Soft Grounds

Thursday, August 15, 2024

It rained overnight, lots of it, and heavily, on four exposed bags of concrete mix outside my barn. The rain awakened and upset me. I had planned to repair a broken fence post today, but I must go shopping to replace now-useless materials and haul them home.

I have another choice today. I could trust the horses not to break through my fence’s weak spot. Outside is cool and horse trails will be nice and moist. I have been owing myself and my animal family an outing. By deciding “to heck with the fence,” I could load a horse and the dogs. We’d roam for a while, which feels like a win over coping with concrete challenges.

Here in Central Oregon, this last part of August feels the opposite of my earlier years living here. I used to anticipate these August weeks as the hottest of the year, but this season, they’re the coolest part of our summer.

I’m leaning toward horseback. That’s been waiting too long. I’d be on Sunni. She’s pretty safe for an out-of-practice rider, climbing onto her saddle, staying on, and refreshing one’s horseperson skills.

Dear Friends: New plans here in Central Oregon on a late summer soggy day. Diana