Hunting Irish Setter - Prairie Training - August 13 - August 15.

Wednesday, August 13 – continued The rains keeps on going and before you know it we have a full fledged rainday. We wanted to get things done but no such luck. We went out and checked birds for food and water and our trap to make sure we didn't have anymore varmint attacks but all was quiet.

Roger still in the hospital and now looks to be coming home on Thursday. Jason running things right now and Bob has been traveling around helping him collect Bulls. He's having fun and things are going pretty good.

We've got our friends , the McBrides coming by for dinner tonight and I plan on making a fresh batch of spaghetti sauce – it takes most of the day so I start very early. I really like to have about 6 hours of cooking to really get it right & we brought Italian Sausage from Illinois along with special sauces and cheese. We can't wait!!!!!!!

Spent sometime working and in town getting things for dinner – then back to camp. Haven't seen Bob since early so he's out chasing the bulls.

About 6:00 PM in rolls Bob with Jason & Heather and he's looking pretty rough. He lifts up his shirt and one side looks like about a 2 foot skid mark on pavement – the kind of sidewalk burns you learn to appreciate growing up in the city only 10 times worse. It appears that he was helping Jason trying to get a bull to head north ( there about 8 miles south of camp at this point) and not only did the bull not want to head north – he didn't want to move – Jason and Bob harassed the poor bull but they antagonized him till he couldn't take anymore and decided to have a piece of the guy waving at him. Opppps !!!
Bob was now the target and off he came –Bob made the mistake of looking back ( he couldn't believe he could still run this fast to out run that bull) and he was right – bull caught up and sent him on a less then graceful trip about 10 feet down the way and only Jason's counterattack with a pipe kept Bob from being further adjusted. He bounced up (his reaction not mine) & swiftly moved out of the path of this madman bull – dodging with grace and speed! I might be slightly paraphrasing him but you get the jest!!!

Bob, better known as Cowboy Bob had met his match and now even he was 2nd guessing his choice to coax this 2000lb hunk while on foot and with only his swift, lean body as a means of protecting himself. Some things never change – some just need to happen but it all makes for great stories !!!!!!!!!!

Bob made it in time for dinner along with Heather and the McBrides all got here just before the storms. Getting to be a nightly deal here as of late. We decided to skip the gazebo and eat in the house – couldn't jam the music but there some very interesting questions regarding Bob's current state of soreness and how it all happened. I'm sure we'll see his(Bob's) point of view so let's here it directly form the horses mouth !!!!!!!! if you know what I mean.

Joe was suggesting to Bob that he buy one of those rodeo boy's vests with Kevlar that deflect the pain of the bullfighter & Bob wanted to know " deflects the pain where ?" That put the crowd into a roar & we laughed until Bob was ready to cry – seems he has discovered some new sore spots. The rains still hammered away and we have a great dinner with our friends and some real good laughs at Bob's expense. Fun night. They're going to join us on the hills this weekend and see what the dogs are all about! Rene' made us awesome apple pies and Rhe'ann ( Joe & Lori's daughter) made a great oriole cookie treat for dessert! The kids all played games while we told stories and let the rain rip!

Thursday, August 14, 2008 - damp, cool and a good morning for dogs. We're up and moving with Lucas taking over the roading chores for a few days. I had several discussions on what to do with my transmission after we heated it up on the hills – now to figure out the right plan.

Roading:

• Erin, Suzie, Sorrel & Shauna – 34 min. – seasoned crew w/ a couple of good young ones – nice solid workout.

Hills:
• Lea & Brie – Bob saddled up and got on his horse – he lasted about 5 steps and got off and walked back no riding for him for awhile—we went north over the adjacent ranch and worked down to gates that lead into our regular meadow land. Both dogs slow to start and showing the signs of summer conditioning – still Lea the stronger but each applying them as nice GD's - no complaints a beautiful stand for Brie at 22 – Lea a gorgeous back and me unable to produce birds – she's a good 35 yards below the crest of a hill – I worked and finally let her relocate – up and over the hill – pointing as a 7 bird covey of chickens took flight – good – no 'very good' piece of work for Brie – both continued on – Brie kicked it up a notch after the very mannerly find – Lea still more consistent but both were fun and Lea rolled on w/Phil. I took Brie to the limits and she got too close to our birdpen area and knocked birds near the cage – no way the dog can look good on this one. We finished with her going with us after that and a hunting dog finish. 47 min for Brie – 45 for Lea.

• Midge & Brenna - 20+ min on the ground and both were oinks – couldn't get their heads into – took them back to camp and hooked them in the roading harness for 20 more minutes and at least get some conditioning – just not there day.

• Clifford & Bart – w/Kelly & Corrine in charge had some good hunt but Clifford caught a baby tweety bird – not a pretty sight – oh well at least he's birdy and both dogs showed more pattern and hunt. 21 min.

• Neely w/ Whitney and Katherine at the helm and I drove the dog wagon – dropped her off at the Seidell loop – still didn't want to go front or show much interest in anything other then what was behind her – the girls tried but no luck today – we'll keep plugging away.

The girls had plans for the river this afternoon & Linda and I ventured into town for Linda's hair appointment. I did some major phone calls and talked to the Ford dealer about my transmission. Plan is to monitor it's fluid levels and see how it does the next couple of weeks. Change the fluid and filter and check out the condition of the old stuff. He thinks it would be fine based on my experience the last few days.

Got chicken for the grill tonight – got to test our new acquisition. The teenagers did Pizza Hut and bowling. Phil went with Heather, Jason and shot Jason's new .223 rifle.
Quite a nice gun – Phil and the kids got some good target shooting in – both pistol and rifle. Great place to learn proper handling of firearms.

A very cool and pleasant night. nice to just sit out for dinner and only a slight drizzle later on. Winding down for the kids – they all will be leaving on Sunday morning so just a couple of more days left. The rain picked up and we had steady rain on and off all night.

Friday, August 15, 2008 - rain on and off most of the night – even a bit inside our trailer but we survived. Supposed to be clear shortly but our radar indicated that might be a wrong forecast. We got breakfast and the rain started and has been going on with thunder, lightning and lots of rain, lakes and rivers all over camp – looks like a rainout this morning – have to hope for the best this afternoon.

Roading:

• Mariah, Inde, Ritha & Tess - 35 solid minutes

………………… and the rain goes on – not downpours but very regular rain and rain and
rain—just a small break and then more rain. I don't see getting much done and everyone in a lazy mood.

Went to town and found some good sweet corn – finally coming in – pork tenderloins on the grill w/ Bob G's special potatoes! Hmmmmmmmmmm! good!! Saw Joe and looked at his adjoining building for upstairs space – almost room for a dance!
Stopped and visited Roger on my way back to town. Bob was there along with Katherine and Whitney. Roger was having visitors all day long and had himself all set up in his reliner next to his hospital bed. He's got a few months of recovery and plenty of black and blue marks to remind him of that HORSE RIDE!!! I guess he won't be entering the wild horse contest in Valentine this weekend. Bob & Roger can share aches and pains – maybe even there own brand of pain medicines -Bob's is definitely different that Rogers.

Phil took on all challengers in chess – Owen won one and Devin stalemated – a good rainy day game. Got the dinner cooked in between raindrops but then it cleared up and we got the music going and ate outside. A cool night with light clouds and no rain. We enjoyed and while the week was rainy we still got conditioning done. Dogs are in tune with camp and the majority are quiet at night. Phil was meeting Devin in town for some pool and snooker and the young adults, Kelly & Corinne were the chaperone's or driver and body guard depending how you look at it. We hit the hay and had a great sleeping night.