it's all so sugarless

I returned from the barn yesterday afternoon and found these lovely daylillies on our kitchen table. Maizie had collected them from our garden. She also cut more and took an arrangement to our neighbors, Winnie and Ralph. Winnie and Ralph are 90 and 92 years old, respectively, and live alone. They are unbelievable! Brian and I strive to emulate their approach to a long and happy life.

I needed the daylillies to cheer me up. I had found a large gash across Pie's back when I groomed him. I combed the pastures, but found no evidence of what caused the cut. I treated it and decided to just walk him in the bridle instead of riding. He is getting a wee bit chubby and needs his daily ride for exercise to maintain his adorable figure. Once out on foot we encountered the apple on the barstool. He gobbled it and I stood up on the top of the stool to get a better look at his cut. (He is so tall that I have trouble seeing his back and rump from the ground.) I decided that I could lightly slide on bareback and not disturb the cut. We ended up having a great ride. Sovereign, in typical fashion, got more exercise than Pie, though, by trotting in the pasture waiting for our return. Isn't that always how it is? The chubby horse walks calmly and slowly and the skinny horse races around.

This morning Mom and I rode. (The time for this post will be earlier than we actually rode - I finished posting later in the day.) We had such a great time. I was on Pie bareback again and we went everywhere on the farm. Pie knocked the apples off the barstool which was so much easier because I didn't have to dismount. He ate his apple and then I moved him away and Sovey took a turn. Then they stood there quietly for a few minutes. We laughed so hard because they obviously thought more apples might magically appear! Spoiled boys! We walked through the woods and Mom told me a story about her horse Chaplin from her childhood riding days. Pie and Sovey love our chatter, I think. The sun was shining and the trails were so pretty.

We both needed an early morning cheer-me-up-ride. Sadly, my dad has been very ill recently. We are just trying to think good thoughts and keep our spirits up. Horses are the best way to forget your worries.