Eddy came into our life in November, 2023 from the Franklin County Humane Society. Unlike many shelter dogs (and unlike Weedy), Eddy’s history is known. He was found, age 6 weeks, in Branson, Missouri in 2022 at a Walgreen’s. Puppies were being sold in the parking lot., Three males had not yet been purchased, and the sellers were tired, so a visiting firefighter from Franklin County (who happens to foster dogs from the shelter) took the pups and promised they would get homes.
Puppies from BransonDaniel Tiger was Eddy’s first nameEddy
For his first year, Eddy lived in Kirkwood, a nice suburb of St. Louis. But he was a “bolter” and was picked up by the APA on one of his escapes. Traced by his microchip, he was then returned to Franklin County and put up for adoption again. His next adopter took even less time to become discouraged by Eddy’s “bolting” and he was returned after a week.
Then, we saw his picture. We were grieving the loss of Nettie and Cedar and we were smitten immediately.
Eddy as we first saw him
Shortly after Eddy came into our life here, we got Covid. No sooner did we recover and test negative, than Harry got pneumonia and atrial fibrillation and had to go into the hospital for five days. I went with him, and Jane stepped in to look after the dogs. Needless to say, Eddy came to adore Jane for coming to the rescue when he was lonely and new here. Weedy already loved Jane, of course.
Jane and Eddy – January 2024Jane and Eddy – January 2025
As promised, by Eddy’s foster savior, despite his difficulties “he is a really good dog”. The SpotOn collar, which establishes a boundary by satellite, we call the “Freedom Collar”. It enables Eddy to roam freely on about 8 acres. A bonus is that the deer are chased into the woods. Many plants are now growing happily instead of being eaten! So, we celebrate Eddy’s third birthday today, and are forever grateful to Franklin County and the hero firefighter who saved Eddy, gave him a great start, and was generous enough to let us have him.
The birthday boy!Eddy’s portrait by Anne Molaskey
Today was also made special by a visit from Tina, who has been in our life for 40 years. She has always made us laugh, and although she was here on official business for the Electric Company, we had a wonderful visit.
Out of focus on purposeTinaHarry holds forthTina receives a portrait done by her talented mother, Marcia, almost 40 years agoTina and Harry and Eddy on the way to check a problem tree
Skittle was out and about today.
Meanwhile, Cora might be losing her hearing. She sleeps very soundly.
The horses are fat and happy, but warmer weather will bring more flies soon.
Stone and Bart graze in the rainOisin opts for the shedHappy herdOisin would like to come into the barn to escape bugs!
A few bird pictures, of course…
Turkeys in the south pasture.Big bird!Mr. Bluebird had a bath to cool off today, I was late with the camera and he was drying off.Hardworking bluebird of happinessBack to finding food for the nestlings!
And finally, a chance shadow on the door of the office…
A shadow thrown by the sculpture of Thrilling
Be safe, be well, laugh often. Treasure friends and celebrate birthdays. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
This has been the most pleasant spell of cool weather in Missouri that I can remember. The news is too disturbing to tolerate, but here, in this little patch, the world is full of marvels. We are fortunate to have distractions from the outside troubles at every turn, which is not to say we do not care. We care, we do what we can, but we appreciate being grounded in the natural realm.
Eddy has been consorting with a coyote! The regular visitor seems to mean no harm. Having lived with a coyote for about a year back in the 1970s, I am partial to them, and this one does remind me of my Joni Coyote, who returned to the wild as she grew up. She played with my Jack Russell terrier and other dogs constantly while a youngster.
Eddy watchesCoyote!Eddy goes to investigateFriend or foe?“Hello!”
The horses have been enjoying the weather, coming in for breakfast later than usual. Bart must be led into the barn, because he will run for the lawn (greener grass on the other side of the fence) at any chance he gets. Oisin and Stone are more reliable (usually) and can wander in on their own.
