The Pain in the Ass Rain!

My last ride before heading to the PNW for the Thanksgiving holiday was...at the very least, unexpected! Hello...the reason I became a "snowbird" was to...get away from the snow and RAIN! However there were 2 very good things about the ride...ok 4.

1. It was the 1st ride that I have had with the "GHOST RIDER" in a few years...boy did we get into trouble in the past...maybe that is why she stopped riding with me??? NO...medical reasons, not me & the trouble!

2. Cowgirl was with us...The Ghost Rider is her mom and I have sure missed her beautiful, smiling, yellow lab face!

3. The Ghost Rider has a new horse...a Peruvian Paso Fino and he and Lady were absolutely perfect on this very windy & wet ride!

Little Shanna Lady Rose is wet and shivering before our ride. Her eyes seem to be saying...MOM, did you forget that you melt in the rain??? Or was it MOM did you forget that I may melt down in the rain???

And just look at that saddle!!! Do you think I am gonna put my dainty little ass in that wet thing???

Well...yup I did and we rode the Fern Canyon/Vandeventer/Palm Cayon trail, over 3 hours of drizzle and on every corner heading Northwest the wind just about blew us off our horses!!! We voted it the 3rd windiest ride we had had together!!!

I have yet to mention the 4th reason the ride was so good...

Yup...we almost won the pot of gold lottery!

When we finally got back to the trailer our little butts were colder than a witches tit...it felt like we had peed in our pants! We wisely decided to eat our lunch back at the stable in the comfort of my dry tack room.

Your Desert Rose!

Rock Peeing...Do Not Try This At Home!

WARNING: Graphic Images Ahead!

As terrific as trail riding is and that I love it so much...there is one aspect that I really hate! PEEINGONTHEFUCKINGTRAIL!!! (25 cents in the cuss jar) Most trail heads have restrooms or at least honeybuckets for a pee before mounting up. Then there's always the horse trailer in the case where no other option is available before hitting the trail. However sometime before the 2 hour in the saddle mark...I need to stop. I do ride a few trails in the desert and PNW that do have a honeybucket at select spots on the trail...however the majority of the trails I ride have "nofuckingpowderrooms"!( 25 cents in the cuss jar) That leaves only one option...in the PNW, you hand your horse over to a riding buddy to hold while you pick a big tree for cover because you already know that if you take him with you as you are squatted down...he will nudge you until you fall over to the ground with your pants down around your ankles. Been there done that...no thanks! However in the desert...99% of the time...there are no trees...and you search for a large bush or rock to hide your bare bottom.

All this being said...there is a trick I will share with you about dodging the inevitable river of pee that will chase you no matter how carefully you have tried to place your feet. This is not a worry for my boots but there is one rule I try never to break. NO PEEING ON THE CHINKS!!! When squatted down the fringe drags the ground and is impossible to contain both sides of fringe while in this humiliating position. A friend shared the trick of finding a rock or log to sit on. Doing this will help control any river of pee and splatter that comes with peeingonthefuckingtrail ( 25cents in the cuss jar)

I am sure you have all heard the expression  "Does A Bear or Cowgirl Shit in the Woods?"

To be continued in the near future after one too many shots of COWGIRL COURAGE!!!

Your Desert Rose!

LUCY LU!

No longer do we have an empty nest... 3 yr. old Lucy Lu has captured our hearts amazingly quick! Adopted from our desert area animal shelter less than 2 weeks ago...Lucy has settled into the household routine including our crazy sleep issues like a trooper.

Look at the gorgeous gold of her feet and belly.

The perfect stripes on her body and head! I think she may have a touch of exotic blood line going on... her nose is almost cougar like.

She tries to herd us to the bed...but wants us BOTH to be there! She has begun to sleep in my arms some of the night now...she has the softest coat I have ever felt and purrs as I stroke her. Miss Lucy Lu is a real sweetheart and we are so lucky to have found her!

Your Desert Rose!

