The first year or two that I lived here on what has now become known as Marshmallow Ranch (formerly known as The Ponderosa), there were no critters in the back yard. Before that, a big Australian Shepherd policed the fenced in back yard and nothing dared to enter. But, after those first couple of years, the dog’s scent dissipated and the bunnies came back with a vengeance. 

We’ve given up trying to raise a garden here because between the poor soil and the bunnies, we were knocked down every year. That’s just as well…we can get better produce while we support local farmers anyway. And, I love the bunnies. Something got one in the yard the other night. I’m thinking one of the owls from the surrounding woods had a fine supper. Or maybe an early morning hawk. Either way, the yard was littered with bunny fluff on Monday morning. It is the hazard of country living.

When I went out to the camper last night, this beauty sat stock still and didn’t make the usual run for the shadows. I stood and talked to the bunny while I carefully took out my phone to capture a photo, knowing fully well I might miss the opportunity. Night shots on a phone…no matter how wonderful they are, loses detail when you zoom in. But if you take the picture, then crop it down, you get better definition.

Mr. FixIt stood at the door, watching me watch the bunny. I waved him out to me because the peepers were also calling. They really shouldn’t be out this early…it’s a sign of negative climate change which affects everything, including the storms we are subjected to. Storms have been getting worse and worse over the last few years and it’s not a good sign. All that being said, there is a little flutter in your heart when you start seeing and hearing the first vestiges of spring. 

I saw a robin in the pear tree yesterday morning. I was awakened at dawn by the sound of rain on the roof of the camper. Mr. FixIt has ditched his jeans and has changed to shorts. Now, it won’t matter if there’s a blizzard…he’ll be wearing shorts till next winter. (implied eye roll) Our diet is changing. Gone are all the heavy sweets and stews. We had a lovely chef’s salad last night. And I was back in the camper again. I’m making it a goal to sleep in the camper at least once every month of 2023! The time for heading out to a campground will be here soon then Mr. FixIt will come along with me.

We didn’t get quite as warm yesterday as they predicted, but today ought to be in the mid to high 70’s and that is blissful…global warming aside. My peeps in Colorado are freezing with sub-zero temps and snow. Yet another reminder of why I left there. I just can’t do snow like that anymore.

I have errands in town today, so the project will sit for the day. I need a break anyway. Big will have a birthday soon and I want to get a little care package sent to her. I’ll need a farm fix soon, as well. Keeping busy with this project since Christmas has kept my mind occupied and made the deeper darkness of winter pass more quickly. I do better with the “winter gloomies” if I have something big on my plate.

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“Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.”

Proverbs 21:5 MSG