Memorial Day Weekend

Difficulties with our truck prevented us from attending our first scheduled camp-out with our riding club to Mt. Adams last weekend. We could have wallowed in self pity because we were grounded but we chose to instead enjoy the beautiful Memorial Day weekend weather and accomplish many things at home.

Speaking of our truck, here's a picture of Big Grey looking good after all these years of loyal use and many miles of hauling us and our horses across the country. It's been a good truck and has never broke down and left us stranded - not even once, in all the times we've used and abused it.

Hopefully, quite soon we'll get it into the shop and diagnose exactly what the problem is. After we know what we're dealing with, then we can make an educated decision on how to approach the next step. If it's not terribly expensive, we'll probably have the repairs done and continue driving it until the wheels fall off. Having no truck payments is a very good thing. However, if it's serious and the repairs are extensive...well then, that's another story. We'll probably have to replace Big Grey with a newer model. If that's the case, we'll go with a diesel and get a truck with a back seat. More space is always nice. The payments won't be quite so easy to get used to.
We'll see.

Here's Ladde enjoying some leisure time doing what he enjoys most...munching on green grass.
I've been trying to ride Lad and Harley every day for a short time of about 30-40 minutes. Next week, I'll probably alternate and ride each one every other day since I don't always have the time to ride them both. Since their appointment with the farrier a week ago, they're much more level and comfortable. Troy put the steel natural balance shoes on their front hooves this time. This type of shoe causes a quicker breakover and I do notice each horse being lighter on the forehand. They're doing amazingly well considering neither one has been worked since last October. Excellent horses - I'm truly blessed!!

And, here's Harley savoring his free time too. Come to think of it - these boys have quite the life. During our evening schooling sessions, we've been working on suppling exercises, a lot of moving off the leg, diagonals and smooth transitions. I've noticed especially a marked improvement in Harley since last year. I'm quite impressed and very proud of my boys!!

We accomplished a lot of yard work. The mowing and trimming is all caught up once again. The weather was perfectly glorious and the temperatures were in the mid 70's with a pleasant breeze. Perfect for hanging the laundry outside in the fresh air. We got the raised bed cleaned out and new dirt added. We planted 6 tomato plants in all. I chose a SunGold, which is a mild cherry variety, an heirloom tomato called a Brandywine, a couple of Beefsteaks and a couple of Early Girls. Fresh tomatoes from the garden is one of the best things in the whole world!! Sliced up and put in a sandwich with smokey bacon is a treat to be sure!! Yummy!!

This is a neighbor's crimson clover field. I drive by this field every morning on the way to work. It's just stunning this time of year.

Hubby taking a break. And the ever hopeful poochie wanting him to throw the ball for her.

The ivy has really grown a lot since we planted it several years ago. We may have to start cutting it back because it's almost halfway up the wall on the front of the house. I kind of like it in this corner though. Gives the deck a corner of interest.

Here's my berry garden. This picture was taken before I had all the plantings completed. Now however, I have 4 boysenberries planted, 5 bush variety red raspberries, and 2 marionberries. This week I will try to find some strawberry plants that will go along the front. I'm probably over doing the plants, but will make adjustments if and when they become necessary. My hubby still needs to sink a couple of posts at each end and string two horizontal wires for the cane berries to climb. There's time for that though. We can probably expect a good first crop in 3 years. Right now, that seems like a long wait, but I'm sure the wait will be worth it.

We've been using the riding corral for over a week now, but here's my wonderful neighbor performing his magic with his amazing tractor. Sure makes short work of the job! And of course, no project gets done without the great and powerful Merlin overseeing things!

In our 3 day weekend, we accomplished a lot of projects. Besides the yard work, garden plantings, horseback riding and usual household stuff, we also got to borrow our other neighbor's tractor and pile up our last winter's manure into a nice mountain where it can compost for years to come, and got our fields mowed. We got one hay barn cleaned out and have one more to go. Tis the season for cutting hay and all around us there are hay fields being mowed and before you know it, we'll be filling our barns with this coming winter's hay supply. Whew!! So much work...so little time!! There's always work to be done when you live in the country, but it feels wonderful accomplishing things and putting in a good day's work in the sunshine and fresh air.

This whole coming week is supposed to be in the 70's and lower 80's without a drop of rain in sight. I am loving it and looking forward to much fun in the sun.

Hoping you are all enjoying this beautiful spring and experiencing the goodness that life has to offer.

Blessings from cingspots!!