MY HAPPY PLACE!

There are certain items in my house that take me to "MY HAPPY PLACE" evrytime I see them. So I have decided to make a weekly post showing a picture of a item...or group of items called "MY HAPPY PLACE". Over the years I have collected  many items that are really special to me for a number of different reasons. Do you have your "HAPPY PLACE" items around you too???

Your Desert Rose!

Beauty...and the BEAUTY!!!

I just gotta say...I think Mason is the real beauty here, don't you???

Your Desert Rose!

Fly Me to the Moon!!!

Just how many airline miles do you think it would take to earn a free ticket to the moon??? Oh but wait...what about an upgrade to first class, after all the moon would be a long trip and you would certainly want to be comfy. Well since I am a wuss when it comes to taking trips...my husband really has to work on me to agree to taking one and he knows to sweeten the deal with an upgrade to first class! Because we go back and forth to the desert/PNW alot and we put absolutely EVERTHING on a credit card to earn miles we were able to nab to 1st class seats on Alaska Airline's partner...British Air! We have flown with Britsh Air before and have had nothing but great flights with them so even though the trip would be long...at least I knew I would be comfy.
Usually my Loving Husband and I fly side by side...but this trip my seat was behind his. He was told that the side seats had more room...and they did have more room for my stuff although I think the seating area was the same size. Here I am stetched out in my seat that will eventully be my bed for the night!

Shortly after we boarded the plane and were seated...our steward bought us each one of these cute little dopp kits!

With oh so many fun little jars of potions all designed to make your flight comfy!

Inside we found...an eye mask, ear plugs, snuggly socks, tooth paste/brush, mouthwash, lip balm, eye gel, hand/body lotion, and radiant face cream!

Then once we were in flight...the steward came to ask me what size sleepwear I would feel most comfy in??? Someone has trained this guy not to just bring you the extra large!

After dinner the steward suggested I slip into something more comfy while he made up my bed for me! Well...I don't get that offer too often, so off I went to the lavi to change. When I returned this is what I found he had done for me...

There was a mattress pad beaneath a down comforter sleeping bag!!! Of corse there was a down pillow to go with it and a beautiful cashmere blanket in case I got a bit chilly!

You can see my own little down travel pillow that I take EVERYWHERE with me...it's in the striped case.

To the right of my bed is my "nightstand" table with purse, bottled water, wine, and espresso. My ear phones are on the comforter and my own little TV/ movie screen is at the far end of the "nightstand"!

All settled in for a good nights sleep...with the stewards promise to wake me up in 6 hours for breakfast! You know...I could get use to having him around! ;)

Your Desert Rose!

Leaving...on a Jet Plane!

Everytime I see a 747...I just can't believe it will be able to lift off and get off the ground!!!It is just "waytoofuckingbig" ( 25 cents in the cuss jar!) to do that...and I have to have some Cowgirl Courage before take off.

This big bird will be wisking my Loving Husband and I off on a trip we have planned...then postponed...then replanned for 2 years! It does now coincide with our 20th anniversary year which is really lovely to have a special event to celebrate this milestone.

More later about where our trip is taking us...

Your Desert Rose!

(By the way...sorry if you too are now singing, "I'm leaving, on a jet plane... don't know when I'll be back again... leaving...)

Stars & Stripes...PONY COUSIN STYLE!

We pledge the allegiance...to the bra
from the Victoria Secret catalogue
2 boobs...under wire
with cleavage and support for all.

YES...one Pony cousin "misplaced" a certain striped garment at our recent PONY COUSIN STAMPEDE. And in spite of her constant interrogation of the younger cousins, her constant wondering, then searching for said garment...it failed to "turn up". That is until it "showed up" Sunday morning, the day of our rodeo! Yes...those younger cousins had kidnapped the favorite bra, and held it hostage before running it up the flag pole to wave ever proud with "Old Glory"!

