Greystone Mules

Our youngest cowgirl

2010-07-14T18:49:00.000-07:00

Rosie is breaking in another cowgirl. This is our youngest granddaughter who is now 16 months old. She wasn't sure what to think but I think if I just rode off so she couldn't see her parents she would have been fine. Her and I have a pretty close relationship so she trusts me to begin with. I just kept talking to her and tried to get her to take the reins. No way was she going for that, but I do think she likes them.

She has a Violet dog and if you don't know what they are - well when you push each paw it says something different or plays music. That is her best buddy along with a blankie. Well she has always seen me give Violet kisses, I give her kisses. You should have seen the look on her face when I kissed Rosie. She puckered up but she didn't want to get that close to Rosie's face. One step at a time. It certainly was fun for me.

Anyhow this picture will be in an upcoming issue of Mules and More Magazine. Keep an eye out for it if you subscribe. Angel's pictures will be in Mules and More soon too.

My big brown mule

2010-07-14T15:46:00.001-07:00

My wonderful 4 year old mule acting like a big girl. She stood quietly while Rain and Jane got bathed - sometimes Angel would get sprayed too - but she stood up and didn't paw or grump at all. She is such an awesome mule and she's still just a baby. We have had such an awesome summer together. This means Rosie hasn't got much riding but I did ride her Saturday when we had some company here to ride.

Sticked her on Saturday - she's a strong 15.2hh but sure looks bigger than that when you're standin' beside her, saddling her and mounting her.............long way to the top but every bit worth the struggle.............she's an awesome ride with VERY smooth gaits. What a blessed woman I am to have the two wonderful mules I have. Thank you God and Bill Garman.

Yay for Saturday

2010-07-10T04:53:00.000-07:00

Busy day today. Chugging down a cup of coffee, then out to feed the equine, go get hay and a few groceries, then we have company coming to ride today and maybe spend the night. How exciting. The river is out but I bet these two guys find us some place to ride.

I'll be posting some pictures as soon as I can get to my computer but I am really excited about spending time with friends so you'll have to wait until we finish our visit.

Hope y'all have a great day...................ride if you get the chance!!

Weekend is here

2010-07-09T06:07:00.000-07:00

We are excited here. Weekend is here and we're having company tomorrow to ride. Hard telling what kind of ride we'll have but I betcha we have a good time. Angel does very well with this group and these folks are willing to help me get through the scarey things for Angel - which aren't many.........primarily large, loud, moving machinery and the only way for her to get over it is to meet them on the road as we don't have any of that equipment.

I think the sun is suppose to shine today and no rain until sometime on Sunday. I am looking forward to fun rides and great conversation........and a little food just for good measure.

Have a great weekend and may the sun shine and allow you to do what you like.

Our first real trail ride

2010-07-05T12:37:00.001-07:00

These pictures are some of the first trail riding miles Angel and I have gotten to share. Thanks to some wonderful friends we were able to get her into some water and mild crossings to see how she handles them. She's gonna make a trail mule too.

She already has a very extensive show history and I have been very excited to be able to get on a trail with her. With the amounts of rain we have had I have been limited to road riding just to keep her in shape. I'm not complaining about that. I'm grateful that the rain gave us a little break so I could ride her.

I am really enjoying this mule. We bred her mother, foaled her, raised her and had Sue White of Rockn' S Mules train and show her last year. She has taught us a lot about raising mule babies and I hope we are getting better with each one.

Obbie and Jenny Schlom at Bishop parade

2010-07-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

These girls, along with their mother Cynthia, camped next to us at Bishop Mule Days Celebration. Their mother made these outfits except for the saddles and she painted them. Awesome family!!

I'm back

2010-07-01T11:28:00.001-07:00

These are photos of the trip to Bishop Mule Days Celebration in Bishop, California on Memorial Day weekend. Wow what a trip and what an exciting time. I realize I haven't posted for a long time but a lot has happened in the last year and I had to rearrange my life. It has been an experience but all is well now.

The trip to Bishop was an exciting one. We had a blow out 155 miles from Sue's house. Then first thing the next morning we had another blow out. Had to stop in the summit of the Rockies to buy another one. It was memorable and VERY worth it.

I will never look at a Taco Bell the same way. That is a personal story between Sue White, Shelley Daley and myself.............kind of a girlfriend thing. And you had to be there at the time. Doesn't seem so funny when told to others - except my Oklahoma friend Carolyn. She thought it might make pop shoot out of her nose.............had she been there.........and I secretly think she wishes she had been because it was FUN!!

We met some wonderful people in the mule world and I am keeping in touch with many of them through facebook.

Hey no rain today.............equine friends - I hope you get to ride today. I know I will........ya gotta do that when you ride a young one.

2009-10-08T15:42:00.000-07:00

This is Barney. He is a lazy rat terrier. As you can see he has protected his chewies. Barney is my side kick in the house and Fred is my outside/trail riding dog. The neighbors and us share Fred. They call him Muttly when he's up there. Any time we are gone camping or whatever he goes to the neighbors and comes home when we do. The neighbors have two of his puppies and once in a while he brings them down to visit.

Barney is a different story. He had never been outside when we got him 6 or 7 years ago. He was 1 1/2 years old when we got and VERY distrustful. But we have been socializing him through camping and he is blossoming into a social butterfly but after he has visited he's ready to get back on the couch in the trailer and nap.

Barney is the wimpy one and Fred is the protector. Nice to have these guys when hubby is gone working away from home during the week. Love my animals!!!

