More Country Doings!!!

Instead of doing the Farmers’ Market yesterday, I spent last week preparing for yesterday’s big annual Ruritan Flea. I knew there would be relatively little business at the market, because everyone would be at the Ruritan Park! The 4th of July celebration draws phenomenal crowds from all around, that sometimes show up the night before looking for bargains!

My friend and I had staked out our spot on the 25th – people were allowed to rope off their spots on the 27th – and there were spaces being marked 2 days early!  We got permission and went down and did the same. We didn’t get our coveted spot with the big tree – but since I had a canopy, it didn’t really matter. We were still in the 2nd row, first spot.

My husband had to be down there at 5am to help with the cooking, so he set up my tent. I arrived at 6:30 , and Cammie was already there with her stuff set up and the parking lot was PACKED!!!

Apparently, some of the vendors came down the night before to set up, and camped out over night with their stuff. People were stopping by to look for early bird bargains last night, and were out again before the crack of early (and apparently before daylight!) to shop! The sale was supposed to start at 7am – but obviously started hours before!!

Even without advertising, and no fireworks, the crowds were enormous, just thru word of mouth. The Ruritan Flea used to be an all day thing, with the flea market, games and food, ending with a big fireworks show. Two years ago, the price of the fireworks show went sky high (!), making it cost prohibitive for the club to put on the show. Even without that, a good time seemed to be had by all, altho the spending seemed to be a bit more cautious.

The big sellers of the day, other than food, were plants, animals, and the occasional knickknack.

If I could sell animals, and I can’t – I get too attached- I would have made alot of money! Bunnies, kittens and fowl were the big sellers of the day.

One vendor came with a trailer full of chickens, geese, baby chicks, button quail, bunnies and more – and sold every single one. I couldn’t help but worry about some of the kittens that were being toted around the grounds by small children – hoping their future would be a good one.

A sweet Mennonite lady stopped by my booth and asked me if she could leave her box with me while she shopped – and I said sure. She had bought a pair of rex bunnies, so I told her we would take good care of them. Cammie grabbed one and I grabbed the other. I got some clover and plaintain and the little bunny had a feast while in my lap.

By the time she came back to pick them up – I felt I had to give her a mini lecture on the care and lifespan of bunnies. She was appreciative, but, apparently her plan was to breed them- whether to sell or for her 4 children – I don’t know, and probably didn’t want to know!

The daughter and I walked around and picked the brains of some of the chicken dealers. We still don’t have a coop, so it wasn’t hard to have self control and refrain from buying every chicken there!! There are 2 or 3 breeds of chickens that I am leaning toward. There will be laying hens and one rooster, and when their laying days are over, they will live out their little lives on the farm – and never  “see” the inside of a cooking pot!!! LOL

It was a fun day at the park, met alot of nice people, and I sold a few things, doing a little better than I thought I would, altho not nearly as well as the animal vendors!!!

Here are a few shots of the day:

My set up

My friend always has a crowd around her booth- she sells therapeutic magnetic jewelry

The rex bunnies

My apple pin cushions - apparently a frivolous item - people were more interested in buying the hanging basket they were in!

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All is well, at Mountain Meadows this Sunday morning, hoping everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July…………..

 

A Flower of a Different Kind

I was out last night about 8pm, taking a stroll down the old dirt road that abuts my property. Camera in hand, I was snapping away – mostly the wildflowers and day lilies that are now profusely blooming.

I was getting ready to change direction and head down to the river, when some movement caught my eye.

From the direction of the river, a little figure was happily gamboling up the road toward me, with a rollicking, rolling gait- not a care in the world. This little critter had a definite destination in mind, and not having the best eyesight, was totally unaware of me.

Discretion being the better part of valor, and I decided I had better let my presence be know! I softly said hi, and it took a few words, before he/she realized I was standing right in his path.

When realization hit, that a human was there, his total demeanor changed, from a happy, carefree look, to an expression that kind of said “Oh, crap!”

He pulled what I’ve come to call a “Miss Lilly”. If you’ve read my other posts, Miss Lilly is our miniature horse. Adorable as she is, when Miss Lilly doesn’t want to do something, she pins her ears, and turns her back on you, threatening to kick – which she never does!

My little visitor pulled a “Miss Lilly” – but instead of threatening to kick, he raised his tail!!!  It was a skunk!!!!! Unlike Miss Lilly, I was pretty sure he would carry out his threat if need be!!

We were at a standoff! He had a destination in mind and was not going to veer from his course!! I tried to take a few pictures of this little “flower” (remember Flower from Bambi?), and of course my camera battery was low – too many real flower pix! I started backing up, all the while murmuring sweet nothings to keep little Flower calm. Finally got the camera to work and got two shots of him.  This was the best one!

