Race with the Legends, Big Guy!

Barbaro euthanized - Newsday.com

The Rainbow Bridge For Horses

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,

Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.

Where the friends of man and woman do run,

when their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,

is a place where beloved creatures find rest.

On this golden land, they wait and they play,

til The Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,

for here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.

Their limbs are restored, their health renewed.

Their bodies have healed with strength imbued.

They trot through the grass without even a care,

til one day they whinny and sniff the air.

All ears prick forward, eyes sharp and alert.

Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the herd.

For just at that second, there's no room for remorse.

As they see each other...one person...one horse.

So they run to each other, these friends from long past.

The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart

has turned to joy once more in each heart.

They nuzzle with a love that will last forever.

And then, side-by-side, they cross over....together

UNKNOWN

Okay! Okay!

Enough with the windy freezing weather......


LETS THINK SPRING!

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday, Brian!

More Troops on the way......

When the towers in New York City came crashing down, all of our lives changed forever. Regardless of our individual political views, something had to be done. So we went to Afghanistan, kicked some butt and freed a lot of people from a life of misery at the same time. Sure, Osama is still at large, but war isn't perfect and not all the objectives have been met. We sent the world a message, that said the USA is not going to tolerate attacks on its soil or its people, regardless of where they may be on earth.
Then came our next mission, Iraq. Saddam was allowed to conduct his reign of terror, at times, with even our help, for 30 plus years. There comes a time when murdering dictators have to be dealt with. Iraq was given many chances to abide to the United Nations requirements, which Saddam chose to disregard. Despite the suffering the Iraqi people had to endure for decades, the world and even fellow Arabs, chose to turn the other cheek. So when the USA finally says enough is enough, the world suddenly finds their voice and protests when the USA decides its time to put an end to Saddam's reign of terror. Unfortunately all the publicity gave Saddam plenty of time to hide all the evidence of WMD's, much to the chagrin of all those who said he didn't have any.
So we go to Iraq, kick some more butt and free people from a life of misery. But something is different this time. Insurgents from other Arab countries see a chance to get even. Its a tougher deal now. Did everyone think it was going to be a piece of cake? There comes a time in all wars where things don't always go well for the good guys. Yeah, it sucks. war always has. But what if we said lets pull our troops out of France during WW1....Where would we be now? How about if the invasion at Normandy hadn't gone our way in the end? It might not be the world we have now. As an Army Veteran, I understood and accepted what it meant to be a soldier in the military .It's no different with the men and women who serve here and around the world. They know that when called upon, they'll do whats asked of them. No, they may not like the hours, nor the other sacrifices a soldier in the military has to endure. I was a shade too young to go to Viet Nam, but I would have gone if asked. Because even at 17 years of age, I knew that if we waited around, the enemy would bring the fight to us. So now that its looking like the fighting in Iraq is proving to be more than what most thought it would or should be. A select group starts to whine about bringing the troops home. Everyone is entitled to feel that way...Okay, lets bring them home but here is something to consider before we do that. When we pull all our troops out, without stabilizing Iraq first, we send a message to those who seek to destroy us, that the USA hasn't the stomach to stick with the fight when the going gets tough. That is exactly what our fanatic Islamic enemies want. They know then that when they bring hate here we won't stay the course when it comes to a prolonged fight. Frankly that is what scares me the most. Do we really want to fight the terrorists on our own soil? OR Do we do what we can to keep them at bay by going to their homes instead? Did those that died in the towers, the planes and the Pentagon die in vain? Did the men and women who have died in the past conflicts fight just to have all we have enjoyed because of their sacrifice, go for not? Because some don't have the stomach for the unpleasantness that war brings? Do I like the fact that our troops are having a tough time right now? Of course not. Do I think our losses are trifle? Certainly not. But again as a Veteran and an American, I understand that for us or any other country to have and enjoy a life of freedom, sacrifices are and have to be made. War is and always will be an ugly thing because we live in a world that doesn't always share our ideas of freedom and all that it entails. We have to fight to keep that way of life. Also, it means going to the aid of other countries who would seek the same freedoms. It's our privilege, albeit by the sacrifices of our past and present troops, to protest a war, to lament the losses and to hold those who make the big decisions accountable. But it's also prudent to remember that without sacrifices, all we know now or will ever know will be taken away by those who wish to eradicate us. These enemies aren't interested in peace dialogue. I think I would rather bring the fight to the enemy than have the enemy bring the fight to us.

