Prayers for Ranger

As many of you know, Ranger has had some lameness issues over the past year. Last year, his pelvis was twisted and locked up, and Dr. Grover helped him heal from that with chiropractic and acupuncture. He's been moving and feeling good since then.

Last month, Ranger started short-striding again. That means that one of his hind legs (the left, in this case) doesn't reach as far underneath him as his right. It's just a tiny bit--maybe less than an inch--but it causes imbalance and uneveness. His uneveness was so slight that I thought I was imagining it because I'm an overprotective mommy, and because everyone I asked said that he was moving fine.

We started lessons with a new instructor two weeks ago, and she noticed it immediately. She said that it was so slight that it was almost unnoticable, but that it was there. The chiropractor came out and worked on Ranger last Thursday, since I suspected more pelvic problems. Ranger had the weekend off, then we had another lesson on Wednesday. He was way worse--very uneven, and Timmie had me get off immediately.

Generally you can ride a horse through mild lameness and it will often resolve, but it was clear that this was something worse. He didn't seem in pain--his ears were up and he was very happy to be working. Normally, horses in pain will pin their ears, swish their tails, wear a sour expression, buck, kick and act out. Ranger didn't at all--he was his happy self. But I called the vet immediately. Dr. Olds specializes in lameness issues and comes highly recommended from people at the top of the performance horse world.

Dr. Olds came out yesterday and did a complete lameness exam. When I took Ranger out of his paddock, he was really stiff and sore, so I knew that something was really wrong. She did everything--watched him move under saddle, worked him on the longe line, did flexion tests and started to isolate soreness in his hocks and in his left front hoof. She "blocked" him, which is injecting novacaine at the lowest suspicious joint in order to deaden the leg below; if that's where the lameness is, the horse will move normally because there is no pain. The blocks confirmed that he had pain in those 3 legs.

She thoroughly x-rayed him, and we found that he has a a fractured sidebone in his left front hoof. There is a bone inside the horses' hoof called a coffin bone. It is the last bone on each leg. It has a small cartilage "wing" on each side that slants at about a 30* angle towards the rear of the horse. That "wing" is usually about 1" long and about the size of the tip of your pinky, and stops in the soft tissue adjacent to the top of the hoof. As a horse ages, that cartilage ossifies, or grows bone-like. (Bones calcify, and cartilage ossifies)

Ranger's sidebone had clearly been fractured within the last year. While healing, it has gone nuts in ossification and bone growth. His outside side bone juts about 1 1/2" above his hoof, causing a bump that I thought was just a bump. Thus, it's about 10 times the normal size--about the size of a large thumb. It is pressing on his coffin bone and the first pastern joint, inhibiting his movement and causing him pain. The sidebone has been healing for many months, but is just now causing impingement and pain.

This photo shows a similar case of severe sidebone (but on this horse's right front foot--Ranger's is on the left), with the same kind of "fingers" growing out of the back of the sidebone, wrapping around his pastern joints--but Ranger's are about twice as long, and his sidebone is about twice as thick. This is the coffin bone (the curved hoof-shaped portion of the specimin), with a severe sidebone on the far side and a normal sidebone on the near side (the little piece sticking up). This is a horse's right foot, and Ranger's would be a mirror image on the left foot. If you imagine a hockey-puck-shaped joint resting inside the coffin bone--and you can see the curve of the "shelf" on which that hockey-puck-shaped short pastern joint rests--you can visualize how the sidebone would press on the joints due to the growth on the inside of the sidebone.

This xray example is not Ranger's, but shows a very similar severe sidebone with a fracture. That fracture is almost horizontal, and might actually be part of the sidebone that isn't ossified yet. Ranger's fracture is vertical. You can also see the short pastern joint--the long pastern joint is next to the circles, and the short joint is below it. Below that is the coffin bone.To compensate for the discomfort, he's been shifting his weight to his rear end, which has caused some mild arthritis and moderate soreness in both hocks. That's easily managed with rest and joint supplements at this point. The big problem is the sidebone. Dr. Olds said that this is probably the worst case she's ever seen.

Ranger is assigned to stall rest for the next six weeks, with 10 minutes of hand-walking per day. He'll start a course of shock wave therapy on Thursday, in an effort to cause the body to acknowledge the extra ossification and hopefully demineralize it and absorb some of it back, opening up the space between the sidebone and the joints. He'll have 2 or 3 treatments over the next few months. Because his sidebone is so bad, she can't begin to give me a prognosis. Shock wave does generally have pretty good results, but she doesn't know how good it can be with this much damage.

If it doesn't work, he will never be rideable again. There are additional surgery options, but the success rate is not high, and if they don't work, it could mean that he could live in pain or have to be put down. I won't take that risk. If it means that he has to be a pasture ornament for the rest of his life, well, at least I have him to hang out with even if I can't ride him. As you probably know, though, my heart is broken because my little horse hurts.

Please keep Ranger in your thoughts and prayers, and please send good healing energy to his left front foot. Thanks from me and Ranger.

Let there be light!

