On the Back Roads~

A gray Friday.  I wasn't supposed to ride for two weeks.  Like that's going to happen!  When a decent weather day comes along it's got to be taken advantage of.  If it weren't for my being able to ride out from the farm, on the back roads, the wetter than normal summer would have limited my riding even more.

Looking down at the farm~

We'd helped friends haul cut trees & branches in the early afternoon, but Butch had his afternoon bus route & an activity into the evening, so I had plenty of time left to ride.

Taking in the views~

Farah felt my mood on this day.  She stopped several times on her own, just to look across the countryside.  It's amazing how quickly the soy beans are turning from green to gold.  There was a light wind, coming from the east, which seems a little unusual out here.

Don & Farah

We stopped at Don & Jean's.  Farah's favorite place to visit.  Don took her off grazing, which they both enjoy, while Jean & I chatted.  We waited for the grandchildren's school bus to arrive.

Enjoying the horse :-)

As usual, Farah was more interested in all the bright green grass than she was in the kids :-)  Of course her grazing time has been way more limited than we'd imagined when we did all the work to put in fencing for a pasture for her.  A pasture hardly used - due to the incessant attacks from all the buzzing, biting insects...

Thanks for the great photo Don!

I look about as under-the-weather as I've been feeling lately, but the mare looks as magnificent as a three-year old.  When the Vet was out to take care of her leg, he commented that she looked very young for her age.  Only twelve, she has many, many good years ahead of her.

The way back~

Again, Farah stopped on her own to take a long look...  I do spoil her, our rides have always had to be fun for us both.

Lunch Break~

We stopped at Carolyn's driveway for our short break.  It wasn't that long of a ride, I didn't want to push my luck.  I hadn't had lunch & had brought a few peanut butter filled pretzels :-)   We did some trotting, where I worked to minimize any bounce & a couple short gallops.

Iowa Windmill~

Such an impressive landscape, one I never tire of & constantly changing.  The view from the saddle reminds me of the title of a book by a well-respected endurance rider;  Julie Shur.  Ten-Feet Tall Still,  is an interesting story of one woman's journey on horseback.  

Heading West~

Farah & I haven't traveled the world, but we too, have had our adventures.  It's all about perspective & mine has been those few feet higher - so much grander - to enjoy the wonders of nature from Farah's saddle...

By the time we were back at the farm, Dean & Janice were taking care of their calf.  A good chance to get a photo of the two of them with Farah.  Both such kind people.  Farah & I have been blessed by their generosity.

Invincible~

More than once lately, I've wondered what it is about the human race that makes so many of us feel like we're invincible?  Youth - yes - your invincibility quotient is at 100%.  Middle age - maybe you've been hurt a couple times & have finally figured out that you may not be?  But when those senior years - roll around - realization hits - you aren't.  My confidence has taken a beating with the vision loss.  The bug related difficulty our last ride has me leery now, too.

With all that's happened in the last few weeks, I'd gone a month without riding.  The longer it gets, the easier to make excuses.  Today, the coolest of probably the entire upcoming month - I decided to buck up & ride.

On our way~

The bugs were awful!  Farah tosses her head so violently I have to stay well clear & that makes getting her tacked up more difficult.  The large blank spots in my field of vision don't help.

One of Bill's Civil War Cannons~

Anywhere near the fields, the bugs come out in hoards.  I decided to play it safe & stay on the roads.  They found us there, Farah almost squatted to the ground when one bit her!  I can't use the Pyranha spray on her anymore.  It literally peeled the hair right off the drip lines on the backs of her legs & left the skin raw & red beneath.  Now we're using an all natural product & though it doesn't work as well, at least the hair has grown back on her wounds.

Farah at Jean's

Since we were on the road anyway - I decided to go visit Jean.  A good goal, I looked forward to seeing how Jean was recovering from her recent health issues.  We made it!  Even with head tossing, jumping sideways & constant stops to knock off bugs.  Don offered to take Farah off to graze so Jean & I could visit.  So very nice of him.  We both got a laugh out of the two of us discussing our Doctor visits - just like a couple ole ladies.  It was the first time I'd ridden Farah in the Shoofly leggings.  They stayed up fine & she used them to itch her face.  

