Waiting for Winter to loosen its death-grip on Spring.

That should be the theme song of April.  Let's see, what tune would be appropriate?  A dirge, I think. 

After a few brief but titillating warm spells, we have been stuck in a cold, windy, damp, cold - did I mention cold? - rut.  I refuse to buy fuel oil so we are hunkered down with the fireplace if it gets too bad - Scrappy is starting to riot.  Someone remind me to knit him a sweater for next winter.  The temperature bottomed out at 28 degrees this morning.  I believe my curly parsley is toast.  I am hoping that the strawberries can hold on for another week (please, God) and I am SO ready to plant.  I've got seed potatoes, packets of peas and onion sets staring at me from every drawer, root closet and corner. 

I got home last night to be greeted in the back by Linden.  Again.  I am so glad he's such a sunny, friendly boy.  I am also glad he didn't make his appearance known when the dogs were out relieving themselves after a long day of crossing their legs.  Luckily, Kay had stopped by and we managed to get him in with the goats.  Which, of course, sent Chicky into an uproar.  Much posturing, rearing and head-butting until good-natured Linden had had enough and went more than willingly into the sheep pen.  I did finally find his escape route - he had worked the fence up in a corner, dug out some of the dirt, and squeezed his not-small self underneath.  I patched it as well as I could until the weekend.  While I made a cursory inspection of the fence line, I did notice a few other weak spots, so I guess that "fencing" goes on the to-do list.

The cold frame continues to be the only salvation I have so far this Spring.  I was contemplating creating cold frames on all my raised beds since this seems to be the only way to get an actual crop of veggies (there, I've said it).  But, of course, as soon as I would go to the expense and time of actually building all the tops, we would get a prolonged heat wave.  So, there you are.  I am left grousing.



Sage, a year ago.

Speaking of grouse - I saw THREE ruffed grouses (grouse?) on my way home last night, along with two lovely male ring-necked pheasants.  It must be Spring.

Three out of four ain't bad.

I am happy to announce that the rabbit cage buyer drove an hour and a half and bought all the cages!  My three lambs left for their new home yesterday afternoon and, Miguel is a mere memory and a bare patch on the driveway.  The Duck Guy did not show.  Nor did he call.  I am secretly hoping that he will email me again (with some "woe is me" tale) so I can tell him what I think of his lack of respect for my time.

As far as work on the LISTx3, I managed to clean out the goats' house and do a little cleaning of my house.  That was in between downpours and thunderstorms.  The forecast had been for a "slight" chance in the afternoon.  The sky opened up shortly after I had hung out the wash.  I am pretty happy with all I got done and will take a crack at a few other items during the week, as time and weather allow.  My neighbor is going to assess whether it is possible to move my lattice house (sans the lattice) into the sheep's area for more shelter this winter.  That would not only save me time but money.  Both of which are in short supply!  With the frame already finished, I would only have to roof and side it.

I was VERY surprised at the lack of reaction by the ewes to the departure of their lambs.  I am sure that some of that was due to the fact that I threw a load of hay at them immediately after the lambs left.  Without Juni standing on the hay wagon, it was easier to get at the good bits.  And is it sure is blissfully more quiet without Hazel.  She was always the first to let go with the lamb alarm, setting off the rest.  I do miss Juni's funny little blaatting and his sweet little face looking up for treats.  There was no crying for babes last night, and no crying for babes this morning.  I think the weaning process was complete.

My Chinese Red Beans are finally growing!  I will get a picture or two tonight.  I have left the Navajo Trail of Tears beans to dry on the vine, and I am almost finished with the Kentucky Wonders.  I am beaned-out.  Now, if the gosh-darn zucchini would call it quits, I could clean out that bed and concentrate on drying the Swiss Chard.  I need to prepare one end of the covered bed for kale and spinach planting.  I'm curious to see if it will be as successful as last year's accidental planting!