Moe

My sweet Moe made his transition across the rainbow bridge today-he was around  28-30 years old.

 When I went to look for a companion horse for Bochica, I thought I would buy a paint pony for the grandchildren. However, the minute I saw Moe, I fell in love with him. The very next day after I brought him home, I discovered he had cancer. I had him treated 3 times and finally it was cured. $$$ It was worth every penny. He was a great teaching  horse for the grandchildren, yet stepped up for adults who rode him. He was one of a kind. He always came up when I called and often followed me around when I rode Bochica. He nickered softly to me every morning when I came to the barn. 

Moe began his life on an Indian reservation somewhere in New Mexico. Later he was used as a hunting horse in Colorado and then as a Polo Cross horse. When I bought him he was already 15-17 years old. He was a little arthritic and stumbled occasionally, but was all heart. He would go anywhere I asked him. The only two things that spooked him were Texas Longhorns and miniature horses. :) He was a sweetheart!!

One funny story--one time I was taking a horse training class and we had an exercise where we were blindfolded and herded. Well, Moe was in my pasture across the street, and went crazy when I was blindfolded. He ran the fence and neighed loudly until they took the blindfold off and moved him closer to me. Who knows what horses think??

Unfortunately, circumstances last year led to me having to leave my horses and move out of state. I was fortunate enough to find a wonderful retirement home for him. He lived out his last year in a herd situation in a large pasture with ample grass and shelter. He made new friends and seemed very content. When I visited  him last summer, I saw he was failing--for the last few years he had been going down. I asked God for a clear sign when it was time for him to go.

Today I got the call I had been expecting for a while. He seemed to be having either strokes or seizures and was now suffering. So the decision I had been dreading had been made for me. I am just so sad that I couldn't be there to hug him one more time and tell him what a good boy he was and how much I appreciated him. I am sending my thoughts out to him!! 

Moe, you are crossing the rainbow bridge and will soon have no pain or suffering! I love you!!!

Springtime in Texas

Dogwood Blossoms

Spring is my favorite time of the year--I begin wishing for it in January. This year it has been late in coming. But I treasure it all the more. The "special man" toured me around his property and showed me his dogwoods in bloom. Breathtaking!

Dogwood in the Woods

The bees are humming, butterflies are flitting about, hummingbirds have returned, and birds are busy building nests. Lest you think Henbit is just a weed, check this out--the butterflies depend upon it for a food source in early Spring.

Down the road from me is a field of canola--I never knew the source of canola oil before--breathtaking!

Wow!

This photo does not do it justice. It is a sea of yellow as far as the eye can see. Reminds me or Italy for some reason.

Stay tuned for more Springtime shots!

Autumn Colors

I mistakenly believed that Salsipuedes would not be as pretty this autumn as it was last year. My trees were late turning. . What a feast for the eyes this week has brought! Last year it seemed that red was the dominant color--this year yellow is definitely the "in" color.

First I noticed  this little hickory:

My first glimpse of autumn

Then I noticed that the trees along my road had begun to turn:

Autumn is here!

Yesterday I awoke to an abundance of yellow with a little orange sprinkled in:

Lovely leaves!

The sweetgum takes the prize:

My favorite!

Even the oaks are pretty this year--some are reddish, but this big boy (behind the elm) is yellow-orange!

Elm in front, oak next and then sweetgum

The yellow is especially pretty peaking through the pine boughs:

I do have some glorious red thanks to the sumac!

A beautiful red!

I'll keep checking this week for more trees turning. Isn't life wonderful???

Our County Fair

My First Blue Ribbons!!

I'm finally finding time to post again. Soon I'll update you on my summer. It was all too short!

Fall is definitely in the air. I can always feel the slight shift in the sun's rays--I can't wait for the leaves to turn!

Meanwhile, I'll share one of my favorite things--our county fair. Ours is one of the few counties in Texas that hosts a free fair. This year I decided to enter some things in the produce division. Most of my crops were long gone, but I did have an excellent crop of Malabar Spinach. I entered it, as well as my Italian Flat Leaf Parsley (which was past its prime). Can you believe it--I won two blue ribbons for my spinach--one in the flower category for its blooms and the other in the greens category. Wow!! Now I'm really enthused for next year. Think I'll get busy on a quilt!!!

Malabar spinach blooms

This is the first time in many years that I've been to the fair at night.  The special man in my life made it a lot of fun!! We toured the exhibits,visited with people, had burgers and fries, and listened to music. Memories of my childhood came floating back--I felt like a kid again. Thanks!!!

We watched goats being shown and toured the animal area.

I want a goat!

I'm glad to know that 4-H is going strong in Red River County. I don't know much about this organization, but am intrigued--another project--to find out exactly how it works.

These rabbits look like toys!

Aren't they cute?

I also entered a cucumber from our children's garden at the library. We won 2nd place. Hurrah!! I can't wait to tell the kiddos.

Wow!

The night lights brought back childhood memories.

Lights from the carnival

I can't wait until next year--guess I'd better get busy on my entries. 

A Visit to a Texas State Park

A couple of weeks ago a friend took me to Daingerfield State Park. I didn't even know it existed--but what a nice place to spend the day. There is a swimming beach, paddle boats and canoes for rent, camping areas, and easy walking trails. We opted to walk one of the trails. Nice! I saw my first shortleaf pine--believe it or not, I recognized it right away--the bark was different!

Different bark than my loblolly pines

It was a beautiful day--perfect shirtsleeve weather. I snapped a few photos along the way: This anole lizard was easy to spot.

