April Showers

As I walked my daughter down the driveway (1 mile round trip) we were exploring "sayings" and who came up with them.

Of course since the weather is rainy we spoke of "in like a lion, out like a lamb." and "April showers bring May flowers."

No I don't know who was the first to say it or who wrote it down so everyone else would learn them. Isn't it amazing that both of the sayings hold true in most years. Now if she were home schooled we would look it up and find other weather related sayings and discuss them. I would say that although my daughter goes to conventional school (for now) I continue to home school to enhance her spectrum of learning.

This year for earth day we worked in our garden (which is now ready to plant) and I hope saved one the Honey Bee colony by giving it a new queen. I wanted to go in and take a look to see how things are going but the weather will keep me at bay for a couple of days. We have our nectar all made for them since the blossoms that are out right now don't hold as much as the bees would like. I have a huge nest of Bumble bees pollinating my currents and cherries. Maybe their B52 size and noise keeps me from seeing the poor humble Honey Bees but I doubt it. The Bumble Bees have a nest in the front of my house in a old stump. I would love to see what it looks like however I would have to destroy it to do so. The entrance is about as round as a golf ball so it was easy to track them. Earth day was also the day one of our "Old Lady" goats gave birth to a huge buck kidd. She started labor early that morning but didn't kidd out until 2:00, OK maybe a little later that day. The kidd was in distress but all finally went according to plan. He is a strapping animal and he has a good home already.

We went to the 4-H auction on Friday and Saturday. I was spared purchasing anything on Friday because I had forgotten my money at home. They don't grant credit, yes I asked. Saturday I was not as lucky but most of the items are useful and the children participated.

Sunday I went to Canaan Ct. to meet someone from upstate NY to pick up my new Toggenburg buck. I realized you can't get to Canaan from here so I went to Fall River first. Upon arriving home I went out directly to look at another fixture for the someday Dairy Operation. Yes it will fit and I will have to call and go pick it up.

I look forward to Wednesday when my new Milking System arrives. I finally ordered on from Parts Dept. since the local guy had been less than happy to help me. I asked he get or make me one back in January. I think I gave him long enough. Sure then he calls and says that he thinks the parts are coming in today or tomorrow. Yeah sure. I offered to pay the shipping to send it back but he declined. I'm not so sure that they were coming in how about you?

Mom is feeling better with her Sinus infection and I look forward to her next visit. Tomorrow I am off to pick up a couple more calves. Too late to go today as I got chilled and needed to get some much needed rest. I have found staying up to 11or 12 (let alone any later) isn't what it used to be. No alcohol involved just makes it better the next morning but it doesn't make getting out of bed any easier.

I admit it!

I admit it .........today I am exhausted!

My poor back is in need of rest. Of course the rainy weather doesn't help but days like today remind me that someday I will need one of the motorized scooters to get around and my farming days are numbered.

I am sure that if I would stop falling down it would help immensely. Nothing lately irks me more than landing on my assorted body parts while challenging gravity to stay upright. I used to be pretty well balanced but with the mud and muck around, loose footing and rocks, well, I have been bouncing (more likely that is my imagination) off the ground more than usual. While at the angel girls concert last night (which was very nice) I couldn't even sit down. I will push on today as usual, maybe not as bright and cheery (yes this is bright and cheery for me) but forever onward and forward.

Two new calves yesterday brought in from other farms. Calf scours, so I immediately switched them to goats milk along with some bismuth and Albon and they, although still squirty, look much brighter and content. Poor things. I know they are destined to be veal but the conditions that they came from were less than nice. I appreciate how much care that I give my critters. Kindness always pays off no matter whom is on the receiving end.

The bees were buzzing yesterday so I postponed my visit to the hive. My fellow bee keeper had peaked into her hives and found her queens released to I will imagine that mine are too. I will wait until Sunday to move the bodies and frames around to make feeding them easier. I will also add pollen substitute to give them much needed energy.

The new layer chicks are excellent as well as the Cornish Cross meat birds. The coop is overly hot so I air it out every few hours. I won't remove the vent covers since the weather is so drastically changing from day to day. I am sure it is worth the extra effort. I would imagine the hatchery that the chicks came from will no longer offer chicks in February. They must have suffered huge losses. It amazes me that people don't care much for animals in transit and don't shelter the chicks as they should.

The pigs are also excellent. Drinking milk like pros and growing quickly. The over wintered turkeys actually bred and have fertile eggs. I am contemplating incubation. Maybe.

Well on to school work and organizing for taxes for next year. Busy weekend ahead.

Fun today.........

I worked with the bees today. They didn't want to leave their special package cage they came in and I gently persuaded them to vacate and move in their new home. I remained calm and so did they. I did have to cut one package screen since I didn't want to loose to many soldiers to the windy wet weather and dumped them in. I couldn't remove the empty upper body since they would have gotten smushed. I will peak in tomorrow and see if they moved into the frames. I'm in no rush I just want them to live. Seems to be more difficult than one could imagine.

April showers bring May flowers and this April first is raining for the flowers already. My hay guy predicts a dry summer again, time will tell. I think we will suffer from irregular weather. Not overly dry or wet but enough moisture to make the hay quality less than the best.

The last wave of kidds will begin in two weeks. I look forward to the process and hope we haven't any problems. Some will follow in May but only a few.

