Thursday, May 14, 2009

All the pretty posies

When the sun is shining, all the world's a much happier place. At least this is true of me and my little world. My sweet Annie and I returned to a favorite pasttime today; and I gotta tell ya, it felt grand.


On the springtime breeze is the delightful scent of flowers, and there's abundant birdsong in the air. Fresh air, sunshine and a wonderful friend. A truly wonderful way to wile away an hour.
The time does fly by, but it does a body and the mind, not to mention one's frame of mind - a world of good.

Yes, our rain has disappeared for a while and we're supposed to have sunny skies and warm temperatures for the next several days. A recipe for delighting the senses...and accomplishing projects, hopefully. I talked to my neighbor with the tractor this morning. He will definitely work up the riding area this weekend. I am so excited! My friend Shannon and I are going to ride the boys, Ladde and Harley tonight when I get home. This will be the first time I've been on my horse since last fall. Shame on me!! It's hard to believe that it's been that long. Used to be, I could hardly manage to get through a single day without riding my horse. Times sure have changed; and in more ways than one. In my opinion, I would like that to change that. Beginning tonight. Wish me luck.

I realize that today's pictures have absolutely nothing to do with my topic here, but the flowers are so beautiful and so colorful that I just couldn't help myself. Hope you all approve. Spring in Oregon really is beautiful and I just wanted to share what Annie and I experienced today on our little outing. This picture above is an especially lovely and large, Pink Dogwood.


I have no idea what this is, but the lady whose yard I was photographing said that it was some kind of a bulb which she thinks starts with an "S". Hmmm, anyone know what this flower is called. It's quite unusual, but so pretty. See the little pods before the flower opens up? Mother Nature sure can produce some interesting specimens.


This is quite possibly the most pansies I've ever seen in one location other than a park. This is just a small section. Happy little faces!
So, back to riding my horses. Obviously, I need to work on conditioning - both the horses and me. I plan on wrapping Ladde's lower legs just as a precautionary measure. If you remember, last November he had a torn suspensory in his left front. He's been sound for months but I just want to be cautious. We will work on lots of walking and maybe a little trotting. I just want him to be relaxed, soft and supple. Speaking for both of us of course. That will be a good place to start. I probably won't wrap Harley's legs, but will adhere to the same level of work for him as well. And since I'll be riding with my good friend, we'll get to visit as well. Sounds like a very nice way to spend an evening.


This is a rhododendron. Not sure if I spelled that quite right, but you know what I mean. Rhodies grow wild in the forests around here, and there are literally hundreds of different species and colors. They can grow to be huge, tree-like bushes if left on their own.


I realize this is the second time that I've posted this particular picture, but I just loved this little garden spot with the bamboo fencing in the background. It's so serene. I can imagine having a comfy little chair and reading a book here.


These tulips were quite tall, probably nearing 4 feet or so. Not sure what variety of tulip this is, but it's a fairly late bloomer. Most are already gone until next spring.


These are violas. I love violas even more than I love pansies. They're tiny and adorable.


Again, I have no idea what this particular flower is, but I think it's beautiful the way it's trailing over this fence. I would love to have something like this in my yard. Looks all English countryside to me.
Well, that's about all I have today. For once, I'm pretty much at a loss for something to say. Enjoy it, for that doesn't happen very often. I've been told all my life that I need to talk less and listen more. *sigh*
I try, really I do.
Until tomorrow then,
Blessings to all, cingspots


18 comments:

Gail said...

Don't have to name the flowers, just enjoy them.

Enjoy your ride, I must get back to that soon myself.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Whooeeee, girlfriend. Forgive me again. I'm so far behind in your blog. I've been in a blog/life rut and only keeping up with a few blogs sporadically. I want to catch up on yours tonight, though.

Your photos are all so gorgeous! You've got some serious photography talent, my friend!

The pink dogwood reminds me of cotton candy. lol!
And so many flowers!! Wow! I suppose that's what happens when you've got all that rain. I know you PNW folks complain about the rain...but just look at all the gifts the rain gives in return.

I tell ya, it has only rained here twice in 6 months..and both times were just a sprinkling. We barely got any snow either this year.

The grass that poked itself out of the ground is now so dry it almost shatters when stepped upon!
All this spells 'FIRE DANGER'!
We are all hoping for serious summer monsoons in July and August to up the water quotient around here.

