A Heat Wave and Wildfires starting up in CA

 We have just come through about five days of what is called extreme heat here in southern California. We have no air conditioning in our house. Originally it had what is called a "swamp cooler" but we never used it as it was not that efficient and started to malfunction in later years. So to with stand temperatures that were on average 107 F outside I had to do some things in the house such as make sure all the blinds were down in the front where the sun rose. All the ceiling fans were put into action as well as the two auxiliary fans that I have,  they were moved around as necessary. The worst was at night when temps staying in the 70's. Humidity was not that high, but high enough to make me feel as if I needed to be cooler. In the house the temperature mid and late afternoon was about 88 F I am comfortable up to about 85F. The final comfort step was to then get some hand towels and soak them in cold water and put them on me.

Out at the horses because humidity is relatively low we were good. No sweaty horses except after being ridden,but some tepid hosing afterwards helped me feel that the horses were more comfortable. As for me,  having to wear breeches because I ride English with short boots, a shirt worn over a spaghetti strap top was soaked in cold water. I also sprayed water over my upper legs, and not to forget my hair and head. I am sure the other people out at " the barn" were somewhat amused, but I don't care ! 

The heat and the beginning of the fall winds has started up the usual wild fires. Fortunately a long way south of us at the moment. We can see a smoke cloud over Mount Baldy which over looks Los Angeles.  My daughter also had some wild fires

My living room with the ceiling fan going full blast because of the heat.

The pond in my garden

Me the gardener

Part of my garden

in her area near the Reno Susanville area. She and her husband had to evacuate all their animals including horses a year or so ago.

A custom Pedigree for Sit Down Grandpa

  I am enjoying very much making a custom pedigree for retired race horse Sit Down Grandpa. Here is his pedigree so far. Someday I should compile a list of the many custom pedigrees that I have put together of OTTB s  plus many other breeds including Quarter horses, Morgan Horses and Paints. I was able to find contact information from his original breeder and owner. I was curios about why "Gram" was named Sit Down Grandpa. Plus I want photos of the dam and grandam.

Our cat finally crossed the rainbow bridge at age 15

Here is the obituary for Smokey our cat. He will be the last house animal.

Smokey as a youngster on the right with Ciel his beloved companion

 Our precious little cat Smokey crossed the rainbow bridge this afternoon at the age of 15. He left us peacefully while in a deep sleep. He had been ill for a while but rallied bravely until the end. RIP our little boy you were the best cat we ever had. Thanks to Coral Cremation of Thousand Oaks for their immediate response.

Family visit

The family at a Korean Barbecue in LA

We had my son and family and daughter come and stay at our house. We are fortunate to have enough bedrooms. My son came from New York and my daughter from the Reno area. We are also fortunate that the airport is only half an hours drive away. From left : my husband Doug, his grandson, and son, across the table my daughter, daughter in law who is from Korea, my son and grand daughter. Below is a better photo taken by a kind food server with me in it.

How the garden looks now at the Hereford house

 Things are coming along at my step son and his wife's garden at their new house. I planted nasturtium seeds and transplanted plants from my own garden. There were gazanias and african daisies already there. It is a fun work in progress.

We are having a wet and windy storm at our house and out at the horses.

 

Christmas Cheer

Smokey posing in our living room

It rained a lot so I can have  fire without the worry of starting a wild fire.