In the blink of an eye…life can forever change.
Life seconds and blink moments can knock us off our feet, with either good or bad surprises…I usually blink a few times while digging my heels in to either celebrate the good or to fight the bad…we can never give up! As I often heard growing up, “Go catch up your horse, saddle up and be ready to ride hard!”
June 12th was a warm summer day and Ellie our Aussie pup (she is looking at me with her sweet Ellie look) was going to have her first birthday! We were so excited for her and wanted to help her celebrate with lots of love and fun Ellie style!
However, we had an appointment to go to in the big metropolis that we live close to…and we also needed to do some much needed shopping…we would be home later that day to celebrate operation EB! (EB is short for Ellie Belle:)
We left early that morning heading to the city…Costco had been sending out telepathic message waves to me to come shop the new stuff…as well as various stores we like to shop…like Ranch and Home…Home Depot…the Mall…Yippppeeee!
After months of doing without…it is very serious and labor intensive for the country cowgirl to shop ALL the stores she wants to shop in a couple of hours! I keep telling WB we need to spend a night when we do this…he replies with a grrrunt!
It was a sunny and warm day with lots of promise for fun…we laughed and talked about what we needed to do as far as shopping.
We knew we had to find our Ellie girl some awesome new chew toys for her first birthday. We shopped some here and there, ate lunch and ended up with Sadie Suburban packed brim full after Costco…and the day was gone!
WB wanted to prove a new record by stuffing a new 80″ TV into the Burb as “He and Ellie would love it for her birthday and it was such a good buy.” But…I said NO not this time unless you want to ride on the roof…geesh!
It was after 6:00pm when we had the Costco groceries loaded…would have loved staying for dinner but we had a birthday to celebrate! Our little country cowgirl was waiting and she depended on us to bring her home a few fun toys, with lots of love and lots of fun treats!
Did you know that Schwan’s Ice Cream has Doggie Sundaes as in ice cream flavored like meat? Well they do and Ms. Ellie had hers for her birthday celebration! She loved it!
OK back to driving home.
By the time we pulled onto the freeway the winds were blowing and picking up to 30 to 40 mph, we had heard on the news that morning that late in the afternoon we would have heavy winds. I mentioned to WB that wind and dust storms often delivered conditions just right for wrecks on this freeway. Thankfully the dust was not blowing yet as we could see quite a ways and it was still light.
Less than 5 minutes later we went by an exit that had several trucks and cars merging into our part of the freeway….we were in the left passing lane as the traffic was merging into the freeway in the right lane…and then…like a nightmare, a Honda Minivan was jetting across the lanes trying to avoid being behind the semi-truck we were passing in the left lane…
The driver was trying to cut into our lane but there was no room between us and the semi and yet, he kept coming towards us like he was trying to push us off the road, by merging into us.
Precious Life Seconds Passed…
WB kept his cool and kept steady on the wheel…I braced for the wreck as the van came so very close…close enough that our mirrors almost hit!
I was certain he was going to hit us full force into the side of the Suburban in front of my door…WB laid on the horn and by the grace of God we were spared. It was very serious and very close…the worst close call that I have ever been in as far as close wrecks.
I thank God for my husband as he kept a cool head…he has always been a good driver. If the van had hit us we would have spun out…ending up between the van and the semi along with many cars behind us or rolling.
Neither of us said a thing or emitted a sound during those eternal seconds of life…we both knew how close we came!
Thankfully God made a way for us to survive. I hope the van driver learned a lesson on driving and how life can change quickly with impatient hot-headed driving!
Meanwhile, Ellie Belle had a Happy 1st Birthday!
She is so very cute…she is our kid and we love her lots!
And I leave you with this as I love it…it is so very true…amen!
Hot Rod Cowgirl 
Aug 24, 2014 @ 17:25:05
You know HRCG it seems there are the ‘good’ people & the ‘bad’ people. Seems there is no gray area. People are either dialed into helping others & 3 leggeds & taking care of the land or they are H*LL bent on destroying the land & animals & people like us.
Soemthing you wrote here flicked a switch in my head: The unwanted & unloved cats…the people in here who are trying to make my life so unpleasant are older (mid 60’s to early 70’s) & 3 out of 5 were NEVER married or had children. The 4th is widowed & is very bitter & the 5th is divorced & also bitter. Most of these people are drinkers too. They are unloved & unwanted for the most part also….maybe they are envious & jealous that I am sought our by the animals & that the animals mean more to me thn they do….hmmmmm……something to think about 😉
Sherri-Ellen
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Aug 26, 2014 @ 23:17:44
I agree totally..you hit it and so very true! All we can do is be alert for the animals and also pray a lot…God does trust us with His animals and His creation to be loved and fed and loved and loved….
