Log master

There are some logs out in my pasture. They will be there for a couple of days. The DOR thinks they are a great opportunity for me to work on some trail skills.
I saw her and headed over to see if she had any treats.

I even walked between two logs to reach her. The DOR was pleased with that because I have a tendency to get a bit nervous if I am under pressure or feel squeezed at all.

I even stepped over a log on my own to reach her pocket...I know there are sour apple treats in there.

Okay DOR cough up the treats, I can smell them! She gave me a treat then had me walk over the log a few more times.
Here I am trying to look very cute while stepping over the log. The DOR put a halter on me and had me practice lining up for mounting next to a log. I did it twice and exactly right, I was making up for being a bit of a pill yesterday. I also want to show her this trail stuff is no big deal. She sent me over the log and I showed her I would have absolutely no problem jumping it from either direction.

Here is a video of me strutting over the log.

Yep I fear no log that is in my pasture.

I am trying to shove this one around, I think it needs to be a little to the left to keep the Fung Shui of the pasture.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Wind sillies

As you can see Sunday was very windy. I was thinking there was a bear crawling around underneath the hay tarp, but the DOR assured me that it was only the wind. The DOR came out with the intention of working with Ginger, got to get ready for that trail ride you know. When she realized how windy it was she decided it was a good opportunity to work on our teamwork. You see I get the wind sillies and launch into a full-blown snorting fit when the wind blows. So to the arena I went...take that Ginger, in your face.

I did my exercises, making sure to snort enough to keep the DOR on her toes. After all we are very good on our groundwork together, I don't know why we have to keep practicing. The DOR saddled me up and took me over to the mounting block. Here was my chance to see just how bad she wanted to ride me. After all she rode Ginger yesterday... Ginger who stomped her feet when she was getting saddled, Ginger who wouldn't line up to the mounting block, Ginger who tried to bite her boot when she put it in the stirrup. Yep the DOR went through all that to ride a cranky mare, what would she go through to ride her favorite horse? I acted like I couldn't remember how to line up to the mounting block. After about 15 minutes I got bored, so I would line up and when she gathered the reins to get ready to mount I would swing my butt away from her. I did that several times and then decided to wait until she raised her foot to put it in the stirrup then I would move quickly sideways. Yep I was really testing her resolve to ride. I think she gave up for a bit because several times she would line me up, then she would just scratch my neck and talk to one of the other people in the arena. I was thinking she needed to get on already, there were three mares in the arena and how cool could I look with her just standing there scratching me?

Once the DOR got mounted we made a couple of laps around the arena at a walk and then two more at a jog. She decided to work with me on some obstacles. I went over the bridge, crossed some poles, went by two piles of timbers, and climbed a sand hill. We repeated the course several times, also working on figure eights, gait transitions, backing, and using m butt when I trot. I did all of this while the other horses were acting up with the wind sillies. Not one snort, jump, or snort out of me. A tumble weed even blew by me, no problem. A clear rattly plastic wrapper blew around, I looked but just kept working.
I even went by the net filled with fake fish. To really show how well I was doing I touched it with my nose and then nibbled at the crab. One of the other horses, who is a calm horse, spooked a bit at the fake fish. She also scared herself when she farted today, go figure that. I managed to keep myself and the DOR calm and collected the entire workout. I was so good that I may get to go out on a real trail ride next weekend...wooohooo!

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

A pony is a childhood dream, a horse is an adulthood treasure. ~ Rebecca Carrol

Almost every child dreams of being a cowboy, a jockey, a bronc rider, or being an Indian riding a horse. It seems the one thing that all humans have in common. A few of those children fortunate enough to experience a childhood that includes the companionship of a real horse. Some of those children grow up still surrounded by the horses they love. Then there are the adults who have horses who were the children who just dreamed of having a horse. I am not sure who treasures their horses more, my guess would be both kinds of adults do. I do know that adults sure treasure their horses because we have a way of making adults feel like children again.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Do you what season it is?

