In like a lamb, out like a lion

Ask any one of my preschoolers, and they'll tell you what a "lion" day is!  On the first day of March, I explained to them the old adage: "In like a lion, out like a lamb!" and then, we talked about what lion and lamb days might be like. Lamb days are, of course, mild, and warm, but Lion days are volatile, cold, and stormy!

We kept a chart throughout March, putting stars either under the lamb day, or the lion day... And what we found was that THIS March definitely started out with "lamb days"...

and ended going out with a series of "lion days!"  As you can see from these photos!

This is what we woke to on Mar. 31st.  Snow!!!

The trick of it is... NOW I've got Spring fever!!! *sighs*

Fire on the Mountain

We knew it was coming. The Forest Service is very good about alerting all home owners in the area of a prescribed burn- but somehow, I hadn't thought about the helicopters.  It just hadn't occurred to me that, of course they'd be using helicopters.

Not that Bruce or I cared... we just didn't realize how much our animals would care!

 Dakota used this opportunity to RACE around and around the two pastures (because the gate separating the two was open).  She was so frantic, and ran herself so hard, she was completely lathered AND lame on that front right leg by the time the helicopter left the area.

It was while Bruce was watching the helicopter... and I was trying to calm Dakota, that Bruce noticed something else running in the pasture.  Cowboy!!! our rooster! And he was squawking his head off.  Rusty, one of the Aracauna hens had literally "flown the coop" with her rooster companion- but SHE had seen the error of her ways, and was frantically trying to get back to her friends.  Once I opened the door to the chicken yard, she darted inside, went straight inside the chicken coop and huddled up with Castor (rooster), Henny Penny, Rosey, Henrietta, Chicken Little, Daisy and the rest.  Now, the problem was trying to catch Cowboy.

Cowboy is our great, big, beautiful, black rooster. (Castor is our great, big, beautiful, white rooster : ).  He'd never left his chicken yard before and he was PETRIFIED!  It must have been a funny sight... Bruce, Cade (who was home on Spring break) and I running around in the field cooing, "here chick, chick, chick"- darting back and forth, while this crazy rooster led us in circles and figure 8's, all the while squawking his frightened head off.  Finally, Cade got the idea that we should throw a blanket over him.  Bruce ran up and grabbed a blanket, and creeped stealthily ever closer behind the bird, while I tried to distract our fugitive.  Suddenly, Bruce lunged, and threw the blanket, while Cowboy easily dodged this new threat, and ran even further into the pasture. I swear I heard Dakota laughing.

Meanwhile, the helicopter finished doing whatever it is it was doing, and flew off.

Cowboy was pretty tired, and decided home was looking pretty good.  It didn't take long before the three of us herded him back into the chicken yard. He crowed a couple of times out of sheer bravado, before settling down to eat.

Bruce, Cade and I headed back to the house for our own dinner, and to watch the eerie spots of fire glowing  throughout the night.

Horse Shopping

So.... I've been looking for a pleasure riding horse. I used to ride a lot... and as a kid, my best friend was my Morgan/Arabian, Brandywine.  When I wasn't in the barn, Brandy and I were striking off on the myriad of trails around my house, embarking on adventure after adventure.  I loved that horse!  Since Koosa's death, my mare, Dakota Skye, has been lonely, having  only the chickens, deer and elk as her companions- AND since my kids have all grown up and left home.... I have a lot of free time.  A very good friend urged me to see a horse she knew would be coming up for sale, and today, I was able to ride her  (the horse! not the friend, Silly! :)

She's a 13 yr. old Arabian mare named Mouse and she is absolutely GORGEOUS! Despite the fact that I haven't ridden in probably over 5 yrs!!! I was able to stay on this horse! and she was very responsive and forgiving. She has a lot of "get up and go!" but she never even tried to take off on me.  I think she will challenge me to become a better rider, but I'm excited to take that challenge! 

