Full Pink Moon

Tonight is a Full Moon – Full Pink Moon, to be precise. Another lunar cycle gone, another week, and two more friends fallen by the wayside.

Beloved Bunny Herring, after a long life of 97 years filled with adventures, is “off to Wonderland”, departing from her Old Schoolhouse at Rockford Farm, on to whatever comes next. Bunny and her family were legendary in my life since 1971, when I first began foxhunting with Bridlespur. Bunny was the only person I knew who actually ran off and joined the circus in her youth.

Farewell, too, to Bob Nehus. He and Jonee have been good friends of ours for 34 years. They moved to Bloomington, Indiana two years ago from their beautiful farm in Pike County. As Jonee told me, Bob’s heart was just worn out. Like Bunny, Bob was lucky to die at home with the people he loved holding him. Bob was a concert violinist, a master woodworker, and a wise, kind man, full of humor and talent.

Saturday was a beautiful, cool and sunny Spring day, as we bade farewell to John Stoeckley at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Eolia (Pike County). John left us at the end of March, and his memorial service was sad but comforting. Four people spoke to John’s importance in their lives (Harry being the final speaker) and the beautiful old church was standing room only, overflowing out the door. John’s artwork was on the programs, four different pieces, printed on archival paper. Songs were sung by the entire congregation, in the old church with no electricity, but wonderful acoustics. It was a most memorable sendoff, with tears, memories and music for a good friend and artist, who will live on through his work.

Meanwhile, here at Bronze Fox Farm in Warren County life hurtles on through another busy week. We had a visit from Joe Walsh (no, not the Eagles’ Joe Walsh), a keen and knowledgeable follower of horse racing. Joe brought a delicious lunch from Dogtown and we had a delightful day.

I did finally see my first turtle of the season this past week. I had to dismount from Oisin to get a picture, which presented a bit of a challenge to remount, but he was a good boy. Nathan also saw a different turtle near the fence when mowing on Friday. He knows how much I love turtles. And speaking of men who help us, Harlan repositioned the dumpster today and spent a while chatting before heading over to Jane.

Sunday we had a visit from Harry’s (and Jane’s) cardiologist, Glenn Davison, and his daughter from New York, Elyse. It was a bit of a whirlwind visit, but great fun, and I learned some Yiddish words, my favorite being schpilkes (shpil – keez), meaning “ants in the pants” – restlessness, impatience.

The Pearl Brothers gave a demonstration of mutual grooming while we were standing near the fence.

Lilacs are in bloom, the daffodils are finished, trees are leafing out. We can no longer see Jane’s house through the trees.

Eddy has kept from disgracing himself by bolting this week, though not from want of desire. I have been extremely vigilant and holding tight for dear life. Weedy, meanwhile, is as perfect as ever. Today I ran errands with both dogs, while Harry was on a dogless mission to St. Louis.

As for cats, they are all well. Three of the seven appeared before the camera this evening.

We needed rain, and had a good amount today before the sun reappeared late afternoon. As evening arrived, a mist covered the pasture.

Make the most of every day. Be grateful for friends and this magical planet. Slava Ukraini! Peace.