off and away

From: Caroline
Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 10:24 AM
Subject: off and away

Perhaps its because I'm a Gemini - always torn between two choices, but as much as I am looking forward to my next adventure in the Manu Reservation in Peru, part of me really hates to leave here. The early signs of spring are so welcome and every day it seems I see a few more. Up by the pond the Corylopsis surprised me with its little creamy bells and underneath May Apples poking up tiny pig-like snouts. A few daffodils are showing and the twice blooming Prunus Automnalis which has been trying to bloom all this mild winter is covered with tiny pink flowers. I didn't think there would be any left.

Two weeks ago I was set upon by bronchitis and I didn't see how I would ever feel well enough to even think about packing, but thanks to a great anti-biotic I'm fine. During that "down" time I managed to get started on my seed sowing and have 17 different varieties all sprouted by now. I don't expect any predation at this point as the mouse problem seems to have been solved and the chickens are safely enclosed in their new wire cage. Thre are at least 6 seed starting "flats" which will have to be transplanted into pots when I get back which brings up the problem of space - but I have sent off a picture of a slatted bench to a cabinet maker in the hopes that he can make a shorter one to act as a tier over the present one.

60 quail eggs have been ordered and will be hatched by a friend down the road and then I will put them in the brooder and hopefully they will be able to be released from the brooder. In the meantime I am trying to catch the two feral cats who come around. So far I have succeeded in catching a truly beautiful skunk whose back is almost entirely white. I opened the door of the cage last evening so that he could get out but haven't been out to inspect yet.

I can't remember if I told you that I had been given a sweet older mare. She arrived in Middleboro with bruised feet as she had been badly shod and will be shod Wednesday for the second time by a farrier from Florida who does nothing but pasos. She had had laminitis two years ago and seems to be completely recovered BUT when I went around to see Martha Taradash yesterday to make a date for us both to drive up to see the mare, Martha told me that after conferring with her vet and her farrier that she just couldn't take a horse who had had laminitis. Their vascular system has been compromised and they can easily founder again. She had just gone through the heartbreak of having a friend's horse put down because of this. So I shall have to keep looking.

I'll be back the 14th - look up Manu Reservation on the web if you want to see where I'll be - love to all Caroline