Just a few months ago, we were all wishing for spring and warm weather....I've already heard lots of complaints about the heat and it isn't even summer yet!!! It's been really rainy and humid here. Today is nice and sunny...looks like a hot one! The mosquitoes are terrible this year!! It was a perfect spring for them though, warm and wet. The poor horses are getting bit up.
I've been riding Charlie lately and he is doing well. He is a smart horse and he desperately wants to do what is right. You know, we could all take a lesson from him...he doesn't have to do right, but he is eager for a relationship with me so he does what I'm telling him is right. It should be the same with us and the Lord.
Anyway, I took him for a ride yesterday evening. The only thing he spooked at was the propane tank!!! A deer jumped up 50 feet infront of us and he just looked at it. We had a pleasant ride and he was, for the most part, obedient. I had to corret him a few times but it was nothing major. I am convinced now that he was drugged...he is a totally different horse and he does things that the ad said he didn't. Aside from the basic cues, he knows very little. He's a very green broke horse. He learns quickly though and should be alright for an intermediate rider by fall. He sure is good on cows!!
Today we're working at the auction hall....we should be ready to picture by next week.
Stay cool!!
Lauren
 

Yesterday Levi and I went on a trail ride...Levi was on Maggie and I was on Charlie. Charlie spooked slightly as I put the saddle on...but nothing major. Then, as we were riding down the lane past the goat pen, a piece of tin was flapping in the wind. He shied to the side...Bannie has spooked at that several times so that was no big surprise. We were heading for the front woods, when I heard a thud behind me. I looked back in time to see Maggie getting to her feet. She has stepped in a hole and gone down to her knees...I can't believe she didn't break a leg and Levi stayed on too!! She stood up calmly and continued walking as if nothing had happened. We rode into the woods and a squirrel jumped up beside us...Charlie jumped, but didn't shy away. We trotted alittle on the way home and he behaved well. 

We did it again! Monday night we sealed the deal on another horse! This one was Mom's idea! She wanted another one so we could all go out and she wanted something she and Lydia could ride. Charlie is a ten year old, 14HH gelding. When we went to look at him, the guy didn't even ride him first. Chris saddled Charlie up, then saddled his horse. Mom asked him what he was doing and he said. "I don't play around. She's gettin' on him and we're going down the road." Mom was nervous nellie again! He laughed at her, then we mounted up and started down the looooong driveway. As we were riding, Chris said. "Boy, you've got a lot more confidence than your mom!" Charlie was a little stubborn at first, he was ridden once last week and before that  he hadn't been ridden all winter, but once I corrected him a few times, he was fine. We got on the road, a car past us and we went by some cows...nothin' bothered him. On our way back to the driveway, I trotted him for about fifteen steps, then loped for about thirty feet. After I got off, I told Chris, "That is the laziest horse I've ever ridden!" He wasn't so lazy that you had to kick and kick and kick to make him move, he just prefered to walk, but he was ready and willing if you wanted him to go faster. Lydia rode him by herself up the long driveway toward the barn...she stopped and turned him several times. Then after we got back up to the barn, she took him back down the driveway...he didn't want to go out, and let her know that by shaking his head and trying to turn around a few times, but he did what she said anyway. He's a pretty sweet little guy and hopefully he's something Levi can learn to work cows on. Chris is delivering him on Friday for us. I'll try to post a picture of him by Saturday.
I got a breast collar to put on Smoke...boy does she look sharp with all the new stuff!!! Our farrier saw her last in January when she was still pretty thin and sick looking...he was out Monday and he didn't even reconize her. She's actually on the chubby side now!! But he said to let her stay that way, with her thin build and the amount of work and running I'll do this summer and fall going into winter, she'll need it. I'm going to try to get a picture of her all slicked up soon!
I told D.J. about Bannie's knee problem, he seemed to be getting weaker on it. He said he probably strained or tore a ligament or tendon. I had been working him really hard so that wasn't helping him to heal. D.J. said to just let him be the old man horse he is. Since I have Smoke, I'm not out a horse and Bannie doesn't like to do the fast furious riding I like to do...he's content being a pleasure horse. So Mom or Seth will be the ones riding him now and we'll give him a break from hard riding. When we first got Smoke, I did not like her at all. I was used to Bannie's quiet disposition. But the more I ride her, the more I like her. I've progressed in my riding so now I can handler her and I've learned everything Bannie could teach me....but Smoke still has plenty I can learn. I'll always love Bannie and we'll always be close, but it's time to move on and face more challenging things.
Yesterday evening, when we got home from the auction hall, we found some baby coons in a tree in our front yard. One of them had crawled out onto the tree and couldn't figure out how to get back in the hole. He almost fell off several times, but he finally managed to get back inside. I got some really cute pictures of them sticking their heads out the hole. One of them started to fall out, so I climbed up a ladder and grabbed it with a glove. I shoved it back in and it promptly launched itself back out at me!! It hit my head and fell. I screamed and backed up, almost falling of the ladder, which Lydia was supposed to be steadying. When she looked up and saw the coon flying out, she let go and ran away!! It followed us all over the yard, we couldn't get away! Finally I caught it and put it in the pet carrier. We think Grandpa shot the mother several days ago. Seth took care of the one that fell out...not sure what we'll do with the other ones yet. They were cute.
We're at the auction hall today for take in...it's been pretty slow today...gotta go see if Dad and Fred need any help.
Lauren