When I got home, I wanted to discuss every moment of the trail ride- I wanted to talk to my husband, Bruce... my partner who encourages me, and knows me inside and out.  I wanted to talk to our daughter, Chelsey... a fellow horse lover, rider, and romantic.  I wanted to talk to my sister, Candi... who taught me to ride horses when I was 5, and who also loves and knows horses.  But after I touched base with each of them, I had a nagging feeling... there was someone else I wanted to tell. Someone else with whom I needed to discuss whether or not I should buy this horse. If she was too much horse for me? Someone else I needed to be excited with- and then... it hit me. My mother. I needed to tell my mother.

My tiny little mother, all 5'1" of her, used to ride my father's great, big Thoroughbred, Thunderhead. He, too, was a white horse, with a charcoal mane and tail. He, just like Mouse, was a challenge... a high strung, well trained, retired race horse, who loved my mother as she loved him.  How I wish I could talk to her again. I wonder what she would say. I wonder at the intensity of the feeling I have, that she's right here with me throughout this decision.

Anyway... I'm going to go riding again next week... and then, if all goes well, I hope to be able to bring Mouse to our home, and see how she does here- in unfamiliar surroundings. I'm really hoping for the best.  I'm really looking forward to riding and working with a horse again.

 And I'm anxious for Dakota to have a new friend.  Of course, I'm also, anxious for my legs to start working again! Now that the adrenaline has worn off, they HURT!!! *LOL*

Chronicle of a lovely Saturday

Another spectacular day in NW Montana! When Bruce and I woke, we noticed 4 elk in the front yard. We'd known something was up... the Shelties had been telling us all night long. Since we couldn't let the dogs out anyway, we decided to sleep in a bit longer. In other words, the day got off to a great start. :)

                                                                                                    

I made French toast, while Bruce grilled a few sausages, and got some reading done.  

After breakfast, he set off to get a pile of debris burning. I'm not fooled for a minute. He enjoys playing with fire way too much to call this work.

Although Bruce enjoys prodding at burning wood, the Shelties weren't impressed. They came back up to the house to check on the bunny.  Apparently, keeping the bunny in check involves running around and around and around the bunny coop. They've actually worn a deep track surrounding the entire enclosure.

This little Junco kept a close eye on the dogs. Probably trying to figure out WHY they kept running in circles. I've given up looking for a reason, but I can tell you it's a fun distraction for the two of them.

The real work of the day was gathering all the garbage and taking it to the dump. I would imagine that those of you who live in an urban setting think everyone has garbage pick up service. How we wish it were so!

About once a month, we pile all the garbage into the back of our pick up, and drive the 45 min. to the dump.

It's really not all that bad in the Winter, but in the Summer!!!!  That place REEKS! so much that it really does turn your stomach. A few years back, Cade took his friend with him to help unload, and when this kid got out of the pick up, and the stench hit his nostrils.... well... you can imagine what he did. Bleah! Honestly, it does get that bad.

(Bruce wanted me to take this photo, because, after all... it IS March Madness. :)   You've just got to get into the spirit!  Go Zags!)

So, with Bruce off to the dump, I started in on cleaning the laundry room (which consists of cleaning out the kitty litter, and feeding the parrots). You don't want to see photos of that... but, here is the finished product. 3 happy parrots in a sweeter smelling room, munching peanuts, and pellets.

After that, I had to clean the chair that one of the cats peed on *sighs* and pack away all the Snowmen decorations, unload the dishwasher, make the bed.... you get the idea. Meanwhile, Bruce came back, and decided to wash the car!

I'll admit, the car needed it...

But he DID seem to have an awful lot of fun, playing in the water!

(All clean! until I drive to work!)

Bruce finished up the afternoon playing on his tractor, pulling, and pushing, and making big piles of stuff to burn!  Meanwhile, Selkie and I did the dishes, and made dinner.

(We, often call her Pre-Wash  :)  and don't worry... all the dishes get sterilized in the dishwasher after she's done "helping"). 

