Happy 16th Birthday to Royal Pony!  Royal is a tough little Dales Pony.  Despite his unfortunate, worsening neurological condition, he has made it clear that he loves life.  He doesn't look as strong and healthy as he did in these younger photos (who does, right?), BUT, he has every bit of spirit and Dales Pony heart as he ever did.  This birthday is the most celebrated one of all.  

https://youtu.be/0MGVtGRgdMs

Sweet 4th of July from the past

We spent a very quiet and peaceful 4th of July this year watching the Vancouver, Washington fireworks display on television.  We usually spend the night wrangling terrified dogs trying to crawl under the covers on the bed.  I tried something different this year!  I turned the t.v. fireworks up loudly and then when the booms were going off outside, the dogs were able to manage their fear.  I had 3 happily, sleeping dogs at my feet!  Not one of them were barking or very nervous when I took them up to bed.  But, two of them waited for me out in the hall before they would go into the bedroom!  Once in bed, more booms went off and I was able to soothe them with some Neil DeGrasse Tyson and The Cosmos.  Horses were a little jumpy, but not too bad.  Had a wonderful night's sleep and woke-up to a gorgeous morning!  Now that is a first on the fourth, for us!! 

 Heat Wave From HELL

Preparing for another blistering, hot day

  

This heat is like nothing we have ever experienced up on this mountain.  A heat wave here is 80 degrees that lasts for 2 days in a row.  We have had one 3 day heat wave in 10 years that had 100 degrees and tapered to 80's.  The heat never lasted longer than that.  If a 70 degree day shows up in the summer that is a warm day!  Some summers it was cold and wet and we used the fireplace.  So, today, when the temperature at the house got up to 97 degrees (yesterday was a high of 96), and the barn was well over 100 degrees,  the whining and whimpering began.  But not for us, we have a beautifully air-conditioned space, but for our elderly horse Sydney and physically challenged pony, Royal.  This is getting down-right scary.  The heat has been on for weeks now, with no end in sight.  The dry, dusty pasture that we were looking forward to seeding and making lush, is an impossibility with no rain in sight.  For years, we could only dream of this much sun and land without mud.  Now, we are baking like a desert with a tinder box forest surrounding us.  Things are changing so rapidly it is a worry.  Are we going to have hot summers now like everyone else in the west?  This is spooky.

Somehow, we have to get poor Sydney through this misery.  I hope the heat wave will end soon and become a distant memory.  You know if it is hot up here, something is wrong!!

Welcome to our new family member!

This little mini stallion is not only fancy and adorable, but he has a wonderful personality.  He came to us from eastern Oregon and was named 'Merlin'.  His registered name is Vanity Grove Farms First Edition.  He has a very nice pedigree.  But, the prettiest thing about this little boy is sweetness.  He loves to cuddle!  He will lean himself up against your legs and ask for hugs.  What an oxytocin maker!  Instantly, a feeling of peace and happiness overcomes you when in the presence of this miniature horse.  And since we were hoping he might be a good therapy mini, it is looking like he may have what it takes.  Surprisingly, our Icelandic horse, Ynyr, has taken a shine to this little stallion.  Ynyr can be very aggressive and confrontational with other horses, but, something changed when these two were put side by side.  Ynyr has a joy that we did not see before!  You just never know why some folks connect, but these two did- instantly!  

We called Merlin by his name many times, but he didn't seem to respond.  So, we thought we might give him a new name- Fyntan Fire.  Fyntan is an old Celtic name that means 'white fire'.  It suits him very well.  We are so lucky to have this little stallion and will be getting our snuggles daily from a very sweet and magical little mini!

Somebody is coming!  Who can it be??

The beginning of summer is kicked off with Ziekele and Shandy Lil's 8th Birthdays!!

Our babies are now 8 years old!  The time flew by and they are all mostly grown-up.  They are still the babies we all knew and loved though.  What a gift it is to share their beautiful lives.  Their bond is special to be a part of and has been a joy to foster.

Summer is Officially Over

Summer 2014 is the hottest summer on record on Mount Pleasant.  And it has been the most wonderful summer we have experienced in 13 years, since arriving in the state of Washington.  Can we hit the reset button and go back and do it again?  The days and nights were just perfect, with more sunshine than we have had in the previous years combined.  It was just too heavenly. Here are some pictures of pleasant, sunny days on the terrace watching happy equines bask in the warmth.