A garden of Sunflowers~

When I went back out, Don said Farah had gone all the way down on her side to get rid of a biting bug, but didn't roll on her saddle!  He'd taken her to the clover & shade.  He also offered her a bucket of fresh water - but she declined.  

A beautiful drive~

On our way back, we went to see if our friend Carol was home.  I shouted out a couple times, but no response.  Again, I let Farah graze a little in the shade before starting back to the farm.

Tassels on the corn~

The corn is thriving in all the heat, rain & humidity.  We're now only 1.5 inches below our normal in rainfall.  It's the humidity that's made these last weeks such a bear.

Black with sweat~

We did trot, then gallop up our running hill road.  The surface is already getting overgrown with weeds!  The sides were pretty rutted from all the rain, but we had a nice area right in the middle.  With the heat, I didn't push & neither did my girl.  Her knee is healing up nicely.  I think even Farah now has some idea she too - may not be invincible!  :-)

Back on the Farm~

When we got back to the top of the farm, Farah stopped to look over the direction of her little escape a week ago today.  The horses were not in view.  I sternly said;  "You don't Go there!" for whatever good that might do :-) 

After her bath, I rubbed her down with a fresh towel & took her on a walk.  I decided we would visit Snowball, Janice & Dean's calf.  She's so cute & doing so well now!  She spends the hottest part of the day in a big pen in the machine shed with a nice breeze blowing through.  Farah walked in, stopped & starred as Snowball got to her feet.  Then to my surprise, stepped up & put her nose on the enclosure wire, not an inch from Snowball!  It was Snowball who retreated of course & I could just see Farah's confidence level climb!  I told her she has a new friend!  We'll see if this improves her overall impression of cattle!

Back in the Saddle Again~

The only cooler forecast day for the next week at least.  This May was the second hottest in history & so far I wonder if June won't be far behind.  With the overcast & temperatures in the low 80's, I was anxious to see how riding would be for me.  I was advised not to, until I see the Cardiologist, but when has that stopped me?

Over the weekend, Butch had set our new hitching rail.  I tied Farah, got her saddled & next thing she spooked straight up - coming down on my foot!  At nothing of course!  Not the best of starts, but once I put my leg over, it felt so right!

Butch setting posts~

I took some really great photos, but they're only in my memory.  At home I went to download them, only to see; "memory card error."  Butch got it working again, but the photos were gone...

Our route~

We'd only gone a short distance, Farah was constantly trying to grab mouthfuls of grass.  I'd tried to take a photo of the long stems waving in the breeze & gotten instantly dizzy.  At that same moment - she violently threw her head back - hitting me in the mouth.  The running martingale (Thank you Dean!) was the only thing that saved me from broken teeth.  Before I had time to react to that - she was backing up like a freight train, toward the trees & drop off to the creek.  I dug my heels in to no avail & yelled; "Whoa" four times.  Her rear hit the trees, as did my helmet.  I thought she was going over with me - but no - she stopped!

I got off fast!  The only thing I could think of - was that she'd either been bitten, or had something fly up her nose.  She hadn't done any head shaking though - even when she'd stopped.  I couldn't see a bite & looked through the grass, almost waist high on me, but didn't find a thing.  Adrenalin pumping - I almost turned back...  Almost...

Instead, I cowgirled up & we continued on.  It's now impossible to see the holes, both due to the high grass & my eye.  On the bright side, the Mulberries are starting to ripen & I found a tree with a few ripe!  Out at the Level B road, Farah was anxious to trot - so we did our mile.  Going back though - I decided to take the same path - since I could almost see our track in the grass.  At times we went between the rows of corn, but once it's taller - we won't fit.

Brand showing~

So far, I've learned that I have to keep my vision focused forward, at least when we're moving.  If I try to do too much looking around, that's when the vertigo kicks in.  I hope with time that will improve & I'll feel more comfortable.

