Monthly Archives: October 2009

Anne Shirley (yes, of Green Gables) called days like today “Jonah Days.”  It’s been more of a Jonah WEEK, but the term still works!  We all have them – they’re times when things go from just ok to not-so-great to bad to worse.  I’ve got to admit, that it really does feel like it’s just been one thing after another!  Of course, I also have to admit that despite feeling frustrated by the lack of forward momentum, I always have the words spoken to me by my friend Andrea Barber (yes, the one and only Kimmy Gibler of Full House): “Melissa, you’re the most karmically balanced person I’ve ever known.”  So for all the crap that happens – I’ve also got a whole lotta good stuff going on!  Still. Some days are just hard, no matter what!

As many of you know, over the last few weeks my Thoroughbred, Frank, has been struggling with his health.  Things started out pretty mild – a swollen sheath, lack of appetite, crankiness, weight loss. He has, however, steadily declined.  This week, he’s emaciated (he dropped 50 – 60 lbs. in 10 – 14 days). He’s not eating, not drinking, has swollen hind legs and sheath, and edema on his belly.  I must still be a bit “raw” to write about it because I’m unable to express the upheaval of emotions that I’m feeling.  It may be because it’s still relatively unresolved.  I sat with him off and on all day today. I gave him a good massage, changed his shavings twice (mostly because I wanted him to pee so I could get another urine sample!), held his water bucket to encourage him to drink, and just generally loved on him.  He finally ate a few flakes of hay at about 3 pm — which was really encouraging.

The good thing is that according to his blood work, the chance of his having cancer is slim…the frustrating thing is we’re no closer to knowing what the heck is going on.  We’re trying an ulcer treatment, but honestly, I doubt that that’s what it is.  With the feed program, supplement program, exercise program, general care, and laid back situation I have here, I just can’t imagine he’d be stressed at all…plus, I’ve been aware that he has a history of bad ulcers, so I’m extra cautious (my friend Gabby says “obsessive”)!  I just don’t see it.  If it is ulcers, I’ll have to make some extremely tough decisions, since a 30 day cycle of GastroGuard is $1,650 – yep. $55 per day.  And since it’s his second round of the GastroGuard, he’d more than likely have to stay on it on a regular basis…and, frankly (excuse the pun), I’m not sure that I can justify that – BUT I’m going to cross that bridge when I come to it. For now, I need to get through the weekend until his other tests come back from the lab.  His legs are far less swollen today, but I think he dropped another few pounds…we’ll see how he is in the morning.

Thankfully, I had a distraction this morning.  My darling friend Pilar brought her son Jaden over to play with Ellie Graye.  Pilar and Tim were in our birthing class with us, and we became fast friends after Tim and Jeffrey bonded over some crass comment that Jeffrey made under his breath.  Jaden was born 5 days before Ellie, and we literally checked into the birthing center when Pilar was checking out.  They’ve been amazing friends, and it was so nice to catch up with Pilar.  The kids had fun together too, I think!

I’m glad I had that time with Ellie Graye, as well, because the rest of the day was just non-stop!  She went down for a nap shortly after Jaden and Pilar left, and I headed to go pick up some Senior Blend feed for Frank.  Somehow in the middle of all that, I decided that I needed to make sugar cookies.  So, I pulled some previously frozen dough out, sliced it up, and popped them in the oven………and then walked out the door. Wait, walked out the door?!??! Yeah.  It hit me after having been outside for 45 minutes that my cookies were still baking!  I called Lorena and asked her to take them out.  Thank GOD she answered!  Needless to say, they burnt.

I’m definitely glad today is over – and this week is behind us…here’s to hoping for a better weekend!

CHICKEN:
2 tbs. dark brown sugar
1 tsp. paprika (I liked to use Penzey’s Spanish Smoked Paprika)
1 tsp. chili powder
3/4 tsp. ground cumin (I prefer freshly ground…I use a coffee grinder that I’ve dedicated to spices)
1/2 tsp. ground chipotle chili powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 small whole chicken (or whatever chicken you have on hand!)
1 large onion, quartered

SAUCE:
2 tsp. oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tbs. dark brown sugar
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 cup ketchup
2 tbs. cider vinegar
1 tbs. molasses

1. Combine all but the chicken and onion in a small bowl.  Rub the spice mixture evenly over chicken (if I’m using a whole chicken with the skin, I place the rub UNDER the skin, but do what works for you!).

2. Place the onion quarters in the bottom of the slow cooker and carefully place the chicken on top.  Add 1 – 2 cups water, set slow cooker to LOW, and cook for 8 – 10 hours (I always start the chicken before I go to bed, and turn it off when I get up in the morning).

3. Remove chicken from crock pot (usually it will completely fall apart); cool; shred (this should be incredibly easy).  Set aside. Discard the contents of the slow cooker. Return chicken to slow cooker.

4.  For sauce, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion; cook for 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.  Stir in brown sugar and next 5 ingredients (through pepper); cook 30 seconds.  Stir in ketchup, vinegar, and molasses; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.  Add to crock pot, and stir until chicken mixture is evenly coated.  Set slow cooker to LOW, and cook for 1 – 2 hours.

5. Serve with fresh sandwich rolls, or whatever you have handy!