Today Dad, Levi and I went for a 4 mile horse ride. I was on Smoke, Dad on Maggie and Levi on Bannie. Seth rode his bike. We were on a hilly section of the road and Seth past me on his bike.  I challenged him and the race was on!! I let Smoke go and we quickly caught up to him and passed him even though he had a head start. We galloped for about a quarter mile, then I slowed her down. He said he was going 25 mph when we passed him so we were probably going more than that! She wasn't running nearly as fast as she could. It was lots of fun!!! Maggie behaved very well....she has probably been sitting in a pasture for the last four or five years so she just has to learn she has to obey people. Dad was pleased with her. Levi loped for the first time!!! He loped Ban to catch up to us. He really enjoyed it but his stomach muscles were sore afterward!! When we got near home, Dad and Levi switched horses. Levi rode Maggie without a problem. Dad and I took off in a lope and Maggie didn't try to catch up...just stayed trotting.
We went to the Orchard tack sale yesterday. I wanted to get a horse to train but it didn't work out. We got some tack though, and watched a little of the sorting. An ex-Amish guy, Ammon,  we know asked Dad if he'd gotten us a cutting horse yet. Dad told him he had and Ammon asked if we were going to start coming on Wednesday nights, that's the night for the beginners to learn. Dad told him we wouldn't be coming until the fall and Ammon said, "Oh I see. You don't want to come until you have a chance of winning!"
I can't wait to start doing it!
It is so hot today. Over 90. Just a few weeks ago we were complaining about how cold it was!! It'll be a hot summer. The poor horses were sweating even though we walked most of the time. Smoke didn't care....Bannie and Maggie were a little peeved. Coming from South Dakota, Smoke is used to working ten hours a day in 100 degree weather. She still wanted to run!!
I just some new adventure books....the story is reaching the climax....gotta go finish it before its time to do chores!
Lauren

Today was pick up for our auction. 2300 lots and 430 some winning bidders makes for a hectic day. Today Mrs. Sheeler began working for us and with two cashiers, they really kept us runners hopping!! We had a few lulls in customers but most of the time we had several people already checked out waiting for their items.  Tomorrow the pick up times are only three hours, but we still have plenty of people to check out in that time.
This morning I checked on the horses before we had to leave. Smoke is shedding out so nice! Her coat just feels like silk when you run your hand down her neck. She is filling out so nicely and building muscle from all the running we've been doing.
Bannie still has some fuzz to shed. He turned brown over the winter but he's turning black again.  Just as spoiled as ever!!
Maggie is filling out and starting to look beautiful. Her buckskin color is very pretty. She still has some fuzz too, but it is coming out quickly. This morning I tried to do the submissive head down exercise....she threw her head up and walked away. I followed her and tried the exercise again. Same response. We did this about 5 or 6 times until she gave up and did the exercise perfectly. I can tell she's starting to get more comfortable with me because her natural head carriage is lower and more relaxed then it was when we got her.  I think she'll come around.
All the apple  and crab apple trees are blooming around here. So beautiful.  I love the sweet, fresh fragrance. I picked a sprig of apple blossoms in the horse pasture this morning to put in the kitchen window sill so we could all enjoy the sight and smell of them....Bannie wandered over to see what I was doing....he was more interested in taste than smell or looks!! Typical guy right??!! I'm sure Smoke would have smelled them...maybe!! She's known for her appetite too.
It's supposed to get hot next week, but tonight it's coooold....can't wait to get under the covers!
Lauren

