Saturday – March 19

Seasonally cooler weather moved in after the rain, and the birds were hungry.

Reconciled to our fate of missing the Ohio show, Jane and I looked forward to a visit from our friend, Margaret. We haven’t seen her since before the pandemic. Margaret and I are both former huntsmen for The Bridlespur Hunt, oldest recognized hunt west of the Mississippi. She followed my tenure eleven years after I left, so she is a younger friend. Now, she works with broodmares and foals in Gray Summit, grooms polo ponies, and drives carriage horses. Since the pandemic, she has not worked in theater set design, another passion, and she has given up competitive ballroom dancing due to ankle issues. Harry and I often remark that we are lucky to know unusual people! The four of us had a nice visit, and went out for a delicious lunch before a small jumpfest here.

Margaret is a real horse lover, and it was blast catching up with her, and having her set jumps for us to school.

I spent a little time late this afternoon clearing leaves from the Hellebores, or Lenten Roses. These are flowers I have always admired at Jane’s house. Our friend, Chris, encouraged me to plant them, and this is their first Spring return. I am very happy to have them coming up so early in the year when little else is in evidence. Rebecca pointed them out to me this week when she was visiting!

Roscoe watched me in the front garden, got bored, and went exploring under the ramp to the porch. Whenever I went to the woods with the wheelbarrow, Roscoe was on my heels, making sure he didn’t miss anything.

At the end of day, relaxing on the sofa with the boys… Nettie keeps watch from her recliner.

Two good boys…

Be safe, be well, be strong. Peace.