There is something very wrong when the barn thermometer reads close to 60 degrees and the calendar reads mid January. The Spring bulbs have multiplied and crocus, daffodils, bluebells and Lilly of the Valley have sprouted from the unseasonably warm earth. The birds in the naked branches of dormant Maple and Alder trees are prematurely singing their courting songs. Our newly acquired Jostaberry Bush (allegedly a cross between a blackcurrant and a gooseberry) has begun to sprout.... despite being a favored designated spot for both Bran the Border Collie and Luke the "wanna be" Australian Shephard to cock a hind leg and take a territorial pee. On the still waters of the ranch pond, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard have somehow discarded the reserve male that was expectantly lurking just beyond Mr. Mallards possessive reach. Clearly, avian homesteading is in progress deep within the protective evergreen shrubbery, out of sight of marauding raccoons, hungry coyotes and Eddie the eagle ....we can only hope that that the little blue green eggs don't line their little nest until the chance of freezing Winter is over. The resounding call of returning Canada Geese has echoed over the ranch valley and sugar ants have been spotted on my kitchen counter tops...(DARN IT !!) It is all SO unseasonable. While we are struggling between fleeces and t shirts here on the west coast, our hearts and minds have been with the population of our beleaguered East coast facing the relentless onslaught of an Arctic Winter. It is difficult to comprehend the disparity between the two coasts but we are thankful to be on the warmer side of the weather spectrum.
On the ranch, the loss of our dear sweet Misty Moo is still felt but young Bella, Misty's daughter is an exuberant daily reminder of her mom (mum) and both she and young Sirloin the Dexter steer are growing daily. Lady our Shire mare and Charm the golden palomino are still a cause for concern after foundering last Summer but Quest is thankfully thriving and eating anything that doesn't move. Old T bone the ancient bay gelding is still as unstable and grumpy as ever but that equine antique still has as much attitude as a Spring colt . The formation eating team aka the Gentle Giant sheep flock are expanding daily...their lambs are due at the end of February and Ky and Fiona, the perpetrators of the Great Ranch Escape have resigned themselves to life within the five acres which has since been re fenced and is now possibly as reinforced as Alcatraz.
Clearly, Winter will re visit the Pacific Northwest....when it does, we will be ready but right now, I'm enjoying this brief spell of less than seasonal weather. Take care, keep safe, M.
On the ranch, the loss of our dear sweet Misty Moo is still felt but young Bella, Misty's daughter is an exuberant daily reminder of her mom (mum) and both she and young Sirloin the Dexter steer are growing daily. Lady our Shire mare and Charm the golden palomino are still a cause for concern after foundering last Summer but Quest is thankfully thriving and eating anything that doesn't move. Old T bone the ancient bay gelding is still as unstable and grumpy as ever but that equine antique still has as much attitude as a Spring colt . The formation eating team aka the Gentle Giant sheep flock are expanding daily...their lambs are due at the end of February and Ky and Fiona, the perpetrators of the Great Ranch Escape have resigned themselves to life within the five acres which has since been re fenced and is now possibly as reinforced as Alcatraz.
Clearly, Winter will re visit the Pacific Northwest....when it does, we will be ready but right now, I'm enjoying this brief spell of less than seasonal weather. Take care, keep safe, M.
RSS Feed