Yesterday

My stove burner and its turn-on knob blew-up. There was abit of a fire. I ran downstairs and turned off the breaker. I do not like electrical fires. For some reason the digital stove clock is still telling me the time. Have I turned the stove off? It has been 24 hours and I smell nothing odd.

My truck wouldn't start. Who knows why. I do not like vehicle problems. I am not mechanical-minded at all. After turning and jiggling the key for a half an hour (along with much cursing)--the engine caught. And I was on my way to town. It is a 30 minite trip (each way). Anxiety ruled the miles. Made it tho. And made it home with much needed supplies.

One of my horses was not feeling well. This is always cause for concern. I do not like sick horses. They can't tell you what is wrong. All I have to go on is what I know about Emmy...a gut feeling at best. When to call the vet? It is a tuff call. She seems more "perky" this am.

We were under tornado watches and warnings all day. I do not like severe weather. It was xciting when I was younger. At 60--it is just anxiety. Very warm. Horribly humid. So very still. Even the birds were quiet. There was a smell in the air at times. (Was the breaker turned off?). At 11 last nite things settled down. But it was touch and go all day. For the next few days rain is to come down in buckets.

Today I'm joining the Corgs on the couch. Covered in hair tho it is. They know how to take some R and R.

Kickin' It!

All of the critters are full of Spring energy. None more so than Booker. Who just can't stop. Bucking. Rearing. Running. He gets everyone moving. It is a joy to watch. Winter has been long. The World is in a mess. I need some laughter. How about you?

Pasture

3 years ago we fenced the pastures. It was alot of work--during a very hot July. Since then the separate pastures have been not just for feeding. The major ice storm in 09 trashed the main pasture. Many trees and branches--laden with ice--crashed to the earth. Breaking the fences. Cluttering the ground. The horses were trapped. In shock. They couldn't have "escaped" to the hills. Which--as all horse owners know--they love to do. I was able to move them to an open pasture. One undamaged--with standing fence. They calmed down. It was a horrible 6 days. No electricity. So no water. Or heat. The horses had a safe place tho. All that July sweat was worth it.

Awakening

Last Spring we planted a couple hundred daylillies. Around the house. In a big sunny spot away from the house. Nothing formal. Just large areas of easy-to- care-for color. The bulbs are "waking up". Wonderful!! Today will be 50 and sunny. Think I'll get the rake and begin clearing off the garden beds. At least ones in the warm sunny spots!

Dogs and Their Work

All dogs need work. Sullivan's work is to guard and protect. Booker was born  last April. In this photo Boo is 8 hours old. Sully stayed outside that night. Unusual for him. This is why. I knew the birthing time was close. Sullivan knew it was now. Just a dog. Doing his work. What a gift.

Moon Walk

We all headed out for a walk tonight. Corgs. Cats. Even the Horses came out to the back pasture. I've been in a funk these past days. The "experts" call it depression. I prefer the word melancholy. There is a feeling inside that does not "depress". It saddens and hurts. And just sits inside of me. Making itself at home. I do not welcome this visitor. But she insists.

The Corgs insist on rolling in dirt. And other things. They insist on running around--chasing each other and barking. They insist on herding the cats. And twitching their noses toward the wind. The Horses insist on apples that "must" be in my pockets. And pulling the cap off my head. The Cats insist they can climb to the very top of our 150 year old oaks without falling. And they show me their skills.

I insist on nothing. Except the moon being "up there". My unwelcome visitor and I walk in the shadows of moon light. In step.

More Winter

Nothing stops the Corgis. They can be out in zero temps for hours. Running. Chasing. Rolling. Barking. They love zooming up and down our deep (empty) pond. Down and up. Up and down. Around and around. And around some more. No skateboards needed. They have their own little wheels. This pic was taken during  a moment of rest. Mine.

Tired of Winter

I lived in Minnesota for (far too many) years. The winters were long. Very cold. And (far too) windy. Taking care of the horses was a pain. Water would freeze. Hay was so heavy. My hands would become ice. Hooves covered with ice and snow gave the horses an xtra 3 inches. Which can be very hard to walk around in. And cleaning that frozen mess off was near impossible at times.

Winter is easier here--in the Ozarks. For horses. And we humans who live with them. Still--all of us are tired of the cold and snow. And looking over the fence--to the other pasture. The grass is under there somewhere. We're tired of winter.

Accidentals

Sometimes what I see in the lens is not what comes out in the print. This is one of those times. I like this much better than the clear crisp shot I thought I took. It's an accidental.

Becoming Annie

Annie is our youngest and smallest. She has her Mother's eyes and her Father's white ruff. Slow to explore her world. Slow to attach to her humans. Easily distracted. Uninterested in food. Always busy just to be busy. I suppose in human terms she would be labled a child with special needs. I have a daughter with that label. It's very familar.

She's settling tho. Now at 8 months exploring her world has become an adventure. Hearing her name means warm and gentle touch. Focusing on  squirrel chasing is lazer like. Kibble is very tastey. Being busy leads to a deep rest.

And there is music. When I break out in a song---Annie dances. She gets up on her back legs, twirls her petite self in circles and toes the 2 step. I sing. She toes and twirls. The well known Corgi smile fills her face. And that little Corgi butt moves it!

Annie is dead. She was hit by a car. I do not know what she was doing way down by that country road. None of the other Corgis go there. It gets little traffic. The barn is empty when we all go out to "hay" the horses. Annie would jump from bale to bale. Exporing. Focusing. Interested. She was becoming Annie.

Introductions

Sullivan. King of the ranch.

Annie at 4 months. Scout's sister.

Scout
She is the daughter of Sidney and Sullivan.

Stella and Quinn
Stella is Quinn's Auntie.

Sidney  Sullivan  and Quinn
! These 3 are  Mom, Pop and  Son.

Fire Pit

Just beyond the chairs is our Fire Pit. We built it using large hunks of  the leftover fieldstone used to make the patio. Actually David and Max did the heavy work. I cheered them on. We spend many evenings here. Watching the flames. Sharing our thoughts. Silently sitting. Listening to the creatures of the night. A good place for reflection and rest. We have not been able to use it at all this Fall. No rain for nearly 2 months makes burning impossible. I miss it. If you look closely you may see a Corgi or two.

Happy October!

She was hiding in the hay I took out to the horses this morning. Surprised the heck out of me! Didn't even know we had them here in Southern Missouri. Welp..we do! As Autumn cools the air---Tarantulas head for warmer spaces. Like nice dry hay bales. I put her back in the barn. On a higher unused shelf. Perhaps we'll have wee ones come spring. Or perhaps not. She may move on.

Quick little things

It is very difficult to get a clear photo of Corgis in motion. They zoom around so quickly on their short little legs I'm reminded of hummingbirds in flight. I'll keep trying tho.