The pleasant “January thaw” has given way to real January weather. Today was a snow day, which means hard work around here, just making paths to clean the barn and get from place to place. But it is so beautiful, and so quiet, there is no complaint… yet. Tomorrow, though, I am sure I will be sore and tired of white.
Early Saturday morning 
Every branch is covered, and with no wind, it stays put 
A picket fence crowned in white
Yesterday was overcast and unpleasant, with temperatures above freezing but far from warm. It was a bad day, with the exception of a visit from Jane with Calvin and Sandy for a photo shoot.
Jane 
Calvin had a good roll 
I have never seen a horse do this to change sides for rolling 
Calvin is quite an athlete 
Both sides done
Calvin is reputed to have won Pony Finals in his youth. His age is unknown exactly, but he is over 20. He certainly doesn’t know that! His love for Sandy keeps him youthful, and Jane’s wonderful care helps, too.
Sandy
After a lot of fun with Calvin, Jane took them home. Sandy thought it was rather a silly day, but Calvin had a blast.
Sandy looks less than delighted 
Beautiful donkey eyes 
Jane leads the way home 
Cedar had a very bad day yesterday, spending the day at the vet for blood tests. She was quite unhappy, but soon regained her usual cheer.
WIth the bad weather this weekend, Marianne does not need to come here for barn work. I am a terrible slowpoke with chores, and I worked extra slowly and carefully today, since I do not want to get another stem cell treatment. My first treatment was for an elbow tendonitis, ruined by shoveling snow, and I have learned my lesson.
The birds were ravenous today. A mockingbird paid a visit, which is the first one I have seen this season.
Mockingbird 
Mockingbird eyes the suet 
Liftoff 
Delicious suet (a titmouse flies past) 
Titmouse in snow 
Goldfinches (and a cardinal) 
COLD finch
After rough play to stay warm, the horses came in early. The snow was wet and heavy and made terrible snowballs in their feet.
Stone and Bart 
Oisin 
Stone and Bart 
Tom Morris gallops, too 
Snowballs in the feet
Cedar helped Harry get some wood for the fire, which was a welcome treat after a hard day.
Be safe, be well. Peace.
The snow is squeaky here. I like that. Take it easy.
Calvin is beautiful, thanks for sharing!
Peace
I agree, Calvin is beautiful, what a mover! Oh dear, so we get the snow today. Love the photo of Jane, Sandy, and Calvin. Also, love the photo of Harry bringing in the wood for a fire. Does Harry ever stop smiling? Stay warm!
Harry has learned through much practice (like a horse) to smile, and not to blink, when the camera points at him!
Calvin is adorable!! My girls got their snowshoes on Friday, just in time for the snow so I don’t panic as much over the ice balls in their feet & I can keep hacking out. Learning to deal with my first Iowa winter is tough!
Iowa winter!! Oh dear! I assumed you would be wintering in the Carolinas or someplace warm. You eventers are so tough!
The ice balls are awful, but I figure it’s keeping them fit and strengthening tendons (if not, God forbid, straining them!). We are expecting 53 degrees on Tuesday, and then down to 5 on Thursday night. I cannot imagine how cold it must be up there on the frozen prairies!
I’m headed down on Feb 17th – I want to start competing at the beginning of March and finish the trip with a 2* for Phi the first weekend of April – so I am super motivated to have them fit enough when we get there 🙂 We did a 40 minute hack outside and 20 min flat in the indoor today, if I can keep that up I’ll be okay. I’m lucky to have the indoor, we just spent a fortune putting in a new base and footing but I am still not happy with it – you know the struggle. I was excited about 36 degrees on Tuesday and we have a HIGH of 0 forecasted for Thursday!
& I did run into a bald eagle on my hack today – which was very cool – & fortunately I was on the less spooky one, so I risked a pic!
Your photographs are just wonderful.
High praise, coming from you, Carolyn, as I consider your photographs inspiration!
I hope you are staying warm.