We are all loosing hair around here...well everyone but the DOR, it seems that she has hair all over her.
We are all shedding. There are at least 20 piles of hair like the one in the photo after the DOR has groomed all of us. We are all getting brushed everyday, it is like getting a mini massage each day. She collects up most of it, I don't know why. I am wondering if there is a bald horse somewhere and she is donating our hair to make it a giant horsey wig. I know the support crew chief isn't using any of the hair, he is still sporting a hat. Harley says he thinks the DOR is using all of our hair to make a new horse, one that will be the best horse ever because it will be a bit like all of us. Geeze Harely, how dumb are you? I am the best horse ever, so if she is making a horse with all that hair the best it could be is second best-get it right will you Harley!
The farrier and equine therapist are visiting today, so we will all be busy. The DOR is also taking a riding lesson. I get to teach the DOR a few more skills!
The DOR is going to ride in a competitive trail ride at the end of April. She is taking Ginger, an experienced horse with a sleepy nature. I don't know why she is riding Ginger, they won't win, in fact the DOR will be lucky if she can keep Ginger awake through the entire ride. She says until I get over snorting, jumping up one foot and two feet over at silly things for no reason I only get to go on practice rides. Well alrighty then, less work for me and more work for the two old gals. Actually I am working very hard on my appy snorts, I don't like it when the DOR spends her play time with another horse. I am the only horse she needs to be riding, so now I need to really work on my courage. I heard the cowardly lion got courage from the Wizard of Oz, but that means flying using a giant grocery sack-not happening. I am going to work with the DOR on obstacles and scary things, together we will find my courage, after all we are a team.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Sticky Post...Earth Hour

Join me and the rest of the herd and go dark tonight for Earth Hour! World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off non-essential lights between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. tonight to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions.

Humans can use this hour to spend some quality time with their animal friends, we won't care that there is no electricity.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Skywatch Friday No. 37

Sorry if the photos are a bit dark. I took these at 6:00 in the morning on the way to work from the ranch. I love how the fog is rolling down the hills.
The hills are called "Horse Heaven Hills". My little guy once told me that he thought these hills were where horses go when they die...I am thinking it would be a lovely place for a horse to live forever, even if they look a bit spooky in these photos.

Please go visit the other great Skywatch participants at Skywacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world!Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Shhh, don't tell Salty that he is lame...

Salty has a bum right knee from an injury sustained before he came to live with mushboy. Salty can still be lightly ridden and loves it when mushboy takes a lesson on him.
The problem is that Salty has no idea he is supposed to be lame...why didn't anyone tell him? I get to ripping up and down the pasture, showing off to the mares and the next thing I know Salty is right on my tail. How am I supposed to compete for attention against a classy white Arab? The least he could do is stumble and look silly once in a while.
Mushboy has been letting Salty out of the pasture every evening for the past few days. Salty follows him up to the barn where he gets his halter on and then gets to eat his mush while getting groomed (there is a gate on the driveway so Salty is safe). Well the other night the mini mafia decided to ambush Salty on the way to the barn, they were mugging him for treats. Salty decided the best way to deal with the little terrorists was to put his tail up and run around the yard like a wild man. Yep, he was snorting, blowing, and prancing around until he would get to a straight stretch then he would run to beat the band. It took the DOR ten minutes to catch the silly gimp. It was funny to watch...Salty zigging and zagging with the DOR trying to predict where he would go next. The DOR just patiently walked after him as Salty was getting jiggy with the minis. He finally took pity on the DOR, well actually there was no pity it was the thought of eating his mush bowl got the better of him. He got his halter on followed the DOR to the barn and dug into his mush. When he finished the DOR lead him back to the pasture while mushboy pulled the hay wagon. Salty was still feeling full of vinegar and was dancing all the way back. He managed to step on the DOR's right foot with his big old left front hoof, she called him a bugger and told him to shape up. He took some of the fancy covering off of her dress boots and now she will have to get a new pair of dress boots, drat she hates having to shop. When Salty got in the pasture he took off like a shot running, bucking, and farting. What is with the bucking and farting, do they have to go together? Come to think about it, they do!
Mushboy and the DOR just stood there watching. Once again Salty is showing everyone that while he has a bum knee he is not lame, at least not in his mind. We have decided that no one here is going to tell him otherwise. We would appreciate it if none of you told him he is supposed to be lame, it is a secret that we want to keep. Salty the Wonder Horse continues to surprise us all.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Wordless Wednesday

Salty giving his opinion about eating hay when there is green grass beginning to sprout.

