Saturday, April 3, 2010

Strange Rites of Spring

Jack and I are exhausted. There is so much spring cleaning going on requiring close supervision that by evening we fall into our beds (after a warm dinner, of course) and sleep the sleep of the hard working. Our unprecedented early spring has the humans running about like mad things, trying to tidy up before the greenery and insects take over.

Yesterday they appeared in our paddock with the hand-held tree mangling device. I have seen this device in operation from a distance and welcomed the opportunity to see it at work close up. I must confess that up close it is even more magnificent than anticipated. The humans were clearing what they call scrub trees from the fence line so I was able to stick my head through the fence for a clearer view. The beast springs to life, shrieking and growling in a deafening manner and shooting wood chips in all directions. I drew closer. As I was studying the thing in detail, I was seized by the neck and dragged away.

Herself babbled on about eye damage, hearing loss and general destruction of my person. What nonsense. I shook the wood chips from my head and stalked off. This mangling device is as impressive as the big red combine and it's only as big as a cat. I have not given up and will use every subterfuge to increase my knowledge on this front.

When they weren't mangling trees they were frantically coaxing the misplaced gravel back onto the drive. This process stirs up all sorts of dried leaves, and as the wind was blowing in our direction, we varied new grass shoots with crunchy tidbits. We also supervised them as they crept along the ditch, filling one of the dreaded shavings bags with winter refuse. I asked for permission to view the contents and was refused.

We are having a visitor for Easter dinner tomorrow and we have been promised the first donkey walk of the year. Jack says he feels "fit as a fiddle and near ta bustin with inergy" so it may be a more animated stroll than they anticipate.

9 comments:

billie said...

Sheaffer, I am looking forward to reading the account of the first donkey walk of the year!

We have one of those tree manglers and use it for the very same purpose. Rafer Johnson and Redford seem fairly oblivious to it - they are more intrigued with the mower, which I was driving on Saturday in the barnyard, turning myself into a Richard Scarry character for awhile (have you ever seen the Busytown book) and then ending up making 3 connected crop circles.

The donkey boys seemed quite intrigued with my going in circles over and over again.

I couldn't tell if they wanted to get on board for the ride or thought I'd finally truly lost it!

Buddy said...

Well no excitement here - there was an earthquake not to far from here - I think I felt it cause I was whinneying my head off - mom didn't know what was wrong with me till she watched the news.

How is my Miss Molly today? I'm feeling so quilty for neglecting her.

Your fren,

ponymaid said...

Buddy, AN EARTHQUAKE! How exciting and horrifying - no wonder you felt the need to speak out loudly. Always best to raise the alarm. The woman will be calling the vet tomorrow to ask if Molly should be improving by now. I will rush the report to you. Thank you for asking after the great golden pony couch.

robert5721 said...

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
Sheaffer, boxes of VERMIFUGE arrived today in the mail truck from town .... a highly advise that you and Mr Jack maintain a distant position when the woman or vitinarys are seen .. best of luck ..
Mr Gale

Buddy said...

Hay Sheaffer - how is Molly today? Mom got her a card - will be mailing it tomorrow - giving you a heads up so if she starts acting all funny you'll know why.

Yours fren,

ponymaid said...

Buddy, thank you for your kind thoughts. Molly is keeping one eye (the good one) on the mailbox. She is still in a lot of pain but eating up a storm of new grass.

Mr. Gale!! What? You are plagued with the wretched stuff as well? I'm beginning to think vermifuge is like death and taxes - a horrible inevitability. And guess what? Herself is going off tomorrow to get us more containers of the poison. Jack says he's ready...the tall woman still has a dent in her head from the last time she tried to shove the stuff down his throat.

Buddy said...

How is my Molly today? I'm worried about her.

Your fren,

Buddy said...

How is my Molly today? I'm worried about her.

Your fren,

ponymaid said...

Buddy, the vet was out again and Molly's eye is healing very slowly. It's still very sore and weepy but she is being a brave pony and eating everything in sight in spite of the pain. I'll tell her you asked after her and thank you.