There is just something I love about OLD BARNS...maybe because sometimes I feel like one. This one was located on a property that is for sale here, and the Owners asked me to 'advertise it' in California, and since advertising it in California will get my son-in-law Jim a lot of phone calls from Visalians inquiring about it, and maybe help him List another property, I jumped on the opportunity.

The Property itself is 19 acres about 11 miles from Toledo, and a 'River' runs through it. There are two parcels, one on each side of the River, and until recently, the owners had cows that used the old barn. The home is about 2700 sq. ft. and a typical Country Home.

Jordan had called me earlier in the afternoon asking if I could take her to Elk City at 2:00 pm as she was to Camp there in the Park with her church youth group over the Labor Day weekend. Of course I said yes, and later learned that Emily Boo was home for the day as Wendy thought she might be sick that day...so taking Jordan to 'camp out' meant that I would have Emily Boo until Wendy got home from work.

Emmie is really good with Grammie, so I thought I would just take her with me for the photo shoot...and we went on another adventure. Robin, the Seller can't wait for grandkids and just oohhhed and ahhhhed over Emmie...as we trecked the acreage from the house to the barn, then along the river for a spell until we got to the end of the property. I was doing pretty good, but Emmie started pooping out after a while, so Robin yelled for her daughter to bring the pick up to drive us to the other side of the river where their horses are.

Emmie immediately went 'ga ga' the minute she saw the horses! One of them is very tame and gentle, so we are thinking about buying her so Emmie can learn to ride. Ashleigh, my grand daughter gifted to me by Wendy's husband Will, also rides and loves horses too, so I know she would love it if we had some horses on our ranch property. I'll have to check into the cost of feeding them in the winter, but in the summer...they will eat more than cows and in Oregon, that is a very good thing. You don't have to worry about things 'growing'...you spend most of your time 'beating the brush back'.

Problem is, if we get one horse, then I would want to get two of them. I don't know, but it seems like it would just be too lonely for the horse to be alone...and I guess I am thinking like Noah's Ark or something...but with two I think they would be happier. So, we'll have to look around to see if there is another gentle horse somewhere before we commit to this one...and then, I have no idea of what 'horses' cost or what they are worth...so need some expert help on that too, as if they are too expensive, then that will wait as well.

Emmie is pretty shy when she first meets people, but was more than willing to go with Amber, (who is Jordan's age and knows Jordan...with both of them being Toledo 'Freshmen' this year), to see the horses and to pet them as they wandered over to the fence and the horses went right to Amber who was holding Emmie Boo.

After a few hours of getting information from Robin, meeting and talking with her husband, taking photos, meeting horses, discovering and old barn, and walking their river bank and pastures etc. Emmie and I headed for home...well, home to the Ranch anyway.

I just pulled onto the road toward Toledo, "when back seat driver Emmie" informed me that she didn't want to 'Go that way home...she wanted to go another way'...as for some reason she believes she has some 'say so' about the route to be taken when people are driving somewhere....but I reminded her that she was with Grammie... and that when she is with Grammie...we drive the way Grammie wants....end of story.

I didn't hear a 'peep' of protest, nor a sigh or whimper...and thought that no reaction at all from Emmie was probably too good to be true...even if she was with Grammie. I stopped the car and looked back...she was passed out cold in less than 30 seconds from strapping her in the seatbelt!

I laughed as I realized that I had just worn her out with all that walking around, and just sort of giggled in private amusement most of the way to the ranch at the irony of it. A 'Grammie' wearing out a 2 and a half year old...no one would ever believe it!

When we got to the Ranch, I opened her window so I could hear her in case she woke up...and got out of the car to check the progress on the ranch house. Will was cutting marble and granite not fifteen feet from that window... and it was screeching loud, but Emmie didn't move. He went over to the car, made a little pillow for her with his jacket so her head would be more comfortable than drooped over, but she didn't stir.

Usually, the 'little ones' wear Grammie out...but this one was a good 'score' for Grammie. Wendy was able to go shopping for groceries without Emily for once, which is sort of like 'heaven' for her...(which I realized after the other day shopping with Emily Boo myself...) and a few hours later when I dropped Emmie off at home...she had just awaken from her snooze and was whining some as Wendy carried her in the house. Wendy asked me to stay awhile and chat with her...and I almost declined as I was not really up for the 'whining', but it stopped quickly.

Strawberries and Whipped Cream cheered her up quickly; Wendy and I had a nice chat...and then it was back to the ranch with a carful of new stuff for Allen's 'Castle' Room...including new paint which I promised to use the next day to paint his room...and then Faye's after that.

As for Emmie Boo...I'll have to remember to tell her that when she "rides with Grammie on any adventure...it's always going to be in the 'fast lane'. lol