A Little Sunday Walk-about

Meteorological Spring…March 1^st…a time of transition and renewal…

It seems appropriate to post a walkabout today after months and months of silence. Turning the calendar page is always a point of reflection, an opportunity for change. While I would like to say that we’re knee-deep in new projects and I’m making great progress on that oft-mentioned book project, we seem to have been stuck in some weird limbo state where we’re just caught waiting…and waiting…  and, quite honestly, I’m not quite certain WHY we are waiting…or for what. We’re just stuck.

first sunrise of 2020

Personally, I would welcome a little transition and renewal, I’ve been mired in my annual February funk, https://barbarawomack.com/february-funk/  This year was complicated by cataract surgeries and continued fibromyalgia issues. https://barbarawomack.com/all-in-your-head/ With surgery/recovery behind me and a new approach to pain, it is definitely time to move on.  I know I’m not the only one who has had struggles, (I saw a friend yesterday who has suffered devastating losses on two separate Februarys) so maybe we can heave a collective sigh of relief and look forward to something new.

Meteorological Spring seems like a good time to embrace that. 

(and, here are a few sunrise shots for good measure)

Not much has happened here on the hill since I last posted. But, then again…much has changed.

this view is pretty much the same as the first time we ever saw this place
way back in March 1997

early morning chore-time is still the same

so is the cat awaiting treats by the back door

this is new
I have a whole entourage when I go to collect packages at the lane
OTIS and Karma always go along
sometimes, Otis even dances!

Winter weather never really materialized. We had one measurable snowfall. ONE (which honestly has me wondering what March will bring…) The rest of the time it’s been wet, really wet and warm(ish).  There have been relatively few brutally cold days, although enough for me (and numerous others) to complain. The woodstove is warm and wonderful, but it means the rest of the house is cold…too cold for comfort. Lured by the warmth and comfort, my productivity tanks. The cat and I have an ongoing struggle to see who gets to claim the recliner. I’m fairly certain Remy will rejoice when warmer weather lures me outside and she can nap in my chair in relative peace and to her heart’s content.

I won! I got the chair!
But, it was a hollow victory...
she sat behind my head and pulled my hair

Pretty snow scenes

But, the mild weather meant that lambing season was far easier than some…no hourly checks in the middle of the night because of frigid temperatures…HURRAH! We did have one disastrous birthing experience where mom and babies were lost…but, that had nothing to do with the weather. These things just happen sometimes. (It has taken 20 years for me to be able to accept that without beating myself up for days afterwards---so, progress)  The rest of the lambs are growing nicely and it even looks like the hay supply might hold out until the grass comes in. Processing dates have been scheduled and we’re already fielding requests for lamb chops.  The farm isn’t done yet!

apparently it happens in every species!

very misty morning

this looks like trouble

oh, the cuteness!

he looks sleepy

little sisters

nitey-night!

The whole down-sizing thing is just plain weird. This was the first February in nearly 15 years that we weren’t rushing to get broiler chicks started in the brooder and making worried phonecalls wondering if the seed potato shipment had gotten lost or frozen somewhere along the way. The seed order was so small it was laughable. (really, we are still laughing) No one seems to understand WHY we chose to change up what we’re doing…or WHAT else we could possibly do… And, frankly, sometimes I wonder myself. WHO am I—are we-- without the Farmers’ Market? Food for thought, much thought, no doubt.

a new project in the works

I wrote some time ago about being mindful of what’s around us…not being so caught up in the doing that we/I overlook what is all around us. https://barbarawomack.com/a-little-mindfulness-walking/  You never know what you might see! And, maybe somewhere along the way we will find our new purpose and direction…

a hawk flew into the front window
(he was okay)

backyard birdwatching
Bluejay

bittersweet

breezy cardinal

full moon through the trees

the deer come to visit most every morning

this time they left a little something behind

heading out to graze at sunrise
(can you believe this was late December?)

frozen rosehips

spent garlic chive seedhead

after he dried off
he flew away
(the chickens were most relieved)

weather coming in at sunset

crescent moon behind the trees

morning glory seeds in the sunlight

muskrat Suzie...or is it Sam? (dating myself here) at the creek

nuthatch

sparrow

titmouse

even the driveway puddles are starting to look like Spring!

So, on this first day of meteorological spring, I hope you can look past the worrisome news, the troubling and divisive times and find something to point you toward transition and renewal as well.

Happy Sunday! 

 

All the best from Gus and Karma!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you will “visit” us again.