You know it is spring when Jack is passing up a big pile of hay to graze.

Harley was skipping the hay also.
Dovey the barn cat venturing out for a drink.
She waits until the horses are at the far end of the pasture and then enjoys her water. She is very pretty, but not too friendly.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Sundance

The little miracle bull calf has a name, Sundance. He is a delightful little critter and Freedom would love to steal him from his mom if he got a chance.


Here he is tucking in for a meal. His mom Daisy is a really good mother. She is very protective so nobody messes with little Sundance.

This is one of the rare times the little guy was still. He loves to race around the pasture and play with the other bull calf, Remington.
The DOR says when the calves are bigger and Daisy is less worried she is going to take me for a ride to meet them...that is after she lets Freedom have a visit.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Award

I recieved this award from Shinade at The Painted Veil
Here are the rules for the giving and recieving of this award:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

It is hard to pick who to pass the award on to. There are so many bloggers out there who are blogging to make the world a better place, blogging to make friends, blogging for entertainment. I would like to pass the award on to some of the different blogs I read almost everyday. Some I comment on, others I am just an appreciative lurker on...but I enjoy each one of them.

I is Roxie and I is bloggin she is one fine looking filly and I enjoy seeing what she is up to.
I am an Imperial horse who NEEDS sugars the life of a Lipizzaner who is now in training.
OLGA, THE TRAVELING BRA the exciting life of a traveling brassiere, who knew a bra could talk?
HEART OF A COWGIRL the spot where the DOR stops to be reminded of her childhood in Tuscon
Baba Yaga's Mirror I like reading about Red and his friends. Red's DOR has done a lot of work to help horses at risk.
Oh HorseFeathers & Related Twisted "Tails" an interesting site written by a lady farrier.
A Cowboy's Wife on of the best writers in the blogosphere
Florida Beach Basics great information about people working hard to protect wildlife through positive action and education.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Quote for the week

It is amazing what a horse can do in spite of the rider

-Ray Hunt

So here is Hank the Tank doing what he knows he should be doing. He is packing around a beginning rider who doesn't have a clue what she is doing. Being a good guy he just sets about his business even though she is giving him the wrong cues...he knows when to ignore and when to listen. Hank works hard to do the right thing even when the rider is in the way.

I do the same thing with the DOR, sometimes she just gets in the way of getting the job done. She leans the wrong direction on a turn, flops a bit because she is trying to "stay loose", starts daydreaming and forgets what we are doing, or she asks me to something that is just plain stupid like touch the tarp with my nose...yep when there is a glacier in Texas. Or how about the time the DOR got all in the way when I was going to canter and the only way I had was up in the air with all four feet? See sometimes we horses have a lot to contend with.

Horses have a way of getting things done even when the rider is in the way. We try to give hints, sometimes we just do the right thing, on occasion we obviously point out the problem. Mark Rashid does a great job explaining about how horses to fine in spite of their riders in "Life Lessons From a Ranch Horse". While Buck was much more patient than many of us, he is a good example of how horses continue to do what we need to do while dealing with humans. It is nice for us when the rider works hard not to get in our way, when they work together with us.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Daddy's little girl

It's me the DOR, also known by her family as Syndi. I am borrowing Jack's blog for a post because I want to say some things about my dad.
We gave him a poster many years ago that said:
Which way did they go?
How many of them were there?
I must find them, I am their leader.
My dad never lost one of his 10 kids, but we did keep him scrambling at times. My dad was a famous scientist, I say was because he is now retired, who was always so humble about himself. My dad fought to raise his children in a time when women usually got custody. A man who worked hard and then went on to work even harder in retirement as a sort of missionary visiting other countries. He is now showing us all how to give Parkinsons a run for its money.
I got to spend three days with my dad this week and had a wonderful time. He is really an amazing man. I have a few things that I really want him to know. I am using the blog because I get to weepy trying to tell him in person and I want people to know what a wonderful man he is.

