End Of Another Year

As we close on 2023, I am reminded of this time last year.  We had a big storm that brought freezing temperatures, ice, etc..  It was so bad we had to relocate Christmas Eve dinner to Jennifer's because our pipes were frozen.  BUT this year is completely different.  The temperatures are in the 50-60s and are expected to remain in this range into the new year.

The leaves have fallen or are falling from the trees.  The sky is gray in anticipation of rain.  We are in great need of a good soaking rain.  We'll see how things shake out in the next couple of days...

We have two new heifers, Brillante and Thanksgiving.  Guess who was born on the holiday?  Guess which holiday?  Both are doing well and are full of calfness.

With the warm temperatures and the dry summer, we have been overrun by scorpions!  Killing 10 in a day is not unusual.  Our pest control guy is doing his best, but unless he sprays something strong enough to kill everything including the humans, we're stuck!!!!  

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!! 

Goodbye Allie

Allie passed away this past week.  A very sad set of factors set in motion her passing.  She was known as "The Big Dog" because she acted like any big happy dog whenever "her people" were around.  We will really miss her and her sparkle!  RIP Allie!!!!

The squirrels found all the acorns, including my big bur oak acorns, and robbed me blind.  We went many years without them doing any harvesting of the acorns on the trees by the house.  They are being sighted every day now harvesting.  

A deer was hit by a truck over the weekend and landed fairly close to our front gate but not on our property.  The vultures, for some reason are taking their sweet time eating it.  The stink is awful!!  I have thought about moving it somewhere but couldn't come up with a place far enough away and I'd have to touch it to do it.  Nope, I'm not moving or touching it!!!  I'm hoping the cold weather coming in will help some with the stink.

We have bought a Can Am to assist with our ranch work.  The two golf cart buggies went belly up at the same time and one was not worth fixing.  The other one, we fixed so we'd have a backup and the kids would have something else to drive.  We call this four-six seater "The Beast."  It is huge.  Peg had to have something big enough for the dogs so they can ride around with us.  Now they have the backseat and we had at least $5000 more in cost for their benefit.  

We did not get the second hay cutting...  Have released the cows into the 18 acres to eat what's there.  The rains came too late and the warm weather abated.  Guess we can look forward to next year...

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Fall Is Here

Summer is definitely behind us.  We are enjoying temperatures in the 70s and 80s.  Though we've gotten some rain, we could use a lot more!  The 18 acres and the pasture up by the house have been fertilized in hopes of that elusive second hay cutting...  

Rosie had a little heifer about three weeks ago.  She was the cow who had her baby first last year and has repeated this year.  Little Summer and One Two are friends and are constantly together.  We knew Rosie was going to domino because instead of her teats hanging perpendicular to the ground, they were so full that a couple of the nipples were horizontal to the ground.  On another cow,  Allie,  I noticed that a couple of her nipples were tending toward the horizontal position yesterday.  Will check her out later today.  I love birthing season!!!

Finally the Bur Oaks I raised from acorns are producing acorns!  There is nothing more magnificent than a Bur Oak acorn.  They are huge!!!  Hopefully I can beat the squirrels and pick them up when they fall.  The Red Oak trees, a couple of them, are also producing acorns.  Last year's Post Oak acorns I planted did not come up which was very disappointing.  Who knows when they will produce again.  

The last hummingbirds are migrating through.  I see only one or two a day now.  A stronger cold front is due this weekend so hope they are out in front of it.  

I am hopeful we will get a little fall color this year.  Our Red Oaks can really be pretty when the temperatures and wet weather are in sync with their turning.  I'll keep my fingers crossed!!!!

Summer May Be Behind Us

 It seems that summer is somewhat behind us.  We're enjoying temps in the 80-90 degree range.  AND we had .25 inches of rain last night.  In theory, we're suppose to get more.

