Sometimes when I think about it, I'm amazed at what all goes on in 24 hours here on the farm. One thing that is guaranteed, I have never been bored a day in my life and at this rate I think I'll keep that streak going.
Last night as we were getting the house critters settled down for the night, 2 cats and 5 dogs....I didn't see Charlie G. Jefferson (one of my rescued cats). Normally he is curled up in his lounge chair with Pamela, the other cat. But he was not there. I stepped outside and called for him as it's not unusual for him to go out at night to hunt, however the temp was dropping and they were calling for rain, so I wanted him in for the night. After calling him a few times and he was a no show, I came back inside and checked the closets and basement....still no Charlie. After twenty minutes or so I decided to put on my coat and boots and head out to check a live trap I had set for a sneaky Raccoon or Opossum that has been terrorizing my chickens.
Of course I'm in my pajama's and I don't have a flashlight so I'm headed out into the dark using my iPhone for light. I always wonder what creature is hiding in the shadows watching me and I hope I do not look tasty to them. So far, so good. With the chilly wind blowing and I trying to negotiate an uneven landscape in the dark, I could see the trap door had been tripped. There sat Charlie, curled up and looking rather chilled. When he realized it was me, he let out a big ole yowl and ran like the wind when I opened the trap. He was sitting at the door waiting to get in by the time I made it back to the house. Hopefully he will stay out of the trap now, but to be safe I will bait it with marshmallows for now on.
Tonight, once again Charlie was not in his lounge chair, but I didn't have far to go this time. Charlie was snug as a bug in a rug, curled up underneath the Christmas tree. It's hard to believe a year ago he was a stray cat in danger of being euthanized at the shelter. He has been a true gift to our family and we are happy to have Charlie celebrate his first Christmas here on the farm. He seems pretty comfy and content with his new life.
Last night as we were getting the house critters settled down for the night, 2 cats and 5 dogs....I didn't see Charlie G. Jefferson (one of my rescued cats). Normally he is curled up in his lounge chair with Pamela, the other cat. But he was not there. I stepped outside and called for him as it's not unusual for him to go out at night to hunt, however the temp was dropping and they were calling for rain, so I wanted him in for the night. After calling him a few times and he was a no show, I came back inside and checked the closets and basement....still no Charlie. After twenty minutes or so I decided to put on my coat and boots and head out to check a live trap I had set for a sneaky Raccoon or Opossum that has been terrorizing my chickens.
Of course I'm in my pajama's and I don't have a flashlight so I'm headed out into the dark using my iPhone for light. I always wonder what creature is hiding in the shadows watching me and I hope I do not look tasty to them. So far, so good. With the chilly wind blowing and I trying to negotiate an uneven landscape in the dark, I could see the trap door had been tripped. There sat Charlie, curled up and looking rather chilled. When he realized it was me, he let out a big ole yowl and ran like the wind when I opened the trap. He was sitting at the door waiting to get in by the time I made it back to the house. Hopefully he will stay out of the trap now, but to be safe I will bait it with marshmallows for now on.
Tonight, once again Charlie was not in his lounge chair, but I didn't have far to go this time. Charlie was snug as a bug in a rug, curled up underneath the Christmas tree. It's hard to believe a year ago he was a stray cat in danger of being euthanized at the shelter. He has been a true gift to our family and we are happy to have Charlie celebrate his first Christmas here on the farm. He seems pretty comfy and content with his new life.
When I went to bed last night I was happy both the cats where in the house, especially after thunderstorms moved in overnight. I don't know how much rain we got, but it was enough to leave mini ponds around the yard and fields, while streams of water made their way down the road and through the pastures. I knew chores would take me longer today as I had a gentleman coming out to pick up three of my heifer calves. I wasn't sure with all the rain and mud if he would still show up, so I was moving slow in the mud and in the middle of setting things up to sort cattle when he arrived. Despite not having any equipment or a working cattle dog, which would make the job much easier....it does get done just by being quiet and moving slowly. Of course there's always a bit of comedy involved. All the while, the sky was drawing darker and it started to sprinkle as I sent the farmer on his way after about an hour and half of getting everybody moved and sorted.
Just to add a little extra spice to the day my cow Macy calved! I'm excited that the weather is a little warmer but not about the rain. I'm thankful we are not having typical December weather but it's still chilly enough I felt the need to dry the new calf off with my jacket. With rain in the forecast I decided to carry the calf out of the pasture up to a lean to for shelter. Once I got the calf settled I then had to try convince Macy to come claim her calf. I spent the next couple hours hauling hay to the new mom, moving fences, and such. By the time I finished my morning chores I was able to come in and sit down to breakfast just after 2:00 in the afternoon.
It was a busy day and I didn't necessarily get everything done that I had initially planned, but that is how life goes. I'm happy Macy and her calf are doing well. I usually have a naming contest for my new babies. Winner will get a 12 pack of my photography note cards. Only catch, the name needs to start with a M since his mom's name is Macy, or it can start with an Mc like his dad, McReid. You can comment here. A winner will be picked Monday evening. Good luck.
24 hours....who knows what can happen in that amount of time? On the farm it can be very unpredictable but we all know....at least I'm not bored.
Just to add a little extra spice to the day my cow Macy calved! I'm excited that the weather is a little warmer but not about the rain. I'm thankful we are not having typical December weather but it's still chilly enough I felt the need to dry the new calf off with my jacket. With rain in the forecast I decided to carry the calf out of the pasture up to a lean to for shelter. Once I got the calf settled I then had to try convince Macy to come claim her calf. I spent the next couple hours hauling hay to the new mom, moving fences, and such. By the time I finished my morning chores I was able to come in and sit down to breakfast just after 2:00 in the afternoon.
It was a busy day and I didn't necessarily get everything done that I had initially planned, but that is how life goes. I'm happy Macy and her calf are doing well. I usually have a naming contest for my new babies. Winner will get a 12 pack of my photography note cards. Only catch, the name needs to start with a M since his mom's name is Macy, or it can start with an Mc like his dad, McReid. You can comment here. A winner will be picked Monday evening. Good luck.
24 hours....who knows what can happen in that amount of time? On the farm it can be very unpredictable but we all know....at least I'm not bored.
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