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Aug 22, 2014 @ 15:21:22
Altho Jewish I have read the New Testament & studied it. Revelations seems to be coming truer & truer & it does worry me. We live in a Godless world. Yes there are good people & good religious people of many faiths & we do our very best for people & for animals but it feels like we are losing this ‘battle’.
It is true that the cats I feed are alone & unwanted. We call them ‘Shadow Cats’ because they are rarely seen during daylite hours. It is very sad to think people in this building have so little compassion for animals; it is also quite scary. What do they feel about people? I know that some tenants in here have little regard for other tenants. What happened to respect & fellow feeling?
It does say in the Old Testament that we are to be caretakers of the land & the animals also.
Thankfully there ARE people like us still….God help the planet if all the ‘good’ people are no more……
*jumps off soapbox*
Sherri-Ellen
P.S,: Kisses to Minnie & Ellie & Melody too ❤ ❤ ❤
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Aug 23, 2014 @ 22:57:40
I may be Jewish too:) Yes we worry too as we have read Revelation…it seems time os getting shorter and shorter…and the world is becoming what God said it would. I agree too that the animals are very important to God as He created them first and he made lots of different ones to show us ding dongs that He loves all of us no matter what we are He loves us….I have seen that people do not have compassion and instead they have become dead inside to the life God gave them. It is sad and also scary as you say if they have no compassion or feeling for sacred life…then what do they have? My heart grieves so much for the shadow cats….it is awful for animals to feel unloved and unwanted…they have feelings and emotions…they know. And we are to be caretakers of the land and of the animals too:) Sending Minnie hugs and paw pats and hugs to you and Nylablue!
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Aug 21, 2014 @ 16:21:41
It has been a long haul. I think the worst is over. With the binoculars & being careful I am able to do what I meant to do; save lives!
Of course if I get a warning I shall stop again…for a while….
Why is it all right for people to drink to excess in here or hammer at all hours or walk into places uninvited but me feeding homeless cats is viewed as wrong?? What a messed up society I live in!
Sherri-Ellen x0
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Aug 22, 2014 @ 00:51:26
I do agree! We do live in a weird crazy messed up society…there should be NOTHING wrong with you feeding homeless cats….what is wrong with helping un-chosen animals who did not ask to be brought here…and they can not help being hungry or scared or hurt when they are hurt…geesh…it is sad to me and it breaks my heart that mankind has become heartless not only to themselves but also to God’s animals and His kingdom. Makes my heart sad and my spirit grieves…I am so sorry you have had to deal with this as I know how much you care about the homeless cats…and I know your heart also grieves.
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Aug 11, 2014 @ 17:57:42
The people who are watching me (a brother & sister in adjoining apartments) are in their mid 60’s & retired. He is now Security tenant & she was when I first came here 7+ yrs ago. So she tells the brother everything she sees & they go to Property Manager who sends out nasty memos’ with more & more rules. Neither one of these people like animals or wildlife at all. She has a water gun & shoots at the pigeons if they are on the ground below her….
Seriously! I so want to turn the hose on her! But I would be charged with assault with a deadly hose I suppose 😉
So now the ferals have to suffer more because I can not help them! I prayed to G-D for guidance. I can not fight Housing anymore. If I do I am risking my own eviction. Where would Nylablue & I go?? So I have to put our needs first & it feels awful I can tell you!! 😦
I went to see my previous Landlady last Friday & she is appalled at the way we are being treated here. I can’t go back to her place as the units are rented…..plus she is 89 now so who knows how long I would have there anyway…
Thank you for your support & love…it means alot.
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue ❤ ❤
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Aug 19, 2014 @ 19:55:08
I am so very sorry that you are having to put up with this! Totally is not fair for you or Nylablue or anyone! You are doing the right thing and I know it is hard but you are making the right choice Sherri-Ellen….big hugs and prayers!
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Aug 09, 2014 @ 17:10:40
Community Housing has gone down the drain here; as it has done in many ‘civilized’ countries….my immediate neighbors are lovely; it is the others who lounge in the lobby for 3-4 hours at a time gossiping & the “Brothers Grimm” who sit on their balconies & literally stare at me…it is very disconerting & very creepy. I usually have one drape drawn to give me some privacy even during the day time. Things are at an all time low.
Thank you HRCG for your prayers for Nylalbue. The Pancreatitis HAS calmed down once again! I am so relieved. she is playing with her toys during the nite & bossing me aroudn during the day 😉
Suzy Q got adopted…see our new blog post!
