A Day at the Saint

On Saturday, Hubby and I made a run to the St. Francis. For those of you new to Critter Alley, we own a very small piece of property on that gorgeous granite bouldered river, and enjoy spending time there whenever  possible. What with the busy holiday season, and bad weather galore, it's been months since we've been able to check on things. So when the weatherman predicted Saturday as an in-between-all-the-snowstorms day, we took the opportunity to get things done at the river.

We were lucky. The temperature rose to over 32 degrees. What little snow lay on the ground (snowfall has been much lighter there) soon began to disappear.

The landscape is still dotted with many trees down from the terrible wind shears of nearly two years ago. We're slowly getting them cut and split. Santa brought Hubby a new chainsaw, and it got quite a workout. We won't run short of firewood anytime soon!

Winter dampness permeated everything. It took a little doing, but soon the first campfire of 2011 blazed warm as an old friend.

We burned leaves, brush, and scrap wood. The heavy smoky scent rolled through crisp air, reminding me of how good it feels to spend time outdoors again. Spring is one day closer.

But whether it's spring, summer, fall, or winter, the Saint always looks beautiful. Here's a few shots of her cold weather face...

As you can see, a critter or two used the snow covered frozen edge of the Saint as a pathway. It wasn't Indy. We left him behind. He's still not speaking to us.

Once daylight turned to dusk, we packed up our equipment and headed for home. Despite the stiff aches and pains of muscles that haven't been used in a while, we felt good. Spring is coming, and our day's ritual of preparation is the first step.

Lady Spring...I know she's lurking at the edges of all this cold, snow, and ice, watching and waiting to work her magic. I've missed her. How I'm looking forward to seeing that woman again!

For Sale or Lease

Weekend housework, go away. I can come back and take care of you on another day! And just that easily, the dust will add another layer. I've got better things to do!

After days of heat and humidity, today is simply scrumptious. Sunny with a cool breeze and anticipated high of 82. Perfect for outdoor activities. In fact, it would be a crime to stay inside!

An outdoor activity I love but haven't done in a while, is horseback riding. I grew up wishing (frequently) for a horse. It never happened. I'm still not really in a position to get one, but there is another way.

If you live near a riding stable or boarding facility check on whether they lease their horses. That's a nifty policy that allows you to have one specific horse that is yours alone to ride, train, and enjoy. Conveniently, the animal's daily maintenance and vet care are still provided by the facility. You can visit as frequently as you wish. You will need your own saddle, bridle, and equipment. After all it's "your" horse for as long as you lease it! If you decide to lease, try and find a place that offers plenty of trails to ride. Otherwise you'll need a horse trailer for hauling your big baby to where the action is.

I have a friend who leased a horse for nearly a year. They bonded so well, that she ended up buying it. Pretty nifty way to get your horsey fix, isn't it?