Well here it is not even " officially " winter and yowza we have had some frigid temperatures the past few weeks. Other than this past Saturday ( we made it almost to 40 F ) it has been hovering in the teens and twenty's during the day and single digits at night. The wind has not let up . Not much in the way of snow though, just a dusting overnight the past few nights.
We took advantage of the warm day Saturday and I made sure I trimmed my pony Nuggets feet. She has a condition called Insulin Resistance , and one of the complications to this is laminitis. She has had a few bouts of it and I have FINALLY gotten her feet to look normal again with careful trims. This time around I dropped her heal a bit more dramatically than I have in the past but I figured I may not trim her again until March unless we get a break in the freeze. With the frozen ground and the aggressive trim she is a bit tender in foot but in comparison to last year at this time she looks great.
I also stripped out the chicken coop while the temp's were mild. I hate that job, chicken crap is just so (excuse the pun ) foul.
Still it has to be done and I know my birds were happy to have a clean coop with fresh bedding.
We had moved the little hair ram in with the big boys a few weeks ago. What I ended up doing was taking a 10 foot pipe gate and locking him in half the shed for a week. This way he was protected from them if they wanted to harm him and it gave the boys a chance to meet the new kid. We let him out after the meet and greet week and all went quite well other than a few shoves here or there. I know him being a youngster helped.
I will put my woolies in with my Cheviot ram next week for mid May lambs. I am going to use my little Brecknock Hill Cheviot "Prince" this year.
I have hair lambs due in February and am hoping we get this freeze over and done with by then.
It maybe was not the brightest idea I had to expose the ewes so early, but I needed to get the little guy out of the flock and so I figured I would just turn him loose with some lady's of his own kind.
I'll let know know if I am sorry for it.
I am now feeding hay at a blazing pace. The sheep did not even bother to go out into the pasture yesterday, spending most of the day in the barn or hovering around the opening to it. While there is still grass to eat I know there can't be much nutrition left in dormant grasses to keep any condition or finish on them.
I strung a tarp up over the barn door to the sheep side of the barn a few days ago since it faces west .
I hoped to keep it a bit warmer inside and it seems to be working well enough. There is just a gap about two and a half feet up from the bottom for the sheep to get in and out and it has felt warmer inside because it it not getting the wind blowing in as it had .
Have not done much with the dogs other than whistle work with young ones. It's coming along well enough.
I managed to get my Christmas cards done and mailed out. I have cut back drastically on my sending. One because the postage is getting a bit much and two seems no one really does the card thing anymore other than electronic e cards.
Got the tree up and decorated as well as a few lit Christmas things for in front of the house.
I never bothered to figure out WHY the lights that I painstakingly strung on the eave of the roof do not light but for a few.
My plan is to take them off the house first chance I get and stomp them into oblivion.
The lighted Santa and six candy canes is going to have to be enough this year.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Milestones
There have been several Milestones in our family since my last Blog.
One : We celebrated my dad turning 90 ( ! ) on Dec. 1
Two : My dad is one of the few survivors still living who was at Pearl Harbor the day of the attacks. He was interviewed by our local paper
Ret. Air Force Officer recalls Pearl Harbor bombing - Honesdale, PA - Wayne Independent
Three : My parents are celebrating 68 ( Yes, that's right ! ) years of marriage today.
What else can I say but WOW.
Other than that not much to write about. Winter though not officially here has come in full force.
It's been cold, not brutal but still cold. The drag of it for me it the wind. HATE IT!
I kid you not when I tell you we have had days of relentless wind, morning, noon and night.
At this point when it's kicked down to oh 15 mph steady it seems like a gentle breeze . It has been more like 25 + most times and laying in bed at night there were a few gusts that came roaring up the hill that I really thought the house was going to take off of the foundation!
We have had persistent snow squalls and showers over the past several days . Not adding up to much , but I do wonder if the wind was not blowing as hard as it has been we may have more on the ground. I think most of it just has been blown away !
While it is still blowing to beat the band out there today, at least it is sunny and not snowing.
The dogs on the other hand have no issues at all with the current weather pattern.
They love the cold weather .
It's been hard to keep the edge off them because I had not wanted to stay out long enough.
If you look at one of the photographs you can get an idea of how eh hem... " breezy" it has been lately.
Spirit's ear is blown straight up when she had turned into the wind!
Dream enjoying a good face rub in the snow
I am getting used to all the extra clothes needed to stay warm , but really am having trouble moving around. I feel like the Michelin Man with all the layers of clothes. I feel hindered and sluggish in my movement.
