Wednesday, February 20, 2013

New Flow of Helpers Makenzie Maupin, Ruth Winters

 We have been graced with three lovely volunteers this year beginning with Ruth Winters a sweet and courageous red headed British photographer.  Having led a somewhat sheltered life she embarked on the first leg of her 8 month journey by going to a remote village in Ecuador for the sole reason it had a vegetarian community.  She did not speak Spanish.  We were her second stop and tame by comparison.  I enjoyed picking greens, eating vegetarian with her and roasting lots root veggies.

She learned horse care, equisage and how to milk a goat. She was a helpful spirit who shared some vegetarian recipes, our favorite call Squig is a mixture of kiwi and avocado.  Ruth and Makenzie Maupin overlapped a few days and became fast friends.  Mak is an activist from Houston with the horse skills to ride Cabarina and doctor both horses.  Cabbie's eye and Uly's abscess.

Have not been able to ride Uly since a few weeks after he won a blue ribbon with a score of 70+ at his first show.  A hot nail led to an abscess and the wet weather has presented a challenge keeping it dry.

Last night he tore his stall apart.
Last night our newest guest arrived in the pouring rain.  Andrea Haug, from Switzerland will be with us a month.  Today Mak is showing her around and teaching her what she has learned and attacking the chore list.  The sun is breaking through revealing a sprinkling of snow from the mountain tops down to the foothills. 

I was enjoying getting to know them when learned that my beloved Ilmi's condition had worsened and I should take the opportunity to visit her while I had such responsible helpers on the farm.  Andrea Haug arrived from Switzerland and a few days later I  flew into a Chicago snow storm.  I was sorry not to get to know Mak better but very grateful she gave me the opportunity to go.