Accomplishments, Pleasantries and Bugs

Truly a feeling to relish! After Mother Nature's spectaular display of springtime perfection this past weekend, I'm feeling positively frisky. Tis so true. It felt like we were going from sunup to sundown, but it wasn't all work. Mixed in between, there were plenty of opportunities for the savoring of a beautiful day. White, billowy clouds floating across a sky of the most delightful blue. And the glorious sunshine was just warm enough to cause a sweat across the brow, and give one the chance to pause and savor the cool breeze. Absolutely delicious!! My shoulders feel mildly sensitive and there's a blush to my complexion that I haven't seen in quite some time. It feels so good to be warm!! I couldn't ask for anything more.

And yes, I absolutely did get to ride - both the boys. And it felt good. I felt at home in the saddle and there was a peace of mind that's been missing for quite some time. Aaahh, truly a gift to be astride a horse. Yes indeed, what a blessing! Now, some people might not know just how I'm feeling, but it's not something that can be explained. It just has to be experienced. It's truly one of the best feelings ever...without a doubt.

Since it's been a while for all involved, I put Ladde in the round pen first. Perfection. Simply couldn't have asked for anything better. Attentive, calm and happy to be schooled. My big boy performed like a professional. So, I hopped (actually climbed would be a better word) aboard and we walked around for a while both directions. We worked on some flexing and some suppling exercises, we backed, we rode some diagonals. Then we stood, well he stood and I sat, and watched the sunset, felt the cool breeze on our faces and contemplated the universe. It was good. Then we called it a day, I groomed him, gave him a treat and let him back out with his buds. That's when I noticed it. The left front foot is totally out of balance. Farrier's going to be here this Wednesday, so no more riding the Laddster until his feet are levelled and balanced. I'm not taking any chances with his soundness. Then...all bets are off. Conditioning 101 here we come!

Then it was Harley's turn. As usual, he was pleased with coming in for a nice grooming session and a little one-on-one time. He's all sleepy and doe-eyed. So sweet sugar wouldn't melt in his mouth. At least until I asked him to move out in the round pen. Then the little sucker dropped his head to the ground, rounded his back into the perfect arc and took to bucking!!! Little beast!! All I could do was stand there in the center of the ring and laugh at the theatrics of it all. His eyes were all drooped like a cocker spaniel's and the red interior was prominent. He looked like one of those rodeo broncs - it was classic style!! Obviously he wasn't impressing me, so with a look of complete and utter disdain directed towards me, he stopped. Just like that. Quit and gave me the look. I asked him to move out once again; and he was Harley again. My sweet boy. *sigh* Ya just gotta love 'em. I mounted up and we rode and practiced all the same stuff as I'd just done earlier with Ladde. Good as gold.

We got lots of yard work done this weekend too. My hubby finished building my 20 ft. long raised cane berry planting bed and our neighbor loaded the box with dirt from our supply in the pasture. Oh wow, am I ever impressed with equipment!! My wonderful neighbor got our riding corral all tilled up and powdery beautiful, and loaded the raised planting bed in about an hour. You just can't beat that with a stick!! The planting box alone would probably have taken us all weekend, just to haul the dirt. I love my neighbor...and his tractor. We are blessed because even if we can't afford to buy our own tractor - at least we have well supplied neighbors!! Could be worse.

Our weekend wasn't all roses though. Hubby and I had went out for breakfast and on the way back, made a stop at the local fossil fuel emporium for some gas in our truck. Remember the truck that my hubby had just repaired the previous weekend by replacing the water pump? Yes, that one. Well, long story short. The problem remains. It was hot and we had the air conditioner on and the blasted engine overheated again. And, what's worse, this time when it was all hot and bothered, the oil pressure dropped to zilch. That's not a good sign. I don't know a heckuva lot about engines...but I'm pretty sure that's a bad sign. I could be wrong, but probably not. So...this coming Memorial Day weekend when we had planned to go to Mt. Adams and go horsecamping with all our friends??? Yep - we're not going anyplace. It's just not worth the risk of breaking down alongside the road with the horses. Nope. Not this time.

Oh well...you can't win 'em all. Some days you're the windshield - and then some days you're the bug.

How do my wings look anyway??

Good??

Cool.

Remember to be thankful for all things...even those dadburned tribulations!!

Hope you all have a great week.