Rain is setting the stage for Extreme Heat, at least the Weather Channel App tells us that there is a Warning until Thursday. Here, the rain pushed me into the house, where my muse (Harry) has banished me to my desk. It is difficult to catch up during this hectic, hot summer, but here are a few items from the past two weeks.
The stream renovation is finally finished and the water is flowing again after a seven month hiatus. There is still plenty of work to be done with landscaping and rock tweaking, but those chores are low on the list. Eddy is delighted to be able to cool off and drink on these long, hot days.
An early start on the final dayThe stream is back!Eddy wonders if he is dreaming…Eddy in one of his happy placesAnother resident very happy about the stream’s renovation
The birds, too, appreciate the babbling brook. Here are a few recent visitors to the back porch.
I was not sure what this bird was, on the suet with a red bellied woodpeckerResearch led me… to possibly an immature starling?Red bellied woodpecker and a young starling (perhaps)A tufted titmouse during a rain showerDamp, tiny tufted titmouseA less tiny, but no less damp, titmouseA titmouse with tuft plastered downAn eastern kingbird (Tyrannous tyrannous)Eastern kingbird in flightEvander Squirrel (so named for the bitten ear)A tanager on the suet, as a downy woodpecker flies pastSummer tanager in flight
The cats, as desert creatures, are not interested in the stream and are fairly tolerant of heat, but this Missouri humidity is hard on all of us.
Tom Morris and Marmalade nap in the shade of the trailerMarmalade greets me in the morningSkittle makes a rare morning greeting visit!
The horses are well, though Stone did pull a shoe this week. Fred came to the rescue after doing a very difficult and sad task for a neighbor, whose pony was killed by lightning during the night. He is a gifted shoer, but more importantly, a good friend.
FredStone sings Fred’s praises!Oops! I forgot to close Stone’s stall, but he had no interest in leavingStone and Harry on an early morning rideOisin appreciating the flowersBart rests Oisin in full protective gearAnother fly mask lost during the nightStone and BartBart and OisinOisin staying hydratedStoneEarly morning herd
Flowers are abundant at this time of year.
A most fanciful mushroomZinnias!Butterfly bushVery delicate mushroomsLiliesPhlox and blue atlas cedarVery tall day liliesHarry against daylilies for scalePerennial hibiscus
We had a visit from Harry’s good friend Nisi Sturgis, with whom he acted in Night of The Iguana. Her son, Owen, is growing up quickly, as children seem to do. He is a talented artist already, at 11.
Nisi is in St. Louis for a production of Romeo and Zooliet, with the St. Louis Shakespeare Company. It is an incredible show performed outdoors at the St. Louis Zoo with huge puppets operated by the talented actors (in very hot and humid conditions, I might add).
Flowers from Owen and NisiOwen in the studioNisi, amazed, in the studioEddy in the studio – photo by OwenOwen and StoneHarry, Nisi, and OwenHarry and Nisi follow OwenThe GLOWB, the set at the St. Louis ZooHarry says hello to Dr. Jeffrey BonnerAnne, Harry and the Juliet puppet before the show
The big news is that we got a new (used) car this week! Harry took the 2015 Outback to the dealer for an oil change, and there was so much wrong with it, that he traded it in on a 2022 Outback. In one of those weird, small world coincidences, the salesman, Christopher (who had actually also sold us the 2017 Outback, which is still going strong), mentioned that he had recognized Harry from the MLB All Star Game in 2009. Harry was part of the show, sculpting a Stan Musial maquette, and Christopher helped him move some sculptures. He even produced photos from that day in 2009!! Life is full of astonishing synchronicities.
Christopher Smith, excellent Subaru salesman, and Harry, excellent sculptor, in 2009
And so, on we go, hoping for a better world and grateful for the beauty here, even in the heat of July…
Be safe, be well, be grateful. Stay strong, stay hydrated, and be kind. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
This has been the most pleasant spell of cool weather in Missouri that I can remember. The news is too disturbing to tolerate, but here, in this little patch, the world is full of marvels. We are fortunate to have distractions from the outside troubles at every turn, which is not to say we do not care. We care, we do what we can, but we appreciate being grounded in the natural realm.
