A Four-some

The night before the storm: We saddle up to ride before the hurricane blows us away...


Lucy sports a new afghan hair do and Lacey is trying out an Australian saddle. In the back ground you can see Lucy's psychiatrists...they have been working on her brain rehab. Thanks, Lady & Rocket!






Here is how the ride began: Kelly needed a saddle to ride that Pony. Selfless as we are, we offered here the historic prize saddle with the silver conchos...back from the civil war times. Now Kelly hollers "That saddle of yours is crooked!". So, Paul tightens the girth up and straightens the saddle. Then she complains the stirrups are not even. Now this is not your typical stirrup adjustment: this one uses leather straps, like the old Indians used to do it (remember: historic saddle!!). ....Three hours later, Paul FINALLY had the left stirrup adjusted and we woke up from our nap. Of course, by now Kelly's leg is numb.

Come to find out: The saddle's stirrups were not out of adjustment. Kelly's left leg is 7-5/8" shorter! So, for most people this saddle would be lopsided now. But for Kelly it's perfect.

Time For Group Picture...


Evidentally somebody forgot to tell us and these horses that our picture was being taken.




Next: Starting the trail ride...
Here she goes already: Cutting Lacey & Lucy off....and complaing about her butterflies bouncing.





As Kelly & Star were looking in the car mirror I heard one of them say: "Does this saddle make my butt look big?".

The Anti-Christ

Last night at the barn we discussed the upcoming elections. No one was going to vote for Obama, not even the hard-core democrats. We even had Bubba, the horseshoer, out who chimed in saying that Obama is the Anti-Christ. He had heard that it says in the bible that he is supposed to be "a man of a dark color and no one has heard of him before". I have been pondering about this and have scanned the book of Revelations about this. It is not in there. Not even the word anti-christ is in there. The only thing that is in the bible is the 1st and 2nd book of John; for example: "Who is a liar but he that denieth Jesus Christ? He is antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son." So, there is nothing destinctive in the bible describing the man and is skin color & origin. About the most relevant to this issue would be Matthew's gospel: "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves".
Some weird facts, I did stumble over are:
1)Zip code in Chicago is 60606 (if you don't believe me you can look it up on the weather channel website)
2)His daughter's name, Natasha, spells "Ahsatan" when written backwards
3)The Bible talks about the beast having blasphemous names. Barack reminds you of Iraq. Hussein reminds you of Saddam Hussein. Obama reminds you of Osama Bin Laden

And guess what I just found on yesterday's headlines: "Four Arrested in Plot To Kill Obama".
In the left behind series (http://www.leftbehind.com/), a biblically based fiction book of the end times, the anti-christ is resurrected after death and re-incarnated by satan himself. Makes me wonder, if an assassination will actually succeed, Obama announced dead and then...oops, it was a mistake, he is alive again...?

Check out this blog: http://www.barackobamaantichrist.blogspot.com/ with very interesting posts and even more interesting are the comments!!

I also found this website: http://the-revelator.com/ "where prophecy & head lines collide". I thought this is very ponder-worthy. This current head-line is interesting: "Major hurricane tracks to New Orleans on eve of Republican Convention?" or what about this one: "Prayer in public: Can you still say 'Jesus'?". "New Films Say Jesus Had Kids".

You ask my personal opinion? I think Obama will have a part in the end-time, he may not be the anti-christ, but he may be the one that paths the way at least. Am I afraid? I was at first, but I am realizing that God has a plan and we will witness it be fulfilled. We will marvel at the perfection of the completion of this story...The closer we are to the "anti-christ" and end of times, the closer we are to being in heaven and joined in with the ones awaiting us there.

The Center of the Bible

Q: What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?

A: Psalms 117

Q: What is the longest chapter in the Bible?

A: Psalms 119

Q: Which chapter is in the center of the Bible?

A: Psalms 118

Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118

Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118

Add these numbers up and you get 1188.

Q:? What is the center verse in the Bible?

A: Psalms 118:8 say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives?

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.'

Little armored one

I have been wondering about these little guys: The Armadillo. The name is spanish for "Little Amored one". We don't have them in Germany, but I know of them from nature films in which we call them "Guerteltier" = Belt Animal (because it looks like it has many belts on). I see them every day while trail riding. They are so cute in the grass and act like they don't see you. So, I researched them. I actually thought they are in the pig family because of the little nose that digs in the dirt. But I found out that they are actually in the family of the extinct Glyptodonts:

They supposedly went extinct before the Ice Age.

Those ugly things are definitely not in the pig family. I watched the little Armadillo dig in the dirt looking for food and he was kicking up the dirt, which looked quite clumsy,but cute. My horse, King, and I were loping by and that little fellow on the ground scared King - of course. He arched his neck and shied to the side. But then we just watched how the Armadillo did his little thing, entirely oblivious to our presence. I would have like to touch it, but I also found out during my research that they are susceptible to the leprosy bacterium due to their low body temperature. So, don't touch them, even if tempting!

Another interesting fact is that it also serves science through its unusual reproductive system, in which four genetically identical quadruplets are born in each litter. That's unique.

Lastly, we know them best from the "road kill": Armadillos make common roadkill due to their habit of jumping to about fender height when startled (such as by an oncoming car).

That was your weekly Biology lesson. Feel free to request other animals for review.

We always do...

The greatest stumbling block to achieving anything of importance in your life is “circumstances.” We sometimes let “circumstances” get us off the hook when to the contrary, we should be giving it everything we've got. More of our ultimate dreams are shattered and goals lost because of “circumstances” than any other single factor. How often have you caught yourself saying, "I would like to do this or have that but I can't because...?" Whatever follows "because" is the circumstance.
Successful people use circumstances to catapult them toward their goal, while the masses use circumstances as road blocks that lead to frustration. A circumstance may simply be a test of your commitment to your goal.
The next time you hear someone say they would like to vacation in Paris, or purchase a particular vehicle but they can't because they have no money, tell them they don't need any money. You probably will receive a blank stare followed with, "What do you mean I don't need any money?" Explain to them that they don't need the money until they make a decision to go to Paris or purchase the car. When the decision is made, we will figure out a way to get the amount needed. We always do.
The circumstance they are using is one of the most common: a lack of money. The real cause of their problem is the lack of a decision. You always attract what you need when you decide something must be done. We are the authors, writers, producers, and directors of the events in our lives, families, and in our careers. We can either dig in and go for it, or we can retreat to a new base and start it all over again.
Every day we make conscious decisions that directly affect our happiness. It is us, not our circumstances that causes us to decide to view our cup as either half-full or half-empty. We decide if we are in charge of our careers or if somehow, we are victims and cannot create the changes that are necessary to break out of a mold that we have placed ourselves in. We either accept perceived roadblocks to success or we systematically go to work to tear down the barriers that we have allowed to hold ourselves back. We move full speed ahead to realize our potential, leveraging up our best opportunities for success by creating undeniable results in our own familiar and favorable environment. We take full advantage of the opportunities to contribute to success, we prove in no uncertain terms our capabilities and worth through as we deliver tangible value.
Keep in mind that "there is no such thing as instant pudding.” We cannot speak into existence the achievement of our goals. What we can do is to seek ways to capitalize on the investments we have made and in the “sweat equity” we have contributed to the cause. When we get in touch with our personal values, those values which when lived out and consistently realized, we have the catalyst for driving our ultimate happiness in life and maximize our true potential.

Large Dead Snake

The ball has arrived!

It's 6 pm and 105 degrees in the shade - so what, we cannot wait!!! Must play ball.

Below: Inflating with happy anticipation.

Copper was the first one out: The little dare devil. She had no concerns and was quickly bored. She is just not spookable...
King on the other hand, was suspicious as always: Here he says : "No, No, No!! Take that thing away from me! It's a horse-eating monster, don't you know?"
But with some help he overcame his suspicion and in the end, did touch the ball with his nose...reluctantly.
Bella was simply un-impressed and we think that she was still groggy from the sedation she got from Doc Moore that morning to remove ear ticks.
YEAH - The moment we have all been waiting for: SOCCER! Copper actually dribbled quite well and took to it fast!More pictures to come soon....