Chapter 1
I woke up to the bright sunshine streaming in my window. Another early morning here at the Johnson farm. Smiling to only myself I stretched, and slowly put my blankets to the side humming the lyrics of my favorite song barefoot blue jean night. I stood up looking down at my silk horse pajamas, thinking about my horse Piper. I walked casually over to the windowsill and opened my window to feel the summer breeze. I took my ponytail out and let my hair fly carelessly. Grabbing my brown bath towel, I walked to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, I saw my reflection and once again smiled a warm smile. I hopped in the shower, cracking the bathroom window open slightly. As I let the warm, water soak through my curly, brown hair, I thought about what my day would consist of. Hanging out with piper, lucky, and Lexus, is what I have decided my day would be like. I couldn't wait any longer, as I wanted to feel the summer breeze whip through my hair on pipers back, so I quickly rinsed my hair and got out. Throwing on some blue faded jeans, and a loose t-shirt that reads this is my life and a picture of a horse on the back, I ran downstairs. Grabbing a powdered donut and a water bottle I opened up the screen door and ran outside. Looking at all of the big trees, and bright sunshine I started laughing. Summer is my all time favorite time of the year because I didn't have anything to worry about, no shoes, no coat, no problems. And to add on, I could spend time with my best friends, the barn animals.
As I entered the cool barn I immediately felt the cold fans blow my hair out of my face. The best feeling in the world. I inhaled deeply, smelling all of the aromas filling the air. I sighed, nothing could be better. I walked over to the giant horse door shoving it open with a groan. Piper looked up at me with her deep brown eyes. I smiled at her and kissed her gently on the nose. "Alright baby, you ready to ride?" I asked Piper brushing her tan coat. I quickly picked her hooves and tacked her up. Grabbing her lead rope, I led her into the big pasture and I let her run for a while before hopping on her back and walking her around the edges of the pasture, before starting a slow trot. "Piper, we have to get ready for the 175th annual Fulton county fair. I don't care if we win but I want you to try your best, which I know you always will. Trust me, all I expect from you is the best you can be. Nobody's perfect Piper. I love you." Piper sped up, and I got in my sitting trot position. After about an hour, I hopped off the horse, and un-tacked her. I returned her to her stall, and filled her water bucket with ice water and jumped onto a stool, sipping my own water. Today was a successful day with piper.
After a while of sitting with piper, I decided to go work with my steer, Lexus. Setting my water bottle down on the work bench, I walked over to Lexus's stall, grabbing her leash. "Hey lex. I'm only going to work you for about 45 minutes, because its extra hot today. The fair is in about 2 weeks, so that leaves little time. Your doing good so far girl." I said petting Lexus on her back. She swatted her black tail at some flies and I giggled. Walking Lexus around the horse pasture, is easier than riding piper. Lexus always seemed to have a good attitude and never wanted to veer a different direction, then me. Animals were my life. I worked Lexus for another 15 minutes, before she started going slower than usual. I decided to stop 15 minutes early because of the heat conditions. I sprayed her down with some cold water and filled up her water bucket as well.
Taking yet another couple of sips from my own water, I took a 5 minute break before going to work with my pig, lucky. Leaping down from the work bench I walked over to Lucky's pen, and began walking her with my black whip. Since pigs don't sweat, I only worked with lucky for about 20 minutes before rinsing her off with our green hose. I decided to go take a dip in our pool, and let the animals rest, before working them hard the next couple of days.
I reached the house and pulled a clean light blue towel out of the dryer and began wiping the sweat from my neck, forehead, and back. I raced up the steps, going two by two, and reached my room, closing the door with a bam! Slipping on my green bathing suit, I raced back down the steps, and back out the glass sliding door near our pool. Going to the far end of our underground pool, I pulled my long brown hair into a ponytail and dove into the deep end. As the water splashed on my face, I began swimming and cooling down. As far as I could tell, the day so far was pretty successful.
