Mike
and I drove to the farm on Monday (April 22). As we rode along, I was mentally
organizing the many chores that awaited me. I would start by cleaning the
refrigerator, I decided. But as Mike and I compared notes, it was obvious that
he was anxious about his primary task -- bringing the magic of water to our
house. All of my chores hinged on his success.
As
the farmhouse hove into view from Plank’s Pitch, Mike observed that it was
still there. Heading on up the lane I noticed something in the road.
“What
was what? What did it look like?”
Sometimes
words fail me, and I just didn't want to say it, but when we got to the farmyard, the truth was abundantly
visible. The horses from the canyon had been there again, leaving too many “calling
cards” to count. (This has happened before -- here.) We didn’t see the horses until late afternoon, hiding in a draw south
of the house. Once they knew they were discovered, they headed to higher ground
to watch us. Mike rode off on his dirt bike (the 4-wheeler is in town for
maintenance) in hopes of chasing them back to the canyon, but by the time he
reached the top of the hill, they were gone and he couldn’t see them.
So,
we added “clean up yard” to our list of chores for the two-day stay. Mike
called the outfitter in the canyon and told him his horses had visited us. We
hope that’s enough to correct the matter.
Mike
turned on the pump, the tanks, and the water without incident and I washed the
refrigerator as planned. One by one we tested the faucets, the dishwasher, the
washing machine until we were confident that the pipes and hoses survived the
winter.
But
I tell you what – it’s still chilly. We heard the same thing everywhere as we traveled
– it was a cold spring. I just hope we’ll the fruit trees will bear this summer.
When
we first come to the farm in the spring, we usually note a pair of ducks on the
pond. The minute they see us – and Nellie – they turn tail and fly away. This year
we noted the duck pair, but they didn’t run. Well, at least the male didn’t
run. We think that Mike’s mallard decoy may have given him the courage to stay
on the pond, and I was able to get some pictures. I suppose he could be
guarding a nest – just don’t know. I identified him as a “Lesser Scaub,” also
known as a “Bluebill.” Late Tuesday afternoon he finally “spooked” and flew as
I tried to position myself for a better picture.
Over
on the neighbor’s pond, we saw a swan as well as ducks, but I didn’t have the
camera. Maybe they’ll still be there this weekend. KW
[Photos:
1) Horses in the draw. The one apart is a mule, I think, and he seems to be the leader. 2) The horses on higher ground. 3) Mike heads out on his dirt bike in an attempt to chase them. 4) Nellie says, "What is he up to now? I hope I'm not in trouble because I didn't follow." 5) Bluebill on the pond. 6) Bluebill and his friend the decoy.]
Oh what fun! I envy you your "summer home" - what a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't consider that I live an enviable life, but I try to place a positive spin on the life that we inherited. I envy you your wealth of knowledge so that I might deal with this old place. I grew up a "town kid" so I don't know a lot about coping with a garden here. I do know that things don't grow well in the heavy soil, and that's what we have.
ReplyDeleteActually, the best soil is where the chicken house and hog lot used to be. And that's now where Mike treasures the best lawn.
Love the duck! (Both real and um, unreal...). At least you can use the leavings for good in a while. Hope they didn't tear your yard up too much.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I'm off to bed!! (Still brain dead!)