Oh, dear! It’s time to write the dreaded Christmas letter and start sending Christmas cards. I will act like a millennial here and post the card and letter as we approach the actual holiday. But for now, well, so long to Rachael. She has gone west to Kansas City, and from there back to Idaho and Montana. What a life she leads! We made the most of having a strong young person here, and she stacked bedding and hay with ease. She may never return, after being forced to work so much!
Earlier, Rachael helped walk the dogs, of course. We are still on leashes until the deer carcass is eaten. Eagles, crows, and hawks are the only takers. For some reason, the coyotes, which we hear singing nearby, have not been eating venison. Luckily, the birds are making progress. Rachael loves the dogs and cats and wants to love the horses, though she is afraid of them. I find it astonishing that she can rappel out of a helicopter into fire, but is afraid of horses!
There was no time to cry over Rachael’s departure, as we had dinner plans with friends. We have been in a social whirl lately, which has been wonderful fun.
Unfortunately, there has been a spell of vehicle services. The truck needed licensing, hence a safety inspection, Harry’s car needed an oil change, and worst of all, my car needed extensive service yesterday. It was so extensive that I was given a loaner car overnight, and it cost a frightening amount of money. But not as much as a new car, so no complaints. And it did drive home this morning feeling like a new car. The worst thing was that I left my camera in the car while it was being serviced, thereby missing numerous great photo opportunities – two eagles, romping horses, and a flock of turkeys in the pasture, to name a few.
The annual window cleaning was scheduled for today. Levi and Holly Barker live nearby and do a superlative job. They are so busy that we have to make an appointment now a year in advance. We are set for 2023, and can see much more clearly now.
Pictures will be clearer tomorrow – I took these shots before the windows were cleaned…
And, of course, when I do have the camera, Tom Morris and Marmalade never disappoint as they head to the barn for breakfast together…
Here are a few pictures from the last day of November…
Finally, the lemon tree is blooming and the fragrance is extraordinary. Not exactly a Christmas thing, but a gift indeed.
Be safe, be well. Slava Ukraini! Peace.
I think I might like traveling by train.
I’m with you on the whole jumping out of helicopters vs horses thing.
Slava Ukraini
Peace
It really looks as if Stone is returning the stink eye that Rachael is giving him.
Thank you, Ann and Harry, for letting me visit your beautiful farm. And for a for a wonderful dinner. AND one last night with Rachael before she left.
Take care,
Linda
The lemon tree flower is exquisite. It is amazing how irrational some of our fears seem to be. Personally I cannot see myself rappelling from a helicopter period, never mind into fire! Horses…do you know that I have never had the chance to find out if they scare me! I was terrified of cows because of their size, I think, so theoretically I should fear horses but I don’t think so. It must be hard for you to imagine a life that did not include such wonderful creatures! I so enjoy seeing your photographs.