Riding Report

August Weather--95 and above    Rides--1/2 of one (too short to call a ride) Whine level--Extremely high

Last 2 weeks--Weather 80's       Rides--about 6  

 Smile level--Extremely high

  I have had several good rides lately. Like most things, to appreciate riding and not take it for granted, you need to go a month or so without it.  Today I was able to ride with a young cousin who in the past kept his horse at our house. 

He and his family and I have made some wonderful memories riding.  He is married now to a wonderful girl who loves riding also.  But she had to work today so he called see if I wanted to ride. I think I say yes and was changing shoes before he finished talking.
 He is so much fun to ride with. He rides in field trials throughout the winter and works horses in the summer keeping them in shape. So he keeps a go-ey gait most of the time. It seems like he and I always go off the beaten path whenever we ride. Our riding gang has a saying, "if there is blood on the leg or arm--it was a good ride." Just means the ride turned into a bushwhacking trail. Well today there was blood on both legs from briars and limbs--great ride. I know that is crazy sounding from from a fifty something (late something) woman but when are riding you are free and adventurous. I will go back to being a sensible grandmother when I get home.
I had taken a "shortcut" riding with a friend earlier in the week, and had got us into "some" briars and tall tall grass.Well, without thinking (I am good at that) I took us right back to that same spot from the other direction. Like once wasn't enough. "Lets go on this trail through those 3 ditches. Once we got there--same path. So this boy who used to be a little afraid and now is not afraid of anything took me down a ditch (lets call it a ravine, that sounds deeper) with Kudzu vines up to the horse's neck. I tried to take a picture but truthfully my hand was shaking too bad. Here he is on the other side.

You okay back there?   Breathe

It was a Great Ride

New Horses on the Block

When my neighbor and riding buddy added a couple of horses to her gang we were treated to a small rodeo.  Like boys do sometimes, every geldings had to say "I'm in charge and the boss here."

It was noon so the sun washed out some of the pictures (or could it be that I didn't set the camera for over exposure like I should).

Junior thought he was as big as the rest and a couple of kicks made everyone else think so too.

Hands of Time

"I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants...One will say, 'I belong to the Lord'...still another will write on his hand, The Lord's'". Isa. 44:3-5

For more black and white photos go to Black and White Weekend

Make the biscuits and muffins the kids are comin

We enjoy it when the grandkids have a sleep-over with us. Disney, blankets in floor, throwing rocks off the bridge, pop tarts, muffins, bikes and skates--these are a few of their favorite things.

Fun at the park and just enjoying the finally milder weather....

After a good Disney movie it is lights out..Next morning I am tiptoeing around at 5:30 and a little head pops up. So a little girl and I enjoy a beautiful sunrise while another sleephead stays in..

Ella has her turn with the camera

Then it is time for muffins--one wants chocolate, the other blueberry--no problem.

Good Memories

Interesting Day

Sleepy, drunk or sick (not sure) hummingbird in our yard

   A few days ago, I could have been an advertisement for a children's camp. Went on a walk, trail ride, swim, bird watch, then bike ride. Whew, what a day.

It is always hard on the one left behind.

Had a great ride with 2 friends. It was in the 90's but the humidity wasn't as bad. 

That afternoon I kept seeing numerous hummingbirds at our feeder and on our Rose of Sharon tree. At first I was so happy taking their picture fairly close--

Then a baby one in the back yard put on a show for me. 

Truthfully, I am not sure why this hummingbird behaved as it did. It would drink then fall back. I moved closer and closer till I finally touched him and he flew off. I was excited to get the video and to touch him.

I See Spots

This beautiful moth was in my garden this week and I loved the coloring. Also in my garden are my canons blooming their colorful spotted blooms.

Sooooo, yesterday when I found one of these moths that had died, I paused for a respected moment then did what any wanna be photographer would do---I posed him on the flowers. Just sit right there and look real--

Now a little to the left

How Many Weims do you see?

In our pasture there is an interesting tree,

Put a weim in front of it and he is hard to see.

How many are there--one, two or three,

Or did I turn my back and they all decided to flee. 

For more black and white photos go to Weekend in Black and White

Light and Darkness

"You are my lamp, O Lord the Lord turns my darkness into light with you help I can advance against a troop with my God I can scale a wall. " 2 Sam. 22:29
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." John 8:12


-When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest in His unchanging grace.

"I will give you the treasure of darkness, riches stored in secret places so that you may know that I am Lord the God of Israel who summons you by name." Isa. 45:3
-God calls us to walk by faith into the darkness because He has treasures for us there.
-We may have no answers to why God allows evil but we can be sure He is all powerful and knows what He is doing. The next time you face trials see them as opportunities to turn to God for strength. If you trust Him in pain and loneliness, you will win the victory and eliminate doubt. (copied)

Rescue

Statue overlooking the Mississippi River of Tom Lee who rescued 32 people from a sinking riverboat. See more black and white photos at Weekend in Black and White

Memphis at Sunset

Check out more pictures at Wordless Wednesday http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome