It's NOT So Hot

 Knock-on-wood, but this summer has not been THAT bad.  We had rains into July with plenty of cloudy days.  Even these first couple of weeks of August haven't been awful.  But it could all go south pretty quickly...

Ben continues to work with Fancy.  I was told that Ben and Fancy are representing and promoting the ranch.  Hmmm...  I am not real sure what message we're trying to get out there, but Fancy certainly may not be the best ambassador for us!!!  Ben, on the other hand, is perfect.  What a combo!!!

Looked out in the pasture the other morning and I didn't see Lance, the bull.  I did see a shape that looked like a bull, but without the white face.  Well, that was Lance.  He had found some charcoal from an old brush pile burn and had rubbed the dark coal all over his face.  In the shade, he didn't look at all like himself.  A day or so later, several of the girls had also rubbed the coal all over their faces.  Must be the new facial regimen everyone is into...

The swallows are awful!  The back porch is as nightmare!!!!  They left August 25th last year, so I'm hoping they'll be gone by then this year.  I have someone lined up to power wash the porch when they do leave (Ben).  

I killed a rattlesnake who was hanging out around the back porch eating baby birds when they fell out of their nests.  It was small, but it had a couple "baby bird" size lumps in its belly!!!!  Honestly I think I prefer the snake getting the babies rather than the dogs bringing the babies into the house.  I wish the swallows were gone!!!!

The deer feeder is cranking out the corn so we're seeing deer under it in the mornings.  In the afternoons if the cows are nearby and they hear it go off, they'll run over to get a "corn treat."  

Summer Is Heating Up

 Finally or sadly, we hit 100 degrees yesterday for the first time.  The rains have stopped and it's just a slow march towards fall.  We sent five steers to the auction this morning.  It is always sad to see them go...  Everyone had a name and a known personality.  I have to leave "it" at that!!

The Purple Martins started leaving a couple days ago and noticed this morning, they were all gone.  Interestingly, we had our biggest group this year.  It certainly isn't because we made any improvements in the living quarters. I guess they just found we provided acceptable accommodations.  I'll miss their calming warbles and chirps!

Ben has chosen Fancy as his show heifer.  She's as bad as ever but still is a winner in terms of looks.  She'll stay here at the farm for another couple weeks then she's off on her adventure in "show business!"

I must make some comments on our recent service from Direct TV and Best Buy.  We required their service to set up the new TVs.  Both called us a couple days out from their scheduled setups.  Both said we had cancelled that arranged scheduled service and "did we want to reschedule?"  Well, of course we had NOT cancelled the scheduled service calls!  As luck would have it, the persons we were talking to were not native speakers.  After some heated back and forth, we were put back on the schedule with Best Buy, but Direct TV is another story.  All I can say is this is typical **** **** with these companies!!!  They know they have us. "the public," over a barrel and exploit it to the max!!!!  So our lightening strike nightmare continues....

Two Steps Forward, Four Steps Back...

Yep, just when we thought we were winding down our lightening strike repairs, we find we've suffered additional loses.  The TV in the family room went belly up about ten days ago as did the TV in the exercise room.  Big loses!  The TV upstairs has so far held up, but I'm not spending my money until I feel more comfortable that all is okay.  I'm calling our insurance guy since we've exceeded our deductible by now I'm sure....

The Vet came and did brain surgeries on the baby bulls and attached ear tags.  Rosie got the "all clear" so she's been out with all the cows for the past few days.  Lance, the bull, has been "wooing" her so I expect we'll see a calf in about 9.5 months!!!

The Hill Country of Texas, to our west, got the bulk of the rains the last couple weeks but we got over six inches in ten days.  The pastures are green, which is not a common sight in Texas in mid-July.  We'll get another cutting of hay this year which is a blessing.

Summer plans continue to unfold and all participating, are sharing their adventures.  Of course that means the canine family members are spending their time at the farm enjoying exotic meals (bugs, baby birds, cow poop, etc.) and cozy sleeping places (sleeping with us in our beds).  Fun, fun!!!

 

 

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.