I stir-fried up some Jumbo Shrimp (thanks Rod!!!) and pea pods, and served it over rice for a dinner that was out of this world! (Anyone want the recipe? it's QUICK and delicious!)  But as I was cooking, I got to thinking...  Bruce's jobs today were grilling, playing with matches, playing in the water, and playing with a tractor... of course, he did have to take out the garbage.... but compared to MY jobs... cooking, cleaning, kitty litter, saving the chair from cat pee....  Hmmmmmm.....

All joking aside, Bruce works super hard at both home, and his regular job. I honestly, appreciate all he does.  And if I ever DO get to feeling.... less than appreciative? all I have to do is remember how difficult it is to keep up with this house when he's gone!  Shapes me right up! :)  So, there you have it! A day in the life of country living.  We ate our dinner watching elk wander into the backyard, joining the deer who were already milling around. Not bad, huh?

Nuthatch

I have been trying to get a decent photo of a Nuthatch for about a year! They are so QUICK! I haven't been able to get a clear shot.

But today, we had a pair come in who's main focus was on EATING.  Either that, or they finally decided to humor me. :)

My Mother used to love to watch Nuthatches because they walk down trees head first! and they enjoy hanging upside down.

The sheer fact that SHE loved them, made me love them as well. They have a big sound for such a tiny bird, and they are so busy!

But I love their colors, too.... the muted blue-grey feathers on their back, the stripe over their eyes, and the warm, orangey-brown of their tummies.

Good-bye little Nuthatch! and thank you!

Babysitting Cats

Montana (at least the North Western corner of Montana) has skipped March and April, gone directly to May!  Ok... at least, that's how it felt today.  I realize this really IS March in Montana, and we could get a foot of snow tomorrow... but as for today.... GORGEOUS Spring weather- soft breeze, honestly- 70 degrees! Forget the chores! The Shelties and I just HAD to get outside for a walk. We headed towards the Point, and scared up two elk! Since I WANT the elk to stick around, we immediately turned back the other way, and scared up 10 deer. Hmmmmm... there was nothing to do, but take our walk in the horse pasture. But Dakota was feeling Spring fever, too, and got just a bit too frisky with the Shelties, so we turned towards home.

 

  But it was still too nice to go inside, so we decided to let the cats have some fun.  I'm sure I've talked about the cats. I KNOW I've mentioned Hobbes- but I'll give you a quick introduction.  Hobbes is the ONLY one of our three cats that I allow outside unsupervised. For one thing... just the mere presence of Hobbes is intimidating. There's just something about him.  But the main reason he enjoys special privileges is that he's SMART... and he goes insane if he doesn't get some time outside.

  So, while Hobbes was busy climbing the trees....  I let out Itty, and India.

Itty was smart enough to approach the preschool during recess time, 2 yrs ago. He was starving, and scared, and about 5 mos. old. The children heard him meowing, and a helper managed to catch him. One look at those worried, green eyes and I was hooked! 

He's a medium-haired, fluffy, lover of a cat... but when he gets outside, he hides, and refuses to come back into the house. Hence, I don't let him out, unless I can keep an eye on his whereabouts. I am nothing if not vigilant.

India, is deaf and de-clawed. (I have to say here, that I would never de-claw a cat.... but having been given a cat, already de-clawed, is a wonderful thing! :)  Because he can't hear... and could never defend himself, Indie is the cat we watch the closest outside. He usually doesn't stray far, but we don't take any chances. He's a big, beautiful, tubby boy! and he LOVES his short excursions in the great outdoors.

The Shelties and I stayed close to the cats while they ate a little grass, and explored around the house. Itty has been itching to get outside at the birds. He was trembling with excitement as the little birds flitted overhead.

 

Indie actually got a bit overwhelmed, and headed back to the house.  As the days get nicer, the cats will be able to be outside more often. Good days ahead! :)