My Happy Place

Okay, I have about had it. Did the groundhog come out for a second time this year, and see his shadow for another 6 weeks of winter? I had My Boy's winter turnout washed, re-waterproofed, and packed away in late February and switched him to a lightweight rain sheet for milder spring weather. In March, we had unexpected snow and I pulled out the winter turnout again. I got smart and just left it in the garage unwashed this time. I put his rain sheet on for the blast of warmer air we had the last few weeks, joking, oh, we won't get any more snow! Hmmphhh! Who knew that I wouldn't be taking any pictures of riding My Boy because WE AREN'T RIDING in this weather? I need to go to my happy place. My. Happy. Place. Where the air is warm on my bare arms and I can smell sweet horse sweat as we climb the switchbacks. Here are some pictures from my trip to the California desert in February. While I was getting my camera ready, my loaner horse decided to take advantage of the unusually green desert forage! If you look close you can see the really cool elk chinks I wore. I borrowed those from my Auntie J, the one with the bigger-than-my-apartment tack room.




Bird's eye view of a palm oasis from the hilltop as we began our descent.



Approaching the palm oasis. There were flowing creeks to cross down there.


I thought it was awesome that although it was 75 degrees and we were riding in the desert, there was still snow on the mountain tops. Does using the word awesome date me? Do people
still use that word?

A really cool rock. Wait, it probably has some technical geological name. If I knew a petrologist I would ask them. Oh, but look at the blue sky!! I'm imagining how warm that rock must feel if I sat next to it......

Okay....I am feeling much warmer and cozier now. Daydream over....goodbye teddy bear cacti. Goodbye date palms. Goodbye desert swallows. Goodbye smooth Tennessee Walker. Goodbye wild sage and lavender. Goodbye rattlesnakes we never saw. I guess it's time to put on the down jacket and head out to spend some time with My Boy.

I Interrupt this Blog

to bring you some random (very random) pictures from my overloaded picture gallery.....

Subject: Black Jack, my first pony

Photographer: Unknown. Either myself or my little sister.

Hmmm....what is your first clue that a 10 year old took this picture?

Subject: My Boy

Photographer: Pony Girl

This was taken after I'd worked him and put him in his pasture. He hung his head over the gate the gate and blew his warm breath on me as I said goodbye. If you look really close, you will see the reflection of my hand holding the camera in the center of his eye.

Subject: Pony Girl and unidentified cat, 1972

Photographer: Unknown. Probably my father or mother

They tried to get me to love cats. That would have been cheaper. But nope, I wanted ponies! (p.s. I really do love cats, too!)

Subject: Stardust, my mom's gelding

Photographer: My mom

Goodness mom, it really is time for me to give you some lessons on using that digital camera!

Subject: Palm desert hills

Photographer: Palm desert Cowboy using Pony Girl's camera

A view of the hills we rode on in the California desert this past February.

Subject: My living room

Photographer: me

GOTCHA!! This is not my living room! Goodness, I wish it was, I just love that rustic elegance thing!