It was a delightful cloudy and cool day. Harry and I started by doing the recycling and a few errands, then Jane and I rode while Harry worked in the studio. While I was tacking up Bart, he went on high alert. There it was, in the woods, a deer. It’s like being overrun with rats lately! I put ear plugs in so that Bart couldn’t hear scampering through the undergrowth. Not that the deer was at all afraid of me when I tried to chase it away. It ambled calmly off. Deer season will be a bloodbath this year if these practically tame creatures wander out of the subdivision.
Scram! You varmint! 
Jane and Derry arrive
Today I jumped a bit. My knee felt OK, and Bart was good, but I didn’t overdo it. Nonetheless, I did almost fall off! I decided to jump the silly jump we had set with the black blocks and the yellow rail. Bart had popped over it with hardly a look yesterday. Today, I thought I would just canter to it to finish. I had a little trouble with a lead change on the way, but got it, saw a perfect distance, and Bart slammed on the brakes and slipped left. I honestly think he thought I meant to go past it, and not over it. I stayed on, continued around and tried again and it was completely uneventful, just a canter stride, no spook at all. As always, a good wake up call. That perfect distance gets me into trouble because I take it for granted. Horses will always remind us to pay attention.
Jane schooled Derry higher than Bart and I jumped. As always, they were stars.
A beautiful jump 
Consistency! This is a second time over the jump 
Expressive tail
Bart worked up a good sweat, but before I could bathe him, I had to remove this visitor from the wash rack. I notice it looks like the frog has a little sore on its right side, but it seemed fine when I picked it up and removed it to the garden, and it could jump a very long way!
After bathing, it was such nice weather that the horses could go out early.
Harry and I went to dinner with friends, Bill and Diane, outdoors, and had a delicious meal and great fun. Before we left, I had time for a few bird pictures.
Contemplative dove, and an impressionistic dove in flight above 
Hummingbird 
Hummingbird departs 
Blue jay with fine feathers
Roscoe was feisty today. He went after poor Cedar, who could kill him with ease, but knows she mustn’t. Cedar is such a sweet, patient soul.
Fierce Roscoe 
Put that dog in its place! (Cedar ignores him)
Finally, after a full day, it’s time to rest. I hope we can all sleep as well as Roscoe!
Stay safe, stay well, sweet dreams.