To my dismay, WordPress has updated, and the post I have done does not appear correctly after I publish – the pictures all run together. I will try to sort this out tomorrow…
November has arrived, and with it, a new modem / router to improve the internet access (I have been assured). We shall see. I will attempt a post.
Autumn color has been uncommonly good this year. Peak is now past, and the season winding down. It has been unusually warm, and we are savoring the shirtsleeve days. We have had plenty of rain, which allowed us, at long last, to burn the burn pile. We made sure no creatures were living in it before we set it afire.
Fire is elemental, fascinating and terrifying. We are fortunate to live in a part of the world not prone to wildfires, though the recent spell of drought illustrated how readily our world can turn to fuel for fire. We celebrate the rain. Water, I think, may become the new “oil” over which wars will happen.
Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to ride in a clinic with Anna Hasso, an upper lever Swedish eventer. Our good friend, Brett, allowed me to ride his magnificent black horse, Recon (Reconnaissance). I had never met Recon before, but it was a flat lesson (no jumping), and he was superlative. Brett has provided me many of my favorite horse memories, this the latest addition. Jane and I drove through pouring rain to Marshall Show Stables in Moro, Illinois. It was well worth the trip.
My horses at home did some self exercising last week, on a cool morning.
On a warmer afternoon, the boys were more civilized.
Marmalade was annoyed when I was late emerging from the house for breakfast. A buzzard cruised over searching for its own breakfast, while Cedar kept watch for varmints thinking to steal some breakfast.
More birds are showing up at the feeders. Juncoes (“snowbirds”) have arrived from the north. Turkeys have grown up, goldfinches have their winter feathers on.
All around us, there is beauty.
Well, it seems I can once again blog at home. Weedy will be sad to miss out on Starbucks.
The horses have enjoyed an easy week, with a horse show taking up most of each day. Jane and I have been setting jumps for Susan, who is showing Galatea with great success.
Be safe, be well. Slava Ukraini! Peace.
Well, no fascinating bits of expert advice you might have learned at the clinic? No photos? Would love to see his movement. Alas, no sticks no photos. The frog looks as though Midas touched him and turned him to gold. And I have learned another thing or two. Willow Oak, yesterday old friend Janie Martinson and I took a good long walk with our little dogs out on the x-c grounds at KHP. I showed her two perfect trees. Neither of us knew what they were. They are Willow Oaks!
Loved all the pictures!
Missed you Anne.
Such wonderful horses!
All those animals. How lucky are we!
Glad you’re back on-line with enough bps to tide you over until satellite arrives. Living in nature, alongside other creatures, what a gift! Recently I heard about “Bewilderment”, a novel by Richard Powers that came out a year ago. Listened to Ezra Klein interview the author, some intriguing thoughts on our place in the natural world and technologies like government and religion. I plan to read it, though it was bewilderingly and mercilessly slammed as too saccharine in a NY Times review.
That recon was indeed gorgeous.