Spring = Lambs

This spring, Rebecca's small flock of Miniature Southdowns was added to by two of her ewes giving birth to three little lambs. Dubbed Ramborgini, Ukulele, and one TBA. Her third ewe, Raquel, is pregnant as well, and has yet to give birth to the adorable little lambies.

Spring!

March's gloom brings April's blooms!

A pleasant suprise was finding our back hill covered with crocuses, maybe spring will soon be here.

The Crocuses
Frances E. W. Harper
In the everlasting arms
Mid life’s dangers and alarms
Let calm trust your spirit fill;
Know He’s God, and then be still.”

Trustingly I raised my head
Hearing what the atom said;
Knowing man is greater far
Than the brightest sun or star.

They heard the South wind sighing
A murmur of the rain;
And they knew that Earth was longing
To see them all again.

While the snow-drops still were sleeping
Beneath the silent sod;
They felt their new life pulsing
Within the dark, cold clod.

Not a daffodil nor daisy
Had dared to raise its head;
Not a fairhaired dandelion
Peeped timid from its bed;

Though a tremor of the winter
Did shivering through them run;
Yet they lifted up their foreheads
To greet the vernal sun.

And the sunbeams gave them welcome.
As did the morning air
And scattered o’er their simple robes
Rich tints of beauty rare.

Soon a host of lovely flowers
From vales and woodland burst;
But in all that fair procession
The crocuses were first.

First to weave for Earth a chaplet
To crown her dear old head;
And to beautify the pathway
Where winter still did tread.

And their loved and white haired mother
Smiled sweetly ’neath the touch,
When she knew her faithful children
Were loving her so much>

Tis the Season to Shovel Dirt!

The Inauguration of Spring

Emily & I this evening - on the banks of the Hudson - savoring every last bit of a beautiful and warm spring day.

Cleaning the Fields

Jacob and Dad have been working on a farm spring cleaning project that involves burning a lot of fallen field brush. Jacob manages the excavator and Dad operates the tractor and together they have successfully converted a lot of tree debris back to carbon dioxide and water. Katie and I enjoyed the warmth of the fire.

Amenia to Millerton and Back Again

Becca and Caleb and I biked from Amenia to Millerton and back (16 miles round trip) in today's beautiful spring weather. We ate lunch (and ice cream!) in Millerton and stopped at the children's book store where the counter lady was extremely friendly, and especially loved imaginative hats!

Tokens of Spring at Bentley

And I Think to Myself, "What a Wonderful World"

I don't know if I have ever been happier for the arrival of warm breezes, chirping birds, budding tulips, muddy fields and longer daylight hours than I am right now. I guess I must think this every spring, but it sure feels true! Today was the first time in months where I went outside and felt so comfortable, as if the outdoors were my home instead of a fierce enemy that I was quickly trying to escape.

The only trouble was that other small creatures, namely gnats, also found the weather very agreeable. I convince myself in bitter winter months that there is no way possible for these creatures to survive the cold. The first true day of warmth and sunshine never ceases to prove me wrong.

Yes, but, even these small annoyances shall be accepted as a very light burden to bear for all of the glorious advantages of the fast-approaching vernal equinox!

Do You See What I See?

Mud is Back!

Groundhog Day has long passed and Punxsutawney Phil saw his own shadow which means that winter should linger for another month from today. But, if the signs on Bentley Farm mean anything, spring is coming soon! My window is open this holiday morning as I catch up on correspondence and clean and organize some long neglected piles, and I can't help but notice that the breeze through the window smells like spring! The sun is shining, the grass that has been buried under snow for the last five weeks is visible again, mud has replaced the icy skating rink that was our driveway, birds are chirping, and, so yes, in the middle of February, I am very happy to report from Bentley Farm, "Spring is coming!"

In Celebration of Spring: Reflecting on Life's Purpose

Today the vernal equinox once again extends her hand of greeting, and I, for one, am quite grateful for the reintroduction. Somehow her welcome makes it possible for all of life’s hopes and dreams to once again flourish and bloom with the longer daylight hours that travel in spring’s caravan.

If I was in charge of things I might actually decree that life resolutions should be made on the first day of the vernal equinox, and not on the first day of the calendar year, because heralding the promised life of spring and reflecting on life’s goals seem so fundamentally complimentary.

Spring is an ideal time for goal-setting, because it opens a truth that is so often shrouded by busyness: goals don’t have to be about doing.

When I make goals on New Year’s they inevitably focus on action and performance. If I set goals on the first day of spring, they pivot upon becoming something beautiful, not through the merit of my doing, but through long days of basking in sunshine.

If the graceful tulips and the delicate cherry blossoms can bring joy to the soul and glory to their Maker through their elegant and colorful presence, then I must dare to believe that it is possible for me to find meaning, not in the mechanical work of my hands, but in the color and beauty that transcends the performance and interacts, not with matter, but with a soul.

Spring Happiness

Spring happiness is... Caleb working with his older brother Nathaniel, home on break from college, to collect some of the season's last (hopefully!) firewood!

Nature's Blue Prophets

This season of the year, while lacking in external beauty, is precious for the signs of hope that come with each new dawning day. Although another winter storm is predicted to come upon us again tomorrow, nature is holding out little prophecies of spring. Today the prophets came to us in the form of a pair of bluebirds, which are not usually sighted in our area until mid-March.


This week has been wonderful and quite busy for me, so I confess to the reality that the beautiful pictures below were taken by my little sister Rebecca, who actually had time to walk with Mom around the farm to remind the rest of us (or me specifically) that spring will indeed arrive. Yes, what hope!

Waiting for May Flowers

April showers have come to us and it is sometimes tricky to find interesting things to do while the waters pour from the sky. At least today, however, we were quite successful with discovering fun pastimes. By far and above, the most recommended piece of advice on a rainy day is to go outside. The type of rain gear that you don doesn't matter too much because, no matter how you dress, the bottom line is that you will get wet. But when that is part of the fun, you begin to not mind that sloshy feeling.

Puddles and kids both seem to enjoy each other.

Wet wave.

And when you're warm and dry and sitting inside, why not pull out a big mirror and try a photography trick?

Extended legs.

If you want to pretend that you are a twin, grab a doll and dress her up to match your outfit.

And if you are in the mood for a good laugh, try a new exercise routine. Rebecca and I gave pilates (thanks, Uncle Jim, for the suggestion!) a very noble attempt.

Our first attempt at pilates. We laughed much!

Muddy March

Spring has arrived, but maybe not. Because you can never quite predict the weather in this month. Although today, we enjoyed the first signs of spring: the turkeys in our yard, the snowdrop flowers, the MUD, the warmer temperature and, of course, being able to go outside just wearing a T-shirt! - Hannah