Chick List Cluck Out Completed

Since I used my last blog post as a way to track what the week's activities looked like, it's time to shake it all out.  

Turns out, Monday was surprisingly pleasant and uneventful as I even got off work early that day. It was time to gather some hay and straw for the week. It's a very satisfying feeling when the Tack Room has plentiful amounts of feed for all the animals. We even have cattle cubes in there as we are helping feed the cows next door while their parents are on holiday. There was even a new baby calf born across the fence line 1-2 days ago. So tiny and unsteady on it's feet, but nursing well on his mama now. 

It's on this Monday that we received a rough draft of the lease for the 21.98 acres next door (opposite side from the cows we are feeding) yet not yet signed the final draft. We walked the inside parameter (with the owners permission) and found wonderful pasture, along with bad pasture (lots of cacti) and some fencing areas that need mending. We also found Mr Galvan's Great Pyrenees dog who was always guarding his sheep at night in their round pen. The dog lived in his round pen even when the sheep grazed during the day out in the pasture. It was sad to see the dog passed away, as it was found out in the pasture and appeared to have died from not a predator, but (David thinks) starved. It's hard to believe, mainly because I felt like I might should have seen it and could have taken it in on our property. So it's hard to say what really happened to it, but it was very sad to think about what his last days might have been like. We are in no way being judgy, as everyone has their own life to lead with limitations and issues. We just felt really bad for the dog and decided to bury it. Wish we would have somehow known about it or could have helped it in some way. We finished walking the property and now have a better idea of what to expect regarding fencing needs and terrain. 

Then, the plumbers came to see us on Monday afternoon, and the first estimate from them was $325.00. Wow. Plumbing is expensive. I think I'm going to send David to Trade School for plumbing, welding and electrical. Then, in a turn of events, the plumber(s) jiggled things around and manipulated things, tightening this and adjusting that......then turned to David without any explanation and said, '"That'll be $80.00 actually". David happily paid without asking any questions. Then, upon their departure, one of the plumbing worker-men turned around and casually mentioned to David, "No need to tell our company that we did anything", eluding to the fact if the plumbing company office calls to inquire on how things went, to infer that no 'real' work was completed. Okay, then. They've fixed our issue - for a trip charge. Our lucky day, I suppose. I'll take it. The potty is now working wonderfully. 

Then Tuesday showed up and it started out as an Ab's Day. What I've failed to mention this year thus far is that every other day is Ab's Day in the Graves Household. I don't want to pretend that this was a New Years Resolution. It was not, and for some reason I'm not fully able to identify right now why I don't really do New Years Resolutions. Instead, I'll call it a 'Needed Thing'. You see, David and I lift heavy feed bags of all sorts. 40 lbs, 50 lbs, bails of hay and the like. Last year, we committed to each other that we would always lift these types of things together, and therefore begin a preventative maintenance plan to attempt 'not hurt our backs'. With age, we realize that we've not hurt our backs yet with farm activities and would like to try and continue that trend of so-called safety. You know, safety is not an accident.

Hence, to make our back(s) stronger, we first need to make our ab's stronger. And to our own amazement, we started a regimen of ab workouts (thank you, Youtube) 3 times a week and then changed to every other day. The result? You may not believe it (because I don't think I believed it) but it really works. We are developing stronger ab muscles and can even see improvement. We are hoping this helps in many areas of our lives from walking, to standing up straighter and to lifting (even though we're supposed to lift-with-our-legs). As much as I love to run, bike or do yoga.....I do not prefer ab exercises. Never have. 

Somehow though, every other day, we roll out our mats, turn on Youtube and find some young, in-shape person to walk us through an ab workout. Tuesday was an ab's day and our big decision is always: do we want to do a standing ab workout or a lying down ab workout? Sometimes we do both. We enjoy the luxury of a free workout with people who seemingly know what they are doing and telling us what to do. The 25 year old self in me could have NEVER guessed this would be a workout method far into the future. It's so easy I don't know why I wouldn't do it now. 

When Tuesday rolled around, the big news was the arrival of our 2 Hereford mini cows. I should probably clarify from the get-go by saying that the classification of these particular mini cows are "Classic" or "Midsize". They are not small-small and even border on being regular size cows to me. But what do I know.

From what we are told, is that they will stand (measured at the rump) between 42 - 48 inches. A standard size cow starts around 50 inches and up. Our heifers are not the mirco size mini's. Our two heifers will be smaller than the larger (normal-sized) version of the Hereford. Almost like our bulldogs, they will appear more squaty and stout with their body shapes. Currently, they are taller and lanky, and they do not have alot of meat on them yet either. Both appear somewhat thin, but Fern is esp thin.

