QUICK TRIP TO THE FARM

Ready to go to the farm

We were off to the farm by 9:00 – not early. Since we were trailering the lawnmower and Mike wanted to avoid as much mud as possible, we traveled Hwy 95 to Craigmont, turning onto the Russell Ridge Road at Nezperce. Traffic was relatively light, I thought. We arrived at the farm about 10:30. I remember because I had to set clocks. It was about 40 degrees.

Fritillaria on left; hollyhock on right

There were no mice in traps and no obvious sign of mice in the kitchen. I’d like to think that Hallie’s work – stuffing steel wool under the siding where it meets the foundation – was beneficial in this regard. In fact, I’m sure it was. She worked so hard! It was her idea. Not sure I would have done it.

The outside rodent situation is a different story. I didn’t see a lot of new mounds, but I did see plenty of rather large holes. I feel I have yet to win a battle. The war will continue.

Everything was as we left it after Christmas. (At first, we thought the big cathedral chimes had gone missing, but we located them.)

Mike checked on things outside while I inventoried the pantry. I was pleased to see I have quite a lot of staples on hand, which will make it easier to replenish what we need. I’m sure your first thought is for our toilet paper supply. Yes, we have enough for several weeks. I even found a big container of disinfectant wipes.

There’s still standing water in some fields, but of course, it’s early yet. However, I’m not sure it’s really all that wet. In past years it’s been June before the standing water behind the farmhouse dries up, but I could walk there yesterday. I also noticed patches of dry soil elsewhere.

We were there just an hour. Mike waited for me in the car while I ran around the perimeter of the house taking pictures, concentrating on the immediate signs of spring – the daffodils and fritillaria.

The mailbox was packed with catalogs and junk mail, but there were a couple of important envelopes – a second key for the Dodge Ram (unexpected) and the census for the farmhouse (expected). I have now completed our census documents. How about you?

Just one remaining patch of snow

We drove home by way of the grade and Hwy 12, stopping at Subway on Orofino’s Riverside for sliders. They were out of slider buns, so we shared a 6-inch. We stop at this Subway from time to time, but the products are not as fresh as at other Subways in the region.

We stopped at Builders Supply for an "O" ring, and I also bought garden seeds. I checked out the business next door, Family Dollar. Like all other stores, they were out of toilet paper as well as disinfectant sprays and wipes.

We were back in town by 3:00 – a lovely afternoon at 60 degrees.

FALL -- AT LAST!

Mike and I enjoyed a beautiful drive to the farm along the Clearwater River yesterday afternoon. Shades of yellow, red and orange along the riverbank were set off against the evergreens. I didn't notice reflection in the water as we sometimes see. It was overcast and even rainy.

The temperature was about 40 when we arrived at the farm. Just last week the afternoons were still warm -- nearly 70. This week is a different story. Mike soon had a cheery, warm fire in the fireplace insert, and I helped by baking sweet potato pound cake in the oven. This morning at 6:00 it was 36 and drizzly. Outdoor activities -- like hunting deer or planting spring bulbs -- just don't appeal. Well, one would be hard-pressed to find a deer on a day like today, especially here on the ridge. The deer are likely in the canyon. But -- I figure that's why they call it hunting.Still, we avoid the canyon because a hunting preserve is located there -- and besides, pulling one's quarry up the steep hillside is a trial, as several can attest. Mike was just saying that he might go out and scout for fresh tracks today. I told him it seems like if he wants to get a deer he should do something. So, if you're keeping score, the deer are way ahead of Mike.

Since we arrived, it's been all about making do. I had the feeling I was not well-prepared for this stay, and I discovered I was right. The sweet potato cake had to be made with bread flour -- I have no other and I'm low on that. Supper was a new concoction -- Kathy's easy cheesy pheasant enchiladas -- since we have no canned chilies or salsa. I'm low on butter and margarine, limiting cookie baking. And I'm uncertain if Mike knows yet that I failed to bring extra undershorts for him. Oh well. We'll cope.

This pretty little maple has been struggling to grow. "Uncle" Dan, the forestry man, suggested more water, and I did find that helped. The tree just doesn't seem to take off and grow, but as you can see, the leaves are pretty. The leaves of the maple in the front yard are standard yellow and green -- not spectacular. I think my dad found that tree as a sapling and transplanted it here after we burned the old cabin down. It's probably about 40 years old.

The middle photo is of the spyrea bush which is abundant in brushy places here. I suspect the family transplanted this bush to the yard many years ago, so I feel sentimental about it. A rodent has made a home in its roots, and I thought we had lost it this spring. However, much to my surprise it made a comeback. KW