Boing! Boing! Boing!

Right now I feel like I am bouncing from one thing to another. I finished up the haversack orders and did some much needed house cleaning with Craig. When that was done, I started pulling models off the shelves that I am thinking of taking to Clover City in June.

I prefer to bring 30 or fewer models, and I'm up to 20 already so I may need to do some paring down. Still, figuring out your show string is a fun task and I am enjoying myself.

Teacher Daughter Lisa had to run out of town as soon as school let out and we had Nash and Molly come stay overnight.

We love to have them come over - they are very personable and always make us laugh.

They have lots of FOMO, so you do need to be prepared to have a companion wherever you go, and I mean EVERYWHERE! (Yep, that's the bathroom Molly is entering.)

Lis got back to town Sunday morning. In the hustle of packing up leashes, bowls, and other doggie things, we realized we were late for Church. Lisa had to take the dogs home and would not be able to be there before the service was over, but Craig and I had time. We hopped into the car and headed off... 

... only for me to realize halfway there that in my rush, I'd forgotten to change my slippers for my sandals! Oh, well! My feet were VERY comfy at Church that day! Haha!

Summer is ratcheting up here in Indiana. There is a hay field at the edge of our neighborhood, and as we passed it on our way to Church, I noticed that it had had its first cutting of the season.

A flock of Canadian Geese that had wintered on our lake has been summering in the field and they took advantage of the insects and other edible things stirred up when the hay was cut.

But geese aren't the only water fowl that have joined our neighborhood for the summer. We have another family of aquatic birds living nearby.

A group of Mallards!

Part of Pepper's guide dog training was to not bark at or chase other animals, and she doesn't, but she sure was interested in this pair early this morning. She tagged along behind them until they went to the neighbor's yard. (She's also trained to stay in our yard.)

One of them even flew up to our neighbor's roof! Seeing a duck  on the top of a roof is more than a bit unexpected!

Like I said, I feel like I am bouncing all over with things to do. And when I need a break, it's good to sit down with my new favorite flavor of ice cream, one my family suggested I try.

I am a Vanilla Coke girl through and through, but this Dr. Pepper Float really does taste like a Dr. Pepper Float. It is now  Lynn's Official Ice Cream of Summer, 2023!!

Don't forget, it's the last day to enter for the Brighty haversack drawing! Just comment on today's post or send me your comments to enter! (horsiemama8@gmail.com.) Entries close at 11:59 EDT today! Good luck!

The Down Side of Summer

 Summer is wonderful, but it has its down side, too.

Bugs and bug bites are one of them.

Poor Abby had a big welt on her side from something that bit her when I went out to check her today .

Of course, summer also means red clover season. But even that pretty pasture flower has its drawbacks.

It makes the horses, especially Abby, very drooly, and if you aren't careful,

SPLAT!!

Thanks a lot, Abby. Yuck!

(Red clover photo from Google Images.)

Hay and Heat

The temperatures have been in the 90s for several days with no respite in sight. 

That means that when the hayfield behind the nursery paddock was cut, the hay dried quickly in that hot sun.

They are going to rake and bale it tomorrow.

 We haven't had rain for weeks, but the pastures are still thriving. This is the southwest pasture.

My favorite wildflower, fleabane, is in full bloom right now. I've picked this flower since I was a little girl and used to put the stems in mason jars on the kitchen table. (Actually, I still do.)

Like the pastures, Abby and her friends are thriving despite the oppressive heat. There is plenty to eat, fresh water, and shady spots when the hot sun is too much.

It is definitely high summer in Indiana, and life is good!

In the Good Old Summer Time

As you can probably tell from all these blog entries connected to songs, I love music. My minor in college was music, and believe it or not, I used to sing and perform opera. (Not any more!!)

This song is from 1902 and is an American Tin Pan Alley song with lyrics by Ren Shields and music composed by George Evans. In 1949 Judy Garland starred in a movie named after the song's title.

In the Good Old Summer Time
In the good old summer time,
In the good old summer time!
Strolling thro' the shady lanes,
With your baby mine;
You hold her hand and she holds yours,
And that's a very good sign
That she's your tootsie wootsie
In the good old summer time.

