The Real May Has Arrived

Today was the first day of the month that actually felt like May.

 

Stepping out early this morning onto the back deck, I knew the day was promising to be seasonal. The morning sun was already warm.

 





 

I started the day with a walk through the woods.  Even Jake had a spring to his normally slow step.

On my return, I took a quick walkabout the garden.  To my surprise, many flowers had begun to bloom.  They, too, realized the weather was now in their favor.

 

 

After mowing the lawn, I decided to enjoy the rest of the afternoon laying out on a blanket in the wavering shade of my smallest maple tree.  A few of the sun’s rays broke through to my face as the leaves waved in the breeze.

 

I brought out my current read. But after only a few pages, I decided that I just wanted to relax and try to empty my mind.  I rolled to my back and looked up at the sky.  There was not one cloud in the muted blue sky.  A sliver of moon was faint.  Many planes flew overhead.  They were too high up to hear, but noticeable - especially the ones tracking a contrail.  I was amazed at the number of planes that flew over in ten minutes time.  I lost count, but the number was close to twenty.

 

 

 

Not far from my repose were the dogs.  I call myself a hermit, but in reality, I am never alone.  My dogs are always with me on my outside adventures, chores, or relaxation.  I never call them.  They just appear.  Jake rested as I rested.  Buddy, though stretched out on the ground, was wide awake, eyes to the sky.  He never gave up his watch for birds overhead.

 

I thought about the lives of my dogs.  They get to enjoy nature all the time - how lucky for them.  They also rest when they want; they take a walk when they want. 

 I am going to be taking advantage of this ‘dog’s life’ more frequently.  Eyes closed, warm breeze blowing across my cheeks, scents of nearby flowers, birds singing and mind near empty of thought.  Perfect!

 Except next time, I need to find a better place to plop.  I was on a slight incline and, unbeknownst to me, I was slowly inching my way down off the blanket ending up with my feet under the pasture fence.  As I turned to scoot back up to center myself on the blanket, I did look in a different direction.  Guess what?  There was a cloud in the sky...actually, several.

And, there will definitely be a ‘tick check’ tonight!

Open Window

The first OPEN window of the season - a milestone when I think back over the past few weeks of spring - wet and cold.

 

Finally, the iconic ‘open window’!  And, notice the empty chair next to the window…not really - I took occupancy rather quickly to read a Gladys Taber book and to grab the slight breeze and to watch the colorful birds outside and to listen to the moos and baas coming from the middle pastures and to just stare at the perfect green picture of my view shed. 

 

My day did not end there…

 

 

bird of different colors

Glenn repairing the fence along the farm road.

Can you guess the animal?  Look closely...it is a pair of blue jeans and two feet???

our first radishes - I planted, Glenn eats!



May apple in bloom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, later tonight, another open window will provide the mysterious sounds of the night.  I can barely wait!

What A Difference A Day Makes!

The sun shone off and on throughout the day.  By early afternoon, it was out more than it was hidden behind the clouds. 

 

When the sun was bright and shiny, the air temperature was quite warm, so Glenn and I decided to head down to the pond to get some of the early season rays. I needed to thaw out after the days of rain and cold.

 

Buddy followed us with as much energy as ever.  Jake, on the other hand, stayed home.  He is moving slower and slower each and every day.  Yet, he still manages his morning walkabout with Buddy and will follow me when I take my walks.  He keeps moving, slow as it is, but moving.

 

 

 

 

 

On the way down to the pond we passed the sheep where a lamb had just been born.  We thought the sheep birthing was done…wrong! Next, we passed the cows and calves, so Glenn moved them onto a fresh pasture.  They saw us coming and ran toward us in anticipation, expecting the move.

 

My intention was to lay out on the partially finished (yes, it has been this way for years) deck to read a book.  But, the birds flying low over the calm water to catch insects, two frogs croaking back and forth from opposite banks, fish jumping and the cows contently grazing in the field next to the pond kept my attention.  Reading would have to wait.

 

Glenn and I discussed finishing the over-the-pond deck. We have this discussion every spring.  Will this be the year it gets finished?

Keep watching my blog to find out.  Honestly, I do not know, but I am keeping my fingers crossed!!!

