When the Sun Shines~

First snow of the season~

We wake to a world of white, blazing blue skies & brilliant sunshine!  Cold too, with temps in the 20's.  Just the kind of snow that packs into the horses feet & makes those icy, hard balls - especially when combined with Farah's brand new, last shoes of the year!

The Cottage

As badly as I'd like to ride, it's icy, frosty & slippery...  I'm Hopeful that the sunshine & 40's forecast for next week - will pan out!  In the meantime, we're going tree cutting & pulling the boxes of decorations out of the barn loft.  Every year I say I'm not going to do as much - & every year I still do it all...

Dogwood Gulch

This year we'll celebrate our 25th Christmas on The Homestead!  Unreal how fast those years have flown by!  Time to do my annual Christmas letter & have finally ordered the cards.  I was going through the notebook where I've kept them all - since our first.

Here's one of my favorites - from 1994!  Back when Khaz was finally old enough for Butch to ride, when Jas was good for Jentry & before I sold Alexi & Jas became mine.  (Alexi & Khaz were full brother/sister.)  Abby - our first Beagle & the most defiant, was the only one who would pose for photos!

Consternation~

Note:  I revamped the title of this post :-) 

Linda & Count~

Our schedules collided!  Yes!  In a good way & we got out for a ride!  The day looked like it was going to be warm & I was already wondering if my new electrolyte pills would be up to the challenge.  Linda asked me what I planned to do when things really warm up & I didn't have an answer.  I know I rode a lot last Summer & sure hope to do the same this one!

Huge Fungi on a dead tree~

Trails have always been Linda & my thing, with Linda knowing them better than anyone, I'd asked for shade & shade is what I got!  Wonderful!  But after a few heavily overgrown trails - my nerves were up?  I kept trying to see the trail where the trail was not to be seen...  The more I didn't see it - the more I worried to the point of sheer ridiculousness!

At the Monument

As you can tell from the photo above, it was amazingly beautiful up on top.  We had lunch & I took photos of a nice couple who'd hiked up.  Then I begged Linda to find a way onward that kept us off the overgrown trails.  No problem, we're cruising along through the woods when suddenly - Farah does a 180!  I turned her back & asked her to approach the scary object - a hoodie that some one had tossed over a short broken off tree.  Again she flew around, almost knocking into Count - who decided that if Farah thought it was That scary that he should do what she was doing & between the two of them we both about lost our seats!  :-)  I dismounted, took the hoodie & threw it at her - she didn't even twitch a muscle - just looked at me with the "OK- I was pretty dumb..."  look. 

The Peaks~

The peaks that I'd hoped Robin would see yesterday - were certainly out today!  You can almost see the snow melting!  We spent most of the ride catching up on all the stuff-of-life that keeps things interesting.  Linda checked out my shoulder & told me that if I hadn't noticed by now that it's all mashed in - that it was about time I did!  I took her advice & called her recommended chiropractor - actually getting an appointment for tomorrow!

The Meadow & growing bio-fuel hardwood trees~

We finished off our ride by late afternoon.  Farah was again in season & not inspired - just very happy that I'd removed that pack & replaced it with the more streamlined version - sans water bottles.

Farah helping Linda with lawn control~

So, we trotted - did some galloping & all was well with our world :-)  A fine ride with a fine friend is a great way to enjoy a fine day - can't ask for more!

Back in the Saddle~

Hazy, lazy sunshine~

 It had been over a week - since I'd been in the saddle...  With this continuing streak of incredible weather, just had to saddle-up & go out!  Decided to ride from home, taking advantage while I still can.  This time, we went up to the power lines where I let Khari graze, while I returned calls.  The Easter sugar cookies that I delivered to a friend yesterday, were a big hit!  Made me feel good that they were enjoyed. 

Looking South~

Once up on the power lines, we turned south & went back in around the orange gate.  Then, instead of going through the other gate that takes us the "short" way home, we went south again into the paved portion.  There - we found a RV, hooked up to power - with a porta potty & barking dog.   Looks like someone hired to watch over things once construction gets underway.  The area has sat undisturbed for several years now - so I sure someone is more than ready to try to make a return on all the utility & road work that had been done before the housing burst. 

Khari really picked up the pace as we made the turn that she thought would bring us around to where we head back.  I went ahead & checked it out from that side, but knew that we wouldn't be able to get through.  We turned & backtracked to an old trail that has almost disappeared at the foot of a drainage retention pond, along the creek.   It was heavily overgrown & the cottonwoods had dropped some big branches - but we made it through.

We return home to our gate & two Beagles~

The dogs didn't meet us at the bottom corner of our place, but once we were at the gate, it was plain why...  both were sleeping in the sun - waiting near the gate :-)  No, they weren't napping!  They were guarding the gate!  :-)

Late Afternoon Clearing~

Butch with his shovel~

Butch had been shoveling most of the day, I went out later in the afternoon when it stopped falling from the sky!  He shoveled path's to the dog kennel, Cottage etc.  While we were working away - the clouds parted & a gold orb appeared to the Southwest! 

Snow on Deer Mountain

The Sun, the Sun, the Sun!  In a matter of seconds, the light transformed a gray snowy day into a picture postcard of amazing light on snow covered trees!  A hawk sailed by overhead - probably hoping we'd scare up his dinner!

Tevis Saturday!

Farah & Khari enjoy the sunshine

What an Incredible day!  Boy did we need one!  I think possibly our first full day of sunshine so far this month!  I took advantage & gave Khari a bath, though in this photo she had already rolled.  I come in the house, check out the Tevis webcast to see how Diane & other friends are doing - then head back outside to soak up more rays!  
Both mares are really growing in their winter coats now!  Khari still has scabs from the girth galls that she had from Bare Bones.  Even with the mohair cinch - the totally soaking wet conditions contributed to the worst soring that she's ever experienced.  I guess it goes along with the rubbing "burns" that I had on the inside of both knees - again - from them being wet all day.  

I did get Farah out for a ride on Thursday.  The replaced shoe stayed on!  She did just Great with the numerous mud puddles - it had rained all night - so she didn't have much choice :-)  She was also bold & forward when leading on the trail.  I see improvement in her every time I take her out.  

Here's hoping that Diane gets her first 100-mile completion at Tevis! 

A Bright, Bright, Sunshine Day~

Our Road Home

What a glorious day!  I was scheduled to ride with friends, but just too interested in soaking up all the sunshine I could!  I'd worked in the woods from early morning, admiring how the fern fronds are starting to grow!   When I couldn't resist any longer, I saddled Khari & left from home.  Duane & Donnie, were home when we rode by, so spent some time catching up with them,  then walked up the big hill -- have to start work on getting my strength back.  At the top, rode into our trails, just taking our time & enjoying the day, the sun & the ride.  Hope to get out again tomorrow!

That was the Sun!

Looking west up Dogwood Gulch

After a terrific thunderstorm Sunday morning, the sun broke through for a gorgeous afternoon!  Chilly... yes!  We didn't see 50 degrees, but we didn't care, the dogs played, the mare ran, I pulled weeds, took a few pictures & ironed new drapes - yes - Ironed! 

Dogwood Gulch from the gate

So nice to see the blooms on the Salmonberry's, buds starting to pop out on the deciduous trees, providing that flush of light green.  Butch re-framed our guest room window, which made it look so much nicer.  Nice to have a "quiet" weekend at home!