Friday Busy Day

Friday was shaping up to be yet another 30°C day, but coffee got us moving and there wasn't much time to think about the heat. I jetted off after 9 while S headed to a production meeting. My morning had a few errands of its own—I stopped at Britt's to pick up a top she wanted sewn, made a Walmart stop, and then treated myself to getting my nails chromed.

I picked S up at the campground and we hustled back to the ranch because, of course, there were things we'd forgotten. We grabbed the list of necessities, sewed up the shirt, tossed hay to the diet pen, took Jimmy's blanket off, and raced back to the rodeo.

There was barely time for a quick change before we were over to the infield, where our work began and continued for the next four hours. Rodeo days have a way of turning into a blur of people, jobs, all mixed with dust and heat.

trick riding

This is our arena perspective from our gate task.

We met Kaylin back at the trailer with the pups she'd brought along for their vet appointments. There were a few other visitors around too, and S cooked burgers for supper before we wandered back over to catch some more of the chuckwagons after Kaylin headed home.

Shaina and Matt arrived around 7, so we hopped in the Ranger, went back to pick them up, and headed over to the races again. Matt got his own up-close-and-personal chuckwagon experience, which is probably the best way to take in the action.

between each 3 heats they had heavy horses harrow the arena

our usual seats at the calf chutes view

Back at the trailer, it was the hub for the next while, with B joining us and everyone playing cards before we headed over to the concert. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, the gates had closed and we were initially told we weren't getting through.

S was pretty ticked off and immediately started making calls. Luckily, being the VP of the rodeo committee means he has the right numbers, and he was able to get someone there to let us—and the others waiting with us—through the now-closed gates.

Once inside, we settled in and enjoyed a good concert before the three young adults caught the shuttle over to the Origins party around 11 while S and I stayed around the campground visiting with friends.

Sheldon felt a beer was needed in the photo

Eventually, I called it a night and headed to bed. S was escorted home awhile afterward and may have undressed outside before making a hot dog with sauerkraut! S and M rolled in before 2:30, landing on the couch for the night after B was dropped at her place.

And just like that, another rodeo day was done.

Hot, busy, loud, slightly chaotic, and lots of laughs. Pretty much exactly the sort of night you expect during rodeo season.

Start To A Long Long Weekend

It was a restless night for me, so when S popped out of bed just before 8 and headed for the hot tub, I was feeling a little blurry-eyed. I did join him for a quick soak before making him a go-cup of coffee and sending him off to the rodeo grounds before 8:30.

I made my own coffee and settled in to work on yesterday's blog before jumping in the shower. Once dressed, I headed outside to toss hay to the dieters and water all my pots and tomatoes.

Then it was workout time. Definitely out of order from my usual routine, but at least I got it done! Once I finished, I finally wrapped up and published yesterday's blog.

S returned from his morning of rodeo duties and we loaded Harley and a few more things into the vehicle before heading back to the campground. There were neighbors to visit and more rodeo tasks for S to take care of, so we had a busy afternoon before running over to the Paetz's.

Mom had left Dad's buckles for everyone to choose from, and I was excited to pick one to wear to the Stampede. I love that these little pieces carry so much history with them, and it will be special to have Dad with me in a small way. Thanks, Mom. ❤️

We enjoyed a few beverages and some visiting before heading back toward the campground, stopping for Subway along the way.

B sent this cute photo of Mac and Hank sharing supper

Renn's new unwind for bed dance :)

The evening unfolded pretty much as it always does during rodeo season. There is visiting, laughing, people wandering between campsites, and the propane fire burning as the night settles in. I eventually headed inside early, leaving Brian—our usual neighbour and co-gate worker— and Sheldon to visit around the propane fire.

Rodeo season has its own rhythm, and once we're in it, the days seem to blur together. Long days, familiar faces, campground evenings, and a little bit of family history worn on my belt buckle—it will be a busy next for or five days.

Heatwaves, Hat Shopping & Golden Hour Moments

The day was underway shortly after 7, with S outside watering the little evergreens to the south, coffee in hand. He bustled around gathering the last few things for the trailer, including a freshly cut watermelon. I made my coffee, doctored Harley's chin and eye, then headed out to toss hay to the diet pen crew. They are clearly enjoying their new shelter, and I actually startled them when I walked over to check on them.

Yesterday was Stella's sixth birthday. She may be a high-preservation cat, but she still has many years of service ahead of her if she hopes to rival Mr. Jenkins and his impressive tenure on the ranch.

