It seems to me that August is the cruelest month, apologies to T.S. Eliot. I welcome September, bringing startling blue skies, with autumn weather in the offing. But before we move along, August 31 always feels auspicious, being my father’s birthday. J. Brian Barry would have been 99 yesterday. He is gone, but remembered by the many lives he touched with wisdom and silliness.
When the stultifying heat finally broke last weekend, accompanied by welcome rain, Melissa and Susan came to the Happenstance Horse Show. Jane and I went over to watch Susan show Galatea, and Melissa on Galatea’s four year old filly, Moxie HF, known as Poppy to her friends.
Melissa had a milestone birthday on Saturday and gave a masterful ride Sunday (as a septuagenarian!) to her talented young mount. Poppy is very inexperienced but has the makings of a great one. It was wonderful to watch her jump around a little hunter course, learning all the right things with Melissa’s guidance and perfect timing. Poppy even earned her first blue ribbon!
In the jumper ring, Susan and Teah returned from a break without missing a beat. They jumped easily around the 1 meter classes with exuberance.
Inspired by the horse show, Jane and I are back in the saddle, and have entered the upcoming recognized shows. Coming soon! Return of Old Ladies Horse Showing.
Monday was perfect weeding weather, and Rebecca was a huge help, weeding, setting jumps and push mowing! We also saw a spider with an egg sack.
I don’t mind spiders, or bees, but I am sorry to report I got a bad case of oak mites this week. I detest those almost invisible little terrors!
The time has come for biking, if I am to survive the Katy Trail trip in October, with fearless leader, Sharon. Jane decided to come along for company. We had a great time on our first short practice ride and met a new friend, Jon, who owns the KT Caboose in Marthasville, which serves delicious food. Stopping there, we met two girls, Lucy and Grace, who were biking from Oregon to Maine! They said their time on the Katy Trail was the best part of the trip so far because there was no mental stress from traffic. The were biking 90 miles on the Katy Trail in one day! That is quite a feat, on gravel, with no hills to coast (none to climb, either), pedaling all the way with 80 pounds of gear on their bikes! When we met. them, they had “only” 30 miles to go. An inspiration.
We had such a good time on Tuesday, that we did another biking practice on Thursday. Harry and Weedy joined us for lunch at The Caboose before we set off. The horses were vaccinated in preparation for the upcoming competitions, so they had a day off.
And speaking of Harry, he helps in the barn in addition to working long days in the studio. He also walks down to get the mail.
The cats are very happy that the weather has improved.
The horses can go without fly sheets now that the weather is cooler. They have missed their scratches, and spend a lot of time scratching each other.
Oisin injured his right front pastern catching it on electric fence rope that came off its holder. It’s not serious, but it is sore. He is not quite sound, so he is resting. The other two are jealous, since they are back to work.
There is still never enough time, but the skies are gloriously, cloudless blue and nights are cool. We are grateful.
Be safe, be well. Slava Ukraini! Peace.
I could yak about this blog endlessly, so many lovely photos, memories of your dad in Michigan, horse showing with all your good friends, the Katie Trail ( I first typed trial), and I must try the KT Caboose. Those country restaurants are hard to find, plus I have a friend in Marthasville. Oh goody, we love short country road trips with walks on the Katie Trail and elsewhere. How anyone could bike from Oregan to Maine astounds me. And you Anne, gearing up for your big ride, BRAVO! Oh, and Harry, so impressive with his energy and GO. Well, I’ll take my little walk at Forest Park with Etta who brings a smile to every passer-by and count my and all my friends blessings!
I forgot! The Monarch thing. We’ve seen several, near to many lately. And, now, thanks to you, I know the difference between the Monarch and the Viceroy, what fun!
You are the only person I have ever known to mention the green flash. I remember watching for it when I was very young but no-one since then ever seemed to know what I was talking about. Did you ever see it? I did not.
More beautiful horses. I could so easily fall in love!
Considering I never rode a bicycle more than a a few feet, I am impressed with those biking ladies! There was something wrong with my balance or just my self-confidence. I wanted to ride but could not!
Glad the weather has moderated!
Remembering Brian and his wit….The first time I met him was at their wedding ,then Brian at the toast said “ he found your mom under a gooseberry bush”….
So many great Barry memories over the years…
Love ❤️ Aunt Pat
Oh! I’m so glad to hear that you and Jane are showing these next two weeks! We will have some fun !! Thank you for featuring young Poppy, too. 😊