Long Holiday – July 5

With Independence Day, July 4th, falling on a Thursday, we are having a very long holiday weekend and lots of fireworks. Because we live in Warren County, where rules are lax, perhaps nonexistent, with regard to exploding things, it can be a difficult time for animals. Luckily for us, the horses are unconcerned, and, while Weedy shakes, his stoic nature endures the noise. Eddy is too wild to care, occasionally barking at particularly loud noises, but unafraid. It sounds like most of the people around here have bought out the myriad fireworks tents that spring up at this time of year.

Fireworks always remind me of Midnite, a horse I have written about before. He belonged to a friend, Dave. Dave rescued him in emaciated condition. The first time I saw Midnite, I thought he might be ancient, because he was so weak and thin. He was not particularly old, though we never really knew his actual age or Jockey Club name, but he was a tattooed Thoroughbred. Unfortunately, his tattoo was illegible, but it did prove that he had been to the racetrack before he fell on hard times.

Like most Thoroughbreds, Midnite was an athlete, and as he recovered weight and fitness, he enjoyed having a job. I taught him to jump and took him to a local horse show, where he was a star. Then there came a holiday weekend with fireworks. We don’t know exactly what happened, but Jane noticed that something was wrong with Midnite. Jane’s horse was stabled at the time in the stall next to Midnite, which was lucky for him.

We called the vet, who advised us to bring him to the clinic because his symptoms were not good. Poor Midnite fell in the parking lot before staggering into the trailer, then fell down as we turned to the clinic. I was sure he was done for, but he wasn’t quite dead yet.

It turned out that he had broken a rib and his spleen was bleeding. It was touch and go, but he did survive, with daring veterinary care including blood transfusions and I.V. formaldehyde (!). There was even the application of some holy oil (couldn’t hurt) provided by Dave. In the end, it took about six weeks for the rib to heal, and Midnite was better than ever, thanks to rest and blood transfusions. He put on weight and went on to be a very successful show jumper.

The assumption was that the very close fireworks that night had caused Midnite to run into something, or maybe he was kicked in a panicky stampede. He was out at night, in a herd. We will never know for sure. Luckily, here, our horses are exposed to gunfire frequently and seem oblivious to the explosions. But I always think of Midnite when I hear the chaotic noise.

Luckily, we have had a great deal of rain, so one thing we do not have to worry about is fire caused by fireworks. Flooding and erosion are of some concern, though, with more than six inches of rain in two days!

The varmints are getting quite brazen.

A dreaded garden pest, Japanese beetles, have found the basil. I do not use the traps for them, as I learned the traps attract more beetles. We just endure them, like the fireworks. We are also enduring some strange red bugs that I have not yet identified. They have attacked one bald cypress, but not another.

The birds and butterflies and flowers continue to delight. I have seen my first Monarch of the year, but failed to get a picture.

Nephew Scott stopped by for a visit.

And speaking of art, Anne Molasky delivered two spectacular portraits today. She is a wonderful artist and a delightful human being. I am very sad that I failed to get a picture of her! I was too overwhelmed by the beautiful paintings of Weedy and Eddy. https://www.annemolasky.com

I did pay a visit next door for a cup of tea with Jane and took some pictures while there.

And finally, one of my great comforts, a delivery today of delicious hay, and it even arrived early, before the day warmed up too much!

Be grateful, be well, stay cool, stay hopeful. Slava Ukraini! Peace.