Rare July Weekend – July 9

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It was a quiet weekend, with uncommonly cool weather for July in Missouri. We are grateful for every pleasant day, but we were a little disappointed the predicted rain did not produce much moisture yesterday. The ground is dry again, though the creek where our erosion project is scheduled, is frustratingly still full of water.

I have become interested in horse whorls, the cowlicks on horses faces, specifically. Marilyn resurrected my interest by telling me that her veterinary journal reports science is now backing up the old wives’ tales of temperamental characteristics associated with whorls. My friend, Ann Miller Roth, gone since 1988, knew all about superstitions and legends and told me all sorts when we were growing up, but I relied on her knowledge, and mine is minimal. So, when Marilyn brought it up, I looked into my horses’ whorls, wishing Ann could be here to help.

Bart’s single, center whorl between the eyes indicates an uncomplicated temperament.
Oisin’s single, long whorl between his eyes indicates a friendly, agreeable temperament.
Stone has a double whorl, above the eyes, indicating an active mind, and the double whorl is associated with successful racehorses and show jumpers, meaning athleticism.

We had a perfect day for riding today. It was so cool this morning, that Harry wore a light sweater. In July!

Harry tacking up
Harry on Stone, Jane on Derry
Harry and Stone
Oisin was exhausted!

A blog reader has requested more dog pictures, so here are a few.

Weedy with his fox toy in his palace
Cedar and Nettie want to go out!
Walkies!!!
Morning walk
Cedar is ready for anything
Weedy crossing the bridge in the woods
Cedar, “the old bear”
Weedy rests with his fox (Harry Weber picture)

Jane and I were pretty sure we saw a Monarch butterfly today in Marilyn’s field. I returned with the camera to try to get a picture, but had no luck seeing a Monarch. I did take some pictures, though.

Cottonwood seeds
Native butterfly weed (also called Indian paintbrush)
Native Blackberries!
Not a Monarch
Native monarda (bee balm)
Native milkweed, host plant for the Monarch
Hypericum (St. John’s wort – dispels depression)
Not such a nice plant – native locust tree with deadly thorns
Back home – volunteer zinnias growing in rock

Less colorful, perhaps, but also beautiful…

Fungus in old horse manure
A surprise turtle found while weeding in the front garden

And finally, our first perennial hibiscus blossom…

Be safe, be well, appreciate this world. Slava Ukraini! Peace.

5 thoughts on “Rare July Weekend – July 9”

  2. Carolyn

    Ha. I like your volunteer zinnias. My kind of gardening. You do have an awful lot of pretty flowers. The weather is definitely strange and hard to believe you would need sweaters in July! Interesting about the whorls. Your horses are so beautiful.

  3. Louise Salmon

    I have tried to transplant butterfly weed, but have never been successful. Saturday night, we watched fireworks at Heinz’s country club, and my sisters had to wear jackets. I am LOVING this weather. Love the whorl characteristics.

  4. Ken Streett

    Q. What color are blackberries when they are “green” ?

    A. Red

    Yeah, I know. Kinda slow week.

  5. Mary Beth Sadlo

    Love the pictures! Do your horses’ temperaments match the predictions of the whorls? Hello and hugs to all.

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