and let it teach you acceptance of what is, surrender to the Now. Let it teach you Being

Eckhart Tolle

Three years ago one acre of ground was turned from a wooded lot into pasture for Jack and Bebe. As soon as they were let out in the grass, they kicked up their hooves and raced around the space before settling down to graze. Eventually, due to overgrazing the upper space turned into dirt and was reseeded this spring with Bermuda. The sprouts are just beginning to cover while the horses spend time in the lower section where they were turned out the beginning of spring. Despite the lush greenery pictured below by now they have eaten every scrap of grass and mostly inedible weeds remain.

Before this section was overgrazed

Alfalfa pellets are supplementing the square bales of hay they are fed just until this growing season produces enough hay for purchase. It was a poor growing season last year, much like this one: rainy far too long. Last year when the sun arrived it scorched the earth. Local hay farmers were lucky to get two cuttings when in a good year they get three.

Normally hay farmers begin cutting after Memorial Day but it has been too wet this season to start. Anticipating a week of hot weather (summer has finally arrived) I am hopeful the upper pasture will be ready for the horses to move back soon. If I move them too early, they will pull up the new shoots leaving nothing but bare ground.

Whether from the interior of the cabin or outside on the small deck, one of my great pleasures is watching both Jack and Bebe. It is easy to be present when around them.