PARADE VIDEO

Here is a video of our 15 seconds of fame.  

I thought the coverage was very good, I had to write a little blurb for them to talk about.  But they ad libbed too. 

WE DID THE PARADE TODAY, AT LEAST WE TRIED.......!!!!

We got up about 2:30am, had to feed the 6 donkeys going to the parade and fix breakfast for Doug to feed the others.  We left them in the pens overnight, so we wouldn't have to round them up.  Needless to say, last night by 9:30pm they figured out they were being abused and started complaining.  Thru out the night they would let us know they weren't happy.  Actually the 6 going to the parade got a breakfast of hay pellets, which they really enjoyed, and Doug fed the others when it got daylight and then let them out, so that made them happy.  

Everyone loaded easy and off we went, with 2 pick-ups and 2 stock trailers with 3 donkeys in each one.  About 4 miles up the road the alternator went out on Lynn's pick-up and quit.  John took Lynn home to pick-up their other pick-up, unhooked the stock trailer, hooked up to the new pick-up and off we went.  Georgette and Dave live in Tucson and went out to the "gathering" area to figure out a good place to park 2 rigs, so they could tell us where to go.  

Got there and they'd picked a spot on a side road, but we looked around and found what looked like a perfect spot so we moved.  

As you get older your values change and things you use to not pay much attention to, become more important.  Couldn't get much closer..........LOL

We got there about 3 hours before the parade was to start and the time really passed quickly, what with getting our outfits on and getting the donkeys ready.

There were about 120 entries in the parade, so we didn't all start the parade at 9am.  They had us lined up on 4 side streets, with about 30 entries on each street to funnel into the parade route.  They really had it pretty organized, once we got moving.

 Justin, me, BlackJack and John waiting for the action to start

We had plans for BlackJack leading, Turbo and Leddy in the 2nd row with their pack saddles on.  Third row was suppose to be Justin, Quilla and Leo with his pack saddle.  Leo prefers to follow Turbo, so we made sure he could.  By the time we got to the starting line, we had no lines and pretty soon Leo was outdistancing BlackJack.  Pretty soon everyone except little Justin was ahead of BJ and I.

BlackJack has always like to just mosy, very rarely do you see him move any faster than a slow walk.  Today was no exception.  LOL

Georgette with Quilla.  Georgette does competition shooting in costume as a hobby and furnished all the clothes for Linda and I.  She has a lot of old timey clothes that are really fun to play with.

 

About half way thru the parade, John's hip started bothering him, and said he didn't think he'd make it.  They had turn outs, where you could slip out of the parade if needed, so he took the next turn out.  Unfortunately the others followed him and I thought they knew where they were going, so I went with them.  One of the marshalls asked if we were quitting, I said no, turned around and headed back to the parade.  I figured the others would turn around except for John, but they didn't.  There was a breakdown in communications between them and some of the marshalls.  I might as well went with them, about 2 blocks down the street, BlackJack decided he had it, and started behaving like a donkey......!!  Wouldn't move......of course by this time we're too far from the turnout to back track, so I just stayed by the road.  Had dozens of kids come up to pet BlackJack, which he loved.  Earlier he had been trying to get to the people along the parade route. he's a big ham and likes to work the crowd.

Georgette's husband Dave, with Leddy his parade partner

As the parade was winding down, I backtracked back to the turn out road which  went right to where we were parked.  Got there and Lynn had gone out on foot looking for me. 

Lynn and Justin before the parade started

He finally came back after going almost to the airport looking for me.  He was wearing John's boots that make John's feet hurt.  Now Lynn has big blisters on his feet.  They all love the way the boots look, but for some reason they are really hard on feet.  In fact Dave that was in the parade with us, gave them to John originally, because they hurt his feet.  John's had them stretched, insoles you name it and they still are a challenge.  

It was fun, not near as hectic as I expected it to be.  We might try it again next year, John can come but I think BlackJack will stay home.  LOL He does OK on the short parades, like the one in Tombstone next month.  But this one was almost 4 miles long and he decided that was too long I guess.

Linda and Leddy ready to "parade"

Got home, they all came out of the trailers like they'd been in prison.  Lynn and Linda picked up their pickup on the side of the road and we've all been sitting around like zombies, impatiently waiting for bed time.  LOL

Our next adventure will be this Saturday, John and I will take the race car out to the asphalt track for practice.  Glad tomorrow is Friday, I'd say it will be a day of rest, but I doubt it.......!! :-)

MORE RAIN.........

