Would WILLIE have heard, "Voodoo!" ?

That was the best 634.6 mile trip I got to take, just for myself!...

Once upon a time, about 6 weeks ago....I heard it on the radio - - - - Willie Nelson would be entertaining at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island. I couldn't get the salt and mineral put out fast enough; had to get home to the Internet. I think this was the first time I've done something like this so spontaneous, without consulting (asking permission) to anyone: I was going to buy Willie Nelson tickets!! Good reason, concert would be Sept. 4, my birthday is the 6th - ha ha, just for me! I'll buy myself a birthday present (and drag Don with me)!!

It was a secret, I wouldn't tell Don yet. (although everybody else knew, because I put it on Face Book!)

I contained myself quite well... but in preparation, I played my Willie Nelson CDs everywhere we went. Don said once, "What is it with you and Willie Nelson?" So when we traveled, the first thing that came on when the dial was pushed, "On the Road Again..." I giggled with glee!

About a week before the concert, I figured I should tell him where he was going. The good thing about that was, I could now be my usual self and really get silly, jumpy, excited - my natural way of dealing with things when I'm a happy camper. I drove everyone else crazy with all my plans, but too bad, no blue eyes cryin' in the rain for me.

Mom and Dad knew about it all right away. They couldn't believe I would get Don away from the ranch to go to a concert. (Maybe a tractor, a bale processor, a bale bed, a horse, sell cows....but not a concert!) September 2nd was my dad's birthday. At 4:30 that morning, he fell and broke his hip. I knew right away, and with no regrets I might add, that I would have to call Willie and tell him I couldn't make it (a little drama there). ...and that was OK. Later that day, as Dad was laying in the hospital bed in Scottsbluff, he reminded me I was going to see Willie Nelson. "Yea, OK" was always my reply. "I mean it," was always the comment. I would tell him to lay there and be quiet, he was going to make his hip hurt worse. His surgery was finally done in the early afternoon of Sept. 3rd; and that was way too close a time to be taking off and leaving my dad. Mom was assuring me how bad Dad would feel if I stayed home. (Can you tell I'm still making my mind believe it was all ok?)

After much deliberation; encouraging nudges from family members, and Dad saying, "if you don't go I'm gonna kick your butt" - I decided it might work to go. The concert was Sunday evening; Friday night when I got home from the hospital - I was wound up after Dad was unable to get the surgery done until Saturday morning; so I drake a pot and a half of coffee, sat my alarm for 5; and wondered why at 4 am I was still trying to get to sleep. Back to the Bluffs Saturday morning for surgery, (which didn't happen until afternoon) and I was on the way home after Dad was recovering well (exception of pain) Saturday evening when Don called and said, "Good, I'm glad your dad is doing better. So, what do you want to do tonight?" I had planned on telling him to his face, but said, "I thought we'd go to Grand Island." Silence. Anyway, instead of leaving that night, or at 3 am we actually decided sleep might be better. Which was easy for me to do - I was sleeping before my head hit the pillow.

Now.....the exciting part: woke up in the morning, loaded up, hopped in the pick-up, turned the key on, punched the dial......"ON THE ROAD AGAIN...." and we were off!!!

Don had told me the week before, that it would be my day, he would just follow me around and I would decide what all we were going to do. My first thought: he should not have said that. I had intended to write on a paper a note to Willie (I know, I'm weird) - and say hi, and tell him Jerry said hi, and thank him for taking the horses that he does (especially the 3 Strikes horses!) - I was going to have Don put it on the bus windshield! Yes, I realize I was living in a fantasy thought.

To the main point of my story.... NE State Fair was OK, ...when we walked in to the concert area.....well, let's just say: I'm 52 - never been to a concert before - and Willie's music was playing through the building. Anticipation! We definitely need to get out more: we went and got a beer; then noticed a table that everybody was getting wrist bands; (it was to show you could buy beer - had to have one) so when I walked up to the table, the lady says, "Put your glass down, you can't hold that until you have this band on." OK. HA! Got our seats, guy comes out to announce Willie....Don looks at me and grins - Oh, I'm happy! It would have been nice to actually be close enough to see that it was really Willie, and not an impersonator; lip sinking ;) but it was still great. Live and learn. Guess I was just lucky to get tickets at all. In the brochures, it stated "No Cameras" - I had brought my new little one, just in case. I am glancing around seeing all these blue screens thru the seats.... cameras! I whip mine out, and now I'm really happy. Even got some video of the greatest guitar pickin' I've had the privilege to hear. Geez Willie can make that guitar sing. Don was equally impressed, (just not as goofy about it).

I had a fantastic time. Oh yes, Voodoo. Had I consumed a couple of more beers, I was extremely tempted-during a split second quiet moment, to holler out loud, "Voodoo!" Do you think Willie would have heard? The temptation was unbelievable. (Voodoo is a horse, rescued from 3 Strikes Ranch to Habitat For Horses in Texas, thanks to Jerry Finch - Voodoo is now at Mr. Willie Nelson's ranch)

Today's Labor Day, and we labored; worked cattle, moved cattle, checked water, salt & mineral, etc etc. What a wonderful time I had listening to Willie Nelson and the rest. They were fantastic!!!!! Someday, maybe I'll get to Texas!

