Hot Spell Hiatus – August 3

It’s been a hectic time since I last blogged. On Monday, July 24, we met up with our longtime friends, Susie and Jake. The plan was to have a last visit to Three Creek Farm followed by lunch with us and the three Carpenter sisters, but Dorothy was delayed in New York, so we had the reunion without her. Funny that it is so difficult to coordinate schedules, even though the only one of us who has an actual job is Harry!

We celebrated Susie’s 80th birthday at lunch! I first met Susie when she was 22. Sophie and I were 10.

It was hot on Monday, and it got worse as the week wore on. I helped with fencing to finish the grand erosion project on Thursday and Friday, perhaps the hottest weather I have ever endured while working in the sun. It was miserable, but I did learn a lot from Scott, the fence builder.

Harry and the dogs thrived like summer flowers in spite of the heat.

On Friday night, we joined friends Margaret and Steve to see Little Shop of Horrors at The Muny. It was classic St. Louis summer heat, which is part of the Muny experience. The Muny is America’s oldest and largest outdoor theater, a St. Louis tradition, and Margaret and Steve always make it extra fun. Harry’s sculpture of Denny Regan at the east entrance is holding up well.

Rebecca has been here helping with the garden, but I have not taken any good pictures. She, however, gave me a picture of the biggest black snake I have ever seen! In her chicken coop! I guess it helps keep the mice down.

While I was puttering around here all week, Michael was biking across Iowa with his daughter, Kate, and her intended, Dillon, in the 50th annual RAGBRAI. I was concerned about the heat for them, but Michael sent regular updates, which was reassuring, but also shocking – 20,000 bicyclists, even in Iowa, is just too much of a crowd for us! The intrepid trio made it to the Mississippi River, and we were able to enjoy it from afar.

The oppressive heat was blown away on Saturday by a mighty wind. It took down part of the willow below the porch, as well as many branches, but the tolerable temperatures were worth the trouble of cleanup.

I visited Jane to see her new fence. She was the one who found Scott, the fence builder. Not only is her fence impressive, her hedges, done with hand clippers, the old fashioned way, are astonishing. She was glad she did that work before the heat arrived. We were the first to ride around the perimeter path, and we were very pleased.

Later in the day, Marilyn rode through with Roy and Trigger while I was working in the woods. I took some pictures, but the bad news is that I got a case of oak mites. I am so itchy I can barely type. No more working in the woods for the rest of the summer!

While I have been busy outdoors, Harry has been very busy in the studio. The enlargement of the sculpture we took to Kansas City has returned, and work has begun on that in earnest.

Rain has returned and plants are delighted. The grass is growing like crazy. With the fencing finished, the horses are out in both pastures for now, and when it rains, I leave Oisin’s fly sheet off. He loves being able to do a mutual grooming without the Protector under tooth.

Today, Weedy had his 8 week follow up X rays (and a pedicure). He received a good report and is now released from follow up visits, though he cannot go adventuring until September 27 (16 weeks). He was thrilled to go for a ride, and he always enjoys visiting the vet, where he gets much praise for his perfect behavior and excellent healing. Harry deserves praise for his devoted PT with Weedy.

Last month of summer, the wild cherries are ripening…

Be safe, be well, stay cool. Slava Ukraini! Peace.