Monday Morning Walkabout

Bet James Holzhauer can't pose a question to this $1,000 pictorial answer in the category "Straight from the Horse's Mouth."

"Why do horse corrals often have electric fence along with board fence?"

More than likely, James would answer/ask, "What are buttercups?"

Yeah, he'd probably know about buttercups, but I don't know if he's lived around horses enough to know that since it's pretty difficult for horses to chew their toenails, any board, anywhere will do. 

At our place, the electric fence usually gets plugged in about five or six times a year.  

The second the offending fence chewer gets a zing out of that wire, bolts around the barnyard with the most insulted expression ever, the fence is unplugged. 

Usually, a horse's memory about electric fences lasts about a month.  Mine spend a lot of their idle time testing the wire to see if it's on.

I guess that's good cuz at least they aren't eating the fence. 

I'm hoping the salt block will help out on their attempts to eventually eat the entire shelter shed.  

Anyway, my Monday morning walkabout illustrates that in spite of my attempts to keep a well-groomed lawn a few weed-free posies, I fall short in other categories. 

We have a lot of flaws around the farm, and I love it. 

I actually think those chewed-on fences add to the "ambiance" of true farm life. 

As do weeds, when and if they're kinda pretty. 

Buttercups and dandelions are among those.  I hate the yellow stage of dandelions but kinda like when they start going to seed and take on that translucent look. 

As for buttercups, my sisters and I were agreeing that in certain settings, like around boards and fences, they're downright stunning. 

And, in the past day or so have come the DAYsies. Hateful things to farmers but still a welcome symbol of June and summer and carefree times---especially when they're blowing in the wind (and spreading their seeds so there'll be a lot more weeds next time). 

It's been a while since I've pulled the petals off from a daisy.  

I'm kinda figuring that if Bill and I will soon celebrate 45 years of marriage, I don't have to check with the daisy petals. 

Of course, I could change the words, "He tolerates me; he tolerates me not."  

I don't think I'll even test that one out.  Might be afraid of the answer.  

On another morning walkabout topic, rust fits in the "nuisance" category of all the above.  It adds a sense of nostalgia, suggesting that wherever or on whatever it begins to appear, there's history. 

Of course, with my horse trailer, I'd prefer that it not look quite so historical.  

But that water hydrant---oh my! Love it!

On a positive note, my morning walkabout revealed that the taters out behind the barn are coming along nicely and that the watering program has been good for the real non-weed posies. 

FYI:  I don't water the buttercups, daisies or dandelions. 

As for pine cones dropping from trees during summer breezes, they'll get mowed next time I do the lawn. 

It's June.  Life is moving along, and in the farm scene, there's something new popping up every day. 

Now, it's time for me to come up with the next $1,000 question that even Jeopardy James might not be able to answer. 

Happy Monday.