Friends,
Mother Nature's in full glory at Hill House Farm with the landscape alive with new life and love. Abundant blossoms punctuate the pervasive vibrant green growth. Duck and geese pairs surround the pond, bees search for nectar and pollen, birds busily prepare their nests, fish warm themselves in the afternoon sun, and turtles, snakes and salamanders have awoken from their winter hibernation. And of course, we always enjoy our many young visitors to the farm that remind us that the same is true for us ... we are all part of nature and the cycle of life.
But of course, the total eclipse stole the show this spring! As many of you witnessed, the eclipse was an incredible event that even in our divided world, brought us closer together and connected us in a single moment of shared amazement. We were fortunate to enjoy the experience with wonderful friends and family joining from across the country. Possibly the most inspiring aspect of the day was that it was clear! A rarity in NE Ohio in early April.
The animals at HHF joined the eclipse fun. Just before totality, the birds sang loudly, the geese flew from the pond and spring peepers started their mating calls. During totality, the horses became quite agitated and broke a temporary fence, the guinea fowl sounded their alarm and flew toward the coop, and the sheep lined up to move inside, but then their hunger took over and they just went back to eating again. And of course, the sun and moon were (literally) the stars of the show, please enjoy the attached photo from David Turben moments before totality.
In other news, the final lamb was born in dramatic fashion the night before a buying trip to NYC. At 18.2 pounds (a new record), and with Dancing Cheek to Cheek playing in the background, we completed delivery of the lamb at 3am, only a few hours before our 9:30am departure. We sold 6 of the 8 lambs thus far to 4H students and will hopefully sell the 7th this week, leaving us one replacement ewe for next year. We expect at least one lamb will compete at the Ohio State Fair and they will all compete at the Great Geauga County Fair late August. The mature ewes look great with their new haircut yesterday.
In 6 weeks, the barn will again fill with new peeps and keats. I expect to raise extra birds if you are interested in buying 16 week old chickens or guineas. Our favorite carpenter Dan, for a dozen eggs, was kind enough to build two nest boxes for broody hens (i.e., hens that want to stay on the eggs and hatch them). We already have one strong candidate ready for the challenge! Lady duck graciously laid some eggs if you would like to give them a try.
Aimee has a new kitten, named Wednesday. She is a favorite for all visitors to the horse barn, but at 3 months old, she must stay in the tack room. Cyndi is once again channeling her dad and Uncle Joe's love of gardening and we expect to soon be "living off the land." With no frost in the forecast, her green little charges in the greenhouse will soon move to their new outdoor homes.
Let's all hope we can find hope in our shared loved of nature to find more common ground in our lives
Best for now,
Harry