One Step Forward....Twenty Leaps Back

Having been away for SSSOOOOO long in the 'horse world' (meaning the online forums and stuff I like to check in on) - if it weren't for R.T. Fitch's writings, posts, etc. or the other friends on FB postings; I would be completely out of touch. For so very long, I have been silently reading about a 'rescue' gone bad in West Virginia. To most of you, I'm sure I don't even need to mention a name, and I choose not to. My heart was just heavy as more and more came out about this story. I had high hopes that it was just a big exaggerated mess.

It bewilders me how things can turn, or maybe the road was never on a curve, but a straight hi-way; with no road signs or speed limits. I must have been on the curb, waving at the traffic zooming by. That doesn't make sense? Well, this whole story doesn't make sense to me. What is weird, is that this person was one of the very FIRST people to offer her help in getting Meduna exposed when all the 3 Strikes stuff was happening. She took hits from people all over the place when she was trying to help 'warn' them about what was going on over there. She defended me whole heartily, and I defended her when people started bashing her about different things.

Then the day came when I became silent....I wanted to sit back and try and figure this out for myself. I DID NOT want to be like one of 'those people who knew nothing of Meduna, but defended him to the gills.' I always thought they were so stupid. I have not wanted to join those ranks, and be blind-sided on that curb. So I read the comments, and then I got busy at the ranch...and then the subject came up again when a friend on FB was mentioning needing to find places to take the horses that were being seized from that certain rescue. My heart fell again. I pushed it all to some distant corner in my brain, and kept doing the work here that needed to be done. Today I got on one of the forums, and it all surfaced again. This time I saw pictures.

I have no idea where things went wrong for her, or if they always were wrong and I didn't realize it, or if really bad circumstances happened and it was a sinking ship - but they did go wrong. I can't deny the pictures though, and I have to admit, that sort of thing doesn't just happen overnight. I just sort of hate thinking about it, to tell you the truth.

I do not like the term, 'he/she just got in over their head' - that's what I heard a lot of about Meduna. I found that hard to believe since people from back east confirmed that his history was long in contributing to the suffering of animals; and not just horses. So when someone claims to be a horse rescue, a sanctuary, whatever.... I do believe they 'should know better'. If you really care about the animals, and have their health, happiness, and best interest in the forefront; you don't just 'oops, have too many' - or 'oops, ran out of food' - or 'oops, no one would help'. Be real, we are supposed to be adults, making adult decisions. These are helpless animals. We know better.

Talk about living a sheltered life; I didn't know there was anything that existed called 'hoarding' until I started reading those forums...and now they have a T.V. show about hoarding. No, I have not tuned in yet; not sure I want to watch that. It's like there's some shows on Animal Planet that I hate to watch. If you have too low of blood pressure, it would be beneficial to watch.

In my rambling on, I'm just trying to figure out how people can let any of this happen? I'm probably referring more to 3 Strikes now, than anything. I think about the people who supported him; without wanting to know the truth. They must have been in it for their political or listener ratings reasons. So sad. Those people, you probably can't touch, because greed covers their heart.

The whole problem I see is this: there are many, many good rescues. Ones that know their limit on how many animals they can take in, according to accommodations, feed, money, etc. But when the media gets a hold of 'a rescue gone bad' - the forward progress is hurled backwards. Now the question is - just who are the good ones?...what if they don't really spend my donation for the horse's needs?...are they really a good rescue?.... on and on.

So naturally, the good rescues have to be hurt when news gets out about an animal seizure. Wish there was an easy answer. Not everyone can afford to drive/fly all over to visit the place and see if they are legit. I know first hand how an Internet web site can be falsified; and made to look fabulous; at the expense of the horses.

I just hope if you are a rescue place, and really in trouble for whatever reason; stop getting more horses! Stop breeding them, (or whatever animal it is) and get some help. I think it would be better if you are incapable of taking animals in - donate to a place that has the facilities needed. And I guess if you are a person that has only yourself in mind, anything anyone says to help isn't going to matter anyway....then you probably deserve what you get.

I realize, I have been told before I don't know what I'm talking about; as I'm not even involved in horse rescue.....but we do have cattle. We know our limitations of how many animals can be run on our land....and know about land management. We do know the difference in how animals eat.... and how that affects the land. The only 'rescue' animals I have are cats; but along with those and the cattle; there are of course dogs, our own cats, and horses.

If you choose to take care of animals, take care of them. If you can't - get help.
That's just my thoughts on a Saturday night.
And the Huskers did a fine job today!!

By the way..... God bless all you that fight for the helpless animals - for the horses - and that take care of them. I'm sure it seems a thankless job sometimes, I know it's hard work. What you do is amazing.

New Beginnings

We've (well - I should say, 'the guys' mostly)

have worked many hours...days......

in getting the land cleaned up and ready for cattle.

'The land' being the land that Greens purchased from Meduna.

I've said it before, but I don't think I can say it enough....

we are so fortunate to have Dan and Kylie as neighbors.

