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!!!