Spring Scenes

Bridie's excitement was clearly evident when I opened the gate to one of the pastures yesterday and let her explore some new ground besides the usual lane and bare patches in the front yard.

We stuck to the hillside which was all bare ground and not even too squishy.  After all, I was wearing my Skechers and not my barn boots. 

Bridie's active little nose went straight to work sniffing for brand new smells as we meandered different directions. 

She was happy; so was I.  

A feeling of spring in the air alongwith the sights enhanced by brilliant sunshine and sounds from busy birds inspired a sense of newfound exhilaration.   

I know that I've had that feeling many times before in my life, but it's been a lo-o-ong stretch since the last experience.

For Bridie, it was her first day of spring ever.  She was born in late summer so all the sights, sounds and smells had to feel good to her. 

 Our usual generous population of robins seems to have returned from wherever they spent the winter. 

These birds were bouncing about from one spot to another in the fields or launching off and finding perches on fence posts. 

Throughout their movements, they were also providing a chorus of lovely and happy sounds.

Overall, the wild critter population at the Lovestead is increasing daily with squirrels, all kinds of birds, lots of squirrels and occasional deer.  

That means some definite challenges with dogs and their keen sniffers. 

When sniffers take over, eyes and ears quit working.  

So far, Bridie still goes everywhere on leash except for early morning when she dutifully trots to the barn, sits and then does her "down" before I arrive to open the door. 

It's amazing what is bred into Border Collies because nobody taught Bridie any of those moves. 

We are reaching a point, however, where obedience training will be helpful, and with more space outside to work, we might even be able to practice what we learn. 

Bridie has been in the "terrible two's" off and on over the past few weeks so we'll be working on enhancing her manners. 

Anywho, spring has sprung and it was nice to enjoy a few hours of its offerings yesterday.  I even painted some more fence. 

We watched games also, and now the Sweet Sixteen has been set.  Gonzaga plays again Thursday at 4 p.m. PDT.  They'll take on Arkansas.  

In the meantime, with no basketball games to watch my endless list of spring projects should get at least three solid days of attention:  horses to groom, fence to paint, residue to rake, more seeds to plant, tomatoes and geraniums to transplant and the list goes on. 

It's nice to be back to the mode of "so much to do, so little time" which comes with the added benefits of all those critter characters making their appearances here, there and everywhere.  

Spring is most welcome. 

Good times ahead, finally!

Happy Monday.