(and I'm not just saying that because our cows are on their land!)

And I'm also not just saying that just because Kylie is a fantastic cook....

and shares with us!!!!

We fixed some of the fence around the lake,

and changed other parts of it.

I'm driving the loader while Don pulls posts.

(He's way too trust-worthy of his driver....

but he didn't realize I was taking pictures at the same time)

Josh (driving) and Justin (unrolling new wire)

on the south side of the lake.

We spent an unbelievable amount of time just pulling wire out of the ground,

buried in the dirt. There were interior fences, they were just broken up

and on (in) the ground. We've rolled up scads of wire.

There really wasn't too much in the line of boundaries for the horses.

East side, west side; that was about it.

The guys were figuring out what could be fixed on the windmill.

Dan thought best to put in solar.

Windmills might be cool looking, but solar is the ticket.

Nothing like NOT having to hook pump-jacks up.

We're working towards getting more on our place;

it's just a matter of budgeting them in...one at a time.

Josh and Don on 4-wheelers moving our replacement heifers

on to Green's - the pasture they put the solar in.

The hail did not help the grass situation this year.

The grass on the hills is struggling to exist...

hail and hoppers don't help much.

Our heifers at the solar tank; the windmill is gone - but the water is flowing.

This stacker belonged to the Koopers. I sort of like thinking of times gone by, when Glen and Lucille lived here. I imagine Glen put up a lot of hay with this! And then he updated. You know, I'm pretty sure even when Don and I were first married, Glen would hook up the horses to help with the haying. I think he used them to feed, also. The coolest thing was all of his family helping during the summer in the hay field. Some cherished memories were made there.

Times change.

I can't say that I'm not glad they do. Makes our work a whole lot easier.
Makes our time more efficient; makes Don think we should be able to get more done!

The land to the south of us has a new beginning. People who care, and want to do right by the land. To fix it up and make it whole again. Our neighborhood is once again, filled with people who care, are kind, and want to be good neighbors. The whole lot of us!

Now we just have to find the time to all get together!

It's time to start speaking out...

I don't know if 'bloggers' go in and practically rewrite their blog, but I am making some corrections, taking some bitterness out (I can let words get somewhat harsh) and getting back to my normal thinking.

It's too bad there are people who desire to bash people they know nothing about. In reality, I'm sure I've done the same thing, many times. The language in this blog is not my usual posting, but the words of spite and negativity are not mine. Once again, when confronted with, 'how long am I going to keep this up?' - and, I should 'just let it go'..... I might not completely let it go; but I realize (thanks to friends, especially my friend that's been thru this with me from the beginning; encouraging, understanding, and mostly; helping me to keep on the right path - thanks Brit) that I need to keep my character in check.

Turn the other cheek. I still like the story where Jesus went in and tore the temple apart, upturning tables, etc. I guess there is a time and a place for everything. I wanted to confront, (well - how can one confront someone who calls themselves anonymous?) so I'll still tell my side. Here is what was written on a blog I found while google searching 3 Strikes stuff:


from: http://bustedupcowgirlblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/ok-someone-give-me-low-down.html
***

Anonymous said...
mustangtruth/vicki freiberger/satans little helper is back!What a psychotic nutbag!You don't and didn't give 2 sh*ts about the 3 strikes horses.All your broke a*s cared about was trying to steal someone elses land and life by the foulest means possible.How lovely for the Meduna family that they were able to move away from your stalking, stealing, horse killing a*s!Do the fine people of the ABR actually buy into this nutters game?Hope you rot bi**h! You and your boys!
December 3, 2009 11:13 PM



***

Wow! That one surprised me! No, it wasn't bustedupcowgirl that wrote that, she actually defended me on her blog. And I thank her for that. I can't even begin to describe how I felt when I first saw that post from anonymous. But you guys are right, when I let it get to me, they won. Probably what did me in was talking about Justin and Josh in the way she did. But that also makes sense, when someone's going to attack, they are going to attack what means the most. I thank God I have good sons. Their thoughts on this person? ....just like yours...."She's not worth it, Mom."

I am here, because I desire a chance to speak up for myself against people that slander and lie about our character and what we believe in. Even if it is just on my blog. ***Let me rephrase: it was brought to my attention that people like this probably don't have happiness in their life. I should have more feelings of pity for them than of anger. I am usually a pretty compassionate person, and usually my first reaction would be one of 'wow, this person is empty'. So I read over my blog several times, each time the conviction hit me harder and harder.


My answer to your comments: yes, I gave more than 2 poops about the 3 Strikes horses. Seeing the survivors touches my heart greatly. What anonymous needs to remember, I...nor my family did anything bad to those horses. Meduna did it himself. Had they been healthy; none of this would have happened. Anonymous mentioned the word STALKING; I imagine you got that from Meduna. For instance; the day the Dep. Sheriff came to deliver my notice for the harassment hearing, we were in our meadow looking at a cow. We had cattle next to Meduna in the pasture to the west; I had just driven along the fence line on my 4-wheeler to make sure staples were not out, etc. The Dep. Sheriff had to stop at Jason's first and talk to him before delivering my hearing notice. Jason told the Dep. Sheriff, "She was just driving back and forth by the fence again a little while ago, STALKING us." Well first of all, .....If YOU had cattle beside Jason Meduna, wouldn't YOU regularly check your fences? That seems to be a no-brainer to me!