On to setting up taxes for next year. I have given my tax guy the paperwork due for all the forms and yet he has not finished the work. Why is this? I also messaged him and he hasn't messaged back. He better be alive or I will suffer the wrath of the IRS! I suppose another message is due.

Rampant Chaos

Sundays are supposed to be the day of the week where we find ourselves contemplating the events of the previous week, spending time with our loved ones and planning for the week to come.

This Sunday couldn't have been farther from the stereotypical.

Relaxing with my husband in bed with coffee on Sunday and discussing what our plan of the day was interrupted by a phone call from the Post Office telling us the new Layer chicks had arrived. They weren't supposed to be here until Monday. Of course off I go to pick up the chicks while the troops at home prepare emergency accommodations for the little tykes.

By the time I get back with the wee ones and show them how to drink and eat I still have to milk the girls. By the time I am finished it is 11:00. No worse for the wear but it leaves me short on time to prepare for the bees. WHAT! The family is demanding food? FINE! I make a lunch of Kielbasa and Kraut on Bagels and my rescue team is content. Off to work on the hives, I still have time.

The bees arrive today and I am completely without bases for the hives. I am looking so forward to meeting, greeting and installing the bees in their new homes. I would like to try a few things I have considered.............Phone call from the hay guy.........a wagon of hay today...........pick up around 1:00. One learns never to say no when the hay guy calls, especially when one owes him copious quantities of cash. I am sure it is needed to help get cutting under way in the next month, maintenance of machinery and perhaps some manure for the fields. Still have time to construct the bases for the bees and get the hay wagon and be back in time for the bees.

Phone call from a fellow goat keeper, a poisoned goat is on his way out, could I PLEASE stop by and do what I can so her daughter knows that all has been done. I would never consider saying no. This is also the person who has been kind enough to pick up my bees for me saving me the trip. I arrive and the goat is not well at all. He has survived quite a long time and perhaps has a chance to make it. I do what I would have done for any one of my animals but I fear it may be too late. He is plugged up severely and I fear the toxins have been retained too long. He actually responds to treatment and seems better. I am hopeful that with continued support he will survive. The bees have arrived I'm still not ready but I don't want to leave the goat until I see a particular sign that I can go.

Have to go, it is getting late. On the ride back I realize I had forgotten about the hay and debt and now become anxious and angry at myself. Why? I DON'T KNOW!

Get home, switch the hitch right away. Scramble to get the hives outside and set up. The area where the are going to be is not ready but will have to do for now. I will never be able to say enough nice things about those who are my family and friends. My husband and son had put together and stained the bases for the hives (that I had cut and was going to assemble) and set down a vapor barrier on the ground and put some sand on top. I had planned to put down stone for ventilation and hardware cloth to prevent sub-terrainial attack but some rocks at the corner of the bases will do for now. I can't shake my anxiety about the hay and my bee keeper friend is installing the packages for me. I am angry about that but is saves me lots of time with reference to the hay. A phone check and the goat is not doing well. I wish I had stayed with her. She is young and had put a lot of effort into working with the goat and it will be a loss that will linger a while.

Settle another debt for the bees and everyone is running off to their assigned corners of their worlds. Pick up the hay wagon...........set dinner to cook...........evening animal care unload hay and we are done by 9:00. An anticipated message on the machine, the poor goat has had to be put down. Dinner is served and lunches made and I pass out by 11 way beyond the time I should hit the hay. This morning has been tough.

I am again out late for morning animal care but my hair is wet and I don't want to get sick. So here I am at the blog. I am now very late to go out for morning animal care but I have noticed my Son has quietly slipped from the house and headed out. He can be a great comfort at times. With contemplation it shouldn't have to outweigh the bone head things he does but then again it is the x-y thing.

I will check all the precarious new comers and remove some hay stuffed in the hive entrances last night late (since I couldn't find my reducers anywhere), peak in on the little peepers and try to calm myself with the pisht, pisht, pisht of morning milking and regain my calm of chaos.

First the mile walk out to the bus with my daughter and explain why sometimes things don't always go as planned and why Mom didn't eat the Devils food cake and icing that she made for my anniversary with her Easy Bake Oven. Sometimes I don't even have the energy to chew and believe me I will need it for that task. She is an angel as well as my son, husband and friends.

Utter turmoil......

Who would have thought that typing a Blog could be so difficult. I thought take no time at all....WRONG!

Well I went from the peaceful content mood of Easter to the brimstone and fire of everyday life. Reality check!

On the scale of worldly chaos not important but in my life very important.
LYING. Kick me in the shine, poke me in the eye, I will get over it a lot faster than if you lie to me. The ultimate deception.

The hurt, the demoralizing realization that your not respected. Heck I know it just goes with life but I get so darned blasted freak out mad! I won't talk to you for a while and then it will blow over. However I will not trust you. It will take a long time before we walk that path again.

The bees are going to arrive this weekend Sunday, Saturday is the Hot Dog sale for the 4-h club. I need to find a cap for the truck so I can pick up the new buck without dragging the gooseneck for one goat across the state. Oh yes, the paperwork for the replacement truck for my husband who is working this Saturday our wedding anniversary, no not likely that we will do anything special than the normal fall into bed exhausted routine.

Off to visit a co ordinate some farm business next blog when? When I get to it I suppose......