Eddy has been consorting with a coyote! The regular visitor seems to mean no harm. Having lived with a coyote for about a year back in the 1970s, I am partial to them, and this one does remind me of my Joni Coyote, who returned to the wild as she grew up. She played with my Jack Russell terrier and other dogs constantly while a youngster.
Eddy watchesCoyote!Eddy goes to investigateFriend or foe?“Hello!”
The horses have been enjoying the weather, coming in for breakfast later than usual. Bart must be led into the barn, because he will run for the lawn (greener grass on the other side of the fence) at any chance he gets. Oisin and Stone are more reliable (usually) and can wander in on their own.
Bart wanders up to the paddockOisin StoneBart waits for a leadOisin and Stone take themselves to their stallsBart reaches under the fence for the proverbial greener grass
I paid a visit to Jane for a chat and a cup of tea, which is always better at Jane’s house. Jane has many squirrels, since her dogs are elderly. Here, Eddy keeps the squirrels away in the woods. He would have loved to chase some of Jane’s rodents, but was not allowed. One of Jane’s squirrel visitors has Olympic long jump capability. I got a picture of it leaping to the birdseed feeder from the porch. Jane thinks that only one individual of the many squirrels visiting her house is capable of that leap. It was impressive!
Polly is now quite deafHazel says hello to her “grandson”, EddyLong jumping squirrelAirborne!Jane”s BobbyBobby at the window (photo by Jane)
Jane’s cat, Bobby, is a diabetic, and he is a credit to her care. He is healthy and happy and very personable. My benign neglect program of care suits elderly (16 years old), very deaf and very beloved Skittle. If I needed to give her insulin, life would become intolerable. As it is, even getting a picture of her is an accomplishment.
Skittle
Lynda and Brett have adopted a tiny little kitten who crossed their path while they were in Wisconsin recently. Keifr was a 1 pound, sickly runt and is a very lucky kitten indeed. They drove him seven and a half hours to Missouri and straight to a veterinarian on a Sunday afternoon. He has traveled from the brink of death to Lynda’s shoulder.
Keifr (photo from Lynda)
Roscoe remains the Maltese King of Cats around here, and he rests easily, knowing he will not be dethroned in this house.
Roscoe
Big excitement watching the bluebirds by the barn! Their eggs have hatched and the 5 nestlings are growing apace. I left them in peace until yesterday, and snapped a quick picture (8 days old). It is astonishing how quickly they grow, and I watched Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird today, hard at work feeding their babies. The internet tells me they could fledge at 16 to 22 days, most likely 18 to 19 days.
Baby bluebirdsMale bluebird with food for babiesDinner!Male bluebird leaves the houseOff to get more food!Female bluebird with a bugFemale bluebird flies to the house“Grub’s up, kids!”
Other birds of interest are the Canada geese on nearby Barker’s lake. They have successfully raised five goslings, which Jane saw just after they left the nest. I have only yesterday managed a picture of the goose family, from a long distance, and they seem very happy. Cowbirds here follow the horses in lieu of bison. The horses accept them happily.
Geese gambolingStone and a cowbirdCowbird
The plants are enjoying this clement weather, too.
Smokebush outside the porchNative rough leaf dogwood at the edge of the woodsLilac tree by the barnSpiderwort (Tradescantia)in the woods
And so it goes around here, as May meanders to June.
A rainy day can be a blessing for catching up on “indoor” activities. We were sad to forego an early morning ride, but I intended instead to work at my desk.
A plan to set jumps for Crumlin and Brett mid morning was not derailed, as there is an indoor arena at Rocking Horse Ranch. Jane, Eddy and I had a rather stressful drive through the rain with a low tire, which we stopped to air up. The trip was well worth the effort, though, as Brett and Crumlin were brilliant. Alas, I failed to take ANY pictures, but here is one of my favorite gray Warmblood from last month.
