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

Harley's new home

John and Harley home from the forest

We moved Harley to a new barn last Monday--a farm lush with grass, closer to good trail riding, and much nicer company. He's made friends with Echoe, and figured out he's not to bug Vance or Gator (the two head honchos). John and I have taken him for rides up into the Orris Falls Conservation area a few times, each time a little further. The bugs have been voracious this summer, but today, we finally had cooler, breezier weather. John rode him for about an hour and got back to the barn just as the skies let loose with a shower. Tomorrow, it's my turn!
He will be much happier here, plenty of food, and plenty of shade. Plus he's not forced to be in a stall 14 hours a day. These guys are out all night in the summer, mingling with the fire flies, the wild turkeys (of which there are many), and the deer. I'm sure an occasional fox or coyote pass by as well. Pete says he's seen moose, and bear sign out in the woods, but never near the paddocks--that would really give Harley a start! Callie likes it better here too--she gets free run of the barn with Michelle's dog, Dasher, and Pete's two dogs, Libra and Moby--all very laid back and cool with one another. Oh, and she gets to clean up Harley's spilled grain--yummy!

How does the garden grow?

It's a jungle overrun by winter squash, climbing, creeping, taking over the corner gardens. Our tomato plants are full of plump green tomatoes--we're just waiting for them to finally ripen. I harvested our first crop of green beans, enough for two meals. With everything started so late, I'll be glad to get whatever food we can this year.

I had my third driving lesson on the tractor yesterday. Dad had me harrowing, up and down, up and down, chopping up the grasses that grew in during our absence. John will plant a cover crop and then next spring, we'll plow that under and start anew. I told him there was no point in planting a fall garden unless he planned on fattening up a deer for our winter meat! We need to build a fence and decorate the borders with pie plates.

And my RE-education continues...

After so many years, I feel like a sack of potatoes on Harley. But the tightness in my legs keeps reminding me what I need to do. Harley takes it all like a trouper, but lets us know when he's had enough with a big sigh as he ambles to the middle of the ring. It was a beautiful summer night--breezy, no bugs, temperatures in the low 70's, perfect for an evening ride. John lunged him for a bit, work out the kinks and vinegar, then got up and worked him some more. By the time I rode, he had mellowed out until one of the unsuspecting killdeer jumped up and started scooting down the ringside, in front of Harley. That was enough to send him into a half-hearted spin, but I was ready this time! Jam those heels forward, Lisa! As he hopped back and forth, I got him back under control and we circled back twice--just for good measure. I've a ways to go strengthening my legs, and he has some schooling ahead of him. Under John's tutelage, I think it will all come together for both of us eventually.

Harley's education continues

Harley continues to brave the big outdoors, spooking at other horses, chipmunks, etc., but John perseveres and stays on his back. Yesterday, he got another jumping lesson as John assessed his abilities. This is the first time I've photographed high action with this little digital camera--a total failure, and may have to resort to 400 ASA film in a standard SLR. So, we'll see how talented he is and push him onward and upward.

Callie's last ride in Bucky the Trucky

 Bucky the Trucky is soon to be replaced with a new Tacoma, another green one, with more bells and whistles. Due to the rusty frame recall, I've been forced to replace him, even though he still runs fine. Yikes, there goes a chunk of change! Callie Lou won't like that there's no rear window in Bucky II, although I may spring the $'s to add one.

And now--for the garden

We are woefully behind in our seasonal gardening. I finally got some planting done last week, and just put one third of the tomatoes in the ground yesterday. I still haven't figured out where things need to go per our rotation plan. You'd think with 4 weeks of post-surgery rest, I'd at least have that done! Last weekend, Dad harrowed the garden in Eliot. We have to get things put in there before the weeds take over again!

After the work was done, it was play time for the dog. Check out John and Dad wrestling with Callie Lou!

The animals are taking over our lives!

Twice a day, we head to the barn for Harley care and, if we have enough energy, a ride. John graciously walked along side me for about 4 miles when we hacked out down the pipeline. Harley was a little squirrelly with big puddles and tried to spin out on me a few times. But other than that, he was a doll. I wasn't sure what to expect from dirt bikes and ATV's, so John clipped him onto the lead just in case. He didn't seem to mind them too much--but the scary water....YIKES!
And now Callie Lou is clamoring for our attention too, like an older sibling that's feeling neglected. How does she demonstrate this? By coming upstairs now and sleeping on the bed. It all started the night we had a thunderstorm. I know she's afraid of the booming, but she's never climbed the stairs before. And since then, every night, the minute we head up, she's hard on our heels. The only problem? She can't get back down those steep, slippery steps. I've ordered some tread rugs for traction, and hopefully that will work. Otherwise, we are in for a workout every morning! First we have to drag her to stairs, and then collect 4 scrambling legs, and haul her into our laps for a sit-down ride. This must be why people get toy dogs--a squirming 80+ lb. Rottweiler is not easy to manage!
But we love 'em both, babies that they are!

Back in the saddle again...

It's been over 20 years since I rode, maybe a bit less for John, but we're both back in the saddle again. Post-surgery probably doesn't include galavanting around on a horse, so I've only been for a mellow walk in the ring. John tested Harley's fear of umbrellas (none), and "snakes in the grass" --a spooky rope trail behind him (not happy with that). Then he took Harley out for a nice trail ride this morning. He's not too bad with water, but he did balk a bit at water running through a culvert (just wait till next spring, Harley!). Overall, he's got wonderful manners on the ground, and has a very sweet disposition. We checked his tattoo number and discovered Harley's real registered name is Halawa Moon, with some fancy names to his bloodlines. I never imagined my first horse to be free, nor to be an ex-racing Thoroughbred. I think Harley will settle with time and enjoy our adventures on the trails.

This Friday, maybe I can get the all-clear from the surgeon to get on board. Of course, it's going to be a while before I get my rubbery legs back into riding shape again. I think John and I are in for the time of our lives!