Wednesday, June 23, 2010

poor Beeker- BAD Camille!!!

She isn't so happy about showing it off, but you might notice that little Beeker is sporting a very bald area... thanks to Camille!!!

I'm not too sure exactly what happened. I was at the farm yesterday - answering yet MORE questions - when Camille snuck out of the house. I don't usually worry too much about that, because she never "goes" anywhere, but when she didn't return I went and called for her.





Sure enough, she came running back from the barn. When we arrived I asked her "what were you up to" but she never took the time to answer my question.


Later in the day I went up to the barn and found white feathers EVERYWHERE!!! I suddenly got a very sick feeling and ran into the "chicken stall", there was little Beeker on her nest. She was sitting so still that I wondered for a moment if she were still alive. She was, but when I picked her up, I saw this huge bald spot... guess now I know what Camille was up to.

So.. needless to say, Miss Camille will no longer be a welcomed guest in the barn, and poor little Beeker will probably need the entire summer growing these feathers back... "bad dog Camille!!!"

CRAZY-BUSY week

Since moving out of the big camp, it seems that life has taken off at a rate of a thousand miles per hour. Everything has to be done NOW, decisions made NOW, "now, now, now". There are days when I don't know if I am "a foot or horseback".. and quite honestly, I just want to be done with everything. The big camp must be ready for renters, so my dear friend Kim has come to the rescue on that one.. helping us get it clean and "vacation ready". I do what I can to keep up with her, plus try and see what needs to be "replaced, or redone" before people arrive. The farm house has needed a long list of "last minute decisions" made. So when I am not at camp, I am running down there to try and answer all those questions. Plus there is still a "ton" of painting work that I must get to at the house, and try and catch up in that department. Then hay arrived, so that needed our attention.. and there is still my "regular life".. dog classes to teach, laundry to do, my own animals need my attention.. my FAMILY needs my attention.. and here I am.. trying to keep in all in line. I keep reminding myself that in a month all this "foolishness" will come to an end, and I can breath then... but until that time... it's go-go-go GO!!!!







I did get those beautiful strawberries, cut and frozen. Plus we had a few "desserts" from them, and if time doesn't get by on me too quick, I would like another morning in the berry patch. The chickens certainly appreciated those berry tops and I took the time to sit and watch them enjoying their treats. I do need that "sit out time" and take it where and when I can.






Steve is working quick on the flooring.. carpets and vinyl for the upstairs will arrive any day now. I wished that I had all the painting done upstairs, so I don't have to work around this new "flooring", but that's simply not going to happen, and so I will just need to be very careful.









The living room is done, which is great, because we needed to get Titus moved out of the big camp. There was no sense (and actually no place for him) to go other than the farm house. So, Steve made a point of getting "his area" done, and we could get him moved.









Maybe not the most handsome bird.. but I have to say this "turkey vulture" was worth taking the picture. He was one big bird and actually caught me by surprise.







So, on Sunday, Kas and Nate arrived to help out where they could. Mainly we needed the lawns done again (THANK YOU NATE!!!) We needed to move Titus... and then all the computer and phone had to go, because the cable folk were coming to finish up the farm house on Monday. They also brought our big freezer up from our old house, so, that meant moving all our turkeys (we still have nine from last year) and then the small freezer that was at camp, was taken back so Kass has a nice smaller freezer for her things. Needless to say, this was a whole day's project!!!







And for the last time (and you are all knowing how I feel about the "last of anything" right now).. Titus's tank was put into the back of the gator.. and driven down to the farm..







And settled in.. he gets the title "first resident" in the house. (Actually he earned that last summer when we moved him into the basement). But this is it, this is where he will be now!!!!







And "brother-in-law" John has totally taken over the stair project. I am amazed at his talent on doing these stairs, and I will tell you all... I will never look at stairs again and not appreciate all the work that goes into them.







Stop a moment when you are about to climb some steps and really take a look at them. If done right, there is a ton of work right at the base of your feet.






So, the blogs will come when I steal a few quiet moments to myself, but I still have one more week of this warp speed life that I have chosen to manage. My dream of living on a farm was to change my pace of life and try something new at an age where I have the "freedom" to do so. Can't say that is exactly the way it's going, but it will... and another day zooms by, I hope I am getting closer to that dream.

last load of hay....

It would seem that "hay season" came at the "worst time" for us this year. With everything that is going on, it all comes to a screeching halt when Father calls and says the hay is ready. I have to admit, when I'm right in the middle of something that must be put down, it's a pain.. but once I get on the field, I will say... it's a whole different world and I am happy to be a part of it. This year, we brought in 415 bales, the smallest load we have bought since being here. But, I am still in very good shape from last year, and have decided that I just didn't need as much hay this year.



We are very fortunate, because Father has such a good group of guys that help him hay every year. They are his sons, and then some of the firefighters. What makes it so nice for us, is they are all more than willing to come and help us bring it into the barn. I hope they all know just how much I appreciate their help.. after a long day of haying, to then come and bring it in... well, I am just so appreciative. I need to come up with a "thank you" and am thinking a cookout here at the farm (once we are settled) might be a nice way.






"Miss Fox" (we think she's a she - but don't know that for sure)... showed up again. She really isn't one bit afraid, and runs after the tractors, grabbing up mice. She looks pretty healthy and certainly knows where that "easy meal" can be found.








couple of the "young guys" riding the drag and grabbing up the bales. It's so great to see that there is another generation that is interested in this "business"....










All loaded up.. taking a little break before heading for home. This is the last of this year's load, and what a great feeling knowing it's all tuck in and ready for next winter.











And as always, the "famous" last bale... seems like these days, and I am always looking for that "last one".....