By the time we were back, the sun had burned through the cloud cover.  Butch pulled in as I finished chores.  I'd been so happy to be getting in so many rides this year, but I'm learning that each year seems to bring different riding & weather challenges.  The bugs are out in force, they seem to come with the heat - both of which I'd like to avoid.  Hopeful for a few cooler days here & there~

Sunshine & Shadows ~

It was a day of blazing sunshine, lower temperature, humidly & a nice breeze. White clouds floating over a landscape now filling with every shade of green.  This week our temperatures have been running ten degrees above average for the time of year, so there are grumblings of no spring - just a jump into summer...  We'll see...

Fields of dreams~

The mid-80's did feel on the verge of hot.  When a cloud came over, the shade was welcome, as was the breeze.  It was mesmerizing to watch the shade from the clouds drift across the fields.

A mouthful!

I just can't blame Farah for wanting to stop to grab a mouthful now & then.  Keeping her out at the edge of the plowed fields helps, but soon they'll be planted & we'll be on the greens.  

The bridge~

Today was the day I decided that we'd go over the bridge.  We ran into two kids carrying sticks & rocks.  When we stopped to talk, they told me they were gathering materials for a new fish tank.  Not a project I would have guessed :-)

Keg Creek below~

The bridge decking is badly in need of repairs.  Loose nails, missing nails, one board with a large hole, I was glad I'd dismounted to walk across.  Farah kept to the middle & I watched as some of the boards bent under her weight.  The dirt road didn't last as long as I'd hoped, ending with gravel at the top of a long hill.

Leaves opening!

What a beautiful sight - to see the pale green of the opening leaf buds in the trees!  It seemed to take forever this year & now it's almost an explosion of color.  We continued on the gravel west, almost to a paved road, before turning back.

Countryside~

A friend asked me the other day why we'd moved?  The wide-open spaces & ease of travel topped the list.  It's not that there's not many things I miss...  The Grandkids, their parents, even though I think we message more now than when we were closer. 

Lilac~

My long time riding friends though - those that I had so much history with - I do miss them & the comradery we shared.  I am so appreciative of the way they continue to read my stories.

Yard sign~

The above sign is not one I would have seen in WA.  Here, Christianity is a way of life, acts of kindness, an every day occurrence.  It seems, for the most part, to be a kinder, gentler world. 

Arriving back at the farm~

We saw Butch's truck coming down the road from the far west field as we were returning to the farm.  Farah had just enough of a sweat that I used a bucket to wash her down - which she appreciated.  We enjoyed a gorgeous evening & beautiful sunset.  A perfect end to my favorite kind of day - one in the saddle.

Windswept~

A morning of beautiful sunshine, temperatures climbing into the low 70's, but humid.  Humid enough, I worked up my first really good sweat of the season!  After lunch I finished up some planting & drove out to the farm.

Farah see's something~

Farah was waiting, the evenings Butch is away, we usually go on longer rides.  I'd no more than saddled up - when the clouds moved in & along with them - wind.  Somewhat eerie, how fast the weather can change.  Farah is getting her annual series of Adequan injections.  I'd thought about not doing it this year.  The price hasn't gone down & it's expensive.  But the miles keep adding up & the mare has stayed incredibly sound. 

As my retirement ride - I want to keep her going down the trail for as long as she's able.  God willing, we'll travel through our golden years together & when she's done, I will be too.  After this mare, none other could ever come close.

We spook a small herd of seven deer!

As we rounded the corner from one field to the next, Farah stopped to watch as the white tail deer took off from a small ravine.  They're so fast & I had to get my camera, but still managed to get a shot of them.

Haze moving in~

The longer we were out, the more the haze moved in.  The wind was absolutely relentless - especially on the hilltops.  We were heading back when our friend Bill came driving by.  He stopped & motioned us over, introducing his friend Marty.  Marty boards her horse on Bills' farm.  We exchanged phone numbers to make future ride plans.

The road west~

We moved over to the edge of a newly disked field to get off the rock & move a little faster.  Farah is almost the color of the soil!

On our run today, we reached another speed milestone.  A real thrill - especially - since a dust devil blew directly across the road just in front of us.  Her color was once described to me as;  "Arena dirt brown."  Now I can say it's Loess Hills brown :-)