Pasture Time

What is it about a sunny spring day?

Is it the vibrant green against the brilliant blue

that stirs my soul?

There's just something about a day like this 

that fills me with joy and quenches something deep inside.

And though, with a finite amount of days to live, I have

always tried to think of each day as a good day -

there are just some days that are better than good.

Days like these are nothing short of miraculous!

I spent some time in the front pasture yesterday afternoon,

with the intention of cleaning up donkey and pig manure.

Truly, though, my real reason for being there was just

to soak up the sunshine and the vibrancy of green grass,

blue skies, and spring blossoms.

Through the years, the daffodils in the front pasture have

multiplied.

It's a lovely, naturalized space with a myriad of narcissus.

There, in the midst of my friends and such beauty,

I lost track of time.

It could have been minutes or hours as I lay there on my back

looking up at the sky through Spring's colors.

Just beneath this particular flower, tucked beneath tufts of grass...

was the most amazing thing.

A tiny oak tree had sprouted out of an acorn and taken hold

of the soil right there.

This was something I have never seen before,

and I was awestruck.

Right there before me... from tiny acorn was the start

of a mighty oak.

How many years will it take for this tiny seedling to grow into a sturdy

tree?

What are its chances of survival?

I think I must protect this tiny seedling so that I can

watch it grow.

What a miracle of nature!

Outside the pasture fence, the color has drained from the forsythia...

helped along by the past few frigidly cold nights.

But, the flowering quince remains brilliant.

And, further up the fence, the lilacs are getting 

ready to bloom.

I cannot wait to cut these fragrant blossoms 

and bring them into the house.

While the horses were out grazing in the upper pastures,

I spent a little time planting flowers.

I filled the new window box with potting soil

and added Calendula and violas... a breed called "Fire".

These just might be my favorite violas yet.

I also planted a hanging basket.

 Then I raided my perennial flower beds for new spring growth,

and divided some of the larger groups -

then transplanted them into the garden in front of the shed.

(I am really leaning towards "Maven Haven" for the name.)

As for inside... the ceiling is staying as is... with just a coat of white paint.

Perhaps next week we will start the interior work.

The wood for the walls arrives today,

but that will have to wait until the floor is done.

We'll have a party inside sometime in May for sure!

These days, whenever we are working around the barn,

Griz is our constant companion.

He takes any opportunity to soak up some loving.

He gives really good hugs,

and always ends up on our shoulders.

He's very adept at staying on top of us as we work!

Apparently, time spent in the pasture is exhausting!

Out, like a light.