The Soft Susurrus as the Night Gathers—-Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Dayphoto

There is a silence, which descends on the land, as the day starts to fade and night begins creeping into all the corners of the earth

Although the day time sounds are muted. But darkness, you understand, is not silent…small melodious voices break out through all the long time, of that mysterious shadowy time of sleep.

Invisible intimate sounds: the hoot of an owl, a squeak of a scurrying mouse, a nightbird calling;the howl of a distant coyote…are a constant flicker at the edge of hearing.

There are those who feel an uneasiness in the night. But not I….

I find a late night walk (among those creatures of the land) a rather comforting journey of peace.

From my world to your heart,

Linda

Romeo Comes for an Extended Stay—-Monday, March 13, 2017

Posted on March 13, 2017 by Dayphoto

Yesterday Romeo decided to come to “Grammy and Grandpa’s” for a visit. He left his home and trotted his little (BIG) self all the way over to beg for carrots, horse treats and a sugar mint. (I know we spoil him. 🙂 Mainly for just this reason. If he gets out of his pen, or he decides to leave his yard, or for whatever reason, he WILL head to us.

His mom wasn’t far behind this time. She had stopped to shut a gate—it was one of those wire gates that must either be laid down or leaned up along the other fence. While Shannon was busy….Romeo came for some horse treats.

Terry mentioned that the cows didn’t clean up some of the ditch banks very well; with a little fencing effort Romeo could come up here and eat to his heart’s content.

So now it is a fact…Romeo has come for an extended visit—a perfect feast for him and slicked up ditch banks for us!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

The Farm Waking to Spring—-Sunday, March 12, 2017

Posted on March 12, 2017 by Dayphoto

I finished cleaning and prepping my gardens by the the corrals, which led me to figure out I had better get the corrals back into order, fences and gates in repair, take down the metal fences and store them until next year (for when the cows come). Clean out the loafing shed and move some things around.

A little squirrel chattered at me, from one of the corral posts; the call of a Robin sitting high in the Willow tree made a sweet song as I worked.

Terry finished plowing one field and started rolling it. The soil is just right for plowing, but drying fast.

so the rolling had to occur as soon as he could hook up the roller or the earth would turn into clods.

In the fresh extra edge, of cool air and rising sunshine Saturday morning we finished the last load of the wood. A slight breeze moved restlessly caressing our work heated skin.

It was a lovely feeling.

Friday and Saturday we kept a steady pace.

Then as the day came to a close, cool mist of the evening rose up to wrap the world in drifting peace…the Red Winged Blackbirds came to feast; filling up their tummies for the long night of rest.

Their songs high and sweet— and full of joy!

From my world to your heart,

Linda

From First Light Until Way Past Last Light—-Thursday, March 9, 2017

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Dayphoto

We start early this time of year…Just before First Light

and end way after the sunlight has washed from the sky

Terry has moved from disking into plowing. (Yes, we still plow. Terry and I are firm believers of the re-building the soil, with last year’s old stalks.

We don’t burn off the land, nor do we do no-till. No-till dosen’t work in our area, although it has been tried here. We have tried also—the only part of the farm that is not plowed is last year’s bean ground—and, of course the hay fields, unless they are to be replanted.)

Our books are now done and at the CPA, all my housework is finally caught up—

And I have begun the spring yard work. Sure is lots of ‘stuff’ to be raked and cleaned and readied for planting next month.

We were so tired last night we fell asleep in our chairs.

Around 4 in the morning I woke–ready to start the day…shish (I’ve moved to daylight saving time in my body) the moon was just about to set. My window was filled with stars, a sort of hazy luminous cloud mist was starting to wisp across the moon, the black-velvet of the night slowing fading into indigo,

Lifting my heart in gladness. We are all so lucky…you and I…to be able to live in this amazingly beautiful world.

Later on—after the work started outside—the sun brighten the clouds, in the east calling all to ‘wake-up’ a new day is beginning!

From my world to your heart,

Linda

In the Meantime—-Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Dayphoto

Terry got a phone call….