As if the humiliation of the entire population of ranch guests viewing the garment waving at them in the gentle breeze was not enough...the above "pledge" was recited by all of the PONY COUSINS before the start of our rodeo!

I personally think it was the stripes that gave those younger cousins the idea...

Your Desert Rose!

Like the First Day of School!

Those of us who have children know what it is like to send your child off to his/her 1st day at school. There is a mixed flow of emotions full of pride... and anxiety which of course, can produce...TEARS, even from a rough, tough cowgirl like myself.

Here is Baby Doll...getting Shayna Lady Rose all groomed up.

Ooppps...she heard the camera click and now wants to POSE...

Lady's butt is sure looking big here...I'm just saying.

Newly initiated PONY COUSIN... grooming up Jesse...with a bit of help from A Cowgirl's Grace!!! (my Sissy)So...as a mother...you all know how I felt, watching my babies leave camp with out me...for the very 1st time. Ok ,Ok not counting the Bossman and Dear Friends rides with them!!!

That's them...the last 2 horses...Lady and Jesse...I am so proud to be the human partner to these 2 magnificent equines!

Your Desert Rose!

The Joke's on YOU!!!

Most of you know by now that the PONY COUSINS sure to love to have fun whether on or off their ponies! But...did you know that we are considered MASTER PRANKSTERS??? We come by this trait naturally...from our PONY COUSIN side of the family. We grew up watching our aunts & uncles playing pranks and jokes on each other as adults just like they did in their childhood. For the most part...our PONY COUSIN pranks in the past have been fairly mild, short and sweet kinds of things...until last year when the CUZETTES waged war on their mothers & aunts! These young and perky cowgirls got it into their heads to scare the living daylights otta one innocent sleeping cabin...by sneaking into it in the dark and jumping on the beds of the unaware occupants. Since that time...there has been an ever increasing lack of trust between the generations within the PONY COUSINS that seems to have taken on a life of it's own.

Case in point at our recent 2010 PONY COUSIN STAMPEDE...the 6 Cuzsettes in attendance this year decided to play a practical joke on our dear sweet Cousin E who would never even harm a horse fly. They took advantage of her wonderful nature and plastered her true love heart's contents any and everywhere they could in her cabin. I was able to capture this sick act on digital film as proof of this demented prank!!!

This is NOT recommended viewing for the faint of heart!

Oh what wicked Cowchildren we have raised!

Your Desert Rose!

Blessings!

What a wonderful PONY COUSIN STAMPEDE we had. I am sure we will all be posting soon about our recent family gathering where we were blessed to initiate a new PONY COUSIN!!!There will be more on our new cowgirl soon but for now I am thankful for all the blessings in my life...loving family and friends whom I cherish!

As for these 2 beauties...I could not ask for any better companions out on the trail than Jesse and Shayna Lady Rose! ( yes...she earned her Rose name this trip)

Your Desert Rose!

Go Ahead...Make My Day!!!

You see this...all you equicuz's that are trying to steal my PONY COUSIN STAMPEDE CROWN??? I am not yet ready to give up my tiera...and will fight to the end! I will run the barrels, and breeze by the poles. I will roll back the keyhole so fast I may lose the Desert Rose...

I am planning on being the "Cranky Horse" of the day...in heat...ready to defend my Crown!

This is my CRANKY FACE!!!

Your Desert Rose!

Unexcused Absence!

I know that I am not the only one out there right now that has unintentionally been absent from the blog world. In the past few months I have only posted a few times. One of the biggest reasons is our semi annul migration back to the PNW for the summer. It is quite a chore packing up our whole family... since we all have to pack up every black purse, black pair of shoes, black shawl, black pants and black top we own...oh ya and our black saddle pads!!!

