New neighborhood denizen: a Scottish Highland Calf

I've been waiting (in vain) for a new calf to make the scene.  We've had a succession of young bulls come and go.  Maggie and Iris are so obstreperous that they must intimidate bulls who are not, well, bullies.  There are two other cows who came in the fall or maybe a year ago last fall and still seem tentative in their relationship with the two queens of the pasture.  Now one of the diffident cows has become a mom.  In all the commotion of going and returning from Nantucket we somehow missed the big event and the calf must be at least a couple weeks old.  He/she likes to lie in the tall grass with his ma. 

The little critter looks just like this but without the muzzle.  Don't know what that was all about.  Here is a poem I wrote a couple years ago about my favorite calves.     It's called "Calves Together."

That summer, we were calves together in the tall grass.

You came first, to brown Mary Anne.

Golden Iris is my mother.

They dropped us in the tall grass.

We grew together, gamboled together,

Licked each other, slept together,

Lay flank to flank in the tall grass.

The milk we suckled tasted of summer and green apples.

In the heat of the day we found shade

The rain kept the flies at bay.

We frolicked in the pasture, bleating and kicking our heels,

Calves without a care.

Glad animal spirits, nursing and nibbling the tall grass.

Drinking from the creek.

Seeking the green shade

Calves together.

 I just love the cute little critters.  August is not such a great month to be born, as the flies really bedevil the cows.  I saw all my fruit and vegetable scraps for the cows, as well as any stale bread.  No meat.  No dairy products.  Their hunger is insatiable.  Mooooo.

A Non-Traditional Mothers Day

Appalled that I haven't posted for a week.  In New York for a writing event.  Back home to get ready for the Toastmasters District Conference.  Lots of last minute changes that kept me glued to email and spread sheets.  Conference was Saturday with inspiring speakers, including one, Rory Vaden, who talked about procrastination, a topic all of us, including moi, need to take to heart.   A fun meal at Acquitaine after the conference, to celebrate Mother's Day Saturday instead of Sunday with crowds, bad service, screaming kids and well, yanno, not exactly a relaxing experience.

A friend came to visit and we took a hike through the woods and had a pleasant Sunday.  I made spaghetti and meatballs, not exactly a traditional Mother's Day entree, but somehow right.  Accepted phone calls, flowers, etc.  Very satisfying.  The meat balls are from the New York Times International Cookbook of yore.  Sicilian meat balls, the best I've ever eaten and I never make anything else.  Good garlic bread and a decent salad.  We were too full for dessert which would have been some homemade rhubarb bread.
  Rhubarb Bread  

My "to do" list is absolutely frightening.  Well, one task at a time.  Today is catch up day.  We fed the Scottish Highland Cattle.  Iris and Maggie are old and rambunctious and calfless.  They treat the bull badly and try to hog all the food.  Both bullies.

The little hummingbird is back.  I wonder  if he had to fly through the terrible storms.  It's always such a marvelous relief when they return.  I keep fresh sugar water out at all times, replentished weekly.  The beautiful paper white narcissus I planted last year are now blooming, and the red azalea burst into bloom yesterday in time for Mother's Day.  Sometimes the gifts are spontaneous and just right.