Crunch Day

I love riding Sugar through crisp, crunchy, crackly leaves. 

For a post-ride treat, Sugar loves to crunch on fresh-picked carrots. 

"Delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places...." --Isaiah 58:14 (KJ21)

Exhibit A

Hmm, I wonder who left tracks in the new concrete slab?

The tracks look suspiciously heifer-sized. 

It must have been Brownie or one of her counterparts. 

In Deep

We've been digging like a bunch of moles, putting in water lines and overflow drain back fields for more automatic waterers. Because winters get so cold here, the lines are buried way below the frost line. Hubby used a backhoe for much of the job, but we all have added significant mileage to our shovels!

Of course, the cows helped too, although strictly in an advisory capacity. 

"They'll turn their swords into shovels, their spears into hoes. No more will nation fight against nation...." --Isaiah 2:4 (MSG)

Woodbucks

Our biggest cottonwood is a favorite stomping ground for the cows and horses. Raccoons and all kinds of birds hang out there too. It's kind of a critter coffee shop, minus the coffee, plus the comfort and camaraderie. 

But our littlest cottonwoods have cages around them for protection from stomping cows and horses. Perhaps they do host the occasional mouse or bug gathering though. 

"For whoever has despised the day of small things will rejoice...." -Zechariah 4:10 (LEB)

Ikey

When Ikey first signed on with this outfit,  I had my doubts. He'd been somewhat shortchanged in the grocery department and looked more like a weanling calf than a future herd bull. 

Four-and-a-half months of good pasture later, Ikey has lost his ribs and baby face. As Hubby put it, "He even has muscles, and they're starting to ripple!" I suppose that someday we'll have to drop the y and address him more respectfully as Ike.

But, what's with the curls? 

                            

"God selected the common and the castoff...." --1 Corinthians 1:28 VOICE

A Star Shining

One of Rainhorse Equine Services' brightest stars, Daylight, has earned the distinctive Master of Equine Therapy Award. One of Daylight's therapy partners, an adjudicated youth, bestowed the surprise honor at a recent Ranch Day activity. 

Daylight was unavailable for comment, but Rainhorse equine specialist Maria Lisa Eastman provided testimonials from youth who have worked with Daylight. 

•"It feels like Daylight understands my life and it feels like she somewhat hurts for what happened to me."

•"I feel like a new person." (Stated immediately following the person's first session with Daylight.)

•"Daylight saved my life."

What's next for Daylight? Well, if I were her agent, I'd suggest a run for the title of Miss Rodeo Wyoming. She's got the looks, brains, and congeniality, and she'd be a shoe-in for the horsemanship competition. Daylight also has a special rodeo-type talent: she can do a remarkable impression of a saddle bronc!

(Photos courtesy of Maria Lisa Eastman)

The Sunshine Tree

This cottonwood must have stored up six months of sunlight in its leaves! 

"Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy, no shadow of shame will darken their faces." --Psalm 34:5 (NLT)