Springtime—Beautiful?

It nearly feels traitorous to question the beauty of Spring. But before you go elsewhere, dear reader, allow me a moment to explain.

Spring is more of a love/hate season for me. The fluctuating temperatures are harder to manage. How to dress for today? Yesterday opened in the 30’s and closed on the 60’s! Sweater on, sweater off was the tempo of the day.

It has been said spring is like a teenager, one day it is grand, the next day, hold on! That seems a fair description to me. How about you?

Yet even harder for me with springtime is shedding. Yes, every animal on our farm is shedding their winter coats—oh my! In springtime our dogs, cats and horses go with me everywhere. For I am a constant ball of animal fur.

It could easily be said of a farm, spring is the ugliest time of year. Old hay needs cleaning up out of the fields, the much desired and wonderful spring rains produce a mucky mess in and around the barn and paddocks. Then it all freezes , not happy with that, it all turns to muck again. Tired old straw needs removing from stalls. Fresh wood chips needs laying all around.

Old hay needs removing out of paddock. Get it before the rains come (look at that sky).
Winter coats falling out!
All that is mine? says Duke.
Tired straw and old hay waiting to be cleaned out.
This is a small pile of winter coat from Snowbell.
That is because I wear most of it!
Dusty tack patiently waiting its turn to be cleaned and shined.
My supervisor, HoneyPie, has better farm view atop wood chip pile. Her frisbee is never far from her.
Freshening up with wood chips.
Check off one chore!

Truth is I do like spring. Birds and frogs chirping, early flowers happy faces, grass changing its grey winter coat to green are delightful joys of spring.

If though, you are coming to the farm, wear your muck boots and farm coat. That way you can ‘leave the animals’ in your mud room. Or better yet, wait until the winter coats have fled. Happy Spring!

Aerial Saws

Ever heard of these? Earlier this year a notice arrived in our mail informing us of tree trimming that would soon commence in our area by our local electric companies. Woods are all around us so it was no surprise.

It was the second part of the notice that supplied the surprise to me. This tree trimming was to be done by helicopter! I had never heard of this. Have you?

The genesis of aerial tree trimming with helicopters started in the 1950s with the development of suspended saws beneath helicopters. This provided fast, safe removal of tree limbs near power lines in hard to reach places.

There are twenty circular saws suspended on a long line underneath a helicopter! Astonishing to me was this sight. Have you seen them in operation?

I heard the helicopter coming early on the scheduled morning. Thinking this might frighten the horses and cattle, I left them in the paddock, as I did not want them running scared through the fields.

I heard the helicopter first, then heard the power of the saws. It looked as if it was heading to saw our neighbors house in half! Such a sight, such a sound!

They worked all around our woods that morning. Workmen on our driveway radioed other men at the other end to stop so I could get out and cautioned me to proceed carefully. Piles of tree limbs were all along our driveway, but residents could get out. Limbs were removed several days later.

It was quite the experience for me, and for the record, the animals were startled at first, but did quiet down.

Coming towards our neighbors house it seems!
It was nothing I have ever seen before.
Look at those circular saws! To hear their hungry sounds is intimidating!
Trimming was all around our neighborhood.
Have you ever seen this done before?
Amazing and unbelievable to me!

Have you ever seen this before? It truly was interesting and efficient.

Lizard Butte, Idaho

Where in the world is this place? What is so great about it anyway?

Located in Marsing, Idaho, a historic site on the Oregon Trail near the Snake River is this distinctive butte. That, however, is not why we visited it. It is known for its Easter Sunrise Worship Services with a beautiful white cross located on its summit.

Our son, who currently lives in Idaho attended the Sunrise service last year. When we visited him this past December we asked him to take us to see it.

Sunrise services have been held on this butte continuously since April 1938. Many families come to celebrate the Risen Lord at this special place. Gates open at 5 a.m. with 800-900 cars coming in. Service begins at 7 a.m. with 1,000-1,500 people attending.

All these folk gather together with one mind, one person, one motivation—to worship Jesus. Glory!

There would be no Sunrise service when we visited it in December, only fog. Dense fog. It was quite ethereal and wonderful.

Could not see the summit for the fog.
It is a pretty steep climb. But there is a handicap way as well to use if needed.
Fog was incredibly thick.
The sun could barely penetrate it.
Frosty and foggy.
Looks like nothing behind my twinster and me!
Enjoying the breaking view.
Sunshine at the summit!

Indeed they do. Happy Easter.

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Life is Short, Walk your Dog

Thus read the kiosk outside a local veterinary clinic gently reminding passerby’s of this timely thought: Life is short, walk your dog.

Life. What is meant by that? The days, hours, weeks and years that make up one’s life. This word is important as we only get one opportunity at it. Is. In mathematical terms ‘is’ means equal to. Equal to what? In this phrase it is equal to short. Ask any person whose hair is turning grey if life is short.

Walk. Literally do that, go outside and walk. Do not talk about it, or think you are going to do it. Do it. Walk your dog. Why do you have a dog? To watch it sleep all day and get wildly fat and out of shape? I would think not.

Best thing about walking? You get twice the bang for your buck. You both get exercise, time to spend together, and quiet time with The Lord. My twinster says, “Fresh air, fresh thoughts.” Score!

Look at the glorious beauty to be had when out walking your dog. Write in a walk time on your daily week schedule. Before long you may just wonder how you ever managed before without this special time.

Morning is a lovely time to walk.
The peace of the day is powerful.
Isn’t this evergreen wonderful?
The quiet of the morning is calming.
Early morning shadows.
Looking and listening into a new day.
“You coming?” HoneyPie and Buster making sure I am still with them. Mans best friend.

Enjoy your walk, enjoy your dog(s), give thanks and praise to God for both.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life.