Wednesday, April 11, 2018

to work once more

We enter a two day spell of what I think of as perfect April weather: warming sunshine, temperatures finally crossing into the lower 50sF (maybe 12C). It's the kind of day that pulls you outdoors. Bits of green grass and tips of daffodils begin their vigorous climb out of their winter slumber.


farmette life-20.jpg


We're not the only ones wanting to be out of our confinement. I come downstairs and find the awesome threesome raring to explore!


farmette life-16.jpg


This wont do. It does seem that no wall is too high for these girls!

I suggest to Ed we take a break from fretting about chickens. We eat breakfast in the front room and try to ignore their sweet chirping noises from the sun room where they reside.


farmette life-4.jpg


And very quickly after, we're outside, assessing what work needs to be done right away.

The big cheepers have dug up a few of my plants. Repairing the damage is a priority. Our wood chip pile is plentiful, but it's still frozen. We do some bandaid work around the roots and then head out to the beds that need serious weeding. Oh, but it's a beautiful day for it!


farmette life-18.jpg



Off comes the jacket. Ed is in short sleeves. I'm not quite there yet, but it surely feels grand to be digging and tidying the garden once again!


farmette life-19.jpg



A few hours later, we put down our shovels. We can't overdo it. Besides, it's time to pick up Snowdrop.

She and I haven't much time before dance class, but the girl is full of ideas on how to fill those minutes. At the outset, she wants to go up to her room to rest. "I'm exhausted, grandma!" -- she tells me.


farmette life-25.jpg



She doesn't look exhausted and indeed, her moment of rest lasts ten seconds. At most. I prod her to get ready for class. We need to get going! She's excited and eager, but she does have other things to attend to first. "Just one more minute!"


farmette life-40.jpg



What do you have to do, Snowdrop? 
Sing a song and play some music!
What song, little girl?

It's called "Joy and love!"

I'd say the lyrics pretty much conform to that subject matter.


farmette life-50.jpg



Finally, we leave. She takes her baby to class, or at least to show her where the class takes place.


farmette life-63.jpg



And now the dancing begins.

It's a very interesting combination today -- of a Mexican hat dance...


farmette life-75.jpg



... and a Hawaiian hula number.


farmette life-84.jpg



Snowdrop loves it all.


farmette life-92.jpg



The girls in her class get pretty worked up during free form dance and at one point, one of them accidentally rams into Snowdrop, who sprawls to the floor. No one's hurt and Snowdrop takes these things in stride. The dancing continues.

But after class, the mom comes over and encourages her little girl to ask if Snowdrop was feeling okay after her fall. It's such a simple gesture and still, it makes me smile all the way home. Kindness is always so beautiful.

It was that kind of a good, good day.