We are told Blossom is 15 months and Fern is 1 year old.

They didn't show up as small as we might have thought
they might be. But we'll see how big they will get.

We named them Fern (with the mask on her face) and Blossom (true Hereford face - all white). Fern is sweet, docile, curious and will eat cattle cubes out of your hands. All while Blossom watches from just out of arms length. They are fast friends and enjoy grazing together. 

They get along wonderfully.
They are not related, 
just friends.

The biggest issue we have with them thus far is Buddy. 

Buddy is convinced that they will throw his ball for him. Fern will smell the ball only. Buddy lunges at the ball to tell her to throw it. Fern is confused. With time, they will learn more about each other and come to understand each other's purpose. For now, even the livestock guard dogs are trying to figure out why there are cows in their pasture. Fern and Blossom will eventually move over to the acreage next door, but for now, they are in our front pasture looking cute. 

We will be signing the land lease for the 21.98 acres this week, and will have access to the property as of March 1. Who knows what's about to happen, but I have a feeling we will be learning alot. The goal will be that the cows not get out. Their fence line is if-y and the raw truth of it is that they need a new fence. Esp when strong-willed cows are involved.

Oh yeah, Tuesday was also a treatment day for me at Texas Oncology. Oddly enough, Texas Oncology had mistakenly filed the treatment and visit under my old (crappy) insurance and you know what happened? The old insurance verified it and sent back an approval - even though I don't even have that insurance anymore. This old insurance still haunts me. I called the old insurance co and told them I have not been working there since Dec, and why would they be approving for me? It was a mistake on Texas Oncology to file under them, but the fact they approved it was wild. I'm not even paying for that insurance anymore. This saga continues. The fun of this old insurance may never go away at this rate. Seems they only really want to cover and approve things now - when I don't even have them as my insurance anymore. I have no more words for this circus except that it's certainly 3 rings of madness always there to surprise me. 

This reminds me.......so when the husband/wife, Mark and Stephanie delivered the cows on this same Tuesday, it was rainy, cold and wet. They drove from northern Oklahoma and seemed willing to deliver the cows to us, in Gunter. There's a reason why.

First, I'm home because my appt was canceled and David was home, too. We were both ready to receive the cows and welcome them home Tuesday around 1 pm. Sure enough, Mark and Stephanie arrived and a cow discussion begin. In this process, after the cows were off-loaded from their trailer, we offered them coffee and warmth inside our home. They accepted and we all found ourselves sitting around our kitchen table with a warm beverage, out of the drizzle and cold. 

It's at this time that we learned that these people were our people. We were seemingly living parallel lives in many ways. Farm things, how we look at life, our age, our attitude - and turns out - we share experiences with cancer. As we sat and chatted at the kitchen table, Mark began to tell us why he preferred to come deliver the cows during a weekday. He had just finished his regular daily radiation treatment for his ‘rare’ ear cancer and could just drive from Paris to Gunter for this cow delivery. Turns out, he has radiation treatments every week day in Paris, at the Texas Oncology there, as it's actually the closest location for the radiation that he needs. 

David and I both sat silently, watching and listening to him intently as he shared his story. Sometimes Mark spoke matter-of-factly, while other times projecting the uncertainty of cancer treatment - and of life. We get you, Mark. All while Stephanie interjected her thoughts and feelings occasionally. 

It was a bonding experience, a connection with 2 other human beings we had just met who were living a similar life. Eerily similar. She with chickens and goats, he with horses and cows. While we may not have the same animals, we all expressed the satisfaction of care and keeping of them, and most importantly.....the learning through it all. The learning of how fragile life really is. 

David and I both silently - and without verbal acknowledgement to one another - spent the next hour in what I like to call 'non-stealing' mode. A time when oneself decides to not steal from the story another human being is sharing. This was not about me nor David. This was about Mark and Stephanie. Do you want to just say, me too, me too?! Yes, but that's how we practice non-stealing. By allowing others to share their story and feelings and sit with them in their dark without interjecting your own story - no matter how similar it may be. This provides time to absorb his story, feel it, witness their feelings and focus on them. That feels good and it feels right. There is usually another time and place to share our own stories. This was not that time.

