More rain a-comin'

I didn't need the weatherman to tell me it was going to rain today. All I had to do was to take a look at all the horses lying down in the field this morning and I knew. My husband told me a long time ago that when you see cattle or horses lying down in the field, it's usually a good indication that rain is coming. And this afternoon, it did rain; so this theory was correct for today.

These horses in the photo above are from the farm across the pond. And the foals below are from our farm. Well, it's not really 'our' farm. It's the farm on which we live, and on which my husband is employed. I took these pictures earlier this week. They're not lying down because of anything other than just tiredness. You try running at full gallop in a field all morning and then see how tired you can get!

I've got a great big cowlick right in the center of my forehead.

I just thought I should tell you that.

I'm getting up. Really, I am. In just a moment.

I'm not getting up. I'm just not.

I'm awake!

But my eyelids are getting very heavy . . .

Have a wonderful Monday, everyone.

Shake Your Booty

Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake Shake

Shake your booty, shake your booty,

Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake

Shake your booty, oh don't shake the feeling,

Do a little dance, do a little prance, Get down tonight, get down tonight.

I apologize, in advance, for those of you who tend to get songs stuck in their heads, like me.

I know I'm going to be humming these songs all day now.

Minna, all week long I tried to get a picture of "Motion" for the lesson this week. Finally captured it yesterday, after the lesson was over. But, by jove, I think I got it!

Early evening on the farm

There comes a time in every day when things start to slow down and the day begins to draw to an end. Foals aren't as frisky and they seem more content to stay near their mothers, enjoying the fresh grass that's beginning to grow. These little ones are in the paddock directly behind our home and I took these photos from my yard on Wednesday evening. Today was a beautiful rendition of an early spring day in Maryland. Notice this little guy above? He's True Grit from the post directly below. Look at how quiet he is right now, though.

Foals have definite personalities and True Grit is always around when the camera shows up. Lots of them will hide behind their mothers, but a few are much more brave. See how the one in this next picture on the right is closely following her mother?

Not True Grit. He's an independent soul. He seeks out others in this field who have a similar spirit. Sometimes he gets them into trouble.

This little guy here with the half moon star on his face is one that will follow True Grit on his Adventures Away From His Mother. They'll spend a lot of time further and further away from the mares, stretching their independence and being downright exhuberant at times. But tonight, things are moving slow. And everyone seems content. And, in the end, even True Grit's a little momma's boy. There she is, little fella. You're safe now.

True Grit

I was working on these pictures in Photoshop tonight while the 1969 John Wayne movie, "True Grit" was playing on my television. What a great movie that was. And suddenly, I realized that this post now had a title. I also realized that this little guy's halter was all askew!
This little foal sure was feeling his oats the other day when I took these photos. Not that he's eating oats yet. It's just what we say when they're kicking up their heels like this. And that's not all he was up to.
He was running all over the paddock, and trying to get others to follow in his footsteps. But nobody else could outrun him today. He could be a future Derby winner, don't you think?
I took these pictures on Sunday afternoon from the fencerail at the edge of our backyard. I hobbled all the way out there for the sake of my blog. No, really, it wasn't all that difficult. I was doing quite fine, really. Sunday was chilly with intermittent sunshine and was a perfect day for a foal to play.
Well, every day's a perfect day for a foal to play. They play in the rain, in the sun, in their sleep.
Nah, not really in their sleep. I'm just making sure you're still with me.

If I'm having a bad day, or feel down, and I see the foals running and cavorting like this, it always, without fail, puts a silly smile on my face. And you know what?

I am so blessed to be able to see this from my little couch, in my living room. This is my backyard. And even though we don't own this house, life is just fine.
And this little fella with his spunk and his grit is sure cheering me up. I also love using the word cavorting whenever I'm able to do so.