A Walkabout/Rollabout/Driveabout

Yesterday I delivered a set of panniers to my friend, Audrey.

A professional singer, she performs at the Feast and other places around the country singing songs that tell the history of the our country. We met at the Feast a few years ago and have become good friends.

Panniers were worn under a woman's petticoats and were intended to make her look heavier than she was. 

The reason? A well fed person had money for food, and there were many reasons women (who had little power over their own lives at the time) might have wanted to look heavier.

Finding a husband was one reason. Marrying for money was one way for both men and women to survive during those times. Hence trying to look heavier. (I am wearing panniers in this photo.)

I always let students try on a pair when I visit Lisa's school. This class had a lot of fun with them.

While I was at her home, Audrey pulled out a huge bag chock FULL of homegrown carrots and asked if I could use some.

She filled a Walmart bag for me - the horses are going to be so happy! (I may make soup this weekend with some of them, too.)

On the way home, I decided to drive past Fort Ouiatenon and see how set-up was going. It had started a week ago, and I was curious about the process. Plus, it was a pretty day and I felt like visiting the river.

That's the blockhouse in the back and the two smaller buildings are permanent restrooms. In the foreground, you can see that a natural pole structure has been started.

The Anishinaaba Kwe booth next to me is under construction, too.

My spot is by this pine tree. Since I have a tent, I don't need the Feast organizers to make me a shelter.

The Voyageur Camp will be here. The Wabash is just over the ridge in the background. 

It's a very steep drop of about twenty feet down to the river. The boat ramp begins with a gentle slope (the Voyageur Camp is to the left)

but then suddenly drops off sharply down into the water (where it looks like the ramp ends is actually where the drop-off of the boat ramp begins.)

Partway down the steep part with my walker to give some perspective as to how high that ridge is.

The spine chilling part, though, is that it is very common for the water to rise all the way up that ridge and then flood the grounds of Fort Ouiatenon! It actually crests the top of that ridge.

I love that river deeply, but I am also very aware that it can be dangerous and to be cautious when it is flooding.

We are undergoing a drought right now, so the Wabash is very low. Normally the water comes at least up to that line of the green foliage on the right. (Looking downstream.)

These rocks are usually underwater, too. (Looking upstream.) I have my fingers crossed that the Voyageurs will still be able to paddle downriver, coming around that bend, and then make land at the boat ramp. It's a highlight of the Feast. (I hope the canoe races will be able to be held, too.)

Pere Marquette blessing the settlement as the voyageurs come down the river and in from the north. (That's Brooke on the front left and her husband Tom on the front right.) 

Getting down the boat ramp had some challenges - it was tempting to hop onto my walker and just roll down! Instead, I was glad I had brakes and could keep it from tearing down that steep slope. Even harder, though, was the walk back up. Still, I am glad I walked down to see "my" river.       

As I rolled back to my car, I took a last shot of the blockhouse. I was too tired to walk closer so I could get a clear shot.

And one last photo of one of the booths that will be finished in the next few days.

The park is still peaceful and quiet, but things are beginning to stir as we get ready for next weekend.

I can hardly wait!

Fleabane - Summer Delight/Bane of Fall

The weather here in Indiana has been sunny, hot, and dry. This is going to affect the hay supply for the coming winter, and Tim is already working on ensuring that we have enough for the herd when the snow begins to fly.

Despite the weather conditions, my favorite summer wildflower, fleabane, is in full bloom and gorgeous.

I love how it lines both sides of the fencerows - it never fails to make me smile.

A palomino parade! Can you tell who is mama and who is baby?

Those pretty little flowers, such a welcome sight now, will not be so welcome in autumn.

The flowers turn brown and become burrs that get tangled in the horses' manes and tails. (Well, not Abby's so much!)

While I am sad that someone (I think it is Hokey) chews Abby's mane off, I am glad I don't have to spend time detangling her mane.

Tomorrow - a distinctive trait of Abby's. Stay 'tooned!

The Drought and Economy Strike Again

And claim another victim. I got this sad Facebook message from a woman I went to high school with. My heart breaks for her!

Trina Corbett 7:47am Aug 26 Morning Lynn, not sure if you remember me or not but i went to schoool with you. I have seen you have horses, I have a buckskin mare and a donky, Beau and Lucky, i am needing to dfind a good home for them. My husband hurt his back and unable to work, so we cant afford them anymore and our kids are grown and no grandchildren, but they come together, they have always been together, very loving and gentle. W e are willing to give them for free, just no way to haul. Beau is (the vet said) about 13-15 years old and i am guessing thats how ould lucky is. Very well behaved, Beau hasn't been road since last year, when a frien paid andboarded them for us, so we wouldnt have to get rid of them, but things have not worked out financially for us to keep them:(. If your not interested maybe you might know someone. Thanks Trina

I can't take Beau and Lucky, but I have put out feelers into the horse community around here. I am crossing my fingers for Trina.

Wait Up!!

We are in our second week of 90 degree temps (and several days in the 100s) and a two month long drought. The half inch we got last week did not do much - we need at least 6 inches of rain to get back to normal.

The pastures have not been able to grow, and Tim hauled Dolly, Yukon, and Thunderbolt over to Williamsport to relieve the pressure on the pastures. But, even with only five horses, without rain and with the heat, nothing much is growing.

Today Tim moved the horses into another field that had some grass and clover. The horses were in heaven! Even when I arrived with carrots, they kept their heads down and cropped and cropped that grass. (Although I did notice a lot of ears cocked in my direction!)

So, I opened the gate and took the carrots out to them. Abby, of course, got the bulk, but everyone got a nibble. (Except for Trouble - since he chases the other horses off from me, I solved that problem by ignoring him and not feeding him carrots. Now he has no reason to chase the others away.)

No surprise, the horses quickly went back to grazing after they'd had their carrots. Even Abby, who usually likes to hang out with me, went back, although she did stay around a short time for some rubs to her neck, sides, and face.

I meandered back to the gate, went through it, then turned around for one last look at the horses before going home. Abby suddenly popped her head up and stared at me.

Then she tossed her head and broke into a trot, weaving through the other horses and making a beeline for me at the gate!

She arrived in a swirl of dust and with the other horses, who were wondering what the fuss was all about but willing to follow along, trailing behind her. She looked at me with that familiar, winsome look I am coming to know so well. I was out of carrots, but I did rub her face and say goodbye again.

And then Abby ambled off and went back to grazing. I am still smiling at what she did.