First Snow

Saturday, November 27th, the first snow fell in South Berwick. I found an old childhood calendar I'd kept from the 70's. Noted on November 11th--first snow. Yes folks, there is such a thing as global warming!

Snugging up for winter

The gardens are tucked in for the winter at last. We mulched the empty beds and the remaining crops; Swiss chard, beets, carrots, and overwintering garlic. The hoop house protects our hardy spinach and Asian greens. The boardwalks have been pulled up and stored in the garage. We're all ready for the cold blasts of winter.
My bird feeders are emptied almost every day as the birds feast on fatty oil-rich sunflower seeds. The suet blocks, pecked away to nearly nothing in a week need replacing already. Last night, a mouse scurried among the leaves along the house foundation, looking for a cranny to sneak into as Callie gave chase. She's not the hunter Ruby was and came away empty-jawed. Nothing like have a good Rottweiler mouser on the premises!
With the forecast calling for wet stormy weather ahead, like the squirrels gathering food, I cache dry wood inside the house at the garage--a good supply to get us through the dank, dark days ahead.

Potato harvest

The potato harvest is in, a multi-hued palette of red, violet, and creamy tan. Since we only had one garden this year, it was a much smaller harvest than last year, despite the late blight. We had such a busy summer what with the new horse and me having surgery in the spring, that we never got our second garden in. John has vowed that next year we will plant in the Eliot garden, no matter what. I suggested we keep it a garden for fall crops, those that don't need constant maintenance throughout the summer--just a couple of weedings. If we plant potatoes, winter squash, brussel sprouts, cabbage, surrounded by a deer-proof fence, we should make out just fine.

We've begun putting the garden to bed, leaving a few late veggies such as carrots, beets, and Swiss chard. The chard may overwinter again if we give it a nice blanket of leaves. A few tomatoes remain, stubbornly staying green, and some bell peppers that are finally turning chocolate brown (a new variety I tried) and red. The Kentucky Wonders got away from me, so I'm letting them dry on the vine and we'll shell them for soups and stews. The carrots need a good mulching, then once we get that first layer of snow, I'll pick them for the winter.

Once the garden is done, it's on to the woodpile. Some of the stumps still need splitting and I need to move the really old stuff to the front so the pieces don't get too punky. These chilly nights have me bringing in wood, staving off the cold the creeps in but never leaves. The sun doesn't arc high enough into the sky and is gone too soon by day's end. But I love this time of year--winter is sneaking closer.

Mr. Pockets searching my pockets

Out in the woods

Harley's Labor Day weekend was another breakthrough. Sunday, John (mounted on his bike) and Callie joined me for a hack in the woods. We unexpectedly hooked up with some folks from North Point on their horses. It became a joint ride, but one that Harley was a bit fractious on. He didn't want to be last in group! Must have been his former racing career coming out in him. He jigged quite a bit, and really wanted to run a couple of times. We had only one minor incident; Harley backed into the branches, knocking my hunt cap off, and bruising my forehead. Needless to say, we went shopping that afternoon for one of those newfangled helmets with a harness! Callie was beat. I don't think she's gone that far ever with us. Once she hit her bed, she was down for the count.
Yesterday, co-boarder Michelle and I rode again with the North Point gang. This time I put Harley out front and he was a dream! He just wanted his spot, with his gang nearby. We roamed the woods for two hours and had a blast.
This week, I need to get him back out by the fake deer, and to get in a good long canter to release that energy (I sound like Cesar Millan). He does like stretching his legs.

Time for sauce and salads!

Yikes! It's a fake deer!

Poor Harley, he was doing so well on our trail ride; past the scary house, past the guys shooting guns, through the water, past the scary gate and the wild turkeys. But it all came apart when he saw the deer target in a back yard. Spinning left, then right, lunging up the trail, I came unglued. Thankfully, I held onto the reins and didn't lose my horse! After dusting off the trail debris and pine needles, I led him past the scary deer, past the scary camper, the scary wood splitter, back to the safety of his barn. Whew!

Breakthrough!

Harley crossed the water (4x!) with me! Now, if we just keep the momentum going, he'll be trailworthy yet. I hoped to find the Emery's Bridge Rd. entrance to Orris Falls but had no luck. We came to a closed  gate that Harley would have no part of--the spin and dance routine again. We'll make a trail horse out of him yet!

Verdant garden

The garden is peaking. Everything is lush and producing fresh produce for our table. Each day, I pick another pint of grape tomatoes. The bush beans are on the verge of a third picking, but the Kentucky Wonders are holding out on us--lots of flowers, but still no beans. And the squashes, well the winter squashes are creeping over the flower beds, into the driveway, and up the walkway. We should have a decent crop of buttercup and delicata for the fall. The yellow summer squashes are putting forth just enough at a time to keep caught up eating them--grilled, sauteed with onion, and maybe with some fresh tomatoes! My nemesis, the fully red-ripened bell pepper still eludes me. Not enough water, sun, good soil? I never have achieved the end product featured in the catalogs! As for the eggplant, it looks like we may have another late crop again, due to my late start this spring. But there's still time for us to get in some late carrots, lettuce, spinach, and garlic. Lord knows, with the number of carrots Harley eats, we need a big bumper crop!

Time in the irons

Harley and I made a breakthrough on Saturday. We finally got across the brook at Orris Falls. It did require me to dismount (something of an issue as he was all in a dither), but with a lead line and carrots we finally made it across. Most of the ride was a challenge. Poor Harley was afraid something was bound to jump out of the woods at him and insisted on trying to turn back. I wouldn't say he's barn sour as much as he is scared. But with constant leg, crop, and an insistent seat, he finally moved forward. We backed up and circled around at least 6 times, and once, I nearly gave up, but we did it--a completed ride on the lollipop loop. Too bad Callie Lou couldn't come too--she'd have liked the romp the in the woods.

Sunday, I hooked up with Michelle, the other boarder, and we took to the woods heading for Wells. She has shown us some great trails up there, but it's such a tangle in my head, it will be hard to remember them all. We rode for about an hour an a half with some nice spots for trotting and cantering. I think Harley really enjoyed the latter--I could feel that Thoroughbred blood coming to life! The thrill of the race! He's also afraid of being left behind, truth be told. Harley, you big chicken! Michelle's dog Dasher came along for ride, streaking through the woods, sniffing around stone walls, and leaping downed trees. Next time John and I head up that way, Callie Lou will have to come too! She needs some new territory to explore and maybe if she's out front, she can boost Harley's confidence!

As John said, time in the irons is what I need to get my legs back. Sure enough, I was a bit sore Saturday night Sunday's ride loosened them up a bit, but it will take a lot of hours in the saddle.