It has been for several weeks.  However, the last frost date here in our area is May 15th.  A date most folks around here do not like to mention, much less think about.  It is what it is.  This PFO enjoys the long winter nights and cold days.  One can always put on more cloths to stay warm, but how does one take off more cloths when the temperatures are boiling hot??

This crewelwork was a high school graduation gift over forty years ago.

At any rate, it is a relief to have time off from all the outside work of flower gardens, vegetable gardens, dandelions, and weeding, weeding and more weeding.  So, just how do farmers spend those long winter nights?  For most of the PFO’s life, including the younger years, long evenings were spend in front of the television with a piece of crewelwork in hand.  To just sit in front of the television was a waste of time, so the hands were occupied for those long evening hours.

Detail of work.

Thread was wool, stitched on linen fabric.

This crewelwork has a long history.  It was begun over forty-two years ago in front of the television on those long, contemplative winter nights by this PFO’s older sister.  It was to be given as a high school graduation gift.  Indeed it was given—only it was not finished!  It took another twenty years for this PFO to complete stitching it, and another twenty-plus years before it was finally completed and hung with great joy on the wall of this home here at Blue Rock Horses & Farm.

It has a beautiful array of stitch work.

Even this frame has an interesting history, for it was given, in passing, by an old, delightful black gentleman in Millwood, Virginia to this PFO one day many years ago.  He held it high in his hand and called, with an enchanting smile,”Would you like this frame?”  The answer is obvious.

The colors are vibrant and cheerful.

And so, today, it is finally on the wall.  Funny how sweetly certain things can elicit a warm memory and smile.

The frame has an interesting story all by itself.

It is finally on the wall.  What sweet memories it evokes.

You are invited to come take a look at this long-to-take finished project!  Please phone first though.  It is spring-time and now this PFO is under a pile of weeds!

Is there much better than a fresh Spring day with the warm,  friendly sun shining happily and a gentle breeze?    Most especially when there are clothes to put out on the line.  The sun is so polite.  It never criticizes the shape or faded color of these old farm clothes.  It simply shines warmly and brightly on them without discrimination.  They flap joyfully in the breeze and smell like Heaven when dried.

The sun and breeze dries the clothes in a hurry.

‘How simplistic’ some may think.  Perhaps so,  though this PFO has heard some sweet remarks from this simple job.  “I felt at home when I saw the clothes on the line,”  was one recent remark here at the new farm.  Years ago when one of the now grown sons was visiting in France for a month, as a teenager, wrote in his journal he ‘missed seeing Mom hanging clothes on the line.’  Golly!  Who would have ever thought that?

There are two things this PFO has noticed traveling up and down this Shenandoah Valley over the past 30 years that have decidedly disappeared.  One is a vegetable garden, the other is the old clothes line.  These seem to be lost to ‘modern’ times.  Here at Blue Rock Horses & Farm, they are considered parts of a healthy lifestyle and are banked into the ‘good health and well-being’ accounts.   It is part of being a good steward, working together with the land, sun, and weather to the benefit of all.  Besides all  that—it is fun!

Enjoy the dance of the sun, wind and clothes!

All the chuckles are laying eggs these warm spring days to the delight of this PFO (Primary Farm Operator).  Everyday is a learning day with these interesting, fun birds.  The first few times they laid in the horse feed buckets securely attached in the corners of the stalls.  After bringing in a fresh supply of hay, the nesting area was moved in a cozy spot in the hay bales.  How is this hay ever to be used?  Who would dare to upset the nesting area?

At first they laid in the horse feed buckets attached to the corners of the stalls.

With the new load of hay, a cozy nest was built in a quiet corner of the stacked hay.

Most of them lay in that beautifully made nest, though once or twice a egg has been found in the coop.  Indeed they do ‘sing their egg laying song’ after getting off the nest. At times they are downright noisy!  They are chatty, curious critters.  The dogs have learned to leave them alone.  Now they go after the feed!  Apparently the only feed needed here at Blue Rock Horses & Farm is chicken feed!

