Unexpected Sunshine, Horse Time & Car Troubles

You may have read about our state in the news. We are getting massive flooding and high water levels. This photo was taken by me last night over the Spokane River in downtown Spokane. 

Our city has gone all out for Christmas this year and last night we took the grandsons downtown for the Christmas village and fireworks. 

It had been an amazingly warm day. Sunny and mid-50’s. That’s the bright side of the “Pineapple Express.”

Things are green here with these warm temps. I still have the volunteer petunias growing in front of the house and vines in front of the barn. 

I had time with Tumbleweed yesterday. We worked from the ground. About half way into it, I realized he was doing okay, but not tuned in as much as he should be. I stopped and thought about the energy I wanted to have, the intention, and the feel I needed. It changed everything, and we ended on a solid note. I’m hoping that will translate to a good ride on him today. I will go out better prepared to connect from the beginning. 

Earlier yesterday we took the grandsons on a train ride with Santa and laid wreaths on the headstones of veterans for Wreaths Across America. 

My dad was laid to rest in this cemetery, so we were able to place one on his headstone, too. 

A couple nights before yesterday we had the most beautiful purple sunset. It cast a blue light around the horses and framed Tweed in its aura. 

Earlier that day, you can see their frisky, muddy selves. 

Tweed and his mare herd heading towards me with determination. 

An update on our barn cat introduction. These photos are of Dangerous Dan’s first day out. He has been out several times since then, and he even escaped the room when my husband, unwittingly, opened the freedom door. 

Dan was born in a barn and, even at the age of 11, has the wild, feral instincts. 

Grady, on the other hand, was born to be a lap cat. He is enjoying his life of comfort and has no such need to fight or escape. 

We don’t have any plans today, except to ride Tweed, acclimate kitties, and fix one of our cars. 

Last week, we drove two hours to see our granddaughter perform in a community theater play. Before we left, our favorite (and oldest) car was making a funny noise. But we didn’t heed its warning. 

Instead, we jumped in and headed down the road. 

All was well until we were going back home with two of our other grandkids in tow. We were taking a different highway to get to their house in Idaho and drop them off, when all of a sudden we heard a loud banging as we were pulling into a small college town along the route. About that time, a couple fire engines passed us with their lights on, and we smelled something burning. My husband figured it was whatever they were rushing to, but the smell continued to follow us…because it was us!

Miraculously, the power cut out exactly as we were passing an open auto store (the only one opened at that time on a Sunday night). We coasted into the parking lot and turned it off. It was also, miraculously, nextdoor to a McDonald’s, which we took full advantage of as we waited. 

An employee at O’Reilly’s came out and helped my husband troubleshoot the problem. It was the idler pulley and serpentine belt. (That was the noise we heard before we left—the idler pulley was failing).

We couldn’t fix it that night, but O’Reilley’s allowed us to leave it there until we could have it repaired or towed home. 

When we realized it couldn’t be fixed, another granddaughter, and her fiancée, volunteered to drive two hours down to pick us up and save the day. 

Their wedding is in a few weeks and it gave us this wonderful opportunity to spend time with them. We loved every minute of it, even though we felt horrible that they had to venture so far, and so late at night, to save us. 

We haven’t had to be bailed out like that since we were kids. It reminded me of my dad having to come out and save my bacon on more than one occasion. 

There is something kind of magical about being helpless, and then being saved, by those you love. 

It was towed back a couple days later.  

And my husband has been working on it here and there ever since. 

A little at a time. 

He has it in the barn today and is putting it back together after taking off and replacing even more parts, pulleys, alternator, etc. he figured since he was doing it, he might as well replace everything.  

My husband is NOT a mechanic or, at least, he wasn’t. If it starts back up today, however, he will have earned that title!