Another Week – March 24

I am not alone in being continually astonished by the speed with which time careens onward. Saturday, Spring weather here was interrupted with a Montana cold snap. We spent a quiet day by the fire, instead of riding, but it was very pleasant, quiet time. Roscoe loves Nancy, so he thought it was the best day ever.

Nancy and Steve have returned to Montana. I am back to doing chores alone, usually plugged into an audible book. Roscoe is very sad that I wouldn’t let Nancy pack him into her suitcase. He misses her, and her bootlace games.

Harry had a stem cell treatment on his shoulder, to keep him comfortable for sculpting. He had his wrist done eight years ago, and the results were positively miraculous. Stem cell therapy is not approved for insurance, alas, but we have found it very effective, so we are both helping to put Dr. Crane’s daughter through college. That said, it’s unregulated, so there are a lot of incompetent scoundrels promoting stem cells out there, and great care must be taken. Bluetail Medical Group, where we have had the procedures, is run by M.D.s who are constantly improving the process and are supremely trustworthy. We feel fortunate to have convenient access to Bluetail in nearby Chesterfield, MO. The name, of course, refers to the young skinks, whose tails regenerate via stem cells.

Now that the weather has moderated, Jane and I have managed some riding, but last night the skies delivered 3 inches of rain, with more in the forecast, so the horses will get some vacation time. March has been a difficult month for riding outdoors this year!

I saw Tom Morris in the woods while I was out pulling honeysuckles. It’s a Sisyphean task, but I am engaging my energy in this battle against an invasive species in honor of the Ukrainians.

Last night, there was some thunder and lightning. Nettie used to get worried with storms, but now, at 15, she cannot hear them, despite those big, beautiful ears. One advantage of getting old.

Brown headed cowbirds made an appearance this week, an avian sign of Spring. Warmer days have reawoken the Spring Peeper frogs in the woods, and their singing always cheers me up. It is officially Spring now, even though it’s a bit gloomy today.

In the Central West End of St. Louis, Harry’s bust of Tennessee Williams gets some appreciation from a new generation…

Today is Ann Miller Roth’s birthday. She died in 1988, at age 37. I still think of her every day. That’s Ann on the right, on her horse, Thunderhead. I’m riding Macaroni.

Here is a lovely line from Wendell Berry, his poem VII. – “What a wonder I was
when I was young, as I learn
by the stern privilege
of being old”

Be safe, be well. Stay dry, and be grateful. Slava Ukraini!! Peace…