New Year’s Eve – 2021

Our friends in Colorado are safe and unharmed, which was good news to start the day, after some anxious hours last night. Our hearts break for the thousand people whose homes were burned to ash, and we pray that no horses or other animals were lost.

Here, the final day of December was extremely warm, which made for a productive outdoors day. Some of us were more productive than others.

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At breakfast, Arthur ventured upstairs. Overnight, there had been a “mistake” on the carpet, and we had it propped up to dry. Arthur was intrigued. It’s fun having a youngster around. Arthur is not exactly a kitten, but definitely not yet a real cat.

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Jane went to the feed store and picked up sunflower chips for me, since I am quarantining. She arrived while Marianne was here.

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Tom Morris fell sound asleep in the tack room after a night out catting around. Marmalade slept in the sun outside the bedroom window again. It seems to be his favorite place. Cora’s favorite place is a sheepskin pad on a box in the spare stall. Roscoe, meanwhile, sulked on the back porch, leaving the birds alone while he thought unpleasant thoughts about Arthur.

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I realized I had forgotten to give Marianne a check, so I biked out to her house to drop it off. This made me realize that I need to do more cardio. I am not very fit for hill work! But on the way, I took a picture of this Christmas ornament in the neighbor’s tree.

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Back at home, since I had the camera, I took a few outdoor pictures before the cold arrives tomorrow.

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The birds were feeding as though they could tell they will be needing calories to stay warm soon.

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Jane and Derry came over for a ride. We couldn’t let a day like this go to waste. We had a blast, and jumped, knowing that will not be an option again for a while, with January returning to normal winter weather, according to forecasts. We did not think to take pictures, but we were all brilliant today. Use your imagination. It’s usually better, anyway.

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After our ride, Bart went back out to join his pals in the pasture. I extricated Harry from the studio and we walked to get the mail. Marilyn rode through on Trigger with Roy. She definitely won the grooming award today, but I dare not post a picture showing that.

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The horses were ready to come in for dinner after a pleasant day out. They are filthy, well hydrated, and content.

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Finally, a pair of sleeping dogs… end of a lovely day, and end of a year that ranks lower than most, but in which we have had much to be thankful.

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Wishing you good health, plenty of time, less clutter, abundant joy, and Peace.