Not Your Traditional Holiday Lights

Glenn had been planning to burn the broom sage in the pastures at the Jonestown farm ever since we had purchased the property earlier this year.  Broom sage is not a desirable vegetative species food source for our cattle.  Unchecked, broom sage will spread more and more throughout the pastures with each passing year taking up more and more space where the essential and more palatable forages should be growing.

This property, prior to our purchase, had been leased for over a decade.  Renters usually do not give much thought nor much attention to improving the condition of the pastures they are renting.  Thus, the quality of grasses and the overall condition of the pastures decrease over time.  And, the broom sage increases.

Last night was the time to begin the eradication process.  The fire ban had been cancelled, the wind was negligible, the broom sage dry and hands-on-help was available.  Let the light show begin!

The closest neighbor to the burn site is actually a professional fireman.  He was anxious to help, but when zero hour arrived, he was called into work.  His last words to Glenn were, ‘Everything should be alright.’ These are ‘famous’ last words or, at the very least, words often shared prior to iffy situations.

I had no plans to help or even to attend the fireworks.  I get nervous, anxious and over-the-top excited, and not in a good way.  But, I relented to take a peek and to take a few photos for our farm journal.

I arrived at dusk and remained for over an hour as the night sky darkened to black.  The flames were so impressive in the absence of daylight. A fabulous show.

The flames grew and traveled following the contours of the ground, hopefully, leaving charred broom sage behind.  The blackness glowed a bright orange as the fires burned…wonderful Christmas Eve Eve lights. 

After nine p.m., I was still waiting for the fire crew to return home, hoping everything was OK.

Well…

To make a long story shorter, the fire department arrived because a neighbor claimed his barn was on fire…Not!  The firemen were ready to jump the fence with water hoses in hand to put out Glenn’s beneficial fire.  A fire burning on our property.  Glenn promptly yelled that they better not put his fire out.  The firemen left.

Today it is raining.  The ground and vegetation are wet. 

The burning was perfect timing on Glenn’s part.  His plans do not always work out so ideally. This time all the elements of a safe and efficient burn were present and worked to Glenn’s advantage.

Glenn one, Mother Nature….

Ready to Commit to a New Year's Resolution

The days surely pass so very quickly and I realize that I have not posted a new blog for what seems like forever...yes, forever is a long time.

So, that being said, I wanted to make mention, before any more time passes, that I am already planning my New Year's Resolution and I want to share it with you here, in the hope, to give me the incentive to follow through on the promise to myself.

My 2017 resolution, one of many I might add, is to post regularly to this blog.  The blogs might be a bit different than those I have actually posted over the years - they may be shorter stories, a simple recalling of a moment, or my usual long account - expect anything. Every day provides some kind of interest and I plan, resolve, to document that which is of interest to me and, perhaps, to you.

My other resolutions include, in no particular order: get healthier, lose some weight, spend more time with Snowball and Buddy, take time away from the farm with Glenn to explore and have fun, keep the gardens looking neat and trim, read more books, write more stories, practice painting - as in pictures, improve my photography skills,  keep in better touch with family and friends.  I am sure that this is not a complete list.  I know I will add more as the year progresses. There is something more I always want to do.

Notice the absence of 'increasing housecleaning hours'? 

Yep...that will never make my resolution list.  NEVER!

Kudos to those of you who are able to keep a well-tended home. 

The Outcome You Want?

Today is the day before the 2016 United States Presidential Election.  Personally, I feel,no matter who wins, that the United States is going to be in for big changes and these changes are not going to be good...for anybody.  Call me a pessimist, but I have been following the political scene for years.  I probably am more enlightened than a lot of the US population.  So, I am prepared in a way, yet I am not prepared at all.  I do see some hope, but that hope will depend on all of us working together to get back to common sense, basic morality and downright love for each other.  That will be a tall mountain to climb, but it is possible.  Can we do it?  Only you can answer for yourself. 

That being said, I went out on my usual walk to absorb as much natural beauty as I am able.  The farm, the surrounding mountains, the blue sky, the setting sun did not disappoint.  I was at peace…at least for the moment.

A few days ago, my walk was so very quiet.  I did not see, or hear, any birds. Not one.  I returned home with no new photos documenting the tranquility.  It was odd.

This afternoon, thank goodness, a few birds accompanied me along my journey.  I was content.

A world without birds (fill in the blank with your own fancy) is not complete.  Either is a world without family, friends, love, security, dreams, peace, goodwill, food, health, freedom, …

Will my world be complete on Wednesday? Or the day after? Ever again?

I truly hope so!

Enjoy a look at today’s feathered friends…peace!

What A Difference A Day Makes

Yesterday, my lovely specimen of a sugar maple tree in my yard was full of brightly-colored red and orange leaves – an iconic autumn view.

Last night we had a sprinkling of rain. We

actually need inches as we have been dry for over one month.  Unfortunately, we must have had a bit of wind, too.