They are so still and quiet while sitting on the nest.  A couple times another is waiting for the space, she will get impatient and just go sit on top of the chicken on the nest!  She will even get pecked by the impatient hen.  Ever quiet she remains.  She has a job to do.  Miss Impatience gives up and leaves.  She returns in due time and deposits her little treasure there in the same nest.

They sit so still and quiet on their nest and watch the activity in the barn.

These chuckles run free around the barn.  They have good hiding in the overgrown fence line nearby.  The horses, cows and dogs are accustomed to their presence.  To stand quietly, watching the little hens on the nests, listening to the horses eating hay, and watching a tiny mouse scurry across the sunlit floor for a bit of cracked corn has a gentle sense of peace, and order, and wonder that is difficult to describe.  This is life on the farm.

They have good hiding places in the brush along the fence row.

But you can’t make him drink’.  This old adage is probably known by every horseman around.  It has consumed life out here at Blue Rock Horses & Farm over the past nine days.  We have been “leading our BR to water” nearly everyday since he choked badly last Tuesday morning while eating his grain.

‘You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink’.  Nor eat for that matter.

Having a senior horse is tricky.  Just like the ‘old dog who won’t learn a new trick’, senior horses will not be told what to do!  So do a good job of handling your horses before they become seniors.  BR was foaled over twenty-nine years ago on Mom’s farm.  He has been with us his whole life, and what a good life he has had. This PFO inherited him and three other Littles over two years ago.  Retirement has been good to him.

BR & his momma.  He was foaled on mom’s farm over 29 years ago.

This past week though has been tough on him.  The veterinarian came out three straight days in a row.  Dr. Rhode and Dr. Jordan from Clarke Equine Wellness & Performance were professional and polite in handling BR.  Their assistant, Tracy, was excellent as well.  There is always much to learn from a good vet.  The biggest worry was pneumonia.  Since he could breath (though it sounded like air going through a water balloon), the first visit was four shots and instructions for this frazzled PFO.  A severely choking horse is a fright to see.  Stay calm, quiet,and collected in manner and tone.  Stay very observant to horse’s condition and actions, which is a huge help when the vet arrives.  Know how to take the temperature of the horse, and write it down.  Though he has choked before, this time was severe.  He was in obvious distress.

The following morning began with no improvement over the saliva draining from both nostrils. Drainage from one side or both sides is another important thing to note to the vet, Dr. Rhode instructed us,  as it indicates location of material stuck in throat. The second visit, BR was tubed, and the obstruction flushed down into his stomach.  Wow. A remarkable procedure to witness.  The doctor described how it was done so well, that the understanding helped with the anxiety.   Third visit was more shots, and medications for us to administer in the days following.

So, how is little BR nine days later?  Improving steadily everyday.  One thing for sure—a horse will eat and drink when he is ready and not before, dang it!!

He is improving steadily.

There are advantageous to getting well—grazing outside of the pastures!  

Last two months have sure been odd as far as weather goes.  It seems February traded with March and visa versa.  Right now there is 4-5″ of cold, blowing snow out here at Blue Rock Horses & Farm and ice is on the driveway.  While windows were open for fresh air all night on several nights in February!  Trees were starting to bloom far too early.  That has surely slowed down during these past several very cold days and nights.  This morning broke at 17^ with very gusty, cold winds.

The cattle all ready and waiting for feed.

Needless to say the barn animals were very happy to hear the dogs happily barking for breakfast and lights coming from the house.  They know they are next in line for food.  So with extra grain for the cattle and loads of extra hay for everyone, we enjoyed our snowy morning feeding.

 Waiting and watching.

Earning their trust takes patience, and time.

Now it is time for this PFO (and the husband who is taking these pics!) to eat.

Vermiculture, just one more little thing going out here at Blue Rock Horses & Farms.  Have any idea what that is?  Worms.  Plain and simple, composting with worms.  Red wigglers specifically.  Eisenia fetida is their official scientific name.  Known to most everyone as the lowly little earthworm.  What a giant of a critter it is!  Talk about being a good (no, GREAT) steward of this earth, these guys win the prize!

