Developments

Little Helga is growing up and out...

...but she hasn't caught up to Flash and her other big sibs yet. 

"You'll never lose by digging deep, staying true, not giving up, building character in the crucible of challenge, breathing in, hanging on, and becoming more weighty below the surface than you are above it." ~Louis Giglio 

Campfires and Politics Prohibited

The Cloud Peak Wilderness: one of our favorite places and, not coincidentally, thousands of feet above airwaves choked with endless election yammer and clamor. 

"He who loves his brother abides in the light....But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going."~1 John 2:10-11 NKJV 

Locavores

These two mule deer look innocent enough, but they're the reason that you haven't been bombarded with the usual glut of summer rose photos. 

I snapped a shot of this beauty before it becomes deer chow. 

"The best way to get along with people is to not expect them to be like you." ~Joyce Meyer

Walking the Dog

Last weekend, we walked the dog to Lake Helen because it's 5,093' closer to heaven than the farm roads (elevation 4,065') we usually take. Obviously. 

"If you do not raise your eyes, you will think that you are the highest point." ~Antonio Porchia, Voces, translated by W.S. Merwin. 

The Outcast

This stallion keeps as much distance as possible from the rest of the Whistle Creek wild horses. This day, he grazed several miles from the herd. 

Community is everything to horses, so I doubt that he's a loner by choice. My guess is that he's been beat up and driven away by the other stallions, perhaps injured and unable to defend himself. Call me a sap, but I prayed for a friend for him. 

"...And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown...." ~Zephaniah 3:19 ESV 

Why Not?

Pre-hiking: I shouldn't go. There's too much work to do. 

Hiking: What work? 

Post-hiking: Let's move to the mountains and hike every single day. 

"You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." 

~Psalm 16:11 NKJV 

The Sleeper

Sugar is of cutting horse descent, but since environment trumps heredity, she's just a garden variety horse. She's 13 years old, with an iffy stifle, problematic hooves, and a twice-injured knee. When she feels good, Sugar teaches youngsters to ride or helps me mosey behind our lazy cows. 

Imagine my surprise when a heifer turned the wrong way and Sugar made a classic drop and sweep cutting move that had me grabbing the saddle horn. Said heifer was promptly dispatched into the alleyway. I was glad that Hubby saw it because he wouldn't have believed me.

I've heard it said that horses don't respond to verbal praise, but Sugar seemed quite happy to accept our acclaim. 

As the day heated and the cattle slowed, I wondered if Sugar's latent cutting talent would ever resurface. It did. I dare say she loved it and couldn't wait to get a chance to do it again. 

I love my comfortable old saddle, but if I want to stay aboard my new cutting horse, I'm going to need a deeper-seated, sueded cutting saddle. (I wonder if those come with seat belts.)

"If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be." ~Maya Angelou