Dogs, Ponies and Peeps

 

That's my sister Laurie, riding Siri. 

It was a cold, dank and smoky Sunday morning. 

No need to put masks on the horses, especially because the masks protect their eyes, not their lungs.

Besides, their eyes would be working overtime this morning. 

One by one, we walked to the far pasture. 

One by one, as each left the gate and took a few steps, their images began to fade into ghostly four-legged figures.  

Soon, "poof!"  

No sign of that horse.

While sending CB on his way, I patted him, saying, "They're out there somewhere."

He galloped into invisibility. 

Smoke hovers everywhere this morning. At least yesterday morning, we could see across the fields.

Not anymore.

What's really bizarre about all this smoke is the suggestion to stay inside with windows closed----a stunning contrast to the guidance of keeping car and structure windows open to avoid Covid. 

I do wonder how long this situation will last with no rain in the forecast for several days. 

Yesterday, as the smoke in the air intensified with its  putrid smell, I also heard the word "armageddon" a few times.  

I thought about how the word's use may just be bouncing between fantasy and reality these days. 

Never before have I even considered such a thought.

Somehow the tangible but ghostly images outside our minds suggest such a notion as all too real. 

In spite of the gloom, though, we, as a family, made the most of our smoke-filled Saturday. 

Bill and Willie caught fish in the Kootenai River while floating and paddling in the drift boat. 

Annie, Laura, Debbie and I met at the horse show and hung out with Barbara, Laurie, Kevin and Joyce AND dogs and ponies. 

It was a huge horse show by Sandpoint standards.

Why?

A substantial number of entrants came across the border from Washington to Bonner County where events still happen fairly regularly AND masks aren't required. 

I'm sure the sponsors made a wad with this event. 

The classes were huge and featured countless beautiful and well-trained horses ridden by skilled riders.

We visited with several friends during our time at the show and did watch one class where Laurie and Siri took a fourth-place ribbon.

The show goes on today, so I'll probably head over and take a few pictures. 

After saying good bye to Laura and the others at the fairgrounds, Debbie, Annie and I headed to the Lovestead where six black-and-white beloved canines had been hanging out in our absence. 

Annie pulled out the hose, and the fun began, as Border Collies chased and herded streams of water coming from the hose. 

Later, we all gathered at Colburn for a spontaneous barbecue.  

Kinda like the loaves and the fishes cuz what didn't seem like a lot of food turned out to be plenty for hungry stomachs. 

We also enjoyed some good visiting dominated by many thoughts on the present situation in our burning, smoky, suffering and divided country. 

Oh yeah, the word "armageddon" may have been mentioned a couple of times in those conversations. 

The best part of the day:  each other.  

Didn't matter if it was dogs, horses or peeps, each played a role in creating a better day than what it appeared to be. 

Happy Sunday.  

Stay safe but seek out the light, even when it seems minimal.