Maybe one day I'll post regularly...NOT


What an 8 weeks it's been.  Moe hurt himself at the trainers so I've been doctoring him since the first part of June.  

Took Poppy over there for a refresher.  The baby (Sneaker) manages to hurt herself on a regular basis.  First she sliced her knee open, it has healed fine (after a Vet call and antibiotics).  

Then she did something to cause wobbler syndrome (neurological issues that may be permanent).  Yesterday she had been able to get two 'dings' on her head (each side).  Too bad they don't have bubble wrap for horses.


My friend and colleague had two foals this year.  Both are palomino colts that are the best babies her stallion has ever produced.  Now to get them shown and off we go.

 Sullivan

 Hollys Last Hurrah   aka  Harry

So...I'm back.  Still not writing enough, but I'm back.

Since the last post the spring semester ended, grades completed, graduation over and new baby on the ground.  It's been hectic, and a little frustrating.

My lab tech (who has been employed longer than I have) has been waiting patiently for over 4 years to be granted permanent part time status.  I have been told several times in the  waiting years that all he had to do was work 30 hours a week for nine months, and he'd be granted that status. With that status, he would qualify for health insurance, retirement benefits, and longevity pay.  The 'powers that be' keep saying that the budget won'y allow it, but they keep hiring people in other areas.  For some reason, the science department is left out of budget promises.  Monday of this past week, this young man had an accident at home and lost three and a half toes.  He is now told that he needs to take the summer off. All of this without health insurance and no sick time benefits.

And we call ourselves 'the best community college in america'...Not when we treat our employees like this...BAH  None of the promises I was made, by people in administration, have been kept.

Otherwise...

Raven had her baby the morning of May 1st.  We were expecting a bay, and hoping for a filly with spots.  We got a bright chestnut with NO spots.  At least the filly part came out right.  She is sweet and curious, dainty and ephemeral.  I haven't found a name for her yet, but it'll come.  Copenhagen and Moe headed off to the trainer yesterday.  I'm expecting good things.

Long Time No See

Okay...so I haven't posted in forever.  I've been busy and not willing to make the time.  Right now, the semester is winding down (thankfully) and I'm waiting to finish the foaling season (just one mare).   Raven is a Thoroughbred cross mare, in foal to a foundation Appaloosa.  Her due date is the 26th of April so we're getting lose. 

Ravens Gift

Steve and I recently bought the property that adjoins ours, mainly to keep someone else from getting it. It's a little over 2 acres, putting us up to 14 acres.  The cabin on it is in lousy shape, the last people to rent it starved their animals and grew pot on the porch.  WE have a LOT of work before any one can stay in it, but it'll make a great vacation getaway.

Our new toy

Other than that, I've been hiking regularly with the kids for the Biology Club from school, including watching the sun come up at Roan Mountain on Easter Sunday.  It was cold and windy, but worth every minute of it.

Sunrise 

We spent two days total hiking and had a fantastic time.  Got loads more hiking planned for this summer.

Bio club kids at one of the tunnels at Doe River Gorge.

The narrow gauge rail line that hauled timber and iron ore from NC to TN

The Doe River

One of  five trestles.  Unfortunately without crossing the river, the others are inaccessible

Me (L) and Bio Club President Maddie Malson

Cute little Salticid

Moonset over the Roan Highlands (photo by Tyler Poole)

Maybe I will start posting more, this is kinda fun.

Saturday aftermath

Well, It appears that we have all recovered from the trauma of the lockdown we had at work this past week. I am pleased how well everything went, even though we found some glitches that can now be resolved. I was very proud of my students.

Today was the first day for service learning for the spring semester. My students impressed me with that as well. Chilly and drizzly, they began the restoration of the wetland area at St. Stephens park. We are removing Chinese Privet, multiflora Rose, and Japanese Honeysuckle. This is a project I have been planning for 2+ years, and I am very happy to see it get off the ground. My computer is being a pain and not letting me upload the pictures I took...oh well.

Well...today was cool and cloudy. My sister, brother-in-law and niece came by and visited in the afternoon. Greg had never met my horses so we had fun with the introductions. Of course, they missed all the fun the kiddies had before they got there.

Popcorn and Moe matching strides

May I have this dance?

Moe and Blondie playing tug of war

Blondie plays rough

Poppy and Moe again...sigh

I'm working on my spider list for the Catawba Valley Crazy Big Year.

It's slower going than Dwayne and his birds or Lori and her moths, but I'll catch up so I'm not too worried. So far I have 7 species, but of those, I have 20 'specimens'.

One of three Metacyrba that I have (Salticidae).

Classes started on Thursday this week. I really have a good feeling about this semester. The students seem interactive and eager to learn. If it stays like this, I'll have loads of fun. We'll see how it goes.

E--

HAPPY NEW YEAR from Whisper Wind Farm.

The day is partly cloudy and cool with temps around 40F at 9am.

Day one of the year that is supposed to end in the destruction of human civilization. We'll see what happens. I for one, think that too many people forget/ignore the calender that takes place AFTER the supposed end of days. I'll let you know what happens.

I am participating in a crazy idea hatched by a former student of mine. In the four county area (Burke, Catawba, Caldwell, and Alexander) that makes up the Catawba Valley, a survey of selected plants and animals will be taking place. Dwayne is doing birds, Lori is doing butterflies and moths, Tracie is doing wildflowers and ferns, and I am doing spiders.

The different habitats we have in this area could make this tricky. Plus the fact that there are so many picture identification guides for spiders that have errors and are sorely lacking data. I'll have fun looking and sorting. I shouldn't have any problems collecting new species, but I'll not do any naming.

Hoping for a great year.