Happy June!

I'm so happy it's June; for me, it marks the beginning of summer.  (I know that we've got three more weeks of Spring, but still....)  We had a rain shower about 2:30 this morning, as I heard the drops hitting my window.  And, even though it's June 1, it was 50 degrees (F) at 5:30, when I arose - we're expecting a high of 70 today.  There are some lowering clouds on Green and Bear Mountains, with clouds in the low spots behind the Flatirons.  It looks odd, but it happens frequently when we have moisture in the air.
  Nedi is upset that we're restricting his time outside on the balcony.  There are several groups of house finch fledglings that visit the balcony, and we have a swallow's nest in one of the exhaust vents about six feet away from the south railing.  The babies like to congregate there, and Nedi is a mighty hunter; not that we want him to be.  I re-potted the catnip yesterday and fertilized all the plants; then we had the rain this morning, so I can breathe easy until tomorrow.  With a breeze and humidity at less than 10%, the plants dry quickly!
  Besides being the first day of June, it also marks seven weeks to my departure on vacation - back to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.  After last summer's fiasco at Washington National, I'm flying in and out of Baltimore Washington International this year...  At least I arrive before noon, so I can hopefully beat the afternoon rush across the Bay Bridge.  And I plan on visiting the Maryland end of Assateague - I have never done so, to my knowledge, other than walking up to the state line from the Virginia side.
  The Maryland NPS got a surprise when it was noted that they have two babies on the ground (Carol's Girl and Jojo have foaled), but still have two, not one, pregnant mares.  Charmed and Gokey Go Bones are still waiting to deliver.  The first two had solid chestnut foals - waiting to see who delivers what color now...
   On the Virginia end of Assateague, the ponies owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company have produced 46 babies so far.  Currently, Diamond Jewel and her colt sired by Riptide are on Chincoteague.  The colt (whom I call Ford) has a cut on his leg and was limping.  He is now on a farm with his dam and is receiving care from the veterinarian.  I have to admit that I love the solid color foals as much as the pinto babies.  I love the wild and crazy markings that our pinto ponies produce, but I also appreciate the chestnuts, bays, browns, palominos and buckskins that hit the ground.  I guess I like the solid colors because it's easier for my eye to just conformation without all the patches of color.  The CVFC ponies have produced an outstanding crop of foals so far - and I can't wait to see the rest.  I have a feeling that we'll have one to three foals born during Pony Penning week - July 25 through 29.
  One of the best places to see photos of the new foals - and all the ponies on the Virginia end of Assateague Island -is on the DSC Photography website.  For the 2016 foals, the dam and probable sire are listed, as well as color and sex, and the date they were first seen.  You can then look at the adult sections, and see photos of the parents.  Their URL is: https://www.dscphotography.net  I hope you enjoy the photos - I do, every day.

Busy June

Today is Thursday, 6 June; therefore, yesterday was 5 June.  I don't think the weather gods or Mother Nature kept their eyes on a calendar while brewing up yesterday's weather.  The high was all of 57 degrees. The average temperature for 5 June is 73 degrees...  I had to close up the apartment, not only because of the chill, but because of the humidity, a light, drizzly rain, that lasted all day.  Yuck.  I cleaned my apartment, read a bit, and loved my kits.  Today, we have nice, bright sunshine and no clouds, and I'm hoping for a high of 75...  We'll see.  It's supposed to be sunny and very warm this weekend, which will be heavenly, if it really happens.
   My sister promised me a day of horseback riding for my birthday.  This morning, she confessed that she's "too confused" by all the different rides offered at all the various Sombrero Ranch locations, so she hasn't made reservations or any firm plans at all.  It's back in my lap, so I have to decide which starting point, how long we ride, and at what time we ride.  I had wanted it to be a surprise, because I've planned the last 5 outings.  So after I blog, I'll decide where and when and how long I want to ride, then write it down for her and take it to her while she's working.  That way there won't be any big boo-boos - she was trying to sign us up for a Supper ride, but I'd rather be riding in the saddle, than sitting on the ground, eating food that would probably make me sick...
  Other than that, all is right with my world.  All my kits and all the other critters I care for are in good to great health.  The squirrels are fat and sassy.  The crows and ravens are playing with Lovey and Nedi.  My friends are all well and fine.  Tomorrow, after walking Rosie and making a quick visit to Alexy, to welcome her home, I'll blog about my betting choices for the Belmont Stakes.  I'll have to record the race, and see it after it's actually run, because I'll be at my niece's baby shower in Niwot for several hours Saturday afternoon.  
  I stay at home with my kits until the 18 of this month, and then I move in with Rosie and also take care of Paulina's two new bunnies.  Of course, I'm also walking doggies every week day.  Near the end of that time, I add the Clark kits to the mix for a week, and then it's time for a belated Wedding Party for nephew Mike and Erin....   Busy, busy, busy.