It has also been a time of grief for us. Still reeling from the loss of my Loving Husbands brother last Thanksgiving...this spring we lost our 2 kittens ( cats) with in 5 weeks of each other! I just have not had the heart to write a single word...even in memory of our wonderful feline companions of almost 20 years! Now I am feeling stronger both physically and emotionally and have a few posts in the works! It has been a busy return from the desert for us with not only our 19, 17 & 15 yr teenage grandchildren here in town ( wish we could see them more...but they now have their own lives) we have our 4, 3, 1 & 1/2, and one yr old grandchildren here in town! We have had our East Coast granddaughters here for 4 days ...without the mommy & daddy and we loved it...but let's be honest...the PAPA is not the caregiver...the ZSA ZSA is!!!

So now I have caught you up a bit...have lots of posts pictures to share with you and hope to get back in the saddle with you all again...

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Your Desert Rose!

PS...Just could not resist posting one picture that has nothing to do with anything I have just written!

Overlook into a canyon on the South Ridge Trail ( intersecting the PCT) June, 2009

OUT OF MY LEAGUE!

I am soooo outta my leagues with most of you that are great photographers...or have the skills to tweak your photos! I have... neither skill and am not ashamed to admit it. However...every now and then...I get lucky!

So then...here are what I consider to be my 3 best landscape photos...plz be gentle and kind...I cry easily when not on horseback!!!

This was last fall...right next to where Miss Mackena and I posed for our "in the ocean" photo opp!

Joshua National Park...1st ride on Jesse after his summer down south!!! ( Remember...I pee'd my saddle on this ride!)My favorite TREE oat our house Fall 09! OK...I was sneaking a cigarette when I noticed the vibrant red in the tree...just like my hair!!!

Your Desert Rose!

Desperate Cowgirl!!!

I bet at one time or another we all wish that we could control what comes out of our man's mouth...but it looks like Baby Doll has found a solution! Was she that desperate that she put a sting on her man's back??? Great idea Baby Doll!!!
Your Desert Rose!

A 3 RING CIRCUS!!!

Today...after stopping at 2 feed stores over an hour from my house...in the PNW rain...I backtracked to the stables to drop off "Lunch bags...(although given at dinner)! As I arrive, the owner is bringing in the horses...I saw Jesse out in pasture as I drove in and I asked to bring him in and then Shayna Lady when it was her turn. Jesse was being a jerk...walking through his lead, head up high, neck looking like a stallions...a REAL jerk! I made him back up several times and slapped him with his lead rope. He settled down just enough to not get scolded and I took him to his stall where his food was waiting. I sat down on the aisle floor making "lunch bags" for the week and Jesse was calling and calling. It was a chilling sound...echoing through the barn and since I was just beneath him...extremely loud in my ears!!! I... of course thought he just wanted to be with me...and almost took him out to go be in the arena with me to play. Then the stables owner told me it was Shayna Lady's turn to come in. I pulled on the hood to my sweat shirt cause the drizzle was now RAIN to go out to get her. My Shayna Lady...was also being a BRAT...walking ahead of me...turning sideways, she got in trouble too...but not as bad as Jesse! As we near the barn I can hear Jesse...still calling! Shayna Lady saw her stall door...but did not argue when I asked her to walk over to Jesse's stall. There they stood...touching noses, nickering softly through Jesse's stall bars. After a bit...I turned Shayna Lady around and put her in her stall...and did not hear one more peep from Jesse!!!
Now...Jesse has watched over Shayna Lady since she was just a little filly ponying her in the desert as she grew up. I can just see him now...thinking he is her "knight in shinning armor"...her protector...calling for her if she is outta his sight, tied on the other side of the trailer...calling for her if she leaves his side on the trail....calling for her if she is unsaddled and put away first. This will NOT be acceptable behavior...!
And...in a few weeks...we are going to my Sissy's for some rides with our equicuz's Dusty and THE KING...who as many of you know...has a HUGE crush on Shayna Lady. So how will this scenario play out??? Will Jesse be happy to see his good friend and (now equicuz )THE KING??? Will THE KING ignore Jesse and only have eyes for Shayna Lady??? Will Jesse try to keep THE KING away from Shayna Lady??? Will THE KING get upset because JESSE is in front of him??? In the past IF Jesse even tried to get in front of THE KING...he would walk sideways to make sure he blocked Jesse from getting in front of him. Will Shayna Lady go into heat when she sees THE KING??? ( she kicked at him once cause he had his nose...you know where... and she got tired of it) Will Jesse and THE KING be vying for Shayna Lady's affections???

