Scary Sunlight

I have a lot of excuses for not riding Draper for the last three weeks.  But today worked out where I was finally able to go for a ride. I thought things got off to a good start, she seemed calm.  Then when I got on and just started walking, she threw her head up and started spooking at a board halfway across her barn that I had just lead her past 30 seconds before.  I finally got her over that spell.

Then she spooked at the sunlight on a board at the other end of the barn.  I had been trotting past it for ten minutes when she decided to spook and run sideways for 50 feet.  So then there was lots of circling at this end until the sun moved and there was no longer an excuse to spook.  Of course, these are all fake spooks, because we all know Draper really isn’t scared of anything, except maybe work.  She earned an hour at the thinking post when I was done.  I am hoping to ride again tomorrow and see if she is over this silliness.
 

Birding With Emily

Emily and Keiran visited for a few days before continuing their journey to South America. I have an extensive bird feeding area now because of Emily. 

The birds really eat a lot. 

They have finally figured out the thistle seed feeder. 

We left the yard and headed across the creek.  Emily and Keiran were trying out their camera equipment.

Our subject was a Canada Goose.  I noticed it was limping then saw the band on its leg, (probably not related).  But that was most likely why it was there by itself and let us get so close. 

I think that I got a pretty good picture.  Keiran and Emily never showed me their photos. 
 

Then we drove to the lake and I added 2 new duck species to my county list.  There were about 30 of these  common mergansers. 

And one gadwall.  That should move me up on the eBird list.  I will miss being able to bird with Emily for the next 10 months.  I really need a seeing eye birder. 

Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry

Mama was cleaning out a cabinet and came across this unopened bottle of Harveys Bristol Cream.  We are not sure how old it is but I am going with 25+ years. 

I was interested in having the blue bottle. 

But Kerian was interested in tasting it.  After a quick Google search he determined it was probably safe to drink but would most likely not be any good. 

I have never tried Sherry before, but I don't think is should be brown.  And I can say, after smelling it, that I still have not tried Sherry.

Emily said it was nasty. 

Kerian said it wasn't that bad but it defiantly wasn't good.  The rest got poured down the drain. 

That Didn’t Last Long

 Looks like one of my snake plants wasn’t as balanced as I thought.

I had a mess to clean up.  I am trying again with a different pot and a different location that is providing more support.  The other three are still ok.

Timely Article

Mama was decluttering her file cabinet and gave me a folder of articles she had saved about gardening. I found one that was very timely for me.

You might notice that the date is November 1978.  She has been holding on to this for awhile. 

But look, I happen to have a very leggy Dracaena.   

I cut the tops off, dipped them in rooting hormone and stuck them back in the pot with the stumps. I then cut the long stalk into sections and stuck them in water to root.  In 2-8 weeks if I see roots, I can plant them in soil.

While I was in the planting mood, I decided to deal with my snake plants.  My original one came from a leaf cutting I did in Plant Propagation class in college.  It has been multiplying ever since.   I planted this one a couple of years ago but have never been happy with how it has done.  I have had to keep it staked and tied.  

These two are usually on the mantel.  Emily has been appalled at how root bound they are.  

I thinned out the root bound ones.  They do look better. 

And I made two more small ones out of the big gangly one. 

I think they like to be root bound so maybe the smaller pots will be better. 

Couponing #81

I did 3 transactions at Dollar General on Saturday.  There were glitching Swiffer coupons and a $5 off $20 Gain coupon that was stacking with the regular $5/$25.  I didn’t want those to go to waste.  I bought (paid for) Pepsi and a loaf of bread.  

 And got $72 of stuff for free.  One transaction was coming out negative so I had to add a 25 cent Christmas item.  That made it 13 cents INCLUDING tax.  I am pretty set on Swiffer stuff for awhile.

Sadie, Allie, Hugo, Otoelene Saturday

Hugo has not been getting much riding attention lately.  But the weather was nice enough this morning for me to work with him a bit. 

He still backs away when approached or if surprised, but it is usually not violent.  But when ridden, he always seems calmer than we would expect for how he is when we are on the ground.  So I guess I prefer that combination to the opposite.  
 

Then Virginia showed up with Allie and Sadie.  I tried to get a picture but no one was cooperating.   Sadie just wanted to ride.  I told her she needed her helmet.  When she realized what I was talking about she remembered it and jerked off her hat and said, Yes! Helmet.  

She carried it to the barn herself and would have tried to lead Otoelene if I had let her. 

Otoelene has been so calm and quite with Sadie.  A real superstar so far.  

And we always have to clean the feet.  

I lead Sadie around for a little while but she kept asking to trot.  And since she always gets what she wants...

I got on and we trotted.   She usually doesn't want to ride for all that long so it is a pretty easy day for Otoelene.  

Then it was inside to play with her kitchen.  Virginia said Sadie would keep asking to come to Mimi's and play kitchen.  

Little Allie seems to enjoy the kitchen set too.  And she played some with the quiet book.   Then Emily and Kerian came to move their things into storage before heading to South America in a month.  I helped some  with the toting of things.  Then it was CJ's for supper with everyone!  Another nice Saturday.