CURRENTLY IN BLOOM AT THE FARM

Elegant yellow hibiscus

Red amaryllis #2

Sweet purple crocuses

Elegant white crocuses with brilliant saffron pistals

LOONIS

She's one intense cat! Look into those eyes, and there's no question about her mood at any given time.

She's grumpy! The best way to get real love from Loonis is to leave her alone - let her lie on your legs for hours without touching her. Even the most gentle stroke of love down her spine could quite possibly produce a hiss, spit, and smack with her left front paw. Yes, she's a southpaw.

She's beautiful! The fur on the bottom of her feet is the softest thing I've ever touched. She's so gray that she looks blue, and when she's combed (a difficult chore given her "friendly" moods), she's as regal as any cat alive.

Loonis is intelligent! One can see a very bright mind in her facial expressions and eyes.

And she's incredibly playful - on her own terms, of course. I've learned to watch out for my head as I walk downstairs, for Loonis hides and waits for me. When I least expect it, she jumps out from her hiding place and pounds me on the noggin, jumps up and scoots away. She's been known to run back and forth through the house chasing her imaginary mice friends, and Loonis likes to play fetch, especially when I'm at the computer.

Many mornings I wake up with the face in this picture about 1/4 " from my nose. If I ignore her, Loonis scoots up even closer and paws at me to rub her. If I do, I could likely get whammed. If I don't, I could likely get whammed.

That's Loonis...

THIS WEEK'S PHOTOS

Snow Heart: From last weekend's walk...It's been warm enough to melt off almost all the snow in the back field this week.

TJ Maxx Buddha, Guardian of the Back Field, survived an intensely snowy winter with only a little loss of color and bird poop on his head.

Hendrix the cat, posing in front of the garage door, which he had just sprayed when I walked up with my camera in hand. He, of course, denied having done anything that would even appear like urine on the garage door. He's sure it was Clouseau or Spirit.

FIRST LONG WALK TO THE BACK FIELD IN A LONG TIME - MARCH 7, 2010

Accompanied by five cats and an aging Annie, I took off a few hours ago on my first really long walk of the new year. I've been out and about, but cold weather doesn't inspire me to stay out too long, so today's sun inspired me to get me out to enjoy the light, warm, beautiful day.

My first discovery produced an audible "Yippee" around The Farm when I saw this beautiful little crocus. The bed I planted 25 years ago has been tossled and turned many times over, but every year about this time when I spot the first little yellow flower, I get so giddy I jump up and down like a kid! Isn't it beautiful?

Down by the barn, one of last year's sunflowers still stands, drastically changed by the passing of the seasons yet still firmly anchored in the soil. I love the way flower head has sought support from the stalk.

Cool cat that he is, Cato found a resting place on his favorite stump and poised himself to attack an unattentive Clouseau as his partner in crime sauntered by. Good one, Cato!

And no worse for the wear...well actually, quite a bit altered by a winter outside, the happy woods Buddha still maintains his good cheer despite having lost his belly cover and suffered a pretty good wham to his noggin. A thumbs-up, high-five sort of guy, Buddha seems to be cheering on Mother Nature to bring on the spring!

BEAUTY

Best friends forever....Eliza Caroline Shook Wilder & Lexie Santini.....Photo taken by Roger Forshey for Lexie's senior pictures. Two absolutely beautiful young women.