Thanks, Barn Buddy!

Because I have been ill with COVID symptoms and isolating, I haven't been out to see my girl.

Kelsey decided to do something about that and sent me some very welcome snaps of Abby.

And Sultanna and Hokey!

And Dolly! Does this girl look like she has a fun personality or what?

Like I said...

I am feeling fine now and hope to get out to the barn today before the temperatures plummet into single digits. In the meantime, thank you, Kelsey, for your thoughtfulness and I hope I can return the favor some day.

It is wonderful to have a barn buddy!

Barn Buddy II

When I arrived at the barn this afternoon, my little barn buddy spied me and came running. His parents live on the property, and he, his mama, and little sister were enjoying the beautiful fall day outside in their back yard.

"Can I go see the horses with you?" he asked as he reached me.

"Is it okay with your mom? Did you ask her?" I replied.

"Um, no," was his response.

I looked up and Melanie, carrying sweet baby Paisley, was walking toward us. She was a little worried that Deacon might be a bother, but I assured her that I did not mind his company, so she consented.

We set off around the corner of the new barn, Deacon chattering a blue streak. He commented on how I used the gates. "My Papa ducks through the fence. So do I. Why don't you?"

(Because I have an artificial hip and two artificial knees and the rest of me is stiff with arthritis!)

Only pausing briefly to pick a ladybug off a plant, Deacon trotted alongside me as we reached the old barn. Abby and the herd were out beyond that in the west pasture. (Just to prove I could, I ducked through the rails of the fence, but Deacon wasn't impressed with my prowess - he was too interested in the ladybug that was now crawling on his sleeve.)

I called Abby's name and whistled while Deacon held up the pear I had given him to share with her.

He's got that ladybug gently clutched in the other hand!

 Abby came right up for her afternoon snack.

 While the ladybug scooted out of Deacon's hand and into his sleeve...

... Abby stuck her head out and nudged his cheek.

"Stop that, Abby!"

Abby ate the pears I had brought, and then Deacon and I walked back through the pastures, around the new barn, and back to his home where his mom and Paisley were sitting out on the patio.

Can't wait to have my barn buddy join me again!

My Little Barn Buddy

When I arrived at the barn this afternoon, Tim's grandson, Deacon, was there with his dad and grandfather. Deacon was "born in boots" - he loves horses passionately even though he is only three years old. (He and I have a lot in common!)

When he heard that I was heading out to see Abby, he asked if he could come, too. His father agreed, so Deacon tagged along with me, chattering a blue streak about the horses as we walked out to where the herd was grazing.

 I whistled for Abby, and Deacon watched in eager anticipation as she ambled up to see us.

 She stuck her head through the fence, to say "hello," but Deacon suddenly became shy and stepped back.

Spying the bag of apple slices in my hand, Deacon cried,"Give her an apple! Give her a piece!"

 I complied (to Abby and Deacon's delight) and he looked on as she happily munched.

I asked Deacon to show me his cowboy boots, but he insisted that first he had to give me the handful of rocks he had been carrying around. I have no idea why he couldn't hold the rocks while showing me the boots, but I obediently took them so he could pose. (He is so cute!)

When all the apple slices were gone, Abby followed us back to the new barn. I felt a bit like the Pied Piper of Hamlin with her and my little barn buddy tagging along!