Well, it wasn't exactly more rain, more like an overnight drizzle.  Actually that's a good rain, it soaks in and we don't have to get out in it.  This morning the sun is shining, but there is wind and clouds.  If the wind gathers up the clouds, we could have more rain  I guess.  

We are watching the weather for parade day, Thursday.  So far it's suppose to be the coolest day this week.  SIGH!  I'm already planning what I will be wearing under my dress, either jeans or long jons probably.  Probably will try to wear a long sleeved polo shirt under the blouse.  It would be nice if the weatherman was wrong as usual...........LOL

Pepsi is trying to break into Lynn and Linda's motor home.  It's just a matter of time before one of the donkeys will be in there.  Boaz is sticking his tongue out at Pepsi and egging him on.  Before it's over, I would imagine Lynn will  invite whoever manages to get in to stay for a visit.............!!  LOL  They already have 4 large dogs in there, so it could get pretty crowded.

FINALLY...............SUNSHINE....!!

Was beginning to wonder if we should look for plans for an ark on the internet...!!! LOL  We got over 2 inches of welcome soaking rain........BUT........ as a desert rat, I'm glad it's over.  I don't like wet and soggy and neither do the donkeys.

Wet Donkeys

Boaz has learned how to beg and get to the front of the line.  Notice all the help Lynn has in the golf cart, but Boaz is betting Linda has cookies......!!

Lynn got the fence finished, with help from the donkeys of course.  There is nothing on this property that goes on, that doesn't have their help.

 The rodeo parade will be this Thursday.  Doug has decided to stay home to feed and let the donkeys left at home out.  That will let us leave a little later, although Leigh Anne said not to get there after 5am if we wanted a place to park the rigs.  I guess the area gets filled up with trailers and the later you get there the farther away you have to park.  At 7am they close the area to vehicle traffic of all kinds.  If you come in later with a rig, you have to park "way" far away.  As newbies to this particular parade, we'll probably learn a lot of things to do different in the future, if we participate again.  

The one the 17th of March in Tombstone is rather casual and only about 4 blocks long.  There is a slight "problem" for the March 17th. That also will be the opening day of car racing for the Hornets at Tucson Speedway.  So it looks like we'll do the parade in Tombstone from 11am to noon, come back home, pick up the race car and head for the track.  Sounds like a rather busy schedule to me.  Makes me wish I was 30-40 years younger..........  I'm sure I will survive, but I'm also sure I will be ready to rest when that day is over.  LOL

The 3rd of March John and I will take the Hornet up to Canyon Speedway which is a dirt 1/3 mile track in Peoria, Arizona.  It's a couple of hundred miles up there, so we will spend the night.  My car "almost" matches their rules, but not quite.  So a lot will depend on if they give me a "by" and let me race.  Otherwise I guess we'll just watch.

All the donkeys are doing good right now.  Rosie is on Equioxx to help with her lameness in her right front and is doing pretty good.  Doug said he saw her trotting a couple of days ago.  The last few days no one has gotten Benedryl for allergies, because of the rain and their eyes aren't goopy.  But now that the sun is out, we'll probably start them again tomorrow.

Got my annual order of fly masks from Renee at Colorful Equine this week.  Bright and colorful as usual, she knows we have to find them in the brush, and does her best to make them "findable".  Actually the boys were pretty good last year about not using the fly masks as toys.  Much better than in years past, thank goodness.  Hopefully we won't have to put them on for awhile.

I think this is the view out of Lynn and Linda's "home" at any hour of the day when the donkeys know someone is inside.  Lynn says he likes to look thru the blinds and see who's out there.  I would imagine he's hardly ever disappointed. 

WE NEED RAIN, BUT..........ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.........!!!

Drizzled all day yesterday, rained all of last night, and is still raining today.  John said we got an inch and a quarter in the rain gauge.

As I sit here typing, I am looking at about 20 or more little Lesser Goldfinches on the covered back porch, sitting on a table trying to dry out.  John fills the thistle sock every morning and usually they are all hanging on it eating thistle seeds.  I guess they decided to take a break and get dry.  Now that I look at them individually some of them are house finches.  Guess they all decided to take a break from the weather.  

The donkeys insist on being out in the rain, even though they all have shelters, so of course they are all wet this morning.  Donkeys have no undercoat, so they get wet to the skin.  You would think as smart as they are they would stay under the shelters, but I guess being "wild and free" is more important.  