S left for town with the trailer before 9, determined not to lose his spot at the campground. Meanwhile, I put on my accounting hat for the morning, finalizing B's loan paperwork and balancing accounts. I also finished and published yesterday's blog before getting ready for our trip to the city after letting the chubs out.

B arrived around 11 to pick us up with S arriving back from town just before her. Her mission for the day was simple: find a new felt hat for rodeo season.

On the drive, S informed us there had been a dead, dehydrated mouse in one of the trailer traps—not exactly the sort of campground discovery anyone hopes for. Once we arrived at Smithbilt Hats, B was disappointed to discover the color she had her heart set on started at $800. Needless to say, that option was quickly crossed off the list. S, however, spent some time browsing, found one he liked, had it shaped, and before long we were headed back to the ranch, arriving shortly after 1:30. B quickly jetted back to town for her 2 p.m. appointment.

before and after shaping

Lunch was a bowl of homemade soup before S loaded the Ranger onto the trailer and headed back to town for his second trip of the day. I opted to stay home, spending some quiet time reading. At one point, I took my book and a cold drink out to the deck to watch the horses peacefully grazing while Harley kept me company at my feet.

Inside, the robot vacuum was attempting to do its job but once again developed a case of the "spaghetti patterns." After multiple rounds of troubleshooting, resets, and remapping, it finally gave up entirely with a dead battery. The battle between technology and this household continues.

see bathroom, nice and straight and bedroom all over

B returned around 7:30, caught Roo, and headed off for a ride despite the lingering 28°C heat. This heatwave is expected to stick around until Saturday, with temperatures forecast to climb to 32°C.

S made it back from the campground after 8, having spent the afternoon visiting with friends. Meanwhile, I had already caught Hank—which, surprisingly, happened on the first try—and put him back in the diet pen before helping myself to a fresh pea feed from the garden.

After her golden hour ride, B fed the ponies. I helped her put Jimmy's bug sheet on, and she, in turn, helped shave Harley's hot spot on her chin after we cleaned it up. I applied more steroid cream and gave Harley her 4CYTE. The bottle is nearly empty now, and unfortunately, I haven't noticed much improvement. Perhaps a visit to the chiropractor is in her future.

With the chores finished and B heading home, S wandered out to the pea patch before settling into the hot tub. I spent the evening watching Elle before switching over to Little House on the Prairie once he came back inside—although he didn't make it very far before falling asleep.

Summer seems to have settled in with a vengeance this July. The days are hot, the gardens are producing, the horses are content in their new shelter, and Harley continues to remind me that growing older brings its own set of challenges. Still, these ordinary days—filled with errands, animals, and evening rides—are often the ones worth remembering most.

Foggy Mornings & Summer Evenings

The yard was foggy and covered in dew when I woke just after 7, but it didn't take long for it to disappear in the rising heat. Another hot day was on the way.

I finished Sunday's blog post before heading outside to toss hay for the littles and soak B's food since she's on an evening shift today.

The morning was spent getting ready for rodeo weekend. I packed more beverages and food into the trailer while S loaded up the propane tanks and headed to town to have them filled. He also needed to pick up some tape for a trailer repair. While he was gone, I jumped in the shower after making a few online banking calls.

B arrived before 11 and took care of feeding, letting the diet pen ponies out, and the rest of the horse chores. S pulled back into the yard just as I was watering the gardens and planters, having successfully sourced some double-sided tape for the trailer fender repair.

This is the heat of noon, everyone is hunkered in a shelter as the gras burns to a crisp.

This shelter is apparently a 2 1/2 horse shelter

B headed off to work early for her 1 p.m. shift while S got the fender back in place, looking good as new. The rest of the afternoon was spent cleaning and prepping the trailer and washing Harley's kennel bedding in anticipation of the big rodeo weekend ahead.

Mom and Betty passed thru town on her way to her right hand carpal tunnel surgery, speed healing wishes.

Braving the 30°C heat, I took Harley for a walk. Poor girl is still quite stiff even with her shots and herbal meds , so I'm hoping that keeping her moving every day will help. She continues to prefer eating just one meal a day and was more than happy to enjoy a frozen treat afterward in this heat.

Sooooo many dragonflies

S used the two cables he picked up in town to secure the backside of the horse shelter. The front will have to wait until he gets some bin anchors to screw into the ground.