We got the bales Peg ordered.  I'm not going to say what she paid for them, but I will say they were a kick in the teeth expensive.  We have started putting out big bales.  Not hopeful for a chance to bale any of our own hay.

Lots of hummers coming in.  I've been told it's because there are no wild flowers because of it's been so dry for so long.  If I was a hummer, I'd get myself out of Texas as fast as I could.

The big news is Raquel finally had her baby.  OneTwo Punch is a bull.  He has one big white spot on one side of his forehead and two smaller white spots on the other side.  Hence, OneTwo; we added Punch because he is full of himself.  That leaves Brownie as the only cow who didn't domino this year.  I think it is because having twins last year took a lot out of her.  Peg says she looks pregnant.  Who knows....  It looks like a couple cows who gave birth in November and December are on track to be birthing soon.  So it begins all over again...

 

RAIN!!!

Yes, we had rain.  It was all of 4/10s of an inch, but we had some of the wet stuff!!  I went outside afterwards and I swear I could hear the ground sucking up every drop.  The rain lifted our spirits and now we believe we will have some more in the future.

Unfortunately it didn't rain enough to help the hay grow so Peg is trying to order hay from the local feed store.  They can give her the cost of delivery but since they have no hay or know the cost of it when they finally locate some, that's all she knows.  We are giving the heifers (3 chunks twice per day) and the cows (1 small bale once per day) hay.  Most of the neighbors are already putting out big bales.  Our pastures, though not in good shape in terms of grass, look better than most other pastures.  Though the grass is dead, it is standing 4-6 inches high.  

Peg will be babysitting grandkids in September while their parents take a 10 day hiking trip through Scotland.  Sounds like a great trip and I'm looking forward to the stories and the pictures.

We continue to pray and dance for rain.  We also continue to look forward to the end of this summer heat and the beginning of fall like weather!

Summertime Blues

Over 50 days of temperatures over 100; topped off with NO rain!!!  The pastures are cracked, dry and crispy.  Unless we get rain soon, there is no way we will get a second hay cutting.  Worse than that, there's been no rain anywhere else so there'll be no hay from any of the other pastures in the region!  Our water restrictions allow for outside watering of livestock only.  

The good news is we had a couple mornings in the high 60s and low 70s so the swallows took the que and left for their winter vacation destinations to the south.  We can now do the porch cleanup we need to do!

All the animals, cows and dogs, are ready for a change, any change.  No wild animals to report as they too are hiding in their holes and shady areas.  There is one exception.  The armadillos are torturing me at one of the AC drip spots where there is just enough water that they can dig and make a mess.  I have offered bounties, etc. to try to get someone, anyone, to come shoot the rascals.  No takers!!!  So I continue to suffer!

The areas corn and wheat crops have been harvested.  The maze is next.  The farmers are waiting for some moisture so they can get into the fields to plow and ready them for next year.  Ah....  the circle of life!

Bad News

 They came by to make the second cutting of hay and said there wasn't enough to bale!  This is not good news!!!  We need about 90 bales to get us through the winter.  Right now we have 28, Peg ordered 15 more from a guy, and will probably order more when she sees what happens as we go through the summer.  We could get a cutting at the end of the summer but without rain, the chances are slim.

The barn and cliff swallows have finished nesting and now they are all just hanging out getting ready to migrate south.  That usually happens at the end of July and early August.  One day they are all sitting around on the porch and the next day they are gone.  The news with that is we can't clean the birdy poop off of everything until they leave.  It's kind of nasty...

The armadillos are driving me and the dogs nuts!  Brazen digging and rooting around the yard is totally out of control!  They even change holes in the middle of the day to set up for more digging and rooting in the evening!! The answer is to kill them but I can't do that.  I've put out powders, etc. to no avail.  I've chased them on foot and in the buggy; no luck!  I love seeing all the different critters we have out here but the dillos are not welcome.

We had some relief from the 100 degree temps this week but beginning Saturday we're back up over 100.  I'm dancing for rain or a hurricane that brings rain!  

