Saturday Slight

Another day of enjoying progress, transitions and friendship----it was a good Friday, indeed.  

My friend and former teaching colleague Betsy came down to meet CB for the first time.  

I told her we would be using her visit to introduce CB to a new chapter in his life---co-existing in the same enclosure with Lily. 

We followed a plan, which I thought would include CB putting on a show for Betsy once I took Lefty from the round pen, leaving him there alone for a few minutes.

That's the only part of the plan that did not turn out to my satisfaction.  CB is a people lover, and since Betsy was still standing there at the round pen gate, why get excited. So, he just stood enjoying Betsy's presence. 

I even tried to coerce him into trotting around, swirling the lead rope.  CB would have none of that. 

He stood still, waiting for me to put on his halter and then calmly walking with us down the lane toward the barnyard. 

Talk about sound and fury ending up in pretty much nothing---that's what happened once I let him loose in the barnyard. 

A brief show of horses proudly racing around in the mud, including big brother Lefty doing his best to protect CB from any Lily wrath----and the introduction was complete.

Each horse ambled off in its own direction, and that was that.  CB is now officially part of the gang of three in the barnyard. 

And, of course, the gang of three all had to roll in the mud. Grooming is gonna be a pretty dirty process for the next few days. 

Later, Bill, Betsy and I walked through our woods, taking a stop at the fallen Lodgepole tree which inspired our Lodgepole Society.  

Bill inducted Betsy into the society, and she chose to climb aboard one trunk of the fallen tree as if she were riding a horse.  We agreed that the two huge trunks could form a nice backdrop for summer campfires.  

We've had lots of ideas on what to do with the tree, and some day we'll act on one of them.  For the time being, however, we're still inducting new members into the society. 

Twas a lovely visit with Betsy, especially walking through the woods where we stopped a time or two to inspect huge brown ant hills which were shimmering with ant activity yesterday.

The scene definitely makes one wonder about the assigned duties of each inhabitant. 

While I spent some time painting more white boards, Bill took the pontoon boat and headed for Round Lake to do some fishing. 

I've noticed over the past few days that it's important to do occasional inspections around our huge yard cuz beautiful blossoms are popping out and showing off at all hours of the day.

That's a good thing except for the fact that if we're seeing the beautiful blossoms, so are the deer.  They must wear night vision goggles when they stroll around the yard at night, cuz they sure do zero in on my flowers. 

We are having a mild rainstorm this morning, but it's supposed to be on its way within the hour, allowing us to keep up with outdoor fun.  In fact, the weather gurus are predicting 70-degree temps by Wednesday.

Let the lawn mowing program begin!

Happy Saturday to all.  

Above and below, these items live on my friend Betsy's porch. 

Oh, DEER me, where could that third daffodil be???

We've got the balls----Lovestead doggie yard art. 

Thankfully, the deer have left these alone----so far, anyway!