There are days when things progress smoothly, but today was not one of them. To start, I missed Harlan’s visit, which got the day off on the wrong foot, though he emptied the dumpster and placed it well, even without my advice. Jane commented to him that he was early, and he told her it was because he hadn’t seen me, which I believe is a criticism of my conversational excess. I will work on that.
Happy horses
I did not have a particularly good photography day with the birds, but here is a meager offering.
Blue jay welcomes the sun warming the day 
Blue jay enjoys a drink 
Little downy woodpecker 
One of my favorites – the nuthatch 
Look at the size of those grippy feet! Perfect for running up and down tree trunks
In the house, Christmas is waning as the new year begins to careen along. Unfortunately, the carpet is still being christened with “mistakes” that seem to be becoming habit. The villain has not yet been caught. I took a urine sample from Nettie up to Marilyn’s. Nothing wrong with her pee. Next step is blood work for Cedar on Friday. And soon we may have to send the rug out for cleaning. But amongst the frustration, the paper whites continue to add cheer and a whisper scent of Spring against the Urine Destroyer.
Christmas tree nearing the end of its glory days 
Paperwhites 
Cedar won’t tell us anything, but she is drinking a lot of water
On my way to the vet clinic, I stopped at the Foristell Post Office, in part just to see if it is possible to get to it. There is a horrifying amount of construction going on. Soon there will be hundreds of houses. I wonder if they are aware that there will be a meat packing plant a mile away if Governor Parson has his way. The post office is accessible, but I regretted witnessing the scene of destruction. Or progress and jobs, depending on perspective, I guess.
Nice weather for work 
I told Roscoe about what I saw in Foristell
The horses were quite sedate today, enjoying the warmer weather, which will end tonight. I left them out a little later than usual because they showed no desire to come in. As I went to get them, the sky was glorious.
Horses like routine, and I usually catch them in a particular order. Bart first, then Oisin, and last, Stone. But this was “one of those days”. Harry thinks I should be famous for the disasters I routinely have leading and losing horses. I try to prove him wrong, but I seem to be cursed.
Stone came to the gate first, so I took him to his stall. Well, Oisin is very attached to Stone, so while I was leading Stone in, Oisin crashed through the gate. Which I did not hear because I was listening to a very exciting audiobook. I put Stone in his stall, and looked back down the aisle to see the open gate. Then I saw two big Irish faces at the window on the east end of the barn. Bart and Oisin were wondering why this end of the aisle was closed. I opened the door, and am pleased to report that they went to their stalls for dinner, instead of out the other end of the aisle. But my “Days Without Escaped Horse” sign is reading Zero again. When I finally finished up, as I walked to the house, I saw proof in hoof prints on the lawn that some romping had taken place. It was too dark to take a picture of that evidence. What a day!
At least Harry has a good sense of humor about my idiocies
To cap it off, at night check there was a new cat. I don’t know where the sign is that points them this way, but I wish it would blow away! I will deal with this tomorrow.
Not terribly wild, I hope it has a home, and returns to it!
Stay safe, stay well. Peace.
Enjoying your blog, as usual. Live your descriptions. Live your pictures.
I meant LOVE INSTEAD OF LIVE
You obviously need an orange and white cat.
Only your horses would crash through the gate so they could get into the barn, good boys!
Peace
I was dismayed to see the destruction while trying to get to the post office. Although the workmen try to keep the one road open, we still had to wait while a bobcat maneuvered his machine around a pile of rocks or paving. What a mess! Sad, really. I don’t know why they are allowed to block access to the post office.
“Conversational excess”😂
Nuthatches are one of my favourites too along with the tufted titmouse. Construction….I always have the same reaction, have to not look.
Anne, Have you tried the product Spray and Walk Away? It’s the best product I have tried for stains and odor.
No, but I will try to locate some immediately! It’s one of the few I have NOT tried. Getting way too much experience with wee wee mistakes this past week.