Everything seems to come awake and alive again on the farm once Arkansas spring finally gets here and decides to stay. We enjoyed all the blooms from daffodils, irises and many other lovely flowers that woke up from a winter slumber. This past fall, our youngest daughter and I set out to plant over 100 tulip bulbs. These flowers were a lovely and fun surprise all over the farm this spring. We have big plans to plant some more next fall too.
My brother-in-law’s cows have calved and there are several baby calves grazing in our pastures. We enjoy helping him feed and check on them.
I was beginning to think our laying hens were just freeloading, but they have finally started laying 6-8 eggs a day on a consistent basis. When we took a quick trip to Colorado for spring break they were on a roll. I started letting them out to scratch around and roam every day. Suddenly, we were only getting 1-2 eggs and I couldn’t figure out if they were laying them in the yard or if they were on strike.
I went out one night after dusk to put them in their coop and noticed their waterer needed to be refreshed. As I pulled it out, there was an unpleasant surprise hiding in the corner behind it – a GIANT possum. I am not sure who was more frightened – him or me. It sure caught me off guard. Then I quickly realized, this was likely the culprit for missing chicken eggs.
I was home with just our two boys. I yelled one of their names and he came running. He guarded the predator, and I went to grab a .22. We knew the possum would be back if we didn’t take care of him and next time, he just might take off with one of chickens too. Our oldest son is a good shot and then they loaded him up to take him to the brush pile.
I am not sure if those boys are more like Jethro from the Beverly Hillbillies or Bo and Luke Duke from the Dukes of Hazard. They are just the right amount of redneck when I need them to be.
We had a large tree come down on our property and they uncovered some poisonous snakes while helping their dad cut it up and load the wood. They once again proved to be excellent marksmen. Thank goodness, yuck.
Our family’s spring has been busy with baseball games, track meets and car racing. In between all of that we are preparing for our oldest daughter’s graduation. She has been working hard under a bad case of senioritis to finish strong this semester. I am looking forward to all the joys that come with the spring semester of senior year – awards ceremonies, spring banquets and of course, the senior prom.
It was often that I thought the days were long, but the years have truly been short just as my older and wiser friends warned me. Raising children is not for the faint of heart but I am thankful we have had so much family time together.
I recently had an opportunity to watch our daughter’s signing day to attend the University of Arkansas. It truly hit me, time is not going to slow down, and high school graduation is upon us.
Spring is about renewal and beginnings. I am beginning to see all that God has planned for this little family of ours. I hope your spring is full of joy beginnings too, neighbor.
Jody Harris is a freelance communications specialist, gardener, ranch wife and mother of four. She and her family raise Angus beef cattle and other critters on their northwest Arkansas ranch. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Jody, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’