What's Going On?

We're about at the end of June and we're suffering with 100+ degree days.  The mornings are pleasant at 76-80 degrees.  Looking ahead, these temps will continue into next week then back off into the high to mid 90s.  With these temperatures, rain needs to fall to save any chances of a second cutting of hay.  We are desperate for it at this point since we've had only a tenth or two all of this month.

The heifers got their bangs vaccinations and tattoos so we'll probably keep two and the others will be sold.  Raquel and Brownie haven't had their babies yet and it is doubtful they will anytime soon.  

The hummers are downing a liter of juice every two and a half days.  I'm amazed such little creatures can consume so much.  On the other hand, I'm probably the only person within miles feeding them!

The birds are going after what is left of the tomatoes.  I picked over twenty on Sunday that were starting to turn red.  The rest I left to give them some more time.  It may be a lost cause at this point...

Gran kids over for some summer games.  They are ruthless and card sharks at this point.  There is no mercy shown toward their elders!!!

That's about it from here.  We are healthy, cool if in the AC, and drinking plenty of water.  We are dancing for significant rains and looking eagerly towards the fall!

We're Into Summer

The first 100 degree days are predicted for this week.  We're late with the hot temperature arrivals this year which is both a blessing and a curse.  The rain shut off the middle of May so things are getting dry.  The first hay cutting was pretty lack luster.  We think it is because we lost so much grass due to the drought last year.  If we can get a little rain soon, I think we can get another cutting.

We have separated the older calves from their mamas.  Lots of crying and protests for a few days but now everyone has settled into their normal routines.  Although I say this every year at weening time, I'm amazed by the quick personal growth each calf makes toward independence during this time.  

The hummers are drinking the juice from the feeder like drunken sailors.  I am preparing sugar water (a liter) every other day.  I haven't seen the babies arrive yet which is always fun.

I have mowed the yard more times this year already than I did all of last year.  I 'd like to brag and say it's because we have such a fine crop of grass.  HA!  We have healthy and vigorous weeds!  

We started burning some of our brush piles last weekend and lucked out with a cool cloudy day.  We still have many more to go.  Branches are still coming down that broke from the weight of all the ice during February's ice storm.  It never ends!!  

As we heat up and dry out, the garden is slowly burning up.  The tomatoes and peppers have been out of this world wonderful but I've already lost the battle to keep the garden beds wet enough.  So we'll enjoy what's left and look forward to next year.

  

Spring Brings New Beginnings

After some challenges, we have settled back into routines.  Sweetie was sold, her baby, Stripe died, Valentino was sold because he was lame, the hay fields have been fertilized, and we bought a new bull, Sir Lancelot.  Red had her baby, Showers, and we are waiting on Raquel and Brownie to have their babies.  We had to put out our last good bale of hay after fertilizing because the grass was dying and the new summer grass was not here yet. The hummers have returned.  Peg's asparagus came up, the tomato and pepper plants have fruit, and we have lots of lettuce and spinach for salads.  Calfie's back feet have been trimmed so they no longer look like elf slippers (yes, we decided to keep her). An assessment of our tree losses from February's ice storm should be a happy one.  We lost four at last count, all baby trees which had great potential in our landscape.  We are still pulling broken branches from live trees and unfortunately their shapes have been compromised.  But living things that are rooted in purpose not only survive but flourish!  May everything flourish!!!

Our new bull, Lance for short, is only a year and 2-3 months old.  He is like an obnoxious teenager around the cows.  He is quite a bit smaller than they are but will grow.  Even at his tender young age, he must have had "the talk," as he knows what his job is.  

I've had a few recent wildlife sightings.  I have seen a beaver and a beautiful gray fox.  The bluebirds, scissortails, and painted buntings are back along with a variety of other song birds.  I may have mentioned that there was a sandhill crane down by the tank a month or so ago.  Of course, I hear the horned owls on cool clear evenings.  I had to relocate a giant box turtle that had somehow found itself trapped in the doggie containment area.  It was not happy to have been discovered by the dogs but relived to have been removed!! 

