Our friends, Nancy and Steve have arrived from Montana, so blogging will be somewhat perfunctory.
Stone’s bandage was still on his tummy this morning, though not as well attached as it could have been.
Tummy bandage hanging
For those readers that are interested in medical matters, here are some pictures.
Before cleaning 
Ready for rebandaging
Most of the day was spent housecleaning, but there was time to ride, too, of course. Rebecca came to help with the garden, and worked way too hard, but everything looks better, thanks to her.
Poppies 
Resurrected pots – no varmint damage overnight 
Colorful pinks 
Last of the azalea blooms have fallen 
Lily of the valley
So, the varmints left the pots alone last night, but I have some unfortunate news. I planned to serve strawberries from the garden to Nancy and Steve. They were ripe and ready to pick yesterday, but I thought I would wait until this morning. I walked out to the barn, glanced at the strawberry patch, and saw no color. The varmints had eaten every single ripe strawberry. Furthermore, there was varmint hair all over the grass. I guess they squabbled over the delicious berries. Damn them! Harry and I had ONE strawberry each, just to taste them, and we were very much looking forward to a full bowl. I am going to have to fence the patch for next year.
The birds were plentiful today, but I didn’t have much time to take pictures.
Tanager in the tree 
Grumpy grosbeak and peaceful doves 
Avoiding the unpleasantness
Roscoe was resting in the tree outside the kitchen door.
Horses are happy for another cool evening. So are we!
Stay safe, stay well. Peace.
Well drat those pesky varmints! At least they’re not in your house haha. Dobby the feline house elf, has taken an abiding interest in the husbandry of my indoor plants. Apparently, he likes them nipped in the buds, phooey! Other than that, he is too adorable to fuss at. Just as well, my new book, The Trainable Cat, says aversive training methods don’t work with cats.
I liked the title.
Grosbeaks, beautiful, are not good at sharing. But I’m thankful you are!
Peace
What! No Harry!
Glad the tanager is so safe!
The poor sore on Stone’s belly puts me in mind of the great PBS special on early smallpox vaccine efforts- oh those sores!
You seem to still be a lot of fun to garden with, what a nice look of delight in your assistant! All nice to see!