Is it Over?

Mar 2, 2026

It seems so during the day but nighttime is a different matter. The deep freeze that held our Northern Shenandoah Valley in its icy grip seems to be gone except at night.

Daytime temperatures have been rising steadily above freezing pushing onto two weeks now. Today is to be in the 50^’s. Night times drop into freezing.

Still, there are piles of snow in parking lots, around houses and the most interesting part to me, the ponds are still covered in ice!

Wednesday’s rain turned into Thursday morning ice sheet, while back in the mid 50’s and 60’s today.

The deep freeze hit us the last week of January. Our pond has had ice on it from then up to today. It has looked like one giant white ice cube for a month. And the astonishing part is the past two weeks have been above freezing during the day.

I cannot recall the last time we had such extended cold weather. Usually it lasts only several days, surely not weeks.

It appears all over with now. Daffodils are making their appearance, our Red-Winged Blackbird is home singing his happy song, and the horses are shedding some of their full winter coats.

Hurray for Spring!

*HoneyPie slid all over after her frisbee. Please don’t strain a muscle.*

*I walked on top of the snow for two weeks, not breaking through.*

*Only footprints were made on top of snow.*

*Over two weeks later. Middle of February, pond still covered in ice, snow in the woods.*

*February 21st, pond* still covered in ice. See what Buster found in the thin ice?

These last two photos are from today which reached into the 60’s, and still ice! Cannot recall last time I saw this ice for so long.

Yesterday found our pond free of ice, not so with our neighbors.

BTW, snow flurries are blowing all around right now.

Are You Ready for It? When is It Coming?

Jan 24, 2026

These questions wafted around the grocery store yesterday as I was filling my list. Folk on phones or talking among themselves wondered out-loud.

“It’s winter. What do you expect?” Our old neighbor would say. Very little frazzled that wonderful old woman. She lived through lots of winters.

It is snow. Apparently a BIG snow. Radio stations and news headlines blasting warnings and predictions of freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall for much of the East and South.

I do not mind weather forecasts. They help keep us informed of possible inclement weather. ‘Be Prepared’ is a good motto to live by (Thank You, Boy Scouts).

However, I do object to trying to be made fearful or worse, panic. Weather forecasts for small or large farmers is important and more often than not dictate our days work. So when the sky looks threatening and storms are in the forecast we do pay attention. We prepare. We will not worry. It is wintertime.

*We squeezed the tractor inside. Giving us one less machine to clear of snow.*

*Plow attached and ready (a little hard to see).*

*Full bags of horse, cattle and chicken feed.*

*Extra bedding on outside of barn warms the barn and provides bedding for cattle. When horses are stalled on bitter nights the cattle will bed down here.*

*Dukes frosty whiskers! A portent of what’s to come?*

Black belt Fisherman

Jan 8, 2026

Is there such thing? In our circle of life, yes, yes indeed.

Fishing has been a lifetime passion for our sons. It fit the bill years ago when they were young, when little money was floating around for exciting excursions for a family of seven on one income.

However, we had friends whose ponds were brimming with fish, and bubbly, cool mountain streams that called their names and won their hearts forever to fishing. Only equipment needed: one fishing pole per son. That was attainable.

It has been said what goes around comes around. Fishing has come full circle. Our grandsons fish like pros. I love going to “wet a line” with them. I am the main cheerleader and photographer. The fish call them from our pond and a generous neighbor who allows them access on his ponds as well.

As soon as their feet touch the ground here, they are off to the ponds. Only a whistle brings them in.

Their fathers have taught them well.

*A great catch while fishing with his Uncle!*

*They learned from a young age the magic and joy fishing offers.*

*Not big, but fun catch from neighbors pond.*

*Any weather is good weather for the black belt fisherman.*

*Every fisherman has a great fish story! That’s one huge cat! Our neighbor grows them big!*

*They catch and clean. Pop-pop fries them. Eat local.*

*Black belt fisherman are always prepared.*

Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.

Ninja Fifi

Oct 6, 2025

Fifi is our chicken momma. She hatched five little chicks six weeks ago. She has shown herself diligent, strong, and brave. She earned her ‘Ninja’ name last week, as named by my twinster.

