A Little Of This And That...

After the constant flurry of activity that is Spring,

Summer settles upon us and life slows down a little.

There's much I would love to be doing outside...

but the only comfortable hours are early in the morning and late in the evening.

The horses have been enjoying their bug-free, cooler nights out in the pasture.

We bring them back to the barn in the early morning

to escape the heat and the bugs,

and they spend the next half hour grooming each other,

before falling sound asleep.... exhausted from the previous night.

Until the past two days, it has been a relatively dry summer.

Yesterday we had torrential rain.

The sheep sought shelter with the pigs.

After all, there's nothing more uncomfortable than a wet wool sweater!

This summer I've needed to water the garden frequently.

It's during those early morning hours in the garden that I spend

a block of time fussing over my tomato plants.

For the first time - ever - I have tomato plants that don't look as though

they've been neglected.

In previous years, I've had good intentions, but

just never gave them the hours of attention needed.

And in no time, the vines would grow wild and crazy,

like un-attended toddlers.

Fruit would ripen and, if not picked in sort order, rot on the ground.

This summer I have weeded, watered, staked and tied...

and pruned and pruned and pruned.

Every few days, I prune the leaves that hang down from the sides of the plants,

so that the stems and fruit receive plenty of airflow and sunlight.

You would be amazed at just how severe a haircut I have given these vines!

For all of the attention that I have given them this year,

it seems they are paying me back with oodles of fruit.

We are just now entering tomato harvest time.

Each day I pick one or two.

Soon, there will be an explosion!

 I sat with the Runner ducks for a while yesterday.
The youngsters are growing a little more each day.

You can view the video HERE, if it doesn't show up above. ↑

Our chicks have grown like weeds as well and are now about half the

size they will be at full grown.

We have ordered a net that we will install halfway down the

chicken yard so that these new gals can be out without the other hens

picking on them.

More to come on that project.

The two black barn kitties have turned into the most docile cats.

Every time we enter the barn they mew, asking for attention.

It's almost blackberry picking time.

This year we have an abundance of ripening fruit on our canes.

Added to what I can pick at the edge of the woods,

we will have plenty for a blackberry pie or cobbler and some jam.

And lastly, I have received some questions as to how Sammie is doing.

Old Brown Sammie is doing just fine.

He's ten now and has slowed down a bit...

saving his energy for only that which he deems to be fun...

like, romping in the woods or hunting ground hogs.

Annie still takes off on the occasional adventure... usually on a rainy morning.

As for Chester... he is probably the most loyal dog ever...

patiently waiting close by no matter what we are doing,

and dutifully following us back home again.

He is one who will never venture off.

Not ever.