nature trails and horse arenas.

Last weekend the three of us took a morning walk around the springs.  I take a lot  of pictures there.  I can't help it.  It's one of the loveliest nooks in central Texas, I'm sure. 

After a hardy rain just two days before, the natural world reawakened after a long summer's sleep.  We quite literally kept stumbling over one interesting find after another.  Blooms, bumble bees, giant yellow grasshoppers, crawfish, argiope spiders, butterflies, shedded snake skins, pecan trees heavy with fruit. I can't tell you how rejuvenating it was to be there. I tend to feel so despondent in August and September especially on drier years.  Catching a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel helps me to feel like there is some right in this world. I can do this. I can love this place. I can spend my days here. 

On our drive home from Berry Springs, Beatrix spotted our town's arena with its doors open -- and  a myriad of  horse trailers in the parking lot. "There open! Stop! Can we stop? Oh, it's the rodeo!"  Yes, our little town has a horse arena. Yes, in the fall, on certain weekends, there are play days where children and adults compete within their own age groups at Western horse riding events such as barrel racing and pole weaving.  Beatrix loves this stuff. She's been taking English style horse riding lessons since January and pretty much eats, sleeps, and dreams about riding horses.  She's a horsey girl through and through and back again.  So obviously, we stopped at the arena to see some competitions. While we were in the parking lot, we got side-tracked (we always get side-tracked) by a pretty palomino pony.  As her owner noticed our admiration, she introduced herself and her pony, Sassy.  She let Beatrix sit on the pony for a photo op. Then, I took a couple of pictures of Sassy without Beatrix and mentioned to Sassy's owner that I'd be happy to email these pictures to her.

She looked at me square in the eye and said, "I don't have a computer. I have horses."  

My eyes about popped out of my head and I grinned a big goofy grin, but really, I wanted to hug her or better yet, become her surrogate granddaughter, spend a bunch of time with her and let her teach me some valuable life lessons.

And that's all I have for now. Tomorrow is Friday. Horse Day for us. Beatrix will spend the morning riding ponies and playing in the barn. I'll enjoy the fresh air, good company, and the sound of content kiddos in their happy spot - outside, free, and with very large, gentle mammals. 

 

Comments

[Kim]

Oh goodness, what a lady. I love her and haven't even met her :)

Gorgeous images. This is a beautiful time of year. Enjoy your morning at the stables.

Happy weekend.

[sarah]

Some of these pictures are truly breathtaking.

[amanda]

beautiful! so glad the two of you enjoyed the horse show so much~ looks like a good time, especially for a little horsey girl ;)
xo

[Nichole]

Thanks Kim! Yes, this time of year is breathtaking, if for nothing more than the LIGHT. Oh my, it's still hot around here (hovering around 90), but that golden halo of autumn light just cradles my spirit.

Fridays are extra special to us. There is no way not to enjoy our mornings at the barn. :)

[Nichole]

Thank you Sarah. I peeked around your blog and it looks to be something special to behold...:) So nice to meet you!

[Nichole]

Yes, always fun! I do my best to just try to keep up with her! :)

[Ruth]

No reply needed. Just have to say how beautiful your photos are. Thanks for sharing them and your thoughts!