I'm trying to figure out the 'steal someone else's land by the foulest means possible'. Jason told people I hated horses, especially mustangs, and that's why I wanted them gone. What he didn't tell people is how I went over to the place and filmed the first load of mustangs being unloaded from the semi onto his property, as a favor to Lucille; the previous owner. He didn't tell you how he used to stop me when I was in the hay field on my tractor, and I would stop and go over and visit with him. (That gives me the willies now). That was the first summer he was there. He stopped me and said, "I see that you guys are haying this meadow, so I figure it must be time to hay mine since they're connected and beside yours." I am not kidding, that's what he said. He started haying it, but broke down and never got his equipment fixed. That was the end of his haying, until he hired it put up AFTER the horses were gone.


You call ME a horse killer? Our horses are doing pretty good. Maybe since you wrote that back in December, you now feel embarrassed; but that still does not justify what you said about me or my family. Like I've said before, this neighborhood, including our family; were very welcoming to the Meduna's. It was Jason that would not reach out for help. We offered.



***

Anonymous said...
BUC you should do your research. You really should.Talk about drinking the kook-aid!I agree with Marilyn.Wishing that your life may be filled with good things.But you have VF and her boys all wrong on this one.Facts don't lie."The land is under new ownership. If the Freiberger's wanted the land, they would have bought it...dontcha think moron?"If they had the money. Which they don't.One of the first rules of responsible reporting is to confine yourself to proveable facts.And this loser believes in the truth first and foremost.I have no difficulty wishing animal killers to rot in hell.No problem at all.
December 4, 2009 10:15 AM



***

So now she calls us animal killers, and we should 'rot in hell'?
Ok, we've killed some animals, that is true. They were suffering and we had done everything we could for them; so we humanely put them out of their misery.
And the money thing, I'm pretty sure this anonymous person isn't our banker, so how do they know our money situation? I'll add this about the money; who cares.

Rot in hell, huh? I still have a problem with this statement you made, anonymous. Let me tell you why, not so much is it a problem for me, because I know where I'm going when I die; I won't be rotting in hell. It's for those that aren't sure of where they're going...but that is a whole other subject.

***

(Dena's comment)...
Well, this has taken an interesting turn.BUC I have to agree with anonymous that facts are important.Necessary actually. Especially when in reference to a situation like this.Finding out whether or not V. Freiberger or family made offer or attempt to purchase the land isn't that hard.And the answer is, yes.Now does having done my research make me a nutter too?Or, does it just mean that there is a lot more to this story than has been presented?I have no dog in this fight BUC.I just want the truth.
December 4, 2009 10:34 AM



***

(By the way, Dena; I apologize for putting on here about your problems. If this was you, I guess I shouldn't judge you...how do I know the circumstances for what you did or did not do? If you were wronged, hopefully you can rise above the situation; if you did what was public news - hopefully you've changed your life around and that is all completely behind you.)

So now we have Dena, and anonymous. At least Dena had the courage to put her name when she questioned about the Freibergers.

Big thing isn't it? The Freibergers put a bid on the land. What is this world coming to?


***

(Dena's comment)...
Okay now I am laughing. And I agree that simply making an offer isn't indicative of nefarious intent.
That said, what if you are stretched to the limit and the bank says No Way Honey?

Vic's reply: Forget what ever I said about the bank, the money we have or have not. Who cares? If you all choose to ponder about it, guess it gives you something to think about. Remember; money is the root of all evil. I'm thinking though it's the root of all evil if you make it your god.


(Dena's comment): And what if you know something about the value of the property that not everyone else does?
And what if there is strong evidence that you deliberately worked to drive down the price of said property?

Vic's reply: WE deliberately worked to drive down the price of the property? I'd say Meduna worked pretty hard on that. We were not ever on the property. We didn't rape it of it's grasses. We didn't leave bones scattered all over.



(Dena's comment): Acted in all sorts of manners to make the property seem extremely undesirable?
Like I said, I have no dog in this fight.But in being objective doesn't some of it at the very least come across as a little stalkeresque?
I read all of her posts from the beginning and they just seemed blatantly manipulative to me.
I helped place some of those Mustangs BUC. My primary concern was and is their welfare.
And many of their symptoms did jive with rumensin poisoning.
Hair loss for instance from malnutrition usually isn't evidenced until much as in almost all of the body fat has been absorbed.
And one other nagging feature for me is this.Do I know the parties involved?
No.But Mr. Reynolds has devoted much of his life to preserving the Sorraia Mustangs. Something like 210 left?
Not sure of the number.But why would this man trust Jason Meduna with what appears to be his lifes work?
And why did everyone involved grossly exaggerate the number of dead?

