Spring quirks

Spring has sprung, here in North Texas.  The days are longer, the flowers are blooming, and the bugs are zooming.  Speaking of flowers, it’s our first spring in the new house.  Turns out that the green shrub at the end of our driveway is Spanish lavender and has sprouted these nubby purple flowers that I’ve resisted plucking.  Our rose bushes in the backyard, which I drastically pruned back last fall, have exploded overnight.  There are so many flowers that the branches are sagging from the weight.  Bowie’s tackling the spring changes with great aplomb.  As he runs by the rose bushes, he rips the petals off the branches and spits them on the ground.  I yell at him - of course - and then break down into laughter every time.  Where did he learn that behavior from?

Rose Destroyer, caught in the act
I found a patch of blue bonnets on our weekend walk and made Bowie take the obligatory Texan photo with them.  He’s used to mom making his stop and pose for pictures, probably about the only thing he’ll stop long enough for.


This month, Mae turned seven and has sprouted dapples on her neck and belly!  This mare has never had dapples before and I’m thrilled to see them.  Those round circles of delight emerged slowly after she finally stopped shedding her winter coat.  It’s only a matter of time before her dark bay coat gets sunbleached into a brassy brown colour (talk about an ombre hair style) and they fade away but I’m relishing the sight of them for now.

Dappled up birthday girl
This past weekend, we rode out to field after a nice lazy hack in the outdoor arena.  My friend K and her gelding were out grazing, so I let Mae take a break for snack time as well.  Her security blanket out in the “wild” is other horses, so we stood there and chatted for fifteen minutes before I felt her rapidly sinking beneath me.  I quickly kicked off my stirrups and dismounted, as she wasn’t stopping and was soon laying on her side.  It all happened so quickly - me jumping off, still holding onto the reins, and also trying to stay out of the way of her flailing hooves.  In the background, K was wailing continuously “Your saddle, oh no your saddle!” 

Mae had decided that all the fresh green grass looked comfortable to roll in and certainly tried to roll while I was still on her back.  Luckily she didn’t roll all the way over (and crush the tree in my saddle), but she did roll enough to where my stirrups scratched up the side of my saddle.  At least my leg wasn’t trapped underneath her and I wasn’t crushed or kicked?  And of course, horsey friends would be more concerned about the welfare of your tack than your bodily-harm.  Priorities folks.

Avoiding being crushed, reconfirming my allergy to grass, and sneezing are my seasonal delights so far.  But hey, at least I'm getting some good pictures out of it all.

Comments

  1. I wish Nash would cooperate for photos, especially outside. Not only does he hate the camera, when we are outside he needs to see & smell everything so won't sit still.

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    1. Bowie is also CONSTANTLY moving but I can typically get a pause here and there. Now taking him out to a restaurant is a totally different game - he hates staying still under the table

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  2. Happy bday to Mae:) And I'm so jealous of your rose bushes! So lovely, Ruth. Love how Bowie posed like a pro:D

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    1. He does know how to sit pretty, although typically he has a really goofy look on his face

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  3. ugh on your saddle. and lol on Bowie and his cute photo and eating roses. Bernie would totally do that and i dont think i can get her sitting still enough without duck tape :)

    Glad Mae looks so dapply this year!! And happy bday to her!

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    1. I know... and I just got that saddle too.

      The roses have been devastated by the rain storms that we recently had, which makes pulling the petals off that much easier for Bowie. Sigh.

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  4. The flowers are beautiful but man do they murder my nose - we haven't quite hit jacaranda season which will literally kill me.

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    1. My allergies have been pretty crazy this season because of the oak trees. Haven't taken medication for it yet but I'm sure it's just a matter of time

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  5. OMG my pointer cross as a kid did that to my flower bushes... how odd! I love becoming in tune with your own garden to know when which plants bloom when. I feel like that is a part of the fun discovery of living in a new house!

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    1. What a jerk right?! Luckily the bush is pretty resilient

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  6. One of the few things I like about moving is being surprised by what blooms in the spring! Bowie needs to teach my cats how to pose. We tried to take a picture of Linus in a party hat for my dad's birthday but he refused. What a party pooper!

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    1. LOL - he was probably mad because the party wasn't for him

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  7. Happy Spring and the flora and fauna and Mae's birthday!
    I had to Google what dapples are but now I know! Lovely spots.
    I'm ok with hay fever -knocks on wood- hopefully the grass isn't
    too harsh on you.

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    1. Lovely spots indeed! Happy spring to you as well!

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  8. Bowie poses so prettily!

    That incident with Mae sounds a little dangerous... But adorable...

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    1. Ha! For a split second, I was worried but as the temps climb, she moves slower and slower :)

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  9. Sounds like someone knows how to enjoy spring!

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