I don't remember if I posted pics of the chrome and frosted glass light fixture that I installed in the dining room--remember, I wanted to put crystals all over it to make it sparkly? I found out that buying the crystals would run between $200-400, so opted against that expense.

Instead, I found an antique chandelier at a shop. Trish came over this morning and we got it installed. What a difference! Isn't it lovely? The curved points match the curve of the coved ceiling, and the antique brass colour matches my decor, especially Grandpa's lamp.

I'm headed out to get my stitches removed (it was benign, by the way!), then to the duplex for a Section 8 inspection for my second tenant.

Gem & Mineral show

Have you ever been to a Gem and Mineral show? I hadn't. My friend Kaye, whom I met in Colorado Springs when we boarded our horses together, is very active in the gem and mineral world. She and her husband Jack volunteer at the museum every week, classifying and cataloging the museum's contents. They also have their own fabulous collection, which they show (and win!) in shows all over the country! Who knew that you could show a bunch of rocks?

Kaye invited me to the show last Saturday. This particular show included fossils. She & Jack were hosts. I hadn't seen Kaye in months, so decided to spend some time with her, figuring that I could escape from the boredom to go riding after an appearance of an hour or two. I got there just before the show opened at 10a, and when we walked in, this is the first thing I saw. Yes, it's a walking, talking T-Rex (notice the guy).This is the second thing I saw...yes, it's a fossilized bird's nest, complete with eggs. It's real, and this is how it was found. Absolutely fascinating!
This is the third thing I saw, and I was HOOKED! Wow, this is a little fossilized dinosaur lizard, about 6 inches in length. I want one! Look at the expression on his tiny bony face!

It got better and better. One display of gems was a German crown! Diamonds, gold, pearls, sapphires...you name it, it's there!

This is one of the mineral displays.Close up of some of the fascinating mineral formations. I wish the colours had come out better--they were absolutely vibrant!

These little critters were found in sandstone. Yes, the antennae are intact--and standing!

Topaz is my birthstone. It's November's birthstone. My birthday is only 39 days away. Can't wait to turn 26...again!

Jack is not only a mineralologist, but also a silversmith and jewelry designer. Kaye also designs jewelry. Jack crafted the silver around the fossil, and Kaye etched the fish in the top. Isn't it lovely!

This was a salute to a squash blossom, with images of dinosaur footprints and skulls surrounding the stones.

This piece uses mineralized shells--real ones, not silver, in its design. I might like something like that for my birthday, which is coming up in just over a month.

I found a man selling geodes. I've always wanted one, and these were intact--you had no idea what you were getting until you cracked it open. I couldn't choose between two promising rocks, so I bought them both. The contraption uses a chain to crack the geode in half. That's Kaye next to me, watching to see what treasure we might find.

He's holding the geode steady in the chain, while I apply pressure.CRACK! My first geode had smoky quartz crystals with tissue-thin calciform "fans" crystalized during growth. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen--and so delicate that the slightest touch would disintegrate them! Amazing that they've survived inside the geode, through the mining and shipping--but once it's open, all protection is gone.My second geode had blue agate surrounding a light blueish-gray quartz, with another crystal -clear, with a dark brown mineral encapsulated inside, growing in the middle. It's almost like a birthday present!After the geodes, I found the gold panning display. I panned for about an hour, getting a small amount of gold and a lot of little stones, including periodote, quartz, agate, turquiose, and copper. Can't wait to go to a stream and try to find nature's bounty!Although I had planned to escape after only a few hours, I stayed until 6pm, when the show closed. I had a BLAST! Kaye was hoping to share her hobby and interest with me, and she totally succeeded. I'm planning to join one of the local mineral societies next week, and see if I can find my own fascinating collection!

Later that night, I went to see "Bella Gaia," which means "beautiful Earth." Kenji Williams, a Japanese film-maker and classically trained violinist, created the most amazing show by putting music he composed to space photos and film from NASA. The concert was at the planetarium at the Museum of Natural History, on the big overhead planetarium screen. The link is http://www.bellagaia.com/ . I know you don't have a lot of time, but really, this is worth looking at. It's about a 2-minute clip. If you ever have the chance to see this concert, go.

This was the Golden Gate Bridge this morning. I love the way it just barely juts out of the fog. Look at the way the fog swirls around the standards and up against the Bridge. Just like water currents, isn't it? By the way, my birthday is coming up.We were in Canada last night, and I picked up a tourism magazine. This is what they do in Alberta for fun. Wanna go??? Doesn't that sound like a good time?

Um, whatever you do today, don't get your head-smashed-in, OK? And in case you didn't know, I have a birthday coming up. You have 39 days to think of something special.

SPF 30

SPF 30--be sure to wear it on all of your exposed body parts, and even those that you don't think are exposed, like your shoulders.

I'm sporting a couple of lovely stitches from some suspicious patches of skin that my dermatologist decided that she needed more than I did. There will be a lot more stitches if those patches of skin don't come in benign.

Ouch.

Where were you?