To be honest Vicki Freiberger reminds me a great deal of another California nut before her fall from grace. The great STFU.There has been so much shoddy work by the supposed authorities in this it reminds me of the O.J debacle.
And I am not willing to throw Marilyn under the bus because she is adament in her defense of the Meduna family.
She took the time to go there. She also took the time to go and see Rayu.And we all know how I feel about poor Rayu. That horse has been lost and found more times than a set of keys.Honestly BUC I just don't know.
People lie.
People do horrible things to each other every day.
I just know that when it comes to credible information I am not willing to eat the candy at ABR.I want facts.
Because that is where the truth will unfold and reveal itself.
And I do not want to be guilty of convicting ANY innocent party.
I don't disagree with what you said about the background check.
But I know from personal experience that not everything put in print is the gospel.
And here is what keeps running through my mind. What if? Just what if the man is not guilty?

December 4, 2009 11:14 PM

***


So many comments. For what it's worth; Dena you have the right to think anything you want about the Freibergers. You are wrong in your assumptions, but anything I say will not change your mind. The people that are our friends, and actually seeked the real truth in this whole ordeal don't have those questions - their main question is 'what would possess a person to do this to innocent animals?' I visited with Mr. Reynolds all afternoon on his court day. We had an interesting conversation. People just speculate and don't know the truth about many things. A lot because they don't want to know the truth.
The number of dead was actually probably understated. We have since then found more skeletons that what were accounted for on the property. It would be interesting to gather all of the skulls, and get a count. But the coyotes have probably drug many of the smaller ones off.

The realtor called us before the property was listed. He said he always does that to surrounding neighbors when it's in the country like this. I asked him if he had any bids on it (I knew of 2 people that had placed a bid with him) - he said he could not tell me the bid amount, unless we placed a bid ourselves. I did not at the time, because I told him we knew it was going to go for more than what we would pay. I did not place a bid until the morning I was leaving for my harrassment hearing in Bridgeport. We were simply curious as to what the land was up to, so I called and gave him an amount. We both chuckled.

*

I took this from a blog and posted it because these people are telling lies about me, and it is my right to speak up and defend myself, and my family. Accusations were being posted all over the place about what we did or didn't do. This is the first of many. I realize lies will always be told about us. That is life. The people that count know the truth. That is good.

*

What I did, was saw horses and land in trouble. Nothing more. If you say you love horses, and accuse me of doing something wrong as far as those horses go; then it is my opinion, that you don't really have a horse's best interest at heart. How can you?

*

If by chance, these 2 people realize after all of this time, and all the facts are out; that perhaps they were wrong...let this be a reminder that you should be careful of what you write about someone; before you know the facts.

*

And as far as 'anonymous' goes; you say my sons and I can rot in hell. You call me satan's little helper. I don't think you understand the judgement you have just put upon your head. Yes, you might have gotten my dander up for a short time. But that too has passed. I am just thankful that I have a life, a good husband, good kids and their families, good parents, and a bunch of wonderful friends. To have thoughts as you do, I feel sorry for your emptiness. Hopefully by now, if you even read this; your opinions have changed, your heart has softened, and the world seems a better place.

Breaking In.....Our own house.....

Give me a home

where the cows do roam,

Where the deer and the antelope

eat our trees.

Where seldom is heard,

a discouraging word

(who were these people?)

And we have way too many

50 mile per hour days' breeze.

Home, home on the ranch,

where we shouldn't have to lock the house tight-

But there's someone near by,

We don't see eye to eye,

So our home gets locked up at night.

Thank heavens, the ending of that song does not apply here anymore.

***

Now we are back to pretty much normal around here, not that I should advertise that our house is sometimes unlocked (and it's probably not advisable to take a chance and see if it is locked or not, in the middle of the night, as we have become accustomed to keeping ourselves prepared) but life is back to not getting up in the middle of the night to look out windows and see if there are any 'prowlers'. But speaking of locking doors.......

***

Starting about this time, last year: we did lock our windows, our screens, our sliders, and our doors, garage doors included. Many times in the morning, I wouldn't get the south door of our house unlocked, and you know how you think a door's going to open when you put your body into it? I don't know how many times I greeted Justin or Josh with a, 'Ooops, forgot to unlock it.' I all but forced them to lock their doors; they did during crucial times (when a neighbor returned from jail, or when horses were removed from a neighbor's - times like that especially, we were all 'buttoned up' pretty tight.)

**

I remember it well, one morning last April in 2009- Don was already outside. Calving time gets us out the door pretty early. I was zipping around, gathering the garbage to take outside. Just as Don was walking up to the porch, I stepped out with my trash bag, slamming the door behind me.......

**

"Oh no", was all I said, at first.

Don looked at me with that puzzled look of why I would say 'oh no', until slowly, the realization of what I must mean soaked in. "You didn't", I think was all he said- at first.

"Hold on, we'll get in." Yes, that was me, in my totally optimistic voice.

So, around the back to the slider. Locked. Windows, all wonderfully and securely, locked. Garage doors, locked.

"Wait!" I exclaimed, "I was washing the upstairs windows....(the ones above the kitchen) ..... maybe I didn't put.... no.....the screen's back on."

Don, "Did you lock the windows up there?"