This PFO is just a beginner in this new adventure, but has already learned to appreciate the worms and the great value they have in land, soil, gardening, compost, waste management, etc, etc.  The list seems to go on and on as more is learned about them.

Separating the castings from the red wrigglers.  See the little worm just under the left side of stick? 

Black gold.  Thought it was oil in Texas?  Yep, so did this greenhorn—NOT.  It is the castings the worms give that is the real black gold.  The castings are actually the poop of the worms.  What a powerhouse of goodness it offers to those that are interested in improving their gardens, soil, plants, and compost piles.  It naturally fertilizes the soil.  It leaves chemical fertilizer incompetent for the nutrients it offers.  All this goodness from feeding kitchen scraps to the lowly worm!

First harvest of ‘black gold’.

The first harvest was taken this week. The learning curve over.  Next time will go faster and smoother, so as not to stress the worms.   A book that is full of fun, interesting and helpful information is, The Worm Book-The Complete Guide to Gardening and Composting with Worms, by Loren Nancarrow and Janet Hogan Taylor.

There are so many fascinating options open to the vermicomposter and worm farming.  For now, one big bucket has been worked into the garden.  This is going to be a fun adventure.  Ever heard of anyone ‘talking’ to their worms?  Make a visit out here to Blue Rock Horses & Farm, you may overhear this happy, worm farming PFO saying, “Good Morning, Wormies!”

This bucket of nature’s fertilizer was worked into the garden.

 Red wrigglers gently set into their new home to work their magic again!

All the beef has been sold.  This is a good thing.  Unsold beef would have caused this PFO (Primary Farm Operator) to seriously reconsider raising any more.  The feedback is the icing on the cake:

“Best Beef EVER!!!!! The kids even said it made the vegetables taste better!!”

“The steaks are delicious.”

“The beef is very good.”

“Next year we want to buy a whole one.”

This is a tough business in many ways, yet it is remarkably satisfying in many more.  There is joy in raising animals in the best possible way, watching them thrive, being the creature God created them to be.  So much can be learned through quiet, keen observation of the animals.  A lot has to be ‘let go’ and left to the animals instinct. They know a lot.  Smart farmers would have added the new round of steers in with the old ones before they left the farm so the young could be taught by the older ones.  How would these new, young steers learn by themselves?

Being consistent and persistent goes a long way.  That means ‘calling them in’ in the same way, feeding at the same time of day, following the routine in the same way (feed, then hay, then fill the troughs), and feeding the various animals in the same order.  The order does not matter, it is doing it the same way every time that matters.

So, how have the new steers been in this little bit over a week here at Blue Rock Horses & Farm?  Before the week was over, they were patiently waiting for breakfast!

It is this time and attention devoted to them that ties us to them.  They are easy to tell apart for the observant, as they are all unique.  This is good animal husbandry.  A righteous man (or female PFO!) regards the life of his animal.  A good parallel is this:  When making biscuits it is said that ‘a tender hand makes a tender crumb.’  This is true in the cattle world as well.

This coming year is going to be good.

A belly ache, who likes them?  This is rather a silly question.  For horses it can be dangerous, very dangerous and painful.  In the horse world it is called colic, and it can kill a horse in a most painful way.  Unlike humans, horses cannot regurgitate,  which only compounds this dreadful equine illness.  Causes for colic are many;  too cold of water in winter water troughs (keep heaters in troughs), sand colic, feed colic, plants can cause troubles as well.  The hardest type is the one that cannot be figured out.  What did the horse get into?   This was the question here at Blue Rock Horses & Farm a couple days ago.

One of the best things about being on the farm all day everyday is that an eye can be kept on the animals.  Big windows beg being looked out throughout the day, and this is how this PFO knew Duke was not well.  He was lying down.  Horses lie down so that was not the red flag.  Rather, it was who was down that caused the second glance.  This horse has not ever been seen lying down, and not only that, he looked uncomfortable even from the distance.

He nibbled the hay put in front of him.  The mud on his face came from rubbing his head back and forth while down on the ground.

Being quiet and observant with animals is a huge plus in many ways.  Their mannerisms, dispositions, and way of going are as different for them as with people.  It was easy to see this horse was not well.  First thought?  What did he get into?  A times this question is never answered.   He roused himself up, but only briefly.  Then, the telltale sign of colic—he kicked at his belly, took a couple steps,  and down he went again.

