It looks like Lori B. and I might be going to the Draft Horse Auction at the Tulare County Fairgrounds this weekend.  Tentatively, we are planning on heading up on Friday.  I went last year with Marion, but she’s going on an ETI ride Sunday.

It promises to be just as much fun as last year.  I’ve looked at the consignment list, and they have everything from Friesan horses to stagecoaches.  I doubt that I’ll buy anything — though I’m still in the market for a good harness — but just looking is enough for warrant the trip.  Not to mention I’m not sure how Billy would feel if I came home with a Percheron.

It’s getting to be beautiful around here.  Though the weather stays a bit hazy, it’s drying out at last.  It seems that every time I get a good start working with Duffy and Bella, the heavens open again.  It’s been way too muddy to use the arena or the round pen.  The roads are so slippery that on my walk a couple of days ago, my feet skated in opposite directions and I nearly did the splits.  Which is not at all desirable at my age.

But the green is glorious.  The new cottonwood leaves have lost their bronze overtones, and now look like translucent jade carvings.

And the grass is so deep and soft it’s tempting to sit down in the middle of it, and feel like a bunny in a nest.  It’s California; soon enough it’ll be dry and prickly with foxtails.  For now — well, I succumbed to temptation.  And managed to get up again!