Sometimes

 
Sometimes...

I just stay outside to drink it all in. I know I am lucky to live here -- far removed from busy places. 

I am still pinching myself about meeting Rich on the Wagon Train and becoming his lifelong partner in a slice of paradise like this.

He found this place on a Walmart pin up board in the early mid 1990's. For Sale: House on 25 acres, dead end road. 2 bedrooms. The original price? $25k.

He took the whole sheet down and found the nearest pay phone to call the number. He met Glen, the owner and builder of our cottage and they had coffee. With a handshake, Glen sold this place to Rich.

I think of that story often and just wonder how the stars aligned to make things happen for him and then for the both of us. 

Mornings like this I just stand in our meadow and have...a feeling of awe. I'm witnessing something that is wonderous, vast, inspiring, amazing, and mind-blowing all at once.

Before the sun hits the meadow to the east of us, I can smell the sweet scent of millions of Queen Anne's Lace Flowers in the heavy damp air.

Oh yes. And admire the thousands Orb Weavers who stretch webs between the plants.

Everything is wet with fog and dew. 

And then the sun clears the trees to the east, the area lights up with golden fog and dew drops.

I make my way to my where my 'campground' is and look back towards home.

I often wondered if this place would suit me when I lost my best friend nearly a year ago. As I walk through the wet grasses towards the house I believe that it will. At least for now. 

It suits me just fine.

Hot & Humid Day at the Farm

The Dexter cattle were sleepy and content in the meadow.

Thor was ever the alert Jack.  He always keeps an eye on movement around the farm.

Morris, the supervisor watches the guys wrap bales of oat hay.  

He is a great supervisor.  Yes he is tied up, machinery is too tempting for him, he'd try and hitch a ride on the skid steer or help out with the operation of the bale wrapper.

Just before sunset, I went out to check on the mares in the back meadow.
Belle, our farm hound who is a people 'shadower', followed along.

The boys in their pasture where doing the 'fly' swishing thing.
Funny how they lined up.

Chores were done late to avoid the high heat from the sun.

Our skies have been orange nearly every night.  I don't know if that has something to do with the wildfires out west and the smoke in the atmosphere or not.

But last night the colors conveyed the heat quite well.

And then darkness fell and the crickets began their night song.  The Robins chirped their songs and fell silent.
Off in the distance young coyotes ran and yipped.
Thor and Bob brayed their challenge.

And our small farm went to sleep for the night.