So it turns out Tucson kids go back to school August 1st. WHAT?! That seems cruel. One, it's August, I remember not starting school until September? Or at least the very end of August? Two, it's over 100 degrees. 108 to be more exact. It's hot. Three...apparently quite a few schools don't have working air conditioning. Seriously. 108 degrees and no AC? No wonder AZ is ranked so low in education.
Anyway. My work is full of highs and lows (unless you work hard to make sure clients prebook and stay on schedule. Current job doesn't do this) and Back to School is always a quiet time. Everyone is figuring out new schedules and activities, money is spent on back to school supplies and stuff. Time and money is short.
It's nice to get a break, to be honest!
So between back to school and having a bunch of not-yet-replaced broken equipment at work, I said screw it and took an extra two days off this week. One of those days was a Saturday, which I almost never take off. Saturdays are money days. But it was so slow, I said WHATEVS and took off. It was delicious.
So Saturday morning I was up on Truby by 5;45 am. It was actually nice and cool, and the humidity wasn't bad. High for Tucson, but not terrible. Truby was pretty happy, stepping out with a nice, swinging walk. While my original reason for our sunrise rides was the hope of seeing wildlife, especially bobcats, I have to admit, riding at dawn is really nice!
Although...it should would be nice to see some wildlife. Especially a Meow of some sort. And off the side of the ring, in the leafy whatever weird desert things are growing...I saw movement? And yes! It was a Meow! A Leetle Meow! I was so excited, I almost jumped off Truby to get pictures.
Leetle Meow
Hello, little friend!
Okay...so it wasn't a wildcat, but still kinda exciting. We don't have barn cats in Tucson. In fact, I've only seen ONE barn cat, and that was over at the U of A facility. There's just not cats
out here. They don't last long, the coyotes get them. Also, it's really, really weird not to have barn cats around. Barns should have cats!
I'm not sure where this handsome cat came from, but he sure made my day! The quest for early morning wildlife continues.
After our ride, I let Truby "graze". There's actually some grass that popped up after the monsoons. It's hidden amongst some weedy stuff the horses won't eat, but Truby is always willing to eat grass whenever she can find some. I let her graze for about 5 minutes before the bugs became too annoying.
less pictures, more fly protection!
The bugs continue to be numerous. Flies, no see ums, and whatever else is out there are all enthusiastic and prolific. Truby is living in her fly sheet, and I have to wear long sleeve sunshirts. Both of us get bitten up and itchy!
As I was putting Truby away, I heard some landscapers starting their day at a property across the street. This apparently upset some coyotes, and man, did they ever complain about it! I guess no one likes when workers are out making noise early on a Saturday morning!
