Friday night I attended an amazing performance of Fiddler on the Roof, by Troika Productions out of Washington, DC. I was invited as the guest of an area hotel that I have done business with in the past. The hotel hosted a decadent "Fiddler" themed reception before the event, complete with smoked salmon, caviar, a vodka-bottle-shaped ice sculpture holding shots of exotic-flavored vodka, and a violinist (fiddler?). After the show, we stayed overnight in our complimentary guest room, and enjoyed breakfast in the morning, also on the hotel. The kids enjoyed the restaurant and the swimming. : )
So, Saturday morning we woke up at the crack of dawn, sped the entire 1.5 hour drive, and arrived home to be lectured by our four-legged bosses for being negligent. We had served Friday's supper WAY too early, and Saturday's breakfast was coming a full four hours late. This was not acceptable.
I rushed from the car, ran in the back porch, put on my boots and barn coat, and proceeded to spend the remainder of the morning shoveling shit. Right where I belong. : )
You know, it's good to be home.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
My Hero
Well, I got "Tristan" last week, and he is slick. However, I needed a different girth becuase the one we use now was too short. So for the past few days I just stared at the saddle and polished it up with some mink oil. I ordered a new girth, trying to find the best compromise size that would fit both Kitten and Major.
Today I got the girth. I had a sinking feeling before I even put it on him that it would be too long (Kitten is much bigger around than Major). It just fit and I thought it was actually a bit too loose, but I decided to ride him anyway. I am dying to feel that saddle!!
I tried to mount in the pasture, but I can never get my leg over, mounting from the ground. He's a Morgan, and small, but I am too old, too fat and too short to mount without a leg up. So I led him back to the barn where I used a cinder block (B was not home from work yet for me to use his leg). All was good until the cinder block got squished down in the mud. I lost my footing, but grabbed onto Major for dear life, and the saddle slid sideways. I shoved it back on him and tried again. This time I was successful, and nearly had my leg over when the saddle really slid sideways again.
This entire time he stood as still as a statue. It was amazing. This is a stallion, the one who bites, who sasses me at every turn, who normally takes off while I am still mounting, who spooks at his own shadow. He must have known what was going on.
So there he stood, with the saddle on his side, with me exasperated, spitting mad, cussing through my teeth. He never once lost his cool, even when I took the saddle off the wrong side, etc. He was such a gentleman. I was so proud of him, I gushed. It overpowered my anger about the saddle.
I gave him a lot of candy. : )
Today I got the girth. I had a sinking feeling before I even put it on him that it would be too long (Kitten is much bigger around than Major). It just fit and I thought it was actually a bit too loose, but I decided to ride him anyway. I am dying to feel that saddle!!
I tried to mount in the pasture, but I can never get my leg over, mounting from the ground. He's a Morgan, and small, but I am too old, too fat and too short to mount without a leg up. So I led him back to the barn where I used a cinder block (B was not home from work yet for me to use his leg). All was good until the cinder block got squished down in the mud. I lost my footing, but grabbed onto Major for dear life, and the saddle slid sideways. I shoved it back on him and tried again. This time I was successful, and nearly had my leg over when the saddle really slid sideways again.
This entire time he stood as still as a statue. It was amazing. This is a stallion, the one who bites, who sasses me at every turn, who normally takes off while I am still mounting, who spooks at his own shadow. He must have known what was going on.
So there he stood, with the saddle on his side, with me exasperated, spitting mad, cussing through my teeth. He never once lost his cool, even when I took the saddle off the wrong side, etc. He was such a gentleman. I was so proud of him, I gushed. It overpowered my anger about the saddle.
I gave him a lot of candy. : )
Monday, February 21, 2005
Happy Day!
I checked the website and Val has been adopted!! I wonder if they know how close to death he came. That is the only thing that makes me a little sad-- that I can't tell them how close he was to death. But here, he had to live in a big kennel because he was too weak, and Nic kept trying to attack him. At his forever home, he can be free. He is so loving and sweet, that I am sure he will make someone a lovely friend. Lucky them.
Speaking of Nic, he is at the vet right now. He is no longer the fearsome tom that he fancies himself! He will come home tomorrow a little lighter, and hopefully with a little less cattitude.
: )
It's a good day.
Have you been watching the Strohbehn's horse cam? Red is due to foal any day! She's at day 343 today (horses have a 340 day gestation period) so it will truly be any day!
I posted that darn link as a half joke, and now I am addicted. I horse watched all day at work! I guess if I can't watch the horses here, I will have to watch someone else's...
What did you watch today?
Speaking of Nic, he is at the vet right now. He is no longer the fearsome tom that he fancies himself! He will come home tomorrow a little lighter, and hopefully with a little less cattitude.
: )
It's a good day.
Have you been watching the Strohbehn's horse cam? Red is due to foal any day! She's at day 343 today (horses have a 340 day gestation period) so it will truly be any day!
I posted that darn link as a half joke, and now I am addicted. I horse watched all day at work! I guess if I can't watch the horses here, I will have to watch someone else's...
What did you watch today?
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Ag Cams
I was quite aghast at the fact that some of you (and you know who you are) just did not know about the Iowa Corn Cam. Therefore, I am making an earnest effort to educate you on the various agriculture cams throughout our great state. I hope you find them entertaining!
Soybean cam It's not up and working yet, as it's not springtime yet. Can you feel the excitement building as spring gets closer? I wonder if you will see the billions of Asian Lady Beetles as they make a beeline to our farm when the soybeans are harvested! Let's stay tuned all year to find out!
Quarter Horse Cam (Foaling, with a foal expected any day!)
KB Hilltop Stables Cam (this is a famous cam)
Tractor Cam Not really a cam, but let's cut them a little slack.
Corn Cam
Cow Cams (3 different options!)
Llama Cam and Pasture Cam
Butter Cow Webcam at the Iowa State Fair (a historical shot, maybe will be updated in August)
Swine Cam at the Iowa State Fair (a historical shot, maybe will be updated in August)
Soybean cam It's not up and working yet, as it's not springtime yet. Can you feel the excitement building as spring gets closer? I wonder if you will see the billions of Asian Lady Beetles as they make a beeline to our farm when the soybeans are harvested! Let's stay tuned all year to find out!
Quarter Horse Cam (Foaling, with a foal expected any day!)
KB Hilltop Stables Cam (this is a famous cam)
Tractor Cam Not really a cam, but let's cut them a little slack.
Corn Cam
Cow Cams (3 different options!)
Llama Cam and Pasture Cam
Butter Cow Webcam at the Iowa State Fair (a historical shot, maybe will be updated in August)
Swine Cam at the Iowa State Fair (a historical shot, maybe will be updated in August)
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Consumed
He consumes my thoughts. I can't concentrate at work, awaiting his arrival. I anticipate the day when he waits for me as I pull into the drive. I will smell his smell, soak it in. I will run my fingers over his smoothness. I will revel in the notion that he is finally mine. All the time I have spent wanting him, yearning for him, is no longer in vain.
His name is Tristan.
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Yes, Tristan. He was my Valentine's gift, from my Valentine. I can't wait to take him for a spin!!
His name is Tristan.
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Yes, Tristan. He was my Valentine's gift, from my Valentine. I can't wait to take him for a spin!!
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Hired Help
Allow me to take a moment to introduce the hired help at our farm. They all operate on the basic premise of “will work for food” but the amount of work they actually do varies from employee to employee. We pride ourselves on our hiring practices, so some of our help have multiple job titles.
Name: Raven
Job Title: Motherer of all that breathes
Raven is the four-legged mother. She is kind, loving, and full of compassion. She is always willing to use the forlorn look to get her way, especially if “her way” involves a rawhide bone or food of any sort. Her special talent is catching food in mid-air. She also likes to eat horse apples. Her breath could drop a herd of charging rhinos in mid-gallop anyway, and adding apples to her diet really doesn’t improve things. She hates to have her picture taken, so this photo is basically a dirty look at the camera.
Name: Rocky
Job Title: Wearer of the Dunce Cap, Stuffed Animal Destroyer, Fearer of Friendly Cats, HazMat Drill Team Leader
You know when a guy is going on a blind date, and the matchmaker says, “she’s got a great personality?” So it is with Rocky. He really has a great personality, and his looks are pretty good, too. However, he is dumb as a bag of hammers. Usually this provides us with some humor, so it has value, but his low IQ does, at times, make it difficult to establish order. He does not sit well, does not lie down well, has no ability to speak, shake, roll over, fetch, or any other trick that Raven can do. But he loves us very much, and we love him. Rocky’s breath is sweet, but his gas makes up for it. He also shakes visibly when approached by a cat looking for something warm to curl up next to.
Name: Shadow
Job Title: King of Crank, Heavyweight Champ, Bad-Ass Wannabe, Heat Seeker
Shadow is the King of Crank. He always has a scowl for everyone. He is the typical bitter old man, angry at the youth for being young. He has everyone beat in the age and weight department. Somehow he does have redeeming qualities, and I love him dearly! He especially likes to be warm and if anyone is curled up under a blanket, you will find him there, too.
Name: Nic
Job Title: Havoc-wreaker apprentice
Head of the “kill anything that moves” department. He is known for battling pens, toes, bugs, lint, cotton balls, dogs’ tails, dust, and even imaginary foes. If you ask him, he’ll tell you he always wins. We are hoping for the invention of some sort of “kitty Ritalin” (Kitalin ™) so we can get some sleep. Most of his battles take place at night.
Name: Bub
Job Title: Temp, former Spy
Bub is on injured reserve at the moment, battling a broken leg. She is doing well, and will come out swinging pretty soon. She is skilled in paw-to-mouse combat, and will likely serve to put Nic in his place when the time comes. She is a former spy, turned to the good side.
Name: Code Names Unknown
Job Title: Spies
We named them just to differentiate them. Of course, being spies, they have super secret code names that only they know. We are not sure of their true identities or purposes. They come and go, very stealthily. I have seen them frequent the neighbor farms, spreading our secrets and collecting information. We know that they do not like Egyptian Cotton Sheets or other excessive pamperings.
Name: B.B.
Job Title: Spy
B.B. is the mother spy. She is very well traveled and worldly. I have seen her out and about over a mile away. She lived at our farm before we moved in.
Name: Mark
Job Title: Spy Baby
Mark is an embedded spy. He lives here pretty permanently, in the barn. Mark enjoys hanging out under the horse feeders, looking for mice. He is often successful at finding them. Mark’s name is Mark because he has a gray mark on his side. All the spies look so similar!
Name: Tippy
Job Title: Spy Baby
So named because of his white tipped tail, he is also a spy. We see him every few days, lurking about around feeding time, no doubt ready to share some juicy secret with the other spies over a bowl of cat food.
Name: Major
Job Title: Big Bad Biter
King of Sass, Chief Cheek, Toothy Terror. He is the big, bad stallion. Or, the big sissy, depending on how you look at it. In this photo, he is showing off his gleaming smile. Like all men, Major thinks that he is King of his Domain, but alas, he is just the Court Jester. His favorite things to do are smelling where the mares have been, eating hay and yelling at his peeps when they do not serve him as expected. He also likes to be walked like a dog, and has fun coming up to the back door and playing “Avon Stallion.” He also enjoys trips down the driveway to the mailbox.
