Monday, May 30, 2016

Riding with New Friends

At the Trail Ride that Doyle and I went on in March at the new State Park in Strawn, I met a wife of a posse member who was thrilled to find another woman who liked to ride. We exchanged numbers to keep in touch and ride together again.

We did ride together Good Friday.  We were unable to connect again until Saturday May 21st. With
all the rain we've had the State Park trails are still closed but the trailway was open. We decided to ride it. We met at the trail head about 10 am. She brought her husband and Uncle along. That was fine with me.

She got a couple of new horses since I saw her last. She is riding one of them.

We both have horses that like to lead so we took turns doing that. She led first. Sometimes we rode side by side as there is room to do that.

















Stopping for a minute to get a drink and rest a spell. Karen with her husband Clayborn. He is holding the other new horse they bought.









Karen's Uncle Stanley.

















I lead for a while. Her husband is walking the other new horse. He was thrown about 5 weeks ago from a different horse breaking some ribs (part of the reason for different horses) He wasn't ready to hit the ground again any time soon so he chose to walk part of the way. I don't blame him a bit! I was impressed he came along at all!







I love this part of the trail!















I was surprised to find some lingering Bluebonnets!
















And these yellow flowers that I'm pretty sure are weeds!


















Pictures don't always tell the whole story. This looks like Diamond is showing affection when he is actually trying to rub his sweaty head on me!















Karen is leading again. We encounter some other horseman!


















Clayborn and Stanley switch horses. The guys horses don't seem to move as fast as mine and Karen's.


















We crossed a creek.








The picture does show the true colors of the wildflowers and cacti blooms. It sure was pretty!


We had a great time and plan to do it again soon!


Have a good one!

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Another Nest

My goodness I have been so privileged to see three different sets of baby birds this spring! This last one I believe is what is known as a Titmouse. I didn't figure that out until I saw the mother and looked her up.

These pictures were taken May 19th. I heard the chirping of little birds coming from a pipe that holds the roof over the barn. At first I thought there wasn't anyway I could see them much less get a picture. But one day they were so vocal I decided to give it a try.

Trying to get in position to do that was going to be creative in itself! I had to climb the cables, then stand on the top pipe.








Then while holding a flash light in one hand and my phone in the other and balancing myself with my leg against the vertical pipe I tried getting some pictures. (Crazy, I know!). It took several attempts!






Finally one of them sticks their head up.










I wasn't very happy with my results so I tried again the next day May 20th. I had hoped to get a picture of the Mother. I was not disappointed.

Remember to click on the picture to see more detail.







Momma got a big bug for the young'uns!












I took these pictures on May 21st. These guys are ready to get out!











You will probably need to click on this one to see it but there is a bug flying by just out of reach!










One of them got out of the pipe and on the pearling. It wasn't sure what to do!











Mother with breakfast.














One hungry baby!






























































The baby you saw on the pearling outside the pipe? Well I guess he found his wings as I noticed he was gone. I recognized his chirping as I had been hearing it for a couple of days. I saw him try to fly and end up on the ground. Mother was fluttering around him chirping frantically as if to get him to higher ground. I wanted to help but I didn't want to interfere either. I debated. I knew I couldn't touch him but then I got the idea to find a dead branch and see if he would get on it then I would try to get him transferred to a tree. (This picture I took with my phone...that's how close to him I was)










My idea worked! I took this picture with my phone too! I ever so gently moved the branch toward a tree and he flapped his wings and made it to a tree. Success! I was so happy! At least he wasn't and easy target anymore!















Here he is in a tree. I took this picture with my big camera and zoom lens.

The next day all the babies were gone. Flown the coop!

Have a good one!

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Visiting the Grands

Wednesday May 18th Dad, Barbara and I went to visit the grands at their apartment.

I am falling down on the job with taking pictures. I failed to get one of my Dad and Barbara with the grands!








Mommy and Kashton building legos.















I love this picture.









Korin likes her Kajen!










Kennedy built this!



Have a good one!

Friday, May 27, 2016

Miss Scarlett Arrives

My nephew Taylor and his girlfriend Whitney became proud parents of Scarlett Mae Thursday, May 19th at 9:02 a.m. weighing 7 lbs 4 oz and 19.5 inches long. (Once again these photos are thanks to Facebook!)



































Big sister Aubree!


















Happy little family!



















So cute!


















I love her in this little outfit.

I am very happy for my nephew. This little girl will totally change his life and now my brother has joined the ranks with me as a grandparent :)


Have a good one!

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Dad Visiting

Dad and Barbara went to San Antonio after Destiny's graduation to see some of Barbara's family that live there. On Monday May 16th they came here. Vanessa and the kids came over to visit.

Korin and her tongue!














Great Gpa playing with Korin.























That droopy butt is too cute!
















Dad had made plans with Taylor, Addison and Destiny to meet them to eat on Monday night. Since I
don't get to connect with them very often I went along. We met them in Burleson at a place called Babe's on the old town square. We weren't sure how heavy traffic would be so we allowed plenty of time to get there arriving about 15-20 minutes before they did or at least we thought so. It was so we waited outside on a bench. Across the street was a mural.
I agree!










We were suppose to meet them at 7pm. Dad decided to go inside to see if we missed them. Sure enough they were already inside!
















Dad took this picture as we were leaving. This is Taylor with his girlfriend Whitney and her daughter Aubree. Whitney didn't go to graduation as she is due to deliver their baby any day.










Dad got an employee to take a picture of all of us before we left the restaurant. Not too bad for the first take!


Have a good one!