Unfortunately, I was wearing my old slip on sneakers that I wear to the river, and now I had to hike down the gravel road to another access to my property. As I glanced over my shoulder, I could see the skunk had resumed his walk- altho a bit more cautiously. So, there was literally no turning back. I had to cut across the field to get home. I was very happy that the hay had been cut and baled, so most of the grass was short! The idea of walking thru waist high grasses in capris and slip ons was not appealing – ticks and snakes!!! I may be a country girl – but I am not so country that I cavort thru the field barefoot and fancy free!!!

Walks at dusk turn up many interesting things- it’s never dull. Now we can add skunk to our list of residents. I hope to see him again – from a distance! Soooo glad I didn’t have any of the dogs with me!!!!

If you hear someone walking just before dark, talking to herself – that would be me – carrying on a singular conversation so that the wildlife is aware of me, before I am aware of them!!!

The stand off!

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All is well at Mountain Meadows early on Friday morning………….

 

Scenes from Around the Farm

Been busy – too much to do – too many sticks in the fire!!!

Here are some pics of what has been going on around here lately!

Vintage find - once a rabbit hutch, then a feral cat feeding station, now a planter!

The orphan Sweetpea, from across the road

The survivor of a set of twin goats, rejected by her mother...:>(

Neighbors grinding corn for the cows

Dragging chain thru the furrows to mix up the fertilizer before planting potatoes

The potatoes are in the ground & then sprayed w/something to keep the potato bugs away -so much for pesticide free!!!

Digging another row - we had lots of potatoes and it was 90 degrees!!!

Planted - with some carrots on the side!

Went back at 7pm when it was cooler to plant onions - this is after we were done!

All is well, and partially planted, at Mountain Meadows tonite………………..

 

Monday Morning Thoughts…..

I have a long list of to-do’s today!!! But, a quick visit to my blogs is always a must before the actual day starts!!!

Yesterday was a peaceful, warm Sunday. We started the day by rescuing a starling who somehow got into the basement woodstove. The workmen swore to me, when the house was being built 2 years ago, that the chimney was securely capped to prevent this from happening!

The bird might have been in there for 2 days – or found a way to come and go. The husband just had wrist surgery, so he couldn’t climb on the roof to check out the chimney (and heights are not my thing – so you KNOW I’m not going up there!) He set up a safe trap against the stove door, and went outside to try and figure out if the bird might have gotten in another way. While all this was going on outside, the bird flew into the cage inside!!!

I took the starling out the back door and set him free – he was apparently none the worse for wear and he soared across the field to the safety of the trees! Good thing we had not lit the woodstove again!!!

Yesterday’s warm weather drew everyone to outside activites!

I planted my pansies in vintage pails, and some rosemary in the garden, while the husband painted some kind of salve on his flowering pear saplings. Over the winter, the deer had rubbed about half of his 36 trees – and  he was hoping that having wired them earlier and now applying this ‘paint’ would save the trees.

I took the horses out for their first greens of the season. Their paddock is always the last to grow, while the fields all around them turn a rich green – tempting and teasing them from over the fence! The grass is always greener, you know…………..!

I brushed the horses while they were grazing – still lots of winter coat to shed! The “old man” has 4 inch feathers on his legs in the winter! Note to self: don’t wear black while brushing horses – no matter how you try to position yourself in the breeze, the hair will ALWAYS find a way to adhere to your clothes!!!

Next on the list was mixing the horse feed. I am weaning the horses off the commercial food and making a blend of  a locally purchased and healthier feed with the commercial. So, dolly in hand – I dragged the 100 lb bag of the good stuff and the 50 lb bag of the old stuff and mixed them in a covered bin in the garage. That now sits next to the bin of feral cat food, which sits next to the cracked corn for the deer, and the wild bird seed!!! And let’s not forget the plastic tubs of plants waiting for warmer weather so they can be planted outside. No cars in MY garage as you can tell!!!

On yesterday’s list was – construct jumps and trotting poles for the daughter. That has been moved to today’s list – along with hanging the bird houses! Those are the fun things – the other things on the list run the gamut from go to the dump (ugh!) to go to the bank to dropping off resumes. Go, go, go, go, go……!!!!!

I guess that’s what I better do – or nothing will get done, done, done, done, done….!!!!!

All is well and busy, busy, busy, at Mountain Meadows this morning………

 

Three Blind Mice

I have mentioned in previous posts about the mice in our barn. They started out being cute, and have progressed to being a nuisance. I still leave little treats for them whenever I feed the horses (I know, I know…!)

They would be in the barn, whether I fed them or not – at least I don’t have rats – like the barn we last boarded the horses in! It’s just part of living in the country. This winter, we will try to encourage them to live elsewhere tho!! It probably won’t work!!!!

Occasionally, I will find a dead mouse or two, and will take them out to the field, or bury them.

But in recent days, I have found 3 mice, several days in a row, floating in the horses’ water buckets. Eeew!! Apparently, they run along the rails, see the hay  that falls out of the horses’ mouths floating in the water pail, and assume, quite wrongly, that that will help them walk on water!

So, in the interest of science – I have always had an interest in bones, and how things are put together.  These 3 mice were not carted off by any critters as a snack, so I decided to use them as an experiment.

In a somewhat macabre variation of Seth’s Dinsintegration Project (http://www.thealteredpage.blogspot.com)-sorry, Seth- I have created a mini ‘bone farm’ – Three Blind Mice Disintegration Project.

I will probably lose alot of readers today!!! :>)

I used to do science classes  for elementary school kids, dissecting owls pellets, and putting the skeletons back together. The kids loved it. So, think of this as scientific ! If these little mice are not carted off by some wild thing or feral cat, I want to keep track of their …. deterioration. A crow will probably snatch them before it ever gets that far.

Kids – do NOT try this at home!!!!

The mouse on the far right died 5 days earlier than the other 2

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Life goes on…………..at Mountain Meadows this morning………………

 

A Tea Break

Well, it wasn’t exactly a tea break, but I took my new mug out to the barn, with the dog and the rakes.

I had just poured a cup of Yogi lemon pepper tea, and figured I would see if I could make it all the way to the barn without spilling it!!

I did, and put it on a fence post in the sun while I did chores.

I trusted my one dog, Sunman, to stay by my side and go to the barn without a leash. I told him we were going to look for mousies – something he loves to do – he hasn’t caught one yet!!! Like his owner, he is easily distracted- if a deer were to burst out of the trees – off Sunman would go in hot pursuit!!! So, he is not off leash too often, unless in a fenced in area, even tho we live in the middle of nowhere!

I did have to hold his collar when I escorted him thru the barn to the paddock – he doesn’t comprehend that chasing horses could cause him major injury!

So, while Sunman chased a ball and rolled in manure, I raked the rocks out of the front of the barn, changed water buckets and pulled drowned mousies out of the buckets – eeewww!!!

I would pause every now and then, to sip my tea, look at the mountains, and listen to the woodpeckers call to each other as their pounding breakfast search echoed off the hills.

It’s warm again today, the flies have defrosted and the gnats are hovering overhead.

The husband has 6 large planters ready to go – with aged chicken and horse manure, to start some of the planting. The planters are big colorful buckets from Lowes that have rope handles – so we can drag them in if a late frost appears. We have to go out today and roll up the plastic over the veggie garden to get it ready for rototilling.

The daughter wants to bathe the horses- altho it is warmer out – the well water is frigid – I am not sure that would be a kind thing to do just yet!!!

Time to go help the husband do some yard work – so I must step away from the computer – break’s over!!!

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All is well, with spring just over the horizon at Mountain Meadows this afternoon………………….

 

Happy St. Paddy’s Day!!!

St. Patrick’s Day started off as it always had for me growing up in NY – rainy, damp, and overcast-but without the green cupcakes my mother always made!!!

The fog was thick on the mountain as I drove into town, but, by midday, the skies were clear and warm, and the leprechauns were sunnin’ themselves!!!

I had no green to wear, but found some properly colored jewelry!! If  you aren’t  wearin’ the green, ya’ run the risk of being pinched!

Afternoon tea was green – and served in a greenish hued cup, with my Belleek honey pot and plate showing the shamrocks!

My vintage daffodil c & s, with cute little serving tray, and my bracelet!

My 2 Belleek pieces - so fragile I almost just want to look but don't touch!!!

Spring is definitely upon us – the killdeer have begun to scope out our driveway for their for their little rock nests. They invariably pick the most inappropriate place, that we have to discover and then mark with bright orange cones – so no one inadvertently drives over the nest!

The trees have tiny buds – I picked some quince to try to force some early blooms.

Since the sun was out – I decided that along with the barn duties, I would brush the horses, and try on the ‘big guy’s’ new attire!!!

The ‘old man’ is as furry as a German Shepherd – and brushing him pulls off wads of hair that the birds will be happy to have for their nest making!

I got out the shedding blades and gently worked it over him – pulling off sun ray like circles of hair. His shaggy coat makes him look alot older than his 26 years!

They both enjoyed the brushing – standing in the warm sun, munching on hay, not a care in the world!

Then, it was time to try on the ‘big guy’s’ new duds!!! Got a great little refurbished old saddle, with pad and girth (thanks, Leah!), and a used breast collar that had to be enlarged for the ‘big guy’ (thanks, Saddle Doctor!). Between the daughter and I (mostly the daughter), we figured out how to tack him up! Being of the English/hunter jumper discipline, western  tack is something new. The big guy, Prince John, is a Missouri Fox Trotter, and was trained as a western style trail horse, but was found at a hunter jumper barn, after passing thru several owners. We are finally getting him back to what he knows.

I caught on to the neck reining thing pretty quickly – and I think I am going to like the western style- I think John breathed a sigh of relief- probably thinking, geez, she finally got it right!!!! LOL

John in his new duds!!!

With a few minor adjustments, and one more saddle strap for the back, and more practice on my part, we should be good to go!!! We are not going for style – recycled tack is fine with us!!!

Not that we go too far – I am not the best rider, and we just ride around our property, taking care to steer clear of the ever frightening cows, hogs, ground hog holes, and chicken house fans!!!

These horses, and I, have our forever homes, here at Mountain Meadows, and are just takin’ life easy……………………………

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All is well at Mountain Meadows at the end of this sunny St. Patrick’s Day……

 

On the 7th Day, We Rest…….

……well, not really!!!! I’m starting this Sunday, as every other day – on the computer!!! Then, to the basement to plant seeds, and  start purging for the yard sale in 2 weeks!

As soon as it gets light, I have to run outside and check to see what the thump in the middle of the night was! It sounded like a large bird hit the side of the house or a window. But, maybe I was dreaming! I am not brave enough to go outside alone, in the dark,  to investigate the things that go bump in the night!!!

It is another dreary, misty day out. I won’t complain tho – we need rain, however minimal the amounts!!! Little sprigs of green grass are starting to emerge- haying season is supposedly 6-8 weeks away. My bulbs in the garden are starting to peek out. The horses are starting to shed.

Our resident wild birds are ravenous and early at the feeders.  In another couple of weeks, the hummingbird feeder will have to be dusted off and set outside. We had a new visitor to the feeding deck – a white breasted nuthatch! He and I came eye to eye, as I stepped outside to put down more seed. He looked right at me, and didn’t fly away. But then, discretion got the better part of his valor, and and he zoomed for the safety of the trees!! He has become a regular now- I guess the seeds are supplementing his regular diet for a while.

While at the local grocery the other day, I noticed alot of activity in the building behind. I was told they were hanging the hams. Turner Ham is well known in these parts and around the country. I had forgotten that this time of year is probably not a big favorite with pigs everywhere!  I think February is when the traditional  annual slaughter of the pigs takes place. I will have to dig out my book on local traditions and talk more about it at another time. But right now, the hams have been seasoned and bagged, and are hanging. They hang for about 2 months, until they lose 18-23 percent of their water weight. Then the inspector comes in, to officially declare them ready. Some people prefer their ham early and pinker, some prefer it aged more. I am not a big fan of  ham, altho I have been know to have a BLT on occasion.

I recently finished a great book – The Good, Good Pig- and try not to think about that book, when I taste the “B” in the BLT.  I’ve often thought I’d love to have a pig as a pet – highly intelligent, but they are ravenous, and rooters- and would frighten my horses out of their wits!!!

As usual, my brain has jumped from subject to subject, being of scattered mind! But it is now light outside, the fires need to be stoked, and I need to venture out and see if anything actually did hit the side of the house last night!!! I’ll keep you posted!!!

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All is well, and rainy, on this Mountain Meadows Sunday morning…….

 

The Day Flew By……

It was such a beautiful day today! We started out early in the morning to run errands. The PO, the bank, the feed store, the tack store, and a few other places to search for a new rototiller were on the errand list.

I love living in a small town – we stopped in the bank to take care of some business and the assistant manager was there. It was her day off, she was in her bright yellow garden clogs and  tee shirt, and she sat right down at her desk to take care of our paperwork – on her day off!!!!!

I bought a breast plate/collar for my horse yesterday – we are switching over to western tack, and when I got it home, it didn’t fit. A certain horse needs a little exercise!!! I took it back this morning and the owner of the shop is going to lengthen the straps so it fits. I got to meet their baby horses, and found out that they sell horse feed for less than what I have been paying elsewhere. I do love a bargain and supporting local, family run businesses!!!