Birthdays

2009-10-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!!! Today is my 50 something birthday. I am trying to talk hubby into going for a short ride today but we've had a lot of rain this last week so I imagine the trails will be slick in places. I'll have to use my 4 mule drive!!! Now attached are my granddaughters first exposure to riding. I say she's ready to meet the mules!! Doesn't she look like she's having a blast. Imagine her and Eve in 5 years!!!!!!!! Wooo hooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great day everyone!!!!!!!!

This week's rides with Jeanie

2009-10-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling a bit down here lately and I thank God every day for the blessings I have in my life. One big blessing is having a wonderful friend like Jeanie. She allows me to ride her personal mule whenever we get together. Her mule is a blast to ride. BIG mule. She just bulldozes through whatever you ask. Be careful what you ask!! We took a few pictures Thursday when we rode and Jeanie got some shots of me that were very different from most pose and shoot deals. I also got a picture of the bridge in the background. That is how close we ride to the highway and no one ever knows we are out there. Very nice relaxing rides. Every once in a while we'll get a little wild on our rides but we feel like we need either Bill or Tom to guide us. If they fall into a hole we won't go that way. But the guys are much more adventuresome. When we rode last Sunday the trail was muddy and slippery but Thursday's ride was great. Of course there were a few mud holes but the mules just plodded right through. Hope you all have a great weekend and those of you that ride I hope you get a chance to ride. We're suppose to go to a fun show on Sunday and that's my birthday. We'll see.

Next cowgirl in our family

2009-09-25T09:04:00.000-07:00

Kiara's mom has said she can ride mules when she gets big enough. I am encouraging her to bring her out to meet the mules and get use to those big ole' ears. I have an 18 year old jenny donkey that I will start teaching her to lead animals with. The jenny is very respectful and will not get into your space unless asked. She's a great teacher with my young mules and I believe she will help the young kids to feel safe around equine. Lot of teaching to be done there but I've already started 3 other granddaughters. Don't have any grandsons that are interested in riding.

I babysit Kiara every Tuesday so her mom can get a break and earn a few more dollars and I can let Kiara know about her crazy mule loving Noni. Please pray for Kiara. he he he

If you look closely you'll see her new teeth on the bottom. She is 7 months old. She is a beautiful girl. Can't you just see her in those bling bling blouses in the lead line???????????

Mocassin's debut

2009-09-24T13:00:00.001-07:00

This was Mocassin's debut. She had a big class to contend with but she was a very good girl. She is one of twins that were born while we were at the Iowa Horse Fair in April. The mare was 357 days gestation and we just knew she would foal while we were gone. Well she did and she had twins. The other foal was stillborn and quite a bit smaller than Mocassin. At birth she was the smallest colt we've had at 35". She was fun to get started. Bill is having a hard time chosing between her and Jane.

This is a recent picture of Jane. She has such a wonderful personality and is very respectful. She is a full sister to Angel. The mix between our jack and their mother is a good one. We've had three colts from this mix and they are exceptional mules. Very loving animals.

Sooooo..... which one do you like better?

Greystone's Crystal Angel

2009-09-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

AKA "Angel" won the 3 year old futurity at the IDMS State Show. Sue White of Rockn S Mules trained and showed her this year. We foaled and raised this mule out of our jack Greystone and a Scotch Bar Time mare. It has been a joy watching her grow. She won the weanling futurity in 2006 and the three year old futurity this year. I don't think that happens very often so we are very proud of her and she will end up being my primary mount once we get ourselves on the same page. In the one picture of just Sue and Angel you can see the two of them were having a discussion over who the boss was.

We went to 24th annual Clark County Mule Festival in Kahoka, MO this last weekend. Pictures to be coming in the future but we had a blast and were exhausted when we got home.

I am babysitting my granddaughter today so I'll check back later when she gives me some extra time. She is 7 months old and beginning to move around some. Gotta keep a close eye one her. She will be my next COWGIRL!!!!!! Yee haw.

55# weight loss in one year

2009-09-21T17:53:00.001-07:00

These pictures were taken at the same time of the year. The one with Rosie and I crossing the bridge was last year (2008) at the IDMS State Show and Futurities. The other picture is at the IDMS show this year. I have lost 55# but didn't really notice it that much until I compared these pics.

I am doing some ground work with my three year old and will not be riding her again this year. Rosie and I have some serious trail riding to do. We will have a horse and mule fun show in Ottumwa on 10/04 and we'll go to the Tim Christopher Biannual All Mule Ride in Decorah on Oct. 10. Then Jeanie and I will be going to Eminence, MO the last week in October. That's about it execpt just fun little rides here and there. Winter will be here before we are ever ready for it!!

Training mules

2009-09-12T12:29:00.000-07:00

Training mules is not for sissies!!!

I had my first and I could only hope last wreck with Angel. As I was just throwing my leg over she stepped away and I stuck her with the spurs hard at the top of her rib cage and rolled right down them like a practiced bull rider. She screamed and lunged forward taking the front of my pelvis into the horn then bucked once and off I went. Down on my knees and then I did have sense enough to tuck and roll. When the dust all settled my hubby had ran to catch the mule so she didn't hurt her mouth with the bit and make all this worse - well he told me to "lay still - assess the damages". The heck with that - my pants came down - underwear down and I'm yelling for hubby to see what's wrong as I felt someone had put kerosene on my private parts and lit them on fire. To make a long story short, I have a nice black bruise on my private parts, a skid mark on my head, and sore places everywhere. But I have learned from the experience!!

Angel is having a training session on standing quietly tied. That is definately not her favorite thing to do but I can't ride her right now. Hubby will ride her later for me and we'll get back to riding again when I get healed.

