Hi everyone!

How has your week been? It has been great to see the sun shining and the temperatures rise, even if for only a short time. It is 50 degrees here today, yet by Monday we are supposed to be (possibly) in the single digits or even below zero at night! Hard to believe we live in a place where temperatures can vary 60 degrees within a few days. No wonder we have had more than our share of sniffles, bronchial problems, and, most recently, the stomach flu. I haven't gotten it yet - cross your fingers!

I have this great book I am reading to keep my mood even-keel during this long, drawn-out winter. Here are some great quotes:

"If you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven't been in bed with a mosquito!" - Anita Roddick

"Courage is contagious. When a brave person takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened." - Billy Graham

"Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it comes softly and sits on your shoulder."

"The best way to forget your own problems is to help someone else solve theirs.

"There is no such thing as a non-working mother!

Truths Adults Have Learned:

* Raising teenagers is like trying to nail Jell-O to a tree.
* Middle age is when you choose cereal for the fiber, and not the toy.
* If you can remain calm, you don't have all the facts.
* You are getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
* You appreciate the fact that wrinkles don't hurt."

"I tell you and you forget. I show you and you remember. I involve you and you understand."

Okay, I'll save some other ones for next week! Just thought it might have given you a chuckle.

So what's happening on the farm? Hope you enjoy the latest pictures of the dogs and horses and Cricket.
Maureen Anastasia left a few days ago, and she didn't leave without a fuss. She went solo in Dave Smith's trailer for her ride to Illinois and her new home with Ann J. She whinnied all the way down the driveway and the quarter mile drive to the main road, and BJ Star, Mini, Hasty Roan, and Ultimate Sam were pacing the fence line, whinnying after her. That is always hard to see and hear, since these horses do not know what fate awaits them, and yet they are so trusting. Maureen is now settling in with another Standardbred at Ann's and is quite happy. Maureen was a "sight unseen" adoption, and Ann is not one bit sorry for taking the chance!

Mini Happy Times was placed with Alice from Monroe, WI. Mini is the horse that Alice picked after winning our raffle! Alice and Mini will be united this week, leaving room at the farm for more new arrivals in need of homes.

Special thanks to Dr. Wilson for her donation of dex for Loverboy Bluegrass this week, and a bottle of bute tablets.
Thanks to the retail company that donated grooming clippers, valued at $152.00!!! Thanks to Lynn C. for making that possible.................

I am in real need of people to demonstrate horses in their colors in harness with the race bikes at the Illinois Horse Fair.
Anyone who can come to Springfield PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know!!!! I have two horses that will be ridden so we need to fill two more stalls. Come on, harness horsemen and women! We need your involvement now!

No harness racing going on right now due to the strike in Illinois. That means many horsemen racing in Michigan, Indiana, and even Canada. This is the longest I remember the horsemen and women without a contract!

Thanks to all of you for all the help recently offered with hauling and foster care. We love ya all!

Susan

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