We are jsut going into a Hot spell here…finally. I am sorry the temps are so high there. I can imagine it must be difficult to get out & do things when it is so hot & hard to breathe. I hope you get some cooling rains soon!
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue x0x0x0
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Aug 09, 2014 @ 21:10:01
I feel awful for you Sherri-Ellen…that is so very unfair that certain people feel that they have the right to judge you and cause trouble for you and Nylablue with the feral cats that look for food…so very unfair of too goody two shoe big nosed people who have nothing better to do than judge and stare at you…maybe they need to get a job or a life? Why can’t they leave you alone and also let life go on…giving food to animals who are abandoned by humans and starving is a heartfelt part of our humanity…so that means the people who judge have no heart, no decency and no honor of both human and animal lives. I do admire you so much Sherri-Ellen for hanging in there and trying to do the right thing with helping ferels and loving Nylablue so much that she gets well:):):) I do know how you feel as I feel the same way about Minnie and all my animals here…I am blessed that they love me and give me so very much love:) I am so happy to hear that Suzy Q was adopted…she was all heart and she has lots of love to give to her new person….I am soooo glad to hear that Nylablue is doing better and that her system has settled down…her peace comes from you and your heart of love and tenderness for her:) God Bless you Sherri-Ellen and God Bless Nylablue:) Hugs and more Hugs….lots of prayers and lots of thoughts…HRCG and Minnie too:)
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Aug 06, 2014 @ 08:09:52
Hello HRCG! Not sure if you had read our last few actual posts. Tehre was major destruction/construction here. New ‘improved’ concrete patios & huge 6 foot high partitions between neighbors & they chopped my 30 foot pine tree down for no good reason. Not only did we lose shade & coolness & oxygen; we lsot privacy & there are 2 people on 2nd floor reporting to Property Manager about everything I do on patio. I am literally being stalked in my own home but can not prove it.
I had to get new living room drapes that block light out & so people can not see. Now I can’t see out. When Sun iz blazing in it getz very warm!
Also had to have blackout drape done for bedroom or else Father Sun streams in @ 5 A.M. which iz not good when trying to sleep.
There is alot of infighting amongst tenants. I just try to hide out in my place.
This has not been a good Summer at all. Nylablue got sick again with Pancreatitis from stress so have been @ Vet’s twice weekly trying to save her..
Plus doing a cat rescue the day concrete poured (Suzy Q blog).
It can snow anytime now. 😉
I know your Summer is going better than ours….
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue x0x0x0
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Aug 08, 2014 @ 21:13:28
I feel soooooo bad for you Sherri-Ellen….living in a place that you have no privacy and have neighbors trying to cause you trouble. I would do exactly as you have done with the drapes and totally understand about blocking out the light so you can sleep and I think you are very smart in being careful. Am worried about Nylablue:( Praying God will bring her back and heal her body from the pancreatitis…and will pray too for Suzy Q:) It is cooler here but we are to climb back into the low 100’s this next week…and thunder storms which is a worry with how dry everything is. Summer here has been so so…it has been too hot to be outside as much as I usually do so I miss that. But overall things have been ok:) Sending hugs and prayers:)
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Aug 05, 2014 @ 18:40:06
Glad to see you back HRCG!!!
We are all right. Alot of changes here & not for the best.
We ‘cowboy’ on!!
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue
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Aug 05, 2014 @ 20:23:48
Ohhhh I hope all is ok….and Ms. Nyla is ok and you are ok…I hold you both in my heart and in prayer even when I am away for a bit…praying blessing on you and on Nylablue…
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Jul 30, 2014 @ 19:18:45
Hi HRCG: I landed SO-O close to the horse poop I could smell it!!! I was very lucky! Sounds like you were too. I love horses but their back end produce I would rather shovel then land in!!!
Prayers & purrs to all of you there.
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue x0x0x0
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Aug 05, 2014 @ 12:21:16
Amen on that! I have been off the computer this last week so I missed your comments…..and all the happenings of blog world. Hope you and Nylablue are doing well….Big Hugs:)
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Jul 13, 2014 @ 22:12:07
You set me up through all that for a sad ending re Ellie. We just lost our Emma and I hesitated to read on so strong is the grief still after a month. But, also, we had a similar event recently and but for the grace of God we narrowly missed a head on event leaving a family birthday party. It gives one pause for certain….I am so glad your were both alright and little Ellie had a great party!