God Bless America and Thank you to all who serve!!!
Barry Jacobson

2007

Happy New Year! Wow it is the year 2007. I still wonder where the time as gone. So, so many things have happened last year. Funny how that sounds since it is only January 1st of the new year.

As I look back I feel that we have had a pretty good year. Some tough decisions came our way but we have managed to work them out and what is so nice is we worked them out together. We are such a team!

I needed some time away and so off I went with Barry in the truck. Drove down to Mississippi and Louisiana. It was so much fun. Felt like the whole world was lifted on my shoulders. There are other reasons why I went but that is another story in itself. Did see the horrible aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Just horrible!!! New Orleans still looked like a Ghost Town.

One thing we did was make a move. The Cabin and the area from where we moved...we loved it so much back there. But we needed our space and the room. Now that we have 4 dogs, 2 cats, the birds AND 6 horses, yes, we needed the room. July 1st was the big day. We had the help of some very good friends and some family...Nicole helped us out by moving all 6 of the horses. They were not very cooperative but the task was done. Couldn't have done without her and her 6 horse trailer. Too many trips with the 'old' 2 horse we have. Jim, Julie, Nathan and Stephanie...Wow! Thank you you so much for the help with the move, cleaning and so on. If it weren't for you guys we would still be trying to get things cleaned and painted. Kris and Crystal...Helping us was awesome. The only thing we regret was not being able to spend some time for fun.

Now for the only disadvantage...this trailer is a dump, we have already had issues with frozen water and pipes, the distance to drive somewhere, etc. There is really no place to do some trail riding whether it is by horseback or 4-wheeler. Oh well, we will make do for I think we may have something else in mind. The property in itself is awesome for the horses. More room and more to eat. We may be doing some future planning. Only time will tell.

Barry and I celebrated the 5th wedding anniversary during the hunting season. Deer Season was not the usual season we see but Barry and I took deer. Barry, also, took a Doe during the Muzzle loader season. I have made some yummy venison jerky out of 100% ground venison. So far no complaints there. We made a purchase of a 4-wheeler. Found a great deal on a 2002 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO. Came with a plow and a winch. So far the plow works great.

A new puppy joined our household. Such a cute one, too. His name is Rylee...a Miniature Pinscher. Earlier in the year we sorta adopted a stray dog. Nobody new her named so we named her Rheeya. Now we have Reeba, Rikee, Rheeya and Rylee. Tell me...Can you see any similarities to their names? Oh yeah...a new kitty, too. Was going to be our first barn kitty but I didn't want him to be the only one outside trying to control the mouse population. So he is inside. We named him Tater. We still have Tipper. So both them can control the mice on the inside.

We had to say goodbye to an old friend...well, it was 6 years old but it was time to say goodbye. So 'Goodbye Dodge truck!' Yes we have traded it in...it had over 160,000 miles on it and needed some serious repairs. We now driving a 2006 Ford F150. And a 4 wheel drive which the Dodge was not. Here is the funny part....Did not even have the truck but for about 9 days and have not even made the first payment and on Christmas Eve we HIT a deer. Did some damage to the front end. We still shake our heads about this, too. We weren't hurt and I think the deer was hurt enough that it moved well into the woods and died. We couldn't even find it. Barry wanted the antlers off it because, yep, it was a Buck and he felt that he deserved the rack for messing up the truck. :-) He was hot on a trail of a Doe. After Xmas Day the truck was off to the body shop and we have it back now. Looks like new again. The only thing that couldn't be put back on was the decal on the left fender that said 'Houston Ford' Oh well!

I guess I will close for now. Can't wait to see what the New Year will bring our way. Never know.. there may be some surprises coming our way for 2007.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!