That’s right! Fluffing.

It’s been a tough haying season in the valley. Bunches of farmers and ranchers are struggling to get their hay up without getting rain on it. So far, we haven’t harvested any of third cutting without some damage.  Above, hubby is “fluffing” rained-on hay — turning it over, fluffing it up — to allow it to dry faster. When rains hit nearly every day, it’s the only way to speed up the drying time. Hopefully, the weatherman is wrong, and we can get this field baled before it rains again!

We do have much to be thankful for, however. Just last week, folks from Texas bought a huge load of our hay. Ranchers there are so in need of our thoughts and prayers.

At least nine hummingbirds visit my two feeders daily. There may be more; no way to be sure. The females look so much alike, there could be more coming than I realize. I’ve seen seven at one time and knew of two (specific characterisitcs) that weren’t there. My favorites? A male with a very dark head — black or possibly dark green — white collar, and grey body. I suspect he’s a Black-chinned Hummingbird. The other is probably a Rufous –  rufous crown, tail, and sides, with a white breast.

These tiny birds are among seventeen species of hummingbirds that visit our state while on their migration trail, according to one blog I read. They are fascinating, to say the least!

Up and feeding shortly after the sun warms the morning, the largest number seem to visit around 8:30 or 9 in the morning and again in mid-afternoon, although there’s rarely a time you won’t see one or two whirring about the patio area. The Black-chinned one comes into our yard from the south, while many others seem to find refuge in the nearby pear tree. The Rufous doesn’t seem as large as some of the others, but holds his own…a little scrapper!

A large variety of feeders can be found in stores. Mine are both quite simple with four feeding holes. The food is simple to prepare: one part sugar to four parts water. The mixture should be boiled to get rid of chlorine and deter the growth of mold (see the “how to enjoy hummingbirds” link below).  I don’t use any special boxed mix, and lack of the red color you see in so many feeders doesn’t seem to discourage visitors to my feeders, since both receptacles are usually filled each morning and empty by dusk!

If you’re interested in inviting a few to your yard, you can find more information on the following blogs and sites.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/269490/hummingbirds_in_new_mexico.html?cat=8

http://www.hummingbirds.net/index.html

http://howtoenjoyhummingbirds.com/hummingbird%20food%20recipe.htm

It’s been another cold winter here, and we’re awaiting the birth of several baby calves. Hopefully, they’ll won’t arrive on the scene till this cold snap decides to trot along out of here. Yesterday was a typical spring day, with warmer temperatures (high in the 40′s…a regular heat wave) and winds that would cause a bird to ponder the wisdom of sitting atop a barbed wire fence. I noticed several bobbing their little tails up and down, consistently readjusting for balance!

That observation brought to mind the scripture in Jame 1 concerning the importance of believing and not doubting: “for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” I won’t deny doubting at times. I guess it’s human. But God’s word and His Holy Spirit are an anchor that can keep us grounded, no matter the storm’s power or devastation.

I’ve been reading through the books of the Old Testament and have been reminded over and over of the importance of declaring and living our faith in God. How often in the OT did God’s people forget him and go about doing things their own way? In Judges, it seemed to happen every time one generation passed, a new one followed, and the people forgot about the wonderful things God had done. Or one judge followed God, and a new judge took his place.

There is great concern these days that our country’s citizens have forgotten their roots, their heritage, and their allegiance. Similarly, but of much more importance, our relationship with our God is often swept aside in the busyness of a harried, hurried culture. Hopefully, we can all learn to carry our utmost concerns to the foot of the cross, asking and trusting. When our lives are on the line, He holds the line. When we’re adrift on a stormy sea,  Jesus is in the boat with us. What else could we ask for in the worst of storms?

From now on, we’ll be eating fish at least twice a week, chicken at least twice a week, and lean cuts of our homegrown beef, along with plenty of nuts, yogurt, and MOUNDS  of fresh fruits and veggies. 

Today, I thought I’d share one of the recipes I’ve discovered and plan to use a lot in the future. This southwest dish helps salve the wounds we experienced from giving up one our favorite entrees…good old Mexican food!

Sonoran Tilapia features tasty tilapia fillets served over Mexican rice and topped with a tasty southwest-flavored sauce.  I skipped the rice and prepared steamed veggies with baked sweet potato instead. Served with a side-salad, it convinced me that eating fish is not only healthy, but can be quite tasty. Check out the link above. You’ll be glad you did.

 We’ve gotten a few things done that needed doing around the farm. Hubby has been spraying for weeds and putting on fertilizer, while I’ve been cleaning up all of last fall’s leaves and weeds; one flower bed cleaned, more to go; grass mowed for the first time this spring, and I’m now irrigating it.

This winter was one of those blessings in disguise, I think. Seems God gives us a few storms so we appreciate the rainbows. We had one snow after another for awhile there, and lots of folks just got sick of it. So it is that we appreciate a blue sky, no wind, and a warm, sunny day about now!

I hope your day is going well and you, too, can see some blue in your sky!

Our lows remain near zero these days, leaving winter’s handiwork and a lot of hard work behind. Melting snow on our dark shingles sends water trickling into the gutters and down the drainspouts. The slow-moving water  freezes before it clears the sidewalk drains, creating a small skating rink at each corner of the house.

The first time this occurred (a couple of years ago), I marched out prepared for a COLD war, loaded down with extension cord, hair dryer, ice pick, and broom. I expected the hair dryer and ice pick to be the most useful of my weapons of ice destruction.  WRONG!

Turns out, HOT water (fight fire with fire; water with water???), is my weapon of choice these days. Does a beautiful job. Just got to keep toting bucket after bucket, but it works wonders. Once the ice is cleared off the sidewalk (gotta keep sweeping off the excess water often or it re-freezes!), pouring hot water over the base of the downspouts melts the  ice trapped there and allows it to slip out the spout.

It’s dark now and I’ve retreated from the front lines. I’ll return to the last remaining combat area tomorrow, where the enemy is not quite defeated, but its icy ranks shrunk considerably beneath today’s onslaught. By this time tomorrow, I’ll be shoutin’ victory…the Lord willin’ and another snow doesn’t hit!!