Smells Good Around Here

Everyone is spending as much time as possible out in the yard these days.  Carol, Paula and Janice have put the finishing touches on the garden and I hear them say they can start all over again with weeding.  All the rain is good for weeds, but let's concentrate on the good things today.  Look at this Spirea!    And the herb garden isn't just for herbs, though Jan really likes to pop out there when the soup needs something to spice it up.  There are flowers as well as a bench where I can sometimes find a friend to sit and rub my ears.  The bench is under the cottonwood tree which, Carol says, was only as tall at the farm house when she and Aggie came here in 1988.  Look what 23 years have done for it!

NOISY WEEK

I spent a lot of time on the farmhouse porch this week because of all the noise outside.  I get quite discombobulated when there is a lot of racket and I can't see to discern if it is safe to be around or not.  That would sum up this week on the farm for me.  Sister Carol made a lot of the noise:  mowing the lawn, weed whipping, and tilling in the garden.  But the worst racket, I think, was made by the men who re-shingled the dome hermitage.  This needed to be done because of the damage from hail last summer.  You know, most of that little building is roof!  It took them four days to do this work.  Their trucks were none to quiet either . . . .  I hope our guests enjoy the new look.  There are three of them in it for this weekend and one in each of the House of Clare and the House of Francis.  I enjoy having them around as much as they are enjoying being here.

May Means Apple Blossoms

Well, I made it through our spring work day, but not without complaint.  Because it was raining and wet, they made me stay in on the porch.  It is difficult to be hospitable when you are kept away from the guests.  Why was it okay for them to be in the rain and not me?  Good question, huh.  See Clare's Well website for news on the workday.

Today is sunny and what a pleasure it is to be out on the grass under the apple tree.  I am receiving a shower of apple blossoms as they parachute to the ground around me. 

The bees are having to hurry up to get what they need from them before they are all blown away.

Other spots of beauty are showing up.  Spring's miracles abound around

the mailbox, too.  I am the most lucky dog in the world because I live here.

As Sister Janice Wiechman exclaims, "We live in paradise!"  Enjoy the beauty around you wherever you are.

I Have a Big Job Coming Up

They tell me I should get ready for Spring Work Day here at the Well.  I have to say, it is not exactly my favorite day -- I can't begin to keep up with all the people who come -- they are all over the place!  The excitement is so much that by the end of the day I'm quite worn out from checking on everyone to be sure they know they are welcome.  One year we had 70 people and I was the only dog to welcome them.  Whew!  If you can come, I'll do my best.  The day is Saturday, May 14th beginning at 9:00 a.m.  See Clare's Well News at  http://www.clareswell.org/  for details.

Spring Means Be Outside As Much As Possible

The title says it all.  I'm fortunate to be a dog because people say dogs belong outside.  Why would anyone want to be indoors on days like these?  The air is sweet and soft to my nose.  The breeze makes me want to simply run and bark with joy.  I hear a returning crowd of red-winged black birds by the bird feeder under the maple tree and wonder how the woodpeckers and sparrows are taking this intrusion after having had the place to themselves for the winter. 

The sisters opened the barn doors so the yard is swarming with guinea fowl and chickens giddy to be out after long months of being cooped up in the barn. 

The farmhouse porch door was left open this morning and a chicken walked right in -- up the steps and on to the porch!  The cats who claim that sunny place were sure surprised.

Sister Carol came home with garden seeds in hand this week. I can hardly stand it!  I feel  the excitement and life in Earth as she opens to longer hours of light and warmer temperatures that wake up seeds, birds, and all of us.  Hope you feel it all in your hearts, too.