Go quietly, please, step softly outside
And experience with me— the Life Force of our Earth.
Stand still, empty your mind, and just feel.
It is there everywhere, in every plant, every creature, in the wind, the water,
Everywhere.
Please. I promise you, you won’t be sorry.
From my world to your heart,
Linda
Gone is the time when the days of Summer seem endless
The dark of the night is coming swifter and faster and lasting longer and longer
Still, the days offer amazing delights —sweet little eye-candy treats
The heartbeat of our bird friends on the farm, gifting us with bits and pieces of their lives.
From my world to your heart,
Linda
Common Pheasant….he is a great one to scare a person by squawking and flying up suddenly at your feet 🙂
Hunting, hunting, hunting.
And that wonderful little nymph-like spirit
Called
Hummingbird….riding like a wisp on the currents of our air.
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Our fields are now full of green shoots
(Bird and shadow! I was delighted to get the two together)
The first cutting of alfalfa has occurred in all three fields
Finally, we having truly
Started summer here.
For us…here on the farm
Summer starts with the first cutting of alfalfa, usually around the first of June
Here is another bird shadow–only of the Northern Harrier Hawk
Then Fall begins with the harvest of pinto beans. (Which we don’t raise anymore)
So June, July, August—Summer.
That sweetest time of the year (for me)
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
The last of the Sandhill Cranes left us a day or so ago. Their calls loud and trilling in the air
A Harrier Hawk screams a loud and piercing whistle riding the airwaves in the sky
Oft-Times Smooth and silent
And THEN there is TONTO. Hospitality is NOT his middle name. 🙂
(Although, he is very pretty.)
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Besides stars
My heart feels like the birds
Light up the sky
in a very bright and luminous way. 🙂
There are even those birds (Pheasants) that exploded from the earth into the sky like a thunderclap
These marvelous birds, the Sandhill Cranes, take to the heavens
With loud calls and heavy swooshing of their wings.
These silly girls, do try to lift their wings and fly
They are pretty much as earth-bound as you and I.
Although, when this (Tonto) comes running at you…I can guarantee you wish YOU could fly. 🙂
The hawks’ shadows glided silent and deadly over the earth, their wings as quiet as their shadows.
Flight, the pureness of nature’s glitter.
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
While the farmwork goes on
I took a wee walkabout
Looking for birds (this photo was taken when we still had snow)
The Canada Geese are leaving our area also
They rest in the evening, then lift their mighty wings into the sky come morning
Birds, I love taking photos of birds!
I can never seem to get good ones when they are resting
(Searching for dinner)
Although, I did get a ‘still’ of this Red-Shafted Flicker, while it picked up seeds at my feeder.
Getting the photo was a huge delight!
Spring work, winter birds…it won’t be long now until we start to see SPRING BIRDS!
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
I love feeding the birds.
Each season brings such joy
Watching the birds. 🙂
I suppose it comes with grey hair, and a face lined from passing years
But doing so…feeding and watching the birds.
Helps me see the earth as new and fresh each day.
(This young Red-Winged Blackbird is delighted with this find)
They bring a precious bit of luxury to everyone’s life
Not only to the birds, with the food; to my heart, mind, and soul observing them.
From my world to your heart,
Linda
Chapter Six
After my horrible scare.
And a long, long, long nap in the house.
I decided it was time to get busy on the farm.
I meowed at the door until Mom came and let me out.
Then I headed to the corrals.
Mice…Yum. I need to find mice.
So, I searched here and there and everywhere.
Shoot.
Nothing.
Hummm
But there ARE birds!
BIRDS!
I have to be careful because, if MOM FINDS OUT she will yell at me.
I have to be very, very, sneaky…
S.n.e.a.k.y—-
“Mindy! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Mom yelled at me.
When Mom yelled all the birds flew off.
Mom left and went into the house and left me outside. Well, to be honest, I didn’t want to go inside.
I — and it’s cold.
Oh. This feels nice. Sunshine on the garage door.
Purrrrrr I’ll hang out here for a while.
PURRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Just as I was about to slip into a deep, deep sleep
“MINDY! WAKE-UP!”
My eyes jerked awake, but my mind didn’t.
I saw a squirrel, no I saw TWO squirrels.
Once I realized I saw TWO squirrels my mind woke-up.
“Stewart, Stanley, what’s up?”
“Come to the woodpile and play with us,” Stewart exclaimed.
“Boomer isn’t here,
but you are –let’s go scamper all over the woodpile together. Don’t you think it’s time you had fun instead of always patrolling the farmyard?” Stanley asked me.
I pondered for a spell, a little spell.
“YES! Let’s go.” I replied.
Off we went, around the corner of the barn, passed the fenced off equipment, (to keep the cows from rubbing on them), and On to the WOOD PILE.
We ran, we jumped, we hid and then chased each other…up down, under around.
We were just getting a tad tired when DAD showed up.
Scram! The squirrel brothers were gone!
I also scrammed running toward Dad so I could get a pet or two.
Purrrr, roll in the dirt, purr, happiness.
Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed by this whole awful year
I head out onto the land looking for things
Which fill my soul with a velvety quiet
Watching for the dense and deep quiet
That is almost sacred…
Watching for the ripple in the air which signifies delight
Joy
A buoyant ripple
More than peace, happiness
Beauty untold.
From my world to your heart,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 