Name: Kitten
Job Title: Farm Parliamentarian
Keeper of the rules. No deviation from the rules is permitted. Kitten is a big love, but don’t request a rule change, or prepare to be kicked. Kitten rules with an iron hoof. Kitten likes to eat hay and hang out.
Name: Cleo
Job Title: Love Ambassador
Cleo is sweet, kind, and gentle. She tries to break the rules now and again, just to keep Kitten on her hooves. It works! Cleo is Kitten and Major’s daughter. Cleo’s favorite activity is running around the pasture bucking and farting.
Name: Raven
Job Title: Motherer of all that breathes
Raven is the four-legged mother. She is kind, loving, and full of compassion. She is always willing to use the forlorn look to get her way, especially if “her way” involves a rawhide bone or food of any sort. Her special talent is catching food in mid-air. She also likes to eat horse apples. Her breath could drop a herd of charging rhinos in mid-gallop anyway, and adding apples to her diet really doesn’t improve things. She hates to have her picture taken, so this photo is basically a dirty look at the camera.
Name: Rocky
Job Title: Wearer of the Dunce Cap, Stuffed Animal Destroyer, Fearer of Friendly Cats, HazMat Drill Team Leader
You know when a guy is going on a blind date, and the matchmaker says, “she’s got a great personality?” So it is with Rocky. He really has a great personality, and his looks are pretty good, too. However, he is dumb as a bag of hammers. Usually this provides us with some humor, so it has value, but his low IQ does, at times, make it difficult to establish order. He does not sit well, does not lie down well, has no ability to speak, shake, roll over, fetch, or any other trick that Raven can do. But he loves us very much, and we love him. Rocky’s breath is sweet, but his gas makes up for it. He also shakes visibly when approached by a cat looking for something warm to curl up next to.
Name: Shadow
Job Title: King of Crank, Heavyweight Champ, Bad-Ass Wannabe, Heat Seeker
Shadow is the King of Crank. He always has a scowl for everyone. He is the typical bitter old man, angry at the youth for being young. He has everyone beat in the age and weight department. Somehow he does have redeeming qualities, and I love him dearly! He especially likes to be warm and if anyone is curled up under a blanket, you will find him there, too.
Name: Nic
Job Title: Havoc-wreaker apprentice
Head of the “kill anything that moves” department. He is known for battling pens, toes, bugs, lint, cotton balls, dogs’ tails, dust, and even imaginary foes. If you ask him, he’ll tell you he always wins. We are hoping for the invention of some sort of “kitty Ritalin” (Kitalin ™) so we can get some sleep. Most of his battles take place at night.
Name: Bub
Job Title: Temp, former Spy
Bub is on injured reserve at the moment, battling a broken leg. She is doing well, and will come out swinging pretty soon. She is skilled in paw-to-mouse combat, and will likely serve to put Nic in his place when the time comes. She is a former spy, turned to the good side.
Name: Code Names Unknown
Job Title: Spies
We named them just to differentiate them. Of course, being spies, they have super secret code names that only they know. We are not sure of their true identities or purposes. They come and go, very stealthily. I have seen them frequent the neighbor farms, spreading our secrets and collecting information. We know that they do not like Egyptian Cotton Sheets or other excessive pamperings.
Name: B.B.
Job Title: Spy
B.B. is the mother spy. She is very well traveled and worldly. I have seen her out and about over a mile away. She lived at our farm before we moved in.
Name: Mark
Job Title: Spy Baby
Mark is an embedded spy. He lives here pretty permanently, in the barn. Mark enjoys hanging out under the horse feeders, looking for mice. He is often successful at finding them. Mark’s name is Mark because he has a gray mark on his side. All the spies look so similar!
Name: Tippy
Job Title: Spy Baby
So named because of his white tipped tail, he is also a spy. We see him every few days, lurking about around feeding time, no doubt ready to share some juicy secret with the other spies over a bowl of cat food.
Name: Major
Job Title: Big Bad Biter
King of Sass, Chief Cheek, Toothy Terror. He is the big, bad stallion. Or, the big sissy, depending on how you look at it. In this photo, he is showing off his gleaming smile. Like all men, Major thinks that he is King of his Domain, but alas, he is just the Court Jester. His favorite things to do are smelling where the mares have been, eating hay and yelling at his peeps when they do not serve him as expected. He also likes to be walked like a dog, and has fun coming up to the back door and playing “Avon Stallion.” He also enjoys trips down the driveway to the mailbox.
Name: Kitten
Job Title: Farm Parliamentarian
Keeper of the rules. No deviation from the rules is permitted. Kitten is a big love, but don’t request a rule change, or prepare to be kicked. Kitten rules with an iron hoof. Kitten likes to eat hay and hang out.
Name: Cleo
Job Title: Love Ambassador
Cleo is sweet, kind, and gentle. She tries to break the rules now and again, just to keep Kitten on her hooves. It works! Cleo is Kitten and Major’s daughter. Cleo’s favorite activity is running around the pasture bucking and farting.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Quiet
Quiet is the theme for today. I am trying to stay quiet and pensive. I always say the smartest babies are those who don't cry, and just look around and take it all in.
I'm trying to be like that, just spending more time absorbing and listening, than running my mouth and mind to make comments and judgements.
So on the way home I saw a herd of deer. Probably about 12 of them, crossing the road. They were magnificent. I suppose they're ordinary, around here. Quite commonplace, and even a nuisance to some. But, to me, they are amazing. Quiet (in keeping with today's theme!), soft, unimposing. Cautious and calm. I watched them as long as I was able, as they jumped the fence on the top of the hill on the east side of the road, then bounded downhill to the road, cautiously crossed it and jumped the fence to the west, heading into the forest along the railroad track.