Bart wanders up to the paddockOisin StoneBart waits for a leadOisin and Stone take themselves to their stallsBart reaches under the fence for the proverbial greener grass
I paid a visit to Jane for a chat and a cup of tea, which is always better at Jane’s house. Jane has many squirrels, since her dogs are elderly. Here, Eddy keeps the squirrels away in the woods. He would have loved to chase some of Jane’s rodents, but was not allowed. One of Jane’s squirrel visitors has Olympic long jump capability. I got a picture of it leaping to the birdseed feeder from the porch. Jane thinks that only one individual of the many squirrels visiting her house is capable of that leap. It was impressive!
Polly is now quite deafHazel says hello to her “grandson”, EddyLong jumping squirrelAirborne!Jane”s BobbyBobby at the window (photo by Jane)
Jane’s cat, Bobby, is a diabetic, and he is a credit to her care. He is healthy and happy and very personable. My benign neglect program of care suits elderly (16 years old), very deaf and very beloved Skittle. If I needed to give her insulin, life would become intolerable. As it is, even getting a picture of her is an accomplishment.
Skittle
Lynda and Brett have adopted a tiny little kitten who crossed their path while they were in Wisconsin recently. Keifr was a 1 pound, sickly runt and is a very lucky kitten indeed. They drove him seven and a half hours to Missouri and straight to a veterinarian on a Sunday afternoon. He has traveled from the brink of death to Lynda’s shoulder.
Keifr (photo from Lynda)
Roscoe remains the Maltese King of Cats around here, and he rests easily, knowing he will not be dethroned in this house.
Roscoe
Big excitement watching the bluebirds by the barn! Their eggs have hatched and the 5 nestlings are growing apace. I left them in peace until yesterday, and snapped a quick picture (8 days old). It is astonishing how quickly they grow, and I watched Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird today, hard at work feeding their babies. The internet tells me they could fledge at 16 to 22 days, most likely 18 to 19 days.
Baby bluebirdsMale bluebird with food for babiesDinner!Male bluebird leaves the houseOff to get more food!Female bluebird with a bugFemale bluebird flies to the house“Grub’s up, kids!”
Other birds of interest are the Canada geese on nearby Barker’s lake. They have successfully raised five goslings, which Jane saw just after they left the nest. I have only yesterday managed a picture of the goose family, from a long distance, and they seem very happy. Cowbirds here follow the horses in lieu of bison. The horses accept them happily.
Geese gambolingStone and a cowbirdCowbird
The plants are enjoying this clement weather, too.
Smokebush outside the porchNative rough leaf dogwood at the edge of the woodsLilac tree by the barnSpiderwort (Tradescantia)in the woods
And so it goes around here, as May meanders to June.
Uncommonly cool and pleasant weather has allowed peonies to persist , and they are still blooming today. When we moved north to Pike County, Memorial Day was a day for decorating graves, not just those of service members lost in battle. Peonies were the favored flower, though already fake flowers were taking over. But it was in Pike County that I first heard the flower called a pee-OH-nee, and I think of that pronunciation whenever I look at PEE-ah-nees, as I pronounce them.
“Old fashioned” peonies
My maternal grandmother, Gertrude Shea Quetsch, was by all accounts, quite a dynamic woman. I don’t remember her, but I have had her painting of peonies on my wall since I turned 25, when my mother gave it to me.
But today is really a day to remember lives that were given up for a cause. My family has been incredibly lucky to have escaped that sacrifice. It cannot be said enough that luck should not be underestimated in our journeys through this life.
In the twentieth century- World War I – three Barry boys served with distinction and decorations, surviving that hellish “war to end all wars”. My grandfather, Jim, wrote about his years in the trenches. His brother, Great Uncle Gerard, lost a leg, but survived. Alas, his luck ran out in Cork, where he was inadvertently shot and killed by “friendly fire” from a sentry in 1921. Great Uncle John, who introduced me to the famous Elsie Morgan, a rare woman huntsman in Ireland in 1971, was seriously wounded during the War, but recovered to ride to hounds and lived to the age of 90.