Crumlin
We returned home with high expectations for Crumlin’s adventures ahead, and when we were almost home, I stopped to take a picture of some geese. Curses! I had left my camera and bag of riding equipment in St. Clair. So much for a productive day… Still, Harry and the dogs and I enjoyed a road trip there and back in the other car, with reliable tire pressure, listening to a new Carl Hiaasen book, and laughing a lot.
I continue to see coyotes on an almost daily basis. Here are a few pictures. The horses seem unperturbed by them. Tonight, the coyote spent a long time watching me, and then went into the woods and barked like a dog. I had never heard that from a coyote before!
Meanwhile, the cats are all accounted for, though I haven’t taken a picture of Skittle recently. The others love the camera.
CoraRosieA rare moment of détente between Roscoe and Tom MorrisRosie and MarmaladeMarmalade
Birds continue to delight us, and some are nesting, which is very exciting. I have been watching the bluebird nest near the barn, and to my delight, a week ago, the eggs hatched. I have left them in peace for a week, but plan on a peek into the house tomorrow.
Bluebird eggsBabies!!A blue jayA pair of dovesRed winged blackbirdFemale summer tanagerMale summer tanagerBarn swallowA turkey buzzard cleaning up carrion in the road
The horses are happy and enjoying this exceptionally cool month of May.
Bart napsOisin begs for a treatStone is ready to go out to the pastureOisin escapes flies in the shedThe Pearl Brothers trade scratchesHappy herd
I have been fortunate to see two beautiful black snakes in two days – one quite small youngster and a magnificent three foot adult.
We are surrounded by beautiful forms of life, most of which are fascinating and uplifting (except for ticks!!).
Here is a hornet’s nest just starting to be established on the fence. I will be avoiding that, but appreciate any pollinators!
A fungusNative honeysuckleCoreopsisIndian pinksAnne mowingHarry takes out the trash
Be safe, be well, be grateful. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
Almost the middle of May, and yesterday Jane finally got back in the saddle, after an 8 month hiatus. It was great fun, picking up where we left off, and it felt familiar and comfortable to be riding together again. We rode two horses each,and on our second ride Marilyn happened by on Trigger. Harry was kind enough to record the trio of old ladies astride.
Marilyn & Trigger, Anne & Stone, Jane & Oisin (Harry Weber photo)
We were somewhat inspired by visiting the Prime Time Horse Show at nearby Happenstance Farm early Sunday morning to see Susan on her new Santa Fee, and JoJo on Breezy showing in the MOHJO Classic. It was a glorious day. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so just imagine what fun it was, cool and sunny, our friends jumping double clear rounds and earning ribbons. Harry and Weedy even attended, though in their own car, as their tolerance for spectating is limited. It is a joy to watch Susan’s new relationship with her beautiful, elegant chestnut mare developing. And fun to see JoJo’s powerful , young chestnut mare, Breezy, growing into herself and playing the game easily.
So, on Sunday afternoon, Jane and I rode our chestnut horses and had so much fun, we had to ride again. I asked Harry to hold off until I had ridden his horse , just once, in case Stone was wild. Harry is even older than we old ladies!
Jane arrives on her chestnut mare, DerryFollowing Jane up the trailBart and Derry compare notesHarry on his chestnut horse , Thomas Equinas, a few years ago
After riding and bathing, the horses were turned out for the night. Stone had a brief roll, but Oisin really enjoyed getting dirty after his bath. Jane and I watched Oisin roll completely over three times. This was partly his athleticism, and partly his beach ball body shape. When we were kids, they said a horse was worth $100 for every roll over. With inflation and tariffs, we figure it’s about $10,000 today, making Oisin worth at least $30,000. Bart did not participate in the pasture rolling competition. He stayed in the shed because there was a fly in the vicinity.
