It has been raining and raining and raining here. My side yard is a pop up duck pond (with a mallard pair paddling around) and it's hard to recall the gorgeous, sunny days we just enjoyed. But .... last week we went back up to Stone Barns to see if there were any lambs yet. A week earlier the farmer said he thought around the 10th.
See that tractor path winding up the green meadow? The sheep were way up there. Mom's caregiver, Larisa and I decided to go for it. We pushed and pulled the wheelchair up the path to the sheep on the hilltop. That was something - ruts, stones, the hill. It took a long time. Seriously, a chuckle and a fierce work-out.
But, alas, no lambs. See Stella over there on the right? She decided not to bother about us, panting and weary. Not much of a threat to her girls resting in the shade.
Back down the hill, there was plenty to see and admire all around.
The beekeepers were having a training session.
Piglets snuffling around.
I'm partial to the authentic, working parts of the farm.
The late afternoon sun was warm and intense.
Up by the restored barns, shop and restaurant, everything is manicured and pretty.
The red bud. My favorite tree. Transitioning from spring flower to summer leaves.
After the hill, my mom and I looked back from the bottom of the tractor path. That bumpy climb was as hard on her, white knuckle holding on, as it was on us. She said the place reminded her of where we grew up in the country outside Saint Louis. We chatted about that for a few minutes - some memories - both sweet and sorrowful. It made me so sad that she couldn't hear the red-winged blackbirds, the cows mooing or the tractor puttering in the distance, the sounds that made me feel like a carefree kid, nostalgic and happy. But when she took my hand to say thank you, I was really grateful that we took the chance and climbed that raggedy hill after all.
Didn't really matter what was up there at the end of that twisting rocky path.
No doubt, one of these days there will be baby lambs too.
Beautiful sweet post! :)
Posted by: Betz | May 18, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Hello Charlotte,
Love this post and photos!
It's been raining here badly with strong winds at times since last weekend...And it cool down to the point we are wearing our boots and jackets again! I wish it will end soon...need to see the sunshine.
~ Gabriela ~
Posted by: Gabriela | May 18, 2011 at 12:53 PM
Beautiful - the post, the sentiment, the spring day. What a lovely way to spend time with your mom.
Posted by: Lorrie | May 18, 2011 at 01:12 PM
How sweet. You are so good to your family.
Posted by: Laurie | May 18, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Love this poignant post. You're so lucky to have a mother you love and who, obviously, loves you dearly.
Posted by: Claudia Small | May 18, 2011 at 01:52 PM
I agree with the previous poster - you are very lucky indeed to have a mother you love so much and who loves you so dearly too! I can only imagine.
Posted by: LindaSonia | May 18, 2011 at 02:43 PM
As usual Charlotte a very lovely post! So nice to hear about your Mom!! We have had tons of rain here in PA too. At least another day of it. But the sun is around the corner.
I dearly love the Redbud. Three years ago my landscaper told me that the Redbud is called the Judas tree. He said just as you have fallen in love with it, it often dies for no obvious reason.
We had a gorgeous one right behind our patio, must have been 12 feet high. Then last spring I noticed it was taking a bit long to flower...and then only one or two branches flowered. And just like that it was gone.
Posted by: Laura | May 18, 2011 at 06:01 PM
What a lovely farm and a beautiful memory that you will no doubt treasure forever! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Beth | May 18, 2011 at 07:39 PM
LOVE red buds, too. There was a little group of red buds, lilacs and irises together on one of my regular paths to get home. It made me smile everyday, but I never seemed to remember my camera.... sigh.
I have two red bud trees in front of my studio, but they are not as beautiful as most of the ones I see around town. They are all over Austin, too, and are fabulous right next to blooming bluebonnets - wow.
The Stone Barn complex looks wonderful. What a great day...xo
Posted by: jone | May 18, 2011 at 07:41 PM
What a great day! Memory making for sure.
Posted by: Kristin Nicholas | May 19, 2011 at 11:16 AM
I love when you share with us the time you spend with your mom. It is precious. Enjoy dear one.
Posted by: Melissa | May 20, 2011 at 12:18 AM
Thank you for reminding me about Stone Barns, Charlotte. Haven't been there since early last year. I would like to take my own mom this weekend but instead we are having "Mini Easter" at my house since I didn't get to spend it with her or my youngest. Recreating it in all its food glory - ham, deviled eggs, and "bunny cake".
Posted by: Loretta | May 20, 2011 at 07:21 AM
Hi Charlotte,
We've had lots of rain here in Michigan as well, and a pop-up pond appeared at the back of our yard. A pair of mallards are raising 8 little ducklings there now! What fun to watch!
I'm glad you are enjoying the springtime with your mom. Last year we had an early spring, which was fortunate as my mom passed away in May, but not before we enjoyed the blossoms of spring together. It has given me special memories, as I'm sure the outing with your mom will be cherished by you. What a beautiful post.
Posted by: Barb | May 20, 2011 at 05:19 PM
thank you...that made my heart smile!
Posted by: lynnec | May 20, 2011 at 07:15 PM
What a coincidence...I heard the chef from Stone Barns on NPR yesterday morning waxing poetic about carrots, of all things. Anyway, it reminded me of our trip there, Charlotte, and what fun that was. So glad you soldier on with your mother. It sounds like it was a wonderful day for all of you.
Posted by: nicki dwyer | May 23, 2011 at 07:39 AM
Beautiful post. Wishing there were lambs. But still enjoying all your other photos. Looks as though you two had an awesome day!
Posted by: Garden Tools | May 23, 2011 at 01:52 PM
I appreciate you sharing your story,I lost my mom when she was only 63,and one of my funny memories is when she was in a wheelchair and we took her to the zoo.So glad we did that.Those are precious memories.Enjoy.
Posted by: Theresa in oklahoma | May 26, 2011 at 12:01 AM
What a lovely day! Your Mother is very blessed to have you close by. What a sweet daughter you are. Redbud trees are my favorite as well. I grew up in Kansas City. Now I live in Southern California and gardening isn't at all the same. There are no Spirea either! I did just discover a beautiful tree called the Western Redbud. It wasn't even in bloom, but I could tell it was a redbud. The leaves are the same, but curly. It's now on my list for my new bare yard! Have a lovely day.
Posted by: Karen B | June 01, 2011 at 11:38 AM
What a beautiful day - and a wonderful series of photos. Sorry to hear there weren't any lambs, and while I know it's not the same as seeing them bouncing in person, I thought I'd offer you a little scroll through our spring lambing season:
http://www.farmgirlfare.com/search/label/lambing%20season%202011
Enjoy! I'll scoop a few up and give them a snuggle for you, if you like. ;)
Posted by: Farmgirl Susan | June 02, 2011 at 10:46 AM
I hope someday my children love me enough when I'm old and grey to make that extra effort for me. What a beautiful gift.
Posted by: Mad | June 02, 2011 at 08:13 PM