Pears Top Apples

Unlike our meager apple harvest, our single pear tree is filled.  For the first year since we planted the tree 14-15 years ago, it is loaded with big, fat, juicy pears.  These are bigger than my fist!

I pulled a few down yesterday morning - but will return with a long-handled tool to pick the rest.  Now the question is... what to do with all these pears?  Any suggestions (besides just canning them)?

I sure hope you aren't tired of hearing about our puppy, Forrest, because he seems to be the center of every day nowadays.  It's not that the rest of the animals aren't important.  Of course, they are.  But, honestly, everyone around here is pretty much on auto-pilot, with the exception of Forrest, who is a work in progress!  So.... a typical morning...

We stop at the duck pond to feed the ducks.  And, by the way, there were 38 mallards there yesterday morning... most on the shore, awaiting their breakfast.

Daily duck visits are climbing as summer wanes.  I am wondering how many will arrive with colder weather.   Hubbs fills the duck bowl with feed and throws a handful of fish feed to our giant koi.

Meanwhile, this little guy decides that an early morning dip in the pond would be nice. 

 At this point, any body of water is fair game.  

He has no fear, and his swimming skills are well-honed.

From the pond, we head to the barn - stopping at the pig yard to give Ginger a treat.  Good boys who remember their manners also get a treat.

By the time we reach the barn, the horses (Jack had put them out to pasture at 4 AM) were ready to come back to the barn.  By 7 AM, the gnats and flies are unbearable.

Forrest has developed a relationship with each of the animals.  Pete is definitely one of his favorites.

But when Pete runs, Forrest gives chase - a habit we are trying to discourage!  Pete is faster.  What Forrest may lack in speed, he more than makes up for in enthusiasm. (Those eyes!!)

This (below) is a rare occurrence.  Most times, the donkeys chase him right out of the dry lot.  This morning, he was allowed a fair amount of sniffing, with no recourse.

Of note:  I did catch Forrest with a runner duck in his mouth two mornings ago.  Needless to say, he got a swift reprimand via his "good boy" collar.  He has learned to leave the pond ducks and the chickens alone... but those runner ducks continue to be such a temptation.

This week, all outside activity is best done in the early morning hours, before the sun has had the chance to heat up the air.

At 7:30, with all of the morning chores finished, we suited up for a hike in the woods with the dogs.

Bug netting is essential right now.  The no-see-ums are relentless.

We hike to the 100 acre wood with a pit stop in the riding arena -with a case of the zoomies.

I love how the morning fog hangs low on the surrounding hills.

We reach the woods and hike for a mile... just enough to wear out the dogs, and especially a very active puppy who runs 3 miles for every one of ours.

For the sake of our animals, I am ready for much cooler weather and the cessation of insect activity.  It will be nice to actually be able to see equine faces again without the fly masks covering them.   Grazing is much more pleasant during the colder months.  I think I need to design bug suits, like my bug shirt, for the equines.