Monday, Monday

It really was one for the books here at the Bar LL Ranch and Lutheran Ladies' Academy.

A broken saddle in the morning caused a visiting cowgirl some tears and (unnecessary)embarassment. It also caused an early return to the ranch house, some guilt for other cowgirls who didn't stay to help Dad gather cattle, and a pair of broken sunglasses for Your Blogger. (I was leading a saddle-less hors, they fell, and he stepped on them!)

A rattlesnake encounter on an afternoon ride to meet Dad caused the littlest cowgirl to fall off her pony. Fortunately, the size of her pony allowed her to be almost on the horse while simultaneously hitting the ground. She almost got another chance on a steep hillside a little later, when her saddle slipped up onto her horse's neck. That crisis was averted.

Late at night, a real crisis befell the Bar LL. Tulie, the wonder Jack Russell, went out for her evening constitutional...and didn't return. Rancher heard the sounds and believes an owl was the culprit. She is being deeply mourned this morning. Baking and chocolate therapy has been applied...but nothing makes up for a missing cold nose or snuffly neck. Tulie is and will continue to be greatly missed.

On the positive side, a bear was sighted in the morning ride. While that could also have been a negative, he headed in the other direction and just made for a cool experience. Cowgirls spent some quality time in the round pen with horses, polishing skills on both sides of the saddle. Moms had a relaxing time with coke...and rum. (Which may answer the age-old question, "Why is the rum gone?") And a delicious spaghetti supper was followed by peach cobbler assembled by cowgirls. Yum!