Eight years ago at this very moment, I was in SLC for recurrent. I never watch TV in the morning. I never even turn it on. But that morning, for some reason, I had CNN on the TV.

I got out of the shower and heard, "..N special report...a small twin-engine plane has hit the World Trade Center." I looked and thought dang, that's a BIG hole for a Seneca!

A minute or two later I spotted another plane flying low over the Hudson. Initially, I was angry. As an airline pilot, you don't sightsee tragedy with passengers on board. Period.

Then it turned.

Then it hit.

Then the world changed forever. 2985.

120" of clothes crammed into 66" of closet...

There is nothing more frustrating than looking in the closet and realizing that you have NOTHING to wear...unless it's looking into the closet and having no idea what you might have in there!

As you know, I downsized from 2300 sq. ft. to 800 sq. ft. I've been getting rid of everything that I don't want, don't love, don't need. It's been incredibly freeing, but I'm still living amongst boxes and clutter. It's driving me crazy. I've got a HUGE pile for a yard sale, which will probably take place on the 19th. Whatever doesn't sell goes to Goodwill that afternoon. That will de-clutter the living room immensely!

Storage in a small space is at a premium, and I'm learning to improvise and reassign the use of spaces. The closets in this duplex are tiny. There are three: one linen closet (about 30" wide with 5 shelves), one 24" closet in one bedroom (with one 24" rod), and one 5' wide closet in the other bedroom, 33" deep, with two 33" rods (one on each side). There is no coat closet in the house.

I was looking for a particular shirt to wear to go out the other night, and couldn't find it. Everything was so crammed together that all of my clothes were wrinkled, and some were being damaged when I tried to pull them out. I don't tend to buy cheap clothing, so it was getting very frustrating.

Eventually, enough was enough, so Tuesday I gutted the 5' wide closet. First, I had to take out all of the clothes--check out that pile!Here's the empty, gutted closet. You can see where the original single shelf was.

I also took out the two bottom shelves in the linen closet. Then, I painted both closets with Behr's Ultra White satin paint, so that they'd be fresh and bright.

I installed a rod in the linen closet to create a space for coats. Wow--now I have a coat closet, and I still have storage room for towels, sheets and extra stuff on the three remaining shelves!

Then, I installed a double rod system in the bigger closet. On the left side, the lower rod is pant- and dress-length. The upper rod is is for short-sleeved shirts. On the right side, I did the same, but the lower shelf is only 18" long, leaving 15" for longer dresses and coats, since I have a few long dresses, and some of my coats are knee-length and too long for the new coat closet.

I had a huge surprise--well, a couple dozen surprises--when I started to put clothing back into the closet and sort it according to type. I have 10 dresses that I didn't know I owned, including two cocktail dresses for formal occasions! I have FIVE Little Black Dresses! I have 8 or 9 shirts that I'd forgotten I'd purchased. There are 8 pairs of pants that I don't recall ever seeing. So, I won't need to buy new clothing for at least 10 years!

Wow, look at all the room! I've always been good about getting rid of clothing that I don't like or don't wear, so everything in my closet is something that I like. That goes for the "new" stuff, too.

The next closet project will be the smaller (24") closet. I'll put a double rod in there as well, but now that I have all of this room, I don't need it any time soon.

On a different topic, tomorrow is the 8th anniversary of 9/11. Please take a moment to remember those who lost their lives, both victims and heroes. And regardless of your thoughts on the war, please remember those who are willing to sacrifice their lives so that you may live freely.

Today is also one month since Erick went missing. Still no word, no sign of him. Erick, if you are out there and reading my blog, PLEASE call someone and let us know that you are OK!

Taste--and tasteless--of Colorado

Kalisha is such a grand old lady. She's 18--can you believe that? She spends a lot of time sleeping under the down duvet. Doesn't she look cozy?

I spotted these German Shepards at Safeway yesterday. They were waiting for their Mom or Dad to come back. I don't think anyone will be trying to steal tools from that truck, do you?

Trish & I went to the Taste of Colorado at Civic Center Park in the middle of downtown Denver today. First, we spotted some of the Tasteless. Why is she wearing this in public?Some things we saw were really cool, like these contact lenses. Scary!And the butterfly face paint...One of the venders, Shake the Toad, had an air band playing along with the music. This is to Heart's Barracuda. His guitar strap says "Police Line, do not cross!" Trish and I had to join in!The sun started setting around 8pm. Downtown was lit up. Trish and I were stuffed. The Taste of Denver does it right--you can actually buy just a "taste" of food, so we tried all sorts of things that we've never had. My fav was boar sausage--it was delicious!We went to the center of the park for the concert. To the west was the Court House. The bell tower is always lit in blue. It's really spectacular.To the the east is the Capital Building (Denver is the state capital, in case you didn't know).Then the headliners...The Spinners! They played all of their hits--and they had a lot of them! Everyone was dancing and singing along...it was really festive and fun!On the way out, we saw this fellow selling magnet for magnet therapy. I wondered if the magnets made his hair stand up like that... Have a fun and safe Labor Day! Watch out for magnets!