Thursday, April 7, 2011

Springtime on the Farm

Springtime on our farm was always such a pleasant time of year. The robins and all the songbirds were back and singing all day long. There was a vernal pool at the lower end of one of our pastures which was filled with the usual vernal pool creatures.

After spending all day working in the fields getting them ready to plant LV would spend the evenings checking and repairing all our fences before we would let the cows and heifers back out to graze. I always enjoyed going along to talk and watch while he made the repairs even though I had to carry Sailor most of the time. My favorite spot on the farm was a corner of giant trees at the lower part of our heifer pasture. There was an old dry creek bed running through the middle which was now covered in the most delightfully delicate grass and violets. From a distance it looked as if the entire floor of that patch of woods was purple from the millions of violets that bloomed so sweetly. I always gathered a small bouquet to take back to the house to enjoy. Violets were my favorite springtime flowers, so sweet and pretty, and somehow almost humble.

We always waited until the second week in May to finally let the cows and heifers out to pasture to allow the grass to grow a little more and the ground to become solid, otherwise the grass would have become trampled and a lot of the pasture turned into a muddy mess.

The cows always seemed to know when the day arrived that we were going to turn them out. Right after chores we had to put salve on their udders to keep them from becoming sunburned until they were used to being back outside. It wasn't long before they were all staring longingly out the open barn windows and mooing loudly. It was one of the most musical days of the year. As we walked along the rows of cows to unsnap the chains from the stanchions they turned and walked outside. It was always fun to watch those mature cows forget their age when they got outside the barn and started running and kicking up their heels at the joy of being able to be outside after being in the barn all winter. By evening they would be their normal selves again and only walk with their usual slow steady pace. But for a few hours they were feeling young.

19 comments:

  1. You have a gift for bringing your reader right into the scene with you! I am sitiing here in my office in the city, but my mind is in your pasture and your cow barn!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for your precious memories shared here each day; I also grew up on a cattle farm- often I miss those precious moments with the warm gentle cows. These days our farm is much smaller; goats intstead of cows. Your memories remind me of home and time long ago with my grandparents working along side. Thankyou.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Some violets have taken up residence beside the holly bushes near of my front porch. They are 'volunteers' and it's enough to make me want to run and jump and kick up my heels!! The most unexpected gifts from God show up to bring us joy, don't they?
    I can picture your pleasure in the pasture's blooming...and the cows' too, at being set free!
    Thank you again, for sharing your stories.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Makes me want to live on a farm. Great writing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes, this is a wonderful and wonderfully written story! Thank you so much. Now, it's out to the violets and into the garden for me. Have a great spring day!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can imagine those cows so happy to finally get out and play! I think springtime put a "spring" in everyone's step!! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a perfect picture of Springtime on the farm. Violets are my favourite woodland flower.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Joyful, thanks for stopping by my blog. A very nice story as well, i always love a good farm story. In the Lancaster area today it was on the cloudy side, with flashes of sun here and there.But atleast things are greening-up alittle along with some folks starting to plant their flowers. Farmers are starting to work the fields, both Amish and non-Amish. Richard from Lebanon county,Pa.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I also feel like I'm right there with you. You describe things with such color and flair.
    I so love coming her to visit.

    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  10. Funny that the cows seemed to know when they were going to get out for a frolick! Must've been fun to watch them run and kick with joy.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Such lovely images! Flowers and birdsong...perfect! Cx

    ReplyDelete
  12. That lightness and giddiness is also how I feel after being cooped up all winter, too!

    Lovely story, as usual, Mary Ann! Loved it! Hope spring has come to your part of the country sooner than it has to Michigan!
    :0)
    Joni

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for sharing this post. Your writing made me feel like I was there.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I loved today's post. I learned something new (Vernal Pool) and I got to imagine happy cows. Thank you for writing in such a wonderful way.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Even if you feel young for a few hours, it's a good thing! :) Nice to see you. I'm still pretty much absent but missing my old blogging buddies. HOpe all is well. Blessings on you and yours. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. It's amazing the effect Spring has on humans and animals alike... It's so easy to forget your troubles and begin feeling alive when Spring arrives!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Awww what a joyful post! I love the description of the cows being so happy to be outside! Blessings, Joanne

    ReplyDelete
  18. I can see this! I can hear and smell it, too! There is nothing like springtime on a farm! You do have an amazing way of bringing us to visit :-)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking time to comment. I love hearing your thoughts.