop into the teens.

Lucy, Annie's mother, nurtures her baby with regular kisses, nudges and cuddles. When her elder son, the yearling colt named Curly sticks his head in the stall to view his mom and new sister, Lucy is less then cordial and quickly chases him away. One day Curly refused to leave and stood frozen watching his replacement snuggle with his mom. A quick back hoof to the stall wall startled Curly and the message was clear, you're a big boy now so move on. After all, there is a new kid on the block who needs her full attention, and Curly can take care of himself only too well. But that's another story for another day.

Note: The gift baskets were delivered to the neighbors who participated in the horse round-up and they were pleased with their Harry and David Towers of Treats. Sammy remains in the pasture but has acquired new stallion prowess and has begun to bite. Me. No wait -- that was Curly who bit me, Sammy bit the electrician. Such unacceptable actions will need to change soon or these boys will lose their manhood.
Photo attribution: somewhatfrank