Pictures of Angel

2009-09-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

Check out www.jrajphoto.smugmug.com under the first IDMS gallery then go to "Backdrop" and on the 4th page are pics of my 3 year old I am now riding and her trainer Sue White. Sue did an absolutely wonderful job on my mule and we are having the time of our lives. As one of my followers puts it "I will not be able to take pics riding this mule as it takes two hands right now to be sure you can keep them in check." Thanks Val for all your encouragement and knowing you are starting your own helps me to be able to mount this three year old and ride her with "some" confidence and every ride increases that confidence. She did a gigantic leap over a water crossing yesterday. Yee haw. Lived to tell about it though.

This is a whole new chapter in my life and my husband has been so helpful and encouraging as he wants this mule and I to succeed to get a legacy started for our jack. By the way he is one wonderful guy too and I had a talk with him to tell him what his big beautiful daughter is doing and he seemed to smile about that but I was also rubbing his ears!!!

Riding Angel

2009-09-06T18:05:00.000-07:00

I rode Angel again today. She is sweet!!!! She lopes a wonderfully smooth lope and she loves to do it. She can really cover ground and it's just an easy lope for her. She is so gangly right now and sometimes she gets her legs all tangled up. She launched us over a small water crossing today. Gonna have to work on that but I just couldn't do it again today. She was our first mule colt and a beauty at that. She won the 2006 weanling molly futurity and many other classes her weanling and yearling years. We didn't show her at 2. She went to Sue White of Rockn S Mules last fall and got 30 days of basic ground work and taught to respect some. See we wanted this colt so bad that we spoiled her rotten. Sue did a great job taking this out of her but she still tries with Bill and I and we must be firm with her. It's kinda like having a teenager back in the homestead. Lotta work but I believe she'll be way worth it and probably be my last ride. If I'm still riding after she's gone I hope somebody takes over Sue White's job cause I'll need another mule like hers. Of course she is three and some things startle her but she just spins and walks really fast. Sue has taught her a couple different ways to stop her and they have always worked for me. This is one awesome mule and you haven't heard the last of her. She is just getting started and she has siblings that are every bit as good just not as big. If you want to see show photos go to www.jrajphoto.smugmug.com and check out the 3 year old futurity western pleasure and 3 year old trail she's the big brown mule with a light face and her rider is wearing a neon pink top with a black and neon pink blanket. I am in the women's western pleasure and the very first picture is me. There are other pics further back of me and some in mulemanship, barrels, poles, pylon alley, egg and spoon. In the speed events I have on a bright orange sweatshirt. I haven't picked out pictures yet for a CD but I do have to. Also check out the awards catergory to see more pics of Sue and Angel with the saddle on her and me holding the buckle. This is just the beginning for our babies. I am so excited for those who have Greystone babies. They are FUN to ride.

Whew I lived through it!!

2009-09-05T18:25:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a while since I've posted. Sorry it's taken me so long but now I am trying to connect with my 3 year old who just came home from the trainer. We had our IDMS State Show and Futurities last Saturday and Sunday. We got there Wednesday evening and played a little bit in the arena. Then got about six inches of rain in a short time. I hadn't had time to scrub the floors in the living quarters and boy am I glad I didn't. We are both terrrible about just running in, grabbing what we need and going - not bothering to take off our boots. Anyhow Rosie and I played in the arena off and on Thursday. There was a young man driving a beautiful paint pony pulling a two wheeled cart around. Didn't really seem to bother Rosie much as I usually "chase" that type of stuff and make her ride right up to it - but she's also 11 years old!! Sue White of Rockn S Mules of Havelock, Iowa showed up in the afternoon. She has had my 3 year old for 90 days. I helped her tack up then I ponied my colt as Sue has a 4 horse trailer and it's usually full of mules or tack or feed and stuff. Anyhow she decided to ride my 3 year old for a while after I had ponied her quite a while. Well it was sooooo awesome to see what she had done with this wonderful mule. There were several of us playing and practicing in the arena. Ann Taylor ( not the clothing person - the mule person) had set three barrels fairly close together to practice backing through them. Well along the west rail was a manure spreader and tractor, a gator or mule or whatever they call those things. Anyhow the electricity had went out all over Appanoose county so we had no lights in the arena and it was early evening and a little dusky in the arena. Well Sue was on Angel ( my 3 year old "Greystone's Crystal Angel") and had just asked for a lope at the southwest corner of the arena where the manure spreader and such was at. When she got to the end of the 4 wheeler thingey the pony was tied to the rail with the cart still hooked up and reared up just as Angel got to that spot. She shot about 6 foot sideways and Sue's first instinct (mine as well) to grab with her legs/calves and jabbed Angel with the spurs. She kinda crow hopped about two times then did the stiff legged bucking and threw Sue faced first splat to the ground just to the right and about one mule length in front of me. Yeeeee haw!!!! Anyhow sometimes you'll have a strange fluke like that but with a "teenage" animal one needs to be ready for about anything.

Anyhow this wonderful mule won the 2006 Molly Weanling Futurity out of 19 colts. She has maintained her legacy and won the 3 year old futurity which includes western pleasure, trail, and halter. She placed first in western pleasure and trail and 5th in halter as she is so gangly. SHE WON THE 3 YEAR OLD FUTURITY WITH THE TRAINING ANG GUIDANCE OF SUE WHITE. She placed 3rd in the junior mule futurity.

