The day began early because we were going to take a lesson at Happenstance. The days are getting shorter, and I had to go out in the dark to bring the horses in for breakfast.
Yesterday, the horses stayed out in the cool morning light
I had the trailer hitched up and ready to go, loaded Oisin and Stone (wearing their saddles, as any old foxhunter will do) and trundled off to Ellen’s. Ellen Baehr is the owner and trainer at Happenstance. Jane followed right behind with Derry in her trailer. It was a beautiful morning. Susan was waiting for us, and we rode down to the ring, where Ellen was just finishing working the footing. What a luxury!
We had a great lesson. Oisin and Stone were good, and Susan and I both got some good pointers. After our lesson, Susan left, and I was able to watch Jane and Derry, who jumped higher than our first pair.
Ellen 
Jane and Derry jump 
Jane and Derry gallop 
Horses on the way to turnout
Jane and Susan will return to school next Friday, and then we will all meet up to show on Saturday and Sunday.
Harry waited for my return, we visited briefly, then he was off to errands and a meeting in St. Louis county. By the time I had cleaned out the trailer and unloaded everything, Nathaniel was arriving to work. I have taken to keeping a list of things requiring a young, strong body, things I can no longer do without struggle. We worked our way through a number of those, and the big job was fixing the fence. I had spent half a day trying to dig out the broken post, and I was gratified that it was not easy, even for Nathaniel! But eventually, we managed it, and the difficulty made the end result all the more satisfying. It may not look like much, but I am very pleased with the result.
Before 
After 
Nathaniel
I saw this little guy in the shed while I was getting the tractor. We love our amphibians here. It’s not a very good picture, but he wasn’t holding still.
A skink
As soon as Nathaniel and I finished our project, I dashed over to Jane’s house to see James, who lives in California, but is here for a visit. I haven’t seen him for three years, at least, but we picked up where we left off. It was a fun afternoon visit on Jane’s porch – a perfect day, surrounded by nature, the last few hummingbird stragglers, and Jane’s delightful dogs.
Gus having a balletic roll 
Mother and son (and cardinal climber, a favorite September bloomer) 
A buzzard overhead 
A hummingbird 
Hazel
I returned home to clean things up and turn horses out, followed by a visit to the studio to end the day on a good note.
Stay safe, stay well, stay busy with worthwhile things, whatever they may be. Peace.
Soothing and peaceful this read, a pleasure, i took a deep breath as I finished. Thank you, Anne.