The Disputed Lands

I stood in the den window to take this photo, looking out over the border between the north forty (background right) and the west forty (foreground left). The actual line is somewhere along the sawed off tree trunks that you can see in the foreground, maybe a little farther west. The apple trees (you can see one standing in the sun) are definitely in the west. 

The Disputed Lands. There used to be a few grape vines planted there.

 I got the weed eater (strimmer, débroussailleuse) out yesterday and worked on the tiny walls that separate the garden path from the grassy sections. The mower can't get close enough to cut it. I may do some more today. But, it being Sunday, I can only make noise between 10h00 and noon. That's plenty of time to do the work if the dew has dried up by then.

Logs Three

Another view of the logpile on the Artsy Organized Neighbor's property, adjacent to the vineyards. Nothing much to say.

The leaning wall and the bulwark.

I cut the west forty yesterday afternoon! The west forty is the biggest section of our property. The way the grass is growing right now, however, means that it won't be long until the whole yard needs cutting again. Weather permitting. In the meantime, it does look under control and like someone is taking care of it. 

Logs Two

This big pile of logs started to lean and it looked like it might fall over. Whoever owns/manages the piles (I think it's the Artsy Organized Neighbor) built up this barrier to reinforce the main pile and keep it standing. Sort of a log jam, if you will. Tasha will keep a watchful eye out.

Tasha inspects the bulwark.

I was somewhat productive yesterday afternoon and mowed the north and south forties of the yard. If things go right, I can get the west forty done today. Fingers crossed. 

Logs One

I took a walk though the Artsy Organized Neighbor's property yesterday morning. At least that's who I think owns this land and stocks old discarded road signs, building stone, and other curiosities among the trees. Right now he's been cutting younger trees along the edge of his land (where the vineyards start). He's also cleared a lot of brush from ground level and burned it. Things are looking neat and tidy.

One of the tractor paths and log piles on the AON's property.

We're enjoying a few days of "it could be worse" weather. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to get the mower out and get some cutting done between now and the weekend. This morning I'm planning a trip to the supermarket. Oh, what a glamorous life! 

No photo Wednesday

No, it's not a thing. Yet. It's hard to get motivated these days. There's nothing new going on. No subjects that haven't been done several times. We don't venture far from home. The weather has not been propitious for roaming around on foot or in the car. I've been reduced to watching the grass grow. So... NPW. Hopefully, something interesting will catch my eye soon.

Tasha Tuesday

Tasha hears a deer. We both heard the rustle of leaves on the edge of the nearby woods as an animal moved away from us. Then we heard the coarse bark of a roe deer. Tasha was very excited and ready to bolt toward the retreating deer, but she listened to me when I told her to "stop!" and "stay!" Then we continued on our walk.We heard the deer's bark a few more times as it moved away from us. Did you know that roe dear bark? That was one of the first things I learned while walking through the vineyard with our dog, Collette, back when we moved here in 2003. She loved to chase the deer, but we had to be very careful on hunt days that she wasn't mistaken for one.

Tasha's on deer alert.

I'm not enjoying the cool/cold wave that's currently upon us. It's not stopping the grass from growing, however. It's time to mow again.

Another look at the wysteria

I think the flowers are at their peak now. Here's another look at them. I have to keep the spring growth in check so that the plant doesn't take over again.

Wysteria on the west-facing wall.

The weather is cold again. I don't think it's as cold this morning as they predicted, though. Our outdoor thermometer reads about 8ºC at 07h00. That's not life threatening for the new growth in the vineyards around us. Still, it ain't warm.