The best news is, so far in April, we've had about seven inches of rain.  The farmers are joyful and we have high hopes for a great hay crop.  Grass we thought was dead is coming back and the wildflowers are beautiful and plentiful.  Ah spring......

Just The News, Please...

Plans are in place for the remaining five heifers and one steer (all from 2022) to go to auction the middle of this month.  Also there are plans for Sweetie, The Terrible, and Calfie, elf slipper feet, to also be sold.  Both have calves tho one is about three months old and the other is barely two weeks old.  Very sad state of affairs!  

Sweetie's baby, Stripe, has had a tough time.  He has trouble nursing for unknown reasons.  We have mama and baby separated up by the barn so hopefully the little guy can learn to eat baby calf food.  He's doing a little better everyday.  His mom will be gone in a couple weeks so he really needs to learn fast.  Getting mom and baby up to the barn was a pretty scary experience.  Sweetie, The Terrible, snorted and chased everyone trying to get near the baby and near her.  Finally, we were successful and hopefully we can save Stripe.  

We are down to three big bales of hay.  The pastures are greening up some with spring grasses.  We've had a little rain to help but the farmers say we need a whole lot more.  We are just happy we made it through the winter as well as we have.  Peg probably bought 40-50 small bales over the winter to supplement the hay we had.  We use these bales to line the cow shacks, add to rings, etc..  

We have some one coming out to clean up all of the downed tree limbs from the ice storm from last month.  It's going to take a while to cut the limbs up, stack, and burn everything.  

Had a smoke detector chirping the other day.  What horrible torcher that is!!!! We managed to remove the battery and it stopped.  Peg and I changed out all of the batteries in all of the smoke detectors at the beginning of January so we know that detector  has died.  Since the house is ten years old, the old detectors are starting to fail.  We will be replacing all of them (8) in the next few months.     

Nothing else happening.  WE enjoy good health and a wonderful lifestyle!!

Ice Storm

Last week we experienced an ice storm.  The weather started getting bad on Monday afternoon and deteriorated until the temps finally got above freezing Thursday afternoon.  We lost electricity Wednesday about 11 AM and didn't have "real" electricity until Sunday at about 10 AM.  Thank goodness we had the generator!!!  This was the first time we have needed it and we were uncertain about how fast it would suck up the propane.  The good news is we had plenty of propane; the bad news is it makes an ungodly amount of noise as it produces electricity.  The stuff in the refrigerators was safe, sleeping with heat, and having hot water made for not too uncomfortable days.

WE have lots of branches down and some of the baby trees we planted over the years suffered the most.  It will be a while before we know the real extent of the damages to the trees.

Vivian had her baby during the height of the storm.  Little Vince is up and about!  

The groundhog didn't see his shadow so they're predicting another 6 weeks of winter.  At this point, I've had plenty!

Corrections, Etc.

 Imagine our surprise when the Vet informed us that Spot was a heifer!  We missed the sex on that one!  So Spot is a little girl and her correct name is Dot.  In theory, the heifers bring in more money, but we also have to keep them longer which of course costs us money.  

Big Mama stepped up and had a little girl just before Christmas.  Her name is Dawn.  She's a real dynamo and her poor mama is scrambling to keep up with her.  So now we have six with six more coming.  

The winter storm that came in just before Christmas was short lived but we still lost our hot water.  Peg called the plumber who told her to only run hot water through the faucets.  After about 8 hours, we had hot water and thankfully all is well with our pipes.

The wild critters in the neighborhood are loving the weather: cold nights and mild days.  There is a lot of digging, hooting and howling during the nights so the dogs are on alert and not interested in sleeping at bedtime.  Oh well, we'll take the nature that's all around us!!!