I changed the blog design today because suddenly I realized it's the beginning of August, and when I look out the window or walk outside in any direction, the overwhelming green-ness is what surrounds me. I think I'm ready for the blog to reflect that.
Last night I went out to spend some time with Keil Bay, and immediately noticed his right eye was bothering him. It wasn't goopy, wasn't red, only the very tiniest bit puffy, but he was blinking it a little more than normal. So after his meal I squeezed a warm wet washcloth over his eye, wiped it gently, and gave him a homeopathic remedy I thought might help. Fortunately that did the trick. Everything is normal today.
It reminded me, though, how cooperative my crew here is when it comes to things like that. Keil is a big horse and he can so easily lift his head out of reach. And he does that sometimes, but he will bring it down if I center myself and ask quietly.
August dawned with my husband going out to let horses in, and finding Dickens the Feline Cowboy sleeping in one of the horse mangers, on some leftover hay. Somehow, that symbolizes the lushness of August while at the same time serving as a premonition of a cool autumn morning.
Today the horses and donkeys have switched pastures and they are over the top happy with the new grazing. The entire family went out this evening bearing a tray of special donkey birthday cookies for Rafer's belated celebration. I had envisioned all of us around the picnic table, but I couldn't bear to bring them in from their turn-out, so we handed out cookies over the arena fence.
Rafer Johnson knew instantly what was up and he came marching right up to us. Redford was not far behind. After a minute, Keil Bay and Salina came up. Cody received his at the round bale - he was in the barnyard eating some hay after his ride, and The Pony (I remembered to capitalize!) would not even leave the grass to come get his, so His Girl took them directly to him.
It was a quiet, quick celebration, but I think they appreciated being left to graze.
Next weekend we have a new family member coming home to November Hill. "Bear" - whose name is probably going to be Tristan - will be making the journey and then the transition into the fold.
billie hinton’s camera-obscura:
life and lessons on November Hill Farm
16 comments:
It's so great that you are back blogging and I have had much to catch up on here -- Hope you're still getting some relief from the heat. Seems like life at November Hill is delightful and relaxed this summer. Can't wait until your new pup is home!
Thanks, Victoria. I'd almost forgotten my time off!
It's been a nice summer, for the most part. Some hot days, some little blips here and there, but mostly we've been enjoying life.
I'm glad to hear that everyone enjoyed the belated birthday celebration. It sounds like fun for all.
Keil Bay's eye could have just been a bite. It's good you are so in tune with your horses that you remedied the situation immediately and he's healed already.
I really like this page and almost put it up myself. The greenness all around us right now is so pretty. It's hard to believe that in a month or so it will all change to the brilliant colors of Autumn.
Can't wait for your new puppy to come home. His pictures were adorable. It will be fun to have a new member added to the gang at November Hill.
Like the new design - very soothing and summery!
Arlene, I love the new blogger thing - it is so much fun picking new ones without having to do anything but click!
I think he might have had a piece of hay in his forelock that was irritating his eye - husband said he'd pulled a piece out earlier.
Kate, it is just this green around here. If anything, more so! I wish the path through the trees showed up more than it does.
Billie, I like greenery and I like cookies and I like the idea of a new puppy. Things sound just right at Novemember Hill and I can tell Rafer keeps a watchful eye on all around him. I believe the Hindus would say he has been reincarnated into a perfect life form.
Ah, our vets love our dogs as the dogs have the security - and innocence - in knowing no human means them harm.
The Big Bay knows the same....
It is one thing to have a Dawg respond as such but another to have a prey animal - as a horse - to respond with such confidence.
I have decided I would like to be reincarnated back in time as a Donkey Boy in your care....
So, WHO or What is this new acquisition? Cat? Dawg? Horse? Mule?
Sheaffer, WE think so - Rafer Johnson is both a delight and a comfort to all of us. Hope you are doing well - I need an update so will go right now and see if you're written a new post!
Deborah, we do love our Donkey Boys!
Bear/Tristan is a Corgi puppy. We started looking early this year for a rescue Corgi but as it turned out none of the possibilities either panned out or were a good fit. We need a male who can let Kyra Corgi be the boss w/o challenging her, who can get along at least on neutral terms with five very BIG feline personalities, and can manage being around equines without trying to chase them.
That's a pretty tall order for any Corgi who has already been out in the world and developed some routines/habits/etc.
So when our friend Sue told us about a particular litter of Corgi pups, it sounded like maybe we needed to look for a young one and let him grow up here - so he will fit in easily and can grow up with the way it already is. :)
This pup is very self-assured and I think he'll both blend in AND hold his own, if that makes any sense at all!
I also like the new green background - apart from the absence of blue tits, it's an almost perfect mirror of the view from my study window.
Tristan sounds like a grand name for a big Corgi personality. It leads me to wonder when he will acquire a Siegfried or Isolde companion.....?
Dougie, he is going to have to make do with Kyra for now! The energy level of two Corgis is about all we can take!
There's an annual Corgi picnic near us that tends to draw several hundred Corgis (and their people) and it is quite something to see them all together. Amazingly they seem to recognize one another as "kinfolk" and it's like a big Tasha Tudor book in action.
Just a lovely summer picture, Billie!
Thanks, M. Glad you were able to comment again - not sure what's going on with that.
Billie,
I thought I was somewhere else. Such a lush picture. Beautiful trees.
Me too, Jessica - I think that's exactly what appealed to me.
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