Nature tends to prepare itself in advance for the seasons, with perhaps a sixth sense we don't have. If I had paid attention, I would have known it was going to be a hard winter. One look at the unusually thick and woolly winter coats my horses put on this year should have told me that this winter was going to be like no other winter I have seen since I moved to the United States, or at least in the 22 years my ex-racehorse, Annapolis, has been in my life.
Annapolis (left) with the love of his life, my Percheron mare, Star
See what I mean by long winter coat?
Even though Annapolis is now 31, we still enjoy going for a stroll around the farm where I board.
Annapolis and Star love my husband, as long as he keeps the treats coming!
Of course, looking at the bright blue sky in all these photos, taken in December 2009 and January 2010, and you'd wonder if it was winter at all. I have to admit, although it's been the coldest winter the Houston area has had for decades, we have had some glorious, if chilly, days.I'll try and remember that when it's August and I'm whining about the heat and humidity.
Words and photographs by Jayne Wilson, Green and Serene, Jayne's Country Garden.