Closer to my house I saw a male pheasant. Crisp and colorful, in all of his glory. And so quiet. I slowed and spent a moment just appreciating his beauty.
I did my afternoon chores, and spent some extra time just being calm and enjoying. It's overcast and gray, foggy in some spots. Still and quiet. I noticed that there are no birds around. I realize that in winter there are fewer birds, but today the trees around my house were completely void of birds and bird sounds. That was a little sad. I hope they come back soon.
I'm trying to be like that, just spending more time absorbing and listening, than running my mouth and mind to make comments and judgements.
So on the way home I saw a herd of deer. Probably about 12 of them, crossing the road. They were magnificent. I suppose they're ordinary, around here. Quite commonplace, and even a nuisance to some. But, to me, they are amazing. Quiet (in keeping with today's theme!), soft, unimposing. Cautious and calm. I watched them as long as I was able, as they jumped the fence on the top of the hill on the east side of the road, then bounded downhill to the road, cautiously crossed it and jumped the fence to the west, heading into the forest along the railroad track.
Closer to my house I saw a male pheasant. Crisp and colorful, in all of his glory. And so quiet. I slowed and spent a moment just appreciating his beauty.
I did my afternoon chores, and spent some extra time just being calm and enjoying. It's overcast and gray, foggy in some spots. Still and quiet. I noticed that there are no birds around. I realize that in winter there are fewer birds, but today the trees around my house were completely void of birds and bird sounds. That was a little sad. I hope they come back soon.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Bye Val. : (
Yesterday B and the kids took Val to the animal shelter. I had to work, so they did it while I was gone. I am glad for that, because I would have had to tell the whole story of his rescue to the kind folks working there. B did, he made sure they knew that he was a rescue, but I would have made them repeat it back to me a few times, swearing that they would pass the info along to his new family. The kids were fine with taking him, and things seem a little more back to normal around here.
You can see his picture here (not posted just yet, but keep watching with us and hoping that he finds a forever home!):
Raccoon Valley Humane Society
Bye Val. You deserve a pampered, love-filled life.
Bub is doing well. I saw her scratch her ear with her broken leg, so she can't be in all that much pain. Actually, she's never been in all that much pain, really. But I think it's still going to be a week or so before she can come out. Nic will pounce on her immediately, I just know it. The dogs will be curious, Shadow will fight if incited. Plus, with all those animals underfoot, one is always getting stepped on. I want her to be able to take all of that without getting hurt. So it will be a while before she can come out. I love on her in the evenings, and let her walk around, and she is putting weight on her leg now, so I am confident all will work out!
Happy Sunday!
You can see his picture here (not posted just yet, but keep watching with us and hoping that he finds a forever home!):
Raccoon Valley Humane Society
Bye Val. You deserve a pampered, love-filled life.
Bub is doing well. I saw her scratch her ear with her broken leg, so she can't be in all that much pain. Actually, she's never been in all that much pain, really. But I think it's still going to be a week or so before she can come out. Nic will pounce on her immediately, I just know it. The dogs will be curious, Shadow will fight if incited. Plus, with all those animals underfoot, one is always getting stepped on. I want her to be able to take all of that without getting hurt. So it will be a while before she can come out. I love on her in the evenings, and let her walk around, and she is putting weight on her leg now, so I am confident all will work out!
Happy Sunday!
Friday, January 28, 2005
Vote for my bridge!!
(Isn't this a GREAT photo, taken by David Ely??!!)
Click and vote for my bridge!
Vote early, vote often!
Thursday, January 27, 2005
I know what it is...
that is causing my funk.
I miss the green! Don't get me wrong, I love the snow, too. I think I love the snow because it makes me appreciate the green.
I was reminded today when I saw my pictures from the summer.
I miss the green! Don't get me wrong, I love the snow, too. I think I love the snow because it makes me appreciate the green.
I was reminded today when I saw my pictures from the summer.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Time
It goes by so fast. Before I know it, it's the weekend again.
My apologies for the less frequent updates. It's a combination of a few things:
1) I received a promotion at the first of the year. I guess it should have occurred to me that along with the fancy new title comes a fancy new stack of work. I work a lot from home and though the view from my "office" is great, I would rather be outside participating in the view! So I have been consumed with work.
2) Not much has been happening at our farm. We are just doing the daily things, trying to get from one day to the next. We have worked a bit on the ceiling in the dining room, but the progress is really too slow to get excited about.
3) I am somewhat disenchanted. That's probably not the right word. Maybe a little depressed, maybe discouraged, not sure. I was really serious about the organizational stuff I wrote about earlier. That kind of thing eats me inside. I'm tired of looking at a mess, and not having the money to do a complete transformation. Oh sure, we have the money for this, that and the other, but not the $50,000 it would take to have someone come in and do what we need done in a short period of time.
We bought the house knowing full well what needed to be done. This isn't a surprise. Nothing has been a surprise, except how much I love this place. I didn't expect to love it this much. And we bought it wanting to do the work on our own. We realized it would be slow and (hopefully) steady.
I had a talk with someone at work, and he told me to stop caring so much. Not to care what people think. I can say that I'm not too judgemental of a person, but if I saw someone living in a house with walls like mine -- that was content to live like that for a long period of time-- I would wonder what is up with them. I think that my discomfort with the situation motivates me to change it. So how do I strike the balance between caring enough to motivate myself to get these things done, and caring so much that I am beside myself with anxiety that the work is not getting done fast enough?
