Tractors, Turkeys and Throwback Thursday

Ultimate bliss!  Brush hogging the fields!  It's that time of year again when the pastures transform from once green fields to dried-out ragged messes. 

Brush hogging is definitely a step up from lawn mowing.  After all, we do take a significant step up when we climb into the tractor seat.  Plus, that extra height enhances the view.  

This week two of the pastures have undergone the brush hog manicure, and it's been sheer delight going round and round those fields, knocking down grass and just plain enjoying the abundant rural scenery. 

The process will probably enhance grazing for the horses too.  They can actually find their grass without wading through a jungle.  

Anyway, it's tidy-up time around the place, and I'm enjoying the projects, one of which is painting the fences.  That project will be ongoing and dependent upon when I have a few extra dollars to purchase paint.  

Obviously, from the turkey scenes below, the barnyard fences could use a little whitewashing. Some day we may even replace those boards that the horses ate when they weren't out in their pastures. 

An electric wire, turned on from time to time, has halted the total destruction of the barnyard boards.

It's not too often that I even notice that gobbled up section on the northwest side, but when a gobbler of the two-legged variety was perched up there this morning, those tooth-formed ridges are hard to miss. 

The turkeys didn't stay long, but they did hang around long enough for me to document their visit. 

I love the sight of apple trees in the early evenings during this time of year.  This one over on North Kootenai Road takes me back to another tree with many memories. 

That particular tree stood out in our pasture/hay field at our farm on North Boyer Road. It wasn't far from the fence separating us from the Senft, Bidwell, Alton, Crape place. Heck, I think even Dave Lewis may have owned that piece for a time.

Anyway, when fall came, we'd take buckets and ladders out to the tree and start the picking. Some years it was loaded; some years not. 

Regardless of its annual bounty, the tree served a dual purpose----apples and shade. Many images of Hereford cows chewing their cuds or horses taking naps beneath the tree swirl around in the recesses of my mind. 

The tree is long gone as is pretty much every other reminder of our farm, so any time I see a scene like the North Kootenai Road fruit tree, memories of another time come floating back. 

I think apple trees probably do that for a lot of folks. 

And, another throwback:  first photo of Mr. Liam Love, taken shortly after we picked him up from his birthplace at a farm in Hunters, Wash in November 2015.  

His first trip, even before coming to the Lovestead:  to Lake Roosevelt, just a few miles away from his first home. 

On close inspection, viewers may detect a little slobber cascading from Liam's lips.  Little guy had a rough start in the car, losing his breakfast a couple of times. 

I think that uncomfortable experience will stick with him the rest of his life because he likes to get in a vehicle, but whimpers a lot whenever we park. 

Since that time, Liam Love and Ma and Pa Love have gone through a lot together, including eaten furniture, chewed up quilts and comforters and a whole lot of new fence construction to keep Liam safe. 

He has survived his early youth, as have we.  

Today marks a significant day for Mr. Liam, as he's going to school. In addition to his occasional visits out to Curlesses for herding lessons, Liam is gonna give agility a try.

He doesn't know that yet, but I don't think we'll have to spend too much time encouraging him, once he sees all the fun he can add to his athletic repertoire. 

We're thinking that Liam will probably enjoy his new adventure, especially because he'll be learning along with another Border Collie named Ben.  

So, it's an exciting day, thinking about the fun experience ahead.  

As I type, the squirrel chorus is louder than usual outside the window.  At least a couple of pine squirrels have appeared out in the yard over the past few days, even coming to the feeder, which is normally occupied by town squirrels. 

Bill is sure hoping they'll clean up all the acorns under the oak tree.  I'm sure they'll do their best. 

Finally, today is the Blogfather's last day on the job at the Spokesman-Review newspaper.  

Dave Oliveria:  through your Huckleberries column you have sparked many a lively conversation, inspired a lot of folks and provided a daily pulse for what's going on in North Idaho. 

To say we'll miss all that is an understatement as is sending you best wishes for a happy retirement.   You will be missed AND you will be happy!  No doubt about it! 

Good luck and many thanks.  Now go have fun with your golden years!