Saturday – February 19

It was very cold last night, so what melting there had been, froze and became more unpleasant than ever. I could not lock the horses into the paddocks, as the frozen mud was too awful, so they had another day out in the fields. I was uninspired about photography, since it is pretty much the same view of horses on frozen, snow covered grass. Cedar accompanied me to the barn, and I took the usual picture of her, watching to the west for varmints. Marmalade was waiting at the barn and complaining about the cold. Tom Morris had slept in the warm tack room.

Marianne came to do barn work, and Harry, Jane and I went into St. Louis county for lunch with Brett, who always provides great entertainment, with some serious discussions mixed amongst the laughs. He had hoped to come out for a jumpfest, but this winter’s weather precludes all the best fun. Brett did show in Ohio the first week in February, and Jane and I are looking forward to our adventure there in March, if we can get our horses ready. We had hoped to show here in St. Louis this week, but we couldn’t drive a trailer out on our gravel roads unless it was a life or death emergency, even if we had been able to ride to prepare, which we have not. We are beginning to feel pressure building. Meanwhile, the horses are perfectly happy with their routine, and apparently unaffected by the awful conditions.

As for the birds, they are hungry. The flicker stopped by today, which I find exciting – such a magnificent bird! A contrast to the tiny Carolina wren, which I also enjoy.

Bart was very ready to come in at the end of the day in the beautiful afternoon light.

Nettie was sad that she was not pictured in the blog last night, so here she is, awaiting a treat.

Better weather is predicted for tomorrow. I won’t mention what is forecast for later next week.

Be safe, be well, be patient. Peace.