We have had pleasant weather here, but we are desperate for rain, and there is no hope in the forecast. The grass has stopped growing, which is just as well, since the mower is out of commission, and the wrong part arrived, so we face a third week without a mower. As problems go, this is a small one. It also means the horses are not getting fatter on abundant grass, which is a benefit. Monday was so cool, Oisin went out without a fly sheet! He is very sensitive to bugs, having a condition known as “sweet itch”. There is nothing sweet about itching!
Speaking of itching, Harry had a terrible case of oak mites this week. I had a minor case, which was my own fault for working in the woods. Poor Harry got attacked just walking to the ring, under the oak trees. Pictures do not do justice to those vile pests. The misery they cause is immense, but they are very difficult to see. Similar to chiggers, but a more fiery itch, and mites can be seen – with reading glasses and a flashlight!
Dust on the car’s back window affords an opportunity to distract Harry from scratching himself…
Bart was quite tired after his horse showing last weekend, and Oisin, too, thought a nap seemed a good idea.
I happened to see a deer in the pasture after breakfast – three deer, as it happened. One buck had quite impressive antlers, and an enviable jump!
I passed my online Safe Sport qualification, which is necessary for rated shows, and I have reserved a stall for next week and the week after at the Pre Charity Show and the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show. I’m excited and quite nervous already. Jane helped me school Bart through a gymnastic on Wednesday. Unfortunately, she was going to swat a horse fly on Bart’s butt, and she tripped over a jump pole and fell on the dusty ring. Luckily, she was not hurt, but her phone camera got covered in dust, so the videos were hard to see, and the picture I took from the video is not very good…
On Tuesday, I visited Laura and her bassets, after retrieving my watch from the repair shop. I cannot survive without a wrist watch. Using the phone to tell time just does not work for me. I treasure the Swiss Army watch that I wear, given to me by Jane on my 50th birthday.
I heard a commotion in the barn as I was getting into my car to leave on Tuesday, and discovered Trigger was visiting. I locked him into the paddock and took him home later in the day, where I found he had broken the chain that held the gate.
Bart escaped after riding only once this week, when I let my guard down. The grass is definitely greener on this side of the fence!
Yesterday, the horses (and Roscoe and Rosie) got vaccinations, so Bart is up to date on Flu / Rhino for showing. It is really happening. Our friends, Mary and John, were planning to come for a visit, but Mary woke up with a cold, and didn’t want to make us sick. We were sorry to miss them – they live in Florida – but that did afford time for more projects. It has been a very busy month, and I continue to fall further behind. The window washers were coming today, and I needed to clear trees and bushes out of the way.
The house and studio are bare – sculptures have been moving to the McCaughen & Burr Fine Arts gallery in Webster Grove in preparation for Harry’s show in October. Meanwhile, Fine Art Gallery in Chesterfield has officially closed, marking the end of an era in Harry’s artistic career.
And, as always, I have a few pictures around the place, taken when the camera is to hand.
Stay safe, stay well, stay busy, stay curious. Be grateful and kind. Treasure friends, and this beautiful world. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
Galloping Through 
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