Yes, we love our blue skies 350 days of the year, but a little more rain might be a little nice....especially if we could have even some of those gorgeous flowers you have! :)

~Lisa

Pony Girl said...

Yea, sunshine, finally! :) I love the flower photos, so bright and cheery! I am hoping to get a trail ride in this weekend, too! I've barely ridden this winter. I work my horse a lot, but saddle time has been limited. I hope Harley's is fine and solid. Can't wait to hear about your ride!

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Beautiful flowers , hope you have/had a great ride ! kiss Ladde and Harley's noses for me

Paint Girl said...

Love that pink dogwood tree! I have always wanted one of those! The rhody is gorgous. We have tons of them. And yes, they get huge!
Hope you have a great night riding!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your lovely photos - our spring isn't as far along but we're getting there! Grey Horse Matters, a fellow blogger, had a really excellent post not too long ago about conditioning with recommended work times at different gaits - I, too, have to be careful as I get my mare back into work because she also had a suspensory injury a number of years ago. Good luck with your riding!

Grey Horse Matters said...

Beautiful flowers. I hope you do get to ride tonight and have a great time doing it.

LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...

Oh my goodness gorgeous photos, I agree, you're so talented! Your Annie looks like she's smiling! I do love spring....we're just heading out of peak this week I think the red buds are fading into green leaves and some of the dogwood and flowering crabs are still in bloom but the apple blossoms are gone due to high winds and a storm we had the other night. There's nothing like happy little flowers stretching toward the sun! Yea, I thought of you win I received my new blanket! It made me smile because as you know, my horse growing up was an Appy. Enjoy your spring time and your ride!

LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...

Oh, be watching next week for your necklace...I'll be working on finishing it this weekend as we're suppose to get more rain and I'm not going to the Ranch Horse show this weekend because it's 3 hrs. away....instead I think I'll go and check in on our mare at the trainer...only 45 min. away!

Kathleen Coy said...

Yay, sunshine!!! :-)
That is such a beautiful photo of Annie. And I love violas, too!

Unknown said...

I don't know the names of all the flora, but they are incredibly beautiful. But nothing as cute as that Annie! Oh I know you love her. I have a lab, Senator, who is the four legged member of our family.
Happy Twirls

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

I would love to have some flower beds like those you have pictured.

I think the last one is Wisteria. That is something I have always wanted, but never lived anywhere where it would survive.

Absolutely gorgeous photos!!

Tracey said...

What wonderful photos! The first one of Annie is GORGEOUS!!
Enjoy your ride! The last picture looks like Wisteria to me :)
Tracey

Tracey said...

It's me again. I just wanted to answer your question on my blog about Weight Watchers. I think it's a wonderful program. I am going to the meetings.I am not really a meeting kind of person but, I lost weight before on Weight Watchers and did not go to the meetings and I gained the weight back. I am hoping the meetings will help me to maintain my loss. It does seem to keep me more accountable. What I like about the program is that nothing is a "forbidden food"...it teaches you to make good food choices and to enjoy things in moderation.
I know what you mean about food...I love it too! Let me know if I can help or answer any other questions.
Tracey

Carolynn Anctil said...

What a beautiful day and a lovely part of the world you inhabit. When in doubt, post a photo of a flower, that's my motto. :o) Or a gorgeous furbaby. Annie is such a sweetheart. I'm envious of your access to horseback riding any time you want to. I have to pay every time I go, but it's worth it. :o) I think you're right to take your time easing into it again, both everyone's sake. Enjoy!

Lori Skoog said...

Great shots of all the flowers. Your dog is also gorgeous. Did you go for the ride? By the way, I have said it before... your writing style is outstanding! "A recipe for delighting the senses"...what a great statement.

Melanie said...

Your flowers are lovely, and thank God it is spring, right??? LOL!!!
I hope that your ride was fun the other night, and that you were able to get more miles in over the weekend. It sure was nice out. :)

C-ingspots said...

Thank you so much everybody for all your wonderful comments. I love hearing from all of you so much...so much fun!!
Oh, about the photos...it's pretty hard to take a bad photo of something so pretty. But thanks anyway!
I did get to ride and it was awesome!!
You are all just too cool!!