It’s Spring, time to lime the pastures.

As the temperatures have warmed during the summer, we’ve noticed the grass is not growing as high as usual; starting three years ago, Doug Jesseman has come to the rescue.

This is very necessary. Sheep eat low, and donkeys eat high. We need good tall and rich grass to keep everybody happy.

We lime the pastures in mid-May when rain is in the forecast. This afternoon, we will get a severe shower and thunderstorm (possibly with a tornado).

Once the rain sinks the lime into the soil, we can let the animals graze again. We don’t want the usual chemical fertilizers well that harm the environment.

It’s neat to watch how deftly Jesse maneuvers that huge truck all through our narrow gates and around the pastures. I love doing anything that cares for the farm.

Maria has figured out a way to custom order a new storm window for the kitchen. Our old one broke off in her hands while she was cleaning it.

Jesse’s visits are one of the lovely rituals of Spring; they make sure the grass proliferates and is tall for the donkeys and the sheep.

I also called Greg Burch this morning, getting the firewood deliveries started. I don’t know what it costs this year, but we’re ordering seven cords as usual. Maria wants to stack the firewood herself; as usual, she’ll call on the Amish girls to help if she tires.

In a month or so, we’ll get next year’s hay delivered to the barn Preparing for the winter is my job; I take it seriously.

As the winter gets less severe, I notice we use less firewood, maybe a chordless each winter.

Negotiations for a used Q2 continue today. It’s more polite negotiating; no news to report; it’s still a long shot. He likes the photos on my blog; that helps a bit.