Animals

Hello Summer....What Took You So Long?

Every once in a while, I awaken feeling like I'm in the midst of a dream.

Yesterday was one of those days.

A beautiful blue-skied, humidity-free day greeted me.

It seemed like overnight all of the perennials had made a decision to open up to the world.

Morning glories greeted me from the fence as I took my daily morning stroll

through the vegetable garden.

The Shasta Daisies raised their faces toward the red yarrow,

and whispered "Summer's here!"

Even Minerva's smile was a little wider as she kept watch over the garden...

as the vegetables spilled over the sides of the boxes.

It's the time of year we await while the ice and snow lie on the ground,

and the world sleeps in its grayish-brown winter pajamas.

By afternoon, the day lilies had awakened....

lifting their faces toward the mid-day sun.

It's mornings like this one that I love the most!

As I lead my little entourage to the sheep yard...

everyone trotting along down the lane

(not pictured, but present, are Annie and Oakley).

Waiting for us on the other side of the fence are Ginger and MaryAnn.

They know that it's Ritz cracker treat time.

Each morning when the sheep arrive in their yard, everyone gets a treat.

And so, in anticipation, every morning the pigs come running.

Smart girls!

Every square inch of earth is teeming with life...

all of the rain we have had lately has jump-started growth.

In the donkeys' stall I hear a tiny "cheep cheep" from above my head.

There, just popping their tiny heads up for the first time

were two newly hatched barn swallows.

It will be fun to watch these two tiny naked babies develop.

Isn't it all just so amazing...this thing called life?

So fragile, and yet, it prevails.

Even on a quiet early morning, the farm is full of activity...

activity that might go un-noticed if one doesn't take the time to observe.

The guineas are on patrol,

making their sweeps through the lawn in search of insects.

Searching for tasty treats is the focus of everyone's attention...

even me, as I fill my pail with gooseberries...

and blueberries...

Yes, it's that time of year when the earth keeps giving and giving.

And for these gifts I am grateful beyond words.

Life is good.

There is a peaceful calm in my "new normal".

I was thinking just yesterday that I need a new "big" project.

And then Hubbs reminded me that harvest season is here.

There's jam to be made and veggies to be processed.

I guess that's "project" enough for me.... for now.

- Come Along With Me....
It's sometimes difficult to convey just how peaceful life on the farm can be.We've been so lucky to have a long string of beautiful days this fall...and I have been enjoying every moment. From the moment I step outside my door in the morning...

- A Good Day Is A Mix Of Work And Play
Great weather continues...and so does the outside work! I've been working on cleaning out the vegetable garden. It's amazing how quickly weeds take over once the vegetables are done.At some point this summer I stopped weeding.(Yikes... that...

- New Ideas (or... How I Need To Turn Off My Brain)
Days are a bit of a blur right now...filled with last minute prep, farm chores, summer chores. And still ideas keep popping up in my head. Like...yesterday I thought we needed a sign like this... so I painted one (make that two!) Then it occurred to...

-
When I start out each morning for AM chores,I head down the driveway,open up the Roos and the chicks, and then continue on down the driveway to the roadand on to the pond. Once the ducks are fed and I am back on my way to the barn,I am usually greeted...

- Smoochie's Fascination
For the past several days, when I am out for the morning feed, I have noticed that Smoochie (one of our fainting goat bucks) has been blubbering at the fence beside the chicken yard. "Blubbering" is a mating ritual for male goats. When they are desirous...

Animals