3.26.2024

springy thoughts

Spring is such an interesting time in the world of nature. In more ways than one. We never really know what weather will show up. It seems most of us are getting a mixed bag. In our respective corners of the world. 

We had spotty snow for a couple days. A bit of on again/off again snowflakes. I enjoy snow more during Winter months. Rainy weather is the name of this weeks weather game. Making it harder to enjoy the woods with four legged friends. Nothing a towels can't mend. So far we've been walking between the raindrops. 


3 amigos wanting to sniff around the woods
3/18/24

Grand dogs Jameson, Remi, and our guy who always has a full Tank of 
energy.



sharing a good smell



a common start to our walks (8 secs)



tic, tac, toe, three dogs in a row



same trail as above, a couple days later



Tank was pouting and had to catch up lol.


Tank has large stick challenges (10 secs)


 and small pieces of prized wood, that are never eaten

(Tank places, stares and dares to move
)

On the plant frontier, my garlic has been up for weeks. I am growing four varieties this year! From cloves shared and traded among friends. Raised bed gardening was a game changer.



the promise of flower seedlings

It won't be long and I will also start veggie seeds indoors. Some seeds saved from last years prized plants, others purchased. We like to try growing a new thing or two each year. This year we are trying to grow potatoes again. They will do better in our sandy soil, than they did in our clay. They will be grown in the ground.



hanging on

Nature offers so many things to ponder. Messages? Like the leaf above. It landed in a pine tree and even the strongest winds have not knocked it down. After passing it day after day, I stopped to snap a photo and think about it. Haa ha! My 4 year old granddaughter (a 5th generation Aurora!!) current favorite saying is "let me think about it". She is wise beyond her years.



3/23/24

My old metal wire frog used to sit on a large rock, watching over our pond. Now he sits on a stump all year and watches over my mom's memorial area. It might get a water feature. Someday. 

Remembrance Crocus in the photo foreground are starting to bloom. Although closed up that day, due to cooler weather. Brown ground will give way to green. My moms crabapple tree will blossom. The trio of lit Winter trees that flank her bench will go into storage, and be replaced with planters. Plants I started from seed will flourish in them, and be butterfly approved.

The promise of Spring.

3.22.2024

hope in her eyes

Allow me to gush for yet another February catch-up post about Hope. More focus on her demeanor and expressive eyes. 


eyes are a sponge for the soul
2/12/24


I am pretty sure you've figured out t
he day this girl was born, she stole our hearts. 



Hope less than 12 hours old
4/10/23

Since the glorious much anticipated day that Cierra graced us with Hope, she has been watching us. Observing. Taking in information about us and the world that surrounds her. With those big sweet eyes of hers. 


2/24/24


I finally got a photo of Hope peering between the bars! This has been going on her whole young life. Every single time we see her watching us, it makes us laugh and thank our lucky stars. She is such a funny girl.



2/12/24


Once in a while we get the "Mr. Wilson" look, where you see nothing below eyes over the top of a fence, or in this case bars. If I ever get that photo, I will share. Hope usually lowers her head between the bars and watches our every move from in between them. Of course with age her vantage point has gotten higher. She is going to be one year old soon! I can't even believe it.




2/12/24



2/17/24

Hope leaves her food to interact with us. Gasp! My Koda is the complete opposite. Very food driven. He loves food more than any human. 

After I pour out Hope's evening grain, she requests nose kisses before starting to eat. It is
the sweetest thing!


2/17/24



here comes hope-n-love

2/13/24 (20 secs) warning; sound of loud wind



2/17/24

I absolutely love shooting with late Winter light!! It is so varied and there are more "special light" opportunities most anytime of the day.

I thought about cropping photos to focus on Hope's eyes, beautiful thick multicolored mane or cute fuzzy ears. I decided instead to share photos more or less as taken. Always with minimal processing. I may zoom to frame and focus on the lovely separate parts of Hope. Someday.


those eyes!

2/12/24


growing up and filling out

I have said it before and I will say it again, I have never met a horse like Hope. It is hard to explain in words. Who knows what she will be like when she matures. So far her personality remains unchanged. An uber sweet smart trusting horse that loves being with people. She makes my heart and eyes swell. I am so very grateful she is part of our family. 

All of our horses are special to us, but there is truly something different and uniquely special about Hope. I can feel it, and see it in her eyes.




Hope at 10+ months 2/17/24


3.18.2024

hope and her herd

This set of mid-February photos look more like Winter, but were all taken on the same days as my last photo postLet's start with Cierra. Without her, there would be no Hope. 


Cierra still keeps a watchful eye on Hope.

If we were younger and knew a second foal would turn out to be just as precious as her first, we might breed her again. We aren't getting any younger and Brad plans to un-retire Cierra and show her. Hopefully this year. Besides, Six family horses is more than enough. 


What is the most number of horses you have owned at one time?

 

Just curious. We get a shocked look from non-horse people who ask the common question "how many horses do you have" and we respond with "we have 6 horses". Always followed by "Wow!"It is really not that many. I think. Technically 3 are Brad's, 2 are mine and 1 horse belongs to our daughter. 


Still such a good Mama

As for Hope, she has everyone's attention. All the horses are well aware of where Hope is at all times. One of her favorite things to do is stir the pot, 'er herd. It is almost guaranteed to happen when the dogs and I reach the end of the pasture path, and Hope can no longer walk with us.


end of pasture path (22 sec)

Cierra is at the top of the pasture hill

Many times she takes off at a full run to the top of the pasture, and races Cierra (and sometimes Nemo) back to the shared dry lot fence. Other times she runs by herself, takes the corner into the dry lot and busts out into silly moves. Trying to get others to join her. Sometimes it even works.



Hope and Cierra


2/12/24

Hope out runs everyone

Perhaps the full grown horses allow Hope to outrun them. Knowing it is not worth the extra effort. 


Other times, Hope takes a peaceful accompanied stroll back to the herd.



Hope and Cierra heading back
(Nemo waiting far right)

Our herd frequently hangs out together, split by a hot fence. Mostly in the sunny afternoons. Koda usually misses out.


Nemo & Cierra, Hope & Harmony




Our oldest girl is doing a commendable job of being Hope's pasture buddy. Hope is frequently glued to Harmony's side. She shares every.single.thing with Hope in the pasture, even when she would rather not. She is very patient with her. I've never seen Harmony get mad at or be mean to Hope. Even when she tries to stir Harmony up. Which is hilarious!! Harmony usually replies with "whatever" and sometimes gives Hope an occasional ear pin. Rightfully so. 


Harmony (24 yrs young)
2/17/24

We are fairly confident Hope will eventually rise to the top of our mare pecking order. Time will tell.


3.16.2024

hope in february

Catching up with a plethora of things. I'm still on the struggle bus. I went from cold stuffiness to allergy stuffiness. Yippie. Life doesn't wait for any reason, so I'm getting on with it. Smiley face. Smiley face.

In February, I took SO many photos of Hope. It is hard to choose. Here is the first set of our Hope and joy:


2/12/24 (all photos)






Hope at 10+ months