Cow Cutting

Today, I got a full morning of learning how to open gates and herd cows around on horseback. I learned that cowboys/cowgirls do not dismount to open gates. You stay on your horse and bend over. And with the threat of stinky wet cow mud just under my horse, I stayed mounted on my horse. I had three gates to open to move cows then go back and close. I moved five groups of cows on five runs for a total 25 bovines, 4 riders and 7 horses in three hours in the arena. Once in the arena, my job was a turnback rider. I had to keep the cows in the center and turnback the cows who stray. My trainer does this 6 days a week rain or shine and trains over 10 horses and 40 head of cows. She has so much knowledge and strength, I admire her skills with these animals. Can't say it is ever boring in the country!

Charity Quilts

This past Wednesday was a very busy morning making quilts for our local nursing home. We are sewing in our small town's community center. We have gotten several donations of fabrics by just word of mouth. Our town works hard to help out when there is a need. And that is why we love living here in Summersville.

Horse Walking

Here is our weekly walk through the pasture treat for Dolly and Maple. They get to graze on the lush grass and we scratch them. Dolly makes faces while getting scratched. Maple romps around and eats random weeds.

Apple Canning Time

The apples are ripe and the canning has started in my kitchen. Apples are washed, cut and cored then cooked with spices and cane juice sugar. Then they are pressed and strained warm then a hot water bath for half and hour, then done, apple sauce for winter. The results are 9 quarts of apples ready to be eaten. The rest of the apples will be dried.

Orange Dehydrating

I am preserving foods for fall and winter. Using up my oranges and orange skins for their citrus oils. A lot of time and work but the results are wonderful. The kitchen smells like fall.

Driveway Trench

We are finally getting rain in the Ozarks again. The only problem is the trench created by the water running down our driveway. All the rocks were pushed down the end of our driveway. This means we have to haul them in a wheelbarrow back up the hill, in the heat and humidity. Not a fun time.