Oh yes...more fun things have been happening around the Lotter Farm!!
Yesterday I rode Smoke....Dad was standing infront of the shop with his arms resting on the back of a handcart. I was  riding up toward his right side....he always squints his right eye when the is out. I started riding across the cement...I could see he still didn't know I was there which was amazing because if he doesn't see something, he hears it. We walked right up to him, then Smoke had her head about five inches from his face. He jumped, threw up his arms and hit her in the face!! Smoke just jerked her head away but stood still. I almost fell off I was laughing so hard. I'd done that several times to Grandpa, but never thought I'd get Dad!! He won't live that one down for a loooong time!!!
A little while later, I was on my way back from a trail ride, when I spotted Grandpa coming up the lane in his goofy mobile (mini truck). I was about and 1/8 mile away by the pond. I yelled to Smoke and let her rip!!! We shot across the hay field....turned sharply and were running alongside the truck. He still didn't see us, so I kicked her again and we ran even faster until we passed the truck. I looked back just as he saw us!! He jumped and yelled!! That was the most fun I've had in a long time!! We were flying!!! It took me a couple hundred yards to slow her down.
After all that, I came up to the barn, unsaddled her and rode her bareback across the road...not exactly a smart thing to do when I'd only ridden her bareback once before...in a roundpen...., we'd just finished running so she was excited and to top it off, she was in heat!! When I told Dad that he said "I don't have time for a funeral, young lady!" Which was his fatherly way of saying "Knock it off!"
Levi's bunnies are growing by leaps and bounds. They are so cute!!
Here are some recent pictures of the animals.
Lauren

These first pictures were taken at Dan's, the man we bought Maggie from.
Easy is a four year old stud colt....I've never ridden a four year old..or a stud before so it was a great experiance!!
Earl had just been weaned so he kept following everyone around hoping to find mommy!
Click on the pictures for an enlarged veiw. The captions beneath will explain the picture.

Yep...I did it again! I started a new book yesterday. Its a companion book to Jack Johnson's Diary of the Oregon Trail 1844. It will be written from his sister Annie's point of view. Annie Johnson's Diary of the Oregon Trail 1844. While Jack views the trip as something exciting with endless possibilities, Annie grumbles and complains about dust, heat, uncivilized people and just about everything you can imagine. Eventually she learns to seek joy in whatever the circumstances...and that when she turned to the Lord, He gave her His joy and contentment.
Supper is cooking right now...then I'm heading out to mess around with the horses. It was raining most of the day plus I had to do two days of school. I'm hoping it doesn't start raining again before I get out there. I plan to lunge at least Bannie and Smoke...maybe Maggie too.
I'm on Chapter 16 in Hidden Treasure & Wedding Bells...Amazing Discovery....I'm getting closer to the end!
Gotta go stir the spaghetti!!
Lauren

Today, after we got home from picturing, I took Smoke on a long ride. I've just started to feel comfortable cantering her....today we galloped!! She is a true cowboy horse and is lots of fun and very fast!! We cantered for nearly half a mile before stopping and, out of shape as she is, she wasn't even breathing hard.  We had a lot of fun...I think she enjoyed it as much as I did. I used the new Circle Y saddle...it's pretty comfy.
As I was riding up, I saw Levi and Grandpa in the cow pasture lighting the burn pit fire, so I rode in to talk to them. As soon as Smoke saw the cows, she got really excited.  I let her cut Mama cow away from Angie and Beauty. It was fun!! Smoke was dashing here and there...Mama cow was getting mad when we wouldn't let her back to the others.
I got an idea for a new book. I have a bunch of stories started that I will probably never be able to develop into full books soooo.....I am going to make them short stories and compile them all into one book called The Heritage Collection of Short Stories. Each story will portray a different Biblical principal, concept or godly character trait. It may develop into a series...I'm not sure yet.
Levi told me today that it is supposed to get back down to thirty at night next week. That'll be quite a change!!
My mom's sister, my aunt Patty, is on her way over right now with a chick someone gave her....she only  has one and it is lonely....it was some sort of experiment chick where they injected blue dye into the egg while the chick was developing and now the chick is blue!! Strange!!
She should be pulling in any minute so I guess I'll say good-bye!!
Lauren

