Tuesday, March 19, 2013

You know it's spring on the ranch when...




The days are getting longer, and the sun is getting stronger.
The hay stacks are growing small.
The dogs quit eating their dog food but still get fat eating at the barn on cow afterbirth.
"Did the calf suck?"  is the question of the day.
The bird feeders are always empty.
Everyone is hungrier.
Cats are nesting in the straw piles. 
The skunks are out.
Pitchforks, straw, and the wheel barrow magically appear at the barn.  Can you say "muck."
(So far) I'm wearing my cowgirl boots more than my Boggs.
I think about eating fresh garden lettuce and radishes even though they are at least couple months away.
I keep looking for and listening for the meadowlark.
I see four mountain bluebirds on the fenceline in the morning.  They're just passing through.
The pasture is showing a light tinge of green with a few shoots of new grass amidst the old, dry grass.
I find tips of hyacinths and tulips barely pushing through the ground on the south side of the house.
One by one, meadowlarks, geese, horned larks, and other birds begin to arrive.  No robins yet.
I attempt drying sheets on the line, but bring them in to finish drying, hanging them over chairs.
There's a chance of snow headed our way.
I start thinking about sitting in the sun painting my toes.  It's still just a thought.
I want to embroider bunnies and flowers.


20 comments:

  1. Sounds like a perfect spring Ms. Gumbo. (Well, except for the dog diet LOL.) And FOUR bluebirds on the fence -- you lucky, lucky girl!!!

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    1. I always feel like God sent a great big Gift when he sends the bluest of bluebirds my way.

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  2. It's coming. I love that you are watching for the birds. Today is gray and gloomy and I am getting impatient for spring.

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    1. We're just entering in, aren't we? We must put up with the cold and wind first, I suppose.

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  3. The skunks are out here, too! Skunk roadkill is a sure sign of spring. It won't be long now.

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    1. I don't like skunks and I don't know why God thought we should have them. Definitely a harbinger of spring, yes?

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  4. It's truly lovely to hear "suck" used in a wholesome family, even very positive, way! You have given us a broad swath of a picture of your life and thoughts just now, and I love that, too.

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    1. I always chuckle a little when I read the things that bring you pleasure....like the word suck. I really never thought a thing of it. There are other words we use in our country vernacular when it comes to animals that would make most folks uncomfortable, but we use them as matter-of-factly as you would say, "Please pass the butter." Thanks for your thoughts.

      ~Jody

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  5. I was just thinking of that book called Green Grass of Wyoming and that passage of when they say to each other, "Do you have greengrass all in one word." I think that you know spring is there before you see it. I hope you get lots of warm soon.

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    1. I know that book well. Greengrass is much different than drygrass or lastyear'sgrass. Warmth would be good, but wet would be best! Any kind of wetness for the greengrass.

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  6. Spring is certainly on its way! We have everything blooming like crazy - I found wisteria blooming this morning on my walk :-)

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    1. Wisteria sounds romantic. Very much fairytale stuff in these parts.

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  7. Aye! There are a few of these comments that had me nodding...and then you lost me on a tinge of green, something about tulips and hyacinths etc...because I'm having a darn hard time smiling in the grocery store saying 'well, it will be great for spring run off...' UGH! We still have feet of snow on the ground, but somehow there is a bit of hope in the air and the calves are arriving regardless. :)

    By the by, you can grow hyacinths? Sounds so lovely, they are about the loveliest smelling plants I suppose - but we don't grow 'em here.

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    1. Cheyenne,

      You know, many, many years we are buried in snow at this point of "spring," but this year we are dry, dry, dry and have been all winter long. We can hardly buy a snowflake. I know the feeling of wanting desperately to see the ground again. To see a dandelion. This year it's dirt and so yes, we have a few tulips and hyacinths tips coming through already.

      I didn't know if we could grow hyacinths either, but I planted some 2 falls ago and they were lovely coming up in the spring. I can't wait to see them again this spring. I hope there is enough moisture for their appearance. I shall carry buckets to them. I would think you could grow some too. Why not? They need the cold temps just like tulips. Do you ever see them in the stores in the fall?

      Wishing you warmth and lovely run-off. You can wish me wet snow and run-off.

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  8. Sounds just about right for spring! Enjoy!

    Blessings!
    Deborah

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    1. It's fun to see the signs, as small or large as they might be.

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  9. I love your list of happenings to usher in spring Jody; you've motivated me to make up a list. Green here in the midlands of England is not often absent, but it is more appealing when the sky is not gray :)
    I love the bunny transfer, so sweet

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  10. It's billowing snow here today. My grands can't come down because of this inclement weather. Blast!
    You are so right! The bird feeders are empty in no time!

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  11. I have nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award as I so enjoy your blog. Have a great weekend.

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  12. Jody, at least I can read about spring at your blog; this week, we're expecting snow all week long. I did catch n hour in the studio, door open so the dogs and cats could wander in/out. That was bliss!

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