Timba passes

Harley barked at 5, prompting me to check the front and back doors, but nothing seemed out of place albeit dark out. She asked to go out again at 6:30. I noticed Timba lying stretched out in the middle paddock, which always raises concern in my mind. At 7, he hadn't moved, and magpies appeared to be perching on him—another troubling sign. I woke Sheldon, who went out and confirmed that Timba had indeed passed away. Boarding a friend's horse that could possibly pass away here was a big concern for me, as losing our own has been devastating. I am relieved that it was quick and likely painless, probably an aneurysm, reminiscent of finding Hawk years ago.

After making the somber calls, we had our coffees. S ate his oatmeal, got dressed, and proceeded to dig a hole at the burial site. Darren came to assist with the move and the burial. They returned to the house before 10, and then S hitched a ride with Darren back to town to retrieve his tractor. Meanwhile, I kept busy with blog posts and accounting on this cool, overcast morning with temperatures around 15 degrees.

S returned with Johnny before 11, making good time. Britt and Cooper were out shortly after. She and I caught our horses and enjoyed a pleasant 40-minute ride. By the end, we had removed our coats due to the warming weather. She fed them hay and then left for an appointment, leaving Cooper behind. S had eaten lunch and was napping in the big brown chair. After I had my soup, we set off for town, but first, we had to get Cooper back inside.

Gary had more furniture that he offered me that we picked up at his storage. I love of the long dresser. Next, S headed to UFA for more parts while I went to Origin to refill my growler and pick up some Barnburner Blonde ale that he enjoys. 

pretty MCM mirror and dresser 

Afterward, we hurried home to unload the furniture, and then S was off to work on the swather then off to trouble shoot at Matt's. I spent time in the gardens and planters, taking advantage of the sun which was out for a bit, although it only warmed up to 19 degrees. I had to stake a large sunflower because the rain had loosened the soil, and the wind was a factor. I harvested red potatoes for dinner before spontaneously booking a vacation with the Stouts to Huatulco for December!

FINALLY my 1 and only canna that grew has bloomed and ONE zinnia from seed

Amanda and two of her children made a stop on their way home from Oyen at about 5:30. I had just harvested a selection of potatoes for them, along with a bag of beet greens from the previous night. After a short visit, they departed. We then resumed preparing dinner, which included fresh potatoes, our first zucchini of the season, and beets to accompany the grass-fed beef from Wagstaff's. How healthy is that?

Britt returned to feed the horses, and then she and Cooper left for home after 6:30, just as we began our meal. While she was feeding, guess who made another visit? Yes, Tony the cat. Mark came to retrieve him just as I took the last bite of my burger and rushed out to look for him. A few drops of rain fell then, and again about an hour later, but that was all. Amanda drove through rain all the way from Oyen, and then it poured in Strathmore when she got home. The weather was certainly odd.

S chatted with a friend while I worked on blog posts. I posted 3 days today slowly catching up. We went out for a hot tub soak then S was back to big brown, his laptop and the olympics and I finished another post to share tomorrow morning. I then watched some more Macleods to end the day.