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This spring has been an unusual season for us here in Ohio. We have had a normal back and forth of temperatures. Shorts weather one day and snow the next. Just this week we watched the spring blossoms break forth on the fruit trees, only to be covered in inches of snow a few days later. It has been an unusual spring for us in the rainfall totals. Normally, this time of year the cows are belly deep in mud and manure. The winter build-up of muck that gets saturated to the point no tractor would ever make it out of the paddock. But, this year has been perfect cattle working weather. We haven't had much moisture (other than the 4 inches of snow this week that quickly melted) and have had the unusual opportunity to get in the paddocks, pastures and fields for the after winter clean up. I don't ever remember getting all the winter paddocks not only cleaned out but the manure spread on the hay field in the spring.  The warm days have also given the grass an early boost.
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We have had more snow this year than we have had in quite a few years. While snow always makes farm life more difficult, it sure adds beauty to a gray winter. I always love snow pictures...but I never have many because it is just too darn cold to go outside for a photo shoot.  I have braved the cold a few times for some very short photo opportunities...but it only takes a few minutes for my fingers to go numb and then I can't even use my camera.
I was on chore duty this weekend. The weather was beautiful with a hint of sun peaking from behind the clouds and the cool, crisp temperatures of fall. The cows have been moved to their fall grazing on the hay field and they are enjoying the feast. As usual, the weekends I am home alone are full of my long list of to-dos. Except, I looked out at the hay field and realized I didn't really want to clean the kitchen...so I grabbed my camera.  I haven't been out in the herd for a while...and this one isn't quite sure what to make of me and my camera. I hope he realizes mom's leg isn't hiding much.  He eventually ventured out.  We weaned some of the calves, so a lot of the mommas are over at the other farm.   I love how the young ones always stick together.  They just run to momma when they are hungry....sounds all too familiar.   I wish I were that flexible...  It sure would make scratching my back a little easier.  Blast is just chilling out looking like the big stuff he is. All the bulls have done their job for the year and Blast will be heading to his new home in a few short weeks. The leaves are just starting to change, the hay field is still growing that lush fall grass and everyone is putting on some extra weight for the long months ahead. You might also like... You would think the stay-at-home orders would give me plenty of time to spend outside and enjoy the farm. Well,,,working from home, more hours than I ever did at work, actually means I rarely leave my desk. Looking back at last week, I took the dog out Wednesday morning, I went out to the garage to get some paint supplies on Thursday night, and I finally walked back outside Friday night to visit with the neighbor over the fence. So no...I am not really enjoying the occasional days of sunshine. I can actually go days on end without stepping outside my doors.  Which is why the absolutely picture perfect Saturday, was an outside every second I could kind of day.
We had snow this week. Not much...about an inch after 3 days of light snow showers. It has been a very warm winter, so the snow was a nice change of scenery...especially since it covered the mud we have been living in.  This winter has been hard. Not because of the cold, but because of the warm.
All I can say is this has been one strange winter so far. While parts of the West were hunkered down with snow and ice, we were out and about in almost 70 degree weather. Granted, we had some lovely rain and wind to go along with those warm temps, but it still wasn't bad enough to need a coat. The winter mud has returned, and the cows are just as confused as we are. We had to dig out the fans this weekend because the cows were just too hot to eat.  We didn't ring in the new year and decade with any fan fare or big parties. To be honest, we all came home and took naps, warmed up left overs for dinner and then headed back to the couches for another nap...then off to bed long before the ball dropped. It was a glorious evening of staying in and catching up on sleep we didn't realize we needed. I don't know about you, but right now I am a little overwhelmed by 2020. It seems that every time I turn to TV, internet or social media, I am faced with goals, resolutions, organization and plans to master 2020 and start the decade off right. It's all a little exhausting.  2019 was a good year for us. To be quite honest...I'm not sure I am ready for it to be over.
I know big things are ahead for us in 2020...but I am still savoring 2019. I spent New Year's Day scrolling through pictures on my phone. Those that have been around here for a while have seen many of the highlights of our year, but there is so much more that happened in between all these moments. Facebook and Instagram are full of picture perfect moments. Even life on the farm is usually beautiful and clean.
But is it really like that in real life? Farms are working operations. We have messy stuff and piles of things that we may need some day. Broken pieces and parts that need to be thrown away...or when you live in the country...hauled to the dump. There isn't time to do it all, so something has to give. Usually, that pile stays until Spring. I have a pretty amazing life. I love my family and this farm we live on, but I don't want you to think for one minute that my life is all picture perfect. Today, there are some pretty pictures, but I also step back and turn around to show you what is on the other side. Cameras and photo editing can make things seem better than they really are. It isn't very often that I have a Saturday at home with no plans or deadlines. This weekend, Daniel and the boys were off on a "boys trip" and I was home alone...which I always enjoy. The cooler fall temperatures have finally arrived and I had to drag out a jacket to head to the barn for morning chores. It was such a cool, clear perfectly peaceful fall morning. I finished chores and then grabbed my camera.  It amused me that the calves aren't much different than my teens. Any time they can congregate together away from the watchful eyes of adults, they do.
September.... I am not sure how we got here. The temperatures are cooling off and we are constantly reminded that winter is just around the corner. My brain is still saying it is summer...and there is so much left to do before I will admit that fall is here.  Last year's calf is gearing up for the final show of her career....
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AuthorHello! I am Heather... the city girl turned mom to manure loving country boys. My husband and I both grew up in the city, but spent weekends visiting grandparents in the country. We are first generation farmers who learn best by almost always doing things the hard way. I hope you enjoy following along with our adventures down on the farm. Archives
December 2022
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