The sun is out and the birds are singing
I especially noticed this when I went to Homestead Mills to buy feed this morning. While we were loading up, the sparrows in the warehouse were singing very noisily. It’s the first time all winter for this to happen so we smiled and said it was a sign spring is surely coming. We are practicing what we preach, stocking up on feed, farm seed, fuel, and propane, along with the usual dry goods and food items, including pet food. Even if the grid doesn’t get taken down by Russia or we end up in World War III, we know prices are going to continue to rise and some items become harder and harder to find. Today we got a fill-up on our 1,000-gallon propane tank and the 250-gallon tank we use to heat the greenhouse in the spring and fall. Yep, prices have sure climbed, already, but we felt the need to buy anyway. But, when the truck driver left, he also left bad ruts in our driveway’s snowpack. Will plowed the drive again, trying to remove that loose snow. But when I went out to mail seed orders today, it was bad, going out. So, I called Will and told him it probably could be plowed again, which he did. But, when David came over, before going to work, he said the drive was awful.
This afternoon, with the sun shining brightly, Will climbed on Old Trusty and began bulldozing as much of the winter snowpack off the drive as possible. Here, the snow packs down between plowings. Then, come early spring, the top freezes into a softer layer and under that is a relatively deep layer of what we call sugar snow. It’s very granular and easy to get stuck in or sucked off the drive. So, he wanted to scrape as much of this off as possible as our farm fuel truck is due to come soon, and he didn’t want Jim to get stuck. Of course, Hondo had to go with him to protect against tigers, elephants, and bears in the woods! (It must have worked, as Will didn’t see any of the above critters.)
When I was doing chores this morning, I noticed the ears of my donkey planter in the front yard sticking up out of the snow. Wow, only the tips are showing! We can gauge spring melting by his visible parts, ears, head, neck, body, and finally, feet! I guess it’s early spring, as all I can see is ear tips. Ha ha. — Jackie
Jackie, once spring comes and you have that donkey in full bloom please post a photo.
Debbie in MA
Repeat after ourselves: necessity makes a poor bargain. Tightening that belt an extra notch today means worse case no more tightening and best case, loosening a notch (or two).
That’s for sure. I remember, long, long ago, when we were down to ripping open the kids’ bean bag for the beans, and adding a long-frozen smoked pork hock for soup, as that’s all there was.
Thanks for being an example for us to follow, Jackie, to be self-reliant. Well, you can’t say living in far north California is boring. It’s already wild fire season and we had a fire(a control burn that out of control!) a mile away from our mountain top home, as the crow flies. They told us to evacuate, but we never do. We see all the action of spotters, fire fighting planes, and choppers dropping water from our little ‘perch’ up here. Lots of picture taking and video taking as the smoke plume get taller, and flames too. No rain and drought hurts our area. We fought with Allstate to keep our house insurance. It was tough, and went up a thousand dollars a year. So whether it’s snow or fire, there’s always something! We’ve put in an extra tank and got all filled with diesel, even one for unleaded fuel, now $5/gallon in town. I’m planning for a much larger garden to help others with food, too. I just ‘canned’ 7 quarts of orange juice from our own tree. God is good. Life is interesting, and “there’s no fear in Love”. Really like reading your blogs, Regards, Elizabeth in Redding
Wow, it sounds like you’re keeping busy too! I can’t even imagine having a real orange tree of my own. So very wonderful!!! Keep on keeping on.
Dear Jackie, I know you are tired of snow; but like you said, enjoy each season. Here in Middle (south) TN our robins come in flocks. I saw 5 or 6 yesterday so yes, spring on the way. Just remember Mother Nature is a tricker and may send snow anytime until June! We never know what each will bring with our ever-changing weather. It is true. You can fire up the stove in the early morning and then want air conditioning by supper. We just love to open the windows and enjoy the fresh air.
That’s sure true! In April, we usually get a few days in the 60’s, then the temp drops and so does a foot of wet, blowing snow. Those poor robins!
Good job Hondo!!! What a good dog! That snow is so beautiful Jackie. I know it must make things harder but it sure is beautiful.
You are wise people for stocking up.
We’ve both seen very hard times and don’t want to travel that path ever again. Stocking up only makes sense.
We love the snow too, although about now, we’d like to see just a little less of it. :)
@Sue – I hear you re: mud. Or as I say, the smell of mud and manure, the early signs of spring approaching. Some piles of snow left and a one decent size patch of ice left in the yard. Temps dropped last night so not so soggy to walk this morning. But snow season isn’t over however I should pick up sticks/branches in the yard while it is reasonably dry, snow free, and bearable temps.
Other thoughts on being stocked up/prepared:
1 – any appliances getting close to need to be replaced? We do our best to replace before a breakdown and budget accordingly.
2 – while I suspect none on this board are “clothes horses”, do any shoes, boots, articles of clothing need repair (shoes/boots) or replacing (socks, undergarments, coveralls/work pants, coats)? I’ll be the first to admit that I despise shopping for any of the aforementioned items (ok any and all clothes – nothing ever seems to fit lol) but ya gotta have them.
Gas is $4 a gallon here and that is the highest we have ever had in this area – we aren’t in the sparsely populated rural area nor are we near what one would call a large city.
Not to get too far off intent of this blog but interest rates have been too low for too long. And the average citizen is going to pay the price. Today I read that 48% of people making $100K a year live paycheck to paycheck (comfortably or not comfortably). And 68% of people live paycheck to paycheck period. Not good by any means. May we all have the circle of good friends and family who are there for each other.
So true, Selena. Our gas went up another dime, overnight. It’s now $3.69 and we look for it to climb even more.
I ordered a new dryer, as ours was dead and we had the money now to replace it instead of having Will rob parts from our “spare” dryer. Well, it’s been three weeks and Menards still hasn’t gotten it in stock. Mmmm The clothesline is looking like an option, come snow melt.
As always, it is always good to hear from you and what is going on in your neck of the woods.
Thanks. We’re approaching our start of garden busy time as we’re readying to plant our first main pepper crops inside.
It’s pretty much mud season here in IL. My husband had to take a tractor to a neighbors house and pull the propane truck out of the mud so he could come to our house and beyond.
I did see a robin yesterday! I’ll take that as a sign even he or she gets snowed on at some point.
Oh my God! A real robin!!! We won’t see one for at least a month. But yours gives us hope.
Wow! Had no idea that snow just keeps on ‘giving.’ Yay, Hondo! What a dog!
It does. We think it has babies while we sleep. Hondo sure keeps Will safe from wildlife, real and imagined. Mostly imagined!!
Now. I want a donkey!! That’s Never happened before?
That little plastic donkey planter was Mom’s. You can sit a regular hanging basket in his “pack”. He’s real cute.
Fantastic pictures. Sure hope the donkey continues to show more and more of it’s self. I think every one is ready for spring.
We totally agree about rising prices…doing the same thing around here !
Take care and God bless ya’ll.
Thank you Jami! Gas and propane just went up another 20 cents. Overnight! We’re glad we got our propane and fuel all stockpiled at high prices, but not as high as we think they’ll be going.
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