Sometimes winter starts to get me down...usually along about February. I know it is the same for a good many other folks too. I have one I-friend in Calgary who has been dealing with temps of minus forty and lower for over a week now. Other friends in other places have their share of weather and illness related woes too.
This week though people have done me such kindnesses that I feel as warm as if it were a humming June day with robins and thrushes singing the dawn chorus to the mornings and the garden springing up in green shoots like punctuation in the dark, rich earth.
First a dear friend stopped by to vaccinate kitties and to give me a beautiful little stained glass border collie, which somehow captures the very essence of border collie, crouched, intent and staring....giving the world "the eye." I hung him where he can peer down the driveway through the big front window, watching for whatever may appear there. He is so perfectly collie that I get a little thrill of delight every time I see him.....thank you!
Then another friend gave us all little boxes Valentine chocolates, literally a sweet thing to do...thank you too.
And last night, when we came home from the Farm Bureau meeting someone with whom I have conversed on the Internet since 2001 (and been shellacked by at Battleboats and Jamble many times as well) sent me a short video clip. Everyone was shouting around me (we are a loud lot here when passionate) about some horse they had seen along the road and I couldn't hear what was going on in the movie, but I could tell it was something special. Later, when all was quiet, I turned up the volume. To my throat-tightening amazement, the video featured his "bingo ladies" (he calls bingo where he lives) wishing me a Happy Valentines Day. Imagine a whole room full of people in a distant city, all of whom I have never met, getting together to do such a nice thing. I was at a loss for words....except thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have never had a nicer Valentine.
Last, but not least by any measure, when I awoke this morning (later than I had any right to having been up way too late at a the meeting) unfamiliar lights were shining over from the barn. Liz was up working on calving in Char, number 116, who is still, even as I write, taking her sweet time having her baby. She had been up at two and again at four and was still awaiting developments....thanks Liz for the extra sleep and freedom from worry. It is pretty special and will be missed.
How can I be gloomy? Thanks again to all the good people who are kind enough to think of us and help us get through the doldrums of February in such special ways.
PS...... I requested in the Farm Side this week that someone send us robins if they saw any. Before it even ran in the paper (it runs today) Liz spotted a huge flock down on 30A...so thank you too, whomever was kind enough to share their spring harbingers with us....we are most grateful!
****Update: Naturally it is a bull...check out that weird ear!
****Mrs. Mecomber sent me a meme. I will do my bit here
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14 comments:
Ah-ha! I was almost positive that I saw a robin yesterday along 5-S! I was absurdly pleased, for it lifted my spirits, too.
You deserve all the nice Valentines, and I'm glad you were pleased.
(Well, it looks like Blogger still has the gag order.... NumberWise.)
40 below....makes it seem almost tropical here. I did see a whole flock of robins last week and yesterday I heard them singing when I got out of the car at the grocery store.
Glad you had a great Valentines Day.
The new boy is a cutie!
That's a cute ear!
I get kinda tired of winter around about now too but I love hearing about the robins!!
At least the sun was out here yesterday. That helps!
Well, I had a simply marvelous day!
I enjoyed a thick beef and venison stew for lunch. I marveled at the profusion of plants in every window and inspected the newly-arrived packets of seeds. I tasted two crisp, tender, flavorful leaves of lettuce from the recent crop (pictured in an earlier post). I provided a reason for the dogs to act in a way that made me glad they were in their crates - but still beautiful to look at. I smiled as I listened to the girls' verbal jousting with their parents and each other. The bird feeders were filled, and I watched those birds that have been pictured here. I was even given a ride to and from, for my little car would never make the climb to that Gothic aerie. And for my dinner tonight I savored part of a huge and wonderful pork chop that was sent home with me.
Yup, I spent the day at threecollie's house, and it was like a mini vacation. Many thanks from NumberWise!
NW, I am still waiting....and thanks
Stacy, it does put things in perspective, doesn't it? You are lucky on the robins! Send a few my way....if you have extra..
WR, don't know what happened there, but he is a real big boy...probably not much room in his former quarters.
NW, you keep me honest in the bookkeeping department and offer the best conversation I get all year. I love it when you visit. I had a great day too...so nice to see you...Glad you had fun!(Come again anytime...no need for bookkeeping for a good visit.)
Flocks of several hundred robins today streaming into a pine forest for the evening.
Soon come.
Big calf - how is that little Shorthorn cutie doing? He looks like my Guernseys'
Sorry no robins - but it was definitely Valentines day here -cats yowling, ravens courting and pileated woodpeckers flirting with each other all day. We're still in the varied thrush mode, maybe robins soon. Everytime my kidlet does something for me in the barn without asking, I just want to freeze time and not ever let her leave. You must have done a great job of raising your kiddos!
FC, I can't wait to see them. It is very late, based on the past few years for them to show up, but we do have a lot of ice, pretty much covering everything.
Nita, The little SH is doing fine...but what a kicker. No one wants to walk anywhere near him!
I am so much enjoying reading your blog...learning a lot and what beautiful country you have out there!
I love your border collie, and I'm glad you had such a warm day.
I saw a robin on our fence just two days ago. KILL THE GROUNDHOG!!!!
What a great piece of glass! I love it. I used to create stained glass. All my stuff is in the basement collecting dust.
The bull's ear was probably pressed against his head. I've had a few that way. They usually come out of it. Be glad that your girls don't calve out in the elements. Sometimes the calves freeze their ears.
Cubby, thanks, it tickles me every time I walk into the living room
Tim, send him up...the robing that is not the groundhog
moos, that is wonderful...that you made it that is, you should let us "see" some of your pieces
And I am sure you are right on the ear. He is a real big boy and must have been quite crowded
I can see that your heart is full. That's why so many respond to you the way they do.
I know you're often tired. I know you're often worried. And, BOY! do I know how February can find our spirits sagging, but . . . . if your lovely writing captures the essence of your days (and I know it does) you have a wonderful life.
(That little calf is awfully cute - and that's no bull ;0)
Thanks, Cathy, he is a cute little guy!
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