The free bike trailer I scored for the Boysis family in action. Needless to say it is a hit with Renn and leg burner for Kaylin :)

For supper, I dug up our first new potatoes of the season. They were tossed together with fresh garden dill, basil, onions, and oregano before heading to the BBQ alongside steak and corn on the cob. It was one of those meals that tasted like summer on a plate. The ball game kept S entertained.

Good size too :)

Around 8 p.m., I ventured back outside to put the ponies away. Roo willingly headed to the diet pen, and Hank was a fairly easy catch tonight—I think he wanted to follow her. Jimmy, however, wasn't interested in wearing his blanket, so I decided to leave it off. At 25°C with a breeze to help with the bugs and an entire shelter to himself, I figured he'd be just fine.

I noticed blood on Harley's bed. I tossed the sheet in the wash, but while I was reading on the bed in the golden hour, I heard her scratching at her chin with her back foot and saw she drew blood. I cleaned it, applied some ointment, and dug out the steroid cream from the last time she scratched her face into a nasty infection. Hopefully, catching it early will keep it from becoming anything more.

Once S finished watching the Blue Jays game, he came into the bedroom and we finished Mile One: Chapter 2. It felt pretty low budget compared to the first movie. Afterward, we started the new Little House on the Prairie series, watching two episodes before finally calling it a night just before midnight.

It was another hot July day filled with the little things—watering gardens, tending animals, trailer prep, and keeping an eye on an aging dog who still wants to be part of it all. Rodeo weekend is nearly here, the trailer is ready to roll, and for now, everyone is tucked in for the night.

Shelters, Soup & Summer Projects

The day started early, as most summer days seem to lately. Once awake, S headed straight for the hot tub while I tossed hay into the diet pen, hoping to fill a few bellies before they made their way to the grass. With chores underway, I settled in to finish and publish Saturday's blog post.

Renn can spell her name <3

Roo and her new personal scratching minion

By mid-morning, I let the ponies out, raided the pea patch, and turned water on both the front and back beds. I also picked my very first zucchini of the season—a small but satisfying milestone in the garden.

It suddenly dawned on me that the barn paddock still needed cleaning before the new shelter arrived. S helped me, and we had most of the work done by the time the truck pulled in. I carried on with the cleanup while S helped the fellow unload and position the shelter.

The temperatures climbed quickly throughout the day. It was still under 20°C when I tossed hay, 24°C when the truck arrived, and already 27°C by the time the shelter was unloaded just before 1 p.m. By the time the fellow packed up and headed out, we were sitting at 29°C.

I put a rotisserie chicken carcass on to simmer for soup before lunch, knowing a pot of homemade soup would be appreciated later. After we ate lunch, we headed back outside. I pulled weeds around the house paddock shelter before stopping to snap a photo of the new barn shelter in place.

Together, S and I removed the old pallets and replaced them with a built-in fence. The UFA driver had brought along two cement deck blocks that S figured might work to support a post. Somewhere along the way, the idea evolved into a rail that fit—although it needed a few shims since the post itself was too thick.

Roo is the boss of all in this pen, no. you cannot stand in this unoccupied shelter!

We also installed a new top rail where the horses had chewed up the old one, along with lower rails near the waterer to keep Hank from attempting to wedge himself through. Once everything was in place, we realized the top rail had quite the angle to it, so out came the tools again. Four bolts later, and after re-drilling, we had a much nicer, level finish.

By the end of it all, the old pallets, rails, and leftover pieces had been hauled away, leaving behind a tidy, renovated barn paddock.

"Get a pony," they said. "It'll be fun," they said. Funny how nobody mentions the endless projects that seem to come along with them—especially during the July heatwave of 2026.

After that, it was time for a cold drink on the breezy deck while watching the horses. I eventually came inside to finish my soup, chopping vegetables while S dumped the poop wagon, hooked up the travel trailer, and pulled it around front. He briefly considered installing the new trailer fender but decided it could wait for another day needing some butyl tape.

It turns out he's taking the trailer to the park tomorrow, so I hurriedly packed a few clothes for the rodeo before settling onto the bed with my book.

B stopped by later and enjoyed a bowl of soup before we headed out for evening chores. Hank happily tucked into his beet pulp, but Mac still wasn't interested. Catching the little rascal continues to be a challenge, but we managed to get him caught and tucked into the newly renovated barn paddock alongside Roo with some hay before B jetted off home.

The day ended quietly—me reading in bed while S watched TV in the main living area. It was one of those productive ranch days that leaves you equal parts tired and satisfied. The shelter is up, the paddock is safer, the garden is producing, and despite the heat, the animals are settled for another night. Sometimes that's more than enough.