Dear Dad,
I guess I have always considered myself daddy's little girl. Even at fifty years old I find that when I am around you I feel the same comfort, safety, and love that was there when I was little.
I used to think that you were hard on us when I was growing up. Imagine expecting your children to be responsible, give things our best try, to be honest, act with integrity, and to keep their word...yep you were one hard man. You tried to keep us from making mistakes that would cause us pain, but sometimes you stood back and let us learn the hard way. You were always there to help us regroup and start again. I remember you telling us, "You know what you should do, do it." Your way of allowing us to either do what was right and expected or choose to do our own thing and deal with the consequences.
How did you divide your time among all of us? I don't think any of us felt ignored while growing up, in fact some of us might of wished to be ignored a bit. You found time for sports, shoeing my nasty mare, hauling us to shows, 4-H, cub scouts, church, tons of sports, and every school activity there was...on top of a full time job. I get tired just thinking about it!
You are sentimental and have always looked for the best in each person you meet. You included us in your hobbies and when we weren't interested you would include yourself in ours, you worked hard to have a great relationship with each one of us.
Remember picking up the mule? Remember teaching Weird Harold how to lead? Remember not killing Nikki after she smashed you in the horse truck (thanks for that, she was a turd)? Pack trips with the 4-H groups, fishing, camping, and your hunting trips are all things I remember when I think of my youth. How about the man who never danced doing a waltz with his daughter at the Miss Washington Pageant? Chasing sunsets in Tuscon, pet snakes and tarantulas, 4 wheeling in a 42 Willies...how many kids get to do all of that? You taught us to value learning, be it in school or from life. You taught us to appreciate simple things, to have a good work ethic, and to keep balance in our lives. We learned that spagetti, pizza, and anything with garlic bread was the perfect foods. I grew up believing that you were some kind of super hero.
How many times have you given one of us "the look"? You know the one that caused fear in the hearts of strong men. I don't know where you learned that look, but I have done my best to imitate it and find it works well with my kids and students.
You are still the dad that I remember from my teens. Age has slowed us both down, but it has also allowed us to become closer. I wonder what you think when you look at me with my gray hair? Do you remember me as a teenager, a bit of a hard headed twerp with a smart mouth. Do you see Daddy's little girl who has grown up to have a wonderful life, the life that you showed her through your lessons.
You thanked me when I left to come home for coming up, said it meant a lot to you. Dad there is nothing I could do to repay you all you have done, the love so freely given, and the fact that no matter what we knew we could always come home. You are one special person and I think that we overlooked that too often growing up.
No matter how old I am, how independent, far away, or infamous I might become one thing will never change-I will always consider myself daddy's little girl.
I love you dad.

Jack thanks for letting me steal your blog...
Thanks to Jack's readers for letting me get a bit sentimental about my dad in public and putting up with my ramblings.
Have a great day and don't forget to hug your DOR and your kin

Skywatch Friday #36

This video was taken on Sunday. The trees were really whipping around in a wonderfully blue sky. It was the day that we went out to pick up a mare and I saw Scooby's twin.

I wanted to let you know that the miricale calf is a little bull and his name is Sundance. He is a doll. I will get photos soon, every one I have right now is a blur because he is always running around.

Please go visit the other great Skywatch participants at Skywacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world!Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Twins?

These pictures are of Scooby (Spooky Sky) before he went blind.





While he was loosing his sight at the time he was still a wonderful riding horse and a good friend.





The DOR has him boarded at a retirement home that is set up to deal with Scooby's inability to see. She visits him at least once a month and they have a good time together.


This is a horse named Stormy. The DOR went with a friend to pick up an older Tennessee Walker mare that needed a home. When they pulled up to the home both the DOR and her friend do a double take, because there stands a horse that is almost the twin of the DOR's beloved Scooby.