So as you'll find out in the future posts that I will give a lot of credit to Sue White of Rockn S Mules (apprentice to Steve Edwards of Queen Valley Mule Ranch). She is such a wonderful friend and her training abilities are AWESOME. I cried and told her and Bill I just could not make myself ride this mule. I'm gettin' to old and my body hurts even if I haven't fallen blah, blah, blah. Sue had promised to stay Sunday evening through Tuesday afternoon and teach me how it use my mule - you know where the buttons are and how she cues her. Well we got a phone call at 5:30 ish Monday morning that Tom and Tammy King Rabideau were having problems - we gave Tom (Bill's cousin) a jack colt out of or jack "Greysone's Numero Uno" or "Uno" for short last year sometime and he had pasture bred Tom's mare. Well the call was the mare was down and trying to birth a breech baby. Our colts are generally VERY long legged so this really worried me. Took off and flew over to his house. Vet was there and trying to get the breech baby - that was already dead - positioned so we could pull them. Long process and the mare was really suffering. As the vet is inside this mare up to his neck he says "uh oh". What's that mean? He says as he's trying to get a chain on the one leg WAY down inside the mare he says he can feel another muzzle. It's twins. Well to make a long story short Sue and I pulled the two dead john and molly babies out of the mare early Monday morning and the mare died just after lunch on Wednesday. But just after Sue and I pulled the john mule out - he was first - I turned and looked at her and told her I was ready to ride my 3 year old now.

So I am now riding this WONDERFUL mule who is an absolute joy to ride. If you ever want to start a young one because you are too afraid or whatever to start your own please contact this wonderful trainer. She makes them safe and fun. Ok that's all for right now - but I have some pictures coming from this years show and I will post some as time goes by but I also want to compare with some from last year so you can see how much both me and my red mule have improved and the 55 # wt. loss. Adios.

Mocassin's first "ride"

2009-08-22T18:27:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready for the Iowa Donkey and Mule Society State Show and Futurities. Bill took Mocassin for a pony tonight for the first time. She obviously didn't like it at first but she got better as we went. We'll try again tomorrow night and I think that will help her a lot. She will be shown in the 2009 Molly Futurity this year. I believe she will be Bill's next mule.

Then I will show Rosie in a few things. We usually either do walk trot or Women's Western Pleasure, then I'll try the mulemanship, trail and I think that's it on Saturday. Then Sunday are all the games. Now know that Rosie and I are not real fast but we are precise and we did place in last years games - I think I placed twice in the pantyhose race and once in the relay race. This year we'll do whatever we are eligible for. Egg and spoon, barrels, poles, keyhole or pylon alley or whatever they call it, pantyhose race, relay race. I think that's it. I'll be dog tired after that.

Our nearly 15 year old granddaughter will be riding Eve her tusty mount. She usually does walk trot and sometimes western pleasure, pantyhose race, egg and spoon, maybe pylon alley but she is a bit shy and she doesn't want to try the other games because she doesn't understand how they work. She wants to do the surf board race but Papa refused to pull her and if I had tried we'd still be trying to get Rosie to stop. I'm gonna have Tom work on that this winter. The grandkids for the most part will take Rosie and Eve - I am getting ready to get my 3 year old back from the trainer. She won the 2006 Molly Futurity out of 19 colts. I sent her to a wonderful trainer who is likely to win herself a trophy saddle this year with her in the three year old futurity or the junior (5 & under mules) mule. I am so excited about this colt as this is one we raised. I really hate to go from an 11 year old WELL broke mule to a three year old but I truely believe the traine has her about as well broke as any 3 year old can be. She has been showing her all over in Northern Iowa and Southern and Central Minnesota and winning right and left. Won a western pleasure class at a horse show and the trainer was the only one with mules there. She won a timed trail class earlier this week. Anyhow as you can see I am really proud of this mule. I chose not to train this mule as I am not as good a rider as I was at 14-18 or so. I raised a family and could not afford to have equine as I was a single mom. So I took about 35 years where I only rode a few times. It doesn't take much to scare me out. My first mule was an idiot and she did several things to me but the worst for me was the run off. That was it with that mule and that's how I got Eve then eventually Rosie.

Holy cow MJ. I didn't aim to write a book but I guess you can tell that I do love my mules. A few years ago I never thought I would say those words but "try it you'll like it!!!!".

Wish me luck and hopefully I'll have some pics to post after the show.

Getting ready for the big show

2009-08-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

Boy this has been a busy week and next week will be even worse. We went to Des Moines today to pick up my layaway of my silver and black glittery rail shirt and boots. Ended up getting Bill a new pair of boots. He wears his cowboy boots all the time and I can never keep a pair we might even be able to call them "good" boots. But he truely wears his out. Anyhow by the time we left Hawkeye Tack and Western Wear we spent another $320 (counting the boots - expensive!!) with EZ All body wash, the little razors you use by hand, moisturizer for Mocassin's coat blah blah blah. Now I am exhausted and I really wanted to ride Rosie today. Maybe I'll take a quick nap then take a quick ride. Sounds good - see ya later!!!

Mules and Rain

2009-08-16T10:40:00.001-07:00

These are pictures taken off my front porch this morning as it was pouring down rain. Jane has backed herself into the hostas and I'm not sure how she figured that would help. She is such an independent little gal. You'll always find her with the big mules and her momma no where in sight. Had our mares ultrasounded last week. We have one mare of two that settled and we have a mare that belongs to Sue White that settled. She is a big quarter mare - bay roan. Can't wait to see what she has. Well the next babies are growing and next spring we'll just have one to mess with and it should be an awesome baby by the time it has to leave. Sorry to those of you who cannot step out the door and see their equine friends. Great therapy!!!

