Will wonders never cease?
You'll get it when you read this post...
And so, without further adeau - a few snaps from our spring and summer, in no particular order.
p.s. I am all that and a slice of cheese!! *fist pump*
I know. It's been like forever - 4 months since I've posted. That might be the longest dry stretch I've ever gone.
Can I just complain a little? It's so dry here. And hot and smokey and dirty. This is the summer that I wish would just. go. away. already... can't believe I'm saying that. A respite from the heat, and a little rain would feel really really good right now. Remember that glorious spring I mentioned having? It was the precursor to the summer of staying inside. We have fires everywhere, all over the Pacific Northwest, from Canada down through Wash, Oreg and throughout Cali. So heart wrenching to watch so many beautiful forests burn. Not to mention the extreme hardships of the people fighting those fires. There's been loss of lives, both people and wildlife, homes lost and much pain and suffering. I can't even imagine how they do it, but they do. And this is the place I start feeling guilty for even complaining. *sigh*
The weather is certainly becoming more extreme; all over. Different stuff going on, but a commonality of extreme weather in all corners of the world. Interesting huh? Sad, but interesting. Weather can bring us all to our knees.
So, moving on ! We took our camper and drove to the beach Friday evening after work, on a total whim. SO glad we did! The weather was beautiful, maybe 70 with a stiff and cooling breeze that felt absolutely exhilarating after our air at home being so oppressive. We did a whole bunch of relaxing - walking on the beach with the dogs, feeling the surf rush over our toes, eating clam chowder and pizza, and naps. Did I mention naps? And good food? The dogs had a blast! They must have thought they'd died and gone to heaven. Nothing quite like a good romp on the beach. And Charlotte makes a perfect locomotive for climbing those sandy dunes. Dang that dog's gotten strong! Amazes me how strong she is. Very helpful. Sometimes...
I still haven't been riding. Talk about a dry spell! This one makes me sad. It seems like the longer I go without much more than the "necessities of care" with my horse, the less I miss it. I truly hate that! It makes me sad because my greatest joy in life comes from riding my horse and experiencing that bond, that trust and all those adventures. Remember that new saddle? Yeah, haven't even rode it yet. Eagle and I are both soft. Too darn soft. And yes, my boy's as gorgeous as ever! A little fat, but a stud muffin nonetheless. Just sayin'
We have 2 1/2 cords of firewood in a big ole pile outside the woodshed just waiting patiently to be stacked inside for the winter. We're picking up alfalfa for the old man Shad, this week. He needs those extra calories. Between his teeth and being a Thoroughbred, he's starting to look a little rough. Too thin for my preference, and he's gettin' pretty grey in the face these days. He's still spunky though, always has been and always will be, our most play-loving horse. It's always right there, just below the surface. :) I've always loved two things about Shad (I could name a few more than that about his annoying habits), his dare-deviling playful tendencies; and his kind, kind heart. That horse is just the kindest horse I've ever known. He loves little kids, and is the absolute "best in the world" babysitter for young horses that there could ever be and watches over and takes care of Harley like nobody's business. Eagle does too, but not like Shad does. When we lost Kadie I worried about what Harley would do. But it was a worry not worthy of my time because Shad just stepped right in where Kadie left off. Amazing thing, really. People who don't think there's love in a herd of horses, just don't have a clue.
Our big project of this summer has been our new tack room that my hubby and his brother built in our barn. It's so awesome!!! We've lived in our home for almost 24 years and we've never had a proper tack room. Well, now we do. I have lots of pictures that I'd love to share with you all. But you know me, technologically challenged. It's either me or this computer, but I just can't figure it out. It used to be such a simple process which leads me to believe that this computer has a problem. If it's me, maybe my husband can walk me through it one of these days. *sigh* So irritating! Blogs without pictures? Boring...
So anyway, we turned the first stall into the tack room. We have a corner wall cabinet for supplies and a between the rafters, medicine chest. My talented husband welded old horse shoes into the coolest wall hooks! He also took an old piece of ocean-weathered 2 x 6 and mounted it on more horse shoe brackets and put it on the wall. Perfect spot for our radio and the flashlight. We have 3 saddle racks, bridles that hang on the back wall with wood "rounds" that my hubby also made and a rocking chair and a small table. We even have the perfect spot for an electric fireplace for a warm-up spot come winter. I just need to find room for one more chair. The guys even poured a concrete floor so everything will be high and dry and mouse free. We insulated the walls to help keep out any dampness and will use one of those air-dryer desiccant holding containers so there'll be no more mold. That's why we have never been able to leave anything made of leather outside of our house throughout late fall, winter and most of spring. What a pain it is hauling everything horse-related inside our house, not to mention finding space. But we did it. But no more. :) Color me a happy gal! It's gonna be awesome.
Next up...a front porch. I know, I know. I'm never satisfied am I? You do know that it rains lots in Oregon don't you?
Seriously though...we've been eating lots and lots of fresh strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, plums, peaches, cucumbers, zucchini and tomatoes. Whew! Next up, pears and apples. They are absolutely delicious and I hope you're eating of summer's bountiful harvest of blessings too! We served up the very last of our neighbor's homegrown beef burger with a BBQ last week. How sad. We still have steaks and roasts, but our favorite has always been the ground beef. So much variety to be had.
Oh, and I attended the 40th reunion of our high school graduating class of '78...so much fun! Just wow. 40 years, seriously? Was really good to see some people I hadn't seen in all those years, and was especially good to see and spend some time with my best friend forever, Debra. Since the 3rd grade and it was truly like it could have been yesterday. Totally made me cry with emotion. *sigh* Love that girl-woman. And some that I've known since the first grade. Yes, really. Was just awesome. Time spent well is the greatest gift. Truly. The key is finding out how you want to spend your time.
Take care and enjoy the final month of summer. May it be cooler...or drier, or warmer, or quieter - whatever your wishes are for your neck of the woods.
Lorie and everyone at
Cingspots
I did it! And it was SO easy. Really! :) From my phone...who knew?
