This was a great day! Perhaps the best day of 2020, though that’s a pretty low bar, I must admit. Kris had told us he would be on the east side of Missouri this week, probably Thursday. This morning, he texted that he was able to move things up by a day, and could do a lesson this afternoon! Well, that lit a fire under us.
Before I heard from Kris, early this morning, I noticed a new bird – it was a gray catbird, not a bird I have ever seen before! And it was classic, right down to the catlike mewing call. I was very excited to get a picture…
Once Kris texted to say he was coming, I rushed off to work the footing and make sure the ring was presentable. Jane and I were so excited to finally have a lesson, and just to see Kris after so many months.
Bart was perhaps not as excited as I was!
Harry wandered down to the ring and took a few pictures to document the momentous occasion. We really hadn’t been sure we would ever be able to ride in another lesson, so you can just imagine how much fun it was. Also, the cloudy, cool weather was perfect for somewhat unfit riders and horses. Kris commented, as soon as he saw Bart, on his roly poly condition. And, as a really good horseman, he didn’t overdo things with us. Though he certainly challenged us, and we had a blast!
Kris hard at work 
Warming up 
Jane goes first 
A hard act to follow – Jane and Derry 
Bart and Anne – very pathetic, but much improved by Kris!
The best part of the lesson was that Bart remembers much of what we worked on last year, and readily got down the lines, our first related distances of the year! Jane and Derry were stars, as usual, with Derry covering the ground so easily, it’s deceptive and always hard to follow. We had so much fun! I was pretty pathetic, but Kris worked his magic, as usual, and we were much improved.
Later in the afternoon, Mr. Tanager made an appearance, along with Mr. and Mrs. Goldfinch…
The mock orange is really blooming now…
I thought it was time for some dog pictures…
Nettie and Cedar 
Cedar 
Mistletoe has had her eyebrows trimmed! 
Weedy Boy
Harry fixed a delicious beans and rice lunch today, his own secret recipe – it will be my turn tomorrow, and talk about a hard act to follow…
The horses were out early again, enjoying this unseasonably cool Spring.
And finally, yes, here is your dose of Montana mule baby, Rainy, with her ears, bigger than mountains…
Stay safe, stay well, stay connected. Better days are here.
enjoyed every pic and word
Wow, what fun! Happy to hear you and Jane got to ride with Kris for a day, what a treat. I had a Catbird family living in the enormous Mock Orange shrubs surrounding the porch of the Fulton house. They would set up housekeeping every spring and talk to me all summer. Their call was a splendid complement to ever-present Wren songs. The sweet smell of the Mock Orange is one I will never forget. Thanks for sharing.
OMG, those jumps look HUGE!
I’m so excited about the Catbird; I actually know this guy. Love the mewing sound. Lessons!! You two excell on having fun in the ring, Kudos to both of you!!! Love the doggies, the wisdom in Cedar’s photo, lovely. Beans and rice, a fav of mine too. Please share the recipe and if you do I’ll share my Greens n’ Beans soup recipe with all its extrapolations.
If I get both recipes, I’ll share a bread pudding recipe. You and Jane (and of course Bart and Derry) look great going over the jumps! I’m glad that you had a best-day-of-the-year day and I hope that you have many more. I love the Rainy photos and the background is breathtaking.