It was a frosty morning here, but promised beautiful sunshine all day.
Here comes the sun 
A chickadee gets an early breakfast
The catmint, which grows close to the barn, is still blooming, despite the frost that has taken everything out in the open.
Catmint (Nepeta)
At long last, I managed to join Jane for a ride. I even remembered how to put the saddle on! We had a great time. The ring was well watered, with all the rain we have had lately.
Oisin is a little shocked to be tacked up 
Jane and Derry arrive 
Off to the ring (Harry took pictures) 
I loved the shadow duplication of the sign
After riding, I went over to Jane’s house to get some batteries. It was a glorious afternoon on her back porch. The birds at her house are practically tame and quite unperturbed by our proximity. At first, I thought they were finches, but our friend, Jonee, suggested they might be pine siskins, and I think she is right!
Clover got a nail trim while I was there. She is the sweetest, little tiny dog ever! Clover is smaller than Jane’s indoor/outdoor cat, Bobby, and much smaller than outdoor cat, Dennis, the mostly white brother of Bobby, and quite a bully.
Clover 
Bobby 
Jane and Dennis
The horses were ready for dinner by the time I returned. Bart always comes in first, then Oisin, and finally, Stone.
Oisin in afternoon light 
“I want dinner!“
Last chore of the day was Mistletoe’s pedicure. I used a battery powered PediPaws rotary file implement, and it worked quite well. She was less traumatized by that than by nail clippers. No more howling and struggling. It will be an ongoing project.
Harry and Mistletoe are both glad it’s over 
Mistletoe and her problem toes
Nettie was exhausted by the evening commotion.
Finally, the driveway on the way back from Jane’s house in late autumn…
Stay safe, stay well.
Boo! Glad to see you back in the saddle. I needed the vicarious hippotherapy you and Jane provide.
I thought yesterday was a perfect return-to-riding day, too. You and Harry caught it with the camera. Maybe today will bless us, too?
Harry looks great.
I think those might be pine siskins. Very nice. We haven’t seen those for years. Jonee
Ah! I think you are right, Jonee! Very exciting! I wondered, suddenly, last night, if I had misidentified those birds, thinking maybe they were house finches, but now I look with your idea, I think they are pine siskins!
Tink commiserates with Mistletoe on the toe trimming ordeal! I used to get Carolina wrens in the winter in Fulton, one of life’s mysteries …