Warmer Weather

After a week or so of rainy and cool weather, it is so nice to be enjoying some sunshine and warmer weather. Today's temperature reached the ninety degree mark. It actually feels a little like summer out there.

As soon as the weather decides to cooperate, John and Carson saddle up the horses for a little trail riding. We are very fortunate to have plenty of trails for them to explore.



After a long ride, they always stop by the house to tell me "hello" before putting the horses back in the pasture. Of course I have to grab my camera to snap a couple of shots before they ride into the sunset.



Carson stops to give me a quick pose. We're loving this warmer weather here in North Carolina. What are some of the activities that you look forward to when the weather turns warmer?

Bath Day!

When you live on a farm, you never know exactly what each day will hold. For example, this morning when I woke up John informed me that Shiloh needed a bath.

"Can't it wait until this weekend?" I asked.
"Nope," John replied.

You see, John noticed that Shiloh had developed some bare patches in his fur. He needed a bath in medicated soap soon to hopefully treat the problem. If several days of baths do not help we will have to call out the vet. Those of you with large animals know what an expense that can be.



Since John had never bathed Shiloh, we were not sure of how he would respond. John made sure to let him see the sponge each time before he used it. Horses do not like surprises; they want to know exactly what is happening to them.



Shiloh was actually pretty well behaved most of the time. He seemed almost curious at times. Whatcha doing down there?




John fed him pieces of apple during the bath. We were hoping that the apple would help him to associate baths with tasty treats.



What do you give a horse at the end of its bath? Grazing privileges in an area that is normally off limits.



After a little special grazing time, Shiloh goes back into the pasture and John showers and goes to the office! What a way to start the day!

Old Barns

After my trip to Connemara, Carl Sandburg's mountain home, I was not only inspired by the great American writer, but by his wife as well. As he spent much of his time writing in seclusion, she was managing the farm activities. She had a large herd of prizewinning dairy goats that she cared for on a daily basis. After touring the residence and barn area I was impressed with her meticulous organizational skills (an area in which I could certainly take some instruction).

I fell in love with the barn on the Sandburg's property. Isn't it beautiful?



It made me think of our barn. It was on the property when we purchased it ten years ago. Although we have made improvements in other areas, we are just now starting to work on the barn. We are adding new stalls for the horses, and hope to make the goats a new home with a grazing area adjacent to the barn.



Yesterday with the temperatures in the mid seventies, I decided to go to the barn and do some clean up. I'll leave the building to John, since that is what he does for a living! Carson was finished with her schooling for the day so she went down with me to groom the horses while I worked. I cleaned for a couple of hours imagining how beautiful our barn will one day be. I imagined the beautiful flowers that could grace the front, an area for the bunny that Carson has been wanting, the goats grazing in their new fence, and the horses eating in their new stalls. Doesn't imagining the outcome help when there is work to be done?



As I watched Carson doing what she loves, I couldn't help but thank God for my beautiful life in the country. Don't get me wrong. I love the city and all of the wonderful cultural activities that it has to offer, but my heart is deeply rooted in the country.



It seems as though life is some how slower and sweeter when lived in the country.

Carson made me stop working for a while to brush her horse, Cloudy. She wanted me to experience the feeling of peace that washes over one's soul when brushing a horse. She is so right about that, it is almost as if all of your cares fade away with each easy stroke.



As I handed the brush back to her, I snapped back into reality. There is work to be done if my dreams are ever going to come true!!