My grandfather, James Harding Barry, in the middle
In World War II, three more Barry boys served the Crown with distinction and all came home alive. My father, Brian, was at D-Day aboard HMS Orion, Uncle Pete was in Naval Intelligence at Scapa Flow, and Uncle Mike was a paratrooper, first man to land at Arnhem, a “bridge too far”, where he was wounded and captured by the Germans. He returned emaciated but alive at the end of the war, and went on to follow in his father’s footsteps as a beloved country doctor.
My father , James Brian Barry
On my American, maternal, side, the Steel industry kept grandfather, Leonard Quetsch out of military service. Later, his five sons all served, but did not see action during the Korean War. My mother’s brother, Uncle Jack, went on to become Assistant Secretary of Defense of the United States.
Harry, of course, served in the U.S. Navy in Viet Nam and survived. He continues to work with service members who were wounded in subsequent wars, and he never discounts his luck. He has been the luckiest thing that ever happened to me!
Lt. Harry Weber on the Mekong River
Bless all who grieve losses today, and be grateful every day for the people who have kept us safe, at the cost of their own lives.
Be well, be safe, be lucky, and be grateful. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
A rainy day can be a blessing for catching up on “indoor” activities. We were sad to forego an early morning ride, but I intended instead to work at my desk.
A plan to set jumps for Crumlin and Brett mid morning was not derailed, as there is an indoor arena at Rocking Horse Ranch. Jane, Eddy and I had a rather stressful drive through the rain with a low tire, which we stopped to air up. The trip was well worth the effort, though, as Brett and Crumlin were brilliant. Alas, I failed to take ANY pictures, but here is one of my favorite gray Warmblood from last month.
Crumlin
We returned home with high expectations for Crumlin’s adventures ahead, and when we were almost home, I stopped to take a picture of some geese. Curses! I had left my camera and bag of riding equipment in St. Clair. So much for a productive day… Still, Harry and the dogs and I enjoyed a road trip there and back in the other car, with reliable tire pressure, listening to a new Carl Hiaasen book, and laughing a lot.
I continue to see coyotes on an almost daily basis. Here are a few pictures. The horses seem unperturbed by them. Tonight, the coyote spent a long time watching me, and then went into the woods and barked like a dog. I had never heard that from a coyote before!
Meanwhile, the cats are all accounted for, though I haven’t taken a picture of Skittle recently. The others love the camera.
CoraRosieA rare moment of détente between Roscoe and Tom MorrisRosie and MarmaladeMarmalade
Birds continue to delight us, and some are nesting, which is very exciting. I have been watching the bluebird nest near the barn, and to my delight, a week ago, the eggs hatched. I have left them in peace for a week, but plan on a peek into the house tomorrow.
Bluebird eggsBabies!!A blue jayA pair of dovesRed winged blackbirdFemale summer tanagerMale summer tanagerBarn swallowA turkey buzzard cleaning up carrion in the road
The horses are happy and enjoying this exceptionally cool month of May.
Bart napsOisin begs for a treatStone is ready to go out to the pastureOisin escapes flies in the shedThe Pearl Brothers trade scratchesHappy herd
I have been fortunate to see two beautiful black snakes in two days – one quite small youngster and a magnificent three foot adult.
We are surrounded by beautiful forms of life, most of which are fascinating and uplifting (except for ticks!!).
Here is a hornet’s nest just starting to be established on the fence. I will be avoiding that, but appreciate any pollinators!
A fungusNative honeysuckleCoreopsisIndian pinksAnne mowingHarry takes out the trash
Be safe, be well, be grateful. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
These long, cooler than usual May days are great for getting things done, but terrible for blogging. I am so exhausted at the end of each day that I just postpone writing, and the weight of the wait piles on. It is tempting to simply drop out, walk away, as I have been inclined to do about many things… But once again, I will try to pick up after almost a fortnight’s absence!
