Last Week of March - Full Moon!

Full Worm Moon – March Temperature fluctuations have been crazy wild the last couple weeks, the hard ground gave Skip an abscess, which I turned to the internet to treat, peepers are singing in the creek at the bottom of the pasture (sounds like Hollywood's alien spaceship!) and the birds are chirping and staking out their nesting territories. Flocking Bluebirds and Robins are all over the place. The boys have stayed in more nights in a row than during the entire winter, combined.

Northern tribes knew this Moon as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signaled the end of winter; or the Full Crust Moon, because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. I know we could call it this for this week, the little bit of snow that didn't melt outright has a hard crust on it today.

The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. To the settlers, it was also known as the Lenten Moon, and was considered to be the last full Moon of winter. Hard to believe that Easter is Sunday - it just doesn't feel like Spring. The clouds departed late last night, enough to expose the big Moon overhead.

Snow!! It's a Four Letter Word!

This is not my idea of spring weather, the daffodils are just starting to bloom and now covered in snow! I could have dealt with this easier in January, or February, but late March? Give us a break!

KC's 10th Birthday!

Today is KC's 10th birthday. He started out as a mighty-mite! He's turned into a wonderful little man, really the love of my life. Glad my sweet husband is not jealous of our love affair!

Sunny Saturday - Time to Ride!

Saturday dawned clear and cold, windy. We have so much to do in the house, projects, etc., that I didn't expect to ride this weekend. But we did!

We trailered over to Marriottsville, bright sunshine, gusting breeze, but it was fantastic. Hadn't ridden since early January, I wondered if I would remember how, and recovering from my back injury. I packed a long rope (25 foot) and two handi-sticks. Parking at the trail head in Marriottsville would have made it kind of awkward for any ground work or longeing.

While tacking up a car full of folks came over for a visit. The boys were good, friendly, excellent ambassadors for equines.

I walked him over the roadway, stopping traffic, and walked a good long ways down the railroad access path before getting on. I admit to being leery about his behavior, being feral and wild-acting lately. He was a gentleman.

We decided to go the upside of the tracks because more trees are down in the river, crossing at our favorite spots is not like it once was. He stood like a statue while I got on, got settled. Skip spooked at a couple ducks taking flight from the pond, KC had to do that, too, in solidarity.

We stopped a couple times along the way to address some fallen trees. One was particularly hard; the rings said it was 75 years old, but the tree itself was not very big. It was one tough customer, took us almost a half hour, trading back and forth, to get it cut in half. It is still awkward, but not treacherous.

We ran into several hikers, with dogs, but not one single rider or biker on the trail. No trains, either.

When we finally got to Woodstock we realized why we never saw a train. Massive amounts of CSX machinery, personnel, and supplies in the parking lot at the trail head. Also, four horses were tied up at the hitching post.

We had a delightful lunch, the menu has changed!, and enjoyed the eclectic mix of people (bikers, hikers, and horsemen) out for a good meal and a beer.

On the way back we saw a fox on the trail; we did surprise him with the breeze going in the wrong direction for him. He did a neat roll-back and trotted away from us over the rise. We saw a couple hawks, chased a deer out of the tall grass, flocking Robins in the bare trees.

KC really behaved himself, never got strong or pulled his head down, not once. I'm proud of my little man.

Once home I had to get right back out again to pick up feed for the little guys and do some grocery shopping. I picked up things I'll need for Easter, too.

Snow? Spring? Really?

First full day of Spring, and it snows overnight. Does not feel like Spring!

Spring Has Sprung!

The Equinox is at 7:02 am!

Weekend Wrap-Up - Ides of March, St. Pat's Day

Been cold lately, the boys spent only a couple nights outside, the rest they wanted in. The early spring we've been promised, by a large rodent, has failed to materialize.

After any appreciable persipitation I use the big magnet to scour the dry paddock for nails and screws. Five minutes later I have quite a bounty of metals.

Most of the weekend was spent doing my wifely duties and working in the basement. It was cold both days, Saturday was supposed to rain, but never got a drop. Sunday was even colder, overcast. The Daffodils are trying to come out, but will wait for better weather.