City Rant = Country Appreciation

I swear every single time I have to venture into the city, I find more things to hate. My parents live  right in town, in Latrobe, and since most of the property at my house  is wooded, I still board my horse at a great barn near my parents' house. The problem is, that I must venture through the city to get to my horse. Booo. 


I have a  large break in between my classes at UPG, so I usually use my time wisely, and spend it riding after a quick change into my britches and boots at my parents'. It just so happens that school children are being let out right before my break, and the city feels it necessary to appoint a crossing guard at the intersection down the street from my parents' house, even though it is nowhere near the school. It just so happens that this crossing guard is a total control freak.


She stands on the corner with her hands on her hips, and feels the need to direct traffic even when there is no one standing at the crosswalk! This infuriates me, and I despise this woman. I've been driving for over six years, I know what a damn stop sign is. She also glares at every single car that drives by her, and I glare back. I don't even know who the hell is responsible for hiring her, or why she is necessary, but I have made a vow to find out. 


In the country, our only crossing guards are the occasional squirrel or goose, and they never glare at me.

Jackson Eating

Boy, having a bottle baby goat is sure a chore! When we just got him I was worried because he wasn't eating too well, but now he goes crazy as soon as he sees his bottle. I guess I got my mini-pig after all! 

Rest in Peace, Amy Tryon

The eventing community lost a beloved member today, and I am very saddened by this news. Amy Tryon was an amazing horsewoman and rider, and represented our country in many international competitions, including the Pan Ams and the Olympics. To read more about her death, go to this link. She was only 42. 

Tripod Truck Spotting

Look at what I found sitting in the parking lot of Tractor Supply! It's a tripod truck! I love pickup trucks, and I must have examined this thing for at least 15 minutes (most of which were spent battling my smartphone to get a good picture). It looks like something from the Jetsons. I wonder what its towing capacity is? Probably couldn't haul my horse trailer, so I think I'll stick with the four wheel variety. Has anyone ever seen anything like this?

Jackson In a Photo Shoot!

Our little Jackson was featured in a photo shoot last Saturday! My friend Jayna is a photographer, and used him and our peeps as Easter props to take pictures of her niece. The pictures turned out soo cute. 

Isn't Jayna an amazing photographer? (and isn't Jackson ADORABLE?)


Here's a link to her website, Costello Imaging.

The Buzz on Burt's Bees

 I had a wonderful day working in the garden and spending some much needed time outdoors in the sunshine.  There is nothing like the feel of a shovel in your hands, working the earth and you muscles, breathing fresh air, and feeling alive! However, all that hard work is prone to leave your hands and skin feeling a little rough. That's why I use Burt's Bees hand salve when I come in from the garden. It is wonderful, and will make even the driest skin soft again. For those of you not familiar with Burt's Bees, listen up. They have tons of all-natural skin, hair, dental, and make-up products that are made primarily of beeswax. You can check out their entire product line at Burtsbees.com. 

Take a Peek at the Peeps

April, May, June, Henrietta, Thelma, and Louise (she's hiding)!

Warning: Too Cute

 Here he is; I finally got a picture of Jackson! It was such a lovely day, we decided to let the peeps outside to get some fresh air and green grass. They would not leave our side, and Jackson couldn't get enough of them. Ahhh how I love country life!

The Truth About Nipples

No, no..get your collective mind out of the gutter! I'm talking about rubber nipples for feeding our new baby goat, Jackson! 


Last night I surprised Kevin with a goat for his birthday, and since the little guy is only two weeks  old, he requires bottle feeding three times a day.


After some experimenting with a few varieties of rubber nipples found at Tractor Supply, I have had great luck with the Pritchard Nipple, shown below.

Every baby is different, and it really comes down to their personal preference, but I highly recommend trying this nipple first, if you ever have to bottle feed a goat or lamb. 


Jackson is sleeping at my feet on the front porch as I type this, he follows me everywhere!


I'd better feed him once more before class, everyone take care! 


Have you ever had to bottle feed a baby animal? If so, what kind, and do you have any hints?

Check Me Out on Twitter

Despite my hatred of social medial, I gave in and started a Twitter account for this blog. Check out my tweets, here.  I'd rather peep than tweet though. :)

Hangin' With My Peeps

I AM SO EXCITED! I mean really,over-bearingly, borderline annoying, excited; like a little kid who gets a chocolate bunny AND money-filled easter eggs in her basket. Why, you ask?


Yesterday, we finally bought our peeps!


I have never been happier than when I carried my six, tiny, precious, fuzzy, warm and cuddly peeps out of Tractor Supply, in a little cardboard barn-shaped box. 


Yes, I played with them all day, and even almost fell asleep on the straw by their heat lamp, after singing them lullabies and giving them treats of lettuce.  Who couldn't love a peep?


I found this great web-site, where you can read up on peep-care, if you too, wish to have your own little bundles of chirping joy. 


I'll get pictures ASAP