This morning the car has a light coating of ice, but the stars were out and twinkling virtually every direction.
So, we've made it through eight days of November without snow on the ground here in the valley.
I always like to think that the further we make it through November with bare ground, the closer we are to spring.
I'm always wrong, but that's okay.
Any strategy utilized to make winter seem shorter adds a ray of hope at said time.
So, I rejoice that we're eight days in to the hibernation month and still no snow to shovel.
Still, I am shoveling.
The winter morning-chore schedule began this morning after the horses spent their first night in their stalls.
As you can see from the photo above, the first deposit of black gold for 2023 moved from the stalls to the west side of the barn.
To some, the scene of dirt piles above represents just dirt, some which has yet to age.
For me and a whole lot of other rural inhabitants and our dogs, it's actually a thing of beauty.
I keep my upper muscles toned up thanks to shoveling poop for six months out of the year. Plus, I get to listen to a lot of morning radio while filling the cart with the latest deposit of horse apples and shavings.
For our dogs, that scene is pure delectable delight.
It won't be long before Foster and Liam go outside and find a morning feast behind the barn. Thankfully, they don't eat the pile, just a few selected bites.
Over the next several months, as the pile builds up, I'll use the tractor to turn it and blend the ingredients so they can age some more and decompose.
In a couple of years, that amber pile and each additional cart dump will turn black. That's when it goes to the gardens and flower beds.
My sisters use their much bigger pile to fertilize their hay field.
In short, those piles are valuable, and eventually, in many cases, the circle is complete when animals are eating hay fertilized by hay they ate a few years before.
And, so the winter routine begins, and when the snow finally falls, there may be some complaining because it's double duty with the shoveling. Shovel to get to the barn so we can shovel some more.
Still, it's farm life, and it's all good for many many reasons.
Today also marks the beginning of some International excitement when vaccinated folks from Europe and Canada can enter the United States.
It will be interesting to see how many Canadian license plates start showing up on the roads and around town.
These travelers from north of the border might be wise to bring a sack lunch---just in case---cuz the local restaurants are dropping like flies.
So sad to see this trend in what was touted a few years ago by Rand McNally as "America's Most Beautiful Small Town."
And, the area's many fine restaurants, like Ivanos and 41 South, served as key components to the attractions in Sandpoint.
Maybe our Irish chef/writer friend Vince needs to hurry up, get out of that hospital in Cork, book a flight and set up a new restaurant of his own.
Maybe even a Selle Valley Irish Diner where you can bring your peeps and your dogs.
Dogs can go out behind the barn for their delicacies while peeps eat fish and chips, soda bread and shepherd's pie.
Seriously, these are sad times for Sandpoint. I also read yesterday (could be hearsay) that Starbuck's downtown may close.
I was pondering the situation last night and began to wonder if we had gotten our act together early on with following Pandemic guidelines like the community did in the Sun Valley area----would this be happening?
Just a ponder.
~~~~
Anyway, it's a good looking day out there, so I'm headed off to enjoy it.
Happy Monday.
I read this brief piece this morning and thought that Walt Whitman figured it right----nature is good for what ails you.
I've often thought that if assisted living facilities could offer more outdoor space, people might enjoy more quality in their golden years cuz fresh air sure does make a difference in one's outlook.
~~~~~
Below is a photo featuring an amazing graduate of Sandpoint High School and a former member of our Schweitzer Valley Dwellers 4-H Club.
Anyone locally who knows Dr. Cathy King bursts with pride every time she adds a new achievement to her World Vets organization.
And, this most recent extension of the organization, which she founded is, as usual, mighty impressive.
You can learn about World Vets, its newest major development (and maybe even donate) by visiting the following two links.
No comments:
Post a Comment