Down on the farm -

"Hay Shed"
manipulated digital photograph by Mick Mather
- click image to view full size -

"... there is no reason to fear the wind
if your stack of hay is well tied ..."
- Old Irish Saying

Sentinel -

"Soon to the Fertile Field"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

"... the farmer works the soil,
the agriculturist works the farmer ..."
- Eugene F. Ware

Far afield -

"January Thaw"
manipulated digital photograph by Mick Mather
- click image to view full size -

"... then sing, young hearts that are full of cheer,
with never a thought of sorrow;
the old goes out, but the glad young year
comes merrily in tomorrow ..."
- Emily Miller

Along the way -

"Not Far North"
manipulated digital photograph by Mick Mather
- click image to view full size -

"... I was so naive as a kid
I used to sneak behind the barn
and do nothing ..."
- Johnny Carson

Thursday Challenge: Autumn -

"Stubbled Fields"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

"... now if the harvest is over,
and the world cold,
give me the bonus of laughter,
as I lose hold..."
- John Betjeman

Before the sub-division -

"Pitcher's Farm"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

"... when lightning strikes, the mouse
is sometimes burned with the farm ..."
- Phyllis Bottome

Odd jobs -

"The Rainmaker"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

"... from the north, crossing a failed field of dusty stubble,
came the rainmaker, making his way to a croppers' shack ..."

Hot and green -

"April's Teahouse"
digital collage by Mick Mather

The weather continues to warm, gentle rains soak the bulbs that are sending shoots high above the ground and the pastel hues of spring seem to be, suddenly, everywhere. Today feels like a day to sit in a field and admire the handiwork of nature with a sweet breeze blowing across my face.