Well as you all can see I am back at the ranch tucked away in the valley and the work has been nonstop. We still had snow all over and it was still falling for almost 3 weeks when we arrived home middle of April. Fortunately it never stayed long on the ground.
I was so happy to see my wonderful view again from my windows and deck. There was still snow on my trail along the beaver dam ponds but was so excited in seeing this special place again.
Our wildlife friends were quick to come by and start greeting us. These deer I took from my window. We have so many variety of ducks this year that I am sure will make this their home for nesting with all the beaver dams creating perfect marshes and nesting areas.
Surprised this goose along the nature trail when the snow was off and was able to walk along it. When they are surprised and don’t have time to fly they lay with their heads close to the water so it is harder to see them. Of course we are over run with squirrels again.
Today I was going to make a full circle walk around the beaver ponds and was near an area I know last year momma bear had 2 cubs. Well sure enough I ran into her and back tracked with my heart pounding till I had her and all the marshes and ponds between us before stopping for photos and observing her. Don’t see any young ones yet. Still to early for them to be wondering around.
The only color when we returned was a small cluster of snow crocus. But in the greenhouse we were pleasantly surprised to see our palm trees, oleander bush, grape vine, ginkgo tree and some spinach and parsley all growing beautifully. We had tried for years with the ginkgo outside in the ground and it just kept dyeing back every winter even though it is suppose to be hardy for this area.
With the wet conditions we were able to get started burning. This big pile was one we didn’t get burned last winter and had covered with a tarp so it went up like a torch. We burned all the dead grasses in the fields right near the house and where we thought it was safe. This is one of hubby’s favourite jobs.
We got the small field burned right below the house. It was a perfect day to burn. Little gusts of wind would come to speed it up a bit, but then stop so we could get it under control again. It was also completely surrounded by water. I feel so much safer getting all those dried grasses gone around the house. It all comes back so much greener and really reduces the fire hazard around our place.
Finally when the snow was gone off the nature trail we were able to make our full circle hike around the beaver ponds. Hubby built a new bridge last summer so now I don’t have to wade thru the creek. Just have to watch for the bear now.
Well as of today my first daffodils in the vegetable garden at least are just opening. Also have some kale from last summer already to start eating.
Picked our chickens up from their winter home at friends. They were so glad to be back in the fruit tree area and have lots of green grass and space to run around in. We have 3 hens and 1 rooster.
Well this is how bleak one of my flower beds can look just after the big piles of snow from the roof finally melted. Normally by this time of the year all my primrose are in bloom around the entire border. They are just barely coming up now.
The weather has still not been very warm, but at least the grass is now turning green.
I haven’t even started anything in the garden yet. I am buying this year a lot of my seedlings instead of starting them in the greenhouse. I finally went for my CT scan for my back and found out I have some nerves that are exposes and if I get any inflammation or swelling, contact will be made and I will be in pain again. If this happens to much it can become permanent. I also have arthritis in that part of my back as well. I may be seeing a specialist late this summer about possible surgery.
Well what do you expect from all those years of gardening the hard way. So now I am cutting way back and taking it a little at a time. It’s very hard for me as for 20 years now I had gone hog wild with gardening and raising flowers. I really have to hold myself back from doing a lot of things. But I have seen so many friends in such pain latter in their lives I just don’t want to have to live with that. I want to still be able to enjoy many other activities like hiking, snowing shoeing and cross country skiing. Also I realize now I really have to limit my time sitting here at the computer.
So I may not be blogging as often or visiting. But I won’t be disappearing. I have made so many wonderful friends here that mean so much to me and have always inspired me in so many ways. Something I could never give up. This has also been my place to be creative. Something I think everyone needs in their life.
So to all my wonderful friends here who have stuck with me over the last 3 years and few new ones I have met here at blogger, you mean so much to me and I love all of you.
I may still be adding some older blogs from spaces so watch the dates, I just want to get them all here soon.
I would also like to wish all mothers out there a
Happy Mothers Day
with my flowers from the past years.
And to everyone else
May you have a
Good Morning… Good Afternoon… Good Night…
what ever it is to you.
Photos & Words
by
Here I Am/Carrie