StoneOisinupside downThe big white spot we don’t see most of the timeAn excellent roll over!Jane and Eddy
It’s fun seeing the birds pairing up at this time of year. As it got quite warm, the bluebirds took a bath together, providing fun pictures.
Male and female house finchesMale and female cardinalsAn eastern kingbird! A type of flycatcherFemale bluebirdBluebirds bathingFemale bluebird departsExuberant male bluebird Male bluebird gets out of the bath
The cats are enjoying the sunny days. Roscoe, who often helps me outside in the garden, was absent today. I didn’t pay much attention, until it was time for his evening snuggle, and I still hadn’t seen him. Of course, I immediately worried about coyotes, which was silly. I reviewed the day, went upstairs, where I had traded the winter comforter for the summer one, and heard plaintive cries from the closet. There he was, and instead of blaming me for shutting him in the closet, he was grateful for the rescue. What a magnanimous cat!
Rosie greets me on the path to the barnMarmalade and Tom Morris asleep in the bed of the truckRoscoe resolves to stay out of closets
I saw an apparently dead beetle floating in the automatic waterer in the shed. I dumped the bowl, and to my relief, the beetle was alive. It was a green tiger beetle, considered the “cheetah of beetles” for its speed. I can vouch for that, as I chased it, trying to get a picture with my phone camera.
The May flowers continue to delight us. The fringe tree is both beautiful and fragrant, as is the mock orange outside the studio.
Fringe treeMock OrangeAn iris at the edge of the woodsIris at the edge of the fieldEarly coreopsis on Daisy’s graveHanging fuchsiaNot a flower, but a beautiful fungus in the woods
Eddy’s vigilance has discouraged deer from visiting. While I do love to see them, I do not miss their insatiable appetite for many of the plants in the garden.
Eddy on guard
Be safe, be well, be kind and be grateful. Laugh and cry. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
This month seems very busy indeed, and I continue to fall further behind. We are having plenty of fun, and glorious, cool weather, unusual for Missouri, but I just cannot keep up.
It has been a less than stellar photography phase. I think talents can fluctuate, and this week has been a trough. Friends have been out to visit, which has been great fun. Charlie and Katie came on Wednesday.
A humorous moment in the studio
On Thursday, Linda and Ted arrived as Fred was still at work in the barn.
Fred hard at workLinda and JaneOisin is relieved to have shoes again, after he lost one last weekOisin expresses his disdain for all our laughterDerry awaits a treatFred and I searched for Stone’s lost shoe that had been on his stallAfter much searching, we found it!Fred with his favorite PintoJane enjoying the banter
After we went out to lunch, we took a group picture before Linda and Ted departed. Never enough time to spend with faraway friends…
Jane, Ted, Harry and Linda
Friday brought a hectic morning, with a welcome delivery of hay and an equally welcome visit from the electrician to put right the internet outlet (as well as fixing a couple of temperamental lights). Nathan arrived to mow and trim the hedge, and Jane and Eddy and I made a trip over to the Prime Time Show at Happenstance. We were delighted to meet Susan’s new horse, Santa Fee, who is beautiful and talented. It is always fun to watch new partnerships develop.
Susan on Santa FeeSanta Fee has a lovely expressionNathanielBeautiful hedge
The adage promises May flowers after April showers. The rain carried over into May, but now that it has stopped (at least for a couple of days) the flowers are coming on at a good clip.
End of azalea blossomsFlame honeysuckle is a favorite of hummingbirdsNew creeping phlox seems happy hereOrchid cactus from Jonee is blooming and pleased to be outsidePeony, – one of my favoritesIrises indoors in the sunshineBeautiful dandelion seed heads
Coyotes are serenading loudly outside as I write. I see them more often than ever before. The other day, I saw a coyote pick up something in the south pasture and carry it off. Not sure what it was. The coyotes love to pick up the plastic jump cups from the ring and carry them out into the grass, so I have a policy of keeping the cups attached to the standards. The long lens on the camera shows me things I cannot see with my eyes from a distance, but this coyote find is a mystery. The coyote seems to be blowing its winter coat, but is fat and happy.