Stormy is older than Scooby and still sees well. Turns out that he is every bit as good of a horse as Scooby. It made the DOR think about the fun she and Scooby had on their rides together, it also reminded her of the wonderful times they still have.


I was thinking how lucky I am to look the way I do...there is no possible way she could ever think another horse looked like my twin.

After all where will she ever find such a beautiful butt with a bunch of hearts on it?
Have you ever run into a twin of your horse or someone you know?
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Wordless Wednesday

Here is a collection of some of my favorite photos.
I think that Jack has one of the prettiest faces ever.

Freedom taking care of Nikki.

Harley scratching his back, for some reason this one makes me giggle.
Nikki throwing a fit because I am riding HER Hank!

Hytyme's Lady Bean just out in the pasture.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Showing trust

My DOR has worked hard to earn my trust and I have worked hard to earn hers. I give her my feet like a gentleman and she gently takes care of them. She grooms me and I stand still. I wait nicely to get tacked up and she never tosses the saddle rudely on my back. We take care of each other.

I have watched her walk up to the other horses when they are laying down and give them rubs and treats. She even cleans Harley's feet when he is laying down...lazy boy. They know that they are both safe and trust each other.

The DOR and I have had a hole in our trust that she has been puzzled by. You see I have to stand up whenever I see the DOR headed my way. I would like to say it is because I am being polite, but I can't, I just have never been comfortable laying on the ground with a human close. Harley will let a person crawl all over him when he is laying down. Salty and Freedom will let people brush and scratch them while they are laying down.
If Ginger is laying down she is sleeping and has no idea that a person is even there-she is a very sound sleeper.
I just have to jump up and walk over to meet the DOR, I can't stay laying down. I know that it has bothered the DOR, she feels that it is because I do not trust her completely. That has made me feel bad, I do trust her, but this laying down stuff is hard. I thought about it and decided to give it a try. After all I stole treats from the dead man bag, how hard could it be. So the other afternoon I was sunning myself when the DOR came out to the pasture. Instead of getting up I just laid there, in fact all three of us were laying in the sun. The DOR went to Harley and gave him a treat, then she went over and scratched Salty. She was giving me time to think, to get up if I chose to do so, she didn't want to push me. Well I kept laying there, nice and still. Then the DOR looked a bit worried, she thought I might not be felling well since I had never done this before. She came over to me, bent over and asked me how I was. I nuzzled her cheek and she gave me a treat. I laid there while she looked me over to see if I was hurt. I laid there while she pulled a brush out of her pocket. I laid there while she softly ran the brush over me. She had a big smile and a few tears running down her cheek. You see by laying there I showed her how much I trust her, I showed her that the last little barrier that existed between us was gone. It met the world to her to know that I felt safe enough to stay off my feet while she fussed with me. It seems to me that it was such a simple thing, but sometimes the simple things are the most important. I think I can keep working on this laying down when the DOR is around stuff-it could be easier to get my feet cleaned that way.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Honest Scrap

Thank you to Victoria Cummings at Teachings of the Horse for this award. It made me have to do some pondering.

Now I have two jobs to do. One, send this award to seven blogs that I think deserve it...boy it is hard to pick only seven. Two, tell everyone 10 things about myself.

Okay, here are my picks:

1. Cheryl at Desert Horses

2. Bush Babe at Bush Babe

3. Marge at Florida Beach Basics

4. Leah Fry at Barn Door Tagz

5. JC at Highland Hooves

6. Betty at Mud Creek Mama

7. Roxie at I is Roxie

Grab the award, paste it on your blog with a link back to me, send it along to seven other blogging friends and tell us 10 things about yourself and don’t forget to be honest!

Here goes.

1. I am the oldest of 11 children. Ten girls and one boy (who is smack in the middle of the group). It is a family of full siblings, 1/2 sisters, and step-sisters. We all get along for the most part. Sometimes being the oldest was not fun-lots of responsibility and I never got to go on the trips to Europe (maybe that isn't so bad, I am afraid to fly). There was always someone to talk to and always something going on.