What seemed like a budding friendship and connection with wonderful people did have to come to a close for this day. They needed to get on the road to get back to their small town in Oklahoma. So they may turn around and drive again to Paris, Tx tomorrow for another radiation treatment. Then the next day, and so on.

As we begin to part ways, we shook hands and hugged, and wished them well. David gave Mark a cup of coffee to-go and we walked them back to their truck and trailer. I could feel what they were feeling and going through so vividly. Cancer (a rare cancer at that) a kind couple, a farm, and uncertainty. We will be staying in touch with them. When Mark texted me later that evening telling me they had made it home, I told him I wished we lived closer to hang out with them now and again. He agreed, although noting that with David's cooking, he would get fat. They were such real people. There's no fake inside them anywhere. I could sit at a table and play cards and talk with them for hours - and I never say that because I don't even play cards. 

Here's to a successful cancer treatment program for Mark, who has many more weeks to go. We are thinking of you and Stephanie - and praying for your healing. 

Wednesday arrived and it was back to work for David and I. Fern and Blossom were settling in and doing well and all the animals are surviving and thriving with this cold weather and in particular a very wet season of this winter. I did do something a little out of the ordinary that Wed evening and went about no more than a mile from my house where a very small gym is available to join here in the town of Gunter. I've struggled with this wet and cold weather, to get out and run, so I decided to join this gym so that I could use it when the weather was bad - or just because I want to work out inside. And sure enough, I discovered it's easy peasy! Like a place of your own to go where gym equipment is there. I even signed David up. It's inexpensive enough that if he doesn't go - it's really no big deal. And if he does want to go - he can. My biggest concern about this gym is that Sugar probably can't go on my runs with me there. Sometimes sacrifices must be made. 

On this same Wednesday, Maybe went to work with David, as the Vet Office is just next door. 

We'll get you feeling better, sweet girl 💛

So at 4 pm in the afternoon, he and Maybe walked over for their appointment. Dr Shelton diagnosed Maybe with a sinus infection which is causing her nasal passages to be constricted and making it hard for her to breathe through her nose. Poor thing. He rx'd her antibiotics and a nasal decongestant. If she does not improve, the next steps are x-ray and labs to be drawn to see if more is going on. She's just not feeling her best whatsoever and this will hopefully perk her up a bit. 

Thursday showed itself and what a wonderful low-key day it was. Yes, it was an abs day, and I did make my first trip to the gym for a run, too. I even enjoyed some elliptical time - as it's been awhile since I've had access to one of those. 

Then, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It's during this time that I got to spend a little more time learning about the cows and them about me. And bonus fun was that on Saturday, Lauren, Ryan and Brooks came over to the farm. Good news! Ryan found out on Friday that he was offered a job in the Prosper ISD at a new elementary school starting in the Fall 2023. This is wonderful news, as with their move to Gunter soon, finding a job within decent driving range can be challenging. And he did- and I'm so happy for him. Great work, Ryan. They will be lucky to have you. 

Introduced him to his new bed……
Hard to catch him not in motion 💙

These last few days we've also had some friends drop by, did some barn clean up, and collecting and selling of eggs, got to know Fern and Blossom better, and watch the lambs utters begin to fill. 

Udders filling slowly

We even thought Lulu was going into labor, but we were wrong. We misread the signs, and turns out they all are still holding on to any babies they might have in them. Lambing is tricky. Esp for us not knowing when the neighbors ram actually started breeding with our girls. It may still be awhile but we just don't know. The excitement we had with Lulu Saturday night thinking she was in labor was just a trial run for us. She wasn't.......yet. So we shall wait. 

Hard to believe it's already another Monday again. That the Super Bowl is over. That there are cows out front. That there are lambs on the horizon. That there are a hundred chickens in my barn. And that tomorrow is Valentine's Day which happens to be our anniversary. 32 years. It's hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that human beings pick another human being to live with/marry and then work hard the rest of their lives to figure that out. Thus far, David and I still work on figuring it all out. If I could sum up marriage in a nutshell (which is quite small) for me, it's been 32 years to actually figure out me, how I can communicate better, how I can set boundaries and hold them, how I can use my voice to express my needs, and how I can do all this with David, who has his own set of needs, desires and communication methods. Figuring out me and who I am in life, along with being married is not as easy as people make it out to be. But these 32 years have shown me that David loves me for me. And that's all I've ever wanted is to just be me - and be loved for being me. Thank you, David, for your loyal love and bright light in my life. Let's keep going......

Happy Love Day tomorrow,

Cyndi