Tag Archives: spring

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!

Fair Month of May

May is a fair month, don’t you think? This year it has been quite cool. I heard someone say ‘we had our May in March, and our March in May.‘

That has been true. Our March was terribly warm. Peach, plum, and apricot trees bloomed far too early. Unfortunately they were frozen out. Our frost date is May 15th.

We are on the planting edge for these sweet fruit trees in our zone. Sometimes we make it, other times we do not. This year will be a loss for our fruit growers of those particular trees.

Cool as it has been, May is still a fair month. I would like to share a few photographs I have taken in this special month that has just passed into the annuals of history.

Beautiful May grass.
Cheerful Sweet William.
See the rain drop hitting the bench?
Plants are safe outside.
Fields of wildflowers in happy bloom!

May really is a fair month.

Five Minute Friday Writing Prompt—Respite

Timer on:

Respite. Winter is my respite. That must seem odd for some folk, but I enjoy the long winter nights with warm fires crackling in the fireplace, giving the living room a soft, warm glow. The respite is from gardening, mowing, weed-eating, bugs, ticks and never-ending weeds. Much as I love gardening, if I lived where it was warm and mild year-round I am know there would be far fewer gardens and fence rows to weed-eat.

I enjoy the seasonal work and rhythms of four seasons, and the respite that each one gives to the other. Inside winter projects are mostly fun and creative for me. Spring is now on it’s way. It is nearing time to switch gears and get back out with the plants and weeds. I have sure enjoyed my winter respite.

Timer off.