While at the Y one afternoon, I actually overheard horse talk! I walked over to introduce myself to Alicia & her daughter Autumn. Autumn had just purchased a new mare, as a future Barrel Racing partner. Riding since the age of four & now at fifteen, Autumn was ready for new mount. I learned about the National High School Rodeo Association & the Iowa High School Rodeo Association that Autumn participates in. The calendar has nine Rodeo's scheduled for this season.
I had so much fun talking horse. It was hard to break
the conversation off to finish our exercise routines. Alicia sent me
the schedule for the first upcoming event at the Moville, IA Fairgrounds. Saturday, we left
early for the two + hour drive north.
We found Autumn saddling up for the first event. Her new mare is such a beauty! Smooth, silky coat, beautiful tight conformation. After the trip up from Florida (with a stallion in the trailer) & only having arrived a week ago, Dixie was a little tense.
Alicia & Autumn~
Alicia is an energy medicine practitioner. She used a Biotheric Energy Transmitter developed by Dr. Gary Kersey. I was amazed at how quickly Dixie dropped her head & was licking & chewing within minutes.
Autumn uses a treeless saddle & had just purchased a Saddleright pad, recommended by Dixie's trainer. My favorite pad too & it fit perfectly with the saddle.
Dakota, Autumn's sister~
With two arena's, the fairgrounds was a super busy place! I was thrilled to see so many kids on horses! I met one of the managers who told me that these Rodeo's draw a large number of riders & most enter several events.
Entering the arena~
These two were incredibly focused. Autumn's first event was pole bending. Dixie had never even seen poles, but once she figured out what Autumn was asking of her, I was impressed with how quickly she responded.
Into the poles!
Next, was their first barrel run, 37 girls were entered! (Autumn had traveled to FL to meet her new mare & do some riding before transport.)
First barrel~
On the first run, I was taking photos & Butch was doing video.
Around the second barrel~
Autumn is a beautiful rider & had a super seat. The mare worked off her hind end & had plenty of impulsion in the rear!
Around the last barrel! A clean run!
We held our breath as they cleared the final barrel & headed for the wire!
I love barrel racing & couldn't help but be totally impressed with this duo! Autumn's second run, was 17.13 seconds! Faster than most of the barrel racers we watched at Sidney!
Dixie & Autumn~
The two of us were sitting in the stands when Butch said; "I love being around horses again!" That made my day :-) We have Alicia & Autumn to thank for the invite & we plan to see this young lady ride as often as we can. Dixie will soon be wearing Farah's beautiful Skaowski crystal headstall & I can't wait to get a photo!
Leaving the Fairgrounds~
At the horse barn, we watched as the horses were being fed. There was yet another day of competition. We left for home, the smell of horses & dust better than any perfume!
The joke was on me! I spent most of a day digging up what I thought were Daffodils from the city's easement across the road. They get mowed down most years & I thought they would be so pretty along the edge of the woods. I also put the bulbs around an old stump in the yard & along one section of the east fence. I waited & waited. Eventually, the leaves died back, without producing any blooms... I decided it might take a year for the bulbs to recover.
Naked Ladies
Wrong! Wrong on two counts! A couple days ago, I walked out to find fairy like, light pink buds opening on long, long stems! These were appearing everywhere I'd planted bulbs! I recognized them now, for what they were! Naked Ladies! The blooms are lasting longer than I expected, we've had a couple beautiful cooler days that helped. Yesterday was our prettiest day of the summer! Temperatures in the mid-70's & blessedly lower humidity. The evening & sunset were stunners!
Their are no words to describe the hordes of beetles that come in with the warm summer months. I decided to try picking them off, just one planter of Marigolds. Of course some of them fly when you try to get them - the above bucket was the result of just one day. We're told to put a bit of dish-washing detergent in the water. It works, but what a mess. Rumor is, they have now invaded Colorado & are moving west.
The Cicada shells are appearing everywhere! Looking like something from a sci-fi horror movie, they seem to like attaching to fresh wood. I found this one on one of our light posts. No harm, but they sure crackle if you step on one. The blog article I've linked to is an interesting read.
I've been so happy watching the above flower grow & bloom. Another transplant from WA to keep me company.
Editorial help, from under my desk~
As for Nika, today we have a beautiful rain! Of course we enjoy the rains so much. The we - does not include Nika... Butch & I were having lunch, when Nika, who had been outside, crawled under the table! I asked Butch if he'd let her in. No, he hadn't. She has learned how to jump up & hit the lever on the back door & let herself in. That's what she'd done at the first hint of the rain. Knowing, when the rain comes, lightening & thunder follow. She gets so terrified - we may yet resort to drugs to calm her. Following my every step around the house & even braveing the vacuum to stay close.
As we turned the corner, stepping into the month of August, we've had some of the most beautiful evenings of the summer. Cooler temperatures, light breezes & the air filled with a rich, sweet smell.
Early evening from the deck~
I think it's so important to love where you are. I've always loved the places I've lived. Iowa is no exception. It's a state of vast, green expanses & endless blue skies. On many days, full of white puffy clouds. The state's mild-manners of summer can & do change quickly though! The cracks of lightening & ground rumbling thunder can make the most seasoned resident jump!
Zinnia now top the fence, with marigolds & day lilies behind~
Clara stopped by to walk the property the other day, checking up on her hosta's! We did find that the deer have been munching on some of the big plants outside the fence. Butch caught them at it, one evening & Nika scared them off. I've sprayed with repellent, but we've been having thunderstorms during some nights. Usually dropping just enough rain to wash away the repellent.
Cabin from the front porch~
Everything is staying so green! As Wes said one day, it's hard to leave a state that's green for one that isn't. We left a green state - I hadn't even realized that Iowa was also so green! The lawn hasn't needed additional water.
Night falls~
The days are already getting shorter! The sun is setting earlier & the lights are coming on earlier too. The Cicada's have been chirping since July. Butch has been finding their shed shells already.
The Japanese Beetles, are on the rampage this year & have even eaten holes in the sedum. The blooms are coming on & they are beautiful in the two gardens I have at the edge of the timber.
Probably close to thirty-years young, my Pelargoniums have done beautifully this year! I've been told that they are rare, but I have found them on-line. The seven plants I overwintered were planted in May & are blooming! All the cuttings are growing, but have yet to bloom. Putting them in partial shade has been perfect. Full sun here was just too hot for them. They seem very resistant to the beetles! Only a few leaves have any holes.
Butch & I have been making more exploratory drives & finding some beautiful areas, not far from home. Here's to the remainder of summer!