We love living here, and the sight of happy horses grazing always makes the expense and the work worthwhile. Recently, we have actually ridden those happy horses, which is even more fun than looking at them.
Harry on StoneHomeward bound on a perfect dayJane arrives on DerryMy groom presents my second horseCoyote, viewed as we began, is glad we only ride for pleasure now, not to chase!
This week, high school classmates (some of whom were classmates since we were 6!) had a get together to celebrate our big birthdays as we turn 70. It doesn’t feel so long ago we were all excited about turning 16 and driving…
I have assiduously avoided reunions until recently, disgraced by being a dropout, amongst many reasons. Though I was conflicted about going, it was strangely delightful to see these women whose lives have followed different paths from that long ago high school, where we danced the Maypole. The girls we were are still evident to us. I took some pictures…
Cherie, our valedictorian, now a doctorMollyMimiZoeMari laughsKatieDebyBrookeMartha, who brought cake!TriciaAntoinetteCherieMarquita and CodyFrancieKatie and BrookeMarian and Marie AntoinetteMimi, Marian, and MariMarian and CherieMartha and CherieMarian, Cherie, and Anne(photo by Francie)
Last Friday (eight days ago), St. Louis was hit by a tornado. The devastation is shocking. Out here, the sky grew ominous, there was some wind, and a few raindrops. I was oblivious of storms nearby until I received some pictures from Louise, who lives in the Central West End of St. Louis. Earlier this Spring, her son’s house was damaged by a tornado in Arkansas. Now a tornado at her own home. One of the glories of St. Louis has always been the magnificent trees. Very many of them are down and we will not live to see their replacements achieve century size. North St. Louis, which is mired in poverty, received monstrous damage and five deaths. As if that part of the city didn’t have enough problems… And beautiful Forest Park has lost unimaginable numbers of trees. We, who were unaffected, and all who survived, are grateful, but very sad.
Just one of the shocking pictures of damage (photo by Louise)
In better news, this has been a banner year for strawberries here.
Maybe these are “stone berries”Strawberries every day !
Though I have not had the energy to blog, I have taken plenty of pictures.
Harry enjoying the viewEvening sky above horsesWeedy and EddyThe back hay fieldBird picture of the week – a blue jay
And that is all I have time for this evening. I will aim for more tomorrow…
Be safe, be well, be grateful. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
Almost the middle of May, and yesterday Jane finally got back in the saddle, after an 8 month hiatus. It was great fun, picking up where we left off, and it felt familiar and comfortable to be riding together again. We rode two horses each,and on our second ride Marilyn happened by on Trigger. Harry was kind enough to record the trio of old ladies astride.
Marilyn & Trigger, Anne & Stone, Jane & Oisin (Harry Weber photo)
We were somewhat inspired by visiting the Prime Time Horse Show at nearby Happenstance Farm early Sunday morning to see Susan on her new Santa Fee, and JoJo on Breezy showing in the MOHJO Classic. It was a glorious day. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so just imagine what fun it was, cool and sunny, our friends jumping double clear rounds and earning ribbons. Harry and Weedy even attended, though in their own car, as their tolerance for spectating is limited. It is a joy to watch Susan’s new relationship with her beautiful, elegant chestnut mare developing. And fun to see JoJo’s powerful , young chestnut mare, Breezy, growing into herself and playing the game easily.
So, on Sunday afternoon, Jane and I rode our chestnut horses and had so much fun, we had to ride again. I asked Harry to hold off until I had ridden his horse , just once, in case Stone was wild. Harry is even older than we old ladies!
