Schoolin'

While many youngsters are relishing the last days of summer and dreading the return to their classrooms, school is already in session along Eli Road.

Our yearling, Tango, is ready to learn the ropes - quite literally. He's finally big enough to start wearing a saddle, and eventually, a rider. Nick's been hard at it over the last couple of Sunday mornings. I went along this morning to watch and so I could get back in the saddle myself.

So I blew the cobwebs off my boots and spurs, (not just a catch phrase, there was infact a cobweb on my boots!) loaded up my saddle, and headed out to pasture with the hubby. I really don't know what it is, but everytime I tag along to herd the horses into the corral, they decide to be obstinate and run everywhere except where they're supposed to. We always end up chasing them around the pasture for longer than we actually get to ride. I'm told this must have something to do with me, as they apparently only do it when I'm present. Hmmm....

Anyway, once they were all safely penned, Nick got down to business while Quest and I sat on the sidelines and watched.

After getting Tango warmed up with the lunge line, he had to get saddled up.

Taking it slow and easy, Nick lets him smell the saddle. Of course, Tango thought

that meant he could chew on it too....

Just letting him hang out for a bit. Only the second time he's had a saddle on and he's already a pro!

I'd say it was in the genes, but we all know Brackett Bill's bloodline wasn't exactly known to be easy going!

Lunging again

After Tango had run in a sufficient number of circles without acting up AT ALL (can you tell I'm proud?) Nick saddled up Buck and the five of us headed out to find some canyons. Nick and Buck took lead, pulling Tango along. I followed behind to keep Tango from pulling Nick out of the saddle.

There is absolutely nothing in the world as rejuvenating as spending a lazy Sunday morning riding horseback through the Sandhills.

All in all, it was a good morning.





Me and my babies - Quest and Tango

Teenage Mutant Ninja Grasshoppers

Ok, so I have no idea how old they are and they're probably not mutants or ninjas, but they ARE in fact grasshoppers.

Thousands of them - everywhere!

I'm told this happens from time to time, but this is the first I've seen it, and I must say, it's a bit hard to get used to. Every time you take a step outside, hundred of them jump and scatter in every direction. They even buzz your head.

Worst of all, they eat EVERYTHING. Except apparently squash and zuchini. Those are basically the only things left in my garden even after I've routinely doused it with insecticide. (I think Nick is a little worried that if the grasshoppers aren't already, they might actually turn into mutants if I spray anymore!)

It's more than a little frustrating. This is the first year I've actually made strides in keeping up with the garden and my flower beds, and everything is now torn to shreds by these nasty little creatures!

Oh well, such is life I guess.

Grasshoppers clinging to the

corner post of my garden!

This used to be a big, beautiful

dahlia...........not so much

anymore!