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03/05/2007: "A Sunny Day in March"

Well, we're back in business. The Lappie came back from the shop with (yet another) new logic board and we'll see how long this one lasts!

Western Oregon weather, especially in the valley, can be as unpredictable as my computer's logic board. Tuesday and Wednesday it snowed. There were strong winds, hail, then rain on Thursday and Friday. And suddenly, it became soft and warm. The last two days have flaunted amazingly beautiful clear blue skies. It was forecast to rain today. But after classes I wandered about in a short sleeved shirt, snapping pictures and pruning roses. Here's a cheery daffodil that opened up today.



The ducks seem to know it's springtime too. Almost overnight they went from laying one, maybe two eggs a day to five or six. Since we only have six ducks, everyone's feeling fecund! Nate's planning on saving the duck eggs soon in order to expand our flock. Eventually we want to end up with about 30 ducks. We want some pure Khaki Campbells, a few pure Anconas, and a flock of cross bred Camconas. We're thrilled that the ducks have stepped up production just as we're getting ready to dry off the cow.


Speaking of Her Majesty, Queen Aura has enjoyed the sun the last two days. Today I caught her using a low hanging branch as a back scratcher. She walks up to it and rubs it first over her head and then down her shoulders to all those hard to reach places.

She stayed out in the pasture until after sunset. Nate came out to milk her and she trotted into her stanchion to lazily munch on some alfalfa hay. She had a very full stomach, so she didn't eat much. But we think she enjoys her milking/alfalfa routine.

It's exciting for us to be right in the middle of the seasons and they come and go. Unfortunately, school seems to get in the way of enjoying it!! But I snapped a picture of the Oemleria in full bloom today. If you're driving, walking or biking along a roadside in the Willamette valley in February/March and you see a vivid green plant with little white flowers, long before anything else is leafed out, you have Oemleria, also called Oso Berry. Pick a leaf and crush it; take a wiff. Smells like cucumber.


Nate's getting ready to plant!


He built a "hotbox" out of scrap wood and windows. It's two feet deep and 44" x64". He's put some fresh "hot" manure in the bottom. Between that and the sun's rays on the glass (once it's cleaned) we should be able to have some very early tomatoes and peppers. And I approve of the color.


This is a nondescript bush in the corner of the yard that suddenly burst into outrageous pink blooms. What fun!


In other news, my neice was born on the 27th. She and mom are both healthy and happy. I'll give her her own post once I get some pictures. I also received an acceptance letter from the University of Oregon Law school, which is very exciting. That school is about 45 minutes south of the farm. They've offered me a 50% tuition scholarship, which leaves the amount for federal aid to be about the same as Willamette. So I have my choice of the two schools. I was also accepted into a law school "back east", on a 75% tuition scholarship. But why would I leave this fantastic place? And besides, Nate doesn't take pictures.