Noisy Night and Various Blessings

(Seeing as it's nearly impossible to take pictures of sounds or noise, the photos here are going to be drawn from other inspirations. Personally? I don't like blogs that lack pictures! However, last night, I went to use the bathroom and happened to see a few of Bob's recent sculptures, illuminated by the downstairs hall light. It was atmospheric enough to stand in for an illustration of "sounds".)
In any event, last night at The Bauhaus Chicken Coop was spectacularly noisy. As Bob and I donned our sleeping caps and settled down for a early summer's night nap every possible thing that could make noise made noise.
I don't remember what was first, but there was an odd persistent sound somewhere between video game electronic music and herds of ruminating hoofed animals. We kept going to the open windows, attempting to isolate just what was making that sound. No luck. But it soon mixed with tree frogs, birds and the occasional giant airplane transversing our yard, directly over the sky light. Also heard were endless drones of motocycles or cars and trucks from the nearby highway. Then there was the persistent yapping of various neighborhood dogs as well as the sharp and protracted complaints of what sounded like at least ten coyotes, near and far. And suddenly there was a tremendous BOOOM!!! from what must have been a gun shot, probably fired at the coyotes. And next- inexplicably- the rapid explosions of fireworks. And it's not even the fourth of July. So much for the sound effect portion of this posting...

(Eerie, no? So it was 2:00 when I went out to take these photos, but unlike the night before, it was utterly silent! But you have to look closely to see Bob's sculpture...)

And, yes, I received several blessings recently. Maybe it stems from my new-found appreciation of a pope who actually seems to have a heart and a mind. (Gotta like a pope that not only states that human life is causing climate change, and also remarks about income disparity and our wasteful consumer culture. You go, pope!) In any event, last week I had just wheeled a hefty barrow full of horse manure around to the compost pile when I spied a car in the driveway. I approached, thinking it was probably some of Bob's customers for his garden metal work. But as I got nearer, I saw a thick book in the hand of the lady who had alighted from the car. She said, "I'd like to invite you to a study group that I'm certain you'll find interesting." I responded, "I don't think you really want to talk to me or invite me to your group. I'm an artist and a heathen." Without missing a beat, she asked, "And how long have you been a heathen?" That was pretty funny! But she threw some sort of all purpose blessing at me as she got into the escape vehicle.
And a a week or so earlier, while in Brooklyn, Bob and i passed by an open air worship service of some sort. Hell, we were looking for art but we received a free blessing from a young woman trying to drag us into prayer. And of course, I walk by the house of the retired nuns up the road and they're always dispensing blessings to me and Jules the Dog. For being a heathen artist, I seem to be awash in blessings!

Hot Potato Space Boots!

Yep, that's my Mexican Pony! I'd recognize her anywhere! Maggie was (somewhat) cooperative about having me apply therapeutic poultices and swaddling her left front hoof. Hence her "Hot potato space boot" look. (She was also very nosy about what my camera was- that's her pink nose attempting to snuff the camera.) But she's been "off" and ouch-y on this foot; hence we haven't been out riding in about a week. The only good thing I can say about that is that it's been so ungodly hot and sticky that if Maggie's got to be out of commission riding-wise, it might as well be when the weather sucks!

Here's a better picture to explain why I run late every morning: I assemble a fine goop of Epson salts, iodine and a bit of water, make a paste, lift Maggie's foot, apply the mixture and then (attempt) to gracefully wrap a disposable baby diaper up around her hoof, securing it all with duct tape. Hey! I'm nearly a pro, having to do both of Crispin's feet last year... remember that hilarity? Believe me, Maggie is much more tolerant and cooperative.
The vet came out to give Maggie her shots on Wednesday. I was able to have him take a look at her hoof, but same as me, he couldn't find any swelling, no sign of heat or abrasions or punctures... just her favoring the foot, every fifth step or so. The good doctor recommended I keep on applying the above dressing, saying if it's an abscess it might take a while to draw out.

Simply another picture of my Mexican pony attempting to do a handstand.
And here's Jules, as he gets jealous if Maggie has her picture taken more than he does. He's very photogenic, but sometimes, surprisingly, a bit camera shy.

He's been busy digging a hole beside the wood pile so as to lay in the damp dirt and cool off. I had been thinking to finish up my garden planting with the help of my capable assistant Jules, but the tree guys showed up next door with uber-loud wood chippers to finish off a brush pile. We were driven indoors by the awful noise. What is it about a suburban Saturday morning that abhors quiet?