See that little brown lamb at the center of this photo...well, Jenny, our donkey, thinks that is her baby and she does not let that little lamb out of her sight. 

May?

One day soon I will be complaining that it is hot…summer will have arrived.  Not today, though.

 

Every year seems to follow the same course, give or take…one day it is a comfortable, cool spring day and the next day the hot, humid days of summer have arrived.  The change is always quick, always overnight.

 

But, this year, that change has not occurred yet.  It is late.  In fact, it is not cool, but down right cold.  I am freezing.  I am freezing every day. I have to wear a sweatshirt inside the house to stay warm as Glenn shut down the furnace at the beginning of April.  And, during the past week, we have experienced rain as if it was still April. You know…April showers.  No. let me revise - we are having April deluges.  Our area is under a flood watch. In fact, thunderstorms are in the forecast for the rest of the week.  

 

My question is…

 

Where is May?

A Special Sighting

Some days are good and some days are special.  Yesterday was one of those extra special days.

I looked out the living room window which is a frequent past time for me.  I never get enough of the view.  And, I never know what I might see.

 Yesterday, I saw a fairly large bird sitting in a tree below the house. 

Initially, I took a few photos from within the house.  Taking a photo through the window results in a less than clear photo (a window washing is in order), but an unclear photo is better than no photo. 

 

 
My next move was to try to sneak outside to the back deck.  The photos are more detailed and clear, but I take the chance that my subject may be spooked and leave…birds - fly, deer - bounce, fox - run..away.  Yet, I have to take that risk.

 

 

Yesterday, that move paid off.  I took some exceptional photos of a huge bird.

 

My next step was to get the bird identification book to identify that bird.  I started under hawks, but I could not find a match. 

 

Glenn came to my rescue.  He had an idea what species of bird was sitting in our tree, and he was right.  Our special guest was an Osprey.  The Osprey was gorgeous!

 

Look at her claws!

Ospreys like to eat fish.  I can only hope that this bird had visited our pond to have a meal.  I do not like the fish in our pond. 

 

This spring has yielded many species of birds that I have never had the opportunity to observe.

 

The ‘extra special’ rating warranted.

In Love With Spring

I have fallen in love with spring.

Autumn use to be my all-time favorite season, but I have changed my mind. 

Now, it is Spring. 


















As I walk around my gardens and farm, I am enchanted by each and every sight.  Each turn of my head, each gaze of my eyes presents a new surprise: a pileated woodpecker flying inches above my head; tiny leaves emerging from a previously bare, dead-like branch; bluebirds darting everywhere; different colorful and fragrant blossoms opening daily.

Yesterday, as I walked past the wisteria, I was immediately overcome with sweetness.  Only at spring.

For days, I have been mesmerized by the melange of greens.  They are so enchanting.  I never tire of just looking.  And, looking and looking.

Our four bulls and Becky's horse, Ember

Yes, spring is special and I am enjoying and embracing every last second.

Certainties of Spring

There is always one never-fail certainty of spring…it is always super busy!  I never keep up with my chores, inside or outside.

 

Also, the natural changes are fast. If I do not take a look-see daily, I just might miss a nuance of the season… a breaking bud, an obscure flower in bloom, the grass turning  to green, a plant surfacing through the soil to begin the cycle of growth over again…I look forward to being able to observe every single change.

 

 Also, the birds are happier as attested by their songs which get prominently more frequent and more joyous.

 

Also, our cow babies and sheep babies are born.  Each one so different in coloring and character and each ach one so cute!

 

Also, the sun’s position changes in the sky.

 

Well, there are many more certainties of spring than I first realized.  Spring is busy, but it is also an awakening, a birth, a growth, a change…spring keeps my life very interesting!

 

Yesterday, I observed a ‘new’ bird at my feeder…gorgeous

 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak (male)

And, shortly thereafter, I (much by accident) came upon a pileated woodpecker. Within mere feet,  I was so excited, I could not steady  my camera - ugh…but, I was up the most up close and personal  with a magnificent  bird that I would have never thought possible…ever!

 

Pileated Woodpecker (female)
 

I am grateful to have ‘good’ in my life.