This is the question that I asked myself this morning, as I awoke and looked out my bedroom window. Before me, snow falling straight out of the sleet gray sky. Ptooey I thought. I have to go deal.

--Had to deal with wet kindling. Ptooey.
--Got the red car stuck in Keith’s driveway after emptying and refilling dehydrator trays. Ptooey.
--Had to walk home, a distance of about two miles, in the slop and glop. Ptooey.
--Wasn’t able to clean the manure out of the horse enclosure. It was too snow laden. Ptooey.
--Dealt with animals that are also tired of inclement conditions. Signy for example

Trillium and Skjoni

chased Siggy away from the upper shelter hay pile. Ptooey.
--Fed the horses the last of the older hay. Busted into the remaining two bales of the very expensive stuff. Ptooey.
--Got a phone message from Pete saying that he won’t be home tomorrow. He quite obviously doesn’t know about the bad weather at our end of the world, so he might not get home until Monday. Ptooey.

Ahh, but things did improve, which is a good thing because I was running out of spit. Later in the day I got an email message saying that Skjoni, the Icelandic Pony, had finally arrived at his destination – Sun Circle Farm. So I decided to forego doing the dishes for a bit, and went over to check him out. (This was in the vehicle that wasn’t stuck).

I often do wonder – what do animals that have been divested of their usual routine actually think? This fellow has, in the past ten days, travelled over 2,000 miles. He’s now in a totally different environment than previously. And today he was surrounded by strange two-leggeds – all of whom jabbered excitedly, mainly about him.

Skjoni is now living in a stall next to a draft horse. Duke is obviously put out because (as I was told) this animal is now occupying the space he used to inhabit. He kept reaching over the stall wall and nipping at the newcomer. In addition, Skjoni was having to get used to the crowing rooster and Maybe, who is a highland steer.

All ‘n all, Skjoni has handled what he’s been dealt with fairly well. I checked him out by running my hands over the length of his body. I discovered that the red pinto gelding has a bump and a slight bend in his spine, right before his loins. I suspect that he’s going to need some chiropractic work in the near future.

We (the new owners and I) took him a short walk. His new owner, 10 year old Trillium, lead him around the yard. Skjoni was unfazed by the malamute, and the farm equipment. My heart goes out to Skjoni because this is a transition of sorts. If only we could fully communicate to animals and tell them what’s up – things would be more equitable. I guess that the best we can do is treat them extra kindly in such instances. Otherwise, what they think is – ptooey.

139: 5/20/13: Trip Preparations, Continued