Jane arrives on her chestnut mare, DerryFollowing Jane up the trailBart and Derry compare notesHarry on his chestnut horse , Thomas Equinas, a few years ago
After riding and bathing, the horses were turned out for the night. Stone had a brief roll, but Oisin really enjoyed getting dirty after his bath. Jane and I watched Oisin roll completely over three times. This was partly his athleticism, and partly his beach ball body shape. When we were kids, they said a horse was worth $100 for every roll over. With inflation and tariffs, we figure it’s about $10,000 today, making Oisin worth at least $30,000. Bart did not participate in the pasture rolling competition. He stayed in the shed because there was a fly in the vicinity.
StoneOisinupside downThe big white spot we don’t see most of the timeAn excellent roll over!Jane and Eddy
It’s fun seeing the birds pairing up at this time of year. As it got quite warm, the bluebirds took a bath together, providing fun pictures.
Male and female house finchesMale and female cardinalsAn eastern kingbird! A type of flycatcherFemale bluebirdBluebirds bathingFemale bluebird departsExuberant male bluebird Male bluebird gets out of the bath
The cats are enjoying the sunny days. Roscoe, who often helps me outside in the garden, was absent today. I didn’t pay much attention, until it was time for his evening snuggle, and I still hadn’t seen him. Of course, I immediately worried about coyotes, which was silly. I reviewed the day, went upstairs, where I had traded the winter comforter for the summer one, and heard plaintive cries from the closet. There he was, and instead of blaming me for shutting him in the closet, he was grateful for the rescue. What a magnanimous cat!
Rosie greets me on the path to the barnMarmalade and Tom Morris asleep in the bed of the truckRoscoe resolves to stay out of closets
I saw an apparently dead beetle floating in the automatic waterer in the shed. I dumped the bowl, and to my relief, the beetle was alive. It was a green tiger beetle, considered the “cheetah of beetles” for its speed. I can vouch for that, as I chased it, trying to get a picture with my phone camera.
The May flowers continue to delight us. The fringe tree is both beautiful and fragrant, as is the mock orange outside the studio.
Fringe treeMock OrangeAn iris at the edge of the woodsIris at the edge of the fieldEarly coreopsis on Daisy’s graveHanging fuchsiaNot a flower, but a beautiful fungus in the woods
Eddy’s vigilance has discouraged deer from visiting. While I do love to see them, I do not miss their insatiable appetite for many of the plants in the garden.
Eddy on guard
Be safe, be well, be kind and be grateful. Laugh and cry. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
This month seems very busy indeed, and I continue to fall further behind. We are having plenty of fun, and glorious, cool weather, unusual for Missouri, but I just cannot keep up.
It has been a less than stellar photography phase. I think talents can fluctuate, and this week has been a trough. Friends have been out to visit, which has been great fun. Charlie and Katie came on Wednesday.
A humorous moment in the studio
On Thursday, Linda and Ted arrived as Fred was still at work in the barn.
Fred hard at workLinda and JaneOisin is relieved to have shoes again, after he lost one last weekOisin expresses his disdain for all our laughterDerry awaits a treatFred and I searched for Stone’s lost shoe that had been on his stallAfter much searching, we found it!Fred with his favorite PintoJane enjoying the banter
After we went out to lunch, we took a group picture before Linda and Ted departed. Never enough time to spend with faraway friends…
Jane, Ted, Harry and Linda
Friday brought a hectic morning, with a welcome delivery of hay and an equally welcome visit from the electrician to put right the internet outlet (as well as fixing a couple of temperamental lights). Nathan arrived to mow and trim the hedge, and Jane and Eddy and I made a trip over to the Prime Time Show at Happenstance. We were delighted to meet Susan’s new horse, Santa Fee, who is beautiful and talented. It is always fun to watch new partnerships develop.
Susan on Santa FeeSanta Fee has a lovely expressionNathanielBeautiful hedge
The adage promises May flowers after April showers. The rain carried over into May, but now that it has stopped (at least for a couple of days) the flowers are coming on at a good clip.
End of azalea blossomsFlame honeysuckle is a favorite of hummingbirdsNew creeping phlox seems happy hereOrchid cactus from Jonee is blooming and pleased to be outsidePeony, – one of my favoritesIrises indoors in the sunshineBeautiful dandelion seed heads
Coyotes are serenading loudly outside as I write. I see them more often than ever before. The other day, I saw a coyote pick up something in the south pasture and carry it off. Not sure what it was. The coyotes love to pick up the plastic jump cups from the ring and carry them out into the grass, so I have a policy of keeping the cups attached to the standards. The long lens on the camera shows me things I cannot see with my eyes from a distance, but this coyote find is a mystery. The coyote seems to be blowing its winter coat, but is fat and happy.
Coyote carries something away.
Insects and fungi are not as popular as birds and mammals, but they are also beautiful and interesting. I worry a lot about pollinators. We are definitely seeing fewer bees this year. I checked the fruit trees this week to see if pollination happened. The Asian Pear tree blossomed, but failed to set fruit this year.
An orange tipped antenna leaf footed bug (that is really its name)An American carrion beetle (an unusual sighting)A honeybeeA magical, little, delicate fungusFuture applesFuture plumsFuture cherries
There have been bumblebees enjoying the borage, which always reminds me of the line in an Edna St. Vincent Millay poem “beautiful borage, forage for bees…”
A bumblebee in borage
Amphibians are a sign of a healthy ecosystem, so I highly value the one frog that survived winter and awaits the stream renovation. Unfortunately, Eddy loves to chase the poor frog, but it gets to enjoy life when Eddy is elsewhere.
Eddy watches for the frogThe frog enjoying some sunshine while Eddy is napping
Today, we went to Brett and Lynda’s beautiful Augusta home for a delicious lunch, many laughs, and gardening inspiration. Lynda is as passionate about plants as I am about horses.
A healthy ecosystem, as evidenced by a lizard (not exactly an amphibian, but it counts)LyndaMissouri primrose and many other plantsHarry and Brett in the varmint proof gardenHarry visits Ollie and MoLynda, Brett, Jane & HarryOllie obediently staying on his bed (or “climb”)Mo has one foot on the bed, so he is “technically” obedientHer beauty is only exceeded by her naughtiness!Lynda’s red peonyA longhorn steer sighted on our way home
Roscoe has been helping me with gardening chores. Weedy has been working on making some Vitamin D in the sunshine.
RoscoeWeedy
And so, we are caught up. It was dark before I finished chores, another beautiful, cool night and a bright moon. Happy horses are on night turnout with coyotes singing like cowboys.
SunsetMoonriseHappy herd
David Attenborough turned 99 on May 8. One of my great treasures is a letter I received from him in February, 1985, when he would have been only 58. Time certainly gets away from us… I will close with some of David Attenborough’s words to me.
“I do hope all goes well with you and that you manage to find what you are seeking…”
Be safe, be well, be kind and stay strong. Write letters! Be grateful for David Attenborough and his kind in this world. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
It has been a busy week, and inconveniently, the WiFi stopped working. The Spectrum repairman arrived to find that the outlet into which the modem was plugged has failed. An extension cord from another outlet has solved that problem while we await the help of the electrician on Friday. Nothing can solve the shortage of time, though…
We left the animals in the care of Emma last Thursday morning, and drove 6 hours to Culver, Indiana (on Eastern time, so we lost an hour). The General, as we knew him here, because of the difficulty of pronouncing his name – General Leigh R. Gignilliat (Jen – A – Let)- was being dedicated on Friday. We drove through rain showers all the way to Culver Academies and were welcomed into a charming and comfortable guest house adjoining the campus. There was rain on our arrival, but Friday morning brought an unexpected break in the wet weather.