When she got broody, I asked our neighbor for some fertile eggs. She made her nest in the rafters of the barn. Climbing a ladder daily was the only way to keep an eye on her. It did not end well for that clutch unfortunately. Sweltering summer heat proved too much, none made it.

Removing a broody hen who wants babies that are not going to hatch is sad. She kept sitting on the ground, not wanting to give up.

I decided to make a new nest in a box stall, get more eggs and try again. I have read where the eggs should be set before the hen, and if she wants them, she will move them under her. To my great joy and surprise, she put five eggs under her feathery, warm body in her newly made nest.

Had I been too hasty, I suddenly thought to myself? It takes a lot for a hen to hatch eggs. They sit for 21-25 days, getting off their nest once, maybe twice daily for food, water, and to relieve themselves. One round of hatching is hard enough. She is strong, young and determined, I reasoned. We both were going to succeed this time.

To me it seems like magic. The chicks hatched! All five of them. The joy we have had watching them grow is terrific.

*How fast they grow! (Fifi is enjoying her first dirt bath since hatching them).*

Our chickens free range. Occasionally we will loose one to fox. Last week was such a time. While feeding I noticed Fifi did not look ‘right’. Upon closer inspection I saw her wing was damaged, she’d lost a few feathers on her back and one foot was not quite right.

We put them in the barn where she could rest and get better. They were kept in the barn for several days and let out for short times under careful watch.

Apparently it was not worth engaging with a mother hen protecting her babies. Her healing has been amazing to watch. She took a beating protecting her chicks, but they are safe. Her bravery surely earned the ‘Ninja’ title.

*She has recovered well.* *Her call to them ‘for food’ is unique, and do they ever come running!*

*Watching this hen with her chicks has been fascinating.*

Farm Life—What’s Your Life?

Jul 12, 2025

Life on the farm is unique. What compares? Share your thoughts. We grow our own food, raise a bunch of critters, have a bunch of fun, love the land. Outdoors is best. I’m bias? Yes, I am… May I ask you this—Do you love the land?

How about you? What’s your ‘jam’? Tell us, please! As my mother used to say, “It takes all kinds to make this world, Midy”.

She was right.

*Pond reflections of windmill.* *Have you ever considered the life of a pond?*

*Good day of fishing…* *he is the small one….*

*Nothing like line-dried clothes, yeah!*

*Our broody hen, Fifi…setting on 7 fertile eggs.*

*Coveralls are essential items out here! I love this land. I love my farm…what do YOU love?*

How is Doris?

May 30, 2025

That is her name, Doris. You know, the chicken our “good” dogs attacked last week? She is recovering very well. She has been out of the infirmary and free-ranging since Tuesday.

I could not deny her ‘request’ to go outside. I found her standing directly in front of the stall door staring at it early Tuesday morning. As if she knew staring at it long enough would open it. Well, it did!

I thought if she wants out that badly, she must be feeling well enough. So I opened it, and out she came.

We have only two chickens (a fox got the rest), and I watched the other one carefully. Doris still has bare spots on her little body, though feathers are growing back. All seemed well, and indeed all is well.

*Happy to be released from infirmary.* *Sunflower seeds are good for growing feathers—lots of protein.*

*Ahhhh! Green grass! I watched her carefully for a good while.*

Love and care go a long way. Even for a little chicken.

Winter Visit

Jan 21, 2025

Old Man Winter has enjoyed a good long visit with us lately. Snow has blanketed the ground for these past two weeks. Freezing temperatures, except two days, have happily kept company with the snow.

Light is a photographers dearest friend. Making all the difference in the ‘feel’ of a photo. My most favorite time for light is evening twilight when I go out to feed. Most especially when the light of day is nearly equal to lights peering from windows of buildings and snow is all around.

Cold as it was, taking these evening photos was fun, and I hope you enjoy them. When is your favorite time for taking photographs?

*Temperatures have been freezing, but this bunny does not seem to mind.*

*A peak inside barn from outside frosty window. It is cozy and warm inside there.*

*Barn lights starting to light up the night.*

*Plenty of hay and straw for the cattle.*

*The glowing, warm light beckons one inside.*

*The warmth of house lights is comforting.*

*Snow has happily been here for these past couple weeks.*

Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy your evening wherever you are.

Feeding Time and Staying Warm

Jan 9, 2025

Six inches of snow fell earlier this week. More is called for today and into the weekend. Gusts of wind across the northwest corner of our farm has created drifts of snow along with patches of ground exposed. Our plowed path to the barn is now covered over with drifted snow.

A Scandinavian proverb says: There is no bad weather only bad clothing. I say that to myself as I trudge through snow drifts to feed the livestock and out in the fields to open gates. Thankful for the big hood of my coat I keep pulling over the knitted one already on as the gusts of wind make every effort to blow them away. The snow is not deep enough to go down the tall farm boots, but the drifts are. Yes, good clothing is great.

Seventeen degrees outside on this dark, early morning though the wind makes it feel colder. Anxious hungry eyes record every trudging step taken closer and closer their way. Telling me with a hungry whinny or moo to hurry up!

Hay is spread far and wide in front of the barn out of the wind. Horses rule over cows, but they can only keep rule over one pile of hay at a time. One more heap of hay over number of animals keeps the peace. Hay is piled liberally, while, Duke, our senior horse munches grain.

A midday feeding is made too on days like these when Ole Man winter blows across our farm. Hay is best for keeping the animals warm.

Speaking of hay, it is time to go out…

*The horses are sure ready for feeding time.*

*Every step towards the barn is marked with anticipation.*

*Wind makes horses fractious, so does hunger.*

*Could you move a little faster, Raggedy wants to know.*

*Harold is ready to retire on this cold evening.*

Horsewoman or Cow-woman?

May 23, 2024

“You call yourself a horsewoman, but in your heart you’re a cow woman.”

So said Mr.White, one day while working on new iron railings around our house recently. I laughed but I have had fun thinking about his observation.

I recall my Aunty Bliss telling me years ago as a little girl I would sit under the fences in our cow fields with my hands and face resting on the bottom fence board watching the cows in the field. I do not remember this.

I do remember getting up on cold winter mornings, peering out the window into the dark looking for the light in the barn. The little glow of light told us our farm hand was loading silage for feeding time. Jumping out of bed and warmly wrapped, we walked in the dark toward the little light. We never felt the cold while feeding. He kept the truck cab good and warm for my twin sister, our best friend and me while feeding.

I think cows are beautiful. Watching the young 4-H kids handle those big animals in the show rings at every summer County fair fills me with wonder. They work so diligently, and the cattle are so well kept. And besides all that, I love the sound of a cow mooing.

Later, much later, in life a good friend asked me in a rather disgusted tone why do I like cows? “They are stinky and have flies all over them!”, she said. I laughed, thinking she was right—at least on the flies all over them point.

I don’t think cows stink.

We have three Miniature Hereford steers on our little farm. I agree with my cattle-loving brother-in-law, ” It isn’t much of a farm without cattle on it.” There is a bucolic feeling of cattle out in a field. I suppose as the tree is bent so it grows, and I am just bent that way.

Though I would never say cattle rank above horses in my mind, they sure are hot on the heels of them. Mr. White just may be right, deep in my heart I am a cow-woman.

*Though fuzzy, they are rough-housing around!*

*Our farm looks complete with the cattle.*

*Mr. White made this for our railing. Made of horseshoes of course!*

*The grass is so long and beautiful, the steers are very nearly hidden!*

Five Minute Friday Writing Prompt—Lonely

Apr 22, 2024

Looking out across the field the other day, my gaze fell on one of our cows resting all alone away from the others. I felt an immediate pang of loneliness. It seems to me God has made most all His creation for community.

The idea of a person or animal being lonely is more than I can bear. This may sound silly but it is one reason I love writing little notes to family and friends. My grandchildren, I am told, carry their notes from me around all day.

We all need to know someone is near and/or thinking of us. Do you agree? The greatest comfort is knowing God is always near to those who call on Him, for He never leaves us lonely.