Tuesday, May 5, 2015

The Off Beat Rhythm Of Spring

I don't know what happened to April. It seemed like it dragged on, and yet I didn't get anything done. I daydreamed more than usual, my head was in the clouds. I dreaded and dragged myself to work. My inter library loan books ended up to be way over due, and that's never happened before. I forgot my mother in-law's birthday and I had terrible allergies that kept me on the lazy side. To tell you the truth, I didn't want to do anything but go see the horses.

Every Tuesday C and I have a date with each other and the wild horses of central Wyoming. I'm restless the night before and can barely sleep, what with visions of scarred and dusty backs, bachelors picking fights or stallions stealing girls. I lie there looking at the ceiling and hope Jigsaw has finally given birth to one who looks just like her, with Chestnut puzzle patches the color of the red dirt they run on.

With the Sweetwater rocks directly behind them, we photographed three bands of horses who were doing their springtime-get-acquainted-with rowdiness. They paw the ground, they paw each other, dangerous hoof action, like real sluggers. There's a lot of sniffing and squeals and running around in circles. The boys fight, while the girls stand around and watch.

As the snow recedes and melts, we can now drive further and further out and up toward the mountains. So far this spring we've discovered two new dirt roads that lead us to Mustang stomping grounds. Sage Creek trickles through the canyon out into the sea of sage and that's where we felt the ground shake. We were just standing there checking out the view when thundering hooves raced down a mountain slope at high speed. Out of nowhere a colorful mess of adolescent horses came barreling toward us. Surprised at seeing us at the bottom of the hill, they made a sharp lunge and charged away. I caught a whiff of them as they flew by. They smelled so good.

I've seen this all before. Remember last year, when it was our first year with the wild horses? Even so, no matter how many times I have watched and witnessed any behavior from these ownerless beasts, every time is like the first time.

Besides meeting new families of horses this spring, we've had the joy of seeing coyotes, mountain lion tracks, and plenty of badger dens. We found the horns of a Pronghorn buck. I never knew this, but the true horns are never shed and are made of compressed hair (keratin). You can see a closeup of it in some of my images. Isn't that fascinating?

Oh! I've been wrapping beautiful thread around clumps of moist, sweet sage that I've been gathering on jaunts here and there. My lazying around hasn't been completely pointless.

Well, it's Tuesday and you know what that means.

See ya!

 

 

21 comments:

  1. What a grand Tuesday! Bundled sage looks so pretty prairie girl...you will miss those wild horses if you move some day...what a grand post, I can only imagine all of this xx

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    1. There are some days, like TODAY, when I can't imagine living anywhere else.
      I didn't have to work, instead, I spent an hour with some muddy mustangs.
      In that Sage after the rains. :)

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  2. Beautiful treasures, sissy. I'm wishing you a divine time with the wild ones.
    xo!

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    1. You wish me well...and I thank you.
      I was with them today. One final kiss before heading off to Cali to see my folks. :)

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  3. Wait a minute, is that a gorgeous Plume horse - ring I see? :)

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  4. mmmm I can smell that wild sage. Will think of you every Tuesday with the horses and please let me know when Jigsaw has her baby. x

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    1. Two weeks now, and no sign of Jigsaw and her family.
      They are "the Spirit" band... So elusive and private, really. They are either shy or unsociable with us. ;)
      I keep looking!!

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  5. oh, that smells SO GOOD! i can tell from here! lovely colorful bundles you have created. and no, i had no idea about the pronghorn horns, although i did notice the texture before i read your explanation-- fascinating! you've got a wild horse book in you, lady-- keep up your research and photography and one of these days you will just sit yourself down and out it will pour. i look forward to that day! xoxo

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    1. Ohhh, Janet. What a thing to think about! A book! Me??!! Thank you for such a kind thought. Hmm.
      C is at present, working on a book, this is true. Maybe I can throw in my two cents.
      Or, perhaps I will work on something...:)
      Thank you ever so much for your encouragement, always.
      A genuine soul.
      x

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  6. I love your colorful sage bundles and I love your photos of them. Did you change your "about me" section of the blog or am I just finally reading it well? Either way - it sums you up so beautifully. And I broke out laughing at the end of this post - it IS Tuesday! Can't wait to see horse pics - more baby pics!!

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    1. I did find some foal pictures for you!
      There are babies galore out there right now!
      Because of this, it's hard to get in close. I give them their space.
      Thank you, friend!

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  7. dit is gewoon puur genieten

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    1. Bas, thanks for being a part of this space and for sharing our love of nature. :)

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  8. I can smell the sage bundles from here! And I love, LOVE the pronghorns!
    And Tuesdays with the ponies, it doesn't get any better, does it?
    xoxo

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    1. When Tuesday comes, I can't wait to get out of town.
      When I'm out there with the horses I feel like that is where I belong. I dread coming home.
      Then, I just count the days till next Tuesday!
      I don't know what else to do. That's just the way it is, Sagey.

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  9. Replies
    1. Sage, horses, Pronghorn and Paintbrush!!!!
      :)

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  10. love fresh sage….
    and colourful thread….
    and YOU.

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  11. Your home must smell delightful. And Tuesdays must be a fine day indeed. Spending time in the wind and sun with the wild things, tough, tender and beloved.
    xx

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    1. Ever since I read your comment, about my house smelling so good, I notice how STRONG the Sage scent is! Yes. It's a hippie house. And no negative energy lingers for very long. ;)

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