Random Thoughts of The Home Place 1996

Breakfast on the sun porch!  Now this is experiencing country living to the fullest.  Sitting in this spot one could be entertained for a long time and even mesmerized to the point of being oblivious to what else is going — especially the many chores that need to be done.

It’s kind of like being at a three-ring circus –one’s attention can be directed to any number of ‘rings.’  The setting is country in the strictest sense.

The Russian Sage is in full bloom with its silver foliage and lavender blooms.  I’d never thought of it before, but, apparently, I hve an international garden, as the Mexican Sage is almost ready to blossom and the Spanish lavender is not far behind.

The scented geranium is strutting it’s stuff with its curly leaves and bright green color, while the Celosia is just now starting to open.

The yellow and purple cone flowers are in full color and the marigolds are gorgeous shade of green – just waiting to put on their show in yellow and orange.

At least three hummingbirds are flitting and fighting between the young water oak and their feeder.  If we are outside, they even buzz by our heads as though to charge.

Ten the attention goes to the loud-squawking Blue Heron as he heads toward the pond with that relaxed gliding flight he assumes just prior to lighting.

Several days ago when I was in the shade garden, I kept hearing the unfamiliar bird call and just had to stop and listen an watch ’til I discovered what it was.  It was the Blue Heron — no doubt baby birds have been hatched off in the area this spring.

The heifers are having their breakfast in the lower pasture — every morning when he gets up, John takes inventory. There is one white, first-time heifer almost ready to calve and he is keeping close watch just in case she should have problems.  Pulling calves is not the favorite job this cattleman, however, it sometimes has to be done.

The kittens romp through the flower bed in front of the old car shed and we’ve had to put rocks , pots and whatever there to try to help protect the  plants.  I sure hope they have not done extensive damage to the special trillium planted in that bed — it’s called Stinking Willie, but a beautiful maroon bloom makes up for the awful name and I don’t want to lose it. These two pretty cats are headed to our neighbor’s milking barn as soon as they can be caught.  Their mother has taught them to be mousers and we think they’ll do a good job at the dairy.

As consciousness returns, I’m reminded that all good things must come to an end — it’s time to get up and attend to the matters at hand.

It’s a restful morning and just one of the advantages of country living.