Horse Play

I knew that after yesterday’s serious topic you would need a little relief today..so I’m thankful that the neighbors provided it! They came to play in the water yesterday afternoon, and while these aren’t great photos, I think you get the general idea that they had a good time! (I’m still saving my pennies for a stronger telephoto lens. Either that or we need to move the fence down a few feet!) Not all of the horses/mules joined in the fun, but the paint stomped and splashed and rolled around four different times.

We also had our usual group in the yard. They are becoming more and more resigned to the fact that I am out and about. I often wonder how they decide if I am a threat or not. Repetitive behavior? Calm movements? Presence followed by food? By the end of last summer I could walk within three feet of the rabbits. Yesterday I was six feet from the squirrel. I’m not saying I could feed them out of my hand, nor do I have any desire to ever do so. But over the course of a few weeks they go from “running the minute the door opens” to “I might as well finish eating”. I find that intriguing.

The flowers continue to delight me with new blooms each day. The hibiscus is finally blooming. The zinnias have started. Some of my newer daylilies should bloom before we leave for our vacation. And a few wildflowers have appeared in the pasture. I knew we would not have as many wildflowers this year because of the drought and the fact that the cows ate every last blade of anything they could find. But seeds stay viable in the ground for years and years. I doubt that we will ever have a year devoid of flowers.

I am posting a photo here of a little tree that I love. It’s a Vitex and this one is a direct descendant of my great grandmother’s tree. There were at least two on her property when I was a child. My father bought her house and though he eventually moved her trees others sprouted from seed. I had six trees at our other house and there are now five here. Unfortunately only two of them are blue and the others are light pink. I’m not as fond of the pink because the color is so pale, but they are a useful little tree. They grow very quickly, they are drought resistant, and the insects love them. I will warn you that they have a very distinct smell and are also known as “monk’s pepper bush”. Vitex is hardy in zones 7-8 and I have seen many in Texas and California.

The weather is warming quickly and I know that many of you, like my neighbors, will be stampeding to local bodies of water. Please be careful! 

 

Comments

[Megan]

What a fascinating idea, a tree passed down through the family. It is lovely too. I cannot recall seeing one or hearing the name before, but it doesn't mean I've not at some point in my childhood.

It is beautiful. It reminds me of a butterfly bush, though decidedly different.

Your bunny pictures. I could almost reach through the screen and pet them.

Your horse neighbors make me homesick.