A Sampling of Summer

Seriously, I do believe that this May has been the shortest ever!  And, without a doubt, I know that it's been the coldest and the wettest on record...May is usually one of my most favorite months, and this one was no exception, but...I'm so pale!  And my skin's gonna start wrinkling up like a prune unless I get some sunshine on this face (and legs) and soon!!  You see, here in Orygone, we crinkle from all the excessive moisture in our atmosphere, not from overexposure to the sun's damaging rays...  :~)  Don't ya know?

But, guess what?  This past weekend---we had summer!!!  Hot dog!!  Hot me!!  Hot, hot, hot!!  Oooh baby...I was sweatin' and a fannin' and a complainin' bout it bein' so dadburned hot...so soon!!  I even filled up the kiddy pool for the pooches...and me!!  Ah huh!!  And it felt good!!   Friday after work, we got the shoes on the horses.  This year it's all about me and Ladde.  And all about my hubby and his Shadman.  Yep, we've had Shad since he was a 3-year old and he's now 19 years young...about time he got some use, wouldn't ya say??  I would be remiss right about now, if I didn't add a small request for prayers for the safety of my dear husband.  You see - Shad's quite impressive in the art of "bucking".  Ah huh...impressively so.  But, he's a good boy.  And, we have faith in him.  We're gonna have fun, fun, fun riding those two this summer!! Yessiree!!  I've been riding Ladde for close to 3 weeks now, and he's doing fabulously well!!  I love that horse so much!!  Me and Ladde are pards for sure!!  We're going to be just fine.  Once I find a way to climb aboard, that is.  :)  Ladde is perfect!!!  And, I'm so very, very proud of that horse.  I just can't tell you!!  Anyway, bragging aside.  So far, so good.  I've been calm.  I've been in control of my emotions.  And, I've been in charge.  And Ladde knows it...that's the key.  When I'm not in charge...he immediately takes control, and that's not good.  So, I just need to remember to breathe deeply, relax, sit deep...and ride.  Piece a cake! 

On Sabbath morning, the sunshine was out in full force.  Since so far this spring, sunshine has been very short in supply...we opted to stay home from church and enjoy a leisurely morning at home on the deck.  It was beautiful!!  For a while.  And then it got hot, and hotter and hotter.  It was around 85 or so, and since we've been having temps in the 50's and 60's are a heat rush...we were sweatin' bullets.  I'm not complaining though...even got a bit of color in my cheeks!  :)

Saturday evening we loaded ourselves and our dogs in the truck and headed for the drive-in.  Double feature and pizza.  What could say summer more than that??  It was great!!  Families and people were out in full force!!  The smell of popcorn on the evening breeze and a sky full of stars...just beautiful!  We got home about 2:30 in the morning!!  A bit late for this early to bed kinda gal!  Aah, it was fun though, sure felt like a summer's eve for a welcome change!! 

Sunday morning dawned a bit overcast and rather balmy by comparison to Saturday, but it was warm and not raining so we weren't complaining a bit.  We got our garden plants planted (finally!), the lawn mowed again, housework caught up (sort of) and even had time for an afternoon nap before heading out to do the grocery shopping.  We barbecued hot dogs and had raw broccoli salad for dinner...oh, it's good to be looking forward to a few months of long, sunny days and warm nights!  I'm soooo looking forward to this summer!  There's so much that I want to do, and enjoy...I want to savor each and every possible moment!

Shortly after dinner we heard the rumbling sounds of thunder, and lightening strikes soon followed.  The rain started in as well, so we headed out to bring the horses inside from the pasture.  Harley practically ran to us when we called them, so apparently he thought coming into the barn was a pretty good idea too.  A tiny bit of grain and a flake of hay was all it took to soothe and calm the mighty beasts...aaahh peace.  I always sleep better on a stormy night when the horses are safely tucked inside their stalls too.  So much for our summer weather.  Spring sure seems more volatile in recent years than I remember...the times they are a changin'.

And here we are back to Monday.  Back to work, or back to the grindstone as my dad used to say...rest in peace my sweet daddy and Happy Birthday too!  June 3rd was my dad's birthday.  He's been gone for almost 17 years now, but if he were still living, he would have turned 89 - wow!  I can hardly believe it's been that long...and I still miss him every single day.  Life's never the same when your mom and dad aren't around anymore.  So, in closing...cherish your parents.  You will miss them one day.  I'm going home and I'm going to ride my horse.  Best therapy in the whole, wide world.  For me it is, anyway...

Blessings everyone,
Lorie

Oh, and in case you're wondering...today was back to normal.  Well, a wee bit warmer than what our normal has been of late.  Right around 70, warm and not raining.  It's been a good day. 

Oh, and...I can't believe I almost forgot!!!  33 years ago today, I graduated from high school!!  Oh man, I cannot believe how old I'm getting to be!!  Oh well, the alternative's much worse my friends!!!  Rock on Class of '78!!!  Rock on!!!