Thanks for Coming

We're gonna have to track the boss. He took off without me, while I was collecting up my stuff. Don't know if he went up the hill already or if he is still over at the barn. Oh, well, we'll find him eventually.

Look, there's a boot print there in the gate. That's him.

Feel that wind! So strong and invigorating, yet gentle and warm too. Puts me in mind of the Secret Garden and Mary Lenox out on the moors. No moors here, but you can feel the wind pushing at you that same way, making you stand up straight and push back against it. Reminds me of Robert Dennis's song Spring Dance too. This is just that kind of air.

Anyhow, it feels great doesn't it? You want me to put your sweatshirt in my tote with the hammer and the hatchet? This is warm work.

Be real careful with those nippers. The one handle is a little bent and they will smash your knuckles if you don't hold them just right. They get the job done though. Kinda.

Just think, almost every plant we are cutting out of this fence is an invasive pest. The honeysuckle, the roses, all brought here  by design or accident and all a real pain in the neck.

When you clip back these tiny black cherry seedlings make sure and toss the bits and pieces over the fence where the cows can't get them. Cherry twigs are poisonous and cows are curious. They are guaranteed to get into anything you don't want them too.

Good job there. We're almost half way round.



I like to stop and stand a minute, here at the very top. The view is great, miles and miles of valley laid out like a map in front of you.You can pick out the maples across the river real easily, what with their blossoms such a brilliant red. They always put me in mind of ladies putting on lipstick for a night on the town. I suppose spring blooming and summer seeding is quite a party for them....it just takes place at tree speed, a tad slower than our own.

And that big yellow willow. I don't know what road it's on, but I tell the seasons by it like a big ol' watch. The hour hand is pointing straight at spring now and it's branches are getting brighter every day. 

You can hear every mockingbird and flicker on the place from here. If you listen you can pick out the song sparrows too, and look at that crazy killdeer. They always nest and raise chicks down on that flat, every single year. I sure do love to see them, although we won't look for the nest. I didn't bring the camera anyhow, and they don't need the disturbance.

Betchu haven't looked down on a turkey vulture from above much...nothing like a good, big, hill for giving you a different perspective. I always get a kick out of it.

At least the fence isn't quite as bad as we thought. Another couple days cutting out the brush and we will be ready to start stapling up the broken wires, and replacing insulators.

Then we'll charge her up and hope for the best. 

And hope the grass is high enough to graze and take a little off the hay bill. Been a tough winter for a lot of folks I guess.

Anyhow, thanks for coming along today. You did a real nice job and we're grateful for the help. 


***pics were taken yesterday down at the house. I was too lazy to pack the big camera along with all the tools and fence posts I dragged up there and then didn't use.