Good Morning Everyone,

What a beautiful morning we are blessed with! The sun rose this morning in a clear, blue sky. I just didn’t want to stay inside so I went on a short walk. I could hear the trilling song of the Boblink coming from across the field and a bright red Cardinal flew by and perched on the power line and sang it’s cheery notes. A neighbor lady came by with the horse and buggy and she stopped and we chatted a little while, but her horse could see why it should stop and didn’t want to stand. At the top of the hill I stood to absorb the beauty of the countryside. In looking out across the valley one heard of black and white cows were grazing in the lush, green pasture while the neighbor’s herd must have had their fill as they were lying down and I assume chewing their cud. Out in the distance on the far slope a flock of sheep were grazing.

Now that the danger of frost is almost over some more vegetables and flowers are being planted. Asparagus and rhubarb are being enjoyed, along with radishes, lettuce, etc.
Some grass has been cut for hay and I saw one farmer head for the hay field with 4 horses hitched to the hay bin.

For those who like auctions, at the Mt. Hope Auction Barn, a Swap Meat will be held on May 20, a Memorial Trotting sale on May 27, on June 4th the Annual Kidney Fund sale, on June 9 the Summer Carriage & Pony sale, on June 10 the Summer Draft Horse Sale.

I almost forgot, some of you wanted to hear about my birding vacation to Lake Erie. I had an enjoyable time, but the Warbler migration is late this year due to the strong north winds. We did see most of them but they were hard to find. We saw quite a few shore birds. The Wilson’s Phalanger was a special one and a good find for everyone, also the two Black Terns. The weather was mostly sunny, but quite windy and nights were cold. The water on the lake was choppy until the last day. My total count seen or heard was 147.

Quote from a perpetual calendar, “The curve of a smile can set a lot of things straight.”

Have a great day!

– Sovilla