Pages

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Feets, keep moving!

As the snow slowly recedes and the mud rises to the surface, there is that jolt one gets as the reality of what needs done sinks in.  Spring Shock.  As I view the panorama of sludge, weeds and plowed earth (where it ain't supposed to be plowed), I usually feel my brain seize up.  Just when I should be ratcheting up the outdoor activity, I scuttle inside and decide to read all those books I had on my winter to-do list.  Coward that I am.  Luckily, it doesn't take long before the old stiff-upper-everything me pulls up her BGPs and grabs a rake.  And a shovel.  And an Aleve.

The malady that struck me low, has subsided and I am feeling almost one hundred percent.  That is a relief, let me tell you.  The Pepperoni still struggles with the aftermath of his spinal injury, but there is no keeping that boy down - which is why he will be in perpetual House Arrest.  If I could just break him of his most annoying habit - peeing as control.  I have gotten pretty wily myself - closing the gates on the deck so that I don't have to (wo)man handle him to the back door.  As soon as I open his crate (he will not, stubborn bugger that he is, come out on his own) and put my hands on him, it's like a little peeing fire hose.  I now motivate him by tossing a treat in the general direction of the door, then hot-foot it to the crate and slam the door shut so he can't go back in.  He can manage the short step down and I don't care if he pees on the deck.  The trick is to hold him firmly, while giving back support and pointing his pee-er away from me.  So far, he's got me well-trained.

There is so much clean up needed that I stood outside with a rake in my hand and went around in a circle - trying to decide where to start.  I am zeroing in on the soon-to-be flower bed, as it's the smallest space.  No sense jumping into the deep end, right?

Some things have been put at the top of the list due to necessity - cleaning out the small coop in preparation for the inside chicks.  Clearing out half the shed and putting together my meat chick brooder.  Shoveling llama beans onto my rhubarb.  After realizing that my focus is not getting sharper with age, I am going to go out with a notebook and write down everything that needs to be replaced or repaired.  That way I will have a record of it and will tackle each entry as I have time/money for it.  One of the things that need to be dealt with this year is the vast amount of dead tree cutting that needs to be done.  Prior owners of the property, in their dubious wisdom, planted tons of pine trees.  About a foot apart.  Many of these trees and those in our area, like so much of the Northeast, has been hit hard with a fatal disease.  I am going to lose most of my windbreak, by the time they are all taken down.  I had been thinking of planting arborvitae in their place, but I am not entirely sold on it.  I think I would prefer something that spread out more than up.  More research is needed.

Pretty soon I will be making an appointment with the shearer.  I am most positive this year that Norman will not be thin.  Quite the opposite.  Watching that boy from behind makes one thing of African rivers full of hippos.  Or a very large sack of fighting cats.  Juno is looking a bit puny.  She was the first lamb born on the LLF, so that would make her around 7.  Linden continues with his gimpy hoof - another reason I am looking forward to the shearer's visit - he's much better (read: ruthless) with trimming.  Apria needs a bunch of work, but it is difficult, as she is very spooky and her eyesight is extremely limited.  I think I may need an expert.  Or a dart gun.

All plans of seed starting have not reached further than the fuzzy edges of my brain.  I need to make lists but don't know that my constitution is up to it.  Instead, I am hiding away inside under the pretense of getting my Memorial Day yard sale together.  That's a whole nuther ball of wax.

15 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Spring, spring, joyous spring! Or maybe not. When living in "the north," as we both do, our time for outside projects is really limited. (How's that for an understatement?) I think that's a large part of what simply overwhelms us as winter (finally) recedes and decent weather approaches. The really big hurdle to overcome is how do we limit our needs and wants so that it's actually possible to accomplish everything? Discover the answer to that and all will be well.

Sandy Livesay said...

Susan,

Spring is gorgeous when it rolls in however, that's the start of cleaning out, and fixing everything one can possible fix. Spring always puts a smile on my face, then the corners of my lips turn the other way when I think about all the work that needs tackling.

We were also suppose to have a garage sale too. I don't know if that will happen because we still have to get through the second half of the garage.

I think it's time for a glass of ice tea, and a break.....LOL :-)

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Yep, that mud creeps up on us in Spring. I myself, cannot go out much. We are getting dumped with rain, wind and thunder right now. I'm sure you'll get a good start on what needs done.

Sue said...

You could do what I am doing---run away. Far far away. I chuckle when I check the security cams at the house and see that my seedlings are being well tended and the house is clean. Now if I could only find a housesitter that does yard work.............I might NEVER come home. Bwa ha ha.
I have no doubt you will rise above all this and get stuff done. You ,dear lady, are no slouch . (If you were, I'd see you here in Minny-soda at the waterfalls!!!)

Cat Eye Cottage said...

I'm sending you encouragement from Georgia. We are hitting highs in the 80s already, hot and humid. Some of your cold weather would be welcome right about now.

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

It snowed here today. My spring anything seems to be on perpetual hold...grrr!

Joy said...

Glad you're feeling better. A note about the windbreak: arbor vitae are deer candy. If you have deer issues, they'll browse them so each arbor vita looks like a lollipop. Trust me, we know about this.

Susan said...

Mama Pea - I will never discover the answer to that question...I'm always too busy going through the angst of not being able to do everything! Sound familiar...? :)

Susan said...

Sandy - Thank goodness I didn't have to clean out a garage! My piddly closets were bad enough - of course, the staging area is getting on my nerves. Thank goodness for doors....

Susan said...

Kristina - We are now being hit with three days of rain. While it's nice that most of the snow will be washed away, it just puts me three days further behind!

Susan said...

Sue - If only! Unfortunately, I have hundreds (or so it seems) of dependents who will not let me out of their grasp for more than a day away at work! I have plans, however. I am not saying them out loud, as I am firmly convinced that I will jinx myself.... bwa ha ha.

Susan said...

TWH - Wowsa! I can't imagine 80 degrees! It will come soon enough, but I prefer the gradual warming up here! I would gladly send you our sleet today, however.... :)

Susan said...

Mrs DM - Argh! It will be one of those winter-one-day-summer-the-next. Hold onto your hat!

Susan said...

Joy - Thank you for that! That cinches it. No arbor vitae for me. I have a hard enough time protecting my willow hedges from the buggers.

Fiona said...

Our daffodils got frostbitten....but I finally got all the twigs from the neighbors maple tree off the lawn so we can mow!