Tuesday, November 12, 2013

just a dusting


Lingering flakes decorate the Chalet de Capri.

It started snowing around 545 this morning, and stopped within an hour. Every surface was still covered with snow when the goats began to stir.

The babies had never seen snow before. Tsuga barely seemed to notice, and got right on with her breakfast. Sambucus was a bit unsettled. Fortunately, a few pieces of apple peel brought the world right back onto its axis.

Mmmmmm...apple! Watch your fingers!


It's cold enough that even now, when the sun is going down, there is still a little snow here and there.


I've taken many photographs of this particular mullein plant, as it is between the house and the goat barn. This is what it looked like in mid-May. Every morning, it seemed more soft new leaves had magically appeared in a furry rosette on the ground:



By early June, it was knee-high.


By July, shoulder-high mullein stalks were rising dramatically above other vegetation. As soon as the first flowers began to open, bees appeared and got right to work.



And on this November morning I had to hold my camera straight up over my head to take this picture of the top of the stalk:


~~~

A little dusting of snow is a gentle way of easing into winter.

Just a little reminder of where we're headed.

As if a reminder is needed!
As I fall asleep at night, I'm thinking about which pre-Winter task takes priority the next day. And every morning I regretfully add items to the task list.
~~~

I just came in from giving the goats their evening hay, and I had to break through the ice on their water buckets again. So yes, Winter is very much on my mind.

But that's no reason to forget all about Spring, is it?

Let's see. Here's a reminder of Spring:


At 3 weeks old, Tsuga discovered the Chalet and immediately attempted to scale it. She saw no reason to subdue her optimism in the face of Gravity. I think I will try to follow this model in relation to Winter.
~~~~~

12 comments:

  1. I love Tsuga's attitude! I'm already counting down to Dec 21, because after that, we are on the road to springtime (in my feeble little mind!).

    I love the snow on the chalet... I guess we'll being seeing more of that!

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    1. Tsuga really is a pistol! It's interesting (and sometimes worrying) to see how the goats' personalities develop and change, and at this point I am very pleased with Tsuga :)

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  2. That's how it all begins, just a few tiny beautiful flakes and before you know it they have turned into Tribles (remember Star Trek or are you too young?) and we are literally blanketed in the white stuff! So far we have had two dustings, actually neither stuck but it was still the white stuff! :D
    I love winter despite all the extra hardships lots of snow causes when one lives rurally. Hopefully, my fibro will settle down soon so I can get out and take some late fall snapshots before it's all buried in yet another New Hampshire winter :D
    Hugs and stay warm my sweet blogging sister, Brrrrrrrrr
    Beth

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    1. I was never a Trekkie, but I am plenty old enough to have heard of Tribbles ;) And I always love your photographs!

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  3. A nice series of shots, Mullien is one of my favorite plants, I too let it grow around the garden so my vegies get pollenated when the bees visit.

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    1. It's an amazing plant, isn't it? Fantastical.

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  4. Replies
    1. In about 2 months I will be happy to send you a truckload ;)

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  5. Lovely! I wonder why goats have the urge to climb?

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    Replies
    1. Good question! I think I will do a survey and post the results...stay tuned! :)

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  6. Ha! Your posts always make me smile. As does seeing your goat family. :) That unfolding plant is just amazing! Stay warm! Tammy

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