A Little Update — March 30, 2014

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Dayphoto

Since I’ve had lots of emails asking how my foot is doing (which I THANK YOU for asking 🙂 ) I thought I would show you.

It is ever so much better. (Yes, I have an old ladies foot, because I am an old lady 🙂 )

The bottom is healed, and only hurts if I stand on the ball of my foot or try to tippy-toes to reach something. Strangely the worst part has been the top of my foot. See that little bump? That is where the nail stopped…not going clear through which is nice.

Everyday it is better and really only slowed me down the first four days. I had to use a cane for two of those days…what a slow process that is-waling with a cane!

Still I would NOT recommend anyone going through this.

Now onto ‘funner’ things.

The apricot trees are blooming and alive with the sound of Honey Bees!

Beautiful!

I like to stand under the tree and smell the blossoms and hear the bees singing their thankfulness.

I have no idea if we will have any apricots this year. They usually get frozen or a mean bully wind comes up and trashes the blooms. When I grew up in an orchard (my grandparent’s house and my parent’s house were in the middle of the orchards) both my beloved Grandfather and my wonderful Dad said apricots were really hard to grow here and get a crop. It seemed like every nine years, or so, you could get a crop—the reason is they bloom so early. They are the FIRST of the fruit trees to bloom, therefore subject to destroying wind and killing freezes.

Still they are a gift to a winter weary bee and a human’s soul!

Your friend,

Linda

A Bad Wind— March 27, 2014

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Dayphoto

It was just two days ago we had a fun, playful, wind…more than a breeze; way too much to fly a kit. A wind that I enjoyed.

Yesterday we had a bad wind…a very persistent wind full of trash and leaves, dirt and ugly dark clouds.

The hands of the wind flipped tree branches and slapped things together to make a huge LOUD wind. We even lost power for a spell.

The trash blew all over the yard, the roads, and the fields like escaped animals from the zoo.

A regular Bully wind!

March is known as the blustery month…and so it ’tis. Then comes April. April can be cold and chilly with lots of rain, but it can also be sumptuous with color breaking forth in a riot of colors.

Only a few more days to go and we will see April. Hopefully all of those in the east who are still have January weather will also burst forth into warmth in April. Also, hopefully, the rains will come to California and the arid southwest!

Hopefully!

Linda

The View from Upstairs — March 26, 2014

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Dayphoto

Yesterday was such a busy day I had a hard time getting everything done. I was upstairs finishing up some things on the computer, working feverishly to bring completion to some projects that have been in limbo for some time.

Gradually the day started to end, the sun sinking behind the rim of the Uncompahgre (un-come-pah-gray — accent on the pah) Plateau lighting up the canyons that border Highway 50 –Escalante, Dominguez, and others. Thinking I had better get up and turn on a light I raised my eyes from the computer to see a stunning play of shadows and sun rays spilling across the yard and into the fields.

I grabbed my camera and headed toward the alcove window, allowing the sinking sun to send healing light to my eyes and my head.

As I sat there watching I saw Sammy-Sam hunting along the canal bank…what a good hunter he is. In January he turn 13 years old and still does his kitty duty. Last fall Sammy ate something that made him very, very ill. He must have eaten something that either was poisoned or very sick itself. Since that time Sammy has been a little on the fragile side.

As I watched two late straggler Canada Geese settled down on the old corn field to spend the night. They settled into a soft little spot in the dip in the ground fluffing up their feathers for a night of rest.

The earth, the sky and the things that live all around us are amazing, really. It is up to us to stop…look…listen…to be aware. If we do these things then we become one with all, desiring to be good stewards of these wondrous gifts.

Your friend,

Linda

The Wind Season—March 25, 2014

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Dayphoto

We are getting closer and closer to that season of wind.

Our wind…the wind that plays and frolics on our farm, or that mighty wind that wrecks the havoc of a huge giant, or that hot summer wind a remnant of a dragon’s breath all arrives to our mesa from the Uncompaghre Plateau (Un-come-pah-gray—accent on the pah).

Storms moving in The ancient Uncompaghre Plateau catches and gathers the wind from Utah, allowing the wind to caress and stimulate the vegetation in the forests and canyons which make up it’s amazingly weird geology. Once any storm-wind, snow, rain, or all three together, makes its way to Hay Stack Mountain, it will be upon us in about 15 to 20 minutes. If you are out on the ditch bank, or at the Upper End, or in the fields of the Back Forty…you know that whatever is at Hay Stack Mountain you are going to experience it soon.

Yesterday we had a wind…but it was a playful wind, whisking across the open fields in little gusty puffs. Reaching into the yard it took my trash in the wheel barrow and mischievously flung it a little further out so I had to go pick it back up and weight it down until I could get the load dumped.

It also was a chilly wind, but not so cold I had to wear a coat. The little compact air spot between the wind gusts was actually almost hot if you were working in it. So I worked with out coat, shivered when the gust came along, warmed up, then cooled down all afternoon.

I enjoyed myself immensely!

I’m one of those strange and rare people who actually enjoys the wind. (Although I do draw the line of pleasure with a wild and reckless wind). My poor Momma had a hard time with the wind…it made her nervous…fed upon her mind and rocked her peace. Like lightening and thunder does to some dogs, all children, and some adults.

I can remember as a child tying old black plastic, from last year’s ensilage pits, onto my wrists and ankles. Then standing in the wind, turning this way and that……………..I became a kite!

Wind season is almost here…yesterday was pleasant. I know there are Bully Winds out there just waiting to gather strength and soil from the neighboring states to descend upon us. Persistently sifting top soil here and there and everywhere.

I can wait—I’m not ready for those winds. But yesterday’s wind was a fun exuberant wind that I truly enjoyed!

Your friend,

Linda

Today is Yard Work — March 24, 2014

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Dayphoto

Every day we move closer and closer to the time of what I call ‘true’ spring. A time when all the trees are bursting forth with either leaves or flowers, the grass is green, truly green-not a brown clump with a hint of green hiding within it. And the fall planted bulbs are in full bloom sending spots of color here and there.

To me ‘true’ spring is when everything is ramp-up into full-throttle of leaves and blossoms: peonies, lilacs, pansies, tulips, daffodils, all the lovely happy riot of color so missing since the last hurrah of the autumn leaves.

Just the thought of what is to come makes me feel giddy.

But for now, today, I rejoice in the sprigs of green I find growing here and there, lovingly remove the leaf litter around the hedges and shrubs, clean off the flower beds to uncover the new growth of Iris. Not too soon.

Not too soon. In our high mountain desert if I uncover things to quickly they will dry out, wither and die. But soon….April 1st we will have water in the canal, which will give me water in our yard. So I am getting ready…raking here and there, setting up fallen bricks and stones, preparing for that day when everything bursts forth.

Today I’m working in my yard. The stuff I help with on the farm is now put-by and Terry can do the tractor work. The continual boredom that winter creates in me is now gone, fleeing quickly in the path of the March wind.

The dogs and Sam the Cat will follow me about as I rake and load the wheelbarrows, walk to the compost area, walk back, they will gradually get tired of going back and forth and just stay at the spot I’m working and wait patiently as I walk back and forth.

I off now to get my housework done so I can go outside and start all the fun yard work.

Have a good day everyone!

Your farm friend,

Linda

A Lovely Spring Day March 23, 2014

Posted on March 23, 2014 by Dayphoto

After a nasty cold blustery day yesterday we woke-up to a lovely early spring day this morning.

Just perfect!

Yesterday Terry and I (and Boomer–Fuzzy stayed out the house and rested) — got the very last of the pipe put into the ditch and the pipe covered back up. Two days of hard, intense work, but we made it! Sure is a nice feeling.

(I loved how the sun captured the dust)

After supper Terry went back out and rolled for a couple of hours. He has a few more acres to roll, but he is gaining on that project as well.

My foot is healing…slowly, but surely. The swelling has gone down enough I can see where the nail went in and where it came out. Night is the worst, but by morning I can get to going again.

I thank all of you who have written to ask how I am doing.

The worst of the HUGE projects are now starting to get done. This time of year is always the hardest. For ranchers the hardest is when they start calving (at least I think it would be the hardest)….for us it is the late winter/early spring— get the ground ready to start water and to plant. Of course once you plant you have the concern of getting the seed up and making sure it gets a good start. Deadlines, deadlines…in any job any place anywhere, it is always the deadlines. Nine days and the water is supposed to be in the canal. Nine days left to get the ground ready to start water….

If ‘the creek don’t rise and the wind don’t blow’ (as my beloved maternal grandfather used to say) We will make it! (Is there a song like that out there somewhere, seems like there is.)

Anyway…today is lovely!

Your friend on a western Colorado farm,

Linda

Just for Fun March 20, 2014

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Dayphoto

Yesterday, Fuzzy, Boomer and I took a walk about…I needed to get out and do something..Fuzzy needed some exercise and Boomer really wanted to go check out some smells.

Once out on the land I thought it would be a fun little sidebar trip to show you the difference in plowed and rolled land.This is what plowing does to the land. These huge clumps of dirt are horrible to walk in–I’ve had to chase many an escaped animal through these cliffs of soil. They have a way of slowing you down. One nice thing about slowing you down, is they also slow down the sheep, goat, cow or horse that is making their way through them.

Then the roller comes along and smashes everything–now it’s easy to walk on the land again. It won’t stay this way long as the next steps have to move along quickly so we can be ready to start water around the first of April.

A person could NOT plant anything in here, the soil would not sub and the seed couldn’t get a hold, but all the humus is now turned under to start rotting. Adding to the richness of the soil and giving more food to the plants.

