Shades of Gray~

The worst of yesterday's storms passed to both the north & south of us.  Today, more were in the afternoon forecast & the day loomed gray.  Twenty degrees cooler, the moisture in the air from last nights rain, felt grand.  I didn't plan to ride, but there was almost no wind & there would be almost no dust!

The color of the corn stubble~

Neither of us was in the best of moods.  It wasn't really fog or mist, just a heavily filtered, low-hanging grayness - with more than a hint of threat.  The footing was slippery in places, a fine layer of mud over the dirt.

Pasture~

We rode past Farah's future pasture.  With the grass so lush & green, it's strange to see that the trees are just now showing the first flush of pale color.  In town, the Redbud are in full bloom.  

East~

At the top of the first climb, the views were captivating.  I'm not sure what it is about storms, space seems to expand & my perception changes.  I expected to find the fields here disked & they were.  The disks actually cut deep into the soil,  but don't turn it as much as the plows used to.

Disked cornfield~

This will soon be planted in soybeans.  Keeping to the outside edge, the footing was pretty heavy, but not heavy enough to slow Farah.  She even gave a couple of her little threats to buck & we did trot for quite a way.  

At the edge~

At the edge of the fields, the plums were in full bloom & the sweet smell filled the air!  We did have some wind, but nothing to the degree of last week.  I realized when we came out on the dirt road to the west, that it was too slippery to gallop.  Instead we turned south & galloped on the center of the gravel portion.  It was soft enough to show the mark of Farah's shoes.

Circling the field to the east, there were a few dandelions blooming.  I pulled a couple up, with most of the roots & Farah consumed the entire plant.  I hadn't taken my jacket when we left, so was getting a little chilled in just my vest, by the time we returned.  The mare & I were friends again - even though I had forgotten the carrots!