Shadows looking like bruises—shimmering in the ice cold winter sun.
Wrapping our bodies and all structures in shafts of non-light creates shifting realities.
“Silently, like thoughts that come and go, the snowflakes fall, each one a gem. The whitened air conceals all earthly space, and leaves to memory the space to fill.”–William Hamilton Gibson
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Purrrfect!
TLC
On October 2, 2022, Jason brought in a semi-load of firewood.
Enough firewood for Shannon, Terry, and I, and Cliff and Kimberly.
We kept working on it for four months.
Two to three pickup loads a day
It was a long, gradual process
Bruce came out and helped one full day—sure was a lovely gift.
Terry cut. I loaded. Then we unloaded. Some with us, some with Shannon.
With Cliff and Kimberly, we hauled their amount to their house—which helped shrink the pile
We MADE! IT! DONE!!!
Last load to the house!
YAY!
Now the only thing left is the splitting of the wood.
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
By the end of February Dad is getting pretty excited to start farming. Why even some of the other farmers…the BIG GUYS… have started. It all depends on the frost in the ground, or not in the ground.
Dad and Mom have been busy ‘doing stuff’ most of January and most of February. This stuff usually consists of whatever it takes to make the FARMING SEASON go smooth.
Sometime in late March or April, the Apricot trees will start to bloom.
Mom says LATE APRIL, please. If you must bloom make it LATE APRIL!
You see there are still many, many cold nights and days that kill things that burst forth into robustious blooms.
A cold snap (or a terrible freeze) doesn’t seem to hurt the trees or the leaves (or lack thereof) on the trees, but it does take a huge whack out of the blossoms!
First, there are lovely sweet-smelling flowers and BAM! They are brown and dead and fall off the trees.
Of course, that also means there is no fruit to can later on.
Anyway, by the time March comes roaring in (we hope it roars in not out)
Mom and Dad are farming—
Which isn’t weather, but still…it is SPRING!
TLC Cai-Cai
Even in the middle of winter
There is always so much to do.
Just ask T’Ata and Glory B…
Scattering Sandhill Cranes is just ONE of those fun things to do. 🙂
Your friend on western Colorado farm,
Linda
A little shadow of a ringed-neck dove
The sound of large wings swooshing through the air
Watching the big birds landing
I love the calls ringing across the land
Rare that the cranes and geese mix, but they do
Their songs streaming though-out the trees
My heart lifts with them as they fly up, up, up
I love hiding so I can sneak up while they are pecking on the seeds
So I sing to you the song
Of the winter sky!
From my world to your heart,
Linda
(I am posting some older photos today)
The geese are now living next to us in droves…um, rather huge flocks! I just love it.
The Sandhill Cranes are also in massive flocks behind our house in last years cornfield.
I have been seeing small flocks of Bluebirds…wonderful little bits of sky announcing spring is almost here. They will leave our area as the days and nights get warmer.
Then for the last few days I have been seeing flocks of Western Meadow Larks rushing about along the fence lines looking for left over seeds to eat.
What a joy this transission time is: 
The sounds of birds large and small, swift and colorful, gossiping and talking as they gather themselves for flights to the north, or come winging in from the south.
All the while taking one season with them, or bringing in another season as they arrive.
This is such a magical time, a herald of the marvel called Change.
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Rita from CountryGirl-LifeontheFarm sent me two lovely photos of the wonderful Cardinals she has visiting. Here is what she says: “We have several pairs this winter and I’ve heard that when you have a cardinal there’s angels watching over you. I’ll send you a couple more of the pictures I took over the weekend.”
We don’t have cardinals here so seeing these lovely brilliant red birds in real life, must be a feast for the eyes.
And to think the Angels have sent them as messengers is an even lovelier thought!
Thank you, Rita for sharing with me and with my blog friends!
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
Our air started chilling down on Saturday night…growing thick with mystery and the promise of snow. The gray-pink clouds began enfolding the earth, as the sun set assuring us of a blanket white enchantment.
Sunday the snow started falling; winter’s promise was still alive.
Terry and I spent Sunday warm and safe. Although, a little on the bored side.
Boomer and I took a wee walk in the soft, muffled air. Boomer doesn’t really walk with me, there is always so much more to see and do than stay right by my side. Of course, now that cows are here he tends to not drift TOO far away!
Waking on the farm is to walk to the sound of silence — for even the cows are quiet in the falling snow.
Walking is satisfying, getting outside is delicious.
Monday morning the snow was thick and lush and rich. As I shoveled the snow off the sidewalks there was only my footprints, Boomer’s and the cats! (I enjoyed being the only human foot prints in the yard. 🙂 )
Snow! That gift of water for the spring, summer and fall!
Your friend on a western Colorado farm,
Linda
It’s cloudy here! Even foggy. And cold! So in this part of the world it looks like we are heading toward a early Spring!
YAY!!!! Doing the happy dance here! Spring is always a welcome arrival.
The heavy clouds made their way in last night, flowing toward us from the Durango area. Although, the Uncompahgre (Un-come-pah-gray) Plateau looked clear, the setting sun flung this amazing red and hot pink color upon the gathering storm clouds.
This stunning HOT color is very unusual this time of year!
Normally the clouds are a pale wash of color; albeit still beautiful!
I have no idea WHY we are seeing this dark hue this time of year—it doesn’t matter because not matter what…I always love the sky!
Off now to haul more logs and to rake bark and twigs and chips…the cows come Wednesday or Thursday so we must get a move on!
Your Friend,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 