The dogs and I checked some of the work that effect us…cleaning out the ditches! Huge job. I much rather clean out the cement ditches than the gated pipes though.

Then we looked at the alfalfa field — its starting to green up nicely.

In about an hour I need to head up to where Terry is working with the back hoe. He is having a trench dug for the very last of the transmission pipe to our place. After we get that in place we will have all our transmission/distribution pipes underground–less weeds, less loss to subbing and evaporation.

My foot is coming along nicely. I did too much yesterday, but after a good night’s rest I’m able to use it again. Sure wasn’t a good time of the year to get a hurt.

Off now to head up to the ditch!
Your farm friend,

Linda

Endings—-March 19, 2014

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Dayphoto

The storm left last night….pushing itself up and over the mountains in the north and the north east…the setting sun cast lovely lights of pink as the rain or snow showers played across the foothills

Terry worked late plowing.

When it comes to the soil everything has to come together in a perfect dance….right now the soil is ideal for creating soft malleable soil. Time is of the essence….plow up the land, let it freeze then go back in with the roller, smash the plowed dirt, then run the disk over it so it’s all nice and soft, but also firm. Capable of holding water. Then mark out the furrows.

After which we will pre-irrigate…wait one week, then plant.

The irrigation water will start down our canal April 1st. The onion farmers have already asked for water and have received it this week.

Winter is ending. (Thankfully) We may have more snow and we will have more wind, but the ground is saying NOW. Now is the time to prepare for planting.

So for Now the ending of our last storm has happened. The soil is perfect for farming.

Today is cold, but clear with a hint of the true Spring yet to come.

Your friend,

Linda

Right on Time— March 18, 2014

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Dayphoto

We had a pretty amazing wind yesterday. Ripped the plastic off my chicken house pen, flung some of the lawn stuff here and there. The weather people said the wind would come up at noon and die down around nine in the evening. They were close…the wind came up about one o’clock and died sometime way after I went to be around ten.

Yesterday morning we had this

Yep!

There are always those who think they must burn….always.

That afternoon we had dust and smoke and wind, mixed with some clouds coming in from the west. You can still see some of the smoke drifting around in the hollow just below our mesa.

Sigh!

So far nothing on our farm burned and as far as I can tell no one around us lost anything. I did hear the firetrucks go out in the late afternoon. Thank Heaven for the Volunteer Firemen!

Poor old Fuzz-Dude about blew away. He also was a huge magnate for all the trash that was flying in the air.

It’s still blowing today. It also looks like storms are playing around in the mountains. Storms made up of rain.

Wind is so very important to help the plants bring the sap up from the roots that I work really hard with myself to not get too carried away with Not Liking the Wind. I even have been known to stand out in it and pretend I know what kite feels like. For today, we have a sap rising wind, a few very cold storms and a small cold front which leaves tonight sometime.

I hope you all have a good day….

Your Western Colorado Farm Friend,

Linda

Saint Patrick’s Day– March 17, 2014

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Dayphoto

Our morning dawned all pink and rosy with highlights of yellow which quickly disappeared into a thick veil of clouds. The weather guys are saying that a huge wind to come in by noon today and stay well past nine o’clock tonight. This huge wind is supposed to have gusts around 45-55 m.p.h. Bringing with it a cold front for tomorrow.

Now that the weather people have warned us…I’ll just bet the fire departments will be busy with those individuals that think a little wind can’t hurt if you burn your ditch….burn off your field…or burn your garden patch. Heck, a little wind will just help things move along nicely!

fire-22

We have entered the ‘fire season’ here. (that says it all—so I shall stop here and not continue, enough said, so speak.)

(The above photos are from the fire which was started several miles from us and ran through our place two years ago)

My foot is healing…still swollen and hard to walk on, but the redness is gone. Healing is progressing nicely. I thank all of you for your comments and concern for my health, it does mean a lot.

Today is traditionally my day (and maybe others) to plant English garden peas and Sweet flowering Peas. These plants love cooler weather, so putting the seeds in the ground now always make for nice eating later in the late spring/early summer. And lovely blooms for the early summer table. But I shall not be doing so this year.

Today is also the day for celebrating the Irish in us. And today everyone has a little Irish in them! 🙂 🙂

Sadly the Irish were the poorest of all immigrant groups that arrived in the United States in the nineteenth century (1800’s) , and many women especially suffered as a result of being abandoned or widowed. It’s nice we have moved a long way from those times!

My maiden name is Doyle…all my life I have heard that we were Irish. I have not found when my Doyle lineage arrived in America. I do have my Doyle family line to 1775 Ohio. So I guess I can take a little bit of Irish upon myself as the surname Doyle IS a true Irish name, sometime after the Danish Vikings landed. (Say with tongue in cheek 🙂 )

Therefore, I wish upon all of you a very Irish Day!

Your Friend,
Linda