Progress Continues

Progress is being made towards the lightening strike repairs.  We now have a new stovetop vent which is glorious!!  The last thing we are waiting for is the bill from Direct TV.  They had to come out, adjust and install a new box.  Since we don't pay for their monthly repair feature, we're on the hook for any "visits." 

We have a ranch visit from the Vet for our new calves.  Ear tags and castrations are on the agenda.  I can't wait to get the ear tags on two of the calves so we can tell them apart.  They look like twins!  The good news is one is a bull and one is a heifer.  We finally have a "cowboy" to help with the separating and chute functions.  Poor Ben grew into the job....

Ben continues to make progress with Fria's halter training.  Fancy is a mess!!!

The garden goodies are all dried up but they were so good while they lasted!  

House sparrows have moved into some of the swallow nests pushing out any babies that were there.  The dogs managed to find every baby bird and have brought them into the house.  It is a very sad state of affairs!  

Happy Fourth of July to all!!!

Picking Up The Pieces

 We continue to assess and make repairs after our lighting hit.  Seems we are the last stop for repairs on everyone's list.  The good news is the repair guys at least put us on their list!!  Our final item is the vent hood.  I am amazed how much we use it.  But we're ever closer to that repair being completed....

Ben has been working with heifers Fria and Fancy.  He's making progress with their halter training and leading them around.  Fancy is just like her grandmother, Sweetie and is making this process as challenging as she can.  Fria, on the other hand, was lead around the house yesterday and seemed the logical choice for entry into FFA competition.  

Rosie got her stitches out and is anxious to be given more freedom, tho that does not include time with Lance, the bull.  It'll be awhile before that happens. 

Summer is here!  Drink some iced tea and stay in the air conditioning!!! 

We Had A Direct Hit

We had a terrible storm about ten days ago.  As we sat in "our safe place,"  Bo threw up all over us, a tornado passed nearby, and we were struck by lightning.  The banging and clanging was very scary!  Electrical outlets popped and lights flashed.  Then all was quiet...  The TV box, vent fan, electrical outlets, WIFI components, and things we are still discovering, were fried.  BUT, we still had electricity and water (tho we learned later that the water treatment facility nearby was off line just long enough for us to have a "boil notice" for the next five days).  No one was hurt and as we continue repairs, we are grateful!!!  The lightning strike could have been avoided if we did not have this internet dish on a very tall pole sitting on the highest peak of the roof on our house!  Needless to say, neither one of us was surprised by what happened, we just didn't really expect it to happen.  Peg is busy investigating StarLink, but guess where that system will have to go?  Yep, right on the roof!!!  

On a somewhat happier note, Rosie's C-section was successful, tho her baby died.  Hate the loss, but happy Rosie seems okay.  In theory, she should be able to have more babies in the future.

Ben is working on halter training one of two heifers to show for FFA.  He's trying to figure out which to pick.  One, Fancy, is wild as all get out!  Fria, who is a little younger and whose mama is Red, is much calmer.  There is progress being made, tho it is slow.  Patience comes into play in a big way!

I think the spring storm chances are diminishing.  We still need rain but I hope it comes with less drama!!!!

Lots Going On!!!

There's a lot happening here.  School is winding down and summer plans and commitments are taking hold.  There are concerts and tournaments as school ends.  We've got a group heading to Florida to work on their tans and enjoy each others company.  There's the bear watching contingent headed to Alaska for that event.  Central America is the destination for others wishing to become fluent in Spanish.  And there's Colorado and SMU summer camp experiences eagerly anticipated.  But perhaps the best and most exciting event is Bekah's Bat Mitzvah.  She will bring the family together to celebrate this much anticipated rite of passage.  Congratulations Bekah!!!!

Of course there's the immediate ranch news...  Finally, the purple martins returned along with the various flycatchers.  We have two mamas fixing to domino, tho I've been saying that for a month now.  With all the rain we've had, the hay looks great and the pastures have plenty of grass.  The hummers are hitting the feeder like crazy as are the bees.  We have a ton of tomatoes on the vines but noting is ripe yet.  I check every day for a ting of color... Yes, all is well here.

We Lost

Yes, we lost the battle with the swallows!!  It was hard fought and tho there were no casualties, the porches were ceded and nests established.  It is now just a question of how bad the porches will get...

We're weening Ben and Fancy.  We separated them out from the herd a couple days ago.  There has been much bellowing and crying from mamas and babies.  They also managed to escape into the Hunt pasture.  The holes they squeezed thru were very small. They did hang around our fence line so capture was not too difficult. 

We've had a little rain and everything has greened up.  AND we have tomatoes!!  I'm already planning the burger or sandwich I'm going to bless with a couple.  The squash is up, but it needs hotter temps to put out blooms.  WE fertilized the yard so that grass is really taking off.  The mower is ready when things dry out...  

It's Officially Spring

Spring is here.  The temperatures feel more like summer at this point, but I'm hopeful they will fall back to normal.  Had our first good rain the other day.  With the moisture, trees, grasses, weeds, etc. have taken off.  We need a lot more!!

The herd's yearly shots have been given and everyone is out in the pasture including heifers Thanksgiving and Brillante.  The bull was already "wooing" Brillante yesterday, so...

The swallows have started building their nests and we're knocking them down as fast as we can.  At some point the balance will be tipped in their favor.  Not a happy prospect!  The hummers are fighting for their spot at the feeder as their numbers increase.  I've yet to see any purple martins.  Their numbers have been on the decline, but out here in the country, they've not suffered too badly.  For sure, they should be here by the end of the month.

Tomatoes plants are in the ground.  Can't wait for a fine specimen!  

Travelers Return

Yep, the migration back to the north is underway.  Last week the scouts for the swallows arrived and yesterday I saw my first hummingbird.  Put up the small hummer feeder quickly after.  The swallows are scoping out nest sites but won't build until their girls get here.  Dread the whole yearly routine!!

The hay fields have been sprayed and the area farmers have their corn seeds planted.  They/we need rain now to really get things going.  Our tank is as low as I've ever seen it.  Mother Nature takes her time and gives us what we need when she's ready.  Looking at the weather outlook for the next ten days, there's no rain in sight.  When the rains do come, it'll probably be in the form of storms.  We get the good with the bad!!