Scratching the Itch

The past two days, I have taken advantage of the sunshine and warm weather that has graced our little ten-acre ranch. I planted my collection of lettuce seeds, gave the deer plots and onions a shot of water, dug up weeds in the flower beds around the house, and worked at trimming trees and picking up dead timber in the woods. I awoke this morning feeling quite sore and achy. Apparently, lack of physical activity outdoors most of this bitter winter, has left me a tad on the soft side!

This morning, I had a 7:00 appointment with the barber. In a hurry to get there, I quickly downed a cup of coffee, inhaled a banana, and dashed out the door, only to find I had chosen the wrong jacket. The temperature was much chillier than it had been the previous days. No matter, I thought, the barber shop was just a quick jaunt across town.

I was delighted to see Daisy and Spirit when I returned from town. Not wanting to disturb them I just parked the car in the driveway.

An hour later and sporting a new “do”, I pulled in our lane at home, but had to stop the car in the middle of the driveway because Daisy and Spirit were grazing in the yard, ears alert and looking as if they were about to bound off with the intrusion of my red beast coming towards them. I immediately cut the engine and stepped out to call Daisy’s name. Relaxed at seeing me and hearing my voice, she walked towards me for some attention. Spirit, who isn’t as fond of her Granny, kept her distance but went back to grazing on weeds. I decided to run into the house to fetch the camera. Once back outside, I turned my attention to Daisy again, giving her more scratches and massaging. She licked my free hand and arm in appreciation.

I did not know deer like nibbling Redbud tree blossoms. (Sigh)

We have been seeing Daisy and Spirit in the early morning hours several days in a row now. They are both beginning to shed their winter coats and are beginning to get quite rough looking, with the old hair coming out and their new, pretty red coats of summer coming in.  I have also noticed a few ticks on Daisy already. Apparently, it has been warm enough for the dreaded ticks to make their appearance in the woodlands. So, for now, there is much grooming to be done – both self grooming and mutual grooming – to rid themselves of loose hair and parasites.

Spirit looks innocent enough but she suddenly bounded down the slope taking off on her own!

Daisy stood for a long time, relishing in the overall scratching I was giving her. She especially enjoyed the attention I was giving her forehead and ears, pushing into my fingers and sometimes closing her eyes. Finally, Spirit took off on a run down the slope, and Daisy followed suit. I kept alongside Daisy. I wished I had taken time to grab a different jacket! I was getting cold!

Both self grooming and mutual grooming help to shed the winter coat and to remove parasites. It seems to soothe the itching as well.

Down in the canyon, the two spent time grooming each other, and then proceeded to graze on greens. New leaf shoots on trees seemed to be the favorite snack. Wild honeysuckle followed as a close second choice, with various weeds being nibbled at random up to the top of a knoll. Spirit finally ambled down the other side and headed into an area way back in the woods. Daisy looked back at me as if to ask, “Aren’t you coming too?” I told her, “No, baby, Mama is cold and I need to fix myself a little breakfast. I’ll catch you later.” I stepped forward and gave her a few more scratches before she followed her fawn down the knoll.

Isn’t it lovely to finally shed our winter coats and be itching to get outside and enjoy the blossoms of spring?

© 2014 Day by Day the Farm Girl Way…