This and That, because clever post titles are hard to come by

    For those who left comments on the Dear 2020 post, thank you for joining the conversation on a difficult topic. For me it's therapeutic to talk it out amongst like minded people, and even to hear a different view when it's not laced with hate.  I'm not religious, but I'm praying for the mental health and humanity of our society as a whole as history unfolds.     What a world it could be if  not for our own vices, greed and destruction. If only we could just respect each other's differences and work together for the common good of all.  So simple,  so attainable, and yet so far from our reality. 

    Onward!  The frigid conditions here on the farm have lifted - in the  upper 20's as I type, and it feels downright balmy.   I tried something that worked during our deep freeze - If you water critters outside during winter months - keeping that hydrant from freezing is sticky business.  Stuffing a water bucket with hay, and then flipping that over the hydrant when not in use.. works!

    The paddocks where a skating rink after the deep freeze.  Thankful my husband owns a sanding truck (for work purposes) and I was able to let the horses out into the paddocks after they made a sweep through with the sand/salt.    After losing my beloved Opie, I don't need another equine loss due to a broken leg. Speaking of which - the mini's and our boarder's horse, the very old (32 years!) Max are getting along really well - right now I've brought them up to the big barn from their smaller shed.  Their paddock is still a skating rink, so they're sharing Max's for the moment and with Opie's passing we have a vacant stall. They really like the new arrangement -  it's like they've moved up to the big boys dorm.

    In my never ending quest to lose this miserable menopausal weight and make healthier eating choices, I came across this chickpea salad recipe - so easy to throw together, very refreshing, too.   Recipe and this photo credit to the Striped Spatula... link below photo. 

 Recipe HERE

    Along with this dieting gig which I have yet to really really stick with for the long haul, I do keep up with at least a minimal exercise routine.  Daily I tend to the horse and chicken chores, which is usually about an hour of work, but I also get in some aerobic exercise with the dogs - we walk at least four days a week, most often on the farm, where there are fields, hills and woods and long dirt roadways that make it easy, and hard to find excuses since it's right outside the door.  Occasionally I get on the treadmill, but it bores the hell out of me.  Being outside and moving along is more motivation for a person like me, anyway. 

    Bailey, Frasier and Sally love these walks - I leave our cardiac patient, my Dane, Ben - inside on these cold days.   There's another shot of the big window from afar.

     Sometimes we get in the car and visit the cottage  (Stella) - where I walk the island - also a two miler IF I use all the roadways there.  There is also a state park just five minutes from here with a beautiful roadway that circles a pond and stream and even a waterwheel and covered bridge.   It's so beautiful, I scold myself for not using it more often - free if you walk in! 

     I throw light weight training in for good measure,  just three sets of twelve reps, four different muscle groups, doesn't take long but reaps benefits of keeping me feeling strong, even when I hurt.  I'm no expert, but one of my friends who is an expert agrees -   I highly recommend a combo of  simple stretching, walking and light weight training for anyone, and especially  those who are middle to older aged.  You don't need to beat yourself into the ground or use a fancy gym - just a few light handweights you can buy at your local Target or Walmart and a good pair of walking sneakers, etc. will do the trick. Get bored easily like me? Switch it up now and then with   a bike ride or kayak or yoga. 

     Sometimes the very simplest advice turns out to be the best, right?   

                                        Use it or lose it... 

       Arriving home from the woods walk yesterday, I surveyed the current garden plot situation... 

   What a difference six months makes, huh?  Some shots from last summer below...  (My weeding skills could be honed some, tis true.) 

Tonight I'll pull out the seed catalogs and 

place an online order.

I'm not paid to say anything on this blog...
If I endorse it, I've had success with it. 

My favorite seed source is Baker Creek Heirloom seeds..

Link HERE.  

I find their seeds to be healthy, meaning they actually perform

if you follow the directions properly, and the plants hearty.

That gorgeous zinnia row to the left is courtesy dear friend Hilary
of Crazy As a Loom.  She sent seeds from her garden
last year and they flourished.  

     I have placed the reply option with comments again -  last time I did that, many reeaders had trouble leaving a comment at all.  So often I want to thank you or answer questions to comments left,  remaining silent seems rude, but had no option when I removed that feature.  My comments no longer are delivered to my e-mail, where I used to be able to answer.  If you visit frequently, leave a comment to let me know you were able to.  Let's see if I got it right this time.

    As always - thank you for stopping by.