Springtime

Howdy Folks,

 I wrote this story about Springtime for our friend Jessica Lynn of Earth Song Ranch  for her newsletter. If you want excellent herbal blends for your pets and horses, be sure to check with Jessica.

Springtime

For most of us, Springtime took its good old time drifting in, but it appears to have stopped by for a visit almost right on schedule. Here in Appomattox, VA the past few days have brought closer to summer than spring temperatures. We've already touched the mid-eighties! Completely dashing my hopes for a white Easter. We missed a white Christmas, even though we had just about the most snow ever recorded, so I was looking for a white Easter.

I'm fond of all seasons, love to see the changes. Each season has its gifts and promises. No single season do I hold favorite and my joy comes in the changes of the beauties of nature. 

Summer brings the full blooms of flowers, wild and domestic. Busy birds feeding fledglings, hummingbirds buzzing at the feeders, beautiful full foliaged trees, half grown deer bouncing with their mommas – lightning bugs and thunderstorms too. Rides through the woods taking in the beauty, the birds, and the sounds. The evening call of the Whippoorwill. Fall changes the landscape and scenery, painting the forests and mountains with colors so spectacular I must stop my mare as we ride and take in the view. Pumpkins and squash from Ravishin' Robbie's garden. Flocks of birds gathering in preparation of the coming winter. Winter brings a quietness, a resting time. Rides along sparkling snow covered trails, winter birds, and animal tracks in the snow. Birds at the feeders putting on shows to delight. Evenings snuggled inside with my Ravishin' Robbie. Oh yes, and Christmas too.

Springtime brings a gentle awakening. Riding trails lined with dozens of delicate wildflowers, birds in their most magnificent plumage courting and building nests. My favorite, Bluebirds checking out nest boxes, by middle spring Ravishin' Robbie's hummingbirds are back buzzing her feeders. Courting songs of birds of all species filling the air, especially during Coffee Clutch in the mornings. Trees sporting brand new bright green leaves, spring peepers singing into the darkness. And Robbie's strawberry rhubarb pie.

Springtime is here and rebirth is in full bloom. Treat yourself to some time on the trail, in the gardens or on the porch to take it all in.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"Songs and Flowers of a Spring Morning"

Howdy Folks,

Not so many days ago we were wondering if Spring would ever arrive, weren't we? I'm happy to report it has. At least here in Appomattox VA we are enjoying the bird songs, flowers and budding trees that make Spring mornings splendid.

A pleasant gray sky held the bird song low and somehow added ringing vibrancy to each note. And by golly there was a symphony this morning. Two Cardinals greeted Saturday and me as we strode to the barn. Kessy's sweet nicker even seemed to acknowledge the floating notes.

Chores done I settled into my Coffee Clutch chair, Tigger in my lap. Saturday, Zoe and Miss Kitty by my side, Kessy munched her hay, I poured a cup of coffee and took in the show. The Cardinals were still the main attraction, but they had plenty of backup singers. In the brush by the barn a Carolina Wren belted out his frantic chatter. Higher in the trees a Bluebird added his beautiful song. In the distance an Indigo Bunting offered his tune of sliding scales. A Titmouse called, "Peter, Peter, Peter." A red Eyed Vireo declared, "Here I am … Where are you?" … The breath taking moment came when a lone Wood Thrush sang one verse of his most splendid flute solo ... I did notice this morning the Juncos are nearly gone.

The Bloodroot along the fence line is nearly finished blooming, but the Bluettes and Spring Beauties are in full glory. Our Dogwoods, Fringe trees and Red Buds are simply bursting with flowers ... I'm getting anxious for our Spring Wildflower drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Phoebes have finished their nest on their shelf in the barn rafters; probably have started laying their first clutch. Mrs. Bluebird nesting in the front yard is already sitting on 4 sky blue eggs.

Ravishin' Robbie's Hummingbirds haven't said howdy yet, but their feeders are up and waiting. They usually arrive between the tenth and twentieth of April here, so any day now. We did have a treat last night, when I went out to tuck Kessy in, I heard our first Whippoorwill call of the Spring.

Ah yes, what a glorious way to start the day. Hope you all have a perfect day! God Bless!

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

"First day of Spring Trail Ride"

Howdy Folks,

We rode into our shadows, the sun on our backs. Kessy stepped lively as she is wont to do on brisk, sunny, windy days. And by golly it sure was a windy first day of Spring yesterday. Trees swayed, dried oak leaves rattled overhead and branches banged together, filling the air over the trail with sounds not conducive to settling a horse's nerves. We had done our pre-ride exercises before tacking up and Kessy was confident and solid, but still pretty full of herself as we set out down the trail behind the barn. I wanted to go find the first spring flowers, so off we went. Saturday lead the way.

Riding into our shadow

My plan had been to take some pictures of the Trout Lilies under the Mountain Laurel, and the Myrtle at the old cemetery to share here, and even though Kessy behaved perfectly I didn't do very well. Our camera is tiny and old, and although I leaned low out of the saddle, the pictures just did not get very well. I got that one above of our shadow, I love to watch our shadow as we glide down the trail, and the one here of Saturday leading the way … but friends, my flower pictures were all failures. Sorry.

Saturday leading the way up the trail

We had a delightful ride trekking through the woods off the trail where I knew the Trout Lilies and Wintergreen would be. I snapped pictures at each great spot, though with my leg being like it is, I was not willing to dismount, so I shot from the saddle just hoping some would turn out alright.

When we got to the old cemetery the Myrtle was awash with blue. I even took a photo of Saturday sitting in a patch of blooms. It would have been just the sweetest picture. He sat just next Kessy at my stirrup on a bed of blue looking up at me. Sadly, by then I'd known the batteries in the camera were worn out, it kept shutting off, but I took a few, turning it on for each shot. Sure enough none of those pictures made it. But I hope you can picture in your mind.

We had a great ride, saw Chickadees, Pilliated Woodpeckers, Titmice and several butterflies. I do have this one picture, though not very good, of a Trout Lily. I'll try again next week for the Myrtle and even try to get Saturday to pose again.

We found this Trout Lily well off the trail near the stream

Have a fun day & Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry