Bopcha Blog

Hello Everyone,



Although Nina is only 13 years old, she has moved on to being an equine surgeon

So the story goes like this. I am sure you are wondering at this point what in the world I am talking about. Nina has been absolutely intrigued and impressed with one of the best equine surgeons around who happens to be at Penn Vet. He is the Vet who tenderly cared for the famous Barbaro. Since the days of Barbaro, Nina has always been impressed by Dr. Richardson.



Nina is also continuing to be interested in Vet Medicine - and it appears that it is not just a passing phase. So at her ripe age she is doing everything possible to learn about it. She choose to work on a project for school that explores the world of horse racing. So she asked me if she could possibly interview Dean Richardson. Well finally my job and position is serving a purpose (and it isn't resolving employee issues). I contacted Dean Richardson and asked if he could spend some time talking to my niece. He is a tough guy and very no-nonsense. But he has a tender place in his heart and I guess is honored to be part of this little girl's learning experience.



So finally I tried to set up a specific time for them to meet and he replied to me by sayng that instead of "interviewing" for 30 minutes - he let me know that he doesn't even spend that much time talking to residents - she could perhaps come in and observe a real live equine surgery.



Imagine that a 13 year observing a surgery at Penn Vet. What a memorable experience. So her Dad took her, he had to wait outside because they try to limit the number of people in the surgery. So she had to scrub in and wear orange scrubs that they gave her and she got to watch the whole thing. She said she can see the passion that Dean Richardson has for the horses and for his work. She said he is impressive and works very quickly. He was even kind enough to answer all her questions about horse racing and the health issues of race horses. She said he was absolutely awesome. After the surgery, he came out and met her Dad.



Needless to say Nina is overjoyed at such an experience. I am also really happy to have contributed to this amazing experience. I don't think it's every day that a 13 year old gets invited to the operating room to observe an equine surgery.



I guess this is a good Christmas present huh? I just wanted to brag about this. Nina will always remember this experience.



Anyway, I hope all of you are enjoying the holiday season so far. It can be a sort of stressful time but it can be lots of fun too, right?



Take good care everyone. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas.



With Love,



Sandra

There is never a time that the farm does not absolutely take my breath away.



My Christmas decorations are pretty sparse but I do have a few out.



Ramone is having balance problems (hind legs). He started falling and has trouble on my kitchen floor. The vet thinks it is what he had before - a disk problem. There is not much they can do but I am going to do the exercises that I did the first time around. She does not think there will be a great deal of improvement. SO, we will keep going as long as he can walk and is not in pain. It seems my long walks with the dogs are out or at least I will need to carry Ramone most of the way.



Since the dogs and I had our encounter with a coyote on Chip Ross, I bought a can of pepper spray that shoots 15 feet and a loud whistle. My neighbor said that most of her encounter with coyotes are when she walks her dog early in the morning.



Sandra, so glad you are feeling better - what a relief. Onward with the biscotti making - don't forget those of us on the west coast.

Dee - Sandra is so correct. Those are wonderful pictures of the farm. You must have renewed your camera. Really nice shots. Boo hoo for the goose of course. What a pile of feathers. The predators are going to be heartbroken soon, having munched down on the farm's feathered occupants almost to the end.

Sandra - it's such a delight to read your entries on the blog once again. So much fun, and I realize now how much I've missed hearing from you lately.

It's just short of 7 am here. Tom just called from Gallop NM, saying he'd be on the road home in an hour or so. He's hauling 3 dogs--two of Tornado's E-litter (Encore and Enchanted Isle called Tempest) and Tornado's niece, little Swann. Tom was at a coursing near Phoenix AZ. Tempest won the coursing on Saturday--her owner Melissa is really happy; Encore won on Sunday--and is now an AKC field champion (FC), so Tom and I are doubly happy.

Tom's job ended at the end of November--which enabled him to be free to take the hounds to AZ. Always good and bad in everything it seems.

Off to work I go. Sending love to all.

And Sandra--you haven't lived until you've munched on Wickle's pickles by themselves or as Kay taught me, with peanut butter and toast. MMMMMMmmmmmmm!!!!!

Hello Family,



I have intended to write a variety of times - really I have It just seems like time escapes so quickly between work and trying to babysit Sid (just kidding). Work is absolutely crazy - there is always so much drama. Who could ever imagine that Penn Vet School could be such an exciting place to work. I wish I could go into more detail about the excitement but I guess since this is a fairly public forum I will refrain and keep myself out of trouble. How boring to have to refrain from such fun gossip. I guess we will have to have a family gathering so I can talk about it. Sid gets to hear all the stories. He is always amazed.



Thanks Diana for keeping us posted on how the farm looks. You are so diligent about sharing photos. That is really nice of you.

And what about the wickles - is that some kind of pickle, that is being eaten with peanut butter. I am trying to figure out if that sounds good. The peanut butter part sounds good. I can go through half a jar of PB which is why I hate having it around.



So anyway, I am doing better than I was in the summer. I had a really rough four months. Sometimes I could not believe how bad I felt and how rough things got. Things seem to improve in October, thank God. So I am now getting in to to the Christmas spirit, even though I can find our Christmas decorations! So I had to go out and buy a few things, so that our home would not be bare.

The cats clawing at everything is definitely a consideration in what decorations we put up. We have a tiny little Christmas tree with little lights and decorations. It is really adorable and small. The cats have done some exploring but they are leaving it alone for now.



Are all of you putting up a Christmas tree and decorations? I actually think I am going to make the biscotti again this year. I just have to figure a day that I dedicate to it, preferably before Christmas. I hope to make a variety of biscotti, I just really have to get organized.



Hope all of you are well. Diana thanks so much for the Christmas card, what a strikingly good looking family. It's a delight to look at it.



I think of you all, and I wish you a happy holiday season, and of course surviving the inevitable stress that can also come with Christmas.



Love you all,



Sandra

You deserve every pound you gain since you are the one that got me addicted and then my stores stopped carrying them.



Took the dogs to MLK for a walk this morning and in driving home I happened to glance to my left and saw 3 deer trotting down the sidewalk. I then glanced to my right and a deer was standing on the sidewalk facing the road like it was waiting for a light. Because I had just gone through a school zone, I was going slow but upon seeing the deer, I slowed ever further and the deer crossed behind my car and in front of the car following me. I am so hoping that the little herd of 4 gets off the sidewalk and into the trees at some point.



It amazes me that I can walk in some out of the way places - see nothing and continue to see deer in town.



Max was working on the front door of Judi's house yesterday to try and stop air leakage. He does good work.



Who has their Christmas decorations up?

OK - this is how it goes. I introduced Kay to Wickles pickles. A really delicious treat that she claims she delights in. So, one would think, one kind favor would deserve another. But no--Kay introduces me to Wickles sandwiches made with peanut butter and Wickles on toast. I'm holding her personally responsible for every pound I gain, having consumed three over the past few days and am contemplated a fourth for dinner. Humph!!