New Year: Same Ol' Same Ol'

It's funny to me how everyone gets so pumped up for the new year, yours truly included. Yet every New Year's Day, I find myself exactly where I was the night before. Nothing has really changed. The only thing that changes is that when I write my dates, I'll have to remember to change the year, something I'm miserable at. I still sleep in the same bed, still have the same husband (whom I love dearly and WOULDN'T want to change) and still have the same chores. So what's the big whoop? In the end, isn't it kind of a let-down?

Anyway, this morning I decided we should worm all the equine (horses, mule, and donkeys alike). Nevermind that it rained a whole bunch last night, that there was six inches of mud and six inches of water to deal with. Forget all that, I was going to go out and worm those suckers. Oh, yes, let's not forget the cold. The bitter freezing cold. This is what we had yesterday morning:

We didn't have the same this morning because of the rain. Without it, we surely would have had more frost...and ice.

So out I went, without gloves of course because I don't think that far ahead, but I was covered from my shoulders down. I didn't wear the bear hat, I didn't want it to get dirty. Plus I'm pretty sure I left it in my car. Along with my camera for which I am still kicking myself and you'll know why soon.

I wormed all the donkeys without trouble. I had my muck's on, I was doing good. Then I realized I couldn't feel my fingers. So I went back to the house and called in through our bedroom door for Working Man to get me some gloves. He had no idea what I was up to. Then he joined me so we could do the horses and giant Henry.

We climbed out to the horses okay...well, I did. About ten steps in, Working Man got stuck. This is why I really wish I had my camera or phone. Or anything to take a picture. I got Henry and went to use him to help Working Man but that was a no go. Henry dragged me, yes dragged me, to the barn. Through a foot of water and all the mud he could find. It took everything I had just to keep up enough to keep from landing on my face. But I got him and Rocky tied up in the barn, Yuma was staring at WM laughing his butt off I know it. WM was pretty upset so I wasn't laughing...yet.

We got Working Man free by me holding his Muck's and Working Man using his foot as leverage. He took a couple steps...stuck again. I freed him again and I turned to go back to the horses and I heard him curse. Yep, stuck, and this time, his foot came out of the boot and to prevent falling in the mud on his face, he put his bare foot in the mud. I couldn't help it, I laughed, we laughed...it was funny. He walked one bare foot and one shod foot out of the pen, his pride the only thing holding him up. Did I say funny? I meant hysterical. He was laughing too, honest. Because what else can you do? Meanwhile, I wormed Rocky then Yuma. Then we fought with Henry. Did I mention that Henry didn't let me lead him to the barn, he dragged me? Yep, I was covered in mud, and only more-so once he was done fighting us. As was Working Man.

So you see? Nothing changes from year to year. Last night it was muddy and wet, today it's only more muddy and wet and it only made me muddy and wet. But it was funny.

And I had mud on my glasses...I'm sure it's manure too but I try not to think about that. Happy New Year folks, hope yours has been fun too!

I guess I should mention...when I was a kid, I got stuck up to my calves in a muddy manure pile. They had to throw me a lasso to get me out. Not even my pride can stand up to that one. No one has ever, or will ever, forget that story. My boots are probably still out there somewhere. Lost forever to the mud.

FFR