When I am pressed for time because of work, I can't get anything accomplished. At the moment, I am staring at a pile of work. Work for work. I am looking at about 4 loads of laundry that need to be done. I can see a messy kitchen, carpets needing to be vacuumed, a bathroom needing to be cleaned. B will be home soon and I have not yet started supper.
And so I blog.
My apologies for the less frequent updates. It's a combination of a few things:
1) I received a promotion at the first of the year. I guess it should have occurred to me that along with the fancy new title comes a fancy new stack of work. I work a lot from home and though the view from my "office" is great, I would rather be outside participating in the view! So I have been consumed with work.
2) Not much has been happening at our farm. We are just doing the daily things, trying to get from one day to the next. We have worked a bit on the ceiling in the dining room, but the progress is really too slow to get excited about.
3) I am somewhat disenchanted. That's probably not the right word. Maybe a little depressed, maybe discouraged, not sure. I was really serious about the organizational stuff I wrote about earlier. That kind of thing eats me inside. I'm tired of looking at a mess, and not having the money to do a complete transformation. Oh sure, we have the money for this, that and the other, but not the $50,000 it would take to have someone come in and do what we need done in a short period of time.
We bought the house knowing full well what needed to be done. This isn't a surprise. Nothing has been a surprise, except how much I love this place. I didn't expect to love it this much. And we bought it wanting to do the work on our own. We realized it would be slow and (hopefully) steady.
I had a talk with someone at work, and he told me to stop caring so much. Not to care what people think. I can say that I'm not too judgemental of a person, but if I saw someone living in a house with walls like mine -- that was content to live like that for a long period of time-- I would wonder what is up with them. I think that my discomfort with the situation motivates me to change it. So how do I strike the balance between caring enough to motivate myself to get these things done, and caring so much that I am beside myself with anxiety that the work is not getting done fast enough?
When I am pressed for time because of work, I can't get anything accomplished. At the moment, I am staring at a pile of work. Work for work. I am looking at about 4 loads of laundry that need to be done. I can see a messy kitchen, carpets needing to be vacuumed, a bathroom needing to be cleaned. B will be home soon and I have not yet started supper.
And so I blog.
Monday, January 24, 2005
What's in the Water?
Did you know that mares go into a time of anestrous? When the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, they stop going into heat each month. It's convenient for me, because I have 2 mares and a stallion. During the warmer time, when they have monthly cycles, they go outside in shifts. The girls go during the day, and when I get home from work in the afternoon, I let the stallion out alone.
I can let them out together between cycles, but since one of the mares is his daughter, it's critical that they do not breed. So I am a little nervous about taking that chance.
It is actually good for them to be out together, because like in the wild, the girls rule the roost. The boys are around for one thing... It's nice to see them all running around at full speed chasing each other to establish the hierarchy. When Major goes out alone, he just stands around and eats grass. The fresh air is good for him, but it's nicer to see him running and engaged.
Which is why I looked forward to anestrous. But, here it is January, and it hasn't happened. M keeps telling me it's because the temperatures have been warmer. But not this month! It's been frigid, below zero at times. Today will be the first day above freezing in ages (yay!). Kitten is in heat-- again. And Cleo is acting like she is. Kitten and Major are stalled next to each other, and there is all kinds of carrying on and fussing going on between the boards! In the summer, we went in one morning and he had kicked a board down in between the stalls! Kitten is moody, too, and Major is all testosterone and stallion-like. It's much easier to deal with them both at other times of the month.
I think M wants to breed Kitten in the spring, but not this early. So I continue my summertime routine of swapping them in/out of the pasture. This summer I may run water to the north pasture and put horses out there, so they can go out at the same time, and be truly separated.
I wonder what is making the girls continue their heat cycles? I don't know if they are false heats, or if they are truly fertile. Whatever it is, I am not drinking the well water.
I can let them out together between cycles, but since one of the mares is his daughter, it's critical that they do not breed. So I am a little nervous about taking that chance.
It is actually good for them to be out together, because like in the wild, the girls rule the roost. The boys are around for one thing... It's nice to see them all running around at full speed chasing each other to establish the hierarchy. When Major goes out alone, he just stands around and eats grass. The fresh air is good for him, but it's nicer to see him running and engaged.
Which is why I looked forward to anestrous. But, here it is January, and it hasn't happened. M keeps telling me it's because the temperatures have been warmer. But not this month! It's been frigid, below zero at times. Today will be the first day above freezing in ages (yay!). Kitten is in heat-- again. And Cleo is acting like she is. Kitten and Major are stalled next to each other, and there is all kinds of carrying on and fussing going on between the boards! In the summer, we went in one morning and he had kicked a board down in between the stalls! Kitten is moody, too, and Major is all testosterone and stallion-like. It's much easier to deal with them both at other times of the month.
I think M wants to breed Kitten in the spring, but not this early. So I continue my summertime routine of swapping them in/out of the pasture. This summer I may run water to the north pasture and put horses out there, so they can go out at the same time, and be truly separated.
I wonder what is making the girls continue their heat cycles? I don't know if they are false heats, or if they are truly fertile. Whatever it is, I am not drinking the well water.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
A Place for Everything, and Everything in Its Place
That is so not the case with me.
When I lived in the suburban house, I was extremely organized. I didn't have a lot of storage space, but I had shelves and things streamlined "just so."
Here it is completely the opposite. I drive myself crazy because nothing is ever put in its place. I have boxes left to unpack. I was sweeping the floor today, and I wondered aloud why I even bothered. The house never seems to get cleaned. I don't know if it is because things truly don't have a place, or if it's because the walls aren't finished (it will never LOOK clean until that happens), or if it's because we are busier outside and with other priorities and don't have time to clean and put things away. Maybe a little of each.
In any case, it drives me absolutely nuts. So crazy that I have a screaming session at least once a month and threaten to throw everything away. I have found FreeCycle, and will definitely put it to use!
Michael Knight told me today that I don't blog enough. He says he's getting bored.
MK, how can my lack of organizational skills and facilities interest you?
******
Have you ever been upclose to a big round bale of hay? I really had never been until I became the proud owner of 14 of them.
Truth be told (and it always is around here), before I met B, I dated a farmer for 5 years. I nearly married him. But those details are a story for another day... My point is that I spent some time on his farm. I drove the tractor and baled hay. I helped him stack hay in the haymow. I helped him milk cows, or at least kept him company.
But the bales I helped with were the small, square kind. These big round bales today are totally different. I suppose it's not very exciting for someone who knows all about them, but for me it's a new experience.
They are big. HUGE. A small bale is about 50-70 pounds. Yes, the small ones can be a little heavy, but for the most part relatively easy to handle. A few weeks ago I unloaded and stacked 15 bales by myself in about 15 minutes. Not a big deal. A big round bale is 1200-1500 pounds. (Mine are, anyway.) They are taller than I am, I can't see the top of them. You can't move them without a bale spear or without dragging them behind a truck or something. Since we have 14 bales of grass hay, and we're buying alfalfa, we decided to cut down on the alfalfa over the winter and feed the grass hay. We have a bale in the pasture, and two in the barn. It's not the easiest thing to do, but we tear hay from the bales several times a day and cart wheelbarrows full of hay to each of the horses. It's like a big spiral, but not uniform. My forearms are really cramped and tired after pulling 6 wheelbarrows full of hay.
It looks as though we will not use even half of the 14 bales this winter. Do you want to buy a bale or two?
When I lived in the suburban house, I was extremely organized. I didn't have a lot of storage space, but I had shelves and things streamlined "just so."
Here it is completely the opposite. I drive myself crazy because nothing is ever put in its place. I have boxes left to unpack. I was sweeping the floor today, and I wondered aloud why I even bothered. The house never seems to get cleaned. I don't know if it is because things truly don't have a place, or if it's because the walls aren't finished (it will never LOOK clean until that happens), or if it's because we are busier outside and with other priorities and don't have time to clean and put things away. Maybe a little of each.
In any case, it drives me absolutely nuts. So crazy that I have a screaming session at least once a month and threaten to throw everything away. I have found FreeCycle, and will definitely put it to use!
Michael Knight told me today that I don't blog enough. He says he's getting bored.
MK, how can my lack of organizational skills and facilities interest you?
******
Have you ever been upclose to a big round bale of hay? I really had never been until I became the proud owner of 14 of them.
Truth be told (and it always is around here), before I met B, I dated a farmer for 5 years. I nearly married him. But those details are a story for another day... My point is that I spent some time on his farm. I drove the tractor and baled hay. I helped him stack hay in the haymow. I helped him milk cows, or at least kept him company.
But the bales I helped with were the small, square kind. These big round bales today are totally different. I suppose it's not very exciting for someone who knows all about them, but for me it's a new experience.
They are big. HUGE. A small bale is about 50-70 pounds. Yes, the small ones can be a little heavy, but for the most part relatively easy to handle. A few weeks ago I unloaded and stacked 15 bales by myself in about 15 minutes. Not a big deal. A big round bale is 1200-1500 pounds. (Mine are, anyway.) They are taller than I am, I can't see the top of them. You can't move them without a bale spear or without dragging them behind a truck or something. Since we have 14 bales of grass hay, and we're buying alfalfa, we decided to cut down on the alfalfa over the winter and feed the grass hay. We have a bale in the pasture, and two in the barn. It's not the easiest thing to do, but we tear hay from the bales several times a day and cart wheelbarrows full of hay to each of the horses. It's like a big spiral, but not uniform. My forearms are really cramped and tired after pulling 6 wheelbarrows full of hay.
It looks as though we will not use even half of the 14 bales this winter. Do you want to buy a bale or two?
Sunday, January 16, 2005
A Good Day
We're having a cold spell. Tonight's weather:
Mostly clear. Low around 10 below. West wind near 10 mph. Wind chill readings 4 below to 16 below zero.
There's one thing that is begging to be done when it's this cold. Well, okay, there's THAT, but that's not the kind of blog I have! ; ) Home Improvement! That's what you do when it's unbearably cold!
We took down all the ceiling tiles in the dining room, and on the angled ceiling going up the stairs. I decided that the ceiling going upstairs was not going to be tiled in the future, so I took down the furring strips, anticipating significant damage. I was pleasantly surprised! There wasn't much damage at all! That gives me hope that there is not too much damage on the ceilings in the living & dining rooms.
But I am still on the fence about what to do. B doesn't want to take the chance that there is damage, he wants to buy tin tiles and go from there. We already have the furring strips up, so much of the work is done. If we take the strips down, and there is damage, it will be harder to go back. However, if there is little or no damage (from the nails used to hammer up the furring strips) then we could easily restore it back to its original condition. I have visions of painting the ceilings very cool colors, and putting up some appropriate medallions. I am restoring a brass chandelier that is just begging to be hung in the dining room, and a medallion would set it off perfectly. I can see his reasoning, and totally agree with him. But it would cost so much less, and be so much truer to the style, if we patched and sanded the few spots on the ceiling that may be damaged. I could even take off the wallpaper between the furring strips to see any preliminary damage now, before removing them. But, for today, we are done.
***
Well, I am done beating myself up about being a bad farmer. Yes, I am too attached to my cats, that's for sure. But I am what I am, and I can't help it. Someone needs to look out for the poor creatures who are dumped by those who are cruel and heartless. If people want to think I'm one of those eccentric cat collectors, then so be it. There are worse things to be known for.
Quick Cat Update:
Bub (barn kitty with a broken leg): She's doing fine. The vet said her leg has a great chance of healing properly on its own, based upon the muscles holding it in place and the lack of tissue damage. He advised "cage rest and neglect" and that is exactly what she is getting. We have her in a big dog kennel, complete with kitty bed, litterbox, food/water and soft blankies. Don't know how much longer she'll take to recuperate. I think it will be a matter of weeks.
Val (sick kitty that nearly died): He is still a bit sick with an eye infection. He has not gained much weight, and did not choose to use the litterbox. That was a HUGE problem in my house. So he is in another large airline kennel. He has the same accommodations as Bub. He does not like it, and constantly complains. But he gets more rest and recuperation in there, since when he is loose, the other cats want to play.
Nic (brother of Val, not as sick): He is doing GREAT. He plays, gets into all kinds of mischief, and tries to incite Shadow into a brawl at every opportunity. He is gaining weight, and is probably about 1 1/2 pound by now.
Shadow (our kitty for 6 years): After spending a few days disgruntled, he has come around. He enjoys battling Nic, and still comes around for luvs and attention. I am glad he's getting along well. He is 12, and he weights about 18 pounds. So he could really be nasty to the kittens if he wanted to be.
Mostly clear. Low around 10 below. West wind near 10 mph. Wind chill readings 4 below to 16 below zero.
There's one thing that is begging to be done when it's this cold. Well, okay, there's THAT, but that's not the kind of blog I have! ; ) Home Improvement! That's what you do when it's unbearably cold!
We took down all the ceiling tiles in the dining room, and on the angled ceiling going up the stairs. I decided that the ceiling going upstairs was not going to be tiled in the future, so I took down the furring strips, anticipating significant damage. I was pleasantly surprised! There wasn't much damage at all! That gives me hope that there is not too much damage on the ceilings in the living & dining rooms.
But I am still on the fence about what to do. B doesn't want to take the chance that there is damage, he wants to buy tin tiles and go from there. We already have the furring strips up, so much of the work is done. If we take the strips down, and there is damage, it will be harder to go back. However, if there is little or no damage (from the nails used to hammer up the furring strips) then we could easily restore it back to its original condition. I have visions of painting the ceilings very cool colors, and putting up some appropriate medallions. I am restoring a brass chandelier that is just begging to be hung in the dining room, and a medallion would set it off perfectly. I can see his reasoning, and totally agree with him. But it would cost so much less, and be so much truer to the style, if we patched and sanded the few spots on the ceiling that may be damaged. I could even take off the wallpaper between the furring strips to see any preliminary damage now, before removing them. But, for today, we are done.
***
Well, I am done beating myself up about being a bad farmer. Yes, I am too attached to my cats, that's for sure. But I am what I am, and I can't help it. Someone needs to look out for the poor creatures who are dumped by those who are cruel and heartless. If people want to think I'm one of those eccentric cat collectors, then so be it. There are worse things to be known for.
Quick Cat Update:
Bub (barn kitty with a broken leg): She's doing fine. The vet said her leg has a great chance of healing properly on its own, based upon the muscles holding it in place and the lack of tissue damage. He advised "cage rest and neglect" and that is exactly what she is getting. We have her in a big dog kennel, complete with kitty bed, litterbox, food/water and soft blankies. Don't know how much longer she'll take to recuperate. I think it will be a matter of weeks.
Val (sick kitty that nearly died): He is still a bit sick with an eye infection. He has not gained much weight, and did not choose to use the litterbox. That was a HUGE problem in my house. So he is in another large airline kennel. He has the same accommodations as Bub. He does not like it, and constantly complains. But he gets more rest and recuperation in there, since when he is loose, the other cats want to play.
Nic (brother of Val, not as sick): He is doing GREAT. He plays, gets into all kinds of mischief, and tries to incite Shadow into a brawl at every opportunity. He is gaining weight, and is probably about 1 1/2 pound by now.
Shadow (our kitty for 6 years): After spending a few days disgruntled, he has come around. He enjoys battling Nic, and still comes around for luvs and attention. I am glad he's getting along well. He is 12, and he weights about 18 pounds. So he could really be nasty to the kittens if he wanted to be.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Your Grade in Farming 101: F
I have failed Farming 101.
I have become too attached to my animals. I have failed to let nature take her course.
First it was the barn cats and giving them their little house with Egyptian Cotton Sheets.
Then it was rescuing the kitties next door and giving up my entire Christmas vacation to dote over Val and nurse him back to health.
Now, it seems that Bub, one of BB's barn kittens has a broken leg. It was devastating for me to see and imagine his (now properly known as her) pain. I think she was in one of the horses' stalls, and she was stepped on. I took her to the vet today, and he advised inside rest and recovery. It seems that the only option is to let it heal on its own, or to have surgery to put a pin in it. That is surgery that he does not/cannot perform. He is my vet, and I trust him and his judgement. So the only answer is to keep her resting inside the kennel in the house. And she is there now.
I spent my evening last night sobbing about my kitty. I have failed to distance myself.
I can't help it, I just can't stand to see an animal suffer. They are pure souls, who ask for nothing in return but love and care. And the barn cats don't even ask for that.
I have become too attached to my animals. I have failed to let nature take her course.
First it was the barn cats and giving them their little house with Egyptian Cotton Sheets.
Then it was rescuing the kitties next door and giving up my entire Christmas vacation to dote over Val and nurse him back to health.