 These two are constantly together...

... and usually hot on Abby's heels "strolling thro' the shady lanes."

They follow her everywhere, and crowd me for attention when I am visiting my girl.

Sultanna (above on the left) is a three year old filly bred by Tim, and Snickerdoodle, a two year old gelding, is her full brother. Sultanna is very gentle and quiet; Snickerdoodle is a little more assertive and likes to poke his face into mine.

 I think he wants me to be his "tootsie wootsie!"

And if that's the case, then he's going to get a big buss on the nose every time he pokes it into my face!

Hmmm, maybe we aren't tootsie wootsies after all!

Just like the other herd members, Sultanna and Snickerdoodle are in good flesh and enjoying our beautiful "good old (Indiana) summer time." 

The Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer at the Barn

Summer can be such a wonderful time. Another fun summer song that I like to sing was done by Nat King Cole. It's not a lazy-type song, it's more of a "get up and go" tune.

Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,
Those days of soda and pretzels and (root) beer!
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,
You'll wish that summer could always be here!

Great song! (I always sing "root beer" since I don't drink - hah!)

Well, Abby isn't the only one who has been enjoying the "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer."

This is Trouble, Tim's big-boned Quarter Horse gelding whom he bred, foaled, trained, and has had since birth. He's about ten years old. If you have ever seen the Breyer model Chub, Hoss Cartwright's horse, you have an idea of how Trouble is built.

(Photo credit to Identify Your Breyer.)

Trouble is big and often lives up to his name, although a better term might be "naughty." He's not mean spirited at all. Trouble just likes to know what you're doing and to see if he can lend a hoof to help you out whether you want that help or not!

As you can see from the photo, Trouble clearly has been having a good time this summer out on all that yummy pasture!

Summertime and the Livin' is Easy!

Cole Porter wrote the lyrics to a song that I love and often sing in the summer:

Summertime
Summertime, and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is fine.
Oh, your Daddy's rich, and your Ma is good lookin',
So, hush little baby, don't you cry.

There's a real lazy feel to the song, and it describes perfectly life for Abby and the herd at the barn right now.

 It may be the end of July, but the pastures are lush and the horses are happy.

I wondered if Abby would come up when I called her. While I was out of town, my daughter, Lisa, checked on her, and Abby was too busy grazing to come up for a visit and treats.

Is that a contented face or what?

But, as soon as she heard my call, Abby's head popped up and she ambled over, munching as she meandered. (Good thing she came when I used my voice; usually I also whistle, but I'd just had a cavity filled and my lips were so numb, I couldn't get a sound out!)

Once in a while, when life is clearly good for Abby, I think back on her abuse and what she endured before she was rescued. This girl deserves all the "summertimes" that are possible.

First Day of Summer Break

"Summertime!! And the livin's easy!! Summertime! And the livin's fine!"

 It sure is - especially if you're a horse.

Today is my first day of summer vacation, although I spent it at Harrison High School at a technology conference, driving out to see the herd after that was finished.

 Tanna watches the big guys and gals from the safety of a separate paddock.

 She seems to be shedding her foal coat - see the mealy marks around her eyes and muzzle?

I'll be back tomorrow! I love how they watch me leave every time.

Summertime! And the Livin's Ea-asy!

Since I've been in Iowa for the long weekend, I had not done a carrot run since Saturday morning. Needless to say, I was anxious to check on my pony and her pals when I finished my very last day at Hershey before summer break. So, before going home, I headed out to the barn.

To my surprise, Yukon, Mason, and Diablo had been put into the small pasture by the lane leading up to the barn. It has belly-deep grass that's been waving in the breeze invitingly for some time. I'd wondered what plans Tim had for it. Now I know. It's the perfect place for the three quietest, gentlest members of the herd.

The picture doesn't do the horses justice - their coats are sooooo shiny and healthy. They gleam in the sunlight. And Yukon has really filled out, although he could stand to gain a few more pounds.

As I stood watching the three buddies out there, tails swishing, munching on long-stemmed grass on a warm summer afternoon, all I could think of was....

Bring on summer!