compost

Sun May 27.
Great sunrise this morning. Walked out to robin and meadowlark serenades. Dug grass around 10 of my new spruce trees until my knee began to ache. Let the sheep out to pasture and went in to have a bath. Linda as usual left me bathwater to use and then pump out onto a tree (birch today.) Her tulips are looking ragged after the snow a few days ago, but they refuse to die in a sea of yellow and red. A few potatoes popping up from the cold cold ground Everything is 2 weeks late but determined to do its cycle. Toady's projects: cut up dead caragana wood and pile it (Linda does latter) and to clean out barn (why did I bathe?) I added 2 small truck loads onto pile by the garden house so water running off roof soaks into the pile. There will be compost next fall and eventually, I hope, my remains are added to it.
PS Talked to son in Darfur and had email from Toronto son saying he may be out this summer to see his sister when she is home from Pakistan before going to live in Uganda (her birth place)

Sheep fencing is good politics

Toronto Star
Dear Editor

Today I dismantled a sheep fence around my new trees. After I had rolled up the wire I realized it was actually right for the job, just needed tightening. So I unrolled it and, after some stretching, renailed the wire to the posts. The sheep watching must have wondered at my erratic activity. Michael Ignatieff, who calls Ducepe's move "political opportunism," may never discover that to error is natural, to admit so is human.

Sincerely

larry mackillop

Box 633

Nanton Ab

T0L 1R0

403 646 5643

Cougar again

Almost shut the sheep in barn last night as the shearer is coming this morning. Felt sorry for them and left them out for the night. Linda poked me at 1 am. Rowdy! she whispered. Out I went putting a shell in the 22 and pulling on pants as I went. Why do I do this? Rowdy and Tiko had formed a circle around the sheep. One little lamb jumped sideways in the excitment. I shone my light around the trees and caught an eye flash along the fence. Fired a shot. Must be coyotes coming to the fence. No worry as I can keep them out. Back to bed with gun in bedroom window ready. 5 am an ewe bawling. No lamb answering said Linda. Grumpily got up and made coffee before ventureing out. Sure enough the Rambolais ewe had lost her lamb. Quick count showed only 15 lambs Checked the fences and found no holes. It had to be the cougar again! Nothing else could jump a 6 foot fence carrying a fair sized lamb. I had assumed she found other game by now. Like last time she came calling on a Friday night. This time I will leave a message with Fish and Game who may send a houndsman out to serch Pine Coulee. Endanged spieces is now me!

Rush Before the Rain

Awoke 6 AM and began my morning routine: listen to CBC news, making coffee and checking messages. Checked out a B n B on Sunshine Coast for July visit with my daughter and family when home from Pakistan. Took Linda a coffee in bed (her routine) and heard rain forecast. Skipped my bath and went to finish rototilling garden. Linda joined me watching that I did not remove some newely planted beds. Rain began. Went to put remainder of my last hay bale in barn so not rot. Locked the 2 ewews with triplet lambs in with the hay and left others to forage remains of the bale. Had a cool bath in water Linda left for me. (we have long used same water to then pump it onto trees for max economy.) Felt like a warrior as I marvelled at the wire scratch on my shin. Linda had fresh muffins in the oven as I relaxed in front of tv to select tonight's viewing. Choice was between another global warming doc, hockey or 8 ft spider movie. I selected the latter. Watching rain drips run down my north window I felt secure in a place where I belong.