Coyote carries something away.
Insects and fungi are not as popular as birds and mammals, but they are also beautiful and interesting. I worry a lot about pollinators. We are definitely seeing fewer bees this year. I checked the fruit trees this week to see if pollination happened. The Asian Pear tree blossomed, but failed to set fruit this year.
An orange tipped antenna leaf footed bug (that is really its name)An American carrion beetle (an unusual sighting)A honeybeeA magical, little, delicate fungusFuture applesFuture plumsFuture cherries
There have been bumblebees enjoying the borage, which always reminds me of the line in an Edna St. Vincent Millay poem “beautiful borage, forage for bees…”
A bumblebee in borage
Amphibians are a sign of a healthy ecosystem, so I highly value the one frog that survived winter and awaits the stream renovation. Unfortunately, Eddy loves to chase the poor frog, but it gets to enjoy life when Eddy is elsewhere.
Eddy watches for the frogThe frog enjoying some sunshine while Eddy is napping
Today, we went to Brett and Lynda’s beautiful Augusta home for a delicious lunch, many laughs, and gardening inspiration. Lynda is as passionate about plants as I am about horses.
A healthy ecosystem, as evidenced by a lizard (not exactly an amphibian, but it counts)LyndaMissouri primrose and many other plantsHarry and Brett in the varmint proof gardenHarry visits Ollie and MoLynda, Brett, Jane & HarryOllie obediently staying on his bed (or “climb”)Mo has one foot on the bed, so he is “technically” obedientHer beauty is only exceeded by her naughtiness!Lynda’s red peonyA longhorn steer sighted on our way home
Roscoe has been helping me with gardening chores. Weedy has been working on making some Vitamin D in the sunshine.
RoscoeWeedy
And so, we are caught up. It was dark before I finished chores, another beautiful, cool night and a bright moon. Happy horses are on night turnout with coyotes singing like cowboys.
SunsetMoonriseHappy herd
David Attenborough turned 99 on May 8. One of my great treasures is a letter I received from him in February, 1985, when he would have been only 58. Time certainly gets away from us… I will close with some of David Attenborough’s words to me.
“I do hope all goes well with you and that you manage to find what you are seeking…”
Be safe, be well, be kind and stay strong. Write letters! Be grateful for David Attenborough and his kind in this world. Slava Ukraini! Peace…
It has been a busy week, and inconveniently, the WiFi stopped working. The Spectrum repairman arrived to find that the outlet into which the modem was plugged has failed. An extension cord from another outlet has solved that problem while we await the help of the electrician on Friday. Nothing can solve the shortage of time, though…
We left the animals in the care of Emma last Thursday morning, and drove 6 hours to Culver, Indiana (on Eastern time, so we lost an hour). The General, as we knew him here, because of the difficulty of pronouncing his name – General Leigh R. Gignilliat (Jen – A – Let)- was being dedicated on Friday. We drove through rain showers all the way to Culver Academies and were welcomed into a charming and comfortable guest house adjoining the campus. There was rain on our arrival, but Friday morning brought an unexpected break in the wet weather.
Harry at the Dicke Guest HouseThe Logansport Gate
Thursday evening, we met up with friends David and Joan and went to John and Carol’s delicious dinner party in a magnificent setting on Lake Maxinkuckee, the second largest natural lake in Indiana. On Friday, we enjoyed a beautiful day, with Spring in full bloom, whereas at home, Spring was waning, being far south of Culver.
Harry lakeside on Friday morningA second Spring for us, with Culver far north of Wright CityThe lakeCreeping phloxBlooming treesA road through the woods of Culver campus
Friday afternoon brought the unveiling pf General Gignilliat, with his grandson (age 90) in attendance, along with the Board of Culver, a military band, and much ceremony.