Me, "Of course."

Don, "Why do you lock the windows on the 2nd story?"

Me, "Are you kidding? I lock everything."

Don, "Of course. I thought you put a key to the door outside somewhere?"

Me, sort of sheepishly, "I did."

"Where is it?"

"In the house."

"Of course."

**

"Oh my gosh wait!...I just remembered I had the garden hose out the garage window to fill the horse tank! I don't think I locked it." (I was hoping I was right)

**

What do you know, I hadn't even put the screen on either. Eeeks, glad we were all OK. So at least we could get into our house, without breaking a window...

**

(The accessible window was the one by the grill.)

I was just so pleased. Don was still grumbling because I was locking everything...because of our circumstances. We had been through enough that 'the neighbor thing' was starting to get on everyone's nerves over here. Then because of that, I had locked ourselves out of our house.

***

Now the big problem, how to get in. We stood pondering for a few seconds with thoughts of, "I don't believe this" and "I hope no one drives up". (Actually, I sort of wish I had my camera with me). - Our first consideration was who would go thru the window. Considering the fact that I am 5'1" and Don is 5' 10"....BUT..... the bottom of the window was at 55". That means I am only 6" taller than the area I had to start from. Don was already half way up there. Yet, I, so bravely volunteered, "I'll climb through, I'm the one that locked the door." Don so generously reminded me, "Now how are you going to get down on the other side, once you get up there?" "I'll just slide, or fall," I said.

Then, of course, he had to remind me that I don't fall too gracefully. But it wasn't a 'fall'... when Justin was about 3 years old, I got BUCKED off a horse we were trying out and broke both my wrists. Yes, both at the same time. Yes, you should pity my mom. I stayed in town with her so she could help me. Oh, my poor mom. Anyway....

So Don had to remind me that I would probably kill myself taking a dive into the garage from the window. Fine. Next problem: the opening was 16" tall, by 21" wide. And this 5'10" man was going to maneuver his body into the 55" tall, 16" x 21" opening. This is the part where I wish I had my camera! He said to 'give him a lift'. Here's the part where I started giggling. I clasped my hands together, he put a foot in, and I cracked up. He was struggling to get up without kicking me, I was pushing everywhere.

"Quit laughing."

"I can't help it. What if Josh or Josie look out their window and see you trying to get in the window?" This was about the time I was pushing up on his behind, then he made it to the base of the window. Now it was a matter of getting his legs in through the opening. One leg went in, then the other was almost..... but not quite..... "Push my foot through." Another crack up. "Stop laughing and push my foot through." "You should see yourself." So I pushed his foot through, it didn't want to go too easily, it was sort of wedged in. Now his head and shoulder and one leg were in. "I'm sorry I'm laughing, but you would too if you could see yourself." "You know we could go get a ladder, but that would be like a guy thing asking for directions, huh?" Luckily I didn't have anything sharp along the wall when he got in. I did say, "be careful." I thought that was nice of me.

I'm sure it's much funnier to me, it's one of those, 'you just had to be there' things. But it still makes me laugh. Don would just say something like, "yea, you laugh now." That makes me crack up more.

So, through bad times, there is usually something to make us smile. But dang it, I wish I would have had my camera. I do have keys to the doors, I think they're still in the kitchen. I didn't think it wise to ask him to re-enact it for photo op purposes. I'll just have my memories.

Cleaning Up

Mr. and Mrs. Green....

at last some good neighbors at the

former 3 Strikes Ranch.

Someone to once again, do justice to

Glen and Lucille Kooper's ranch.

***

The Freibergers are helping the Greens do some clean up work. Mainly going around and removing the big stuff from the land. Justin and Josh were over cleaning up some stuff a while back, and sent me out on the 4-wheeler to locate more 'big stuff' that they could haul off. This was the first time I've been on the south and west a little of X-Mudna's. This is what I found.....

Brit, this is for you. Thought you'd like to see it.
This belonged to the Koopers. Used during haying.



A nifty little bone pile Jason made.

Jason had several of these wooden works

of art around the land.

Just think, another one of those,

"if he'd only spent that much time

taking care of the horses."

For those who think his problems

had just started in 2009.

Think again.

These bones are a little too white

to be that fresh.

Will we ever stop finding bones?

As I drove up to the lake, I found this.

My heart just sank.

Frozen in the water, left as a symbol.

No horse was safe here.

And no, this was not the lake they claimed

was poisoned, or was green.

It was simply a horse,

unable to continue on with life.

The weather is good now.

Snow is expected this weekend.

I hope to get to the large bone pile before the ground is covered once again.

I don't know what Jason thinks of as he sits in his cell. I don't know if Anissa will ever come to the reality of just what happened here. I still find it hard to believe that there are people who think Jason and Anissa did no wrong. I know there are many, many people that have visions of what was seen here. I was not at the scene when they were removing the horses. I was not on the scene, when they watched the black mare, who had dug a halo around herself, finally die; or to watch horses that could not stand up; watch new borns that could not survive. Those people, I feel for.

Those people will not forget the images burned in their mind.

Mudna's Ranch Tour ...