Terry’s brother and Charlotte came for a short visit. They were traveling through on their way back home in Alabama.

While they were here Charlotte got to drive a tractor and the combine. Of course the equipment wasn’t doing any work, but she got an idea of what it was like to be in them.

After lunch they headed on and Terry said…”let’s go work some more on the wood pile. After we get a load I’ll farm some more.”

So we did. By the time we got back with a load the air was cooling way down and we had to put our coats back down.

The woodpile is growing. We still have a load and a half to go. It will be nice when it’s done.

Your friend on a Colorado farm,

Linda

That Did not Last Long—-Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Dayphoto

We are back on the ground! The snow left and it didn’t even make mud!

Your friend on a Western Colorado Farm,

Linda

Everything’s on Hold—-Monday, March 6, 2017

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Dayphoto

Yesterday a huge wind blew in. A huge, blustery wind…a wind complete with 40 m.p.h. gusts.

The air was so wild and throbbing it left all of us breathless and feeling as if we could float away weightless in the trembling power of the wind. The wind so harsh and strong it felt like everything would blow away. Even the trees were groaning in despair.

This morning’s sunrise eased the throbbing of the night

Snow arrived whispering to all of us winter is still here. Rubbing the edges of the night— as it faded into day, making the air feel like sandpaper.

All outside work has come to a stop.

(This is an old photo, but I loved her look of wonder. We were taking a train ride to Glenwood Springs, Colorado when I took this.)

One of the pulsing beats of our collective hearts arrived last night to spend the day and night with us. We will take her to Grand Junction, Colorado this afternoon to her violin lessons; afterwhich her Mom will pick her up and take her back to Parachute, Colorado.

Sometimes things come along which are— just the answer to what “to do” when the weather stops work. 🙂

From our world to your heart!

Linda

The Last Cow Count—Sunday, March 5, 2017

Posted on March 5, 2017 by Dayphoto

There are over half now, of little babies on the ground. At least 50 (fifty) visible calves on Friday, more on Saturday—around 60 on last count.

So many it’s hard to keep tabs on who has been counted and who hasn’t!

Our fields, hills, dales, and farm roads are full of cavorting new little ones.

It is now time for the herd to gather up and move down the hill from us. Farming starts tomorrow! Mr. Davis and his daughters and his wife will all arrive on horses and a horse trailer. The trailer is for the brand new little ones who can’t walk far.

Momma cows are very smart and will know exactly where their baby is. Once everyone arrives at the next pasture the momma cows will immediately find their calf and trot off with it. (One way is the Mom keep mooing and hollering the whole time, so the little one knows her voice and where to find her. The calf also answers, so the Mom is well aware of where her child is.)

Although, they won’t go very far, not even half-a-mile— brand new little ones must have time to develop strength in their legs to walk for great distances.

Calf season is quickly drawing to a close. What joy they bring me to brighten the long days of late winter.

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

After the Storm March Arrived—-Thursday, March 2, 2017

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Dayphoto

Yesterday March arrived. The sky cleared and filled with hollow clouds following quickly behind skudding black snow and rain clouds.

The morning sun (yesterday and today) shot the sky with colors worthy of a carnival…the air chilled but intoxicating.

We warmed up to great 45* (7.22222 celsius). The air still enough a candle’s flame would have burned high and steady.

We counted 35 visible calves, plus two cows in the process of having their calf. How many calves were hidden—we will not know until the Mom brings them out of hiding.

Last night the sickle moon glimmered in the star studded sky. The air holding the scent of past snow and ice, and the promise of green and growing things.

Spring (for me) has arrived!

From my world to your heart,

Linda

And Then the Snow and Wind Came—Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Dayphoto

We woke to wind. Howling wind and then the snow started

And it was cold and miserable.

Sigh!

Lots of naps were taken

Lazing around on the sofa

Until some of us became extremely bored and had to do SOMETHING!
So Boomer, Mom and Mindy had to go for a walk. It was just too hard hanging inside all day long.