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Jul 14, 2014 @ 09:42:05
I am so sorry for the loss of Emma…loosing our beloved four legged family members breaks your heart…I can feel your grief and I can relate. For me the Blink Of An Eye is how quickly our lives can change and often we have no control over it…sometimes it is a good change and other times it can be a deadly change. The almost car wreck was the worst one I have ever been in…time was suspended and life became very fragile for those minutes. It does make you think as you ponder how close we came to a different ending, thankfully God was with us and held the van away from us. I am so glad that you and your wife are ok too, how ironic that we both had near misses on birthday days! Ellie had a wonderful birthday treat of doggie ice cream:) She loved it, her eyes were full of nirvana with each lick:) Sending you both thoughts, prayers and hugs for Emma, my heart goes out to you.
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Jul 13, 2014 @ 18:34:42
🙂 I agree….we must ‘get back on the horse’ so to speak. Reminds of when I went riding in Indiana & I had a beautiful black Arabian under me….I was clueless & reined him a bit too roughly & Prince reared up & twisted & I went sailing off….I slid along the fround & came within 2 inches of a HUGE horse poop pile!!! I had scraped arm & bruised ego I can tell you, hahaha!!! The attendant asked me if I would get back on Prince & I declined & asked for Lady a very placid Appaloosa….my ride went smoothly 😉 I got back in the saddle but on a safer ride…
So there is a moral to that story…learn from your mistakes but do not fear paralyze you!
I so enjoy our chats….
Wishing you a wonderful week also.
I hope the storm cools things off out there.
Kisses to Ellie & Minnie & Melody too xxxxxxxx
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue
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Jul 28, 2014 @ 21:39:20
Amen amen amen! Learning from our mistakes is a huge step and it is a positive one! I had to laugh trying to imagine you flying off landing close to a poop pile…yikes! I am so glad that you did not hit it:) Ditto on landing close to a poop pile too….I almost hit one too:)
Big Hugs and Prayers to you and Nylablue…Minnie says yeah and also she sends kitty hugs too:) God Bless You and Ms. Nylablue:)
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Jul 10, 2014 @ 14:56:55
Caturday & Catsunday is PURRFECT as Nylablue would say! 😉
I have always felt that God is watching over me or at least there are angels watching. I could have died quite a few times & have survived so much. I am grateful for every day I am here I can tell you.
Hearing your experience reminds me how scared I am of long distance travel nowadays. I used to love travelling whether by car, truck or motorcycle. I thought nothing of the risks. Now I see so many accidents & hear of so many vehicular deaths it makes me just want to stay home…
I know we have to live our lives but we must be vigilant to any danger around us….
So that is my philospohical thought for the day.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend also.
If I go missing it is because the PC has problems. I do not know if there was just a glitch or something more serious….I hope to be online next week but no guarantees…
Prayers & love Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue ❤ ❤
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Jul 13, 2014 @ 18:10:04
I think that is part of life….often we are scared but life is about showing up even when we are:) Sort of like getting back on the horse after you got bucked off:) Fear can be a terrible controlling issue that can keep us from enjoying our life here on earth…and I know exactly what you mean as the older I am the more I would rather just stay home…but, I can’t let it control me so I put those durn big girl panties on and deal with whatever it is and you know what…it turns out to never be that bad in the long run!!! Praying for you and for Nylablue….that all is well and that you both are healed and able to enjoy this almost new week a head of us…also know that God will always protect you and watch out for you:) He loves us all very much:) Sending huggies and Minnie hugs too and Ellie hugs too:) I better get off this puter and shut down for the night with the threat of storms…God Bless You and Ms. Blue:)
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Jul 08, 2014 @ 09:33:19
Good weekend; good health for both. Susnhine & patio time….perfect!!
I am glad God was watching over you & WB. Can’t bear to think of what might have happened!
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue x0x0
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Jul 08, 2014 @ 21:25:42
Thank you Sherri-Ellen for sharing with me and also for praying:) I know God watches out for all of us…He is the one constant in our lives…life changes so fast but God does not…He loves us and He is with us:) I pray that you have a wonderful, warm, not too hot, and not humid weekend:) And MS. Nylablue has an incredible Caturday and Cats-Unday too! Big hugs, lots of good thoughts, prayers and blessings:)
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Jul 01, 2014 @ 14:14:22
Hello HRCG! here we have a lovely mix of SENIOR drivers (who bless them should not be driving) & then the hot rodders (who should not be driving). Then we have the truckers who are more mindful of what they are doing….
On any given day it can be a bit of a trick to get across the intersection w/out bcoming a hood ornament on someone’s car!!!