Harry at the Dicke Guest HouseThe Logansport Gate
Thursday evening, we met up with friends David and Joan and went to John and Carol’s delicious dinner party in a magnificent setting on Lake Maxinkuckee, the second largest natural lake in Indiana. On Friday, we enjoyed a beautiful day, with Spring in full bloom, whereas at home, Spring was waning, being far south of Culver.
Harry lakeside on Friday morningA second Spring for us, with Culver far north of Wright CityThe lakeCreeping phloxBlooming treesA road through the woods of Culver campus
Friday afternoon brought the unveiling pf General Gignilliat, with his grandson (age 90) in attendance, along with the Board of Culver, a military band, and much ceremony.
The General under wrapsA ceremonial coveringCulver bandGeneral GignilliatJamie and Debbie Fellowes, Harry, Anne and The GeneralHarry, The General, David and Joan CulverGeneral Gignilliat looks toward the Logansport Gate
The drive home on Saturday was very unpleasant, with pouring rain (again) and traffic. Somehow, we survived, and regained the hour we had lost as we crossed back to Central Time. All was well at home, the animals happy and healthy, and as soon as we unpacked we tuned into the Kentucky Derby. It was wet in Louisville, too, but Sovereignty ran a good race and earned his blanket of roses. Jane, Harry and I always bet on the Derby, and this year we all lost our bets, but had fun.
Sunday, our friend Gay arrived for a visit. She and Harry have been friends for 70 years, and I feel very lucky to know her. Yet another benefit to marrying Harry – interesting friends!
Old friendsGay and Anne with EddyHarry and GayAnne and GayGay and the blooming fringe tree
Gay is a great animal lover, so she fits right in here. Alas, she lives in San Francisco, so we only see her once a year.
Birds came from all over to celebrate Gay’s visit. The pileated woodpecker was here, summer tanager and a pair of grosbeaks. Also a pair of blue birds, and plenty of goldfinches. But most exciting of all was an indigo bunting, a bird we have never had at the feeder before!
Male rose breasted grosbeakRose breasted grosbeak watches a downy woodpecker fly pastRod breasted grosbeak takes flightFemale grosbeak in flightMale grosbeak as female departsFemale grosbeak appears to shout at the rainAn indigo buntingIndigo buntingSuch bright blue in the sunshine!A beautiful nuthatchA gray catbirdSummer tanager in the rainGoldfinches galoreGoldfinches take flightIndigo bunting and a cardinalColorful birdsFuture bluebirds
The sky was glorious on Sunday night. Speaking of night, it’s late and I am exhausted, so I will close here for now…
Red sky at night
Stay safe, stay well, be kind, stay strong. Slava Ukraini! God Save America. Peace…
It continues to be a very wet Spring. The cool weather was replaced with a brief heatwave yesterday in the upper 80s (F) causing the azalea to start dropping blooms, which decorated the ground as though for a wedding.
I spent some time clipping horses’ legs. Tick season is upon us, and clipped legs make ticks easier to find. The horses do look much more civilized.
Oisin expresses his opinion of leg clippingSleepy horses – now they are on night turnoutBart is very happy to be in during the day – he hates flies!
The heat departed with thunder and rain. Birds are undeterred by the weather. I am very happy to see the grosbeaks and a summer tanager – warm weather visitors.
Summer tanager“Is that a new camera?”“Here is my good side…”Tanager lifts offTanagers love suetMale grosbeak in the rainFemale grosbeakA wet and disgruntled blue jayTanager contemplates the rainBluebird in morning sun
Harlan was here this morning, and we saw a coyote while we were chatting. Eddy watched from afar, but when the coyote departed, he went to investigate its scent trail. Eddy is mad keen for chasing, but he is a cautious dog, which is a comfort.
HarlanCoyoteEddy ‘s sighthound lineage in evidenceEddy has a great nose, too
I rescued my first turtle, this year, in the road yesterday. It was a small box turtle, and I didn’t dare take a picture for fear of traffic. At home, a frog is enjoying the wet weather, and for now there is no traffic. Stream repair is planned, though, and I plan to catch and remove the frog before work begins,
Frog
Here are a few blooms.