The General under wrapsA ceremonial coveringCulver bandGeneral GignilliatJamie and Debbie Fellowes, Harry, Anne and The GeneralHarry, The General, David and Joan CulverGeneral Gignilliat looks toward the Logansport Gate
The drive home on Saturday was very unpleasant, with pouring rain (again) and traffic. Somehow, we survived, and regained the hour we had lost as we crossed back to Central Time. All was well at home, the animals happy and healthy, and as soon as we unpacked we tuned into the Kentucky Derby. It was wet in Louisville, too, but Sovereignty ran a good race and earned his blanket of roses. Jane, Harry and I always bet on the Derby, and this year we all lost our bets, but had fun.
Sunday, our friend Gay arrived for a visit. She and Harry have been friends for 70 years, and I feel very lucky to know her. Yet another benefit to marrying Harry – interesting friends!
Old friendsGay and Anne with EddyHarry and GayAnne and GayGay and the blooming fringe tree
Gay is a great animal lover, so she fits right in here. Alas, she lives in San Francisco, so we only see her once a year.
Birds came from all over to celebrate Gay’s visit. The pileated woodpecker was here, summer tanager and a pair of grosbeaks. Also a pair of blue birds, and plenty of goldfinches. But most exciting of all was an indigo bunting, a bird we have never had at the feeder before!
Male rose breasted grosbeakRose breasted grosbeak watches a downy woodpecker fly pastRod breasted grosbeak takes flightFemale grosbeak in flightMale grosbeak as female departsFemale grosbeak appears to shout at the rainAn indigo buntingIndigo buntingSuch bright blue in the sunshine!A beautiful nuthatchA gray catbirdSummer tanager in the rainGoldfinches galoreGoldfinches take flightIndigo bunting and a cardinalColorful birdsFuture bluebirds
The sky was glorious on Sunday night. Speaking of night, it’s late and I am exhausted, so I will close here for now…
Red sky at night
Stay safe, stay well, be kind, stay strong. Slava Ukraini! God Save America. Peace…
It continues to be a very wet Spring. The cool weather was replaced with a brief heatwave yesterday in the upper 80s (F) causing the azalea to start dropping blooms, which decorated the ground as though for a wedding.
I spent some time clipping horses’ legs. Tick season is upon us, and clipped legs make ticks easier to find. The horses do look much more civilized.
Oisin expresses his opinion of leg clippingSleepy horses – now they are on night turnoutBart is very happy to be in during the day – he hates flies!
The heat departed with thunder and rain. Birds are undeterred by the weather. I am very happy to see the grosbeaks and a summer tanager – warm weather visitors.
Summer tanager“Is that a new camera?”“Here is my good side…”Tanager lifts offTanagers love suetMale grosbeak in the rainFemale grosbeakA wet and disgruntled blue jayTanager contemplates the rainBluebird in morning sun
Harlan was here this morning, and we saw a coyote while we were chatting. Eddy watched from afar, but when the coyote departed, he went to investigate its scent trail. Eddy is mad keen for chasing, but he is a cautious dog, which is a comfort.
HarlanCoyoteEddy ‘s sighthound lineage in evidenceEddy has a great nose, too
I rescued my first turtle, this year, in the road yesterday. It was a small box turtle, and I didn’t dare take a picture for fear of traffic. At home, a frog is enjoying the wet weather, and for now there is no traffic. Stream repair is planned, though, and I plan to catch and remove the frog before work begins,
Frog
Here are a few blooms.
Common wintercress (Winter rocket)DandelionsSwamp irisFalse indigoFrench lilacLocust tree bloomHosta (not blooming, but beautiful)Wild dwarf larkspurCoral bells
The orange boys might be getting too much to eat…
Marmalade and Tom Morris
Harry is staying lean, and Eddy keeps him laughing…
Be safe, be well, laugh often. Be kind and stay strong. Slava Ukraini! God Save America. Peace.
Galloping Through 