Well, life has been hectic, but not very newsworthy. October finished with a hard freeze, November arrived with welcome rain, and now we are having some serious warm weather at 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.6 Celsius) and above. Lovely riding weather, but too many other occupations eating up time.
And speaking of time, Saturday night we returned to Central Standard Time, so our biological clocks are muddled for a few days.
Last week trash pickup was a cold job, and Harlan took a break in the tack room, out of the weather, for a chat. Cora was delighted.
Fred came to shoe the horses on Friday. We were all happy to see him, especially Jane’s donkey, Sandy, who had a sore foot. Jane had been soaking and packing her foot for several days, so after some attention from Fred she was deemed to be recovered.
Over at our house, the horses were hairy and dirty, but happy to be well shod.
The zinnias have been finished off by the freeze, but juncos have been enjoying the seeds, so I have left them for the birds for a while. Winter birds are starting to gather at the feeders. There is plenty of autumnal beauty, but a less exuberant display, as we fade toward winter.
We had an invitation to Berger, Missouri at the weekend, to dinner with artists. I was bit out of place. Julie Wiegand, our hostess, is a celebrated painter, and her home, with husband Tom Griesedick, a landscape artist, is astonishingly beautiful. It is a nineteenth century German stone schoolhouse in the foothills of the Ozark mountains, surrounded by prairie and woodlands. Weedy was welcome to join us, which added to the charm of the experience. Their handsome cat, Rumi, was unafraid of a strange dog entering his domain.
Sunday morning, Jane and I went biking with Brett and Lynda, meeting Harry afterwards for a late breakfast. It was a very chilly start, but great fun.
Jane drove her truck with the bikes, and I went over to her house to retrieve my bike. Little Clover was wild with excitement at Jane’s return, and I was lucky to have the camera with me.
The horses are fat and happy and very picturesque as the angles of light change this time of year.
Harry has been working hard, with his assistant Megan, on the big bear at Chesterfield Mall. Gerry stopped by for a visit and took some pictures today.
At home, Weedy and Roscoe are worn out with bringing us joy.
There are beautiful sunsets, albeit early now.
Be safe, be well, be grateful. Slava Ukraini! Hope and pray for peace and solace in the troubled world out there.
As always great pictures! That bear that Harry is making is really something, his work is amazing .
The bear is certainly imposing. Those claws!
Once again, and as usual, I love the photos! The Nuthatch and the Titmouse, precious, those photos of the horses in the evening light, the beautiful table setting and artwork in Tom’s and Julie’s vintage house, and the BEAR!
There are so many things going awry in the world now… There’s chaos and pain afoot all over the globe and yet there is such a feeling of serenity, of purpose and the enduring loveliness of the little piece of the planet where you and Harry and your little menagerie of charming critters live. That you share it with us is so gracious and and so welcome. Love you.
Lovely photos of the changing season. I think my favorite thing is Harry and Weedy’s bond, it’s so sweet.