Diggin' It

Fellow Bloggers, do you also experience the feast or famine of post ideas? I go from scraping the barrel to feeling slightly panicked because things are happening faster than I can report.

Tonight, a few quick snippets before I get too overwhelmed and shut down completely.

Happy Anniversary to David and Diana. Diana is a regular volunteer at GG. I just love her. She is from the Ukraine and has a great accent. Hearing her speak Russian with her son is too cool. I struggle teaching my three year old English! (Maybe I'm kidding a little, but still.) Monday was my first day to meet David. Wouldn't you know it--he is also really nice. I guess it's only appropriate they met, fell in love, and got hitched seven years ago. Know what they did to celebrate their big anniversary? Oh, volunteered at Galloping Grace of course!
David's company allows him to volunteer a certain number of hours a month and then pays for his time! Thanks, Intuit. And David, thanks for choosing GG as your helpful place! That Diana gal got herself a new camera and was absolutely obnoxious with it! I found myself ditching her every few minutes! Hmmph! Some people! I mean, who goes around shoving their cameras into other people's business like that? I'm just going to go out on a limb and say Nikon users are far more polite. I'm just sayin'. This man is Pops. He is nearing 89 years old. I did a post about him a few months back. Boy, is he ever a hoot! He has more jokes--so funny. I went up to say hi and asked him if he was working hard. Pops replied, "Nah, just screwing around." You're too cute, Pops. Thanks for lending a hand and some screws on Monday.

This handsome fellow is Doug, Pops's son-in-law. Doug not only helped all morning on Saturday, but he came back Monday to finish roofing a shade structure that didn't get completed that day. Doug is a great guy, always doing something wonderful for GG.

I loved his suspenders. Doug, thanks for all you do.

I'll stop after this last subject.

At Second Saturday I was approached by a man who told me he'd pay BIG MONEY for a picture of his wife working that Rota Tiller. (No idea how to spell that.) It was my lucky day! I had already snapped off quite a few pictures of her in action. She was impressive working that machine. (I get tired hauling my cameras around--no joke!) Now I'm kicking myself. Why didn't I get his name and number so that I could collect my moola? Sir, are you reading this? If so. . .

Make big check payable to Michelle L. Wade. Thanks and goodnight.

Oh, and thanks to you and your wife for helping us on Saturday. I think you're pretty swell.

People, go out there and have yourselves a great day. Say Michelle sent you.

Haypy Days Are Here Again

Two days ago I showed you the new storage trailer Max had delivered to the ranch. Now it's time to show you the people who volunteered to fill it up.

Up first is my lovely niece Jessie. Jessie is on spring break right now. What better activity to enjoy her time off from the rigors of sixth grade than hay chuckin'?

I'd like to add that she was cheerful working and did a great job helping me watch Grant. That girl's a keeper. Jessie bug, thanks and I love you.
This is Beth, her rascally mother. Beth saw me get out of my truck with my camera to document the great service happening and immediately starting squawking for me to assist. The nerve of some people!

I don't know why she wanted my help--she looked like she was doing a fine job on her own.

She should have been griping at Darren. This guy is the king of supervising. I even started in on him to no avail. "Darren--are you helping them with the hay? Are you working?" He just shook his head and let me know that he wasn't. I tell ya, the dude doesn't fall for peer pressure. I thought if he were busy moving bales, it wouldn't be as bad that I wasn't. No such luck! Right before I assisted with the event, I took this picture of Roy and Doug in the no oxygen or air circulation for miles storage area. They were both coughing and wheezing away.
I cannot say this was an OSHA approved assignment.

For this, Galloping Grace is sorry. (Tell your lungs we said so.)
This handsome devil is Pops. He is quite the character and 88 years young.
When he first saw me he let me know he was "stupidvising"--everyone is out to get my job! Pops provided comic relief for the masses. At one point while I was hauling more than my share of the bales he asked, "Why are you puffing so much?" He also told me a joke that I just loved.

If your parents didn't have any children, you probably won't either.

There were so many more but my memory isn't nearly as sharp as his and I've already forgotten them.

Pops is Doug's father-in-law and a very loved person. We were so happy to have him out at Galloping Grace.
I sensed that he's the type of man who doesn't like to just sit around and watch others work. I saw him carrying plenty of the lose hay and small leafs. Yep, another successful day thanks to kind and dedicated individuals.

Thank you, wonderful hay crew. We most definitely could not have done it without you.

Topped Off

On Friday's post I mentioned something about men working hard. These are those hard working men who volunteered their Friday morning at our Youth Ranch-- Marvin (holding Grant), Doug, Kirk, John, Rick, and Gary. The handsome guy on the end is,of course, Cowboy Max. Did you notice the rat-like creature running across the bottom of the picture? I'll show you a close up later. Those hard working men were at the Ranch to install this beautiful, shiny roof. This beautiful, shiny roof was graciously donated by Dan Applegarth and Crego Roofing. Max met Dan at our last Second Saturday work day. While Dan was slaving away moving huge amounts of lumber, he saw the metal pieces that were going to be used for our horse shelters. He told Max not to use those--he would donate two brand new roofs! I know this is not a Thankful Thursday post, but we're so very thankful!
Do you think Dan sounds really, really nice? What if I told you he also donated three saddles and an assortment of tack!
If you happen to be at Crego's for any roofing needs, please give them a big hug for us!

Thank you hard working men for installing our beautiful, shiny roofs. Oh, and while we're being thankful, thank you Doug Henry for donating a BBQ grill and a picnic table to us. Just another example of amazing generosity! Doug told me that he saw them in his backyard and thought, "I think I'll take those out to the Youth Ranch." Wow! Too bad I didn't take any assembled pictures of his gifts.


OK, now back to the rat-like creature. Here she is--the only Chihuahua I have ever liked.

Chiquita
I might go as far to say that I really like her. She is so sweet, she never barks, and she lets any of the kids pet her and pick her up. Who knew Chihuahuas could be so lovely?

See. She doesn't just hang out with her owners, Marvin, Taylor, and Dalton.
She knows a good cowboy when she sees one. Chiquita's welcome back any time.