Birthdays are always special days and today, with a brisk coastal breeze causing Old Glory and the Union Jack to billow high above the barnyard and a warm Spring sun bathing the pastures in it's golden light, we celebrated Jim's birthday. Jim has earned his place in our extended Ranch family and we were happy to be able to share his special day. The 10 o'clock break in the barn kitchen, famous for it's Costco blueberry muffins and home baked cookies had a surprise waiting for our unsuspecting birthday boy. I had baked a cake...with vanilla frosting and fresh strawberries....I had baked a cake and it came out of the tin easily and it wasn't burnt. It was Jim's birthday cake and it was SO appreciated. Sometimes little actions mean SO much. Happy birthday Jim and welcome to our family.
Little Luke our wanna be Australian Shepherd is on a diet.....and Luke is not a happy dog. Previously, Bran the border collie and little Luke had open access to an abundant feast of canine Super Premium delicacies.....sadly little Luke is no longer "little" Luke and thanks to a colossal appetite that far exceeds his not so colossal body frame, not so little Luke is restricted to eating according to his size....NOT a happy puppy dog !!......."this hurts me far more than it hurts you" comes to mind. Sorry Mr. Luke.
The Gentle Giant flock of sheep have become accustomed to their new grassy pasture. Each day, road blocks are erected across the ranch road and each day, our woolly ovine family eagerly traverses the rocky road to the hillside meadow beside the ranch pond. Clearly....our barn schedule has to be re considered. Just as the road blocks were erected, just as Chance Alice and Baby Doll were trembling at the starting gate, just as a deranged Bran the Border Collie was poised to chase.....a neighbor's SUV appeared, frantic mom in the driver's seat, counting moments 'till the arrival of the school bus.... happily unconcerned child, counting sheep when suddenly.....all that was done was undone. Road blocks were un blocked...the ranch gates were abruptly slammed shut,.....Chance, Alice, Baby Doll and the other woolly members of the sheep family screeched to a halt and our last minute SUV made it to the bus stop on time..barely. The "ladies" and their chubby offspring eventually crossed, without incident into the pond pasture and spent the day grazing unconcerned by human schedules. We however will forever in the future be aware of the impending arrival of the big yellow school bus and it's impact on the ranch. activities.
Well, the rain that was anticipated, the big heavy grey clouds forecast by MJ, Fox 13's weather guru have sadly not appeared and the ground is still dusty and dry. The sun lover in me appreciates the early Spring warmth but the ambient rancher knows that the earth needs the rain to make the grass and crops grow. I guess either way it is all good. From an unseasonably warm, dry Pacific North West, take care, keep safe, M
Little Luke our wanna be Australian Shepherd is on a diet.....and Luke is not a happy dog. Previously, Bran the border collie and little Luke had open access to an abundant feast of canine Super Premium delicacies.....sadly little Luke is no longer "little" Luke and thanks to a colossal appetite that far exceeds his not so colossal body frame, not so little Luke is restricted to eating according to his size....NOT a happy puppy dog !!......."this hurts me far more than it hurts you" comes to mind. Sorry Mr. Luke.
The Gentle Giant flock of sheep have become accustomed to their new grassy pasture. Each day, road blocks are erected across the ranch road and each day, our woolly ovine family eagerly traverses the rocky road to the hillside meadow beside the ranch pond. Clearly....our barn schedule has to be re considered. Just as the road blocks were erected, just as Chance Alice and Baby Doll were trembling at the starting gate, just as a deranged Bran the Border Collie was poised to chase.....a neighbor's SUV appeared, frantic mom in the driver's seat, counting moments 'till the arrival of the school bus.... happily unconcerned child, counting sheep when suddenly.....all that was done was undone. Road blocks were un blocked...the ranch gates were abruptly slammed shut,.....Chance, Alice, Baby Doll and the other woolly members of the sheep family screeched to a halt and our last minute SUV made it to the bus stop on time..barely. The "ladies" and their chubby offspring eventually crossed, without incident into the pond pasture and spent the day grazing unconcerned by human schedules. We however will forever in the future be aware of the impending arrival of the big yellow school bus and it's impact on the ranch. activities.
Well, the rain that was anticipated, the big heavy grey clouds forecast by MJ, Fox 13's weather guru have sadly not appeared and the ground is still dusty and dry. The sun lover in me appreciates the early Spring warmth but the ambient rancher knows that the earth needs the rain to make the grass and crops grow. I guess either way it is all good. From an unseasonably warm, dry Pacific North West, take care, keep safe, M
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