Sunday Stills ~ Summertime

 

While many kids are being dragged back to school this month, kicking and screaming all the way, my family, including my homeschooled kids, are still enjoying summer….because it is still summer.

Summer Camp in the mountains for my kids. (That’s one of my sons up there on the stockade fence)

Summertime traditions and activities should not be relegated only to June and July. Two months is just too short to do Summertime right. Not sure whose crazy idea it was to force kids to trudge back to school in August, but it’s just too darn hot…and yes, it’s still Summer!

                     My daughter playing in the pool.

So, in the same manner that I traditionally went back to school as a child, my kids will be going back to our Homeschool routine starting the week after Labor Day……..as it should be. 

This week’s Sunday Stills Challenge is to share photos of what Summertime means to me.

                          Traffic Jam Cattle Drives

                                        Lady Bug Hatchings

                                                 Hiking

                                                   Camping

              And yes, even playing in the wet, cool mud.

Summertime in the Southwest also means Fire Season, with 24/7 observation inside of Fire Towers. (Like this one near our house, where the Fire Watch was showing my sons how to use their most important tool: The Osborne Fire Finder.) 

 

And for me, Summertime just would not be complete without long trail rides with my horse, in the mountains.

 

And sometimes the best way to enjoy Summer is to just relax beside a beautiful lake with a refreshingly cold drink. (Margaritas are perfect for this past time.)

Native Costume Malfunction

 

One of the highlights of the Arabian & Half Arabian Youth National Championship Horse Show is the Native Costume Class. When I signed up to volunteer, I made sure not to sign up to work when the Native Costume Class was scheduled.

 

 

I was excited to capture photos showing the authentic Arabian Saddles, too. They remind me of camel saddles.

 

 

The beautiful horses and riders are all decked out in their gorgeous costumes, and the public is encouraged to whoop and holler excitedly whenever the horses break into a thrilling gallop around the arena.

Such unusual saddles. I was excited to be able to capture a photo of them with my camera as the saddles are usually hidden beneath the robes. 

Keep an eye on this young man and his horse.

During one of those spirited gallops, the horse, in the photo above, had a costume malfunction.

The saddle slipped down the side of the horse, the rider jumped off onto the arena wall, and the rider-less horse ran around in a panic with it’s saddle and costume dragging along between it’s legs.

Thankfully, no one was hurt, and after the horse’s costume and saddle were replaced, the brave rider remounted and completed the Native Costume Class on his courageous horse.

Uh oh..…looks like another costume malfunction.

Friday Fotos ~ Hummmmm

 

All these photos were taken with my point & shoot Canon Powershot SX 110 IS. The feeder is located on my bedroom balcony. Most of the hummingbirds will let me get within 12” of them, and several will let me reach my hand towards them as close as 6-8”. I so enjoy sitting out there with a cup of tea while the hummingbirds chirp and chatter, and zoom around my head.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cows with ‘Tude

 

In the Working Cow Horse Class, all eyes tend to be on the horse and rider. But the cows want everyone to know that they’ve got feelings, too. They’re not just raw meat, ya know!

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Cow: “No! I’ll come out when I’m good and ready! A real star is fashionably late and makes a grand entrance! Besides I’m not done with my makeup!”

 

 

“My Daddy was a prize winning fighting bull, Mister!” “Hey you, where’s your cape! I’m ready to rumble!”

 

Horse: “Hey Buddy, can you slow down a little? Cow: “Forget about it! I’m not here to make you look good Pal!”

 

 

“Horse, I told ya I wasn’t gonna make this easy on you. Are ya feelin’ a lil’ tipsy yet?!”

 

“I don’t want to play your silly chasing game today. If I don’t see you, you don’t exist! Hmmph!”

 

 

“Stupid horses always trying to steal my best lookin’ moooves!” “And then blocking the paparazzi from getting all the great shots of me! Not fair!”

“There you go again, Horse, stealin’ my mooves! Now cut that out! I’m the star here!”

Cow: “And everyone thinks horses are so fast! Have you forgotten that cows can jump over the moon?!”

“Oh yeah, Baby! It’s better to be the cow. At least I don’t have no stinkin’ spurs pokin’ me in the ribs! So long sucka!”

 

 

“I wonder if I can make this Cowboy lose his boots again?!” “That always makes my day!”

Cow: “I just don’t get why everyone thinks horses are so smart. They have to carry those 2-legged monkeys on their backs all day while they’re made to chase us around. Seems pretty dumb to me!”

 

 

                                         Go Cows!