Stormy skies

Stormy skies
In eleven years of life in Colorado, I have never seen skies like the ones I saw yesterday evening driving home from the barn. I was so entranced, I drove by the entrance to our driveway and had to back the car. Jack called to ask if I was taking photos, and said that a funnel cloud had been reported in Briargate. The online morning paper doesn’t seem to mention any storm damage, but it might have occurred to late for their press time.

The Road Home


The lines on our road were repainted today. I was trapped behind the truck doing so on my way out this morning.

I arrived at the barn just as my trainer was preparing to set out on the trail with a group of kids. I briefly considered grabbing Hap (who does not get ridden on the trail by the young woman who is leasing him) but my trainer suggested I take Magic, a friend’s horse. (Magic’s superior quality is indicated by the fact that she is one of the few horses I ever had the guts to hunt. Back when we were both a lot younger and fitter, of course.) I was happy that I didn’t take Hap because two of the other horses on the ride became quite rude at one point. Hap’s response to other horses’ rudeness has always been, “Look at me: I can beat that!”

We rebuilt a few old brush jumps so that the kids could start getting a feel of what cross country is like. The horses were kind enough to jump them even though most of the jumps could have been trotted.

I saw an amazing variety of wild-flowers considering how late in the season it is, probably due to the afternoon storms we have been having. The meadows through which we were riding looked as though they belong on a postcard titled “Colorado High Plains.”

Reorg

I was in my sewing room yesterday, looking for my old cross stitch supplies, and suddenly realized that the setup, even though it made efficient use of a tiny space, also made me feel mildly claustrophobic. No wonder I haven’t been able to progress on my sewing projects. I took my audiotapes downstairs, and spent over two hours cleaning and rearranging items, while listening to Ngaio Marsh’s “Light Thickens.” I moved two small bookcases that had been against the wall into the closet, and moved the ironing board to the wall. Everything seems much more open now.

First Hole


I spent a few hours at the International in Castle Rock watching the Pro-Am yesterday. This photo is the view from the bleachers at the hole .

I am not a big golf fan, but like to know enough to be able to talk intelligently about it with Jack, who is one. He is volunteering at the International this weekend, which is why I had a ticket. The Pro-Am allows photography, which is why I decided to go on Wednesday.

Bed check

During summer, I almost always have the bedroom windows open. Last night, I was reading in bed when I heard a tremendous clatter, followed by a squeal. I waited for a few tense moments, but heard only silence. I wasn’t dressed, so I called to Jack and asked him to check the horses. Then I decided I should go out as well, since it was warm enough for my pajamas. I put on my sneakers and grabbed the flashlight.

As we approched the barn, I could see Rags and Smoke standing in Smoke’s stall. We turned on the barn lights, and the two horses gazed at us with great innocence. Jack went into the stall with them and couldn’t see any fresh scrapes on either horse or new damage to the barn. I wonder what they were doing?