TGIS

2009-08-15T08:38:00.001-07:00

Jeanie and I fit in two riding sessions this week but the trail was too slppery on top to run through it. I also took the time to snap a shot of the Des Moines River looking north. Sometimes we ride north of this spot and get on the sand bar and actually into the river a little bit. This is always a great ride and it can be made quite challenging if a person wanted too. But my point is how fitting for Jeanie and I to ride this week as we are both banging around inside our heads for the same reason - losing a loved one. We definately needed to be together and she is just beginning to start sharing with me some of what she went through losing her husband. We will support one another through this and find that it's OK if we have some fun as we are greiving. What a concept huh? Who would think riding a mule would be better than a month of weekly visits to the psych doc. Hey you guys have a great weekend. I'm gonna ride my own mule sometime today and maybe I'll get some pics on that ride.

Working on mental health

2009-08-10T15:21:00.000-07:00

Finally got hubby to go for a ride after having mares ultrasounded on Saturday. We had family only visitation at 4 PM then came home and had 3 mares ultrasounded. One is open but she is an old mare and I think we're getting down to where she can only conceive every other year. So one of our mares settled and Sue White's big bay roan mare settled. Sue has my 3 year old and she has made her an awesome western pleasure mule. Took 2nd in walk trot at the Minnesota Donkey and Mule Club state show and 1st place in western pleasure at an all horse show. She will show her at Bloomfield the end of this month in the three year old futurity which is halter, western pleasure, and trail. She won the molly futurity in 2006 against 19 nice molly mules.

Anyhow I snuck up on hubby putting on his spurs. Then we grabbed a couple of pics along the road as we got too much rain the last couple of days to get too near the river. I was ridin' so I wasn't complainin' bout where we rode!! These mules are much better than any mental health professional no offense ment!!

Riding again

2009-08-08T06:50:00.000-07:00

Jeanie and I rode again on Thursday. We got pretty wild for a couple of older chicks and ran through the timber with her chasing me. I was the bad guy with the red shirt (above) and her and Jenny had to catch us. We yelled and screamed and ran and played like 10 year old kids. WHAT A BLAST!!! You can always count on Jeanie for a good time. Now tell me what the back of this shirt says. Have a great day and watch for rainbows - that will be my father-in-law saying "Hi.".

In Memory of Willis R. Garman

2009-08-07T06:29:00.000-07:00

Bill is with the Lord now. I am sure he is so happy to be there. He has been talking to him for 77 years and he's finally received the honor of meeting him. This tired marine is now sleeping the eternal rest. Pray for his children and his widow. Thank you all.

2009-08-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

These are some of the last pictures taken of Bill's dad. One was taken at the 2009 Garman reunion and the other two pictures were at Bill and Rita's home while the boys worked on the roof. Paul and Margie (my Bill's sister) are with Bill and I in the one picture at their home and the other picture is Margie with her dad.

I am certainly glad I bought a digital camera this year as I have taken more pictures then I have ever taken in my life. I keep telling Bill we need to document the things we do especially with the mules because our grandchildren will want those some day.

Bill's dad is still with us but slowly drifting away. He's working on getting his wings.

Update

2009-08-04T17:16:00.000-07:00

Bill's dad is heavily sedated in the Comfort Hospice House. He has periods when he just doesn't breath for several seconds but he is one tough dude and his heart is still strong but eventually he will just stop breathing and we will all be grateful. The family is getting closer every day to letting him go. This process just sucks and that's all I can say. This family is pulling closer for the most part. It's kind of a lesson on what really is important. Definately makes you take a look at priorities. When this tired Marine passes we will all be so sad but grateful that he no longer suffers. Soon we hope. Thanks to all for listening to the rambling of the crazy mule lady. This last year and a half have been so tough. Mom had heart bypass surgery on 2/14/08 the day after her 72 birthday then we got 1" of ice and I couldn't get to her until 5 days later (I should have just stayed - hindsight's 20/20) several clots in her right leg which dislogded and ended up in her lungs. The cavity around her lungs filled with fluid (2100 ml altogether) and we nearly lost her. Then my mother in law had heart bypass surgery one year ago today and had to have anesthesia and open heart surgery twice as she was bleeding somewhere into her chest and they had to open her chest again to stop the bleed. We just began to get her back on her feet and moving again when Bill's dad began passing blood in his urine somewhere around October or November and to make a long story short he had his bladder and prostate removed with prostate cancer that had spread to his pelivc bone and right hip and femor. He had radiation treatments but it didn't affect any of the tumors and during all that he had a pathological fracture to his pelvic bone that he and the docs decided would not be operated on and the rest has already been told. Please say a prayer that he will be taken home soon. Thanks a lot!!

Daddy's and their girls

2009-08-01T17:11:00.000-07:00

I have been pretty busy with work and Bill's dad is now at the Comfort House Hospice house to get his pain and nausea under control. I don't know that he'll come home from there but we are all aware that it is nearly time for him to go home. We will all greatly miss him and I am so blessed to have been able to have him for a small part of my life. I lost my father 24 years ago and I was definately "daddy's girl". My father-in-law has been like a father to me for the last 17 years and this is just like loosing dad again. So anyhow I thought I would attach a picture of our youngest granddaughter who is also a "daddy's girl". Thank God for her. Her daddy (our youngest son) thought he could never be a good dad. Imagine that!! God bless you all and I pray that my daddy comes and brings my father-in-law home soon. Tammy I want you to know I'm also thinking about you losing your "daddy".

2009-07-27T13:47:00.001-07:00

These are pictures of the Drakesville Mule Show. Top left is Tom Rabideau jumping Chesney. Top right is me on the rail with the turquiose blouse and Tammy Rabieau on the right on Chesney. Second row left is the line up in Walk Trot. Last picture is Rosie and I. We had sooo much fun. We're not all that fast but we have just as much fun as the ones who are fast. I love riding my mule so I really don't care what we do whether it's riding or showing but I would MUCH rather trail ride. That's where we both have the most fun and confidence.