Once all the problems came to light at 3 Strikes,

many of the lies told there - were exposed.

I was recently given the question,

"How long will you write about this person?"

***
There is something in me that desires

to expose each and every one

of the lies Jason and Anissa

have spewed from their mouths.

And yes, maybe somewhat of a desire

to make known our side of the story.

In every aspect.

***

That being the case,

I think it might be that I

should not live as long as needed;

naturally or otherwise.

***

The ranch was called '3 Strikes Mustang Outpost'

according to the sign shown above,

which was erected at the entrance

of the 3 Strikes Ranch.

***

During the onset of the

'horrible neighbors poisoning horses'

there became a great debate

(it was a great debate to me,

because I began reading on certain

Internet 'horse' forums... all the lies that were being

relayed by Jason and Anissa, about us)

The great debate was that so many

were insistent that I was just trying

to cause problems for poor Jason.

***

He allowed a few people on to the ranch,

and when they had the privilege

of touring the ranch - he took them;

and that tour consisted of

seeing what he wanted them to see.

They saw only what he allowed them to see.

***

No, I take that back....

had they truly opened their minds and eyes,

they too would have seen the truth.

But they CHOSE to believe the lie.

***

I have been on the path that their tour guide traveled.

The amazing thing, if those people

would have just ventured over the hill along the way,

anywhere along the way....

they would have discovered the bones also.

But I doubt 'venturing over the hill'

was part of the tour agenda.

***

In reality, it would have been fruitless.

I contacted a few people and tried

to get them to 'see the light' - or at

the very least, to keep an open mind and

ask some specific questions that should have

naturally sparked some doubt in ones' mind.

***

I must admit, looking back at that whole mess,

I have to chuckle at myself as to

just how naive and gullible I am,

thinking I could make people realize the truth,

when they really didn't want to know the truth,

and some of them still have that brain fizz to this day.

***

***

In the above picture, the lake and foreground belong to our good neighbors, the Gilroys. The land on the other side of the lake, and hills in the far background belonged to Meduna. The fence line came quite close to the lake. This picture was taken July 2, 2009. Keep in mind, Jason said himself that the horses were removed from this area in February of 2009 (safety reasons he claimed, so he could keep a careful eye on them, and protect them against 'the neighbors'). Consequently, no animals (besides coyotes looking for easy feed) .... I should say; no horses were on that ground for approximately 5 months, and then they were removed to the Bridgeport fair grounds.

***

***

A little closer view, the 'trail' road shows in the center of the picture. They must have merrily driven along, looking at the scenery (?), popped up over the hill and there was the beautiful lake and delightful little cabin across the way. Doesn't that just make you all tingly and your heart skip a beat?

***

***

This is a building on Gilroys' property that the following statements are about. It is almost directly across from where Meduna's tour guide road comes out on the opposite side of the lake. Fancy that. I later found out that besides Jason claiming we had Rayu in a barn, he also was suggesting that Gilroys had Rayu hidden in this 'building'. I think it was told that we were taking Rayu back and forth between our 'hiding places'. He (Mudna) even had people planted in various places, taking pictures the day the Sheriff came out to question our family and Gilroys, and search for the stolen Rayu. (Isn't FALSE REPORTING a crime?) But more about Rayu later....

***

Before you view the next pictures, keep in mind they had binoculars and high powered lens on cameras...talk about not letting your mind think for itself!!!! (Granted, some people know they were manipulated, deceived, and lied to; that's not who I'm talking about in this blog because they're now the smart ones). It's the ones that see all the evidence, and still believe everything he says.

***

***

The following is from a Jason follower....and I do mean follower, that emailed me about stuff I was putting on the board-that I should take it off to not hurt the case. And I shouldn't say anything about Mudna. The paragraph is in my words-so as not to copy her email (but I have it)..... Little had I known when we were emailing back and forth, that she was on Mudna's team the whole time! I remember why we were writing back and forth about it; she had it posted with other 3 Strikes pictures- and I was asking her if she knew that was not Jason's property........

***

There is a picture of a beautiful, serene setting......it appears to be a building nestled in some trees with a beautiful lake in front. (Anissa told her that the land belongs to the Gilroys and the picture was taken from Jason's side of the fence.) She thought it looked like such a beautiful and peaceful area that she wanted a picture of it. She said if she owned that property, she would fix up the building (if it needed it) and picnic on it every weekend. Also she would bring friends there to enjoy the place. She would also let guests stay there. She mentioned what a picture postcard perfect place it was, and that Mr. Gilroy was very lucky to own it.

***

WOW....

(I do realize, it might have all just been a joke what she said, to somehow get even with me for trying to alert the human species what was going on at 3 Strikes Ranch.)

Now I doubt anybody will be staying here....even fixed up.

Especially Rayu!

And so it goes without saying...how people can be so swayed to believe anything......if they want to. It is a dangerous thing, one wonders how much money a person can con others out of? It is pride that keeps a person from letting all the facts and the evidence in? Or just sheer desire for something else in life. Who knows.

***

In a very short time...

after all the horses were gone;

it went from...

