Oh sure it's hot outside...102 degrees now with a prediction of 103 tomorrow. I don't mind the heat and I worked on the pantry/WC project this morning when it was much cooler. It's the cold of winter that I don't like. I've already started getting prepared by purchasing a pellet stove. The price for these right now is good as not many people are rushing out to procure heating devices. I did say 102 degrees today, didn't I? Monday I go pick up four tons of pellets which are at last year's price and expected to be three times as much this winter.

I have an old oil furnace that I used sparingly last year. I had a miserable time of it. I don't do well being cold. Every two weeks I filled a 55 gallon drum with diesel and pumped it into the tank to save money. It was a reminder that I wasn't in Arizona or Mexico or Hawaii for the season. The whole time I was trying desperately to recover from the spleen surgery and sort out life with celiac sprue without knowing that's what I had. It was a bad winter.

This year is going to be warm and rosy. I have a happy faced and helpful house mate who just loves hauling heavy stuff into and out of the house...pellets should be just the ticket for him, a big marvelous pellet stove and a body that isn't in excruciating pain. I'm actually looking forward to the change of seasons this year. I'm prepared.

A benefit of having a house mate is the ability to get away from animals, feedings and the ever present call of unfinished projects. I took off for Chelan to visit family and partake in the winery dinners prepared by my future son-in-law, Chef Erik. It was also his birthday to celebrate and my daughter's turn to cook (gluten free) for a couple dozen people. Excellent food and wonderful dinner companions.

The weekend was all about food, wine and family. Glorious. I returned refreshed and carting a big box of apricots from my mother's tree to put up in quart jars. Next it will be peaches and then cucumbers to pickle, picked from the garden. I just love summer.

The wind was slight, the temperatures perfect and I felt great. A perfect morning for a ride with Moon and Shrek. He's probably going home to Olympia soon so we need to get in as many rides together as possible. I'm beginning to think "horse" instead of "mule" as this was such a pleasant way to start the day. I may not want to wait for Dinah to be finished and safe.

This video of Matt Harding dancing around the world makes me laugh and cry at the same time. With all the strife and anger in the world it's always good to see it as a happy and friendly place to be.

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo

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Hint: Touch Pause and let it load entirely before playing.  It's more fun to watch without all that buffering.

This man's Thursday night is his Friday night. After a hard week of work, his idea of relaxation is to shoot a few rounds at plastic liquor bottles. I joined in for a bit then went into the kitchen to cook dinner. He still had a few guns to warm up.

I don't have cats to take care of the mouse population but I do have a bull snake. Quite a large one at that to do the job. Now if I could just get it to move into the garden. I'm NOT a fan of snakes and it's a little disconcerting to have one climbing up in the rafters of the shop but I've named it Gabby and appreciate its help with the mice. Searching for a tool or part now takes on a whole new dynamic. Ick.

It's been a busy month that's quickly coming to a close. Yikes it's gone by fast. I was beginning to think the weather was never going to be warm and sunny but finally it has arrived and that takes me outdoors.

A new resident has come to the ranch. His name is Shrek and belongs to my roommate's former wife. He was bored and in need of pasture mates, room to frolic and some time under the saddle. He's a big gorgeous gelding that arrived as Moon started her cycle. She recognized him to be male and he recognized her being in heat but neither could do anything about it. She tried all her coy poses to make him perform. He pranced around proudly but did nothing more. Initially he saw Dinah as a rival having never seen a mule before but now he has settled in with the girls to become calm and content.

Shrek is a registered appaloosa without the telling spots generally seen with this breed. Here he gets his hooves trimmed by Eric who's been to farrier school. Handy roommate!

Prem finished a cycle of her own and was promptly taken to Dr. Tim to be spayed. For two days she was uncharacteristically quiet for a Jack Russell Terrier as she slept through the anesthesia wearing off. Poor little girl couldn't walk a straight line but I've taken the stitches out and she's back to her ol' self... ga boing ga boing ga boing ga.

Eric, the roommate, moved his tractor and camper to the ranch from its storage site in Oregon. The camper will act as a handy guest cottage for his summer company. The tractor will be put to work. Yeehaw! (much gleeful hand clapping here)

The little riding mower received sharpened blades and a tune-up so I've had it out cutting grass. Eric used a regular mower in the yard and it looks almost park like.

Wiley now has three equine to round up from the pasture and feels like a regular ranch dog with his increased responsibilities. He's happy so is responding to commands more readily.

The garden is finally in. There's always something more to plant as I just can't resist starts or seeds on sale. I've planted a greater variety this year as I'm thinking more about vegetables I can put up in the freezer or can. Food prices are likely to soar as gas prices shoot up. Turning the goat shed into a greenhouse this summer is now beginning to seem more of a necessary reality for this winter. I've never had a winter garden before but am anxious to try my hand at it.

The job is going well. I'm blessed to be working with some great people and out in breath taking landscapes. There is lots of variety and new skills to be learned.

I had an opportunity to meet and learn from Steve Edwards this weekend at Ride The West in Spokane. I bought his come along hitch so Dinah and I will be spending lots of time in the round pen working on her training. She turned 8 this year and is starting to "get it". She's awfully smart and a much happier mule having a couple of horses to hang out with.

Today is my 56th birthday and life couldn't be better. I have a new job that I love, winter is over and a new house mate who is quite perfect. The ranch hasn't looked so good or the list of to dos shorter.

I came home to find a chocolate cake, gifts and flowers. He's very thoughtful. The gift, a Super Soaker, is a toy normally used for shooting water but I will shoot oil at the wind mill. It's another attempt to quell the squealing and groaning made by a tall bit of Americana. It'll be fun to do target practice using a stream of lubricating oil.

It's a good day.

Meet Moon. She's the new pasture mate for Dinah which makes the little mule very happy. When Dinah is happy I'm happy. Moon has settled in and loves having all that room to romp. She's a sweet thoroughbred appaloosa with long legs and a blanket of dark spots. She's a beauty and a joy to have in the pasture.

The most important things first...tack. I like the way it makes the house smell. Wonderfully like leather and horses. The challenge is all the furniture. Big guy big furniture.  Change is in the air or more accurately in the great room. I can do this.