Did you notice it? The first hint of fall? The sun slower to rise, a crispness to the morning air, the dogs shedding the last of their summer coats? Ah, then there are the blackberries. I love this time of year when the air suspends each dust mote long enough to create a golden haze of summer’s glory. The longer rays of the sun, slanting through the trees, creating shadows from grass blades across the dusty trail. Amy and I were leading the horses down from the Far Side to above the pond, she leading her much loved Lance, ‘Puna and I following in gorgeous wafts of Ode to Clydesdale. Lance is that beautiful bright bay idolized by a hundred Budweiser commercials but his smell is absolutely sheer essence of all things horses should be. I can stand for long minutes, my nose buried in that coat just breathing in the warm strength, peace settling across tight shoulders. SIGH. The horses are always overjoyed to have a new field, all the stock is. We cleaned the automatic waterers, and lassoed the giant guardian dog in training, Razor, and ambled back toward the house. Razor is a stunning Anatolian Shepherd mix, 18 months of zealous energy and way too playful with the sheep. Yup, it’s time buddy, to earn your keep. The next few weeks will focus on getting Razor to be “one” with his flock. Garden is in peak production. The ewes restful and lazy with the hot days – grazing, chewing, sleeping followed by more of the same. Molly is the last hold out to calve, huge as a house. We know she’s bound to pop soon. The other calves are growing fast, the twins are doing well, and Warwick and I argue playfully over which one is nicest. We are thrilled that the new heifers have all proven to be outstanding mums. I’ve been calling old customers this week, catching up to see how we can “meat” their needs. It’s always good to catch up and see how the year has gone, hear their stories of our products, and to get new recipes. It makes it easier knowing that the lambs and steers go to folks that appreciate and value them as we do.