Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Today was clear and cold, with the high being 34 at midday.  Geo cleared more brush today, and Sherri was here in the morning.  Donnie came and topped off the hay supply in advance of the snowy weather anticipated for tomorrow and Thursday.  The total accumulation of snow is now predicted to be 10-16 inches for our part of the state.  All the vehicles will be out of the weather, and tractors and other equipment are ready for clearing driveways and sidewalks, as well as feeding animals.

Stephen made his regular property rounds morning and evening, checked in with Sherry, worked with Geo on several jobs, and completed some office work.  The day ended peacefully, and with another lovely Blue Ridge sunset.

Monday, February 10, 2014

This past weekend was an uneventful one at the farm.  The only visitors were our son and his family (Gordon, Melissa and granddaughter, Haley) on Sunday afternoon.  The weather remained cold and mostly gray, but Melissa, Haley and I did pay a visit to the cows and horses.  We visited the fish pool, too, hoping to see one of the koi, but no fish were visible--I expect they are hibernating underneath the big rocks, since it's so cold.

Today's news includes a forecast of what may turn out to be a major winter storm for this week, beginning Wednesday evening and continuing through Thursday, with accumulation of perhaps 8 to 14 inches.

Stephen and Geo battened down the hatches ahead of the storm, just in case.  We are hoping we don't lose power to the farm, which has happened in the past with heavy snows; it can weigh down tree branches, which then pull down power lines.  

Sherry was here doing "maintenance" cleaning, watering plants, etc.  Her buddy, the little screech owl was back again this morning, roosting in the framing of the south portico.  This time, Stephen and I got to see him (or her).  The owl is small, but beautifully marked, and appeared to see us inside, but quickly closed its eyes, maybe going back to sleep.  We imagine the little owl has been catching mice, which seems a good exchange for sheltering in the roof of the porch!  Thanks to Stephen for the photo.

Melvin, the Orkin technician, was on site today, taking care of all the dwellings.

Friday, February 7, 2014

A clear but cold day on the farm today.  Geo was here working on brush clearing, taking advantage of the improved weather.  The ground is saturated with water; all the fields have water standing in low areas and are muddy underneath the grass even on the slopes.  Our forecast predicts snow starting tonight and continuing into tomorrow, with accumulation of about an inch, so the sogginess won't be improved within the next few days.  However, we're glad to think that all that water is ending up in the water supply for Ramsay, wells and springs, in Stockton Creek, and in the spring and summer harvests of hay.

Ramsay has contracted with interior designers from Richmond to do work in the main house, the carriage house and the studio.  They were on site today beginning that work, and picking up some furniture to be reupholstered.  We look forward to seeing the finished products.

Tim Scarborough was on site to meet with Stephen to examine the privet hedges around the Carriage House.  The extremes of winter weather and temperature changes have taken a minor toll on the foliage of a few sections, but Tim thinks it is not serious and expects them to make a full recovery in the spring.

The day ended with another beautiful winter sunset.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Today was a lovely day, though still a bit cold.  Patsy and Heather were on site doing a cold-weather cleanup of plantings around the main house, and Jessica was here to check on the fish pool.  Stephen did his regular rounds at both ends of the day, fed the animals, did some office work, checked in with the gardeners and Jessica, and washed the "winter" off the truck.

Yesterday afternoon was blustery and this afternoon is very still and quiet.  According to the weather vane on the cupola of the new barn, the most recent gust of wind came out of the east/southeast.  We're happy to be noticing the days growing longer bit by bit!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

A very "composite" day, weather-wise, at Ramsay today.  We began with 32 degrees and freezing rain--even the gravel driveway was slippery.  By 1 PM, the temperature was in the 50s with sunny skies.  Now, at 5:45 PM, dark clouds are rolling in from the west, it's very windy, and the temperature is 45.  The late afternoon sun, along with the approaching cloud bank made for some beautiful lighting effects.

Sherry was here today, and her new owl friend was here, too, roosting in the south portico.  Thanks to Sherry for the photo!

It's been too wet for Geo to continue the clean-up of the woods, but he plans to return as soon as possible.

Tuesday, February 3, 2014

Today was cold and overcast, with mist on the mountains in the morning so we could hear the freight trains pulling the grade on Afton as if they were very close, but couldn't see them.  Despite the cold damp and grayness (high of 35 degrees), our estimable gardener, Patsy, and her assistant, Heather, were here in the morning to complete the pruning of the hedge along the upper end of Cottage Lane.  Sherry was here as well, and Chuck stopped by in the afternoon.

Patsy and Heather at work (photo courtesy of Stephen)

We are all tired of the cold and drizzle and mud, and wishing that spring were a little closer!

Saturday and Sunday, February 1 and 2, 2014

Saturday and Sunday were uneventful and peaceful at Ramsay.  Stephen took advantage of the nice weather on Saturday to do some cleaning up in the front pasture, and Clay stopped by mid-day to check in with Stephen about the restoration work on the carriage.  We have found out that the carriage was built by Montgomery Ward around the turn of the 20th century, roughly 1890-1910 or so, which is great because that is when Ramsay's main house and farmhouse were built.  Currently, Clay and another restoration person are investigating what the original paint color was on the metal frame.  The "carriage guy" in Dayton, VA who does a lot of work for the Amish community in the Shenandoah Valley says the carriage is in excellent shape given its age, with most or all needed restoration work being cosmetic rather than structural.

Sunday was another beautiful day--for the first time in a long while, it was the same temperature outside as inside our house--about 65-67 degrees mid-day.  We saw Jack Scruby and some other Ramsay connections at church.  Jack has asked me to be on the Heritage Committee for Emmanuel Episcopal, which should be a good fit with my historical collections, records management, preservation and information organization background.  I expect the history of Emmanuel will have many connections to the history of Ramsay, and look forward to learning more about them both.

In honor of Ground Hog Day on Sunday, the dogs and I visited the two primary ground hog sites we know of, both in the pastures on the west side.  Laddie decided to investigate one of them, and you may recognize where this one is--that's the treeline on the boundary with Ridgely in the background.  Judging by the red dirt piled on the ground near this burrow, it may be pretty recent, but we haven't seen any ground hogs "in person."