Never Enough Time – August 15

The days are not long enough to dent the ever increasing pile of “things to do”, much less find time to blog, with our slow internet. The good news is that fiber optic is making its way in this direction at long last. Meanwhile, we never stop being grateful for the beauty surrounding us.

As our life careens along, Nettie’s life, I am sorry to report, has ended. We were devastated to lose our constant companion of 15 years. She would have preferred to be an “only dog”, but we are greatly comforted by Cedar and Weedy in our sorrow. Nettie rests in peace now where she used to play frisbee. With animals, there is never enough time.

It seems unfair that, as we get older and the losses pile up, I am getting more emotionally fragile. I should be developing emotional callouses, instead.

A new friend, though, has shown up in my life. I was weeding the hedge in front of the barn, when this handsome creature approached me, looking for a treat. I have always given him something when I happen upon him, but this is the first time he actually came to me! I didn’t have any melon, but I offered grapes, and he loved them.

A day or two later, he came and found me again, this time under the back deck. Again, he enjoyed grapes. I say “he” but I don’t want to bother the turtle by picking it up to verify gender. This turtle does have a distinguishing chip on its back, so I can recognize it and I do not care about gender issues, anyway.

And then, a third visit within one week! I was weeding along the stream, and he appeared, hoping for more grapes, which he did enjoy. I am honored that he seems to seek me out. We are privileged to live amongst other species.

Having endured a drought earlier this year, we have been grateful for rain, and we have had an abundance lately. It’s been good weather for fungi! Chanterelles are in season, but so are oak mites, and we dread going into the woods this month. Both Jane and I have encountered the vile little itchers on minor woodland excursions. We are both frustrated by, and fearful of Pymotes herfsi, pepper sized banes of our summertime existence.

The Kirkwood Horse Show happened over this most recent weekend, and was a fun social event and distraction from the myriad things I should have been doing. Jane and I did not show, riding having been on the back burner for a long while. Louise, however, was there to compete, and we were part of her cheering section. It was a fun couple of days. Saturday’s classes were outside, in terribly sloppy footing. On Sunday, all classes moved indoors. Louise won ALL of the classes over jumps. Paula is a terrific trainer and a wonderful human being, and Beau is a Champion yet again.

We are overrun with deer here, but I still enjoy seeing them. I haven’t actually SEEN them eat my daylilies and hostas, though I know they are the culprits. I happened to have my camera the other day, when I saw this family.

Last weekend, we had a quiet Sunday dinner with some friends at their beautiful farm overlooking a glorious lake. They have goats that live on islands in the lake to keep the vegetation down, which seems a magical idea to me. After dinner we boated around. It was heavenly.

Harry is working on several projects and the studio is full of activity.

We are back in the saddle again, and I am going to end this ramble here, as I am out of time!

Be safe, be well, be grateful. Take time for the things that matter. Slava Ukraini! Peace.