Happy horses this morning were grazing under the setting Full Pink Moon, which actually did look sort of pink! The first night turnout went well, and the boys were all happy to come into the barn for the hot and windy day.
I saw Harlan and the trash truck on the road, as I was running off to do some errands. He did his usual expert job, without my interference. After lunch, Jane and I rode in the wind again. Jane got a haircut today, but it was hard to tell under a riding helmet. Maybe tomorrow I can get a picture of her new hairdo. I am still living with long pandemic hair, but perhaps Jane will inspire me to return to short hair.
I decided to take some pictures around the farm in between chores. I got birds in the air – a blue jay, and turkey vultures.
Blue jay flies past the Osage orange tree
A painted lady butterfly – the most widely distributed butterfly on earth 
Spring color awaiting hummingbirds 
The dogwood blossoms endure – this is certainly the year of the dogwood 
Non native, invasive Russian olive. A bad plant, though fragrant 
Bottlebrush buckeye buds 
Japanese maple 
Spring garden
The cats had a great day today, but I missed many good pictures of them. Here are two that made the blog.
Rosie on the mounting block 
Tom Morris and Twizzler
The island in front of the house has too many things planted on it. It was so bare when we started that I got carried away. The magnolia was pretty stunned by the freezing temperatures last week. Now, with mid summer warmth, it is looking better. Most exciting, though, I saw a bird’s nest in the maple tree, the first tree we ever planted here. I don’t know whose nest it is, but I plan to keep an eye on it.
Magnolia (I planted it because it is an Ann Magnolia variety) 
A nest!
Finally, on that island east of the house amidst the too many trees and shrubs, are some little late daffodils. They grow atop Petro’s grave. She was one of the great dogs of my lifetime. She lived with us for fifteen years, despite a catastrophic accident when she was two years old, while we were away at a horse show in Memphis. Our good friends, the McKinstrys, next door in Bowling Green, rose to the occasion when the housesitter would not take her to a St. Louis veterinarian. They dropped everything and rushed Petro to the Emergency Clinic, while we were driving home through the night. Ross and Anne (and the veterinarians) saved her life, and for the next thirteen years she went everywhere with me. Our life has been enriched by many memorable animals. Serious, devoted Petro inhabits some of my favorite memories and expands my gratitude for sharing life with creatures.
Petro Puppyo
Stay safe, stay well. Peace.
Anne,
A memorable Saturday evening it was. Grateful we were home and perfect timing when I walked into the house to pick up the phone (the era when cell phones were not the norm). Petro was a perfect patient despite her pain. She received excellent care from the veterinarians. Experiencing an evening at the Emergency Animal Hospital beats any reality show. So glad, there was a happy recovery and you had many happy years with Petro. You reciprocated in saving Kingfish’s eye while we were in the mountains of Colorado.
We enjoyed the Bronze Fox dog pack plus Jane’s Isabelle patrolling. Our farm became the cat annex when they bailed out on you.
Great memories of great friends and neighbors.
Best wishes,
Ross & Anne
wonderful blog