I happen to be very lucky that my neighbor needed someone yesterday on very short notice to 'play' with the kids.
I jumped at the chance.
We decided to take a hike down the hill road and when we got there, the kids decided that they'd like to go rock climbing.
I was a bit hesitant because the area I like to go in ... is a huge dry run. This means that over many years, this is the path that flash flood waters take when heading towards low ground.
It is filled with tumbled boulders, roots, rocks, branches, and slippery surfaces.
I soon discovered that these kids were naturals. They climbed, hiked ... and watched out for each other.
Yes, I did a lot of helping.
But what an adventure we had.
It was incredible to be able to share my 'secret' spots with the kids. The spots that I like to go to with Morris sometimes just to sit and relax deep in a ravine surrounded by rocks.
I wish that all kids could have outdoor experiences. We should toss the TV's aside, go outdoors and play, make discoveries, and challenge ourselves and the children.
Not for one second in 2 hours did the kids complain or say 'I'm bored.'
They were showing the rocky dry run to me with new 'children's' eyes.
We all found some cool rocks to bring home and as we headed back [1/2 mile] we discussed about the next time we could go out and hike again.
Soon we hoped.
Nature is the best playground ever.
Skinny?
Is it pretty on me?
Does it match my bay coloring?
It doesn't clash does it?
Do I need to have an accent to wear an English Saddle?
Do I need Tea & Biscuits with my hay?
Oh my...
Look at this field of corn!
Nope, nothing scary to 'eat' me in here!
SHE says so!
Oh the neighbor's dog growled at me and I just stared at growly dog until the owners took it back to their house.
SHE told the people that most mules won't bother dogs unless the dog bothers the mule. Then said mule may just reach out and 'touch' offending dog with a quick hoof-whack.
I'm not sure people should just let their dogs run loose on the roads, you know?
What a pretty sunset with my ears in the way!
We watched the sun go down and I paraded around in my very English saddle and showed her that neck reining is no big deal and that she can mount me from the either side and I will not move.
I even climbed a huge dirt pile and then carefully came down off from it.
The sun went down and I got to graze in the yard. Nice yummy fresh grass.
I can't wait for our next adventure.
SHE said something about trying bareback riding?
Wonder what that is?
Grain Bin with sunrise...on September 10th.
The beginning of a very hot day.
I'm very lucky to have good neighbors. This year it was so wet that I didn't plant a garden.
But a phone call on Thursday invited me to a neighbor's house to 'help' myself to their small garden.
After picking the veggies I sat at their picnic table and petted their dog Dutch.
He was very happy for the company and groaned in happiness.
The veggies looked gorgeous in my old pan I got somewhere. All I know is this is the handiest thing I've run across in ages.
My Grandma had one that we picked veggies in and washed them...and cooked them all in the same pan!
Oh what a delight!
Last night I made some zucchini mix up. Tomatoes, zucchini, and green peppers stir fried in pesto sauce with Parmesian Cheese for topping.
Yum.
And cheap too!
Morris went for a wee walk with me. He decided it was way too hot and humid. He thought napping in his own personal chair with the blanket my mom made him would be much more to his liking.
About 7pm we had supper and we began to hear 'boomers' outside. The hounds were baying and I went out to see what the fuss was about.
A storm cell was developing right over our place!
I'd planned on catching Siera and riding her but since storms were suddenly popping up everywhere, she got the night off.
It was pretty disappointing not to have any real rain out of the storms.
But the sunset was pretty and things cooled down quite a bit.
It was nice enough for us to be busy today with putting in more wooden posts and separating Sunshine, Sundance, and Mica from the rest of the herd so they can have their hooves trimmed tomorrow morning along with their haircuts.
Sundance spent some time at a 'thinking tree'. She was very relaxed and calm. Aside from some pawing [yes I watched her!] she impressed me with her attitude.
She is going to make a fantastic mule for hubby. She is smart and clever...oh yes, she is quick as ever too.
I think I am caught up.
Oh and Happy Grandparent's Day to all Grandparents!
For Dancing Donkeys:
Head shot!
A nice little message scrawled in the dust on our Subaru, discovered this morning while moving hoses.
Thanks sweetie...
I love you all too...so does Grandpa!
Waving right back at you!
Grandpa is going through 'child' withdrawal. Each day the grands spent here boosted his mental and physical well being.
I can hardly believe it myself.
We did a first time fishing trip. The fish were not cooperating, but it didn't matter. Ariel and I coaxed tiny fish to try and take her worm. It was fun watching them try to get the bait.
Grandpa finished up chores by the time I got home on Wednesday morning and we took a trip to the creek. Grandpa rode the 4 wheeler to the bottom then we all hiked in the water and looked at 'stuff' like rocks, plants, and animal tracks.
There is so much to be learned in just a small hike like that. The kids learned how to look for interesting things and we left them to discover things like...walking on wobbly rocks.
Later, after lunch Grandpa got Fred, the mule, out of the pasture so each of the kids could brush him and then he saddled Fred.
Learning about mules or any equine takes a lot of time and patience. Ariel expressed her wish to learn to ride.
She adores the equine we have.
If I couldn't see her in the yard during the visit I could count on her to be standing and watching the mares, mules, and donkeys in the meadow.
I often reflect back on when I was a child and stayed the summer at my Grandparent's small place. Many times I'd end up at my Aunt and Uncle's place. They had horses. My Uncle used to be in the Cavalry.
He taught me how to ride. He let me explore my balance on an equine. Other lessons came from my cousins who rode all of the time.
Other times would find me at my other Uncle's place. I learned how to milk cows and do without running water in the house.
As children, we found absolute freedom in the woods. We ran barefoot, explored streams, made forts, climbed trees, worked in the garden, and went swimming.
When we had to leave the countryside and go back to 'the city' at the end of summer. I sat quietly in the back seat of the '65 Dodge Stationwagon and stared out the window ... the view was blurred as tears silently fell from my eyes.
Each summer my heart was broken by leaving the 'country' and all that freedom.
Having to go back to school where we had to wear shoes and back to our house with a small backyard seemed like pure torture.
I saw a glimmer of that when the 'grands' had to leave after their stay.
Tears fell, and nothing we could say made them feel better.
Deep in my heart I knew what they were feeling.
Deep in Grandpa's heart ... I knew what he was feeling.
We watched the kids [yes not just the grands] drive away...we were silent.
I took Grandpa's hand and squeezed it.
Now I was the Grandparent feeling what it was like to see the kids leave and feeling the emptiness left behind.
The farm seemed a little less lively.
And I was reminded of the little girl in the '65 Dodge Stationwagon so many years ago.
I know my husband was just beaming when the grand kids arrived.
So much he wanted to do!
Here is a little collage of the first two days that the children visited.
Notice the smile on his face.
The children bring a smile on his face and a lift to his spirits that no medication or anything else in the world can do.
The easiest way to wrap this up is to put together a collage [via iPiccy] for you to see how busy two of the days were.
4 Wheeler rides, chores, business around the farm, road trip, learning to shoot a BB gun....
Labor Day picnic with Grandma Lenise. Fresh sweet corn from a gracious friend.
S'mores over our little hot dog fire [we roasted wienies and marshmallows!]
Mule petting, running with Morris.
Well the list was endless.
Today we may have a 'kid' parade with Fred the Mule. Fishing is on the plate for later today.
Family time is priceless.
