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Boots&Flipflops

499 Posts
Darla

Posted - Jan 03 2021 :  8:38:32 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hoping everyone has had a Wonderful Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.

This is a lovely picture of our barn with snow. We have yet to experience it in person, but we are blessed to be sent beautiful pictures and videos.




We are so greatful for the friendship we have made with the folks we bought the ranch from. They are working on their new home, which is just 10 minutes away. Our goal is to be up at the new place by this summer.

May We All Have A Healthy and Happy 2021

To Succeed In This Life You Need Three Things: A Backbone, A Wish Bone and a Funny Bone. As quoted by Reba McEntire

NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - Jan 04 2021 :  03:17:17 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hello Darla! Yes a New Year and you have much to look forward to. Lovely barn and view! You must be excited and full of anticipation. I'm going through garden seeds and getting lined up for new gardens for 2021. I don't have a lot of extra time right now, but that may change soon. We will know soon enough. Here is a photo of Hannah in her quad wheelchair. Difficult to do as we have to raise her with the winches and try to get her legs placed in the wheelchair. I don't know if this will be of any benefit or not. We just keep trying. It's been quite an ordeal for sure. May everyone have a wonderful 2021, full of life and good health!

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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maryjane

7072 Posts


Posted - Jan 04 2021 :  07:05:38 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Yes, let me chime in (ring in) the new year with best wishes to both of you (what a beautiful barn Darla!!) and especially health and happiness to Hannah and Janet.

MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - Jan 14 2021 :  5:13:19 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hello everyone! We've been enjoying some nice warm temps and sunshine and today winter came back letting us know that it hasn't gone anywhere. We are in a winter storm warning tonight through tomorrow evening. So perhaps some books, soup and a comfy couch or chair to wait this thing out. I'm sad to report that we put Hannah down last evening. She wasn't able to get up or stand for some time and so each feeding was getting more difficult. She would have issues with bloat and that caused some breathing issues, and rather than have her go through anything worse we decided it was time. We would have loved for her to get better, but it wasn't going to happen. Sweetest little thing. She will be missed. Hoping you are all well and having a great winter season.

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown

Edited by - NellieBelle on Jan 14 2021 5:14:26 PM
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maryjane

7072 Posts


Posted - Jan 15 2021 :  07:25:33 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I hear that the rain and wind we experienced recently is headed your way Janet. If so, brace yourself. No major damage here from the wind but the house shook and the windows bulged in and out.

Sorry to hear about Hannah. You sure did go the extra mile and try everything you could think of.

MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - Jan 15 2021 :  10:48:17 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hunkered down. Well, I am at least. Joe left for work this morning like always. We had strong wind and snow. We still have the wind but if looks like the snow may have ended. I've been through much worse. So, I'm reading A Forlorn Hope, the terrible ordeal with the Donner Party. Also The New Shade Garden, and Pawverbs For A Dog Lover's Heart. That ought to keep me occupied till the worst is over. Yes, we miss little Hannah, seems odd without her, but she wasn't going to get to enjoy life the way a calf should so it was time. First calf we've had problems with, hoping it will be the last.

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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Boots&Flipflops

499 Posts
Darla

Posted - Jan 17 2021 :  8:32:38 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Mary Jane, the way you described that storm almost sounds like a Tornado with the bulging windows. Glad there was no damage.

I am sitting here looking up the pro's and con's of greenhouse vs. hoophouse vs. hightunnel for up at the Washington house. Decisions, decisions. One thing we have decided it that we won't build a second barn. The one I showed in the picture earlier this month is 44 wide by 36 long, so we are just going to add on and double the length so it will be 72 foot long. That will be a nice big barn!!

Janet, I am so sorry to hear of Hannah's fate after all you put into taking such wonderful care of her. I do agree with your decision though. To merely exist and not live a happy life is no life at all. May she rest in Heaven's pastures.

Today was 71 here, (praying for rain) so it was gopher chasing time. For some reason the little buggars have taking a liking to a few areas of the pasture. I hate doing it, but the nasty gopher pills were put in the tunnels once we found them. Finding the mound is obvious, but those critters are smart and will backfill a tunnel solid and then you are out digging more holes than they did in the firstplace.

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the beauty of each day.

To Succeed In This Life You Need Three Things: A Backbone, A Wish Bone and a Funny Bone. As quoted by Reba McEntire

Edited by - Boots&Flipflops on Jan 17 2021 8:33:59 PM
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maryjane

7072 Posts


Posted - Jan 18 2021 :  05:30:55 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Darla, one of my farmhands this summer grew up on a ranch in Texas (I think) and one of his jobs was to hunt and trap gophers. He noted that I had gophers in my orchard, grassy areas, and pastures. I thought they were voles and yes, they've destroyed fruit trees, etc. The last few years whenever I've planted a new tree I encased its roots in a wire mesh basket sold for that purpose. Every week during the summer I poured smelly, fermented bull's blood around the perimeter of my peach and nectarine trees. Mainly, I wrung my hands in despair.