Lynn is out in the rain building fence.........!!  He's bringing in the east side fence in Burroland, away from the wash that is about 20 feet deep.  Years ago when our neighbor put the fence up, the fence was about 15 feet away from the wash.  It had eroded to within a couple of feet of the fence, and Lynn says he enjoys putting up fence, so John is staying out of his way.....!!  LOL  

It looks like we will be going Sunday to pick up 3 little minis up in Camp Verde.  Their family is moving and can't take them with them.  So momma Primrose, daughter Petunia, and gelded year old son Cosmos, will be joining our little herd for evaluation and probable adoption.  The woman said they are healthy and friendly and she spends a lot of time with them.  They should be easy to rehome.  

This is pictures Linda took of little Cheyenne and Buddy Brat for Fat Tuesday, in preparation for Lent.  Buddy could certainly use Lent as a time to lose some of the fat pockets on his sides.  Poor guy has been on a diet every since he got here almost 20 years ago.....!!  

Linda says she thinks Cheyenne poses for pictures, she always looks so cute with those pleading big eyes.  It might just be she is begging for a cookie.......LOL  

Little Pepsi has decided if Justin can be a racer, he can too.  A few of the other donkeys seem to have figured out that if you chase people that are running you can get a cookie also.  

 

And this is a couple of pictures of Jorgia our neighbor's horses, George and Banana dressed up for Valentine's Day.  George seems to enjoy  dress up, Banana, not so much. 

Still Busy

Today Lynn and Linda went to a "people" race at the UofA in Tucson for Valentine's Day.  It's a costume race with PDAs (Personal Display of Affection) at least a couple of times during the race.  Linda came up with a cute idea of  having cactus costumes, wearing t-shirts with "stuck on you" across the front.  

Linda and I tried dying white socks, green to wear on their arms over a 2 days period.  The only green dye we found wasn't specifically made for polyester, which it seems all crew socks have a high polyester content.  The 1st time we did it, they came out too light.  Yesterday I was gone so Linda tried again.  When I came home the socks were hanging to dry and were a really pretty color of robin egg blue.  YIKES what happened to the almost green enough 1st dying?  

The instructions said to have the socks wet.  Linda said when she soaked the socks to get them wet, all the color started coming off the socks.  She dutifully tried to dye them again, but obviously it wasn't going to work.  She also said as they ran and sweat or "glowed"  and their arms got sweaty, the green would have come off on their arms, which wouldn't be good, so that idea got dropped. Hopefully she will take some pictures to share.  

They stay busy training for racing this summer when they go back to Colorado.  Sometimes they take the dogs, sometimes the donkeys, but Linda always takes pictures or videos.

Turbo out for a run, I would imagine he is begging for a treat

 \

Lynn and Linda were in a big culvert trying to get Leo and Turbo to come in.  I don't think they were interested.

 For some reason the Lone Ranger comes to mind.....!!! LOL

Leo doesn't want to get left behind..!!  Well after he gets a bite of sustenance, race training is hard work, don't you know.....!! 

Dave and Georgette are coming out this week for a final fitting of our costumes for the Tucson Rodeo Parade, Thursday February 22. This parade is such a big deal in Tucson, schools are closed so the kids can go to the parade.  We've still got to go drive the route to see how long it is and exactly where we line up and all that.  I'm sure there will be lots of helpers, but it's nice to have an idea of what's going on before you get in the middle of it...!!

Then I guess the next big happening will be when John and I go up to Canyon Speedway in Peoria, Arizona the 1st weekend in March.  It's an IMCA sanctioned DIRT track and they run what they call Sport Compacts.  John checked the IMCA rules for Sport Compacts and I've been in touch with the track and it sounds like my car should be legal.  We'll go up the 2nd, they have practice that night and race on Saturday the 3rd.  Should be fun, I haven't been on dirt for 3 years and it's a bigger track than the Tucson dirt track, so I'm not expecting anything spectacular, just to finish and bring the car home in one piece will be good. Well......as long as I don't finish last....!!! LOL

The donkeys are all doing pretty good right now, although Rosie is still limping on her right front foot.  But not as bad as before Tyler put the shoe on, which is a good thing.  Hopefully with time she will get better, even if she always has to wear a shoe.

I tried to order my annual order of fly traps from Valley Vet last week, and they are back ordered.   So yesterday I bought a fly trap to put out, until Valley Vet gets some in.  They have the best prices especially if you buy a lot of them, which I do.   Got word last week that my first shipment of fly predators is on it's way, so they must think it's time for the flies to come back.  We actually have flies all winter, usually in the afternoon when it's warm, but not enough to bother the donkeys.

The other night Lynn was cleaning out a pipe that had a lot of leaves, sticks, etc in it and ran across this little guy.