Common wintercress (Winter rocket)DandelionsSwamp irisFalse indigoFrench lilacLocust tree bloomHosta (not blooming, but beautiful)Wild dwarf larkspurCoral bells
The orange boys might be getting too much to eat…
Marmalade and Tom Morris
Harry is staying lean, and Eddy keeps him laughing…
Be safe, be well, laugh often. Be kind and stay strong. Slava Ukraini! God Save America. Peace.
As the playwright Ionesco said, “Only the ephemeral is of lasting value”, and so I have relinquished all of my past Hostgator blog posts to memory alone.
I have switched hosting sites due to a corruption in my previous blog site that caused the cost of renewal to rise to almost $1,000 per year. The advisors told me that I must start a new blog, so I have moved away. This is a very difficult transition for me, but I think it is healthy, and I am hoping it will teach me to part with some of the mountains of boxes accumulated in the basement.
This week has galloped past, with a lot of coyote music in the evenings, and a view of a brace in broad daylight.
Coyote #1Coyote #2
Eddy watched them until they departed and then enjoyed following their scent in the pasture.
NOT a coyote!
I managed an image of a pileated wood pecker, the first photographic pileated picture of the year, though I have had many views without a camera.
I went with Harry this week to VMD Sculpting, Vlad’s place in the city. It was wonderful to see the clay sculptures transformed to bronze. As always, time with Vlad was funny and inspirational. As a bonus, Daniel and his dogs arrived to meet up with his friend, Julie. Being around young people (and Daniel’s dogs) is great fun, too.
HarryVladBrisket (and Hudson)Vlad’s clay bust of Marcel SalinasSmall versions of the Boston Bruin Bear await completion
The world here is bursting with life. Since I began blogging and posting pictures, I have become more aware of the beauty around us. Some of it, though is quite striking, like the glorious azalea that my mother brought here, as a start from her own azalea.
Trudy’s azalea at the Conway Road houseThe offspring of Trudy’s azalea, about five years after she planted it here as a twigThe azalea this week (phot by Harry)Another picture courtesy of Harry
In the woods and around the place, there are birds and plants galore.
Behind the azalea, shade loving Solomon’s sealA fungus in the woodsPine treeClematisNative ColumbineSolomon’s sealSweet woodruffA Canada goose strolling by in conversationA pair of goldfinches in the rainSummer feathers on a male goldfinchFirst box turtle view of the Spring – at Jane’s housePink dogwood is fadingA wet and disgruntled tufted titmouseRose breasted grosbeakA cowbird with a big caterpillarComfreyHungry orange boys – Marmalade and Tom Morris
On Friday, we were invited to watch the National Finals of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association – a competition for high school students. Our friends, Beth and Frank, own nearby Morrison Equestrian Center, and their daughter, Kendahl, was in the top section. The 18 best high school equestrians in the nation had qualified to compete over an equitation course on borrowed horses. Each person gets two jumps before going on course astride a horse they do not know well. Kendahl is a freshman, and she had a beautiful round, placing 6th in tough competition. We were very pleased to be there to watch and cheer.
Harry and FrankBeth and JanePaula and TammyProud mother, BethKendahl drew Ronnie as her mountKendahlKendahl with her ribbon and her father, Frank
It’s been a rainy, cool weekend. Laura came by with her little dog, Dreidl, who terrorized Eddy, sadly. But it was a fun visit for the rest of us.
Laura and DreidlDreidl on the kitchen counterDreidl kisses JaneEddy Is uncharcteristically depressed . He loves Jane bestHarry and Weedy, glad to see the hellion depart!
A bluebird of happiness in the top of the apple tree…
Happiness can arrive in any weather. Be safe, be well. Be kind and stay strong. Slava Ukraini! God Save America. Peace…
Galloping Through 
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