Woodford is currently learning how to be a real hound dog and spend his days outside now that he has a dog house and it is
warm. He probably won't use it, but we did have him get in it. He didn't seem to mind too much, but I am questioning his intelligence regarding sheltering himself. And most other situations, too.Anyway, about the weekend. It was epic, glorious, and full of great happenings. Greg took Trip fly fishing for trout. Neither of them caught anything, despite Trip seeing two and getting close enough to plunk them on the head with his bait for 1.5 hours. What I want to know is; why would you spend 1.5 hours doing that...? Apparently the water was cold, and I've spent enough time being cold this winter. They tried to get me to go, but I had other things on my mind...
I'm not going to spend the first nice sunny day out wading around chasing trout. I like fishing, but I like riding ponies more. So, as Trip woke quite early, so did I. Instead of heading for bubbling streams, I headed over to the oven and made two quiches from a recipe from Jenna Woginrich's book; Made From Scratch. I had to keep myself occupied until it was warm enough to pony around.
The egg-pies were tasty. I didn't put any salt or pepper in mine, but it could have definitely used it. I think I'll put some tomato in it next time. I did make one for Greg and Laura, since I was headed over to their house immediately afterward, and I spiced theirs up a bit more. I hope it was tastyyy!I didn't just load my saddle into the car, ready for whatever good times may come. I had a goal, a real mission this Saturday. I wanted to try two new things, since I wouldn't have anyone around to yell at me or further distract the horses. First, I was going to get Woodford used to traveling alongside a steed. I jumped on Cheyanne, the grey horse, and had Woodford on a longer rope at her side, near her front feet. We headed down the road us three, my horse, my hound and me. The horse did great! I had Woodford on lead while we were on the busier blacktop road, and when I turned down the gravel road I let him off to run around. I have him (kind of?) trained to stay on the right side of the road by exclaiming "This side" and pointing my right hand. He is usually obedient, but sometimes he just doesn't give a damn. Ah well, he was mostly good. He sure was tired afterward, though!
Now, the bigger, better story. I returned to the barn for the black mare I rode last week. The one that "can't be rode alone." I was a bit skeptical at first, because she was throwing a huge temper tantrum in her stall after I pulled her barnmate, Cheyanne. Half-hearted rearing, stomping, screaming, crying, what-have-you nonsense. Anyway, I just strolled on in, lead her out, and tied her up without saying a word or looking her in the eye. She shut right up, and stood calmer than I have EVER seen her do. Put her head down, cocked one of her back legs and stood snoozie-eyed. LOVED it. She usually pulls all kind of crap when she's tied, spinning around, screaming, running people over, etc. Not this time, not for this girl. I moved quietly, calmly, and with purpose; something I don't think she is quite used to, but obviously prefers. Saddled her up and went to mount her, which is usually a big ordeal. She runs around under her rider, tries to walk off without them, etc. She moved two cautious steps on my first attempt, and then we tried again. She stood still as a statue as I mounted, waiting for my cue. OMG, I couldn't believe it. I didn't grab a crop, which she is usually ridden with, as I wasn't going to fight or force her. I was going to teach her that when she is at the barn, she will work, and when she is out riding it will be easier for her. So I worked her around the yard, walking circles, serpentines and figure-eights for about five minutes, maybe less. Then I pointed her toward the road and off we went. Not one resistance, not one foot stomp, and not even the shrill whinny that barn sour horses often emit upon leaving. She was cautious, not spooky, but very willing. We just walked on for a bit until we were well out of her comfort zone, and turned to walk back. Three vehicles passed, she didn't even flinch. I felt like a champion of the world.
This photo is from the parade in December in Stuart. The broad I am speaking of is pictured on your right. She's a very pretty pony, but she is a Tennessee Walker, which isn't my breed of choice. However, most qualms I have against this breed are because they are ugly, and she isn't. So it's ok.
Saturday evening was spent walking around with my lover, holding hands and eating at a terrible Chinese restaurant. He likes Chinese, I hate Chinese. Then we went to Barnes and Noble and read books about home building and small pasture management. We didn't even buy anything, either! It was basically a free day, aside from crappy China food.
Sunday we spent most of the day putting up the garden fence, all but the gate. We waited until noon to share the first outside in the sun beer of the year, though the temptation came much sooner. I even got a little sunburn on my face. Here you can see the beginnings of the fence line, and then the lazy boys I share my house with, after they had a few Yuenglings.
With it being not so cold in the mornings, I have been getting up much earlier. Yesterday I got up at five am! I was so productive, too! Today I only got up at six, with Woodford sleeping beside me. Trip is in the field until tomorrow or Thursday. I miss him. But anyway, with my newfound time in the mornings, I can take Woodford for walks before I go to work. It's so fun! And now all the birds are back, so they sing me along down the road, taunting Woodford by waiting until the last moment to flush. Like he could ever catch one anyway, ha. But we also get to see more of the cows, which I think they enjoy, or despise, I can't tell. I always greet them with a "Morning Hamburgers!" and they stare as I pass. Silly cows.
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