Rain

I can't remember the last time it rained. I think it might have been 3 weeks ago. Things were really getting dry again.

There has been a slow steady rain most of the day. We've had .7 inches so far. This should help the 50 acres J just had fertilized.

Tragic Loss

Our 4-H club's president was killed in an unexplained shooting Thursday which is under investigation.He had attended the Southern Regionals Horse Show with E earlier this month.

And had just gone camping and trail riding with the club last weekend. He was a very outgoing and likable young man. His 17th birthday would have been this coming Wednesday. He will be truly missed.

Pumpkin

Correction on the pumpkin vines, apparently the cattle do like them.I don't guess we will have any home grown jack-o-lantern's this year.

Calf Tails

This was one of the last calves born this spring.The short tail is the only thing wrong with it.

J may have been worried if it was one of the first born.

Cattle and Sky

Trail Ride

We went on a camp out/trail ride with the 4-H club this weekend. We had 6 4-Hers and 8 adults. The weather was beautiful and the trails were good.V and J stopped waiting for the slow pokes to catch up.

Everyone mounting up after the lunch break.

We tried a picket line for the first time. It worked out well. It helps to not have the horses pulling on the hay net all night when they are tied to the outside of the trailer while we are trying to sleep on the inside.

The Gate

Obviously, a lot of time and effort has gone into saving this gate.The farm's previous owner performed numerous repairs instead of replacing worn out things. J seems to be continuing this tradition.

Ta da!

Pink Flowers

I think I have a slight weakness for pink/purple flowers. If there is a choice I seem to be drawn to them.Yarrow,

cone flower,

wave petunia,

and phlox are just a few in this color palette that I have blooming now.

Trail riding

Today J and I loaded up the horses and went trail riding. J's dad brought his horse and joined us. It was a beautiful afternoon for a 3 hour ride. It is always nice when the horses cooperate and act nice too. J and Dad having a short pit stop after a steep climb to rest the horses and adjust the saddles.
F taking the lead on Lady. J got along well with Thumper.
Jessica and I lead the way for most of the trail.

Pumpkins

We bought 2 dump truck loads of pumpkins to feed the cattle last fall. We ended up with a pile of dirt from the second load. J use the dirt to fill in a gully. Now we have pumpkins growing in the gully.The cattle and goats don't seem to like the vines.

We may even end up with a jack-o-lantern.

Goat Herd

V and E have gone to the beach with their friend for 4 days so it is much lonelier around here than usual. I didn't have any new pictures to post so when I saw the goats just outside the backyard I grabbed my camera. I then discovered none of my batteries were charged. By the time I got one charged enough to turn the camera on it was about dark.Here is the herd heading for a spot to bed down for the night.

Our appaloosa spotted goat has made it so far. We have lost several others to dogs, coyotes and accidental drowning.

Mother-in-Law's Tongue

Four of my five potted Mother-in-Law tongue plants are blooming now.

I didn't even realize that this house plant bloomed until my first one did a few years ago.Since then they bloom every year.

They are very fragrant.

Southern Regionals Update

400 4-Hers from 12 States competed at the show. This is the Virginia Delegation during the parade of states. E is in there somewhere. She showed against 28 in the Mare halter class but didn't place. I think they look good together.
Pep did really good in warm up. E was able to work on her canter a lot.

E and the other 4-Her from our county.

There were 99 in the western pleasure and 113 in western horsemanship. Needless to say she didn't place in anything but I think she enjoyed the show anyway. It was certainly an excellent learning experience.