Bill however decided - or I guess Nellie decided - to show he could do an 8 second ride. He put a tie down on her and pulled it WAY down. When he got to the arena he asked her for a lope and when she got to the end of the tiedown and it pinched her nose she went into a full out bucking mode. Spectators say all 4 of her feet were above the arena fence. As his family jewels are taking a severe beating he decided he was going to have to jump off. Got one foot caught in the stirrup and did the splits. I reckon he's pulled EVERY groin muscle along with bruising his testicles. Then later he decides he'll do the surf board race. Riding Nellie again and not sure if she'll just run off or not he only dallied twice around the saddle horn. When he got to the east end he started to loose the rope and it was burning his hands so he let it go. Well there was a small knot on the end of the lariat and it spun around VERY QUICKLY and snapped him in the belly. He has a welt 6" by 2" there.

Then I stepped of my mule and rolled over my right anklle on a rock. Could barely walk but got my mule untacked and fed then went to bed myself. Gonna have to stop having so much fun!!!

Jeanie's camp over weekend

2009-07-20T16:33:00.001-07:00

Dave and Judy Sumpter

Bill Garman talking with Steve Weller. Bill's riding "Nervous Nellie".

Yippeee!!! Me on the night ride and my new cap that reflects light. We figured this picture would just be a yellow blur.

Bill watching the sun set over the Des Moines River just as we came out of the timber.

Jeanie with Count, Jan Murphy with Jenny, Tom Rabideau with Scooby, and Tammy Rabideau with Chesney getting ready for the "night ride".

We had a great time at Jeanie's this weekend camping and all. Rode Saturday afternoon then had a potluck with some of Jeanie's family and their friends, then about 9:00 PM we took off and rode the trail again in the dark. That is really fun. Then ate dutch oven casserole for breakfast and took off and rode again. Down to the sandbar and all. Was a blast!!!! I guess I didn't take any pics of us down on the sand bar. That's always fun. We played stay away from 4 wheelers all weekend, but they were very respectful and turned off their motors as we passed.

Busy weekend coming

2009-07-17T18:26:00.000-07:00

We have a show in Winterset, Iowa tomorrow then we will go to Jeanie's and camp and ride Saturday night dark ride and Sunday ride. Potluck supper tomorrow evening with Jeanie and some of her family. Always a good time. We'll have meatloaf in the dutch oven tomorrow night and breakfast casserole in the dutch oven for Sunday breakfast. We will probably be trying to do some ditch diving. I guess we'll see. I'll try to get some pictures but I never seem to be able to get the good ditch dives as I'm usually right in the middle of it all and I'm a hangin' on!!!! Look for future pictures. Have a great weekend all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Selling baby mules

2009-07-14T14:34:00.000-07:00

See how mad Rosie is at me for messing with the colts?

Got a call yesterday from an old friend of my dad's. He's looking for his first mule and wants one of our colts. He fell in love with Mocassin who is very friendly and repectful - well as respectful as a three month old can be. I am attaching pics of this two as you guys haven't seen them for a few months/weeks. They are growing and becoming wonderful little girls. Mocassin begs for attention but then Rosie gets upset as she likes attention and kisses too. Enjoy attached pics!!!

Lazy day

2009-07-09T11:34:00.001-07:00

It's overcast here today and threatening rain and I am so lazy all I've gotten done was fed the equine, the dog, the cats, and myself. I think I'll grab a book I started last time I took mom for a carotid ultrasound. It's a mystery and I have a hard time putting them down once I start. I usually don't read much in the summer but this has been a wet, rainy summer so why not read. May even take a nap. Of course Barney (my rat terrier) will nap with me and make sure the boogie man doesn't get me. He's stuck to me like a siamese twin. No wonder my left hip hurts. Have a great day everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

Raining again

2009-07-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

I got a BIG pickup load of newly baled alfalfa hay and guess what it decides to do - RAIN!!! So attached are the redneck pictures of how I am trying to save my wonderful hay. Also attached is a picture of Rosie wondering "what is she doing now?". Love my big red mule!!! Notice how she has one ear heading back my way to see if I'm going to tell her something - kinda like the kids - I'm paying attention!!!!! My husband is working out of state and has been for over a month so I just come up with whatever it takes to get through - I guess that's something my parents taught me. Use what you have.

Sunday with the mules

2009-07-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

The newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Tom Rabideau came over to ride with us Sunday. We hadn't been down on the river since last year sometime and boy had things changed. Someone had went part way through with a 4 wheeler or something but the floods have changed the areas we used to be able to ride through. When you ride a tall mule like mine some things you just can't duck under. Some places we had to turn around and try a different route. I just noticed the date is wrong on my camera and I'm technologically challenged and don't think I can change it without buying a whole new camera. HA HA!! Anyhow we had a great ride and I think the mules even liked it. Then the ride home from my point of view. Love them longears!!!

Tuesday trail ride continued

2009-07-02T07:10:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of Jeanie on the bridge and in the black eyed susan's. What a gorgeous fun ride.

Tuesday trail ride

2009-07-01T16:45:00.001-07:00

This is an old railroad bridge that takes us to the island where we ride the timber along the Des Moines River. The first few times I crossed this bridge I lead my mule across. Now I just get a little nervous as I am a freak about bridges and heights. It's about a 30 foot drop at the deepest part but believe me those mules stay right in the middle of the bridge. When we got to the other side someone had dumped out a kitten and it was crying and screaming and the mules wanted to get as far away as they could. Jeanie and I both felt very sorry for that kitten but trying to find it would have been impossible. Maybe I'll get some more pictures of this ride. We rode in an entire field of black eyed Susan's that Jeanie and her husband planted last year. It was like a sea of yellow. Look for more pics later.

