Horses

It was a beautiful, cool morning, and we enjoyed riding all the horses. Jane had a turtle view at the end of the driveway, a magnificently colorful box turtle.

Oisin was exhausted by the hard work.

I did various chores all day, and this afternoon I came across another turtle on the sidewalk by the house! I brought her some cantaloupe melon, but after she was investigated by Roscoe, she left without eating.

*Roscoe is grossed out – who would eat melon!?* *Yuck!*

I took a few cat pictures. The only one who avoided the camera today is Rosie.

The phlox in the garden is particularly vigorous this year, about twice as tall as usual. Some things appreciate all the rain we have had.

I worked the footing on the ring today, and I expect we will be bitching about the dust within 48 hours. Meanwhile, this beautiful day was cool enough for early evening turnout.

*Bart goes for the greener grass – no wonder he is so fat!*

I put up caution tape on the unsafe deck steps, and Harry wanted a picture taken. I was the subject.

So, we saw two turtles today, always creatures we love to see, and then, this evening a rabbit hopped past. We love them, too, so long as they steer clear of the garden, which so far they have been. Deer are not as respectful of boundaries.

The stream is looking quite different, with much of the vegetation cut down. We are still waiting for Connie’s return, delayed by the wet weather.

Wishing everyone a safe and quiet Fourth of July. This evening it’s already like a war zone around here. Constant fireworks since dark fell. The dogs are not happy. Luckily, the horses are unperturbed, and we are grateful, too, for the days of rain, which will ensure no fires.

Be well. Peace.

I was sitting at the computer, contemplating trying to blog on this old, free site when Jane called me to tell me that our horses were at her house! Yikes! It was almost dark. I hurried over with halters. Jane had caught all three of them. Harry arrived to assist. We haltered the three wanderers and brought them home, discovering an open gate on the northwest side of the shed. I have no idea when that gate was last opened, but it was certainly open this evening. We are so lucky that the great escape was discovered before dark, so lucky that they went to Jane’s house instead of out through the subdivision, so lucky that Jane happened to find and catch them before she went to bed!

Anyway, I had taken some pictures today, so here we go with a bit of a blog post. It was raining steadily this morning, and the rain gauge showed another two inches fell through the night. Once again the pondless water feature has become a big pond. Riding was not an option.

It was a good day for birds.

This is a little disturbing. A frog fell from above – maybe off the roof? It was beautiful – I picked it up and moved it to the garden, but it seemed to have broken its left front leg. It was able to hop, so I left it outside, hoping for the best, but it will probably become a meal for some other creature.

We went to lunch with Annie today, which was fun. Later this afternoon, in the studio, Harry was hard at work. I took some pictures of him and his canine assistants.

Harry helped me turn horses out in the late afternoon. The barn area was decorated with cats.

The male tanager was perched on the fence, watching. Maybe he opened the gate! It’s a mystery, but a happy ending, with all horses safely in the field (I just went out in the dark to recheck) and the gate tied shut with an extra rope added to the latch and chain. More gray hair!

Be lucky, be well, be grateful. Peace.

Galloping Through

Some comments on the ride of a lifetime

Two Turtle Saturday

A Big Bit of Luck