First of all, here is a link to the local news coverage of the unveiling last week in Nacogdoches, Texas https://www.ktre.com/2021/07/23/longlasting-legacy-four-beloved-storytellers-have-statue-dedicated-their-honor/
I hope that works. It’s new technology for me to add a link.
This morning was surprisingly cool and beautiful. Cedar trotted out to the barn with me for her cat food scatter. No varmints in evidence.
We rode the first string (Oisin, Bart, and Derry). The ground is dry now, so we can hack around the back hay field, which is nice for the horses. The ring can get a bit tedious for them.
Checking new stirrup leathers 
Susan and Oisin
Jane was good enough to return to help me school Stone, who was brilliant.
My trainer 
Stone in the morning light
I am pleased to report that all four baby swallows were present in their nest in the barn this morning. The nest is vacated during the day, as they have learned to fly. It’s a dangerous world out there, not least of the dangers being eight cats, though the parents spend plenty of time distracting and intimidating the cats with bombing raids.
Four little barn swallows 
Cat bombing
Speaking of birds, I did get some bird pictures today. Jane had a juvenile turtle view – a rare and wondrous thing to see! The picture doesn’t show scale, but it was a tiny turtle at the end of the driveway.
Male tanager 
Female tanager 
Blue jay with an unruly feather 
Dove cooling off
Rebecca stopped by with treats and we had a short visit. I snapped a picture as she was trying to escape.
I also snapped a picture this morning of Harlan, our “waste collection specialist”, with his new summer haircut.
Then, Jane came over after a day of hard labor to pick up some delicious local peaches from Rebecca. We enjoyed some time on the porch as the day wound to a close.
And speaking of hard labor, here is how I found the sculptor at work today. For a moment, I was worried he had “fallen and can’t get up!”. But no, it was just some low details being attended to. It is not an easy job, sculpting!
To my surprise, the deer missed some day lilies amongst the lilac bushes. The scarlet honeysuckle is thriving this year, a favorite of hummingbirds.
Last chore of the day is dumping the garden detritus in the woods behind the ring. There are almost always deer grazing on the hay field in the gloaming.
A young buck
End of day, the sky glows, and we prepare for a forecast heat wave ahead.
Stay safe, stay well, wear a mask. Peace.
The glove detail is amazing!
Thank you. About how old would you estimate a juvenile box turtle to be?
Peace, L
I don’t really know – Jane said it was a youngster because of its size. I looked it up, and there is no precise way to tell the age of a wild box turtle, apparently. I will tell Jane that next time she sees a “young” one, she should put something near it for scale – a coin, for instance.
I don’t really know, Linda. I am guessing two years? I tried to look it up, and there seems to be no acceptably reliable way to tell with a wild box turtle. Jane said it was very small. Next time, I will suggest something placed near it for scale – a coin, perhaps.
And thank you again. Sounds like a fabulous day.