This little fellow posed for me.

The butterflies just would not be still and pose! At times there was a large group of them. I wonder what the correct term is for a group of butterflies. Anyone know?

I wonder what they are doing.

Pretty lily pads

          This little park is a jewel. I would love to go back and stay for a couple of days. Now I want to check out other Texas State Parks!

Stay tuned!                                       

An "oink fest" in February

Today was the  perfect weather for our chapter of Texas Master Naturalist to hold a "oink fest". Our fearless leader and a member of the chapter stayed up all night (in the freezing cold) and smoked feral hogs. The members all brought delicious side dishes and  desserts. We all sat outside under  a beautiful blue sky and enjoyed each other's company. What a feast!. I was very pleasantly surprised--the meat was delicious!! And has the added benefit or no hormones, no antibiotics. Can't beat Texas for February weather this year!!

Is it ready?

Mmm, good!

I always have such a good time with this group!

Stay tuned for more from Texas!

A Texas February

February--a strange month this year.There has been very little cold weather.  A week or so ago we did have a nice snow. I awoke in the night to total silence--looked out the window and marveled at the swirling flakes. Before long, the tree limbs were coated with a beautiful layer of white.

My Early Morning View

My favorite kind of winter--the snow only lasted a few hours--beautiful!

 The little Spring flowers and weeds had already arrived--the henbit has been in full bloom. I wonder if it will still be in bloom when the butterflies arrive.

Yesterday I took this photo of some of my first Spring flowers--I transplanted these from my pasture a couple of years ago--they are finally taking hold.

Mystery Flowers

I have yet to identify these little beauties. Can anyone help me?? Please feel free to comment.

I eagerly await the redbud trees blooming, as well as other signs of Spring. I wonder how many plants survived the drought of last summer. Soon I will check to see if the blackberry vines rebound. 

I've planted lettuce in my little container garden. Next week I will attempt potatoes and broccoli. This year I will try carrots, squash, peppers, and tomatoes again. I have a new plan to thwart the squash bugs. A friend suggested I plant bay leaves with them. I'll definitely try that.

Stay tuned!

Blessed Rain!

We have finally had rain--3-4 inches last week and another 2 1/2 inches last night. Hurrah!!! After getting stuck so many times the first year I lived here, I didn't think I would ever like mud--but I'm loving it this year--even puddles!

Now, who would go around taking pictures of puddles? This very  grateful person!! Everything looks freshly washed--the dust is finally gone! My pasture has greened up and maybe, just maybe,  my remaining trees are saved!

Stay tuned!

The Best Neighbors

Lately, I've been noticing my horses racing across the pasture quite a bit. And Moe has been  getting all excited, prancing around. I thought there must be cows or deer nearby This morning to my delight, I discovered new neighbors!

My new neighbors!

Longhorns have always been my favorite breed of cattle, and I've been missing seeing them.  I'm so excited to have a few right next door! My horses have always been terrified of longhorns, but maybe by seeing these every day, they will get used to them. :)

Posing for  me

My neighbor was nice enough to erect an electric fence about 6 feet from mine--no chance of the horses getting hurt! When this one saw me, he came right up and posed! Isn't he a beauty?  Oh, happy day!

The joys of living in the country in Texas.

Dog Days of Summer

Sizzling at Salsipuedes

Swelter-be uncomfortably hot, to suffer from oppressive heat
Sizzle - to be very hot
Dog Days of Summer - hot sultry period of summer
Oppressive - overwhelming or depressing to the spirit or senses

All of these words describe summer at Salsipuedes, and most of Texas, this year. More days at 100+ than I care to remember. Whew! I'm just so grateful I'm not a farmer, rancher or someone who has to be outside all day. At least I can come in to get cool. Meanwhile, I'm getting out early in the morning to get my chores done. The animals all have their various ways of coping.

Lucky begins the day trying to catch the breeze:

I think I may be a little cooler up here

George lays in the cool soil under the peppers:

Ahh!

Mama Cat has found her place in the barn near the hay--stays there all day!

Yes, it is cool in here!

The boys later move to the carport, where they stay until evening.

We're too sleepy to move!

I've scattered hay under the trees for the horses--they stay in the pasture most of the day.

It's definitely cooler under the trees!

They do come to the barn frequently for water-I've put out extra for them and fill it twice a day.

Three sources of water--all in shade

My trees are looking very stressed, especially the pines. I have lost two pines -WE NEED RAIN!

One of my beautiful Virginia pines

My huge red oak may be dying also.

The creek is completely dry

Sure looks different when it is dry!

The pond looks deceptively cool.

Shady!

Upon a closer look, you can see how far down it is.

It's usually higher than  the grass on the right

The pond is a lifesaver for the birds and other wildlife here at Salsipuedes. I sat down there for a few minutes after lunch, partially hidden by some brush. I snapped photos of this Northern Flicker drinking.

Just landed

He walked up and down that branch, then went to a branch closer to the water.

Water looks inviting!

Then, down for a drink.

Delicious!

I saw several interesting animal tracks in the mud at the edge. Tomorrow morning I plan to go to the pond early (without Rufus) and sit quietly. Today I saw several different birds--I hope to see the pileated woodpecker again and maybe a painted bunting. Wish me luck!

Every afternoon late the clouds build and a breeze picks up. I hope for rain, but alas, none so far. Maybe today! Meanwhile, we'll carry on here at Salsipuedes and pray for the others stricken by the drought.