We are having SO much fun with this language “thing”…between the "Queens English" ( big brother John) my "sort of "Queens English, liberally interspersed with the odd Americanism translation (cookie/biscuit, faucet/tap….garbage/ rubbish), Greg’s varying mixture of Chicago'n and Montanan, Quatra's pure Californian/Seattlite and Camille’s native French there is never a dull moment. Conversations inevitably are a mixture of arm waving, charades, jumping up and down and scratching of heads, when all translation options are exhausted…out comes the dictionary, why didn't we think of that first ?. What has come as a revelation is how many words sound alike but are so different when you add a little French dressing…( horse and house come to mind)… and what a reminder that a smile can break down any international barriers. Camille has effortlessly integrated into this multi national household and we look forward to the month she will be here.
Big brother John is back at work, complete with silly hat and ear phones…he hasn’t exactly shared his aversion to Country Music but it would appear that almost any other genre of noise is preferable to my Jim Reeves and George Strait. When the back police evict me from the barn after my frustratingly insignificant efforts to do what I used to do best, I believe that Rock music quickly replaces the dulcet tones of the country crooners. John is currently industriously rebuilding and restoring order to the wood pile, coincidently, restoring the wood pile also means building and pulling apart, a recurring theme for our uncomplaining ( at least..not to us !!) helper.
Quatre has been constructing a frame to block up a hole into the barn loft. All was apparently going very well until the “hole grew” which consequently made the plank of wood she had cut a little short. Don’t you just hate it when a hole grows !!?? Quatre is back to work on the project today and you can be sure that our long term WOOFER will make that plank fit.
Camille and Greg have also been busy. Camille, unfamiliar with drills appeared to be having difficulty with her allocated mission. Perched on top of a seemingly endless ladder it was difficult to spot the problem until Greg went up to check. Poor Camille, the drill had apparently “put itself” into reverse mode, foiling our frustrated but still smilingly enthusiastic French WOOFER. A quick switch adjustment and the project is nearing completion.
Thanks team !!
The horses sheep and cows can smell Spring in the air even if the current weather conditions belie the immanent change of seasons. The sweet lush Spring grass is starting to grow and sadly and invariably the choicest picks are on the wrong side of the fence ( or being munched on by the visiting goose colony that is squatting in the horse’s Summer pasture). Spring can cause the most docile horse to have a disposition transplant and yesterday Lady proved that she isn’t beyond behaving like a delinquent. Zinny the little chestnut pony mare was leaving the pasture, grimly hanging on to her lead rope, her young owner tried to steer her past a particularly enticing blade of grass when Lady, ever the opportunist spotted the chance for a break out. Seeing her pasture mate taking advantage of temptation, Zinny wasn’t going to allow the spring grass to go un-sampled regardless of her poor young handler’s valiant efforts to restrain her. Both horses thought all their Christmas’s had come at once and planted themselves firmly and resolutely, wishful of an extended break for freedom. Not happening !! An eviction order was instantaneous and from all corners of the barn helpers arrived to ensure the offenders were quickly back under control.
It would seem that the remainder of the USA is currently enjoying record high temperatures and it would appear that yesterday, around the nation the sun was shining. Needless to say, here in the Pacific North West we aren’t enjoying sunshine and the only record we are breaking is how many varying types of weather we can possibly experience in one day. We had rain, wind hail snow…oh and the sun did manage to peep out from a big black storm cloud at least once. It was challenging for man and beast but by the time a weary team settled for dinner all was forgotten and weary WOOFERS, confident all the horses and livestock were warm and dry, safely in the barn, settled for the end of another day.
Time to go, not quite sure what I’m going to do but I’m sure I’ll find some trouble…somewhere, somehow. Take care, keep safe. M
Big brother John is back at work, complete with silly hat and ear phones…he hasn’t exactly shared his aversion to Country Music but it would appear that almost any other genre of noise is preferable to my Jim Reeves and George Strait. When the back police evict me from the barn after my frustratingly insignificant efforts to do what I used to do best, I believe that Rock music quickly replaces the dulcet tones of the country crooners. John is currently industriously rebuilding and restoring order to the wood pile, coincidently, restoring the wood pile also means building and pulling apart, a recurring theme for our uncomplaining ( at least..not to us !!) helper.
Quatre has been constructing a frame to block up a hole into the barn loft. All was apparently going very well until the “hole grew” which consequently made the plank of wood she had cut a little short. Don’t you just hate it when a hole grows !!?? Quatre is back to work on the project today and you can be sure that our long term WOOFER will make that plank fit.
Camille and Greg have also been busy. Camille, unfamiliar with drills appeared to be having difficulty with her allocated mission. Perched on top of a seemingly endless ladder it was difficult to spot the problem until Greg went up to check. Poor Camille, the drill had apparently “put itself” into reverse mode, foiling our frustrated but still smilingly enthusiastic French WOOFER. A quick switch adjustment and the project is nearing completion.
Thanks team !!
The horses sheep and cows can smell Spring in the air even if the current weather conditions belie the immanent change of seasons. The sweet lush Spring grass is starting to grow and sadly and invariably the choicest picks are on the wrong side of the fence ( or being munched on by the visiting goose colony that is squatting in the horse’s Summer pasture). Spring can cause the most docile horse to have a disposition transplant and yesterday Lady proved that she isn’t beyond behaving like a delinquent. Zinny the little chestnut pony mare was leaving the pasture, grimly hanging on to her lead rope, her young owner tried to steer her past a particularly enticing blade of grass when Lady, ever the opportunist spotted the chance for a break out. Seeing her pasture mate taking advantage of temptation, Zinny wasn’t going to allow the spring grass to go un-sampled regardless of her poor young handler’s valiant efforts to restrain her. Both horses thought all their Christmas’s had come at once and planted themselves firmly and resolutely, wishful of an extended break for freedom. Not happening !! An eviction order was instantaneous and from all corners of the barn helpers arrived to ensure the offenders were quickly back under control.
It would seem that the remainder of the USA is currently enjoying record high temperatures and it would appear that yesterday, around the nation the sun was shining. Needless to say, here in the Pacific North West we aren’t enjoying sunshine and the only record we are breaking is how many varying types of weather we can possibly experience in one day. We had rain, wind hail snow…oh and the sun did manage to peep out from a big black storm cloud at least once. It was challenging for man and beast but by the time a weary team settled for dinner all was forgotten and weary WOOFERS, confident all the horses and livestock were warm and dry, safely in the barn, settled for the end of another day.
Time to go, not quite sure what I’m going to do but I’m sure I’ll find some trouble…somewhere, somehow. Take care, keep safe. M
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