In a quick survey, he told me I had a pocket gopher problem, and then he asked me to buy four of these:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZONYPE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Even though I had several fresh mounds of burrowed soil every morning in my orchard, he told me he thought it was only two doing all that damage! He burrowed his hand into fresh soil, planted a trap he'd set, and then hooked it to a 2-foot length of thin wire attached to a stake he drove into the ground, "Trapped gophers sometimes pull your trap further into the ground making it hard to retrieve." Every day for about a week he set the four traps. The next morning he'd bring me dead gophers, pointing out the "pockets" in their cheeks, hence "pocket gopher." That was it. All gone. After hating them for a dozen years, gone. No more mounds of soil. Going forward, it'll be easy; set the occasional trap when I see activity, gophers begone. No more wire cages, no more stinky and expensive gallons of blood, no more hand wringing. And no poison; that I really like.

MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - Jan 19 2021 :  04:32:20 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
71 degrees sounds wonderful. We are currently in winter mode, with temps in 30's daytime. Not bad at all. Getting things lined up for spring planting, gardens and such. Sounds like you ladies have your hands full with gophers. We have them every now and then but hasn't been a problem. I believe 3 of my four cows we AI'd took, and waiting to see if Nellie took or not. New chickens from last year are laying quite well, as are my little Old English Game Bantams. Tough little birds and friendly. I miss Hannah, but all things considered, doing well here. Yes, enjoying the beauty each day. Have a great day!

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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maryjane

7072 Posts


Posted - Jan 19 2021 :  07:35:53 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Sounds like all things critter and greenery are in the works at your homestead Janet. Congrats on the successful AI. I'll be AIing Rosetta this July as well as welcoming a calf from her momma, Buttercup, July 16. I hope to bottle feed her calf with Rosetta serving as her companion since Rosetta won't be going into heat to torment a younger calf companion, hopefully another heifer. One can always hope.

I did order one package of honey bees and plan on ordering more mason and leaf cutter bees.

Today is supposed to be sunny, although right now it's pea soup fog. I need the sun for a bunch of photos I have to take today for the magazine.

MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - Jan 19 2021 :  08:43:48 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I wasn't going to order any more honey bees, because they are (so far) doing fine. Joe thought it would be a good idea to order more to be on the safe side. Seems like whenever I'm wanting to slow down, he gives a push to keep going. Oh well. Still able to function so guess it's okay. So 3-3lb pkgs. were ordered a week ago today. Two pkg. with Saskatraz Queens and 1 pkg. with Carnilolan Queen. I hope all goes well with AI of Rosetta and Buttercup's calving. July will be upon us before we realize it. I have some houseplants that need repotting but need to purchase some very large pots. Always something it seems. Also need to put in a seed order. Best get to it.

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - Jan 22 2021 :  02:13:46 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
When I saw this I couldn't help myself. A little humor to start the weekend.

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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maryjane

7072 Posts


Posted - Jan 22 2021 :  04:56:59 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Happy to eavesdrop in on Dolly and Daisy this morning:)

MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - Jan 23 2021 :  1:56:28 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
MaryJane, I had to share this as I know your grand girls have Layla. This is a new member of the farm. And the training begins.

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown

Edited by - NellieBelle on Jan 23 2021 1:58:37 PM
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maryjane

7072 Posts


Posted - Jan 24 2021 :  04:28:02 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Oh my goodness, Janet! She/he looks like a baby Layla. Name? Sex?

Three dogs total now?

MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - Jan 24 2021 :  05:39:16 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Good morning MaryJane! They are adorable pups and the parents were gorgeous. I named him Oakley, male. Yes, my two German shepherds and now Oakley. I will be adding another German Shepherd around May. Another male. Layla must be a year old or better now isn't she? We had a skiff of snow late last night and I see we are in for a 6-8 inch snow tomorrow. Good thing all the dogs love the snow.

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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maryjane

7072 Posts


Posted - Jan 24 2021 :  1:11:08 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Layla is just over three years old now. I caught a photo of her this morning out for her morning walk. They walk her on a leash on the days they don't want to bathe a muddy dog before letting her back inside. She's a rather large house dog, but Stella and Mia like having her inside. Mom and Dad, not so much. She sheds mightily.



Big welcome to Oakley!

MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - Jan 24 2021 :  4:13:25 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
wow, time just flits by so quickly. 3 years old already and seems like they just brought her home. Their markings are so striking, and they are so full of love it bubbles out all over. The German Shepherds shed like crazy too, so I go through quite a few vacuum bags. Oakley just loves it outside and the larger dogs get along with him fine so all is working out. So, I have truly "gone to the dogs." (and cows)

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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maryjane

7072 Posts


Posted - Jan 25 2021 :  3:54:56 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Yup, gone to the dogs it seems. Or gone on dogs. I mean who could resist this face from three years ago?


MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - Jan 26 2021 :  04:36:45 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Lovable teddy bears. What a sweet face Layla has. I'm enjoying the newest addition. I especially like watching him play with the large dogs, it's hilarious. We just got dumped on. Somewhere around 6.5-8 inches of new white fluffy snow. It's still blowing out and so it's hard to tell for sure. We will check on all the animals this morning to see how they faired through the blizzard. 17 degrees. Today will be scooping paths to all the livestock feeders, milk parlor, barn and chicken pens, along with the walk to the mailbox and driveways. A good work out.

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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