Spring is starting to Sprung…

( As in, “Spring has sprung, 
The grass has riz…” Just try finding some definitive record on the source of that!! Many different versions & references to original sources…Ogden Nash, Spike Milligen, “Brooklyn (or Bronx) National Anthem,”…oy!)

Botanically speaking, signs of Spring are everywhere! I’ve never noticed this transition is such vivid detail—sometimes it’s subtle, like when the leaf and flower buds are forming on various plants, sometimes it’s much more obvious, like when the ‘cool weather’ veggies explode with growth or the raspberries sprout new canes with a vengeance.

The light is changing back, warmer weather (but still “cool season”) vegetables are becoming viable and seedlings for April planting are doing well in the greenhouse, spring bulbs are “springing forth.” (Interesting to note that the most aggressive early spring bloomer we planted were the hyacinth not the tulips…)

And, of course, we just changed the clocks and have to adjust to new sunrises & sunsets. Which makes for a darker morning, but gives more daylight in the warmer afternoon for working the fields…(Overall, an interesting history to the clock changing.)

Of course, the first day of Spring isn’t until March 20, but nature seems to disregard the calendar, and we have to adjust our work schedule to keep up with nature.

Fauna is more active too…

What really inspired this blog is the increase in animal activity. The male turkeys are courting females with vigor.

I actually caught a pair of turkeys, um, “making babies.” The female, of course, takes the brunt of the activity with the male standing on her back, clawing her. I read that he can actually draw blood with his talons during the act. It was quite the search process to read more about their mating behavior as many, many sources I consulted spoke about it in only the most vague way, but when I finally found some academic sites that described the process, I was surprised and intrigued by the miraculous and complex nature of egg-laying—no wonder we hide eggs at Easter!!

Planning at RMH

We’re excited to be planting wine grapes soon! Ted has been working with all the various consultants and contractors to move forward, so look for more photos of that process to be posted in the next month or so.

We’re also gearing up for a new season of happenings at RMH staring this Spring. Didi has been gathering ideas and inspirations as well as meeting with some interesting and creative people about possibilities. We are looking forward to using our own organic flowers this year!

Look for more interesting web structure and graphic design from our in-house expert Brad—he’s got some new inspiration and skills that he’ll be using to tell the RMH story.

Alan’s excited because the local wine clubs are gearing up, including a new membership that should bring some nice additions to the wine stock here.

I’m furiously planting and cultivating. This is one of the annual “crunch time” to maximize the out put of the “cool season” crops (as already mentioned…beets, leeks, green leafy, etc…) while starting the greenhouse process to prepare for planting around the “last average frost day” (April 15).

So. Happy Spring! We hope you’ll be able to visit RMH soon, but at least keep on eye on our website for things upcoming.

OH! And you can subscribe to our very occasional email list to be kept informed also!

-Timothy

Lynelle' s Thoughts on Turning 79!

Huh? Did you say I’m 79? I’m not sure how you are supposed to feel when you hit 79. Old, on the shelf, out for lunch, losing one’s marbles, out of touch with reality, wrapped up in your aches and pains. If that’s the case then someone’s mixed up and I’m not really 79.

Sure I experience an occasional senior moment and my body sags around the middle. My teeth come out at night and my hearing is somewhat of a nuisance. And there are a few things I’ve been through in my seventy-nine years I’d just as soon not repeat. But as I start to list them I’m reminded it is those hurts that have molded me into the woman I am today. So I’ll keep them to myself.

I’m particularly grateful for the people and creatures that have/are enriching my journey. They include family, teachers, writers, college friends, my First Baptist and Alexian families.

MY GOALS FOR 2010

To take my writing gifts seriously but not myself

To always nourish the child within me

To value my young friends and to learn from them

To take care of my body without becoming a fitness slave

To laugh with others and especially at myself

To read and yet have the freedom to turn a book down if I don’t care for it, regardless of its Best Seller’s List status

To really listen to those who disagree with me

To be lavish in spreading love

To remember the past through reality lenses

To cherish the joy of being alive

To make friends with death without courting it

I carry the tag, Christian. I’d like to be more like Jesus