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Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 1:14 PM
 Winter is trying to make an appearance, but today the temps are in the 60's and rainstorms are imminent. The most time-consuming part of rainy weather is fighting the mud. It collects on my muck boots and adds 100 lbs. of weight to each foot as I go around doing the chores. And getting hay out to all the critters is a real challenge in this kind of weather----can't use a tractor and loader to get the hay to all the pastures, since it will just get stuck, so each square bale must be carried by hand to wherever it needs to be. I like for the animals to have fresh, dry hay each day which negates putting out round bales, but after distributing all the squares each morning of a muddy day, I am exhausted for a couple of hours. Have been thinking about one of those DR power wagons--they are like a self-propelled big wheelbarrow-type outfit that just GOES when you engage it. Anyone out there have one they aren't using anymore??I am actually delighted when the temps drop below freezing since it means I can walk around without collecting boot mud and without sinking into the ground at all. Even the tractor can go when the ground freezes :-) I truly do love real winter weather. I adore the snow. When snow is falling, the world somehow becomes instantly more peaceful. There is no site more lovely than snow on the ground under a full moon. Even at midnight under such conditions, one can see as if it were midday. I then feel like a nocturnal creature going out to play. It's so quiet and bright and energizing. Try going out into the snowy night under a full moon and see if your negative outlook towards winter doesn't change! Leave all the electronics behind and walk out into the natural winter landscape, take a deep breath, and embrace the peace. You will be a better person for it. |
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Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 9:20 PM
We are in the throes of haying season, and since we put up square bales, we need at least 4 straight days of dry weather to get it cut, air dried, raked, baled and put into the barn. No small task, I assure you. And just to add to the enjoyment of the job, usually it takes place when the temperatures are well into the 90's, along with our renowned Missouri humidity. We're always looking for volunteers who want a real farming experience, so if you feel like pitching a few bales and want a guaranteed workout, get in touch with us....
Spent the better part of today putting together lots of new boxes and frames for my bees. The colonies are growing and need new housing lest they fly off to seek better accommodations, so their landlady (me) had to hustle and get with the program. Two coats of linseed oil on the hive bodies and twenty new frames freshly wired and with new wax foundation and we should be good to go for tomorrow's beeyard visit.
Was thrilled to see the indigo buntings back for the season. Such stunning birds. We have a great variety of bird life here, and I always take the time to stop what I'm doing if I see or hear a bird that catches my attention. It's like taking a quiet time out from the busy-ness for a little bit of soul refreshment from nature.
Be sure to carve out time each day to unplug...the wild world has so much to offer.
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