This morning I looked out my kitchen window to that same maple and saw a naked-branched tree. What the heck! The leaves were actually still there but, instead of on the tree, the leaves covered the ground beneath the tree.  On the down side, I already miss the blazing glory high in my tree. Yet, on a positive note, this was my opportunity to take my annual crunch walk through the downed leaves. I love the sound of dried leaves crunching under foot.

This is a perfect life’s lesson…enjoy each and every moment as you do not know what the future will bring.  I knew the leaves would eventually fall off, but not so fast and not so complete.

There are still many trees in color and just about as many already sporting their bare branches common to the winter season. 

I faithfully make a conscious effort to enjoy the autumn splendor before I eventually say, “There is always next year.”

Just a bit advice…do not wait until next year, take advantage of every moment now!

October...Did Not Disappoint

My favorite month, October, has ended.  As always, I enjoyed every day, every moment.

October 1, 2016 - greens of summer are about to change

The days were warm, sunny and comfortable.  My daily walks with my best two buds were relaxing. The atmosphere was peaceful.  The colors of the deciduous trees started out with their summer green foliage and ended with a magical change.  The ending hues are a bit on the muted side this fall, but nonetheless, spectacular.   

mid-October  lovely muted sage greens highlighted with some squash-orange

 I believe October 31^st proved to be ‘peak’ for us autumn color aficionados.

the color change progresses

green heron staying a bit long into the season

The summer, exotics as I like to call them, birds have moved on.  I miss their diverse songs and calls, their presence.  I am already anticipating their return.  It will be interesting to see how many different species return to our farm which has become quite a bird sanctuary.

A two-day side trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with a quick overnight stay with my son in Fayetteville was just the proverbial ‘icing on the cake’.  It was fabulous to be able to swim in a pool.  The water was as cool as our pond, but I did not have to worry about fish biting me…ahhhh!

October just could not get any better than this year’s, but then again, I think I say that every year.

As always, October did not disappoint and it remains my favorite month.

Today is the half way point between the start of fall and the start of the next season.

On toward… winter…ugh!

Nature's Fall Bounty

Today we are having another spectacular autumn day – sunny and comfortable with a breeze.

The black walnuts, acorns and persimmons are ripening and falling from our trees. The walnuts fall with a particularly loud thump.

I have to be especially careful when I walk under a walnut or oak tree.  If I step on a nut, I could easily lose my balance as my foot rolls away from me and I could easily injury myself when my body hits the solid ground.  Walnuts are the worst because they are bigger in size and much easier to roll under foot, but those much smaller acorns can do a trick as well.  They are roundish and they roll, too.  My steps become much shorter and my eyes are peeled to the ground when I walk under the walnut and oak trees.

 I also have to be careful from a walnut falling from overhead.  Those nuts are so big and heavy. I could be knocked out if that walnut directly hit the top of my head.  When it is windy, like today, I hold my hand over my head to protect it from any walnut that might take aim.

 

The persimmon is more forgiving as it is a soft fruit and squishes under foot.  Not as dangerous to my well-being, but a bit messy if I step on too many.

But, I do enjoy seeing the big green walnuts before they turn brown and their outer shell peel off to reveal a much harder casing beneath before you even reach the nut itself.  The acorns are cute with their stemmed caps.  And, the persimmons shine with a golden orange glow, with sunshine or no sunshine.

Nature’s bounty is beautiful and far superior to the negatives it might offer.

Yet, I still watch my step!

 

as of today, the foliage is still very green with just a hint of color change

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Off-Farm To View Corn Chopping

My October celebration continues with an off-our-farm visit to another local farm – a dairy farm smack dab in the middle of chopping corn. 

That was the plan.

We are a beef operation.  Our cows feed primarily by grazing (100% grass-fed) so the process of putting corn up for cows, is very different and interesting. 

I wanted to see how this dairy’s huge storage area (bunk) was filled with feed.  Feed that would be used by their milk cows throughout the next 12 months.  (Note: I observed the same operation at a different local dairy last season. See Blog “Silage Up Close”  9-17-15  - like I mentioned, I find this activity very interesting.)

The chopper runs almost continuous.  When the silage trailer, hauled by a tractor, is filled, it returns to the farm storage facility for unloading.  Another tractor/trailer is already waiting to move into place to be filled.  This routine repeats over and over and over…

At the storage facility, another crew of two spread and pack the chopped corn (silage) in order to obtain the maximum storage capability and to ferment the chopped vegetation. 

when the bunk is full, the white plastic will cover the silage and be peeled back as the silage is used

freshly chopped corn - see the stalks, leaves and kernels

The silage cut now has to last for one year until the entire process of planting, growing, cutting and storing starts again.

only a vey few of the over 400  'happy' milk cows on this large dairy farm

The result…happy cows.  Happy cows provide delicious milk.  Milk provides healthy nutrition for your family. 

I thought this getting feed was all for the cows, but now I realize it is really all for me.

I am a daily milk drinker!  I love milk!

Note:  Daughter Becky is behind the wheel in the top video.