It was a heavenly summer day today!

As soon as I saw that black swallowtail butterfly today, I knew it was going to be a great day!  I haven't seen an actual black swallowtail butterfly since I was a kid living in the country...  I saw the butterfly briefly before he flew out to my pasture...  But I saw him so I knew today would be fantastic.
The temperature was warm!  Perfect for cold blooded me!  I spent almost all day outside which was exactly where I wanted to be!  The dogs thought it might be a bit too hot though so they spent most of the day in the shade!

I barely fit in this shady spot!!

Dyna and Harley enjoying the shade

Molly with her normal pose

When I wasn't giving my opinion on where the trees should be planted, I spent a lot of the day planting some final flowers...  My flowers probably look the best they ever will this summer...  Prior to getting hailed out.  As I sit here typing this, a pretty big thunderstorm is rolling through just north of the ranch...  So we may have skirted the hail for one more day...  But anyway, the flowers look great!  Check it out!  I've even been watching some hummingbirds and hummingbird moths enjoy my flowers too!  :-)

I got to spend some time with Ava training as well.  She's doing much better at standing for me now.  She still tends to lean back a bit...  I've got to start trying to get her to shift her weight forward..  We've been having problems with Ava and her growing pains.  Much like a teenager, she's been growing so quickly, her joints get achy...  I've started giving her some joint supplements and some anti-inflammatory for the joints.  It's not easy being 6 months old and weighing more than 100 lbs!  Hopefully she has a good weekend the weekend of June 9th.  That is our first show in the Twin Cities!  Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Obviously Ava says it's too hot to do this!!

 I hope my industrial strength white legs don't frighten you!  It's a survival tool!  If a bear tried to attack me, the glare of my white legs would blind the bear and I would be able to run away!  Survival of the fittest!!

I was on a mission today much to the dogs chagrin!  All the dogs got their shots, treated with their topline, the goats got wormed, Rasmus and Molly got wormed!  Tomorrow the horses get it!  Here's a picture of Rasmus and a present I got for him for being a good boy...  Their favorite!  Beef Knuckle from Bomgaars!!  :-)  

It was a beautiful day.  Apple and I relaxed late afternoon in the garage and watched some cars drive by for awhile...  Apple smiles for the camera!  She's so cute!

It's days like today with the black swallowtail butterfly that make me thankful I grew up in Iowa.  I'm thankful I have an appreciation for my animals, and plants and butterflies...  and all the other things that we are fortunate enough to be able to experience growing up in rural Iowa.
And as I sit here typing this, it's pouring rain outside...  but I'm smiling because there's no hail and my flowers will look fantastic tomorrow!!  :-)