Take the Long Way Home~

The years & the miles we've spent together - we've always taken the long way home...  The meaning of the word home has changed over the years.  It was incredibly hard when Farah was no longer home with us.  We never did call the boarding stable her home.  We just referred to it as her barn.

As we leave the farm~

 But then, when Janice offered her barn, it became Farah's home & she knew it.  She has really seemed to enjoy being there, recognizing her things & so happy when she sees us coming down the road twice a day.  She's smart enough - she understands where our home is.  She's perfectly at ease grazing in the yard.  She still thinks the shed would work for her & always goes over to check it out. 

Richly green~

 It was probably high 70's, but the cloud cover made it seem a little cooler, if still horribly muggy. The weatherman had mentioned a slight chance of rain.  After lunch, I went right out & saddled up.  You could smell rain in the air & off on the horizon the clouds were getting heavy & dark.

Someone asked me the other day if I was scared to ride with my vision now limited.  The answer is no.  Riding feels more natural for me than walking on my own two feet.

Sunbreak on the tasseling corn~

If you're outside for any length of time at all, even walking, you're wet with sweat this year.  When the rain started & a light breeze came up, both Farah & I were glad!  The bugs were minimal & that was a blessing!

Checking out something in the distance~

We were passed by not one, not two, but three big pieces of equipment.  No dust & Farah hardly batted an eye at the noise.  As we rounded the corner, we could see where they had pulled into a large machine shed.

Farm Equipment~

 I'd hoped to make it to the grade B road that crossed over to intersect the Wabash Trace, but right after this sunbreak, as you can see from the dark clouds ahead - it started to pour.

Moving toward us~

At least it wasn't one of those storms with thunder & lightening, just rain.  So much like riding in Washington, it made me homesick for those cool, gray days.

Something else was Out there~

We stopped under the big Cottonwoods on Carolyn's farm for a short break before starting back.

Wet brome~

We picked up the pace, too nice not to enjoy some speed & only a few fly's to outrun.  The other direction, the storms were still a way off.  Sunbreaks would come along & the heat would jump up in seconds.

Corn & storm~

Finally though, the rain won out.  We galloped up the last couple hills to the farm.  Our running hill road was way too wet to use, though Farah glanced that direction as we went by.

Coming back onto the farm~

Both of us soaked, but it felt so Good!  I unsaddled, turned on the generator & gave her a good bath before turning her out on the ground tie.  It was the first time in weeks she could graze without the bugs chasing her.  I cleaned out the old hay in the barn, swept & dusted.  The mice have finally found the tack room, but I have everything sealed tight.

Farm in the rain~

By the time I was done, it was Farah's dinner time & she was ready to come in.  I hated to leave.  But - it's always hard to leave her~  As the song says;  "If you'd had more time..."