Today Dad put Phlox down. She was eating good but something just wasn't right. I don't think she would have lived much longer anyway.
We got all the horses out and rode them in the round pen. Maggie has an issue with spooking, so I'll be working on that in the future. Also, by her teeth, we think she is closer to 17, not 14 as we were told. Seth was riding her and suddenly, she just laid down!! We think she had a fly on her belly and was trying to get it off. She is pretty thin and needs a lot of TLC.
After Levi was finished riding her, Dad and I went riding on Smoke and Bannie. He was on Smoke and I was on Ban.  We went 9 miles down the back roads. It was lots of fun. Dad even loped Smoke...well...I started loping Bannie and Smoke followed!! Dad did well though. We saw some friends of ours standing out in there yard so we stopped and said hello. Then Dad took me back on my great uncle's property where he had farmed as a boy. It was very interesting.
I  hope to start competing with Smoke in the fall. Today I was riding her and figured out how to get her to spin...it is so much fun!! Dad thinks I'm crazy! He says that the words "fast" and "horse" don't go together for him!! He wants to learn to ride better and is doing well. I'm excited about all the riding we'll get to do this summer.
I've been working on getting the second book typed up. I'm kind of on hold for publishing right now....got other more important things to do! I'm still writing away though!!
In my earlier posts...my closing comment was always, "Stay Warm!" I think I need to change it to, Stay Cool!!
Lauren

Today we got a new horse...Welcome home Maggie!!!
Maggie is a 14 year old buckskin Qrt Horse mare. She is very sweet and we got her for Lydia, Levi and Mom to ride. She is well trained and incredibly forgiving and patient.
After we'd rode her, Dan, the man who owned her, asked if I wanted to ride his stud colt! I was alittle nervious, but he rode him first then I got on. The colt's name was Easy...and he is just that...easy!! He is a 4 year old stallion....I've only petted two other stallons...never rode one!! He was amazing!! Smooth, quiet, obedient. Even Lydia rode him...by herself and she trotted him too! He was a cheap 20,000 dollars! But he would be well worth it to whoever buys him!
Anyway, we've got Maggie home and settled in now. She needs alittle TLC but we'll bring her around in no time. Bannie loves having a new girlfriend!! He follows her around and rubs on her. She seems a bit annoyed with him.
Dan showed us all his horses, he had quite a few and several foals. It was quite an operation. He also had a Circle Y saddle for sale. Dad has been needing a new saddle so he bought it. He'll use it for trail riding and I'll use it when I start doing the sorting competition with Smoke.
Well, it's getting late...I'd better get  to bed!!
Lauren

It was 80 degrees today!! We were working at the auction hall and it was kind of stuffy even with all the doors open. The kids played outside with squirt bottles squirting each other!! I picked one up and started spraying Lydia...a few minutes later, I set it down and turned to go inside....the little stinker sprayed me with the garden hose!!! Oh well, it felt kind of good!! We got a lot of work done today...hopefully we'll be able to start picturing by Friday. My feet are sore from standing on the cement all day!!
Tonight Dad and I went on a short ride. He was testing a new saddle. The leather was kind of stiff so it was hurting his knees. This morning Seth and I were moving the horses to a new pasture...I was riding Bannie bareback with just a halter and lead rope and he was leading Smoke. When we got to the pasture, I rode in and he turned Smoke loose. She bolted past me and Bannie and galloped down to the other end. I thought for sure Bannie would take off, but he didn't!
Phlox is doing better. She's able to stand for longer amounts of time now. I rigged up a harness sling that helps support her. All of Grandpa's sheep are wild since they aren't handled, so she was afraid of me at first, but being so weak she couldn't do much. She has become very friendly very fast. Tonight she laid her head on my knee, then nuzzled my face and neck when I bent down to do something. Sheep aren't usually that affectionate.
I'm looking forward to Saturday...we're doing one of two things...we're either going to look at a new horse...or we're going to a tack auction. I don't know for sure yet, but I'm thinking we'll be going to look at the new horse. I hope we get a new one soon...right now I can't take Smoke out without Bannie 'cause he panics if he's left alone. So he needs a buddy. This morning he wouldn't go through a muddy area...I  had to really coax him, then he jumped and landed right in the middle...spraying mud everywhere!! He's afraid of the mud so he jumps right in! Silly horse!
I was thinking about adventure books the other day....the ultimate adventure book is the Bible! Think of all the battles and exciting miracles the Lord did. That is the best adventure book there is! 
Okay, it's getting late...gotta work at the hall tomorrow!
Adios,
Lauren