Leap Day

Pasture Maintenance

It's that time of year! Just on the very leading edge of Spring, KC is shedding, bulbs are up, Crocus and some daffodils are blooming, and pasture maintenance has reared it's ugly, expensive head.

Yesterday he met with Todd, the local pasture expert. I've known Todd for decades and buy hay from him from time to time. He has a self-serve, self-load honor-pay hay buffet.

He and Tom walked off the area that we want 'done.' First, he'll dump sixteen tons of Lime on the field to get the Ph level corrected. Corn really takes the nutrients out of soil, no matter how good the dirt. Then he'll use the industrial-strength Round-up to kill every living plant. All the milkweed, all the mult-flora, Foxtail and Dandelions will be dead and burnt.

After that, no-till seeding with Orchard grass and Fescue. Orchard grass because horses love it, Fescue to hold the pasture together since horses won't eat Fescue until after the first frost. The roots will winter over and hold the pasture intact, cutting down on erosion and bare spots.

Sunny Sunday

The wind died down mid-morning and it actually felt warm! It's all relative, really, without the wind chill factor it was a gorgeous day.

We didn't get going until after lunch so we wanted to go somewhere close by and not do a long ride. We decided to go to Little Bennett, but didn't get there until about 1:00. There were other trailers in the field and another rig pulled in while we were already tacked up.

Some areas of this lovely park are rocky and KC is still barefoot. We also knew that one of our favorite trails is closed due to erosion. We discovered a whole other trail system that is under construction but in excellent condition. Also not as rocky.

KC was on his best behavior, I rewarded him with time spent eating, his favorite hobby. The Sun was strong, a beautiful day.

We got back before dark so he could change the oil in the Acura, finding a note from Todd about the no-till seeding schedule for this week. We're going to do the field that is not fenced in. Going to take some time, seasons, to transition that field from corn to orchard grass pasture. We can't do the pasture the boys are in because they have to get off of it, and there is no where for them to be.

A Cold Wind Blows

Arctic blast, Alberta clipper - whatever - the windchill has made the water freeze in the buckets with a ripple. Harsh, horrid conditions, not fit for man nor beast. They are spending the night in the barn, second night in a row. Put them in tonight before full dark. Too cold for them to be out there, the wind shifting direction, can't get out of its way.

While in the hayloft Friday night retrieving a bale of hay, confronted by a large hawk on the stack of hay. Big one, too. A few days ago there had been an obvious fatality up there, but didn't know the hawk was also spending the night. She was not happy that I was intruding.

I locked everybody in, closing all the windows and Dutch doors. This morning the hawk was sitting on KC's blanket that was draped over the stall railing. The song birds were scared. I opened the Dutch doors and she flew out into the sunshine.

I have promised myself a haircut this weekend, been putting it off so long, just have to put that puppy down and do a little something for myself.

It's so windy, the Buzzards have been grounded. The Canada Geese are having trouble navigating, keeping control of their landings. Trash and debris is blowing every which way.

It's so windy, the trees are thrashing around and the dying Maple beside the LQ trailer is creaking and moaning. That tree has got to go, along with a couple others in its vicinity. I would like to get them down before they leaf out and make more of a mess than they already will.

Mid-Week Update - February

I am going to be running home again at lunchtime to let Maxx out. He has not had an accident in his crate and I don't want there to be, ever.

Irene is getting very bold with him - I think she's getting tired of being under siege. She slept in the closet again (in the bedroom) - last night Tom was at the computer, Max was sleeping at his feet and Irene had crept silently and now was under the desk - Tom was shocked at what he saw, said Irene's name, which woke Max up and Irene ran through the house before he could react.

I also mentioned that my mother's method always worked, harsh, yes, but definitively worked for the remainder of the cat's life. If all else fails we will set Max up for a staged match with Irene. Irene Scissorhands, the cat with the super powers, will prevail.

After sleeping through the night two nights in a row, he did not sleep through last night - had to go out at 3:30am - Tom took him out because I am not doing it, it was his idea to get a puppy when we have two minis that need starting and Irene still needs to be spayed - my oppositional behavior coming out. He can handle it, right?

I went to CVS in Damascus last night to get my Rx refilled - I didn't know how long I'd be gone because, well you know, so while I was gone Max was being territorial and confrontational with April and while he's said I am harsh with Max I am not going to let him get away with horrible manners at 12 weeks of age! I am not giving him a pass because he's a puppy, or he's had a hard start in life. Not going to do it.

Max was being horrid to April and Tom was using my harsh methods and he said the dog just went limp - he thought he was dead or knocked out! but in fact he was thinking about his actions and the reaction to his actions and he stopped doing it, and was pleasant the rest of the evening. Irene even came up from the basement and all was sweet and lovely. A major breakthrough. Tom got up to use the toilet and he just laid there, like a good dog! It was great!

We just can't have a 12 week-old puppy being top dog - not going to happen. Everybody needs to come first, which makes him last. It's the way of the pack and herd. Just the way it has got to be for having peace and harmony in the household. He's smart, he'll understand, and realize he will never be left out, he'll just be last, each and every time.

President's Day

No water while we wait for the well shock clock to turn at least 22 hours. After that the flushing, flushing and more flushing. Still smells like Chlorine, but it's all good. The water is clear and for now we'll say the well is cured.

We had to go to the BIGBOXPETSTORE for puppy stuff (toys, collars, food, a new cage) and of course we took Max and April with us. He got a ride in the cart, April stuck close to me. Lots of little hands wanted to pet the puppy, which is a good thing, but he got tired and slept in the bottom of the cart on his treats and toys.

Another beautiful day, the weatherman was so wrong, again! We took a walk around the perimeter of the property like the Rescue's hand-out says to do. I don't think they realized that is a tall order for a little puppy.

Max is pretty good on a leash and is confident. The boys came to the fence for a how-do-you-do, and followed us around for a while. We ended up picking up trash all the way around. The Utility had mowed their right-of-way and broke bottles in the emerging Skunk Cabbage bulbs. We also saw Winchester rifle cartridges on our property. We don't have a rifle.

Breaking News

We got a puppy! I'm excited but need this like a hole in the head. He's so cute!! What are we thinking! I guess we aren't, really. O boy.