In the Summer Sun

We've been cleaning up an area in the barn where I usually have hay stacked, all in readiment for a foaling stall for Lily.   

Besides the build-up of gravel from the aisle and ten year's worth of hay which equals about ten cartful's scooped up and hauled off, we've removed extra boards, roofing materials, a stubborn metal post and other assorted stuff contributing to the mix.  

The area also has a homemade low-level feeding trough, complete with with overhead doors to shut off the feed supply whenever needed.  We think the prior owners used it for the hundreds of baby goats which stayed in the barn before we moved here ten years ago. 

Bill started the project of disassembling that unit yesterday, but finally the heat was getting to both of us with our outdoor projects, so, happily climbing into our air-conditioned truck, we hauled off a load of the junk to the dump.

On the way to the landfill, we spotted our first fawn for this season.  Mama had crossed Center Valley Road just before we turned.  Baby was hanging back on the other side of the road.  At first, we waited, thinking little Bambi might race across to Mom.

Baby had other ideas of just plain staying put, which allowed me time to catch a couple of shots with my point-and-shoot with the 300 mm lens.  Grass and buttercups got in the way but also added a very realistic touch to the scene. 

Deep grass in fields around here in June provides a great resting place for the babies while Mom goes off to graze.  Sadly, this ideal setting is also a hazard for the little ones and for unsuspecting implement drivers because haying season and Bambi births often coincide. 

Usually both happen later, but this year, everything seems much earlier than usual. I just hope we don't have winter in September. 

After returning from the dump, Bill announced that he would be going to Lightning Creek for his Tuesday night fishing excursion.  My plan was to stay cool. I managed for a while but went back out to the barn to do some work. 

When the sweat started dripping from my brow, I decided it was time to cool off with some full-fledged air conditioning in the car.  So, the dogs and I took off toward the neighborhoods of Oden and Sunnyside.  

Lots of haying is going on over in Oden while several groups and their dogs were enjoying the water along the Sunnyside Road. 

This morning as I type, I've heard about 19 drops of water hitting the roof outside the window. We're headed for a cool down but, according to Tom Sherry not before a rather muggy day. 

So, it's grin and bear it, watch the garden grow and the flowers bloom as my "yeller" rose did with its first big opening yesterday.  

Yesterday also brought a neat surprise.  While looking at that Appaloosa site mentioned in yesterday's post, I saw a photo which immediately took my eye. 

Since that discovery, I've connected with the person responsible, "Luzianna" artist TJ Hurst who crafts models of horses.  

What took my eye was the fact that the photo showed two beautiful model horses TJ, a lifelong Appaloosa lover, has always liked:  Toby I and Toby II. 

The photo behind the models shows the two horses as they were performing in 1948 with their riders Harold Tibbs (our dad) and George Hatley (longtime executive secretary of the Appaloosa Horse Club aka "Mr. Appaloosa).  The photo was taken at the first National Appaloosa Show in Lewiston, Idaho. 

Twas a wonderful moment to see the Facebook photo (below) and to admire the phenomenal talent that went into creating the two models. 

Turns out TJ grew up and lives not far from where Bill grew up.  She also owns a Leopard gelding that looks a lot like Miss Lily.  

We've been swapping stories ever since connecting on Facebook and have really enjoyed the stuff we have in common.  

One thing I don't share with her is that artistic talent----what a gift!  And, what a gift it was to see that sample of her work. 

As my sister Laurie said, our dad would have been thrilled to see the models. 

Also, in the news---literally and on the front page in this morning's local paper---we both enjoyed seeing our daughter-in-law Debbie receiving a grant for the Food Bank from Union Pacific. 

Finally, I'm learning that those flipflops heard flopping for miles all along the Camino trail in Spain are getting quite the attention----by a German movie crew, no less.  

Leave it to Annie.  

Her adventure continues to thrill all of us and definitely Annie herself.  She continues to document the excitement and the scenes/scenery and, of course, the movie crew on a daily basis:  
https://adventuregirlannie.com/

Those 19 drops of rain must be the extent of our morning downpour, so that means I'd better get out of here and go do some watering.

Happy Wednesday. 

Artist TJ Hurst of Jonesboro, Louisiana, crafted these models.  She's a retired graphic artist who worked a career for the Jackson Independent newspaper which the family owned for more than 100 years. TJ says she only does Appaloosa models.