As is fitting on a day celebrating Labor, I am exhausted. But it has been a full day, which is a privilege.
It was another lovely, cool morning. The horses were not hiding in the shed from horse flies – a sure sign that summer is coming to an end.
Headed to the barn, I was treated to two orange cats, displaying their scratching skills on the way to breakfast.
Tom Morris 
Marmalade 
The Orange Boys, with sharp claws
Jane and I started the day riding Bart and Derry.
Jane and Derry arrive in the morning light 
After riding on the ring, a trip around the trails – Bart leads the way!
Marilyn hailed us as we rode around her field, and we moseyed over to say hello. This sent Trigger into a state of great excitement. He is a youngster, only 5, so we rode home, and I returned to work with Marilyn and her young rascal. This was a lot of fun, and I got a few pictures of Marilyn on Trigger with Roy before she rode over to our house, where I joined her on Stone to trail ride a bit more.
That used up the morning, and Harry fixed the most delicious pasta for lunch! By the time we finished lunch, Rebecca had arrived and was hard at work weeding, with Roscoe close by in case she needed assistance
I pulled Rebecca away from that chore and we went to prepare the ring for a lesson tomorrow morning with Kris. Jane took a hiatus from her back breaking project (removing viburnum bushes), and the three of us worked footing and got things ship shape. Of course, we had waited until the hottest part of the day, as usual.
Next, Rebecca helped me get a few plants into the ground, after many weeks of “meaning to”. They are now in fairly good dirt, and mulched. I find digging fairly exhausting in my old age, but it’s done, and after a long, hard day, I am counting my blessings – that I am able to do work, that I have help, and that I have a husband who supports my crazy lifestyle and feeds me well.
On the porch, Roscoe slept in the very spot that is Tom Morris’ favorite lounging site. He is as passive aggressive as I am!
“Sure is comfy here!”
I took some wildflower pictures this morning. It was a glorious day.
Thistles are bad, but still beautiful 
Morning dew on wildflowers
Harry worked in the studio all day, his labor much more productive than mine, in that it supports all that we do.
The horses went right out to the field this evening, with no plague of horse flies. The end of a good day…
Stay safe, stay well. Peace.
A very good day indeed!
Loved this blog, evoking a peaceful & bucolic holiday. We had a pastoral day too, hiked a fen 40 miles northwest of Chicago, among old trees and narrow trails hidden beneath late summer wildflowers. Kota loved it. Savor this time of year, after the horse flies and before the bees turn mean!