Festivus For The Rest Of Us

Did we ever have ourselves a poop party yesterday! It was phenomenal!! There were people all over that horse pen scooping away. Let me show you the exciting highlights.

This is Leslie. Leslie has excellent form with that rake. This isn't her first time in that big pen, and you can tell. She made pile after pile for others to pick up. She's one to watch. This is Parker. Parker is 4 1/2 and brand new to scooping horse poop. He concentration far surpassed that of an ordinary 4 1/2 year old! He held that shovel steady. I think he's a natural.

Plus, he's super cute! Parker's brother, Spencer, was also a natural. He saw a big, steamy pile and just went for it. There was no holding him back. He's just the kind of kid we need for a job like this. He never complained--in fact, he did his work cheerfully.

This strong young man is Tyler. Tyler is a state champion gymnast. That might account for his super strength with the pitch fork. He is the oldest of these three brothers. I guess it's something in their genes--they are hard working boys! After Tyler finished riding and playing, he headed back to the horse pen to scoop some more.

It was like watching poetry in motion out there. I just sat back with my camera (someone had to take the pictures to capture the moment) and watched in awe. OK, in my defense, I did work some. It just hurts when that camera comes swinging off my back into my arms. Ouch. You'd stop and break often, too! Another thing--I'm a very giving person. I wanted to give all those excited children a chance to work. They would be sad if the poop was gone too quickly. And besides, Trish and Keith were there representing the adult division. The kids saw their work ethic and were inspired to keep going. It all works out in the end. Talk about your positive role models!! Just look at her cheerful attitude--nothing but smiles. Dena hasn't been around horses much in the last twenty years, so I'm figuring she missed doing such satisfying work. At Galloping Grace, we aim to please. Deanell has scooped poop lately--lots and lots of it! She is the dear soul who cares for the horses when we head out of town. Deanell had never been around horses before she started volunteering at GG. You wouldn't know it now. She's something of a horse whisperer at this point. She enters the arena and the horses come strolling over to her. I guess it might have a small something to do with the fact that she always brings carrots and hugs with her. She now has about thirteen new best friends. These two were no help at all, but no one seemed to care. We just loved looking at how darn cute they were walking around holding hands. That cute card can take a person pretty far if they know how to play it right. Chiquita also played her hand at being cute in hopes of distracting Taylor. It worked momentarily, but Taylor was too smart to let it derail her.

She and Brooke helped to fill barrel after barrel. Marvin, my camera shy friend, hauled a great many loads to the poop pile. That's Marvin for you--always in the background, not worried about the glory, happy to let others have all the credit. Now this guy, on the other hand, is a different story. He has complained on several occasions about Max and Claire being the only people I show on the blog. If he is a loyal reader like the claims, he should know that isn't true. Max pointed out to Michael that maybe he'd be on the blog if he had been out to Galloping Grace more than three times ever. At least I have him on it now.

I thought I'd throw in this picture as well. There can never be too many pictures of handsome Michael. I don't think Marvin and Keith look too bad themselves. I took this picture after they helped Max haul a few feeders into the horse pen. How did we luck out knowing so many manly men?

Michael--you are now on the blog two times. Better leave a comment, mister! Here's Claire deep in thought--probably something along the lines of, "When do we get to ride horses? I've scooped enough already."

Last but not least we have Dalton and Garrett. I don't think they'll ever claim to have the passion for picking up after the horses like others do, but they know the drill. The sooner they get the job done, the sooner they get to go look for critters.

Thank you amazing work crew! You made a large job a whole lot smaller. Please feel free to make it a weekly tradition. We wouldn't mind a bit.

His Heart's Desire

There have been so many nights I have caught Max staring at them on the Internet. He just couldn't seem to get enough. I thought about being jealous, but why bother? If they made him happy, I was happy. A woman should support her husband, right?

Max finally couldn't take it any more.

He had to have them. He had to hold them!And then he did! Finally, his very own red wigglers to love, to hold, and to feed tons of horse poop! My husband is now complete.

Here he is proudly making a home for his worms in the manure. The children (plus bonus child who came for the big event) were equally as enthralled.

It's exciting stuff putting red wigglers in horse manure. It takes incredible concentration. And don't forget to throw in a splash of joy. Brianna fits right in. We can't wait to show you the beautiful piles of compost these little loves are busy making. I hope Max can contain himself that long. It was pretty cute--at lunch he put aside the remainder of the celery to feed to his new friends. I think this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship.

Poop Patrol

Is it ever fun watching kids pick up poop. I don't know if it's the better you than me or it's so good for them mentality. Maybe it's both.
I just know we're always happy when we see it happening. Here are Jacob and Carlos doing an outstanding job with the shovel and pitch fork.
You might be surprised at just how much twelve horses defecate. Between the boy and girl scooping crews, seven wheelbarrows full were taken out of the horse pen.
These children were such good sports. It was Gregory and Jacob's first time to the Youth Ranch. You would never know it--they were old pros in no time.

The boys got the bum wheelbarrow. It was definitely a four man job taking their loads to the compost pile.
Look at that miserably flat tire!! Good thing they have such big muscles, huh? Good job, men!

Now look how "helpful" the little ones were.

Yes, he's as rotten as he looks!

What do you think they wanted to do after hauling all that poop? Yep--ride in the very wagon they used for hauling. That's us--continuing to bring pure joy to children, any chance we get.