3 Strikes Ranch Mustang Outpost

to

The Brands Ranch...

to

The Beef State

The one thing I can't help but wonder....

If he had put as much time in the horses

as he did his signs, erecting giant posts, and

hanging skulls over his fences.....

how much better would the horses have been?

Obstacle Course Training

Welcome to 3 Strike-Out

Obstacle Course

Horse Endurance Club

A picture perfect post card.

The perfect place for your horse...

***

(I wonder if the horses

Jason Meduna acquired -

after the rescue and removal

of the 'Nebraska 200'-

ever sensed the death of

those left behind?)

***

The Obstacle Course?

Here's the 3-Strikes-Your-Out

Sign-Up Requirements

***

Strike 1: (self-explanatory)

Strike 2: Arrive healthy,

preferably with good

eye sight and agility.

Strike 3: Do not run around

and play after dark.

It could be

hazzardous to your health.

I joke about the obstacle course here, but it was really no laughing matter. How many times did Ray Field, or Jim Lambley brag about Jason Meduna? Mr. Lambley fully supported Meduna throughout the trial. Lambley said he has been to 3-Strikes Ranch. I wonder if he covered the whole thing? This is the stuff left behind by Meduna, in the very pasture these horses are in.

Directly after entering the former 3 Strikes Ranch, right over the hill - where no one sees; scattered throughout the low spots in the area - are windmill parts, tires, wood, iron pieces of all sizes, wheels, sharp objects, tin, wire, etc. etc. This is not a very big pasture.

We will go back over as soon as the snow melts and walk the pasture, to make sure there aren't any small objects still sticking out of the ground. Is this how someone who thinks of the horses and their needs, before his own takes care of the very ground they run on?

Justin and Josh are helping the Greens clean up the land. The kids gathered the junk up, and with the loader - put it on trailers to remove from the pasture. Ray Field mentioned the Freibergers quite often on his web site; (calling us the Freillebergers, etc.) mentioning many times how we did not take care of our land or our animals. He claimed Jason did such a good job caring for the horses; and yet he admitted that he has never been to the 3 Strikes Ranch. For whatever reason he continued to support Jason Meduna; is beyond me. I will always question how someone can run a good rescue for horses; and fully support the Medunas.

The 3 Freiberger horses: Buck, Barney, and Buddy.

Ray Field said they were longing to go to 3 Strikes. I'm pretty sure they were smarter than that.

In fact I think they are pretty content just being where they are.

Last of the Land Tour

This is the last of the journey around

the former 3 Strikes Mustang Ranch.

Some believe 'he just got in over his head'.

I see the fences unattended: broken wires and posts.

It is a wonder the whole herd of horses

did not escape from their approaching death.

It may be somewhat difficult to see,

but there are horses in the background

of this picture. It is sad that there is no feed.

This is an awful lot of land,

with nothing but miles of sand.

This poor girl did not make it.

Neither did her baby.

But this is what she,

as so many others,

had to eat.

They stand on the horizon.

Jason told me once,

that mustangs do not eat

the same as domestic horses.

There are 5 horses in the background.

How far did they have to go to get water?

They weren't going to find it here.

Something I'll never understand,

how can anyone see these pictures...

and still believe he cared for the horses?

My thought is, if you have a horse rescue

and you don't see anything wrong with

the pictures of this land....

You may not be worthy of having horses...

This carcass was quite close the the windmill.

Can there be any doubt

of what happened here?

Jason said his ranch was the only

one in the United States that had

the most variety of mustangs...

It still may be true,

but their bones are piled

on the ground

under hay.

These horses were all on the west

side of the place.

They died from what?

Old age?

How many said

that these are all just cow bones?

***

In the harassment case that Jason

was trying to get pinned on me....

This was the conversation

about the windmills:

Jason, "What about the windmill?"

You mentioned on the forum seeing

the windmill down."

Vicki, "Yes."

Jason (smugly), "You said on the forum

the windmill wasn't working,

then you said it was turned off.

Which is it?"

Vicki, "Well, if it is turned off, it's not working."

(It wasn't long after that,

the whole thing was on the ground.)

I had taken roughly 475 pictures

of the perimeter of the X 3x's.

We are now back to the north side

of the former 3 Strikes

and I am standing on our land.

I had put together a folder of

184 of those pictures.

(Notice again, the path of eaten

grass on our side)

During the trial, there were SO MANY

pictures entered in to evidence,

I was told I would have to cut some of mine.

I made a cut to 31.

I would have to cut more.

"Down to how many?"

'Three.'

"Three, how can I do that?"

'Find 4. We'll see.'

El Mariachi was to stay as one.

I picked 3 others.

Only 2 of those were entered,

along with El Mariachi.

(They are not shown on my blog)

That goes to show, there was enough

evidence without any of these

pictures, to prove just how much

Jason actually loved

and cared for the horses.

This is a 'gate latch' Jason put up.
He actually took ours off
when he moved in,
and replaced it with this!
Some more of his 'old school'.




The sign is down, and this land
breathes a breath of fresh air.
The new owners are wonderful,
and God has brought change.....
for the good.