Splendor in the Grass

My sheep are loving the lush, green grass.  They came through the winter fat and happy on Jim Postma's hay.  An unusual windfall crop of my own apples in the fall gave them a nice layer of fat before the fields went brown.  I adore my black sheep, but white wool dyed lovely colors sells much better.  I plan on putting coats on my black sheep to take care of those luscious black fleeces for sale to hand spinners, who seem to like black wool.  The sheep don't know what color their wool is.  They just want peace, quiet, and splendor in the grass.

My New Obsession

I've counted three hummingbirds so far this season...a mature male, a mature female, and one fledgling I think.  I take my binoculars outside after I come home from work and sit near the feeder.  They don't seem to mind me and the dogs, cats and sheep hanging around.  That must be some terrific nectar as the little dive bombers are constantly sipping.  I have to read up on how often to change the nectar.  I was an avid bird watcher for many years in NJ, but, surprisingly, only remember seeing one hummingbird.  Central New York is a hummingbird paradise.  Lucky me.

All Bound Up

Strings from feed sacks and baling twine are a real problem around the barn.  They must be picked up and properly disposed of or they cause problems.  This little hen was sitting in the barn in an awkward place by the milk room door.  I thought she might have chicks under her for the night and left her alone.  Knut came along and she moved over a little and I saw no beaks peaking out from under the warmth.  I decided to pick her up and check her out and look what I found.  This poor chicken was hobbled by string that was wrapped around both her legs and holding them together.  One leg was really altered by the string that had been on there for some time.  I held her while Matt carefully cut the string off.  It will take her some time to get her chicken legs back, but I think she will be fine.  In the meantime I continue my vigil of picking up and string or twine I see around the farm.

Hay Mow Mommies

I've had two hens hatch clutches of chicks in the last few days, and two more are holed up in the upper hay mow, sitting on eggs.  One mom must have twenty eggs under her.  The mound of hay bales make great cubicles for broody hens.  They are blissfully undisturbed by dogs up there, and the hay mow kitties seem to have made a truce with them.  The new moms marching around with tiny dots of feathers following them are proof of that.  I think the ample amount of feed I put up there every night, climbing the ladder with a slippery bucket of delicious slop, helps keep the cats from eating the chicks.  Free range chickens are great for eating flies around the barn.  Unfortunately just as many roosters hatch as hens, and they are a real nuisance.  You can't have the yin without the yang I reckon.  In the meantime, we are enjoying green fields and blue skies.  The sheep are fat and happy.  What's a few more chickens to feed over the winter?

Heaven's Gates

When I was attending Mia's UMDNJ graduation Daryl and the kids not only took care of my critters - they went to work in the barn building these fabulous gates.  I had a wire panels for "poor white gates" with twisted wire and baling twine holding them closed.  They were very awkward at shearing time or when I had to get in to where the sheep were.  I usually just climbed over the fence rather than undo the gates.  Now I have sturdy gates framed with wood with real hinges and latches.  I had a feeling Daryl would do something in the barn as he likes to keep busy and has fixed up the barn before.  It was a real jolt when I went out there and saw the gates.  Daryl set the kids to mucking out the pathways through to the milk room and out Thor's door, too.  It takes a LOT of shoveling and raking to do it by hand, then huffing and puffing the heavy wheelbarrow out the door.  I really appreciate the love and devotion Daryl, Kim and kids have shown to my farm over the years. 

Little Firecracker

My little friend, the Firecracker (because of her sparkly personality), came to visit me at the Hamilton Farmer's Market last Saturday.  She expressed a desire to try my Robin wheel.  We gave it a go for a while, then the little Firecracker decided to cruise around the park and check everything out.  Her mommy, also named Robin, and I work at BOCES.  We worked together for years and were thoroughly bonded, but the powers that be decreed that we must part.   We only see each other for a wave in the hall once in a while.  Gotta deal but it ain't easy.  In the meantime I get a lovely visit at the market from Robin and her little Firecracker.

There She Is!

Mia was crowned America's newest University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey  Master of Science in Nursing yesterday at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark with all honors and privileges that go along with it.  We are very proud of our Nurse Practitioner Mia, who will undoubtedley take even better care of us than she already does.  May all her dreams come true!

Mia's Celebration

We're on our way out the door to New Jersey and Mia's graduation from UMDNJ at the NJPAC in Newark.  We'll stay in Milford on the Delaware tonight and have dinner at Casa Del Sol, my favorite Mexican restaurant.  Tomorrow we'll have lunch with Mia and AJ at the Spanish Tavern in the Ironbound section of Newark.  I'm so proud of my baby girl earning her Master of Science in Nursing along with a Nurse Practitioner certification.  My trip to NJ would not be possible without the help of my Canadian angels - the Parkinsons, who have arrived to mind the farm while I'm gone.  We have good weather and it's all systems go - very excited to be visiting my home state and watching Mia get her degree.

More Toys

The Wild Irish Boy has more toys to play with.  Yes, I'm jealous.  Here he is with his brand spanky new Weatherization trailer filled with lots of gadgets designed to save energy and keep people warm in New York State.  A matching new church van will pull the new toy box around for teaching purposes.

Too Much Fun

The annual Special Education Roller Skating Party was just so much fun.  The hour ride to Interskate 88 in Oneonta was uneventful and the countryside was bursting with springtime.  I was determined to learn how to roller skate and was I ever glad I put the skates on.    After I got the hang of it with the help of students and staff, they had to pull me off the floor to go back to school.  I want to bring Hannah and Luke to this rink when they come this summer.

Today is the annual Special Ed. Dept. roller skating party at Interskate 88 near Oneonta and I am bringing my class.  Yes, I aspire to Sainthood.  The last two years my class was "not invited."  Yes, I have a challenging class.   I can legally drive the youngin's as I have been fully vetted and investigated by the powers that be.  It's a good thing I can drive my own van.  That way I can bring them back to school if they misbehave at the roller rink.  Will they come willingly?  Doesn't matter as I will have my big, strong aides with me for back up.  I have the best muscle in the whole BOCES system (38 schools in NY State).  I am keeping an open mind about the day ahead of me.  I just might come home and jump in the pond.  Five more weeks of school and I can stay home with my sheep.  Hanging on to that lovely vision...

Sail Away

Spring time in upstate New York means getting into and onto the water.  We are surrounded by rivers, ponds, lakes, creeks, waterfalls and swamps.  When the temps hit the eighties this weekend I will be tempted to get in my pond, no doubt.  Perhaps Saturday after the Hamilton market.  This neighbor of mine decided not to wait to get on the water.  On this gloriously beautiful, sunny, breezy day I couldn't blame him.