Summer Idyl, But Certainly Not Idle

Yes indeed, it was a beautiful and busy summer. The apples began to redden quite early in August:

I had plenty of apples of various varieties. I really have no use for them now, but plan to feed them to the cattle when they arrive. I tried cutting them up for the chicks, but they weren't interested. This week, however, several neighbors (including the young Amish couple who harvested my cherries) have asked to pick all my excess fruit and I agreed:

And the pears were lovely. I plan to eat as many of these as possible:

The house, as seen through the apple trees:

The dogs on the ramp in their fenced yard. They loved to sit out there in the sun and watch me work. This photo was taken before PeeWee's arrival, which is why you don't see him:

I spent many long, hard days clearing the grass from beneath the electric fence:

This is what the final stretch looked like when I started. Weedkillers had killed the grass and weeds but they were still standing, shorting out the fence:

And this is what it looked like when I was done. I'd cleared just past that elm tree when this photo was taken:

The baby chicks were growing like weeds:

They were beginning to act like chickens and lose their cuteness:

I kept lights on for them at night and provided a lean-to where they could huddle if cold:

I often find birds trapped inside my barn. Apparently, they get in but can't figure out to get back out. This little sparrow was so panicked that he kept banging into windows. So I caught him and carried him outside:

Hot Summer Days Around The Farm

My first full time summer on the farm has been filled with alternating periods of great work and great idleness. But always there has also been great beauty such as the yellow Asiatic Lilies just outside my door:

And soon after the yellow lilies had dropped their petals (notice them on the ground in this photo), my one and only orange lily burst into bloom:

I shut off the riding mower long enough to enjoy the summery treats of wild blackberries:

The Rugosa Roses bloomed off and on, pretty much all summer long:

And wild Butter-And-Eggs blossomed amidst the roses:

I bought a Tree Hydrangea, courtesy of a gift card from a friend, and planted it out in front of the house:

This photo isn't very good, but it represents a pleasant memory for me. I was on the riding mower and pulled out onto the dirt road to make a turn. I thought I saw a small pack of dogs trotting up the road toward me, but soon realized it was a doe and her two fawns. I held still and they kept coming, not veering off into the brush until they were very close to me:

A heavy crop of Choke Cherries at my fence line near the far end of the south hay field:

The view of my barn (the house is hidden behind the apple trees) from the south hay field - and just look at that sky!:

And a volunteer Snapdragon, no doubt a descendant of plants cultivated many years ago by the previous owners, took root and blossomed magnificently at the edge of my steps:

I spent a lot of time this summer brush hogging and clearing brush. But I dropped the brush hog in the yard when it came time to spray around the fence line:

That's the homemade sprayer parked out in the barn yard. I pretty much spent the summer working to get my expensive new fence to work. The cattle should be here in early autumn:

The Glories Of Summer In Farm Country, Part 1

I drove to the Post Office the other day and was so overwhelmed by the summer rural beauty I passed along the way that I decided I must take some photos. So as soon as I got home, I grabbed my camera, loaded the dogs into the car and took off to drive once more to the Post Office and back. This first shot was of the wildflowers and grasses surrounding my own north hay field:

And Daphne watched the neighbors' hay fields and distant woods with rapt attention as they passed by her car window:

More hay fields and farm silos:

Giant, round hay bales:

An old trailer and boat, parked at the edge of a woodland:

Horses and sheep aplenty:

A truck and a contented, grazing horse beside a big red barn:

Layered textures: Grasses, trees and corn fields with more woods in the background:

Giant corn fields and giant silos:

Farm equipment parked in a field, ready for use:

A neighbor's pond:

And a classic red barn. But I hadn't even reached the Post Office yet. I'll publish Part 2 of this summer series tomorrow:

A Summer Afternoon At Home

This is not an exciting post, just a few shots from around the house on a summer's day. It begins with three buddies snoozing comfortably. Seamus, Fergus and Daphne have become inseparable. This is the last post of photos taken before the arrival of little Clover. From now on, she'll appear as a regular member of the family:

Pink roses blossomed just outside the front door:

Many of the neighbors were still displaying their flags:

I'd had some plants die over the winter and purchased this "Fourth Of July" Rose. It sure seemed appropriate:

And a tall Old English Rose:

In the back yard, little Daphne knew where to find a comfortable lounging spot:

And the Clematis were in full bloom:

All the dogs enjoyed the sunny weather that afternoon. Winter can be a trial, but summer in this part of the country can be wonderful:

Several years ago I'd purchased this miniature rose and almost forgotten about it. But this summer it bloomed so heavily that I had to tie it to the fence:

And a bit of silly puppy-play by the three buddies: