Where The Hell Is Andy Hardy?!

The Andy Hardy films with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland were pretty much crap, but there is something about the concept that I admire. They were problem solvers. Something goes wrong or the town is in need and you could count on Andy Hardy to shout out to his cohorts, " Let's put on a show!!" Every body would join in, "What a great idea!" A stage would be made of something scrounged up by the "kids" and a suitable backdrop would be created. There would be singing and dancing, money would be raised and yet another wacky crisis would be averted.

I have stated before that I am not big on the positive attitude thing. Life takes more then an attitude. You have to put some legs under whatever "positive" work you are trying to achieve. It's easier to get those legs if you have a few Andy Hardys in your life.

I don't have an Andy Hardy. I have people who stand around and say stuff like, "What do you want to do that for?".... "Don't you think you have other stuff to worry about now?"...."I wouldn't want to be responsible for that"

Yesterday, we saw Mac's Dr. This was his regular oncologist. He doesn't want to be responsible for Mac as he still has GVH. However the Iowa City Dr. does nothing to treat the GVH. We simply continue and wait and see how he looks next month... and next month... and next month... and next month.

It is a new year and the next visit to Iowa City will cause us to have to meet a deductible again. That's a thousand .... a thousand that we don't have. Then there is the gas to get there and back. That's another eighty bucks which we also don't have.

I don't need another dumb ass to tell me this is just the way it is and there is nothing we can do about it. I need an Andy Hardy to ride shotgun for me. I need to find a way to change this.

Louie

Where the Hell is Andy Hardy?

The New To-Do

The day after Groundhog's Day, I sat down and started working on my new to-do list. I kind of... sort of, have a master list. Priorities have switched around. This year, food acquisition will become more important. I will need to can, freeze and raise winter crops in my wee, little greenhouse. This year I really do need to get my chickens. Winter preparations will begin as soon as I can get out there and get at it. As always.... fences, fences, fences!!!

Oh!, did I mention before that I did get my greenhouse built? Well, not quite, but almost. I made it from the lumber that was suppose to go into a septic sand trap. It is not square. Some boards used are warped, but I don't think that the tomatoes will care. I have wanted a greenhouse for thirty years.... I'm happy.

We have decided that we are going to run through the brambles that are left to us and then...calm!! This will be our year... our much needed good year. This year will be phenomenal!!

It has to be.

Louie

Groundhog's Day

Things are crap!! It is time to contact a bankruptcy lawyer. I don't know how to go about doing that. It's confusing and scary.

We have spent our lives teetering on the poverty level and paying our bills and being terrified of living. Then a disease came along. We became terrified that we were losing our lives without living them. Disease came back when we decided we had to try and fly. Go figure!

No guarantees.

This week my miracle for living came in the form of.... Groundhog's day. Suddenly, all I can think of is what will I do the day that I can again smell the earth. The day that the ground feels spongy under my feet. Reality seems to be on hold, moving in slow motion while my mind turns and re-calibrates to this new season...this resurgence in life. I've got something to hang my hope on again.

The groundhog, Punxhatawny Phil, promised me an early spring. God bless that little rodent!!

Louie

Water!

As you all know, I made the decision to keep the ponies at home this winter instead of sending them to the neighbor guy's place. We did okay for quite awhile. The ground was clear and it was fairly easy to get all of my buckets, or the spare tank in the back of the truck and haul water out to the girls. Well, now we have a bit of snow on the ground (not bad, just about eight inches)and the water carting involves a plastic sled and five gallon buckets. Gave myself an asthma attack one day when it was colder and windier. Oh well, I live to tell the tale .... but a rescue inhaler would have been awesome that day!!

Anyway, I manage. It's hard work as their pasture is at the back of the thirty-eight acres but I need to see them everyday. They fill my eye. They sustain me.

So, each day starts with getting out the sled. Loading up the buckets. Getting out the hose. Hooking up the hose and filling the buckets. Draining the hose and laying it out so it won't freeze. Pulling the sled up the incline and across the ridge. Then on the downhill side, get out of the way and steer from the side cause it hurts pretty good if a loaded sled hits the back of your ankles. Okay, that doesn't sound like such a big deal but Mac says I'm starting to get my hourglass figure back. Okay, okay, it's a really freakin' huge hourglass!

All in all, I'm glad I kept the horses home this winter.

Louie

World Views

One of the things that has been the most enriching for me has been the friends that I have met through Parelli that are all over the world. Comforting to me that there is this common bond, community of spirit and that somehow there are people in other countries that I feel closer to then many that are within easy distance. Now that I am without internet, I realize how much strength and support these long distance friends provide to me.

The other day I wanted to let Marion know that I finished a children's story. Well, it's written. Just thumbnails done for the illustrations. I wanted to talk to Petra about some Parelli events. I wanted to talk to Sue about our road trip next fall. (We both know it is wishful thinking but we plan it anyway.) I also wanted to check out some train schedules to send to my friend in England.

So, I suppose that ultimately my world view is that what matters is folks caring about the same things.... no matter where they live. How I miss all of my "folks"!

Thinking of you...wish you were here.

Louie

Wish on an Eyelash

There is an old timey saying that if you find a fallen eyelash, place it on the back of your hand, slap the palm of your hand and if the eyelash flies away, your wish will come true. There's a problem though...... has anyone noticed that eyelashes look just like nose hairs?

I think that some where along the line, I have wished upon a nose hair. Instead of a wish come true it was a blight. I am blighted by a nose hair. That must be it. After all, I'm just too damn charming to have brought this all upon myself.

From now on, all body hair just goes in the trash!!! I'm not going to take anymore chances. Stupid hairs!!!

Louie