Breakthrough!

Harley crossed the water (4x!) with me! Now, if we just keep the momentum going, he'll be trailworthy yet. I hoped to find the Emery's Bridge Rd. entrance to Orris Falls but had no luck. We came to a closed  gate that Harley would have no part of--the spin and dance routine again. We'll make a trail horse out of him yet!

Verdant garden

The garden is peaking. Everything is lush and producing fresh produce for our table. Each day, I pick another pint of grape tomatoes. The bush beans are on the verge of a third picking, but the Kentucky Wonders are holding out on us--lots of flowers, but still no beans. And the squashes, well the winter squashes are creeping over the flower beds, into the driveway, and up the walkway. We should have a decent crop of buttercup and delicata for the fall. The yellow summer squashes are putting forth just enough at a time to keep caught up eating them--grilled, sauteed with onion, and maybe with some fresh tomatoes! My nemesis, the fully red-ripened bell pepper still eludes me. Not enough water, sun, good soil? I never have achieved the end product featured in the catalogs! As for the eggplant, it looks like we may have another late crop again, due to my late start this spring. But there's still time for us to get in some late carrots, lettuce, spinach, and garlic. Lord knows, with the number of carrots Harley eats, we need a big bumper crop!

Time in the irons

Harley and I made a breakthrough on Saturday. We finally got across the brook at Orris Falls. It did require me to dismount (something of an issue as he was all in a dither), but with a lead line and carrots we finally made it across. Most of the ride was a challenge. Poor Harley was afraid something was bound to jump out of the woods at him and insisted on trying to turn back. I wouldn't say he's barn sour as much as he is scared. But with constant leg, crop, and an insistent seat, he finally moved forward. We backed up and circled around at least 6 times, and once, I nearly gave up, but we did it--a completed ride on the lollipop loop. Too bad Callie Lou couldn't come too--she'd have liked the romp the in the woods.

Sunday, I hooked up with Michelle, the other boarder, and we took to the woods heading for Wells. She has shown us some great trails up there, but it's such a tangle in my head, it will be hard to remember them all. We rode for about an hour an a half with some nice spots for trotting and cantering. I think Harley really enjoyed the latter--I could feel that Thoroughbred blood coming to life! The thrill of the race! He's also afraid of being left behind, truth be told. Harley, you big chicken! Michelle's dog Dasher came along for ride, streaking through the woods, sniffing around stone walls, and leaping downed trees. Next time John and I head up that way, Callie Lou will have to come too! She needs some new territory to explore and maybe if she's out front, she can boost Harley's confidence!

As John said, time in the irons is what I need to get my legs back. Sure enough, I was a bit sore Saturday night Sunday's ride loosened them up a bit, but it will take a lot of hours in the saddle.

Tomatoes...at last!

All winter, I crave the sweet juiciness of a tomato, and none of the store-bought varieties can come close. At last, the grape tomatoes are coming in fast and furious, and the first Amish Paste tomato dropped off the vine. The Brandywines are slowly swelling, but still green as their leaves. They will be the last tomatoes, picked just as fall is starting to show her colors in the maples. But now summer's sweetness has arrived on our doorstep. It's too bad there's  no way to preserve that same fresh-from-the-vine flavor. Yes, I'll can them for sauce and other recipes, but the sun-warmed flavor is different. For a few months out of the year, we can savor summer's freshness. Tonight, fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella on homemade bread--our own bruschetta!

Best Buddies