If we all slowed down then many of the accidents would be avoided….all this “hurry, hurry” is ruining our roads & drivers…
I am so glad you & WB are safe. It REALLY upset me to think what might have happened 😦
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue x0x0
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Jul 06, 2014 @ 18:07:00
Hi there:) Hope your weekend was pleasant and that good health is all around with you and Nylablue! Thank you for your thoughts, it was scary and hoping it never happens again but..thankfully God was looking out for us:)
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Jun 30, 2014 @ 13:20:47
That is so scary, indeed, HRCG! And, I know exactly how it feels and how eerily quiet you get when you realize you just about died but were spared. Last year, my dad came up to visit us and took us to dinner. Like many times before, we took this short, windy hill into town-not even a mile long, that has a pretty view of the ocean. Going down was fine, but coming back in the twilight, a semi-truck was whizzing toward us, going way over the speed limit, couldn’t stay in the curve of his lane and ended up head-on in ours. My dad was driving, he didn’t even have time to lay on the horn but swerved as much as he could to the side rail without sending us over it. It was the the scariest near-miss I have ever been in; it literally seemed like Jesus made the road widen so we couldn’t go off or be smashed. Not my dad, Maycee, nor I spoke a word for a good 10 minutes as we continued up the hill and home. Now, I don’t drive that road unless I absolutely have to because the memory of what could’ve been is so strong within me. So glad you and WB are OKAY, and that Ellie had a wonderful 1st birthday after all! Lots of hugs an love! XOXO-Kasey
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Jun 30, 2014 @ 18:11:49
Wow, yours is very scary too….and I agree we still do not know how we made it through but we know that God does as I am certain in your situation and in ours, He was watching over us all:) I found that when it comes so close, there are only seconds and it is somewhat in slow motion with your thoughts, emotions and the realty of what is happening…you pray pray pray! Sending lots of hugs back and wishing you a good week and a Happy 4th!
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Jul 01, 2014 @ 17:31:26
Same to you! Happy 4th of July! XO-Kasey
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Jun 28, 2014 @ 19:11:10
The roads are so congested with cars & trucks & 18 Wheelers….people NEED to be more mindful not LESS in this day & age.
I have been thru similar experience & after the terror & shock wore off a deep anger set in!!! Maybe the idiots behind the wheel do not treasure their lives; but I sure treasure mine!!!
I am so relieved that you & WB are safe & sound. I hope that never happens to both of you again!
(((HUGS))) Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue ❤ ❤ ❤
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Jun 30, 2014 @ 18:14:08
Thanks Sherri-Ellen:) I agree!!! Ding dong people who drive too fast, and cut you off or have road rage…..stupid! Hugs back to you and Ms. Nylablue:)
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Jun 27, 2014 @ 18:41:14
Holy Cowfirl GRCG!!!! What a scary encounter!! I am quite scared travelling on highways now because of this sort of thing. I saw enough when i was a Tow Truck Owner/Operator back in the 70’s.
I am so relieved that you & WB are intact & got home to celebrate Ellie Belle’s 1st Birthday!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ELLIE BELLE ❤ ❤ ❤
Thank G-D you both are alright… 😉
{{{HUGS}}} Sherri-Ellen & **paw patz** Nylablue x0x0x0
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Jun 27, 2014 @ 21:22:09
Thank you much…it was scary and I am with you as anymore people do not care, even if they wreck in the process and loose their own life…I could not believe the van…it was so dumb! I was mad once we got through the terror of a possible wreck. We truly felt God got us out of it…
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Jun 27, 2014 @ 14:36:14
Oh my goodness. I’m so glad you came out of that unscathed and were able to celebrate Ellie’s birthday. It sounds horribly scary.
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Jun 27, 2014 @ 20:59:36
It was very scary…hoping we do not have to do that again…but with people driving crazy mad anymore…I think we have to keep alert and be on guard when we have to share the road. Growing up in the country, you tend to be on alert most of the time for animals darting and farm vehicles or cows, horses, and livestock. It makes me mad when people drive by our ranch fast…we have dogs and cats, plus horses and people…and kids.
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Jun 27, 2014 @ 04:54:10
Wonderful story! Love EB – she is cute as can be. Happy trails!
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Jun 27, 2014 @ 09:55:07
Thank you much Deb! EB or Ellie is so smart and I mean super smart…she understands words and is very protective….and has such a kind gentle heart:)
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Jun 26, 2014 @ 21:42:52
Those near misses can really remind you of mortality. Glad it was just very close and not a collision. Hair-raising!!
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Jun 27, 2014 @ 09:52:51
Yes, it was too close and literally God had to pick us up to get us safely home…the van was not going to give up…I have never seen anyone like him!
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