We’ve had warm days, cooler days, sunshine, rain, and generally it feels like a weather rollercoaster here right now. We’ve had a wonderful few weeks with the entire family here, but tomorrow my son and daughter-in-law and their dog Aria head home.
On Monday my daughter’s spring semester begins, and with it, the routine goes back to its new normal. I have an essay deadline looming, several board meetings this week, and a lot of projects in the house and at the barn to dive into.
At the moment I’m in the dining room with a glass of wine while all the ‘kids’ plus a friend watch X-Files. The white lights on the tree are showing up in triplicate: the tree itself, reflecting in the front and side windows, and on one corner of the TV. It’s a sweet scene. I’m grateful for all of them.
The horses have been enjoying the treats that arrived in their Christmas stockings, a few each day, and they’re handling the weather shenanigans with grace and a lot of mud. I have had many moments of wanting to ride, and dreamed about riding Keil Bay last night. It’s time. The weather has been and looks like it will continue to be mild, and all I have to do is DO it. I’m aiming to audit Mark Rashid’s local clinic this spring and considering a lesson with his wife Chrissy, whose blog makes me think she’s a kindred spirit when it comes to being with horses.
The cats and dogs are all happy too - today’s outing meant baths for 2 out of 4 due to the general mucky conditions afield. Thankfully it’s warm enough out that we didn’t have to worry about them getting chilled as they dry out.
Winter. So far it doesn’t feel much like it, but the trees are bare and the sky is stark and I want to make the most of every minute as we count down toward the heat of summer. The fall flew by and I think if I focus on the moments, time will slow at least a little.
I’m scheduled as writer-in-residence at Weymouth in February with 3 other writing women and this is a bright time to look forward to. Writing with other devoted writers is always a wonderful experience.
For the gardens and the bees and the farm itself it’s a quiet time of year. This spring will be fun as we watch the gardens come in and the bees begin to build up. I’m eager to see how they do and how much I can learn from them.
That’s it for now!
billie hinton’s camera-obscura:
life and lessons on November Hill Farm
Except for a few small snow and ice storms our winter is very temperate. It was in the 40's today and heading for 60's on Saturday. I feel like I might want to try a ride on Rosie. Your upcoming writer's trip sounds like a fun time.
ReplyDeleteI hope you got a ride in!! I fear I have squandered this weather during the dry warmer days when it would have been so easy to ride. Now the rain we’ve had is stopping and cold weather moving back in. I’m going to need to get myself in gear when it comes to putting on a saddle and bridle and hopping on! :)
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