The search for a rototiller was enlightening – and we decided rather than spend money we don’t have to right now, we’ll get the neighbor to come over and rototill my garden for a fraction of what a new machine would cost. The new one will be on our list of must haves later on, when we actually have extra discretionary income!  :>)

Couldn’t resist getting some lettuce plants and brussel sprouts at the co-op. I’m going to make a cold frame of sorts out of the 2 screen doors we salvaged from the old house on the property. It’s warm this week, but winter is not over yet- even tho I saw a whole flock of robins on my front field yesterday!!!!

We passed a herd of Texas Longhorns that I have always wanted to stop and see, so today we did!! The owner was there – these cattle are just a hobby!! She was telling me about her favorite, “Baby Gurl”, who loves to eat potato chips out of her hand!!!! I would love to have one, but can imagine my horse’s reaction at the sight of those horns!!!!

We stopped at the local diner for a quick bite to eat – our favorite place in town – and it was a buzz of activity on a Saturday. Good food, good folks, cheap prices can’t be beat! And, I even ran into someone I knew – my network is expanding after living here for 2 years. Kinda makes me feel like I belong, when I can see someone I know around town.

On the way home, we passed by the river on our neighbor’s property, so the husband could show me the huge flat rocks the neighbors are allowing him to get out of the water to make a wall outside my basement studio window.

On the drive home, the car windows were open, the warm breeze blowing thru carrying the lovely scent of chicken manure that has just been spread all over our hay fields. That, and the flies that have awakened with the warm weather, are two of  my least favorite country things!! But you have to have some bad with the good!!!

While I was tending to the horses, and cleaning their water trough, the husband had the tractor at the edge of the field. I had mentioned,  while searching for deer antlers yesterday, I had come across an old farm plow, that I wanted moved to the front of the house. It needed to be rescued before the thorny vines gripping it came into full bloom.

Next thing I know, the husband is coming across the field in his big orange tractor with his prize held aloft with heavy chains!

He uprooted the bush that held the equipment captive, and was bringing it back to the barn to clean it up! If you check the last picture in my previous post, you’ll see how overgrown  it was!  It now sits proudly in my front field, a testament to the hard work of farmers who have gone before.

Muck the stalls, feed the feral cat, feed the deer, collapse on the couch!!! The day is over before I realize it!!!

Tonite is daylight savings, so we will spring ahead – and have more daylight hours to enjoy tomorrow!

And, if all goes as planned, tomorrow we will be checking out the two tiny rescue ponies. Fingers crossed that they are all they were advertised to be – and friendly!!!

Texas Longhorns - in Virginia!

Baby Gurl

Baby pigs near the river - we do NOT ride the horses near here!

Tiny signs of spring!

The prize!

My "new" lawn ornament

All is well , and full of anticipation, at Mountain Meadows tonite…………..

 

Still Waiting……

….to hear about the rescue pony. When the husband heard there were two available, he said why not just take them both!!! Woohoo!! I am still waiting to get a call back- am getting a little anxious. But, I guess, if it was meant to be, it will………………..

Since I was waiting around for the call, I was trying to decide what to do with myself today. I did the barn chores, took blankets off the horses, ran to the PO, and fed the feral cat.

I was not too happy to see the feral cat was limping. After he ate, a young groundhog made his way along the tree line and headed right for where the cat was sitting. The cat stared him down for a minute, then arched his back like a Halloween cat and took off. The groundhog scurried under the grape vines and disappeared.

So, spring is indeed upon us – almost!!!! The weather will be getting warmer each day thru Sunday, I saw two robins last week and one in my driveway this morning. And, the groundhogs have come out of hibernation! Of course, upon hearing that, when he came home from work, the husband changed out of his uniform, and got the rifle. He looked not unlike a tall, thin Elmer Fudd, stalking the elusive young groundhog.

I am not too happy about the hunting of the groundhogs, but they are sooo prolific, and manage to get in my garden, despite the electric fencing, and the garbage can sized holes they leave  in the fields, are just too dangerous for the horses.

On my to-do list today was: dye wool, plant bulbs, clean house- in no particular order. Being of scattered mind, and waiting for that phone call, I did none of those!!!

I did take a walk tho – the weather was beautiful, and I decided to go down where the deer hang out, to see if I could find any antlers. I crisscrossed the field, and checked every rubbed tree and flattened area where the deer bed down. I checked all the trails, but to no avail. I did take a few pictures tho – there was a flock of ducks that managed to get away from my camera 3 times on my walk.

Not my neighborhood deer!

Downed tree trunk

One of the old pieces of farm equipment left behind...

All is well at Mountain Meadows tonite……………………..