Changing Seasons

Sunset On A Muddy Road
Ashfield, Massachusetts

In the country, somewhere between Winter and Spring is the 'Season of Mud'. A time when company is greeted with, "Nice to see you, take your shoes off!" and cries of, "I just washed that floor!" echo down the mountainside.

Please click on picture to enlarge.

On Guard

Guarding the Flock
Shelburne, Massachusetts

A few months ago, I posted about Llamas being used to protect sheep against coyote attacks. It seems that this idea is becoming popular with more farmers, as I discovered on a recent 'photo excursion'. If you missed my previous post, you may see it by clicking here.

Dolly Llama

If you are familiar with my blog, you know I was going to
give her a name!

Please click on pictures to enlarge.

The Joke's On Me!

When I stopped to take a picture of these two horses frolicking in the pasture, I didn't realize that there was a snow covered ditch between me and the fence. So there I plopped with camera in hand!

Have you ever heard a horse laugh?

To laugh along, please click on picture to enlarge.

Maple Syrup Season

Lanoue Sugar House
Ashfield, Massachusetts

Maple Syrup season is short, it starts around
the beginning of March and ends in mid April.
Cold nights and warm days is perfect 'sap' weather.

These Maple Trees are tapped the traditional way, using buckets.

Some syrup producers prefer tubing, which is a faster method.
The tubing is connected to many trees
and the sap runs into holding tubs.

In the sugar house the sap is boiled down in a large evaporator.
It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup.

To make 20 gallons of syrup, it takes a
cord of wood or 60 gallons of oil.

The end result...delicious Maple Syrup,
please pass the pancakes!
Massachusetts ranks 8th out of the eleven
major syrup producing states. Number one
in U.S. production is Vermont.

Please click on pictures to enlarge.

Not The Sunshine State

Florida still has several inches of snow on the ground...
Florida, Massachusetts, that is!

Aflac Audition?

Silly geese, you're out of luck
'Cause the Aflac star is a big white duck!
~SRD

Please click on picture to enlarge.

Window Shopping

While running errands with my husband,
he stopped to let a car back out of a parking space.
As we waited, I snapped a picture of his truck's
reflection in the window of a furniture store.
Hey wait! They're having a sale!

Check the rear side window,
to see our dog, Lucy enjoying her
favorite pastime...riding in Dad's truck!

Picture taken in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.

Please click picture to enlarge.

For more wonderful reflections, please visit
James Weekend Reflections - Newtown Area Photo.

1797

Steady Lane
Ashfield, Massachusetts

Having weathered 213 New England winters,
the house around the corner stands proudly facing spring.

Please click picture to enlarge.

Sap's Running

Tapping The Maple Trees
Ashfield, Massachusetts

The first sign of maple syrup season and a promise of spring.

Please click picture to enlarge.
More pictures to come as the season progresses.

Left Out In The Cold

Said the sheep to the farmer,
"Please, let us in the BAArn, I think my ass is frozen!"

Please click on picture to enlarge and see the donkey by the gate.