These are the times I miss my mother the most.  Straining to hear her voice giving advice on how to manage a sick horse.  “Hay, give the horse hay and let him rest, watch carefully.  Would not hurt to give him some Pepto-Bismal after awhile if you feel he needs it.”

Two hours of non-stop watch brought a sigh of relief.

Two hours later of non-stop watch brought a sigh of relief over the farm.  He had eaten all his hay and looking far more his normal self.  Though it took the whole day to recover.  Upon going out the fourth time to listen to his belly, check his breathing and temperature a couple other snoopy critters were very interested in how he was feeling.  All is well that ends well.  True, so true!

Is Duke feeling better?  Raggedy seems to be asking me.

How can I help?  (Whoopsie always wants to help!)

Yes, it is true.  We have crossed over to the dark side.  It was not our choice.  Situations sometimes forces one to do things that are not particularly desirous. This PFO is hopeful, and sure it will work out for the best.  Here is a photo of our dark side:

We have crossed over to the dark side.

It is not all that bad.  Our new batch of steers are very good looking — for Angus!  No hate mail please!  They come from a beautiful farm in Broadway, Virginia,  Bryan Hill Farms.  They raise both mini Herefords and Lowlines, or mini Angus. We did not get our ‘order’ in early enough this spring.  The Herefords were all gone, making this year our year for Lowlines.  We picked them up this past Wednesday.

They spend their first day in the round pen.

We keep the steers in our round pen for twenty-four hours to have them acclimate to the new smells, sights, and sounds of our farm.  This also gives the horses and dogs a chance to meet the cows quietly without running them.  The next morning they carefully leave the round pen to begin their day checking out the place.  Cows are curious, they go over the periphery of both fields, and all around the pond.  They check out the shade under the cedar trees and woods, watch the horses, and stick close together.  It will not be long before they learn the rhythms of this farm.

It will also take a bit of time for them to hang with the horses.  Horses rule, and the cows will learn their place.  The horses are not rude, they just like their position of dominance.  It is funny to watch High Hope just toss her head with her ears pinned back and the cow yield!

It is good having cattle on the property.  They are just part of the farm and land, and they make things seem comfortable and right.  It is hard knowing they are being raised for beef, but it is good at the same time.  This PFO is at an age now where that makes a lot of sense.

They checked out all around the pond, while taking time for a cool drink.

Anyone  familiar with the music of Glen Campbell knows this fun song, “I Love My Truck.”  It came out in the early 80’s, and this PFO (Primary Farm Operator) has thought of the lyrics off and on many times over the years.  The words still ring true and gives the listener a smile at the cleverness of them.  It is easy to imagine the fun Glen Campbell must have had singing it.

Glenn Campbell’s song, “I Love My Truck”, came out in the early 80’s

At Endless Caverns where this PFO grew up, we had a big red Ford F250.  It was a stick, 4 on the floor, with a glass pack on the exhaust.  The coolest, toughest truck in town, and we girls drove it!   It was so tall that jumping into the cab was almost as fun as jumping on the horses!  Sure wish there was a picture to share.  Driving through town always required the windows be down, so an elbow could proudly perch on the driver’s sill, indicating the prowess of the girl driving it.

Things have not changed too much over the years in regards to the love of pick-up trucks, though the truck working here at Blue Rock Horses & Farm is not the one of years ago.  This old truck cleans up right nice, pulls the trailer to get horses (and cattle) where they need to go, hauls lots of hay and feed, and best of all, it has lights on the cab.  Now that is a real truck!

Best of all, it has cab lights!

It cleans up right nice for an old truck.

Some of that ‘love’ is a big appreciation of a good tool that works well, and some of it is because they are big and exciting to handle (ever tried parallel parking one?).  We work to keep it clean and in good repair.  For we know that when we are out in town, it makes a statement of how we look at and treat those things we are a steward of.  Be them inanimate or not.

A big truck is fun to handle.  Ever try parallel parking one?