May 13, 2025
Full moon weather, the old ones counted on three good travelling days during the full moon. I know in my younger years; any large building project was planned for the full moon. You could shingle a barn roof very well by the light of the moon. This was in the day of hammer and nails on Cedar shingles. I always had good weather when I planned a competition, I tried to organize them at the full moon. During the summer, storms usually follow the full moon period. In the winter the storms are usually just before the full moon. That is the old lore. With climate change bringing warmer planet temperatures, you cannot always count on it being true. The same with the cloud formations. Mare’s tales, the long wispy clouds, were the forerunner of high winds and rain for the few days following. It isn’t always true now, and that kind of messes up project planning. We just have to be on our toes, and seize the moment or the day of good weather. It is not easy for farming; Environment Canada does not always get it right.
This morning Erik came to move hay for the herd. Nine bales go out at a time. He takes 3 at a time with the little Kubota tractor. Three trips and the job is done. It is much appreciated that he takes the time to help out. It is a bad time to call farmers for even 20 minutes out of their day. They are all out getting the fields ready. There is a lot of barn honey being spread in our area. I love to see the natural stuff go on the fields. It has been a nine months that the hay has been sitting outside on the shale pad. There is a lot of wet and of course that is a lot of waste. I wish I could afford to wrap the bales, but the pocketbook said no. Same answer to the dream of having a building to store the round bales. If that had been possible, perhaps 80 bales would do the winter instead of 100 bales. I am fortunate that the barn holds all the square bales. Money always being tight, I did well to build the barn, the only machinery I keep is the car, farm truck, the lawnmower and generator. There never seemed to be money to build cover for large machinery or hay storage. I depend on independent contractors for field work, and plan to order enough hay to handle the waste. The herd does not go hungry.
My pastures have not been tilled for 30 years or so, they are not in good shape. A frost seeding would help, but in order that the grasses grow, first lime is desperately needed. KaChing Kaching! It would be a little more than a few thousand for 35 acres of pasture. There must be a good pasture grass that thrives on acidic soil. I am not quitting yet, statistics give me 5 years, we will see where it all goes after that. Who knows, when I buy a ticket, I may win the lottery. I live in eternal hope.
Summer staffing has been a problem. I had lovely resumes, but I really did not feel right to offer a position before I got word about the summer student grants. Of course the college students needed to know early, their schooling is finished the end of April. I am waiting to fill a 12-week position now. There is a lot of grunt work needed in the next few weeks. Fencing Fencing! The good news, my woods men have walked the summer pasture and cut all the windfalls. All we need now is insulators and wire tightening. Such a good feeling to have this much done in early May.
Sad day tomorrow, I am taking Lois, to the airport to start her journey home to Scotland. Beyond her practical horse skills, what set Lois apart was her sense of responsibility and dependability. She approached each job, even the unglamorous (spiders??) tasks with enthusiasm. The Sanctuary is so very fortunate that wonderful people drop in and stay awhile. An Island winter was not the exact adventure she had been planning. She survived. Lois was a great role model for Trailblazers, they planned a great Saturday party to send her off. Zoe made a saddle blanket and it was signed by everyone. It is a grand reminder of her time at the Sanctuary. Lois is a phone person, so I know they will all keep in touch.
Horse Keeping gives life a rhythm. Spring and Fall we deworm the horses. We vaccinate, fence, pasture time, hay gathering, all done in a timely manner according to the season. But we can be kind no matter the season.
Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.