NATURE

After two days of blustery wind and unseasonably cool temps, it feels like spring again. The farrier was due here today, so I hurried through my barn chores, and spiffed Abby up a  bit...

Abby mostly loves a good grooming, and will frequently doze off during her favorite parts.

One "not so favorite" part is whisker trimming. She was starting to resemble a billy goat, so I persevered and got the job done.

Smooth as a baby's bottom. Really. You non-horse people may not know this, but a horse's muzzle is every bit as soft as a baby's butt. Maybe softer.
That done, I had a little mosey around the woods and pasture with my camera. Sadly, Monday's high winds toppled two nests. 

There did not appear to be any survivors.

This time of year, there is something to new to see everyday. I thought "we" had taken care of this....

And this, the biggest dandelion I have ever seen. I dropped my phone in front of it, so that you could get an idea of its size. That's what a steady diet of horse manure can do.

Of course, I wasn't alone. Fitz came along to make sure I was safe, and just as I was complimenting him on his tree climbing skills, he stepped on a rotten branch, which broke and dumped him on the ground. I always think cats look so embarrassed when they fall. He'd probably rather I hadn't told you.

Does anyone know what these little white flowers are? There are hundreds of them.

Back in the pasture, it is buttercup city. My farrier gave me some tips for getting rid of them. They like acidic soil apparently, so spreading lime is one thing we can do. Also, Tractor Supply has a spray that will kill them without harming the animals or the grass. I try to limit my use of weed killers, but I might have to try it. 
Of course, I have to leave you with at least one garden pic, so I'll show you my dianthus border.

Hope spring is giving you roses as well as buttercups. XO.

CAT TALES

While I frequently talk about horse and dog antics here, I don't believe I've told you much about the cats. A cat is an important player on any property with a barn. We brought our Mathilda (aka Kitty) home as a teeny kitten as soon as we broke ground on the barn. Six and one half years later she is a feline force. Her skills extend far beyond keeping the rodents and birds at bay. And before you get your feathers ruffled, you should know that I love birds as much as the next person, just not inside my barn. They drop poop and feathers all over the tack and just generally wreak havoc.
Anyway, as to skills, last weekend my daughter was working with Abby and giving me a lesson in long lining, which she picked up during her summers at the ranch. Kitty watched for a bit, then decided she'd better help. Surprising, since she generally keeps a safe distance from the horses when they're turned out.

Watching and learning.

Kelly and Abby

Getting closer.

I got this!

Thumbs would be helpful. 

Making her move.

Outta there!

In the end, she decided this was an activity for humans after all, and took off, back to her grassy hiding place.
This morning, she played photographer's assistant, when I popped outside between rain clouds to look for new blooms. As I lay on the sidewalk, trying to get a ground level shot of the dianthus border, she helped by repeatedly banging her head against my lens. Skills!
I did spy the first rose of the season.

This is not the shot of the dianthus that I was going for...

But my helper persisted until Fitz, the cat we share with the barn down the road, came out to distract her.

She also gardens. 

Gotta run and finish the mowing before dinner, and wipe the nose prints off my lens. Mowing, that would be a really useful skill in a barn cat. I'm sure she's capable. If only her little feet could reach the pedals! XO. 

WILD STRAWBERRIES

Seems there is a new discovery in the garden everyday now. I like to take my camera when I feed the horses in the morning, then have a little walk around our property to see what's new. Today's new arrival? Wild strawberries....walk with me.

Found this sad little egg in the middle of the pasture. Wonder who stole it and dropped it there...

My dianthus border is in bloom.

Hundreds of blooms on the Knockout rose.

Irises of all sorts are blooming now.

Found this nest at the edge of the pasture, and yes, I did climb up on the top fence rail to get a pic, and yes, the branch I was holding onto broke, and yes, I fell, but no harm done, and looking at the pics I realized that I accidentally hit the video button.  There's some pretty hilarious footage of my bare leg and muck boot flailing around, and no, I won't be sharing it! Don't beg! It's unbecoming.

What's new in the great outdoors at your place?