Round & Round

Do you know what happens when you live on a farm heavily infested with mesquite? You get flat tires. Lots of them. Luckily, we found a local guy who is going to help us out. With our tires, that is. 

Our town has less than one thousand people, but I've found that most of the people who live here are quite skilled. Gator with metal, David with electrical and plumbing, Jaime with concrete, and now Bruce with tires. Poor Bobby Sue, our tractor, needs a fix on a flat and Bruce is picking up the tire, taking it to his shop, and putting it back on for us. He's also one of our volunteer firemen, so a great guy to know!

Do you know how many people we knew who did things where we used to live? None. We were just outside the city, but couldn't find anyone to come out and do work, let alone good work. Here, everyone knows someone who does what you need. I'm claiming the highland cattle knowledge as I'm the only one who has any here! 🤣

This was over the weekend, you wouldn't know there was a hill past the tree with all the fog and mist 

Worth Waiting

Last week, it was overcast and rainy every single weekday. Saturday, the rain stopped, but the wind was blowing strong. Finally today was a beautiful, sunny, perfect day! It was worth waiting for. 

We are grateful for the rain and are hopeful it helped the area. Drought was becoming a big concern before we got these 3-5 inches. We don't have a rain gauge yet, so I'm using the numbers from the news. It felt like a lot, that's all I know. 

I also did some figuring this weekend, and the earliest my does will kid is January 20th. I doubt anyone but possibly Cocoa will deliver in January, but I'm sure getting excited! All the animals were so happy with the weather today and all let me love on them. If my barndo doesn't get built soon, I might just make the animal's barn my home. I'm even getting used to the smell! 

Happy Thanksgiving 2022

He thinks I forgot him in yesterday's blog, but really I was saving him for today because he's special. Rob, I'm so thankful for you. You go along with my crazy schemes and now share my love of livestock which you didn't think was possible. You're an excellent mother hen to all our chickens, an excellent provider for all of us, and best non-furry animal (human) I know. Happy Thanksgiving Rob, I'll weather any storm with you. 

PS I say the last long because we're getting pummeled by rain. 

Looks like I'm getting a swimming pool in addition to the barndo!

Fur Really Thankful

For our first Thanksgiving on the farm, I want to say how truly thankful I am. I'm thankful for the land, my animals, the friends I've met and the community that has welcomed us. 

I'm thankful to you (my readers), my parents, Senior, Ali & Gator, David, Justin, Curtis, Jaime, Albert, and others who have helped develop this farm. I'm thankful for all my animals: Reggie, Kenzie, Flurry, Mango, Scotchie, Cocoa, Sundae, Cookie Doe, S'mores, Sugar, Spice, Caramel, Nutty, Patches, Fancy, Fiona, Fergus (rest in peace), Flora, Brogan, all the quail we lost and all the chickens we've managed to keep alive (10 for 10 there). Without my furry babies, I wouldn't have survived this RV living. 

Lastly, I'm thankful for continuing adventures in life one day at a time. There's always something to learn, a smile to give, and a memory to make. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Expectations

I'm getting so excited watching my girls fill out with their pregnancies! Judging from their sizes, Cocoa was impregnated first, Scotchie second, and Sundae third. I could be totally wrong on the order, but those three are definitely showing. 

The other girls are a little more difficult to tell yet. I thought S'mores could be, but then she slimmed down and I realized it was her winter puffer effect Caramel must have taught her. She could still be pregnant, just not showing yet. I keep trying to look more closely, but Nutty tends to get in the way. Nutty is aptly named, that's all I can say. 

Also, we picked up the hay today and learned some premium alfalfa is coming in the hay rolls next week from Colorado. Rob and I are going to figure out if we can manage it, that would keep us set for awhile!

My pregnant Sundae 🥰

Don't Be Hayful

If the feeder ever runs out of hay, don't worry, Fiona will be the first to tell you. I have never met an animal with as demanding a personality as her. Tonight, she literally herded me to where I keep her oats. When I opened it, she bulldozed her head into it like a deserted man would come upon an oasis. After she gulped down a couple of mouthfuls, she then allowed me to dish out the remainder of their evening share as she casually went into her stall. Yes, Fiona is in charge. It works best that way. 

What's cute, is Brogan then started mooing for his milk. He saw how Fiona got prompt attention, and he wanted the same treatment. Sorry kiddo, you have to wait your turn as normal. Hopefully by the time you get to be her size, you won't be as demanding!

Sweet Flora and all the others were gentle and patient. Maybe because with the weather they haven't moved much, but I'll take it!

Wintery Weather

Let me preface this by saying, I'm not complaining! This weekend, we've been under wintery weather. Rain, sleet, light snow, we got a little of everything. Other than doing the barest minimum for our animals, we've stayed indoors. That comes with it's own challenges. 

Thursday night/Friday morning, I woke up to my nose and cheeks absolutely freezing, while I was wrapped in the biggest bundle of blankets and animals possible. Yep, we ran out of propane!  It was only for a couple of hours, no big deal. We got the tanks refilled and were back in action. 

Tonight though, we found out Senior's tank is bone dry of propane. Despite our warnings, he used up his massive tank in just a tad over a week. So, we're about to head to Walmart and get him some space heaters. He refuses to spend the night in a hotel. At least, my Highlands have been loving the weather! Each time it started to rain, they came out to stand in it. They look like drowned rats, but after how much they suffered with the summer heat, they deserve this!