A full day today. For this pandemic era, it was very busy and packed with people!
The morning was beautiful. Horses went out joyfully, and Roscoe and I admired the front garden, with the azalea coming on well.
On Wednesday, I felt so virtuous. I mailed a book, and rather than go to the post office, risking coronavirus, I used the internet to figure the postage and applied plenty of beautiful commemorative stamps, put it into the mailbox, and away it went. No contact with anyone! Well, it came back yesterday with a sticker saying “due to security concerns” we had to take it to the post office in person. So, we ventured out mid morning to the post office and to Walgreen’s for a prescription.
On the way out, we passed Connie, from Pond Crazy, driving in. On Wednesday, we discovered that the stream had sprung a leak, so I took a picture and texted it to Connie, who said she would be out to fix it soon…
The ground had settled and the pump was operating at higher volume, causing the leak. By the time we returned from our errands, the stream was fixed! Had I attempted to fix it, the job would have been an ordeal taking at least an entire day.
Next, Nathaniel arrived to mow, and I asked him to please cut down the dying willow tree. A task I could have probably managed, but found sort of intimidating. It took Nathan about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, Rebecca had volunteered to come over to work in the garden, so I told Nathan we would take the tree to the burn pile while he mowed the very rough south pasture, full of hoof prints and winter overuse. We are so lucky to have Nathaniel’s help!
Dying willow tree 
A rough field to mow
Rebecca arrived with eggs and delicious dinner rolls, and in exchange she got to work really hard!
Rebecca 
Hard work 
The place is looking so much better, thanks to Rebecca!
Meanwhile, Harry entertained Dan, doing new PT exercises, and getting a serious core workout.
I got a serious workout today, too, as my back reminded me when I caught Bart and tacked up to ride. To my dismay, feeling fairly decrepit myself, Bart was very fresh and a bit naughty. But we had fun, despite the cussing when Bart spooked needlessly. There were turkey tracks on the ring. I love the sound of turkeys gobbling in the woods in the mornings. I also love Jane’s company, keeping me riding and laughing.
Bart needs a drink before we start 
Derry & Jane 
Not social distancing! 
Turkey tracks on the ring 
Harry took a picture of us as we rode homeward
The redbud crossing and the dogwood crossing down by the ring…
Dogwoods have peaked. The leaves are starting to close the show down. While lilacs, which have been spectacular this Spring, are nearly finished.
Dogwood 
Last lilac
I got the horses in just in time, as storms moved in and storms poured rain this evening. We could feel it and see it coming.
End of a long day…
Hope your days are going well. Stay safe.
I love watching the woods wake up, each tree family sporting their nascent color. Here in MI, I’m still imaging that. But the daffodils are here, yippeee! Have a good ride.