School is almost here

I am not ready for school.

I don't know what I'm dreading more: the hour bus ride (one way) or starting 8th grade and not knowing anyone. I wish I was going to school in the nearby town, like Chase does. The kids there are more like me: ranch kids. But my parents insist I go to a Catholic school. I have to grit my teeth and agree. At least Emily and Evan will be there, but they are in 7th grade.

The summer has went by so fast. It seems like it was just June. I've been spending a lot if time with Rex these past weeks. He's still bark-y around the horses so I've been training him to settle down around them. He's getting better and I hope to take him on a ride with Nicki. He needs to learn to be a proper ranch dog. It's funny because he doesn't mind the cows, but the horses still make him excited. Grant it he is still a puppy. A very cute one :)

A black and white cat has been hanging around the barn. She seems pretty friendly so I have been feeding her. Chase says I should just leave her alone, but it wouldn't hurt to have another barn cat. Izzy has been helping me sneak out food. Quite frankly, I think I miss Angelica's cat since  they went home for good a few days ago. I just have to be careful that Daddy doesn't find out. He will have a cow (not literally, of course) if he knows I'm wasting food on a stray cat. Our cats mostly eat what they catch and we leave out dry food. But I've been temping this cat with some wet food and leftovers from the fridge.

Alright I've rambled enough. I hope I don't become like Emily!

Hot

I'm ready for winter.

Seriously, it's been way too hot this past week. Everyone is cranky including the cows. Chase got kicked on Friday and has been in a foul mood since. Daddy telling him to "suck it up" hasn't been helping either. Mom wants him to rest, but Daddy wants him to work. Poor Chase doesn't know what to do. I did his chores yesterday, and it was so miserable. I think I nearly got heat stroke. Angelica tolerates the hear even less than we do and she's been staying inside. Her dads visited over the weekend and she stayed with them and lucked out of the drama.

Sometimes living on a ranch sucks. I'm glad there is so many of us kids to help spread the chores around, but there is till constant work to be done. When school starts Daddy expects us to get up earlier to get our chores done before the bus comes. I am not looking forward to that.

But then something happens and I couldn't imagine not being surrounded by animals. Yesterday my filly--Fern--was perfect during our training session. It'll still be a few years before I can ride her, but there is plenty to teach her now. We do ground work and she did her backing  and turns perfectly. I was so proud of her! Cam and Evan were just as pleased to see the progress I'm making with her. She's going to be a great horse!