Monday

The RockStars are magnificent. S and M saw them when they arrived home this afternoon so I drove down to have a look on my way home as well. But I couldn't see them. Which, as it turned out (thank you S and thank you M) was because I didn't actually realise what I was looking for. They are not the massive golden Clydesdales I have seen elsewhere - just very large, gentle horses with large heads, large feet and lots of hair! Pearl came for a walk down (after the drive) to see the Clydesdales as well - and was rewarded with a Dalmatian, Cassie, to play with - and she did.
Not yet having enough steps up for my GCC for today, M and I walked the garbage bin up to the road - "up" being the operative word as there is a gentle incline to Bernie's place and then a gentle slope down to the road. We stopped for a chat with L on the way (the second chat, we had chatted with him on the way down to the horses as well) and, among other things he mentioned that it was M's birthday today. They are planning to go out tomorrow evening to celebrate. Oh, and that he and the other owner have bought out the third owner for the racehorse who can't race. At this point we know that the partners are looking at least one foal from her. And speaking of foals, the little one is not so little any more and it won't be long now before mother and foal are separated. They were standing up in the corner of the paddock this afternoon - although earlier they had been having a bit of a run around the paddock - at the same time as a couple of the Clydesdales were having a run around their paddock as well.
I wonder if they knew that the storm was on its way. It was fairly big. Pearl was scared again and S did a reprise of yesterday's performance - singing to her "These are a few of my favourite things" from "The Sound of Music". It seemed to calm her (and Pearl didn't seem to mind it either). The cats - except for Beasley - have been nowhere to be seen since the storm started. Hopefully, now that the storm is over, they will wander in by lockdown (about now). It may be time to rattle a tin of cat cookies near the open door so they can hear it - or perhaps I could whistle them.
Pearl has pulled up a little sore after her game with Cassie. She's limping a little and not nearly as fluid in movement as she has been. But at least she can still walk and she seems grateful to have her nightie on and about to go into her bed in M's room.
M is out tonight so at least if the other cats are playing AWOL and have been locked out (we sometimes go into lockdown without them all being in) they have a second (and third and fourth and ...) chance before they really are locked out until tomorrow.