Is it November? Halloween came and went, lickity split.
Guess I'll need to put up the (only few) Halloween decorations I placed around. This is Skully, she makes her way around the farm during the Halloween holidays.
As a nurse, this was my fav pumpkin pic of the season. Wish I had thought of that!
But really
Where did 2019 go? I know one thing for sure, the holidays are coming and that means 1) more days off work, 2) time to reflect on the meaning of the season, and 3) I secretly wish that one holiday season could be about time with family/friends only, with no gift giving/receiving. It's not that I don't want to shop, wrap or send gifts, I actually like doing that very much. I've just been thinking about making this season different than all the rest. Giving of time vs actual gifts. I'm still bouncing this around in my head. It sounds good, but the societal traditions and pressures of gift giving is strong. My main focus about this idea is turning the focus on faith, and people who we love and adore. I'm still piecing it together, and not convinced I can not give gifts (big sigh). I'll need to marinate on this.
Remember Science Fair projects?
They were so simple years ago. Luckily, I now get to do them just because. The dust is settling on the Experimental Chicken Farm, and the stats are looking good. All 24 chickens are alive and well, with credit to Mama and Papa donkey for being there for them. Over a short period of time, we have grown their enclosure, then opened it up for free ranging, and are now in the process of breaking down the fencing surrounding them, to allow them to free range for real. Wham, bam. The process is slow, yet so fast. Chickens grow quick, as they waste no time when it comes to splitting cells. And today, I saw them venture out further than ever before, as we took away some of the fencing that I assume used to make them feel safe. This now allows them freer access to the outside world of '355'. 355 Little Elm Creek Rd is theirs to share with the donkeys. They are still staying close to their Coop (home base), but I see the braver ones pushing their personal boundaries and stepping where they have not gone before (gasp). You know the scariest part of it all? (deep breathe in) I don't know the ending to this story (long exhale). I don't know how I'll set up their next phase of life, as they grow and move out more into the pasture, grow more and start laying lots of eggs everyday, and then what about bringing more chickens in, and at what time to keep this all going because chickens only lay eggs for about 3 year (deep breath). So many questions. You know the best part about that? Google and YouTube and the whole big interweb is at my finger tips to help me along (interject feeling of relief here).
Chuck The Chicken Checker and Chicken Counter suggested checking them twice in a recent text, when a freeze was happening that night. Siri suggested I add that to my calendar. She's so nosy. Yes, David's pic on my phone (right now) is Emilio Iglesias. Sometimes it's Donny Osmond or Drake. Depending on my mood.
Let's go somewhere new
Backie did. It was only a matter of a day or two after Blackie was released back out to the wild, and four five seconds from wilden, he gone. His forehead was completely healed, his sweet self back out to the world and gone. Almost 2 weeks went by before he was back. Where did that boy go? Not to worry, he's back in his Spot in the Tack Room. Thank goodness, Blackie, you had me worried there for a minute (groan). Our hearts had attached to your sweet soul, and you left us. I can't imagine where you were for that long, but I'm glad you're back! For everyone following his progress, Blackie's wound has healed, he's still sweet as pie, and back home with us as an official barn cat. Please don't wander away like that, you scared me. And just so you know, you're now counted in the Population Count as part of our cat community. I took you out of the 'stray' category, so stay close, my dear (muah).
My Magic Pond
It's like a disappearing act. It used to be there, that pond we had. Then the digging started to make you nice and lush, and abracadabra, you're gone (poof). The rains came, the digging stopped and now we wait. It's like when you bring a sweater for the office AC and then are sweating outside. It's good, and then it's not (boo).
You can dance, said Vodka
A backhoe is not as easy as it looks to maneuver. Noted.
Phresh Phood, please
The idea to get the sheep and goats together was genius. It's working out well. They have certainly eaten the &^$#* out of the back pasture. But uh oh, winter is descending, and nothing new is growing. Know what time it is? It's not hammer time, it's feeding time. Fresh alfalfa and hay is on the menu with a side of sheep/goat grain. The goats and sheep act like it's crack, probably because their food supply is down to the ground. They know morning and evening is feeding time, and they like to announce it loud and clear. It's that time of year, when they depend on us for their food, as the pasture is no longer a food source for most all the animals. The donkeys will get a fresh round bale of hay, and the horses are being supplemented with alfalfa cubes. It's definitely the most expensive time of the year, as even the chickens eat more of their feed with less to free range on. It's fun actually, as it provides the opportunity to be face to face with everyone a little more than usual. Love to love them.
