My Horse Dundee

Dundee’s real name is Dragon Moonfire. We bought her as a colt and my husband broke her. I have always heard a Appaloosa is a one person horse. If that were really true I would have to admit that Dundee is my husbands horse. To see the two of them turning back a stray heifer, or running down a loose yearling is a real treat.

But, I think my husband would say that Dundee is my horse. I picked her out at one of the first horse sales we went to together. She’s colorful, she feisty, and I love her to death. She rides like a Cadillac, and sits like a Lazyboy recliner. She is a dream to ride and has never once let me down.

I have had some of the best memories of my life on the back of that mare. I remember rounding up cattle about 6 miles north of town, and the cattle owner giving us each a pint of peppermint schnabbs at the start of the ride just to keep us warm. Another time we were running after a loose cow and at the top of the hill a land owner was sitting on his 4 wheeler, Dundee was so frightened by the sight she spun and flipped me right off. And there she stood looking down at me (the land owner still laughs about that one). I remember taking her to the Indian reservation with me and having a 10 year old boy falling in love with her and doing all my chores for a chance to trot her down the road when I came.

Dundee lost her two best horse buddies, The Grey and Mickey. She’s not alone but being with a few young geldings can’t compare to her life long mare friends.

Dundee is about 25 years old now, I don’t ride her as often as used to, or as often as I’d like to. I will keep her and her memories forever. I have to thank a young girl in Jamestown named Autumn for reminding me of my good times with Dundee, she says her favorite horses are Appaloosa’s and I told her "mine too."

My Western Shop job

Last weekend I worked at one of my other junky part time jobs. I clerk at the local Western Shop. It’s a good one, I get paid in merchandise instead of money. And as you can see my man is thinking he’s on "the" shopping list. I work, so I shop, I tell him but he just doesn’t listen.

At the Western Shop we sell anything a cowboy would want, from hat and boots, to corral panel and ear tags. Also, anything a cowboy would buy as a gift like Montana Silver jewelry and embroidered sweat shirts.

Stop in and see me sometime and I’ll hook you up with Ropers, Trappers, Lees or Wanglers.

The Food Pantry

After seeing my blog about my job at the Anhydrous Plant my volunteer partners at the Food Pantry said "do one on us" "except skip the picture." Here goes- 2 afternoons a month a bunch of us volunteer to distribute food to the local poor. There’s Esther and Richard, the semi-retired farm couple. There’s Ellen the big cheese. And Albert the all around handy man type. Carrie, the pregnant Minister wife with 2 of the most beautiful little girls. And me, the carry out girl.

We gather one afternoon and fill between 30 and 40 boxes of groceries. Including canned vegys, fruits, cereals, pasta etc. And bag up frozen products like meats and breads. The next afternoon we gather in the back room of the Senior Center and hand out boxes and bags to area needy. Those with large families and small pocket books. And elderly on fixed incomes. We don’t want any one to go hungry.

During the year many groups help in raising funds and collecting food products. A few of the groups are the boys scouts, the postal workers, local churches but there are many more. Please donate to your local food pantry, get involved, give back. Do what you can -when you can.