Kid in the Black Hat

Yes, there is a new kid on the farm 

wearing a black hat.

Love these expressions.

I was whistling to get him to smile,

and instead he tried to whistle.

"Okay....had enough"!

Gracie Loves Horses

Last weekend we were able to meet up with Rudy and family at Gracie's
first riding event. There is a couple who offers their ranch to teach
interested 4-H members how to care for horses. They teach proper grooming, how to handle the horse, saddling up and riding.

The couple does all of this for free, just because
they like it. What a neat experience for the kids. Gracie completed all of the "book work"
and lessons and was able to take her first ride alone on this very tall horse.
They don't skip steps - she brushed the horse and cleaned under the horse's feet first.
We were so glad to get to be there for Gracie's first ride.

Then came the saddle pad, and saddle.

Then the bridle. Okay, she did have a little
help getting the saddle on and tightening
everything up.

Almost time to ride.

And, there she goes. Gracie was very serious
and listened carefully to instructions from the leader.

She looked like a seasoned rider from the beginning,
and soon she was allowed to trot the horse a little.
Please see the video in the last frame.
Do yourself a favor and slide the volume all the
way down, to miss the croaking camera/video again.

Flowers or Weeds?

When I mow the lawn, I experience some strange, wondering of the mind.
I think on many things. It is usually a time of relaxation and many
random thoughts.....not worrisome thoughts, just wondering thoughts.
As I mowed for the first time this season there really were only weeds.
You know the kind, the dreaded dandelions, and more. I found no
beauty in the lawn as I mowed down the weeds. Mostly because we
have Bermuda grass and it does not green up until there is more heat.
But, the tiny blue, white, pink, and purple flowers, and yes even those
golden dandelions, and green clover just reminded me of the freshness of spring. I thought of my
childhood and how I used to pick bundles of these wild weeds. I played, pretended, and even sucked nectar, or something from those little horn shaped purple flowers. You can't really see each one easily in these pictures, but they were there.I admired them and thought as I mowed....I couldn't stand it any longer, I ran quickly for my camera and continued to mow, stop and and snap a few shots.
Beauty, if only for a moment! "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", as they say.

Gracie's Back Flips

Okay Gracie girl, you wanted to see your video.
I finally was able to get it loaded. Enjoy!