Now, it seems that Bub, one of BB's barn kittens has a broken leg. It was devastating for me to see and imagine his (now properly known as her) pain. I think she was in one of the horses' stalls, and she was stepped on. I took her to the vet today, and he advised inside rest and recovery. It seems that the only option is to let it heal on its own, or to have surgery to put a pin in it. That is surgery that he does not/cannot perform. He is my vet, and I trust him and his judgement. So the only answer is to keep her resting inside the kennel in the house. And she is there now.
I spent my evening last night sobbing about my kitty. I have failed to distance myself.
I can't help it, I just can't stand to see an animal suffer. They are pure souls, who ask for nothing in return but love and care. And the barn cats don't even ask for that.
screwy photos
Sorry about the photos in my blog. I'm usually somewhat technically savvy, but the photo service I use makes a "collage" of the photos for you, and then gives you the code to insert in your post. Well, when I upload new photos, they seem to appear in my collage, making me think that the collage loads differently depending on the photos you've uploaded. It must just use the most recent, rather than specifically the five I told it to use.
I will figure it out, but for now, sorry about the duplicates. I love the snowman, L made it himself. He is wearing the dreaded "Winnie the Pooh" hat. Do you have one of those at your house? That "baby" item that nobody will be caught dead in? We wear those things to the barn and out to play, but my kids turn them inside out or something. Because way out here in the middle of nowhere, you never know who you might run into. Or, the horses could see that Winnie the Pooh emblem, and tell their friends, and it could be all over town in a short time.
Anyway, he's frowning because he is being forced to wear that hat. I say he's frowning because he's cold!
Happy Tuesday.
I will figure it out, but for now, sorry about the duplicates. I love the snowman, L made it himself. He is wearing the dreaded "Winnie the Pooh" hat. Do you have one of those at your house? That "baby" item that nobody will be caught dead in? We wear those things to the barn and out to play, but my kids turn them inside out or something. Because way out here in the middle of nowhere, you never know who you might run into. Or, the horses could see that Winnie the Pooh emblem, and tell their friends, and it could be all over town in a short time.
Anyway, he's frowning because he is being forced to wear that hat. I say he's frowning because he's cold!
Happy Tuesday.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Friday, January 07, 2005
Happy Winter!!
These are some photos I took today. There is one of my cozy house, one of the road I live on, and the others are of a famous covered bridge. I will not say the bridge's name, just to keep some semblance of privacy! But it's cool. Look closely at the top one, I took a picture of the river, and the bridge is over the river in the far distance.
I took them today. I thought I would get out after the snowstorm, but the road wasn't plowed until late in the day and it was too dark for photos.
Everything is totally different in the snow. Everything is just so quiet. Summer is peaceful in a breezy sort of way, but winter is just so still and introspective. Makes you want to draw the blanket around your shoulders a little tighter, or snuggle up a little closer to your Love.
Enjoy!
I took them today. I thought I would get out after the snowstorm, but the road wasn't plowed until late in the day and it was too dark for photos.
Everything is totally different in the snow. Everything is just so quiet. Summer is peaceful in a breezy sort of way, but winter is just so still and introspective. Makes you want to draw the blanket around your shoulders a little tighter, or snuggle up a little closer to your Love.
Enjoy!
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Brudders.
Here are the kitty brudders! The one on the left is Valdez, the kitten formerly known as "sick kitty." The one on the right is Nic. You can see the difference-- Valdez still has an eye cold and is really, really skinny. In the 2 weeks' time that it has been that Nic has been eating and Valdez has not, Nic has really grown a lot bigger. Soon V will catch up!
The little neighbor girl came back today to play. She offered more cats to us, saying they were "indoor/outdoor" cats. B doesn't think the mom wants the kittens back.
Ironically, one of BB's cats is sick. He has an eye infection. I have been giving it antibiotics, though it isn't making huge strides in recovery. The little girl told L to try and catch the kitty. Her mom supposedly made an appointment for the kitten at the vet. She said, "Please catch him-- my mom doesn't want to lose her money if she doesn't take him to the vet." Whaaaattt??
I don't know if the girl was making up the story, or if the mom is trying to make up for her treatment of V and N. Either way, it doesn't matter. These are apples and oranges. BB's kitten is feral. I couldn't doctor it if I tried (other than giving it antibiotics in its food). I couldn't bring it inside. The only thing I could possibly do is live trap it and take it to the vet. I feed and water them daily and give them shelter with bedding.
Valdez and Nic are house cats. They have no survival skills. Putting them outside in December at 8 weeks of age, giving them no shelter or food or water, that is completely different.
Okay, I'm done venting. I hope this is the last I worry about what's going to happen to them, or what has happened to them.
The little neighbor girl came back today to play. She offered more cats to us, saying they were "indoor/outdoor" cats. B doesn't think the mom wants the kittens back.
Ironically, one of BB's cats is sick. He has an eye infection. I have been giving it antibiotics, though it isn't making huge strides in recovery. The little girl told L to try and catch the kitty. Her mom supposedly made an appointment for the kitten at the vet. She said, "Please catch him-- my mom doesn't want to lose her money if she doesn't take him to the vet." Whaaaattt??
I don't know if the girl was making up the story, or if the mom is trying to make up for her treatment of V and N. Either way, it doesn't matter. These are apples and oranges. BB's kitten is feral. I couldn't doctor it if I tried (other than giving it antibiotics in its food). I couldn't bring it inside. The only thing I could possibly do is live trap it and take it to the vet. I feed and water them daily and give them shelter with bedding.
Valdez and Nic are house cats. They have no survival skills. Putting them outside in December at 8 weeks of age, giving them no shelter or food or water, that is completely different.
Okay, I'm done venting. I hope this is the last I worry about what's going to happen to them, or what has happened to them.
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