Weekends over

2009-06-29T17:50:00.000-07:00

We had a busy weekend. We lost our electricity into our home on Thursday. Luckily it was between the pole and the house and did not affect the horse trailer. We have 12 foot of living quarter in there with AIR CONDITIONING. Last week was scorching hot and high humidity so we were grateful for the trailer. Went to Moravia for an All Mule Show. I took second in walk trot, third in women's western pleasure, third in ranch trail class, and fifth in barrels. Woohoo for Rosie the big red mule!!!!!!!!!!! Then mom had a dutch oven cookout Sunday for my side of the family. Lots of yummy food. Bill chose to stay home and put the new electric wire into the house. When I got home the air conditioner was running and MY HUSBAND had a load of his clothes washing as he had to leave for work out of state at 6 PM. So all is well now and I have my computer back.

WOW it hasn't rained yet today

2009-06-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

No rain yet today but I do believe it will rain some tonight. I spent part of my afternoon taking a break from work and visiting with Jeanie. We didn't ride today. Her lot is like a bottomless pit so we decided to sit inside, eat tacos and relax. It was great but then I had to go back to work for a few hours.

My mule has realized I'm getting her out every night and giving her feed. She meets me at the gate and I take her to the hitch rail to feed her. I have had Rosie about 2 1/2 years and am just now getting her to nicker to me. I rarely tie her to the hitch rail as she wanders the yard with a halter and lead dragging and never leaves the yard. Today I just wrapped her rope around the hitch rail and left her to eat her grain while I fed the others. She had no clue all she had to do was pull on the rope to move on to the grass. She was pretty upset when she found this out. Missed some good green grass she did.

The attached picture is of Rosie and I TRYING to play polo at the Clark County Mule Festival in Kahoka, Missouri last year. She HATED the ball. How do you like the hat?

County Fair and Jenny's haircuts

2009-06-21T12:14:00.001-07:00

Before and after pics of Jeanie's mules "County Fair" and "Jenny" getting haircuts. County had to have a little mane left for Jeanie and I to use to get on her - she's a BIG mule. The single pictures are before and the one together was after as you can tell by their expressions. Jenny had a little foretop that is now gone. She really did not like having this done and she is really P**SED at Bill and I and maybe even Jeanie. But anyhow they look so nice and we enjoyed the short visit with Jeanie.

Rainy days and Sundays

2009-06-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

We have had right at 6" of rain in the last week and it's raining again today. But we are going to make the most of it and go trim Jeanie's mules manes and hairy bellies. Nothin' else to do on a day like today. Watch for before and after pics.

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Rabideau

2009-06-18T15:50:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Tom Rabideau and their families. It is now official. What a shindig!!!!!!!!! Yee haw!!!!!!!!!

In Remembrance

2009-06-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

Well we lost a colt last night. Jethro which was Reba's colt. Don't really know what happened to him. Not a single mark on him anywhere. Just makes me sick and I am trying very hard to talk my husband into giving up the mule raising/breeding thing and just keep our riding mules. This definately sucks!!!!!!!!!

Day before hump day ride

2009-06-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

This is what life is all about. Jeanie invited me over to ride her mule County and she rode Glen's mule Jenny. It is so generous of her to let me ride her girl. We had a nice ride but we've had too much rain to go on the sliding hills. Don't matter to us - any time in the saddle is great. Found out Jeanie's hay is ready to mow - her and Glen had to replant their hay field last year as she told me today that land was under water at this time last year as the Des Moines River was out of it's banks for a long time. Any how we enjoyed our ride and will try to ride again on Thursday but more rain tomorrow. Yippeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

Ivy got a haircut

2009-06-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

Here is Ivy getting her very first haircut as a yearling. She did very well. She looks like a mule now and looks so grown up. She is for sale if anyone is interested.

Greystone's Plain Jane

2009-06-05T10:29:00.001-07:00

She has a name now and she's outside too. Meet "Greystone's Plain Jane". Momma really likes her too.

Final mule colt of 2009

2009-06-04T20:28:00.000-07:00

Here she is finally. She came early this morning and she wants everyone to know she's a diva. Got any ideas for names? This is the last foal this year and I can't think of a good name. Her momma is a granddaughter to "Scotch Bar Time" and she loves her mule foals. This is her third for us and all three are different colored but great personalitties. Please comment with any name ideas.

John Strable's Mule Clinic

2009-06-03T19:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some of us at a clinic the John Strable put on for IDMS (Iowa Donkey and Mule Society) members. Teaching trail mules to be flexible and responsive. John pretty much had his work cut out for him. I guess I keep finding out that trail riding is where me and my "ugly red mule" belong. It's where we both have the most fun and she is a wonderful ride on the trail. SAFE, SAFE, SAFE!!! I'm going to try to work on the things John taught me and see if I can make my mule a bit more responsive. I'll keep you in touch about that!!!

View from the front porch

2009-05-28T17:04:00.000-07:00

This was my view off the front porch this morning. Shi mule standing in the arbor saying good morning to me. I guess it could be WAY worse - could have been a murderer or something that the dogs couldn't handle. As if Barney dog could handle much.

Redneck Ranch

2009-05-27T17:08:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd update you on some new things around here. Still no baby out of the last mare yet. She wants one pretty bad but it's just not ready yet.

Put a piece of barbed wire across the driveway and let the general population of big mules, mommas with baby mules, and momma donkey out to graze the yard. Can't seem to keep the lawn mower working so might just as well use that to feed the animals. Sooooo watch out for the poop in the yard. I do understand when people step in dog poop as it's not so easy to see - but if you step in the mule/horse/donkey poop there is something wrong with you. Anyhow I decided that's about as redneck as we have ever been but the animals are loving it.

