It finally happened. We had a wildfire out at where we keep the horses. We could not get in the way we usually do because that was where the worst of the fire was and the roads were closed.
 But years ago I had decided on a plan B for just such a situation. So Doug and I drove as far as we could and then set off on foot. We had to wade through the Arroyo and walked about a mile on trails, before we were met by fellow horse owners with a Quad and trailer and got a ride for the rest of the way. All was fine at the Ranch, our horses had been put in a pen away from the trees. It was spectacular watching the planes drop fire retardant right next to us.The fire is out now and the very high winds have stopped.

So I am now a new grand ma to baby girl Audrey. She is in New York state and I am in California. But there is Instagram, Skype and texting.  Today my son sent pictures of Audrey lying on the baby blanket that I took with me when I visited several months ago. It was knitted by hand by my mother for my babies over 40 years ago.

Me and my step sons girl friend. We went out to celebrate our birthdays which are close to each other. Step son and my husband and my step grand son were also in attendance. Just before we left to go out my son texted to say he and his wife were at the hospital. As we were at the restaurant my first grand child was born, a little girl.

My husband Doug heads out with Coco

Almost home

I decided it was time to try a new trail sequence with Coco. Doug rode and I went first with the Quad bike and harrow and then when he knew the way we switched. Doug's saddle slipped at one point and he had to dismount . Coco would not stand still for him to get back on. But all was OK in the end.

The first high winds of the season came and started a wild fire that was fairly close. It is almost out now. So many leaves were blown off my trees and plants. Doug and I did a lot of raking

our side yard

leaves everywhere

and cutting of small branches.

32 year old King Karrot

20 year old Coco

16 year old Pesky

Enjoying an afternoon after eating  lunch. Coco was also ridden on a trail ride and had a bath. The two boys were in the turnout while she was gone. Doug and I try to make their lives as happy as possible.

Me sitting on an old western saddle pad so that my skin does not stick to the vinyl seat which gets very hot in the sun

I have a certain pattern that I do around the outside and then up the middle Zamboni style

Looking towards the hills and Simi Valley where we live. That is the N to S Amtrak train  in the lower background

Today I raked the arena again out at where we keep our 3 horses. I am paid to do this twice a week with my Quad bike and harrow. Cynthia who pays me and uses the arena, had a water truck come in and spray water to compact the sand more and to stop it being dusty. Well it really changed the texture of the sand, and instead of being nice and smooth my harrow made it lumpy and only slightly uniformly smooth.  Hopefully it will have dried out for next time. The pictures were taken  on another day when the sand was dry. It does not rain here in So Cal USA in the summer.

Me and Morgan Horse Coco out trail riding. Husband Doug took a movie when I asked him to do stills. So I had to figure out how to get a still shot. I was shouting at him the whole time to tell him that Coco's bridle was not on properly. Her ear was out of the part that fits over her ear and around behind her head. The bridle kept slipping back. I needed him to hold her and put her ear back in which he did. He was riding the Quad bike and he rode on the way out and I rode back . We have only one ride able horse at the moment. A beautiful day as always in Southern California.