Speaking of love, Dotty and Petunia love Dixie's dog house. They are still small enough to hold in your arms. They are so cute with their little horns growing in. Cuteness overload, for sure, right outside my door.
The big change
Just like changing boyfriend/girlfriends or even menopause, season changes can be impacting and difficult. They bring new challenges and effort to adapt. As we move from Summer, to a 2 week Fall, and then straight to Winter, we have to hustle to keep up (hup). We've done it before, and know what is to be done. It all starts with buttoning up the barn. Closing the windows, shutting the huge doors more, putting straw in the horses, goats and sheep sleeping quarters. We round up the electrical water heaters just to be ready. Time to buy hay, alfalfa and round bales and store it. Things. Plenty of things to do. It's a matter of making sure everyone has access to warmth, water and fresh food. The pasture won't be available to them until Spring comes and grass and forbes grow again. It's funny, how this all works. We get so used to feeding everyone in the winter time, that when spring and summer comes, it all seems so easy. The ebb and flow of having farm animals is an exciting concept, and I always feel the relief when he have "made the change". When the animals are situated with proper shelter, and old feeding troughs are new again, then you can be sure the "call of the animals" to come 'feed me' starts (whew). Baaaaa, Maaaaaa, Neyyyy., and the Hew Haw-ing all remind us they are (patiently?) waiting for their food, please. Ready, set, let's get winter going. After all, Brooke has her Ms Claus apron ready to serve hot chocolate, so winter is definitely here.
But aren't you busy
So yeah, we work, have real jobs along with our own hobby's and passions. Never to busy for all we have been blessed to care for. It takes both David and I to make all this happen (yicks). Most importantly, what I have discovered is that both people have to be "all in" in order to care for the animals and property. There's a mowing season, a feeding season, baby farm animals season(s), regular clean up chores and more. Between the two of us, it works wonderfully. Right now though, I'm spending much more time running as I prepare for a race in March. Due to the distance of the race, it requires me to be on the road running for hours at a time. This impacts the routine at the farm. It in itself is a change that I constantly have to be mindful of. Thoughts like: when will I be out running, what needs to be done (work, home, farm), and what is the weather like (very important), so that I can do all I need to do to prepare for the race and be available to handle the chores around the property. So far, so good. But, it's an ongoing process that needs attention. Training for this type of race will wear anyone down, so keeping a healthy balance is always my goal. Right now, it's also about making sure all the seasonal changes are completed so that we all move into winter ready, healthy and well.
Sit Down! No more questions!
This was actually announced by an airline attendant at the small airport terminal in Key West years ago, when the flight was delayed for MANY hours (double digits), and the customers (including us) were getting relentless and demanding answers to their questions. Like, will we ever get out of here? And since I know you have one more question, I'm going to go ahead and answer it:
She was a unicorn.
Welcome to November, my loves,
Cyndi
2 comments:
YES!!! My apron and hat are ready to go! I cannot wait!
This post made me laugh out loud a few times. I like that David's picture changes with your moods. LOL!
And Sugar looked perfect as a unicorn!
'IF WINTER COMES , CAN SPRING BE FAR BEHIND ".... ONE OF MY FAVS FROM SENIOR ENGLISH ……
YOUR BLOG KEPT ME MESMERIZED ….SO interesting it is …...wow, I often feel like im on the farm with you guys and I start trying to figure ouft what duty I must share in...ha
you are such an interesting blogger/ write Cyndi …..thanks for sharing with me...
I read it wonce, but will reread tomorrow to get the full fun of your message...….
so much work to do and you and David handle it gracefully …… maybe a few mumbles , but so ……..?
good luck on your prep for March event..... be safe , be healthy ….
love ya dad
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