It has been a while....

     I see that I have not written here for a while. The blog sort of gets put at the bottom of the to-do list when I have other things to accomplish.  I spent some time making cards; three birthdays, one anniversary, one get well, one sympathy and one baby shower. I also finished doing the Legion Honour Roll.  I am still plugging away at the Hall sign, but it seems slow in coming.
     I watched two episodes of Hope for Wildlife on Knowledge Network. I was surprised to see Oaklawn Farm Zoo, and Gail and Ron Rogerson in the episodes. It was also neat to see the mailbox and large lion sign that I had painted quite a few years ago.  I think the lion has been touched up a bit over the years.  I found an old pre-digital picture of it, probably taken when it first went up.

Oaklawn Farm Zoo Lion

     Here is my latest painting.  I just get such a release of stress when I am painting them. I'm not thinking of anything else, just enjoying the colour, the flow and the result.  I also enjoy it when Lindsay points out things that she can see in the picture.

Beyond

     I had thought to call it frustation, but it's not dark enough for that.  Maybe it is Beyond Frustration as one friend on face book suggested.  I guess it could be Beyond 'anything' the person looking at it wants it to be.



Sign of Spring

     I just had to put this up on the blog, if only to make myself feel better.  When these little beauties poke up through the cold damp earth, you know that Spring can't be too far away.

Visit to Ironwood

     Yesterday I left Stonehenge with daughter Dawn, Rae and Lindsay, and we were on our way to visit Heather at Ironwood, in Summerville, Hants Co., looking forward to seeing the new little ram lambs.  Of course, it rained all the way and continued once we got to the farm. 
     Our first stop after arriving was the barn, of course, to see the wee ones, and to say hello to the rest of the flock, and Luke.  The lambs were so cute, I just fell in love with them, and Lindsay got a chance to give them a bottle.

     They were just so sweet.  The ewe's name is Loretta, and Heather is still calling the little guys, Thing 1 and Thing 2.

     Hazel likes the little ones too, and gave this one a little lick, though perhaps she was after the milk that had slopped on the lamb's chin.

      This is a picture of part of the farm as it looks with the snow melting and the rain falling. It is a place that just captures my imagination, even in the wet and mist of the day.

     This morning, Heather and I set off for Gaspereau, to a Felting Workshop.  Heather has past experience, but I have never done it before.  What an interesting time.  Even a novice can create something unique.  It was very enjoyable, even if my poor old neck muscles didn't co-operate.  I think everyone got a little sore.  I just tend to hold myself too tense, but it was well worth the aches.

     All in all it was a wonderful break, and I'm so glad the opportunity presented itself.  I had a great time at Heather's and made some new cat friends of Pedro and BB. (I'm not sure how Heather spells her name, but I'm sure she'll let me know.

     If you want to read more about Ironwood, they have a blog as well.  You can find it at hhttp://www.ironwoodfarm.wordpress.com







Pruning Begins

     The rain and the one warm day enabled Dawn and Bob to begin pruning, a bit earlier than I expected.  They began this morning.  The orchard still is covered with snow in places, but at least they could get the tractor to the trees.  Lots of work ahead.
     Dawn is 2nd in command so to speak, as Bob, having had a stroke two years ago, is not able to do as much as he used to.

The winter wind blew the bins over

Looking over the orchard to the N. Mountain

Another view



     

Here we go again..

      This morning at eight there was no water in the basement.  At noon the puddles were forming, and this evening, the streams are running.  This is a sure sign that Spring is coming.  I wonder how much will be there in the morning to greet me....?

Two New Paintings

     There's not much new at Stonehenge.  The day has been bitterly cold, but there is hope that it will warm up, if you believe the weather forecast.
     My daughter, Dawn, told me today that granddaughter Lindsay had an excellent report card, and received a "Silver" on her science fair project.  The project was on the heart, and the circulation system of the body.  Apparently, she found a page on the net where she could do a heart transplant.  Amazing.  She's amazing!  As a grandmother, I am allowed to, nay, supposed to brag about grandchildren, and so I am.
     Thought that I would post my latest paintings.

Blomidon, Nova Scotia

and......

Lost

     Now I really need to buckle down and get working on the sign for the community club........



So March Begins...

     Those of us who live on a farm and grow apples, are, at this time of year thinking about getting into the orchards to do some needed pruning.  As it looks now, that is next to impossible for us.  There is probably two to three feet of snow covering the orchard, perhaps a little less after the rain we had last Friday.  To get the tractor from the barn, plowing a road is first up on the to-do list. We need the tractor in the orchard because our pruners run off the tractor.  So it will be a while before we can start our pruning.
     Today a very cold wind is blowing, and I wonder if Spring will ever get here. The first day of spring begins on the 20th, not that that means very much.  It would be nice though, to see the snow go and for the little crocus to peek through the ground.  I don't know why this winter has seemed to last so long, but it has seemed like forever.  I suppose if I was into winter activities it might make winter seem less of a drag, but I'm not. I would like to crosss country ski, or even go skating, but at my age, what I don't want is a broken leg. I checked the Martock webcam and there were folks out there skiing this morning. I suppose moving lots keeps them warm.
     My first granddaughter turned 14 yesterday.  It brings a tear to my eye.  It seems they grow up so fast.
It just seems like a short time ago when I held a tiny bundle of love in my arms. Turn around three times and they are grown.
     I was going to have an adventure last weekend. I was going to attend a felting workshop with Heather, and was looking forward to it.  I was also going to have a visit at Ironwood, to see the baby lambs, however the weather did not co-operate, the workshop was cancelled and the roads were to miserable and dangerous to go to Ironwood.  Better luck next time......I hope.
     I have been doing some painting, working on the sign for the community hall, and I think I have finished the one of Blomidon, though I'm not paricularly satisfied with it.
     I might put it on the blog another time.
     To make me feel better, here is a picture of the orchard, not taken in the winter time.  We actually have raspberries as well. We removed some trees, and planted raspberries a few years ago.

     I took this picture last fall, because the limbs seemed to make the shape of a heart.
     I will post more pictures as time goes on.  C'mon Spring!!