Horsing Around with Jordan

I kept my granddaughter last night and today. My daughter is on vacation she and her husband were exploring various museums and historical sites locally, sites that would not interest Jordan, so it was my privilege to spoil and love my special grandbaby. She is like the world's best drug in that no matter how you truly feel, physically, she can erase pain and bring smiles and light into your life.
We are experiencing what is called Blackberry Winter here in Northwest Georgia, it is the last attempt by Old Man Winter to have his way. It is usually in May, like now, when the blackberry bushes are in full bloom. They say the cold snap makes the berries sweeter, too. At any rate, it was in the 40's here, and very windy, not the best day for exploring on the farm, but I have made a pact with myself that I will do something special with her on every visit, something she can't do with her parents or other grandparents due to their location. I could show her my garden, take a long nature walk, or let her express her love for horses. Today, it was the latter. After breakfast, Jordan stood at the kitchen window calling to the horses in the pasture. She stood transfixed for over 5 minutes, only distracted by a chipmunk that ran across the deck right in front of her. So in the afternoon, when it was warmer, my best friend Ava came down and the three of us went out to the pasture to let Jordan love on the horses-and Jack, the donkey. She gets a little horse time whenever she comes, and has never shown fear of them. She loves animals, large and small.(She's going to the Atlanta Zoo tomorrow!) Right now, Jordan looks very much like my son-in-law, Jon, but she has Katie's independent personality, physical prowess, and love for animals.
Ava's horses love Jordan, too. They are all great horses with gentle and loving personalities. I could not ask for better pasture tenants. Joe is the dark colored horse. He is normally a gentle sweetheart, but today he was playful and kept wanting to taste her jeans. Jordan of course just laughed with delight, so he is still a sweetheart in her eyes, . Dallas is the light colored horse, a beautiful boy who is normally mischievous, almost bratty, but today expressed the more mature, gentle and little-girl-loving side of his personality. Jack was Jack, fairly non-expressive, but he never misses out on a chance for a bit of rubbing. There is something about Jack that people love...he so unassuming and sweet. The other horse, Rebel, didn't interact much with Jordan today. Maybe next time.
Usually, we hold her when we are in close quarters with the boys, but she wanted down to explore on her own and the boys were being very good. I've titled these shots, from top to bottom, Jordan loves Jack, Jack come Back, Dallas kisses, Horsey Love x 2, and my favorite, Horse Whispering... Jordan is now 18 months old.