July in Ohio!

Just a week ago the temperatures hit 90 degrees with the humidity numbers right up there, too. This is typical for July in Ohio. Rich put out the tub of cool water in the girl's pasture and they immediately jockeyed for position to be the first to take a dip.

Leezza won the rights to the first dip, and stepped her front quarters into the tub. But our old mama Took soon let Leezza know that age comes before youth. Leezza quickly ceded her place to Took. Mango, in an advanced stage of pregnancy, was content to lay in the mud puddle outside the tub.

Then on the very hottest day, my friend Rosalie brought her two darling granddaughters out for a farm visit. They came out in the evening after dinner in the hope that it would be a bit cooler. Not so much. Even so, the alpacas put on a good show for the girls. Our little "boys," Asterius and Brutus rarely disappoint our visitors because their curiosity overrides their innate timidity. Once the boys realized that these charming children held out handfuls of sweet feed the alpacas threw out all caution.

Rosalie was also delighted when  Brutus and Asterius realized that she had the container of sweet feed and they decided to be her best friend, too.

Ultimately both of the human kids earned the trust of the alpaca kids and were rewarded with "kisses."

As their visit came to an end I suggested that they visit our local soft serve ice cream place to cool off. I warned them that, unless they have a voracious appetite for ice cream, they should order a small cone. Bloomville for Ice Cream as this little place is called, is known for their giant servings which often surprise the unsuspecting newbie. Later, Rosalie sent me this picture of the girls with their medium sized cones.

Almost as big as the girls themselves!

In an earlier post when the strawberries were ripe and I was making jam, I mentioned that my jammin' partner, Olivia, was traveling in Europe this year and would miss the season. Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to freeze several quarts of berries for use at a later date. When Olivia returned I got a text from her wanting to know when we could make jam. The following weekend she came up to stay and we made a batch of strawberry jam and another of raspberry. All is right with the world and g-ma is happy when she makes jam with Olivia.

Olivia having a little fun with Asterius and Brutus

Remember when I said that the temperatures for Rosalie's farm visit topped off in the low 90s? Well, that was the last really hot day. The very next day a cold front went through and the temps dropped to the 70s. This morning when I got up the thermometer reading was 50 degrees! In July! Normally the hottest month of the year in these parts. The skies are blue and there's a gentle breeze. Perfect weather for a heat intolerant person like me. Also perfect weather for jam making, and that's what I did. I made a batch of the best blueberry jam in the world, if I do say so myself. And now, I think I'll treat myself to a piece of toast with warm blueberry jam.