With the dry weather and extreme wind lately, there have been several wildfires in our area that are still uncontained for the most part, but not close to us — yet. We keep watching the sky for smoke, however. We had an enjoyable visit with daughter, Randie, who spent the week with us here. It was fun “touristing’ her around, showing her some of the sights in our wilderness area and next to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Yesterday, we went down to watch granddaughter, Ava, in her first horse show where she was entered in hunter/jumper classes. She did very well, bringing home a blue and three red ribbons. Not bad for a first, eh? We were so proud, especially when Tana, the mare she rode, is not an easy, push-button horse. She likes to go!
Will went to an auction and was able to buy a nice, self-propelled combine for less than $2,000. He had enough money saved up in cash to do the deal. I was sure happy! We won’t be able to harvest wheat this year but he’s going to plant winter wheat in the fall for next year. Getting it home from 40 miles away is another thing. It’s a very long way to drive it! Yesterday, while Randie and I went to the horse show, Will and Drew went to the farm and brought home the header, the big piece that cuts and heads the wheat to thresh and blow in the bin. It weighs 2,000 pounds. But by finagling a bit, they got it on and its home, safe and sound. Tomorrow, our semi-driving friend, Brendan Yoder, will not only haul the combine home but also the big excavator Will bought from a neighbor several weeks ago.
Although spring is here (frogs and orioles), Will is busy cutting firewood for next winter. Here, we have two seasons, winter and getting ready for winter! It’s hard to think about winter when the cherries and plum trees are blooming. I was tickled to see both Hummingbirds and Orioles this morning. So very pretty, plus the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are here too, gobbling the grape jelly next to the Orioles.
We sure need some rain, not only for our gardens but to cut down on the fire danger. We’re supposed to get some this evening and tomorrow, but we’ve heard that before, only to find it didn’t happen. — Jackie
I haven’t heard about fires here in Copper Basin Alaska yet but we had a low snow pack and bad winds lately too. It’s been mostly cloudy and staying fairly cool but a week of showers and drizzle only put ten gallons of water in the rain barrel! Onions planted, and a row of beets plus a little chard in the hoop house. Only five more hoop house beds to prep! Will have to grand plant tomatoes in the green house next week!
Ava looks so precious and it is good to have a passion in life to live for. My granddad used to tell me that folks that work with horses lived to be really old. He lived to 97 so he must be right! We are in a drought here too; but the big farms have irrigation machines. But not the little farms so I am praying for rain for everyone. I bought squash, broccoli and strawberries at an Amish farm this morning, so we won’t starve by any means. I’m just hoping for rain before all the corn dries up down here. I’ll be busy today processing my goodies for canning and freezing for winter. I feel for you Jackie, as I have a doc appointment for a bum knee. I am hobbling and doing things sitting down and hoping it is just a sprain and not a knee replacement.
I love the area you’re in! I used to fish up there and go canoeing. I lived in Lonsdale so it was a little trip but it was worth it. I’m glad you’re going to get fruit this year because we won’t. They have canceled peach days in Utah and my trees got hit really bad so I won’t have fruit this year either. I have to cover plants tonight due to freezing temps. It just teases us with the nice weather and then slams the door shut! I’m in south east Idaho.
Two seasons:)!! Yep! Seeing Will at the pile of logs pray fires stay well away. Wouldn’t want you to lose. Well done Ava! Nice to have time for sharing your sites with Randi. Saw my first oriole yesterday. Exciting isn’t it.praying for fire fighters to stop the fires Be safe
Be safe!