As this year nears the end, I find I must share the last photo taken of my precious Bonfire, taken the morning of his last day.  The left hind leg, the stifle joint damaged beyond repair, is visible, the swollen, stiffened joint prominent.  This is what he lived with for two months, until his “good” leg and his back began to trouble him as well.

I will miss him forever, and I feel incredibly privileged to know him, to “own” him, to love him.  He was one in a million, and he was mine.  My heart is still raw, will be for a long time, but I am comforted knowing that he is no longer suffering.  (I wish I could say the same for me.)

This is my new FOUR-month-old miniature colt, Indian Creeks Elemental Magic (Magic, barn name).  After the death of my precious Bonfire on June 20, there has been a huge empty space in my barn (and my heart). No other horse will ever take Bonfire’s place–he was just SO special, bright, smart, and funny–but this baby  will begin to fill the empty space.

BTW:  My camera is currently out of commission, so this terrible photo was taken on my terrible phone (no smart phone, sorry!).  Still, I wanted to announce Magic’s arrival in my barn, my life, and my heart.  He’s a doll!

 

A huge stack of red bricks, waiting to go on a surprisingly small house (maybe 1500-1600 sf). Amazing how many bricks it takes to do one house.

I thought the stack was kind of interesting.  (But that’s just me . . .)

 

No post yesterday (for once I have an actual excuse!).  We had some hellacious storms pass through here yesterday evening (3″ rain in 3 hours–spent a good part of this evening cleaning up flooded stalls, as the barn flooded), and I always disconnect my computer during thunderstorms in case of a lightning strike.  The house can burn, but I want to protect my computer!

These are those tiny yellow flowers again, with the background darkened.  Hard to believe these things are less than 1/2″ across, but they are so beautiful to me!  (Tomorrow’s are tiny blue-white flowers that are dwarfed by these yellow ones!)

My buttercups again, or at least one of them.  (They’ve mostly been mowed down by my daughter.  I negotiated saving a patch of them.  For some reason, I’m the only one in my family that loves them.  Where did I go wrong as a parent and wife?   lol)

Fascinating things, buttercups, if you look close enough.  (But not too close:  you’ll get “butter” on your nose!)

Tiny yellow flowers, facing west, say goodnight to the sun.  Played with the free On One frame application, and played with it a bit with brushes.  (The flowers are approx 3/8″ in diameter across the entire bloom!  And they’re not the smallest.  Tiny, tiny ones to come later!)

Buttercups in my front yard.  Why does everyone consider them weeds?  I think they’re beautiful, and fascinating.

Two of my miniature horses lazing in the barn on a recent warm, sunny afternoon.  Couldn’t resist getting the camera out–of course!

Purple vetch, growing in patches in the yard, is a favorite of the horses when they get to come out to graze in the yard.  It is very rich, and can founder a horse quickly, especially a small one like a mini!  So, the opportunity to graze on the vetch is limited to 5 minute intervals per horse, much to their dismay (but safety, as well).  It got it’s name from . . . well, you see.

Non productive plum trees in my front yard still manage to produce some lovely little blooms for about 2 weeks in the spring.  These showed up late March.