So... yesterday when I got to the farm, I see that my sheep are near the barn grazing, which is not that unusual for them, but not that common either. I was late getting there, so I assumed they were getting itchy for their one scoop of grain. So, I didn't even run the dogs first, just set right out with Dan to get the hay and grain. When Dan and I walked into the barn, I right away noticed that it was a mess. The hay had been spread about (there were a few piles of old hay I had not removed), the almost empty mineral bag had been transported to near the hay stack and then, the smoking gun, the thing that ALWAYS rats on sheep- the droppings. The thing is, the door was shut! So, I fed them, and then went to work on cleaning up the mess. They hung out by the paddock gate, the whole time, and then when I was done they took off for the back wooded area of the field. The one Border Leicester ewe keeps looking up at the hill field every day, I know she wants to migrate up there.

So, today, I will grant her wish. I will work Dan a bit first, and then, move the girls up there. I walked that field yesterday, and there is a bit of grass in there. So, they can have at it. They won't be staying there once the snow flies, as I need them closer to the barn to feed them, but for now, they can go clean it up in there.

Slept pretty well again last night. Maybe this time change is actually good for me? Could it be?? I had pretty much given up on sleeping all night. But, this morning I actually over slept.

Boy Kitty is doing well, but Ginger has stomach issues now. She's lost so much muscle recently, that I don't think I will have my girl much longer. We spend a fair amount of time with me scratching, and petting her, whenever she asks for it.

Been thinking that I sure would love to move to the farm. Would make things so much easier.... I doubt that will happen unless one of us (my brother or I) win the lotto.
For now, it's okay, but once lambing starts, I will probably be staying over at my parents up the road some nights. We shall see.

I am so busy latey...........

Kitty is almost completely better. He's still quiet, but coming along. Is eating and wants to cuddle. Last night he didn't get up much, which is normal, and this morning, he woke me up. That's normal too :) The Pancreatic enzyme levels were wnl (within normal limits) so that's negative. It appears to me that he had a whopping intestinal bug which cost me $547.00... Truth be told, I would pay twice that, or just about anything, as I am extremely attached to my boy.

I didn't get much done yesterday, but I did drop by the junk yard on the way home to return that part I got for Mark- they have him the wrong one. Today, I have to stop by there again on the way to the farm to get the right one. Last time I was there, fisticuffs almost broke out between two customers- apparently, some guy bad mouthed the other on Craigslist.... I have to run out and get sheep supplies today and grocery shop, that's one thing. Been really poor and am out of everything. That hay buying really just tanked me- and right after my school tax bill.

Didn't work Dan yesterday, but maybe today or tomorrow. May go down to my friend's place this weekend to work the dogs. IF I have enough money I will. Also want to get back up my friend's place to work on shedding more.

I got shots of the trial field, which I put up on facebook. The fields are awesome and quite like that which you would see across the pond. I am going to see if John will let me bring my flock out there for grazing in the summer, because it is such nice grass, it would prevent him having to mow, and my dogs could really stretch out their working scope, PLUS I would save my grass. The possibilities are endless, really.

Today will be working on cleaning out the barn some more. Ick. The steer manure is packed tighter than a .............. I don't have the words. But, I want that place cleaned out so I can use it if need be.

So, that's it for now. Here's a saying I recently read, and I love it:
"I am so busy lately, I don't know if I found a piece of rope, or lost my horse".

So, boy kitty, officially named "Lad" was not well on Sunday. He had several trips to the litter box, and didn't eat much. On Monday he seemed a little better- ate a little. But, Sunday night he was much worse. He had vomiting and diarrhea, and by Monday morning was definitely punk. He was clearly sick. So, I called the vet and said to a member of the staff, that my cat was sick and he needed to be seen. Surprisingly enough she said to bring him in. Usually it's a rigmarole just to get an animal in without an appointment. I loaded him in the big cat carrier and along with Danny and Lucy we headed to the vet. Vet looked at him while my boy just purred. He was so good. Vet was concerned. He was dehydrated. Could be lots of things- Diabetes, Inflammatory Bowel disease, Pancreatitis, who knows, but in any case he wanted me to leave him there. So, I did that.

I then went to the farm, ran the dogs, and then worked in the hill pasture picking up downed limbs from the snow storm. I find that when I am stressed about something I just get to working on things. Then, I went to my parents who live near the farm. I hung out with my mom and dad, and killed time. The vet called, said Lad had gotten b-work drawn, an xray, and they wanted to do another xray with a barium swallow later in the day as 1) barium soothes the GI tract, and 2) there was something funky in his stomach. I was finally able to pick my boy up at 6:00. The last xray did not show anything wrong, and I was sent off with Metronidazole tablets and information about what vet thought it was. He believed it to be a combo of Pancreatitis and Inflammatory Bowel disease. He said try to get him to eat, if he would not, then to force feed him.

When we got home I fed the dogs, and momma kitty, and gave my boy some canned food- which he ate :) I did get the 1/2 tablet in him, but let me tell you, I really worried that he would bite down on my finger... We need another method.... So, anyway, he slept pretty well, got up once to use the litter box, and this morning he ate his breakfast. And he wanted the Pounce treats I have, but vet said ixnay on them, so he got just one.

I am so glad he is better, but will have to wait for the final blood work results to see if it was his Pancreas or what.

What a day it was yesterday. Today is just brighter for me.

Selfishness

If there is one thing that gets my goat, it's selfishness. Everyone has it to some degree- it's part of how we humans survive, but then there are those who are bestowed, it appears, with an extra dose of "gimmee gimmee gimmee". I can tell you there are myriad of things I would like and many things I need, but I would not ask for people to give me money to do these things. The sheep thing, I love what I am doing, but it costs a boat load of money, and it is tough. Owning a house is tough. Owing money is part and parcel of living in the USA, and it really stinks.

Besides those who deign to solicit funds, there are those who cannot seem to wrap their heads around thinking about others, and maybe once a year, others who are in need come to their mind and maybe then, they may write about it, but that's really just a wee break from the "me me me me" disease.

Isn't what I do cool? Isn't my place cool? Isn't what I did cool? Do you think? If you give me money, I could do more and I could be cooler! Just hit this little button, and you can be part of my success. Not that you really are, of course, but you can feel like you are! Egads, it's like a bad scene of a tv evangelist preaching for money from you so you can get to the promised land. How people who do this solicitation for money and constantly go on and on about themselves, sleep at night is beyond me.

One thing you will not see from me is 1) a donate button 2) Speeches about how cool my life is and doncha want to be part of it- if so, go back to #1. I hope that what I write is a little more than that, a little less commercial and a bit more real. A romantic I am not. Once you hit the far side of 40, that happens.


Okay, rant done!

We have been having just beautiful weather lately- just had to say that.. Yesterday, when I got up I knew I had things on my plate- first, work, and then grocery store, then to the farm and meet with Mark to go get hay. It was pretty late when we ended up meeting. When I called the hay folks, I characterized him, rather unfairly (maybe) as "lazy slow pants". I sort of chuckled when I said that, because it's cute, and not as offensive as other things I could say. In truth, I owe Mark a lot- because all he gets in return for using his truck, and he loads the hay and helps me unload, is a meal at the local diner- and he always gets a meat lovers omelet, and yesterday, I just got a burger.

We did not get as many bales as I wanted, as we ended up doing one less level and so I have to go back at least one more time with the Ranger, myself. I ended up being on the stack, rather high and even at that, throwing bales way up over my head to stack. Take THAT arm flab! After that, I fed the sheep, and then, on the way home stopped and saw John. This woman who gets sheep from John was picking up two old ewes to butcher today, for a party- this woman is just plain odd. Most times questions are answered by her with a silent smile. Anyway, her son and her get them in the back of her Explorer and left. These particular ewes had no teeth left, so it was time for them to go, but still.... She gives me the heeby jeebies.

My sheep are good- I am cutting back on the grain, Favey, my favorite ewe (original, I know), is fat. She's at a 4 and well, now that they are getting hay/grain they just don't need all that grain.

Today I woke up early, as the time change takes me 6 months to adjust to, and have made some pancakes and excellent coffee, and now I am just chilling, writing here and will be going to the livestock swap meet at the local Tractor Supply. I want to meet one guy in particular there, who I may get pigs from. After that, I head up to the farm, walk the dogs, and maybe work Dan. Will see.

Then, it will be home to relax (this is my one day off a week) and watch football.

What I Love

What I Love

I love that my sister is always there for me, any time, any place

I love that when I come home at night, I feel at home and at peace

I love settling in at night surrounded by a couple of cats and a dog or two

I love that look in my old kitty's eyes when she wakes up from a deep slumber, sees I am there realizes all is well with her world

I love that look in my Lucy's eyes when I ask her to come over for a cuddle, and to, the look she gives me when she gets that cuddle

I love that look that Dan gives me when we have finished working and he is bursting with pride for having done his best for me

I love that look my sheep give me when they have finished eating and are sated and happy to be in a good place

I love red skies in the morning, even if they are a warning

I love that no matter what stress, or negative issue comes up during the day, that I can leave that issue in that day and awake to a new day the next day

I love that I have found my calling in life, and am happy not only with what I do, but how I live

There are a ton more things I love, but that's a good start

I keep meaning to post more often, but......... Anyway, I am trying to remember what's been happening for the past week. Not too much. Been working the dogs, and handling stuff at the house. This Saturday night we got a big storm. We got about 12" at the farm. The day before I set up the barn room so that they could go in through the sheep door (it's basically a BIG dog door) if they so chose during the storm. Saturday night I was psyched, as the new show "The Amazing Dr. Pol" was on at 9:00. It's about an older large animal vet and his cases... Well, we lost power at about 4:00. Power did not come back on until 24 hours later. That night it was cold in the house, but survivable. I drove up to my parents in the morning to get coffee and a shower. After that, I headed to the farm just up the road, and I did not see the sheep. They were in the back 40 - Dan flushed them out- what a good boy. I checked the barn- yes, they had been in there. I fed everyone and we headed home.

On the way home, I stopped by John and the Scottish Highlanders had come down from their back field, just as he had predicted. So, we gave them a round bale, and I also fed the sheep another bale. Something about animals not having hay at all times in the winter or when no grass, bothers me.... So, anyway, that was done. I went home for a bit but could not relax. It was 46 degrees F in the house and I was just frozen. Went back to my parent's house for a nice roast chicken dinner (their power had been off, but they got it back) and as we watched football, my dad called my house and told me my machine came back on! I had to call myself to be SURE. So, I went home... On the way, my car antenna hit a branch and it flew off to God knows where. So, now I have to get a new antenna. Stopped by the junk yard the other day, and no Ford Escapes there, so will stop by a parts place today....

Sunday night when my house was warm, I slept like a baby. It was amazing. I worked Dan a bit yesterday, just to keep him fresh- for what I don't know- I don't think any surprise trials are coming up ;)

Last night I slept like a rock. The difference in my mood when I actually GET sleep, is incredible.

This week I head up to a friend's to work Danny on shedding and then, this weekend will get more hay. Time marches on, time marches on....

Here is video on Sunday morning on way to farm...


Here is video feeding the cattle - the last zoom in is of this year's first born bull calf.