Spent a couple of nights camping with Jeanie and riding her mule. Tom, Tammy, and Kelsie were camping with us and we had a great time. First time in many years I've rode after dark. Had a blast.

Mules

2009-05-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

This is a busy time of year for our mule business as far as raising colts and making more. The draft mares will probably go home this week and their owner will have them ultrasounded soon (14 days) to confirm pregnancy. Our last mare is due tomorrow and I keep saying every day "she's gonna go tonight" but not yet. She has had such nice mule babies for us. Maybe she'll foal tonight but I bet I don't see it happen. Darn it.

What a weekend

2009-05-18T04:20:00.000-07:00

We had a busy weekend. Saturday was our annual Garman reunion. 5 of our kids were there out of six and 13 of our 18 grandchildren were there. Papa and Grandma were pretty tired and papa was hurting pretty bad at the end of the reunion but I do believe everyone had fun and it's so great to see all the grandkids melding together.

Sunday Jeanie and I ventured out with Jeanie's truck, trailer and mules for a ride at Tod De Jong's. It was suppose to be sunny and 60's but it rained on us almost the whole ride. I was soaked to the skin except my butt and the back of my legs but it was worth it. Jeanie did a great job driving the truck and trailer. Leaving was a challenge - but Jeanie was up to the challenge and away we went. I rode Jeanie's mule "County". She is a BIG girl and she had no problems hauling this big girl around in the slippery mud. Thanks Jeanie - that was FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mocassin and Jethro outside

2009-05-09T20:34:00.000-07:00

Here are the colts. Mocassin has grown quite a bit and is very comfortable with being handled. If she sees Bill she nickers and runs to him. Jethro had his frist fast laps around the lot just he and mom. Mom ate some hay and he made several laps around the lot. He also had his first lesson it tying as I had to drag him around behind the mare to get him back to the barn. I'm just not as strong as I use to be. These babies sure are fun but they're like Lay's potato chip - you can't have just one - as anyone who has a mule or mules. Too much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

Introducting Greystone's Jethro Bodine

2009-05-08T17:47:00.000-07:00

Here he finally is. This is the second foal for us this year. He is colored quite a bit like Mark Taylor's mule "Ellie Mae" so with Mark's approval we picked "Greystone's Jethro Bodine" from "The Beverly Hillbillies". Now the way he was dinking around right after the rain he definately reminds you of a Jethro. The picture in the barn was at around 5:00 AM and the other two were around 6:30 PM Lots of changes in that time but he's a nice one. Enjoy the view.

Sadie and Diane coming to meet Greystone

2009-05-05T17:32:00.000-07:00

These two Percheron draft mare were brought to us from Northern Iowa to be serviced by Greystone our mammoth jack for draft mules. Can't wait to see what these girls will have. They are definately the "Gentle Giants."

Weekend camping with mules

2009-04-30T20:29:00.000-07:00

We are planning to go to Farmington and camp with friends from the IDMS (Iowa Donkey and Mule Society). We'll ride and slide with all the rain we've gotten lately, but that is precisely why we ride mules. I really think we need some relaxation time and riding mules is that time for me I guess more than Bill. I am the reason we started the equine thing and he lets me go pretty much whenever I want to ride. I am excited to go but wish Jeanie could be there too. We'll get together and camp again real soon Jeanie!!!!

Grandkids meeting Eve

2009-04-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

Here is Papa and two of our grandsons meeting Eve for the first time. That last picture was not suppose to capture me in my finest. These two boys are our youngest grandsons. They are Misty's two youngest of five. The one on the mule with Papa is Josiah and the one petting Eve is Jeremiaha and he was not getting on her - NO WAY. If was fun to see them. And as you can see Eve is the mule everyone wishes they had to put ANYBODY on. She is our granddaughter Alyssa's mule.

Kiara Raelynn Luecht

2009-04-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pictures of our newest member to our large family. She is our youngest son John and his wife Angie's only child (so far -hint hint). What a pretty little girl. She seems very happy with her new life. She was born on 2/13/09 on her Great gran Shirley's 73rd birthday. Mom says it was the best birthday present she ever got. I hope her parents let her ride mules when she's big enough to. Eve should be a great mule for her by that time.

Family

2009-04-19T06:42:00.000-07:00

The guys spent yesterday fixing Papa and Grandma's roof. Here are a few pictures we took while there. My father-in-law is battling cancer and we decided to take a few pictures. Had a great day visiting with several relatives. Papa Bill was pretty tired and hurting after all was done. Once we get this family going they can do some fantastic work.

Mocassin's first halter lesson

2009-04-13T17:32:00.001-07:00

This was Mocassin's first halter lesson. The weanling halter we usually use barely fits her. She responded very well to the halter and pressure. As you can see she finally decided it was much easier to sand next to me and let me pet her, rub her and love on her. She is a very smart girl!!

Sunday ride

2009-04-13T13:41:00.001-07:00

This is our ride on Sunday with Randy and Lynn Small and the Monroe County Saddle Club. It was a bit colder than Saturday. It was fun though.

Saturday ride in Iowa

2009-04-11T16:53:00.000-07:00

This is what we do on a warm sunny Saturday afternoon. Having a ride with friends. What a great day!!!

Bill's early birthday present

2009-04-10T16:35:00.000-07:00

This is Bill and his girl. She was born one day before Bill's birthday. He always picks them up until they stop struggling. I kind of wondered who was doing the struggling. This is why we do what we do. Every time I see the first mule baby of the year it gets me all choked up. And the first time you hear a baby mule nicker you just have to have one.