May you live in interesting times.

Today has been an interesting and exciting day, in all senses of the words.

My keyboard has been dying one key at at time for a while, and recently I lost use of the bottom two rows. Obviously a new keyboard was in order. The Mac Store carries a very interesting one - The Virtually Indestructible Keyboard. They had to ship one from Redmond to Olympia (the closest place for Apple supplies - about 1 hour away). Today I drove up to get it.

This keyboard is very cool, but will take some getting used to. It's silicone based, flexible, and according to the tech at the store even acid spills won't harm it (he used one in a chemistry lab). No more dog hair and dust working their way under the keys.

The second exciting thing is that people in Olympia had East Indies ducklings for sale. These ducks are tiny, black,  and when they get feathers, iridescent. They are hard to get, as hatcheries won't ship ducklings due to their small size. I now have five ducklings! Adorable.

When I got home I was greeted by my Border Collie, loose. The good news was there she was waiting for me, the bad news - well, besides the need for better containment, I wasn't sure what the bad news was.

As I unloaded the groceries I bought at Costco (no trip to Olympia is complete without a Costco run), I noticed that some horses were in the wrong pasture. Exploring further, I found a gate had been opened by the hinge side. 

And then I saw the Arab stallion sitting down. Now that's just wrong, horses don't normally sit. Slipping and sliding down to him (it has rained continuously the past 3 days) I realized he was seriously stuck in the fence. I got the wire cutters and managed to cut him out. He's such a sweet guy, he just stays calm and trusts me to help him. He's a bit scratched up, but otherwise seems fine.

So now I have a gate that needs rehanging and a fence section that needs replacing. But my horses are OK, if unintentionally relocated.

I'm now back inside getting used to this new keyboard and resting up.

Gratitude

I've been feeling very grateful today for light winds, fluffy clouds, and gentle sunshine.

Native Berries

I love the native berries. They aren't as sweet and flavorful as imports, but they have reasonable growing habits and come into fruit throughout the spring.

Thimbleberry blooms. 

Salmonberry, ready to pick. The earliest berry, and oh so pretty.

Blooms of the native ground blackberry, which will be a small burst of intense flavor.

Native Iris

Old Stump

Out of the sad remains of a majestic tree new life thrives.

Scotch Broom

This year the scotch broom is everywhere under the power lines. It's a noxious weed, but a beautiful one.

The Dabbling Duck

The day started out overcast and not too cool, so I'm out in a t-shirt, vest, and jeans. It starts to rain. I'm a Pacific Northwesterner, what's a little rain. Then it starts to pour. Hail was mixing in with the rain crashing down on me, and I was losing my happy frame of mind when I turned a corner and saw the duck. He was in his element, happy as a duck, dabbling at all the new puddles and enjoying the free shower. It is impossible to be grouchy around ducks.

Excuse me while I go change into something dry.

Mushrooms

These lovely little mushrooms are growing next to my hay shed.

The red petals are from nearby Douglas maples. 

Wildflowers

Spring is such a beautiful time of year.

Winter Woes

I realized as the days lengthened and lightened that I had become depressed and lethargic over the long, wet winter. I even stopped blogging. I need to figure out how to handle winter better, how to keep engaged with the things I care about. My project for spring and summer: how to make a better winter. Joy abounds as days lengthen, soil dries, and the sun shines.

I have taken pictures and thought of stories to share, and I will backfill here as much as possible. Anyone still reading, thank you for your perseverance.  I intend to get back to sharing the joy and wonders of life at Ravenwood.

Spring Pleasures

New leaves glow

Lit from within

Showing the world

The tree's joy

In the return of 

Long days

and Warm sun