2009-03-01 - 6:47 p.m.
Winter is definitely not going to loosen Her grip easily this year. Tonight moans with a deep, steady wind out of the north. The day has been spotty with rain and a slushy mix of frozen yuck. How ashamed She should be of not bestowing a blanket of beautiful fresh snow at least once. She must be as bitter as a west witch knowing she is on losing ground. The daffodils laugh and have sprouted bounteous clumps of bright yellow everywhere on the farm. My industrious planting of them years ago have finally reaped rewards. Now they propagate at will; each year bringing a new patch that I was not expecting.
Tim was commenting on how much we have had to leave the horses in their stalls this year. Its been a while since they have had to spend this much time. Seems like at least once a week they are banished from the pastures. All in the name of management. A little alfalfa hay treat and all is forgiven; blessed souls.
Not much riding, training, or teaching the last few weeks. The weather has been so bad. And now I am recovering from a bad bout of pneumonia. This has been a tough one to ride out. I truly think I would rather go an extra twenty minutes of trotting without stirrups than to push through this. Not that I have even thought about the horses in a week. Its bad when I can't even consider getting out in the barn for simple chores like feeding and turning them out. But I am getting better and the 'barn angels' have been flitting about. Miraculously, the stalls are clean, buckets filled, horses groomed. My blessings are so many...thank you.
Our chicken and wild game flocks have sprung into action. We are selling eggs and baby chicks every day. The incubator is almost full. Probably enough room for tomorrow's clutches. Its a great time here on the farm; life and activity and prosperity. Hard work paying off.
Well a great Italian dinner is working in the kitchen that I must go finalize. Penne ala vodka tonight. A super meal with good zing. Come see us...
