As The Project Continues...

 The next step, once the old and deteriorating fence is down, is to rebuild:

 

·          a line is strung to keep the fence straight

 

 

·         post holes are augured on eight-foot centers

 

·         half-round fence posts are secured in the ground - Matt’s endurance and young  muscles are perfect for the job of pounding/firming the soil around each post

 

 The original fence, the one in place when we moved to the farm over 23 years ago, was not straight.  By straightening this section of fence from the barn corner to the corner post where this fence meets the board fence (replaced two years ago) across the mountain side of the house, between the formal yard and pasture, the yard gained a few feet.  From the barn to the corner post, the fence line was adjusted from zero to approximately four feet into the barn paddock.  Therefore, my blueberry bed gained about two feet along its length (plenty of space to grow and mature without being nipped by Ember from the pasture side of the fence) with the fence; and, the corner day lily bed is no longer at the corner, but three feet short of the corner.  Knowing the nature of the day lilies, they will not be affected much; either by relocating or by natural spreading.  Eventually, I will have my day lilies in the corner, again.

all the way down the line...straight fence posts

 

In addition, a pile of dirt, moved to the location years ago for the pending project, was finally utilized to level that corner of the yard.  I can already see the benefit of moving that fence. 

 

Yes, progress is being made!

 

And, the project will continue...after the rainy days.

 

Note:  September 4, 2012 Glenn and my 36^th wedding anniversary.  Last year, Glenn bought me a donkey.  This year, he is building me a fence; so much better than a bouquet of flowers.

 

And, I really like flowers!

A New (And Long Awaited) Farm Project

Our wooden fence surrounding the barn lot has been on the decline for years.  As sections rotted, they were repaired with old wire, with recycled sections of fence from other fence replacement projects, with new wire, and even with an old iron bed frame - anything to keep the fence erect and the livestock on their side of the fence and out of my gardens.

 

The fence looked like it came right out of the television program, Green Acres.  

 

Today, Glenn got the incentive he needed to begin to replace the fence.  Matt was home for a few days before starting his new job and Becky was on site.  They all worked together on a project that had been on the priority ‘to do’ list for years.

 

For a mother, it was a joy to have her family together again after a few years of separation; if only for a few hours, perhaps,  a few days.

 

The old fence boards were sawn into firewood.  The fence posts, every single one rotted in the ground, pushed over easily. 

 

The nearby heifers and sheep watched attentively as one of their confinement fences was gone.  I kept telling them that they better not be getting any ideas of escaping.  Soon, they lost interest and went back to their grazing.

 

We used this opportunity to trim the huge silver maple that stands at the northeast corner of the house.  Fence down, Becky drove the tractor into the yard and raised Glenn in the bucket to reach as high as he was able with his tree-trimming saw.  Glenn wanted to get as many branches away from the house as possible; a damage preventive measure.  I, on the other hand, was reluctant to have too much trimmed as I enjoy watching the birds in those branches which are located just beyond the windows.  Very few branches were cut.

 

Work was cut short by a downpour from the remnants of hurricane Isaac that swirled through our location. It was 2:00 PM - lunch was in order.

 

And, the project…to be continued!

Got It!

 

While wandering about the house, which is customary for me, I saw a blur from the corner of my eye.  On further inspection, I discovered that MY hummingbird had returned; visiting the potted flowers on my back deck.  I never doubted his return; I doubted my ability to be able to get a few good photos of him.

 

I quickly retrieved my camera and hoped for a few good shots from the inside, through two glass doors, of the house.  I knew if I attempted to go outside, I would scare him away.  In my book, a fuzzy photo is better than no photo.  And, I always continue to try for that ‘perfect’ picture.

 

Got it…my hummingbird for posterity; these are not the best photos, but they are good enough to enjoy.

 

So, enjoy!

 

look closely... the green feathers blend with the leaves

 

 

notice the teeny feet

 

Waiting For The Shot

There is a beautiful, metallic green hummingbird that frequents my Cardinal flower, my butterfly bush, and my blue salvia.  I see him several times daily as I watch from the inside of my house.

 

Outside, I observe him more closely as I weed near his favorite plants. 

 

But, when I have my memory recorder (camera), he vanishes.

 

This morning, I decided to sit quietly on the back deck, camera at the ready, within a few feet of the favored blue salvia to wait for his visit.

 

I waited, and I waited.  No hummingbird in sight.  But, I did find interest in the bee that was intent on collecting all the nectar from that salvia plant. 

 

Later in the day, there he was; that hummingbird flying from his favorite perennial to favorite perennial.

 

And I…inside!

A Second Opportunity

 

 

The 'rebloomer' iris in my garden.

starts like this

and, expands to this

Not all irises rebloom for a second time during the growing season...this one does.

          

Spectacular! 

2016

 

A DOCUMENTARY

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS!

More Than Just Apple Pie

The apples started to fall prematurely off my trees over one month ago.

 

 

The wasps came in and hollowed out the fruit.  The squirrels carried them off.  Buddy thought they were his ‘fetch’ ball.

 

Now, it is my time to zero in on the apples…pies, pies, and more pies come to my attention.

 

It is apple pie making time. 

 

And, I am ready…to eat, that is!

 

I made my first apple pie of the season on Saturday; and, today it is gone, as in eaten.   And, if you remember from an earlier post, I just do not make a  wimpy 8 or 9 inch pie plate apple pie; I make a 9” X 13 “ baking dish apple pie.  I make a three crust recipe for my apple pie.  I double the amount of sliced apples required for an ordinary apple pie.  My apple pie is quite generous; and usually, quite tasty.

 

And, …

 

I mowed the upper lawn around the house today; I was joined by a substantial number of butterflies.   They were so pretty as they floated from flower to flower. 

 

As I steered around my apple trees, I could smell the robust fermenting of the windfall apples; almost as if the ground was drenched with wine.

 

 

A surprise and added bonus of the windfall apples…a beautiful Red-spotted Purple was drawn to and  partaking of the sweet spirits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is more to an apple than apple pie!