So, it's another dreary Monday here in the Pacific North West. With apologies to the East Coast who would possibly (undoubtedly !) trade in their snow and ice for our endless rain.....I'm still going to grumble, just a little. We have had record rainfall already this month, our sleepy creeks are raging white waters and the waterline has teetered on the banks threatening flooding fields and the road. ...but Greg is smiling. His flood prevention scheme through the Summer, aided and abetted by family ( digging holes and filling them in) and our WWOOFER volunteers ( digging more holes and filling them in) have held, the rain falls incessantly but the fields are draining and, as planned, the ditches are full. Thanks guys !!
It's fun having Emily and Tyler around. Some kids go to play on a warm sunny sandy tropical beaches, our two friends are spending their Spring Break here on the ranch and so far have traded their beach wear for rubber boots and rain suits with apparently no regrets.
When you are a tall 5 foot 9 inches, Lady the big Shire mare looks big, when you are a tiny 5 foot nothing(ish), Lady must be ENORMOUS but size is clearly not an issue for Emily and from feeding and grooming to leading out to the pasture, our young WWOOFER has been happy to be dwarfed by our equine giant. Sadly there have been no outstanding blog bloopers which always help to inspire my literary brain download but happily the camera has managed to capture many of the happy moments and experiences that can't be found on the beach.....in the warm tropical sunshine. The girls have succeeded in making mucking out the cow pen look like fun and all around the ranch our rubber booted volunteers are making sure that they get the optimum experience from their alternative Spring Break. During a welcome break in the clouds a stray ray of sunshine gave the girls a dry window of time to have a tractor driving lesson.....out in the pasture...well away from the barns, the fences and the livestock ! Clearly the lesson was a success, both trainees were still smiling, Greg didn't have a nervous melt meltdown and the tractor remains in one piece and serviceable. Under threatening clouds the grapes had a manicure ( to ensure that we have a nice healthy yield of juicy grapes for the deer to dine on. grrrrr !!!)and the trees had a trim. Boughs from the cedar trees have been arranged in the turkey house to encourage Tom's harem to commence laying. Our intention is to hatch our own heritage turkeys again this year. Clearly Tom the turkey is ready able and very willing but the ladies are holding out. Hopefully a cozy nest in the turkey boudoir will incite something akin to enthusiasm in the turkey hens.
I have been timed out again...enjoy the photos as much as we have. Life is good !!
Take care, keep safe (and dry !). M