I enjoyed being outside this week with Selah when she spent the day with us once again. She can run much faster than I can most days, but she understood that I had to move at a slower pace. She kept asking, “ Can we go outside and play just a little bit? “ I finally gave in, so after donning our boots to maneuver through the mud and snow we headed outdoors. She always wants to go to “the park”. It can mean two things: One, a park in town with the slides and other playthings she loves. Or, our little swing set in the backyard. She really doesn’t seem to mind if it is just right here at the farm, as long as we can be outside. She is certainly an outdoor kind of kid!
As she examined the dormant flowers on the side of the house, rung the big bell stationed there, climbed the deck steps a few times, and then continued around to the front yard, she finally arrived at the swings. We had to mount a snow pile to actually get there, but of course she didn’t mind. It was a good thing that Grandpa was tagging along with us because he could finish the trail with her better than me. My leg is healing ( thanks to your many prayers and thoughts for me), but wasn’t quite ready to climb a snowbank.
After about ten minutes of swinging and sliding, she was off to another adventure. She loves to climb all around on an old tractor that was resting near the grove in the warm sunshine. As she backed down to the safety of the wet ground, she stopped, listened, and looked at us with a questioning expression. Even under her Peppa Pig stocking hat she was hearing the honking of the Canadian Geese in the south pasture. Now she was curious and wanted to see them.
We wandered out into a more muddy area to try and “see” what she kept hearing, but to no avail. Too many trees and buildings in her way. I told her grandpa could take us in the pickup to the bridge, and then we could get out and have a first hand look. Grandpa has a rotten cold, and probably didn’t really feel like it, but he obliged our asking. Selah, almost four years old, was delighted to ride between us. After the short jaunt to the bridge on the gravel road near us, we stopped. Selah and I explored the tire tracks in the road, rocks, dirty grass, and the open waters running slowly under the bridge. She was enthralled with all of it. (Grandpa was happy resting in the pickup…)
The geese did not disappoint her with their loud honks. ( Not sure how you can tell, but the females have a lower voice.) She could see many of them on both sides of the creek, some nestled down in the grass, but others stretching their long, black necks and heads high in the air. I told her spring must be coming! They had just appeared this weekend, changing the pasture into a noisy nesting ground. These geese like open water and forage, which is why we see their presence each springtime in the grazing land south of our barns.
She commented about how big they were, and yes they are. I think they can be up to 50 inches long, and their wingspan is over five feet across. I have read that they actually have ten distinctive calls, but all of them must be with great vocal strength! They also have good eyesight, and kept watching us intently as we moved from side to side across the road to see both sides of the water movement. Canadian Geese mate for life, sometimes living up to 24 years! The monogamous pair have one brood, with the female laying from 2-8 creamy white eggs.
After she was satisfied with getting to see them pretty up close and personal, we trudged back to the pickup and returned home for some lunch. She took a 2 1/2 hour nap that afternoon, and I think the fresh spring-like air and sunshine had something to do with that! It is good for what ails all of us, isn’t it? Enjoy these warmer days as you watch the snow disappear a little more each day. I hope it takes its time so maybe the flooding will be less of a threat. And the dreaded mud will hopefully dry more quickly too.
*** Just got an email from a friend who is helping her brother get through a serious surgery. They were told the best way to protect yourself from any virus is to WASH YOUR HANDS. Often, with soap and water. If water and soap are not available, use a hand sanitizer. I know you know, but a good reminder for us all. Stay healthy and have a good week!
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