Amber Moon

SOLD

Harvest time in the Ozarks has kept me going full tilt until I actually did.

While taking my hundred pound dog Tonka on a brisk walk over the weekend he crosses in front of me mid step and flips me over his back. I go down into the road hitting quite hard and spraining my wrist.

Luckily it was my not painting and not previously broken wrist.

Unfortunately I have no video of my acrobatics.

Graceful I am not.

Riding I am also not.

I am getting much better already and as soon as I can hoist that saddle up I’ll be in it.

(Note to self: Teach horse to lie down)

Anyway...

I am inspired by the golden light and the big harvest moon in the fall. My latest work is Amber Moon. It is here. Hope you enjoy it.

The Jackass Fairy Pays a Visit

Tonka starts barking at daylight. I can smell a skunk and think that is what he is barking at. It's not and he won't be quiet. I get up and see pea soup fog, no horses in the barn waiting for their breakfast.

But I do see two donkeys. And where are my horses. The Jackass fairy must have come during the night and brought these  donkeys and took my beautiful horses. #@&*^!

 I call them up. Nothing..... I go out to the neighbors pasture where the donkeys live and there they are, so scared that they have their heads buried in knee deep grass. They don't want to come home. There are horse eating donkeys over here

 I halter Miami and bring her back to the barn. Flash comes with her. I go back for Missy and the other two follow. I get them fed and try to decide how to remove the donkeys. Drive them over with a whip??? No, that's liable to take all day. Bucket of pears, yes that should work. And it did. They like pears!

I get every body in the right pasture and let my guys out. They run to the fence and make sure the mean little tiny donkeys are at their house.
Another morning in paradise!

Hiking in the Ozarks with Tonka

Tonka and I went out for a couple of days hiking in the Ozark National Forest. It is a place that is very close to my heart and roots. My grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother all had farms here. The trail winds through and close by these special places.

 This is Sylamore creek. It was named for Sylamo a Shawnee. My family settled next to a Shawnee village when they came from Tn. Tonka says it feels like home.

 Livingston creek down the trail a ways.

 Trying to take a photo of us together with the camera balanced on my pack.

 The rope swing at Barkshed.

 Taking a break in the water.

Tonka was either on a leash or in his muzzle. He can really scare people. We did not see a soul and that suited him just fine.

End of the trail.