My intention to blog daily has run smack into a life that is too busy for a mere 24 hour day. I careen along through this summer, feeling like I am hanging onto a rope, being dragged from one day to the next. Somehow, another four days have galloped away.
I cast my memory back to Friday, when I had a visit with my friend, Linda. We worked together as veterinary assistants back in the 1970s (before “veterinary technicians” were invented). Linda trained dogs, and had quarter horses. I remember her wonderful Dalmatian, Rainy, and she was the first person I ever knew to have Flat Coated Retrievers. We have been friends for a long time, though we don’t see each other very often. This was great fun. She now has a cat instead of a dog – a lovely tortoiseshell called Annie.
Annie thinks I smell very interesting! 
Annie likes to be a part of things 
Anne and Linda
Harry worked in the studio on Friday, as he always does, with Weedy supervising.
Seriously? Haven’t you taken enough pictures?
Marilyn went away for the weekend, and asked me to ride Trigger. I was delighted to give it a try, and Susan came over to help me early Saturday morning. She is an excellent horseman, and gave me some valuable advice. One of the best things about riding horses is that the learning never stops. Trigger is a Missouri Foxtrotter, not a breed I have much experience with, but he is still a horse, and an intelligent and delightful character to ride.
Susan and Trigger
On my trail ride with Trigger, I saw these most magnificent mushrooms.
The cats were in fine form on Saturday afternoon, looking quite serious.
Roscoe 
Tom Morris 
Rosie
There were butterflies around, and a deer. I fear deer are as plentiful as butterflies here!
Black swallowtail on phlox 
Painted lady on rudbeckia 
Whitetail deer on woods edge
Sunday we had a jumpfest with Susan’s parents, Belinda and Ray, visiting.
Susan and Oisin
I went for a trail ride on Trigger, who was a blast, despite the very warm weather.
Trigger hears Sandy the donkey at Jane’s house 
A dramatic downed tree in the Between Woods (between Jane’s place and ours)
I saw a hawk in neighbor Rick’s yard. It had caught a rabbit, but dropped it when I stopped to take a picture. I hope it returned for a good meal.
Jane watered her new plantings.
And then, quite unexpectedly, we had a huge storm! The ring did need watering, but this was crazy. More trees down, much of the rock I had used to fill washouts was washed away. The wind howled and blew rain horizontally into the barn all the way to the middle of the building, where my poor camera was drenched. It did make for a cool evening and early turnout, but left quite a mess.
And now we are more or less caught up. The horses got today off. Bart was glad.
I went to Griffin to watch Louise take a lesson, and to meet her trainer, Nicole Leigh. That was fun, but very hot.
Louise on her favorite horse, Annie
Jane and Harry joined us for lunch afterwards at St. Louis Bread Company, which closed at 1 PM because of a shortage of workers! We were lucky to get in just under the wire. Harry returned to work in the studio, with Mistletoe monitoring the work.
Mistletoe is a work of art herself
And finally, evening sky…
Stay safe, stay well. Peace.
Anne don’t feel like you have to blog everyday. As much as I enjoy reading them and seeing your Awesome pictures. I know how you do everything.
Anne as much as I enjoy reading your blogs and seeing your Awesome pictures. I truly do. I know you have many things to do, so don’t feel like you have to blog everyday. Thanks. for being so kind and thoughtful.
Love to see life in your neck of the Between Woods (very Hobbitty!!) Anne – great blog, thank you very much
I loved reading your Blog. I enjoyed our visit and am looking forward to more. Your pictures are amazing! Linda