There isn’t much going on. It threatened to rain here all day, but didn’t until evening. Lee and I went to the Lowe’s and Target stores in Temple (the town, not a synagogue, even though it was Friday afternoon), where it did rain a bit.
Two crocheted items, my finished ruana and in-progress blanket, have me cozy.
Dodging raindrops got me chilly, though I was glad we got most of the bedding for the vacation rental so it can get going soon.
I got home in time for a dinner and gabfest with Anita (and the very nice server at the Central Avenue Bistro), where I got all caught up on Pickle the dog’s adventures.
I dressed up! Lipstick and green jewelry. Much better than the hay encrusted ensemble I had on five minutes earlier.
Nice normal day other than the rain that we humans welcome and the thunder the dogs hate.
Damn! Work was a challenge today and there’s other stressful stuff lurking. But I feel, as I like to say, “way mo’ better” now.
My favorite bee fly, Poecilanthrax lucifer, even held still for me!
I knew I was in no shape to ride but knew I’d feel much better if I could hang out with the equines, so I headed outside, where it’s been a beautiful day. I got stopped in my tracks, though, when I got to the little field of asters between the chicken house and the tack room. It was practically moving, so many insects were enjoying the flowers! I felt like I was in some Disney movie where the protagonist has all these things flitting around them.
Those are just the ones that held still! I breathed deeply and enjoyed the moment before heading toward the horses. Soon stress melted away as Fiona stuck her head under my hand.
So fuzzy.
Then she made me laugh. She tugged my shirt when I tried to pet Apache.
Pay attention to ME!
I did eventually get to play with the other horses, who were BUR FREE! Apache was a little sweaty, since his winter hair has come in and it was warm outside. But he felt good to lean on and hug.
Looking good!
He also made me laugh. As I was trying to get a photo of his glorious tail flowing in the wind, he created more wind for me, the smelly kind.
I fart in your general direction!
Mabel wasn’t funny, but she was sweet and friendly. She’s a whole new mare. I feel like her name should be Mabel Grace now, looking at how she moves around the pens and glides across the pasture.
Swishy!
All these guys enjoying their late afternoon made me smile.
Fiona is still saucy.
Dusty still seems a bit subdued, but enjoyed his hugs, love, and massages.
No burs, though!
He needs a buddy and misses Drew, I think. Apache is not nice to him, but Mabel hangs out whim lots. Thank goodness! Drew will be home in just over two weeks, not that I’m counting.
Little man and big girl.
It was great to hang out and relax with my buddies. I’ll be ready for another round of challenges tomorrow.
It was a wondrous and ephemeral morning. When I went out to feed the chickens I was surrounded by a swirling fog and glistening dew. I stood there and watched the hens enjoying treats inside a cloud.
Great start to my day.
I turned to go back inside and glanced at the RV parked next to the garage. That’s when I found Nature’s jewels.
They were dancing in a light breeze
As I looked around I realized the spiders had been very busy around the house, catching so many bugs for us. The dew just highlighted their artistry and industry. Thank you, spiders. I hope you enjoy what I found.
The beauty of the morning helped me get through some painful memories, so I was truly thankful.
Drippy willowThese are killdeer Sparrows coming in for a landing
Now about those lumps of coal. It’s not coal. It’s those ubiquitous cockleburs.
Mommy, fix it!
We plan to move the horses to the pasture with the hay ring, so I went out with my loppers to eradicate the burs growing there. What a pain. But everything east of the pond is in the burn pile!
Bye bye.
Those things are so persistent. They were all over me today, too. But all equines are now bur free.
Grr. On my fancy shirt.
And thanks to the rain, they are still growing! Why are their flowers so pretty?
Sigh
Tomorrow’s lunch hour will see me out lopping away between the pond and the driveway. I’m not giving up! And hey, I’ll get to enjoy the new life in the pond, where I saw bullfrogs this afternoon. I’m pretty sure there are new dragonfly larvae for them to enjoy.
It was a wondrous and ephemeral morning. When I went out to feed the chickens I was surrounded by a swirling fog and glistening dew. I stood there and watched the hens enjoying treats inside a cloud.
Great start to my day.
I turned to go back inside and glanced at the RV parked next to the garage. That’s when I found Nature’s jewels.
They were dancing in a light breeze
As I looked around I realized the spiders had been very busy around the house, catching so many bugs for us. The dew just highlighted their artistry and industry. Thank you, spiders. I hope you enjoy what I found.
The beauty of the morning helped me get through some painful memories, so I was truly thankful.
Drippy willowThese are killdeer Sparrows coming in for a landing
Now about those lumps of coal. It’s not coal. It’s those ubiquitous cockleburs.
Mommy, fix it!
We plan to move the horses to the pasture with the hay ring, so I went out with my loppers to eradicate the burs growing there. What a pain. But everything east of the pond is in the burn pile!
Bye bye.
Those things are so persistent. They were all over me today, too. But all equines are now bur free.
Grr. On my fancy shirt.
And thanks to the rain, they are still growing! Why are their flowers so pretty?
Sigh
Tomorrow’s lunch hour will see me out lopping away between the pond and the driveway. I’m not giving up! And hey, I’ll get to enjoy the new life in the pond, where I saw bullfrogs this afternoon. I’m pretty sure there are new dragonfly larvae for them to enjoy.
I have felt this before. When my son first played rock and roll in public. When the other son said he was going to be a high school teacher. When a friend tap danced in her first recital — in her 60s. I know about feeling like your chest will burst open from happiness.
It’s like getting a ribbon for doing hard work (my son hung these for me today)
Today my chest is bursting with pride at the three horses and one donkey at our little ranch. They gave me a good surprise.
Who, us?
They were all way overdue for trims, since our regular farrier has been out of commission for a while. So a different one came today. I wondered how they would do, though I wasn’t very worried about Apache or Dusty. They’ve both gotten good. And Fiona is usually fine.
Well. They were better than fine! Apache nearly fell asleep, and I know the mere 15 minutes I rode him hadn’t been taxing. Dusty was so calm he didn’t seem alive at some points.
Aww, shucks.
But Mabel. She’d not been trimmed in a long time because everyone was worried about how she would behave. I was concerned about her feet.
Shiny lady.
Mabel. She was such a polite girl! The farrier said she kept trying too hard to help. And she let me pick out all her burs while he trimmed. I’m so proud of that horse! See what good care and kindness can do?
I do this all the time. No problem.
She even has “good feet for a thoroughbred,” I was told. Wow. I’m so happy for her! She has to feel so much better! I can’t wait until she gets her bodywork!
Look at me! I’m bur free!
I’m so pleased. And Fiona, what about her? I thought she’d wandered off but no, when it was her turn, there she was standing in front of the tack room, ready for her much-needed trim. I thought that she was in bad shape, but no, she just had a little overgrowth. The farrier said he’d had to take a mini chainsaw to two donkeys earlier today. Poor dears.
Maybe one day I can ride all the horses through here!
Drew missed all the fun! I’m just so happy tonight.
The Hermits' Rest 