Last year's blossom

Last year's blossom from a yucca.  It was in my way while I was walking on my favorite road last weekend, so I stopped to take a photo of it.  I see many of these old blossoms and I'm wondering when the new ones will sprout?  We've had such warm weather lately, who knows?

Yellow wildflowers~Mellow Yellow Monday~010912

It's very early to see these wildflowers this year.  They don't usually open up until it is warm enough, like April or May.  I was surprised to see this one blooming over the weekend.  With all the warm temperatures we've had lately, I spotted blossoms at the top of my acacia tree this afternoon.  Strange weather, indeed!  Yes, I believe this IS brittlebrush!  Thank you!  Mellow Yellow Monday for January 9, 2012.  To visit MYM, please go to:  http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/

early morning, Deep Canyon

Sometimes on the weekends I'll leave the house early just to drive up Highway 74, which is along Deep Canyon, and see what's happening.  On this particular morning, there were no clouds in the sky, and I was disappointed at first, but look at the contrast of the rocks on the sky!  I was surprised to see the first wildlower blooming.  This is extremely early.  They don't usually bloom until after the cold season.  Hmmmm...it makes me wonder what our summer will be like here! We'd better get our air conditioner thoroughly checked out before it konks out in the middle of summer!

Clouds over Deep Canyon~SkyWatch Friday~010612

I love driving up to Deep Canyon on mornings when we have clouds here in the desert.  They create such unusual effects up in our mountains.  Shadows, periods of sun and shade...the mountains are always changing!  I took these photos this week, on Tuesday, when I headed up toward Deep Canyon to be there for my horses' lesson with their trainer.  I'm heading up there again tomorrow morning, since I've had 3 lessons this week on my own horsemanship course (or what I call "horses 101") to try out my newfound knowledge on Sunni, Cali, and Gigondas...maybe even Quad this weekend!  Skywatch Friday for January 6, 2012.  To visit SkyWatch Friday, please go to:  http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Deep Canyon in the morning~Nature Notes~010512

I headed up Deep Canyon Tuesday morning because my horses had a lesson with their trainer and since I was off of school this week (HOORAY!), I wanted to watch.  We have been having unusually warm weather here in the desert and the mountains are warmer than normal, too.  In fact, as I was driving up the highway, I recalled last winter's snows and snows from the previous years.  This year it is very dry and the forest service sign said "Fire Danger:  Very High" as I drove by.  But, it was an absolutely gorgeous morning, with high clouds in the sky and beautiful morning light.  I had about 20 minutes to spare before the horses' lesson and I stopped to walk down my favorite dirt road and admire the mountains' beauty.  I'll be going back up there tomorrow morning to work my horses and I hope it will be another incredible morning!  Nature Notes for January 5, 2012.  To visit Nature Notes, please go to:   http://ramblingwoods.com/

horse time and Deep Canyon

I finally headed up the mountain early this morning for a lesson with my trainer.  ALL of my horses are in training...sigh...not an inexpensive project!  But, they need it.  Scout needs to learn some manners, and Quad does, too.  Off the track thoroughbreds, like Quad, are sometimes just treated like a number...they get exercise, training, walking, but don't really learn basic horse manners, like how to not barge through a gate.  He's pretty laid back and mellow, but he DOES have his moments, like with my trainer today!  He wanted to bust out and go running in the arena and she said, "NO!  You have to work first!"  Hmmmpppfffff!  He didn't like that!  So, he needs to learn that he works first, then he gets to play!  Sunni, on the other hand, is "Mr. Mellow" with regards to his training, but any sudden noise used to send him running off.  I noticed today that he only gave one little flinch and settled right down. Top photo is my thoroughbred chestnut mare, Gigondas, who was rescued of a slaughter-bound feedlot in WA state.  She's made a LOT of progress. And, she REMEMBERS her lessons!  I do believe that someday she'll make an excellent trail horse.  It was such a BEAUTIFUL day driving up the mountain.  There were high clouds, it was warm, the air was clean....aaaahhhhhhh! I stopped at my favorite dirt side road to take some photos because the morning light was so breathtaking.  Here are some horse pics and photos from Deep Canyon today. It really helped me to get back up in the mountains today.  I feel so much better.

Sonoma fog

I’m still in a funk right now due to the death of my German Shepherd.  I just don’t have the heart to do much of anything.  I went out today and planted my sweet peas and some sunflowers next to there he is buried.  I arranged some stones around his gravesite and sewed some African daisies over it.  I mean, this dog literally held onto life until we made it home.  How is that for dedication and loyalty?  I tell you, there is no other breed like a German Shepard.  We’ve had 3 of them in our lifetime and someday I’d like another one, but from a rescue.  And, it would be our only dog.  Right now we have our son’s dog and Ripley, my little black lab who was a “freebie” from the swap meet.  Anyway,while we were in Sonoma, we had 3 mornings of fog.  And, I mean FOG!!! It was dreary one day with light sprinkles  We headed up to Sonoma that day and stopped by the Buena Vista winery and I blogged about it over at http://desertsandbeyond.blogspot.com if you wish to read about it.  I’m going to watch the Rose Parade tomorrow morning, then head up to the horse ranch and spend some “horse time” up there…I really need to get up the mountain and see my horses.  Cathy, the ranch owner, will be in the Rose Parade with the Southern California Peruvian Paso equestrian team, so be sure to watch for them.  They are one of the last equestrian units and they all have Peruvian Pasos, which are wonderful gaited horses.