Jesse...THE PROTECTOR!

Shayna Lady...The Princess! The King...LOVER BOY!

And the poor Dustbuster...looking on at this possible 3 ring circus!
Your Desert Rose!

SHAYNA LADY!

It is official...this "Pretty Lady" is now ours!!! My loving husband and I are the proud new parents of the equine formally known as LITTLE LADY. Our adoption process has taken almost 3 years to complete. Little Lady was foaled at our desert stables January 18th, 2004. Her Dam was Little Bit ( who has now gone to horsey heaven) and her Sire is...SLICK"S MACHO MAN (yes that is The Bossman's Slick...our resident stallion and drunk). Obviously...LL looks more like her mother!

I remember 1st seeing LL when she was just one day old with her little HOT PINK halter on. I saw her many times being turned out in the arena to play with her mom who could not keep up with this new baby so full of energy. She was a feisty little thing and would do those little baby rear ups and sideways walks down the aisle to the arena. I left the desert at the end of the season and did not see LL again until she was about 10 months old. I could not get over how she was ALL legs!!! By now her dam was long gone from her side and she looked so small in her stall. At that time...the Bossman and I were not "friends". Sure...we were friendly...but he just thought I was some dumb red head...he still thinks that!
It was not until our former trainer got married and deserted us...that The Bossman became our trainer...and it was another year before we started riding together. However...Jesse and LL became pals because Jesse would PONY LL several times a week when the Bossman would ride him. LL would nip at him and be playful which Jesse did not always care for. But I know that they are very fond of each other...they always greet each other with a soft nicker. By now LL is 3 years old and sent for 3 months to finishing school. There she learns how to do all that arena stuff that she will never need to do out on the trail...but she knows it all! When she came back to the stables from finishing school The Bossman immediately began riding her on many of our rides together! I was so impressed with how good she was. Sure...from time to time there would be a small issue..nothing at all that was not worked through easily. The next year...The Bossman offered LL to me to ride whenever I had a guest in town...cause they would ride Jesse and I would ride LL. I did have more issues with her than the Bossman did...but then...I was not as confident on any horse except Jesse. Cousin Baby Doll was with us one day when we had a smalll rodeo...and she and Jesse wisely choose to give us plenty of room on the trail.
Then because of Jesse's bad feet, the next year when LL was 4...I rode her almost as much as I rode Jesse. When LL was 5...Jesse's feet were a major issue and I decided I needed to leave him in the desert with The Bossman so that the "Shoe Salesman" would be able to continue his great work on Jesse's feet for the summer. That meant...I would be horseless for the summer...and that would just NOT do. In the end...The Bossman offered LL to me for the summer in the PNW.

LL and I learned to trust each other and she stepped up to every challenge I put to her. She lead 95% of our rides...won the Stampede Rodeo Queen Crown for us and we became very attached to each other. LL also seemed to really enjoy her new "outfits"! She loved getting all prettied up for our rides in coordinating colored blankets and halters matching my "outfit" for the day. And she loved all the lunch treats she found in her bucket everyday

This is kinda the funny part. Ever since I have been riding LL...the joke was that someday she would be mine...then I would have to pay the Bossman to ride her for me...well now the joke is on The Bossman...cause LL is ours...and next year...he will have to pay us...to ride her! On a more serious note...Little Lady is a mouthful to spit out sometimes when the "Lemonade" is flowing freely...or if she's naughty...I just call her "LADY...QUIT"! However in Yiddish there is a word that fits her to a T...Shayna...meaning pretty and so LL will now be known as...

Shayna Lady

Your Desert Rose!