2. I got my doctorate degree to keep a promise I made my 6th grade teacher. Not much I can say other than Mr. Pratt made us all come up with a plan for when we graduated high school. He thought I was wasting a lot of time and not using my brain so he challenged me to do better. I made a promise I would get my doctorate, I just wish he was around when it happened. I also wanted my dad to be proud of me, he believes that people should be well educated.

3. I am afraid to fly. I have no reason for it, just an irrational fear. My husband built a hanger and is going to rebuild his father's plane. I suppose that means he will learn to fly. I know I should go up in the plane with him, it would make him happy-after all he goes out to the ranch and rides because it is something we can do together and it makes me happy. So I am going to figure out how not to panic so I can support his new endeavour.

4. I dream of living in a cabin located in the woods. Yep, some room for my horses and a log cabin would be just fine. I think it would be nice to have one big room, no phone, and some peace. I get overwhelmed in town and often feel the need to "run away". Luckily for me my horses are a great escape. I could easily be a recluse and go weeks without seeing anyone.

5. My husband is the best guy in the whole world. We were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend. What can I say, my parents told me to marry him...they thought he was wonderful. I didn't listen at the time, but eventually it all worked out the way it should. Bryce is my best friend, makes my heart sing, and I am constantly amazed at how lucky I am to have him in my life. He is a wonderful step-dad to the kids, they think he is soooo coool.

6. I trained for eight years as an opera singer. Not sure why I did, but it was fun. The benefit of all of that training is that I can be really loud if needed.

7. Hanging out with my horses is something I could do all day. Just watching them is fun. I love mucking at the end of the work day to unwind. The rhythm of a herd is just so soothing.

8. My dad is one special guy. When I was growing up I thought there was nothing he couldn't do, he was like a super hero. He made time to take us to all of our activities, helped with homework, and encouraged us to be more than ordinary by setting a good example. He may not have approved of things we did, but he always supported us. My dad has a wicked sense of humor and is a blast to spend time with.

9. I think my in-laws rock! Dexter and Dixie are wonderful people. I like spending time with them. My father-in-law always has something interesting to say. My mother-in-law is a very insightful person. Best of all they let me marry their baby boy.

10. I have learned more from my students than they probably have learned from me. I have learned that there are all kinds of strength. That sometimes persistence is the only thing that will get you through hard times. There is so much more, they are really great kids and truly amazing.

Hope that wasn't boring and was a bit of fun.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Quote of the week

To anybody who's still mad at their parents, or living a flustered existence in the concret jungle, or feels as though they've been handed a crappy hand in this life, I wish you could see what I see every morning.

There is something about beginning and ending your day in the company of horses that makes the rest of the day stay in balance.

A bad day hanging out with a horse is still better than a great day in the "real world".

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Freedom during surgery

So the DOR was worried that the surgery might stress the old fart. As you can see he snored his way through the entire procedure, this is after the cancer was removed but he was like this during the surgery. Freedom's eye looked good yesterday morning when the DOR checked on him. The DOR is at a conference so we are being spoiled by the support crew. Mushboy always gives us extra treats and the support crew chief tosses extra hay, he wants to make sure we stay fat and happy while the DOR is away.

I am going to make the DOR give us a spa day when she gets home to make up for slacking off on her duties while she is away.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Ray Hunt. He was a gift to all of us horses and will be greatly missed.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Skywatch Friday No. 35

On Monday we had a bit of everything for weather. First we got rain, then snow, then hail the size of peas, wind, and more snow! Must be spring. The result of the weather were some very pretty clouds.

I liked how some of the clouds were dark and menacing, then there were the light fluffy clouds right around the edge.



I took this photo on my way home from Ellensburg. I was up there for a horse rescue meeting and got to enjoy a lovely full moon the entire drive home.

Please go visit the other great Skywatch participants at Skywacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world!Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Edited at 7:00 PM to add: I just got home from the ranch. Freedom's surgery went fine, the vet is confident that she got all of the cancer. He is up, moving around, and was a bit upset that he had to wait for an hour after waking up to get his evening mush. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for the old guy.