work and play mix

A few years ago we started a new tradition for Mothers Day. A gift of help from my younger two kids. My oldest has a busy career and is a mom herself. Each year, I choose a land project for the four of us to tackle together. I love this tradition! 

One of my favorite sayings is "many hands make quick work". 

We have done things in the past like random junk removal left by others in the woods (don't get me started) and other years pulling invasive's. This year, instead of working on land projects I asked that we work on our fire pit area. Specifically, the weathered wooden rocking chairs that need restoring. Also, removing heavy real logs used as side tables and pulling endless weeds growing through rock edging.

After tightening loose wooden pieces, it quickly became obvious that sanding each chair (X8) would take an eternity. We resorted to Power Washing. Which meant unplanned drying time, followed by the need for stain to even un-sanded wood colors out. 

Let the yard work begin. With four of us, we got so much done! Oh to be younger, they moved so fast. I am grateful for our son & daughters help, who both work a lot of hours at their job/s. They gave up their entire day and spent it with me/us. After enjoying a delicious home cooked meal, we all went to bed tired that night. Including these three:

Jameson, Asher and Tank

While the guys were getting things set up, my new grand dog Asher went on his first off-leash walk. He got zapped by the pasture fence, but otherwise did good. Especially for a rescue puppy exploring a new world.

around 9 months old

Before all the work began, was some soul fulfilling play!! I finally took time to fly my new replacement kite. Brad came out to the field and helped release (and re-release) the kite. He also took photos and video. Not posting video due to audio. Wish I could figure out an easier way to replace bad audio with music. iMovie makes my head hurt.

Anywho, I have my own flutterby that floats and glimmers in the sun!

"let's go fly a kite"

5.10.26

 

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! If you are not a mom ~ you have one!!

4.28.26

Many of our beloved mothers are no longer here on earth, but never far from our hearts. I miss mine every.single.day. When my mind weighs heavy, I sit on my mom's inscribed memorial bench and talk to her in Spanish. Which is getting pretty spotty. No tengo nadie con quién hablar en español.

4.30.26

Winter birch lit trees flank my mom's bench seasonally. They go into storage and get swapped out for teal clay flower pots. The pots are out now, but I haven't planted them yet. I have the plants, but am waiting for temps to stop dipping into the 30'sF. Soon. Very soon.

smells so sweet

My grandkids were out last weekend. The youngest one carries on our family name, passed down for five generations.

Aurora

My mom get's a lot of visitors, of the winged kind. 

Robin visiting on Mother's Day
5.10.26

Hope everyone has a wonderful and special memorable day!

land of wonders ~ april 2026

Last month, I noticed some catkins that Google ID'd as Hickory. I see a lot of various types of catkins on our property. However, I haven't noticed hickory tree's. Interestingly enough, this month I found my first hickory nut laying right smack dab in the middle of the main trail. Just one. How ironic.

Perhaps some critter dropped it, but there are no teeth marks. I am not going to eat the nut, but I would like to draw it. It has a lot of interesting texture.

April 8

every nut needs friends


mystic ground fog covered our land
April 13    

The surprise snowdrop that appeared at a key time on my beloved cat Sydney's gravesite keeps returning. Sydney was such a unique special cat. Our family still shares many special memories of him.

April 14

In another area, naturalized Daffodils made the true blue of naturalized Scilla's stand out.

Our sky views provide ever changing entertainment.

reaching out

I was surprised to spot a pop of orange.

gooey Lobster Mushroom (ID, apparently edible)
April 14

Nature seems to arrive and disappear in waves. Mid-April, tiny periwinkle blue butterflies appeared everywhere. They flutter randomly and are highly sensitive to movement. These entertaining butterflies land a lot, then promptly close their wings. The beautiful blue wing color can only be seen on the top side. One of these days I will get a good top side photo. 

Spring Azure (?)
April 16

3 days later, Lobster Mushroom bake (yum yum?)
April 17

This year, a couple of my red trillium bloomed! Almost. The leaves never opened flat. Good things come to those who wait. 

April 19



Maybe next year they will open flat

We named our homestead Hidden Cactus Ranch. In untouched areas, you need to watch where you step! I predict a banner cactus blooming season. I will let you know if I am right. They are growing thick as thieves this year.

Cactus Cove

Shortly after taking the photo below, we no longer had as many Spring Azure's. The few I do see are smaller. Common Yellow Supher butterflies took over, in mass. 

April 21

One of my favorite signs of Spring are the sound of Whippoorwhils!!! Sound up if you want to listen. Not the best audio. I was so excited that I forgot to close the front door to block out noise. 

Pray for Rain, Pray for Rain

April 26
13 secs (black screen)

We hear Whippoorwhils at night. I know people that hate them and think they are too noisy. Not me, I love listening to them sing!

I am still waiting and watching for Hummingbirds. They are late to the Spring party this year.

Spring vet day

Spring vet day at our place came and went, but it is still on my mind.

Our vet sold the company to a larger out of State company, and is easing his way into well deserved retirement. He is currently part time, and counting the days. We thought it would be best to "rip the bandaid off" and try the fresh out of school vet that helped us with Hope. While our vet is still around to answer questions. She is very nice. However, you can't replace experience.

With an aging herd, this leaves me unsettled. Especially where Koda is concerned. He has been stalled for 6 months. I know his current injury can take up to a year IF it even heals. I need someone and something to help my boy. I do not want Koda to spend the rest of his life stuck in a stall!

I asked the new vet to review his lameness history, and come up with some type of plan or suggestions. I haven't heard back. I know they are busy with everything that Spring adds. In an effort to be helpful, I gathered some history and dates. Thank goodness for blogging! Koda's off/on lameness issues have been going on for a good decade. Seeing it listed was eye opening. 

The new vet didn't do anything wrong, but we may end up trying some of their more seasoned vets again. A few of them have treated our horses upon occasion. Or, we may switch clinics. There is another good one a bit further away from us that offers more services, like Chiro. In the meantime, we will wait to see what the new vet comes up with for Koda. 

Taping weights is part of the equine wellness package we purchase for our horses each year. It saves us a few pennies. With the exception of Hope, I doubt all our horses lost weight over the Winter. This time they were taped by an intern vet that is about to graduate. It is just a guestimate anyways.

Our herd at home, from oldest to youngest:

Harmony: 1097 lbs (Fall 1117 lbs)
Koda: 1237 lbs (Fall 1257 lbs) Teeth floated. Ultrasound...yep, still lame.
Nemo: 1174 lbs (Fall 1187 lbs) Teeth floated.
Cierra: 1197 lbs (Fall 1117 lbs)
Hope: 950 lbs (Fall 932 lbs)

All of them received Spring vaccines & exam, per our wellness plan:

- Physical exam (spring & fall)
- Dental float with sedation, if needed
- Fecal egg count (spring & fall)
- Lyme vaccine (spring & fall)
- Rhino vaccine (spring & fall)
- Flu Intranasal vaccine (spring & fall)
- EWT/WN vaccine (spring)
- Strangles vaccine (spring)
- Rabies vaccine (fall)
- Coggins Test

Spring vet day was uneventful. Which is a good thing.

4.29.26