I have never seen that small a Colorado River Toad, they are usually about the size of a saucer up to dinner plate size.  He was all wrapped up in the material caught in the pipe.  Of course if a dog bites one, it can make the dog really sick or die.  But he got put back in his nest, hopefully he'll stay away from the dogs, when he gets bigger. 

The same night Lynn found this little hibernating lizard.  We put them in a bucket full of hay, when we find them, and turn the bucket on it's side.  They disappear when it gets warm, so I guess that's a good way to help them if their hibernating gets interrupted.

Thanks Linda for all the pictures and videos, it sure makes life interesting.

LOTS GOING ON RIGHT NOW

Lynn and Linda are getting ready for a "people" race this Sunday for Valentine's Day in Tucson.  Linda and I went shopping yesterday for things to make their costumes.  One thing we noticed is they've already pulled most of the Valentine's stuff, and on to Easter and some St. Patrick's Day........!!  But she did find a few things, she always comes up with fun ideas for their costumes.  

Then there is the Tucson Rodeo Parade the 22nd of Feb.  We got the information in the mail yesterday on where we start, where we line up and where we are suppose to be at what time.  It all sounds very organized, I hope the donkeys appreciate organized and are cooperative. All the donkeys we are taking have been in parades or pack burro races, so it's not going to be a big surprise.

This is a video Linda took at their RV one morning, of the whole herd except for Gus and Cisco.

Of course racing starts in March, the car is ready John says, so we'll try to take it to tech next week-end and get that over with.

Life is not all fun and games, sometimes there's work to be done.  Years ago when a neighbor fenced in Burroland for us, the east side fence was about 10-15 feet from the large wash that runs across our property on the way to the San Pedro river west of us.  Since then the wash has ran high enough to erode the bank,  the fence is now within a foot or two of the wash. The fence needs to be moved back from the wash farther before the next big run probably this summer, if we get rain.  That is the next work detail, when it can fit into every one's schedule.  That's a big problem..............scheduling.  We've tried making plans, but it doesn't usually work out as planned..................LOL

This time of year we have quite a few tours and we try to accommodate  visitors, even if they show up unannounced.  I get a kick out of getting a phone call from someone wanting a tour, and I ask where they are and they say at the gate.  The other day John and I were gone and Lynn and Linda noticed people wandering around with the donkeys.  They were doing a self tour, before they got caught.........LOL 

WHEW.......!!

Thank goodness, the shoulder is doing good, better every day, now if I just don't do something else stupid....!! LOL

It's busy around here as usual.  Yesterday John, Lynn and Linda, helped Jorgia, our neighbor run a fence to keep the range cattle off private land.  There had been a fence up, but the cattle had torn it down to get to a water hole.

Lynn and John playing with the fence.  The problem with range cattle is they usually learn that fences are just a temporary problem if they want to go thru them. 

 
 

Lola and Lennon trying to figure out why John isn't either working or throwing a stick

They didn't get home until feeding time, Jorgia is a hard taskmaster.......!!  LOL  John said they thought they might have to come home and get head lamps, and flashlights.  But they managed to get done before dark.

Saddik looking at something across the way, thanks for the pictures Linda..!

The dogs were actually working too, although I'm sure they had fun playing most of the time.  They had to make sure there weren't any cattle inside the fence before they closed it or they would be trapped.

Jorgia had her 2 dogs, which work cattle.  They found the big bull inside, so the dogs went to work, Saddik included. From what they said the bull wasn't very happy at this turn of events, but the 3 dogs finally got him moved out.

Today John and I going into Tucson to figure out where we will park the night before, or early in the morning with the stock trailer and 6 donkeys, before the Rodeo Parade the 22nd of February.  A friend that has been in the parade with her little mini donkey Jasmine, e-mailed directions, so we're going to scope it out.

Would you believe I found the pictures of the clothes Georgette brought out the other day?  I know most people have a love/hate relationship with their computer, but my computer and I really HATE each other.  LOL

There's some over on the chair too....!!

Here we were getting ready to get in organized rows.  Little Justin on the right was suppose to be in front, he wants to follow, and I don't think we ever did get organized...!! LOL

Obviously I took this picture after our "walk", Linda and Lynn are headed for the feed room with a bunch of halters and leads

Rod, our son is busy working on race cars getting them ready for the new season.  

This is what his garage looks like right now

He's also got my back-up car to put a roll cage in it.  Rita the race cat is looking it over to see if it has a comfortable place for a cat to sleep.

No room for it inside