Lots of farming going on in the neighborhood these days.
It's definitely the time of year when the "from dawn to dusk days" are common for those preparing the fields, and, in my eyes, that field work is always a pretty sight.
We have a hobby farm so we don't deal with expensive heavy equipment. When you have just 20 acres, thousands and thousands of dollars worth of equipment and all the upkeep hardly makes sense.
Ours involves a tractor with a harrow, a rear-end plow and a brush hog.
The plow does its work in the winter time clearing out the driveway and lane, while the brush hog will get hooked up soon to mow the tall grass and create trails through the woods.
I use the harrow a few times a year to soften up the barnyard surface and to break down the horse apple piles.
And, in the fall, I love to brush hog the fields so that weeds and dead grass are mowed down and the area will be neat and tidy until grass starts growing in the spring.
Our farm does what mostly what it needs to do for our horses. They graze in the pastures for four-five months each year, while in the spring I feed them hay and, nowadays, board them over the winter.
It's safe to say we get a taste of farming but hardly the full-meal deal. Most of the other equipment we have is used for yard and garden work.
While watching the farming that goes on around here these days, I know that those expensive and often huge pieces of equipment make the job a lot easier.
It's nice living in a rural neighborhood and enjoying our unique taste of farm life.
Today's farm factoid: horses went straight to pasture instead have having hay for breakfast. I figure after two weeks on grass, their bellies have made the adjustment.
Still, great care is taken to see that they don't overeat and tummy problems, mainly by bringing them back to the barnyard after a couple of hours so their food can settle. Then, after about four hours, they go out for their second helping of grass for the day.
Fingers are always crossed that we've made the right decisions each day.
I spent some time visiting some friends yesterday, and this lilac bush at their beautiful home took my eye.
Below: my friend Becky gave me a pot with shamrocks in it a couple of years ago.
Somehow those shamrocks figured out that the owner of their new home kinda likes Ireland, so they have continued to grow and spread.
And, I don't mind one bit.
Thursday Throwbacks: Random selections of past moments, people and places from the photo library. Enjoy. And, make it a good Thursday. Looks like a beauty out there.