Everything just seems to take longer to do. Usually I can knock the feedings out in about 30-40 minutes. Now it's taking me close to an hour. I have the tank heaters set up for the horses and main flock so that will help (I'm sure PP&L will enjoy the extra revenue ) but still need to maintain the Ram's water, keep it open for them to drink. I have been bringing in the chicken's waterer each night and you would think they were in the Sahara Dessert each morning when I bring them their water!
I have not been doing much with dogs. Still out of sorts but better.
Have worked to young dogs a few times. I stayed down in the lower field just off the main pasture. It has a pretty solid tree line on the west side and has kept the wind slightly tolerable. It has several low stone walls to add a bit of challenge for the youngsters to negotiate. Mostly working on getting the whistles .
Rush is pretty good with them either fetching or driving. I have not made anything difficult and have asked for a flank or stop or walk up where it would feel right for them to do so.
Flint is doing well with all but his flank whistles. Now I'm not saying he is bad with them but he just is not quite sure yet. He knows when he hears either one that it's a flank ...oh but what one is it ?
Should I go left or right?
Rush is just a bit more solid here.
I am using all of the main flock to keep the sheep a bit more heavy so that they can push as well as not need to try to learn a whistle on flighty sheep. That will come later , once I feel the really do have a understanding of each tweet.
Flint
One : We celebrated my dad turning 90 ( ! ) on Dec. 1
Two : My dad is one of the few survivors still living who was at Pearl Harbor the day of the attacks. He was interviewed by our local paper
Ret. Air Force Officer recalls Pearl Harbor bombing - Honesdale, PA - Wayne Independent
Three : My parents are celebrating 68 ( Yes, that's right ! ) years of marriage today.
What else can I say but WOW.
Other than that not much to write about. Winter though not officially here has come in full force.
It's been cold, not brutal but still cold. The drag of it for me it the wind. HATE IT!
I kid you not when I tell you we have had days of relentless wind, morning, noon and night.
At this point when it's kicked down to oh 15 mph steady it seems like a gentle breeze . It has been more like 25 + most times and laying in bed at night there were a few gusts that came roaring up the hill that I really thought the house was going to take off of the foundation!
We have had persistent snow squalls and showers over the past several days . Not adding up to much , but I do wonder if the wind was not blowing as hard as it has been we may have more on the ground. I think most of it just has been blown away !
While it is still blowing to beat the band out there today, at least it is sunny and not snowing.
The dogs on the other hand have no issues at all with the current weather pattern.
They love the cold weather .
It's been hard to keep the edge off them because I had not wanted to stay out long enough.
If you look at one of the photographs you can get an idea of how eh hem... " breezy" it has been lately.
Spirit's ear is blown straight up when she had turned into the wind!
Bracken enjoying a nice back scrub
Spirit hunting for field mice
Dream enjoying a good face rub in the snow
I am getting used to all the extra clothes needed to stay warm , but really am having trouble moving around. I feel like the Michelin Man with all the layers of clothes. I feel hindered and sluggish in my movement.
Everything just seems to take longer to do. Usually I can knock the feedings out in about 30-40 minutes. Now it's taking me close to an hour. I have the tank heaters set up for the horses and main flock so that will help (I'm sure PP&L will enjoy the extra revenue ) but still need to maintain the Ram's water, keep it open for them to drink. I have been bringing in the chicken's waterer each night and you would think they were in the Sahara Dessert each morning when I bring them their water!
I have not been doing much with dogs. Still out of sorts but better.
Have worked to young dogs a few times. I stayed down in the lower field just off the main pasture. It has a pretty solid tree line on the west side and has kept the wind slightly tolerable. It has several low stone walls to add a bit of challenge for the youngsters to negotiate. Mostly working on getting the whistles .
Rush is pretty good with them either fetching or driving. I have not made anything difficult and have asked for a flank or stop or walk up where it would feel right for them to do so.
Flint is doing well with all but his flank whistles. Now I'm not saying he is bad with them but he just is not quite sure yet. He knows when he hears either one that it's a flank ...oh but what one is it ?
Should I go left or right?
Rush is just a bit more solid here.
I am using all of the main flock to keep the sheep a bit more heavy so that they can push as well as not need to try to learn a whistle on flighty sheep. That will come later , once I feel the really do have a understanding of each tweet.
Flint
Rush
Lastly, two of the litter mates have stepped to the post and made their first outing at sheepdog trials.
Liz Phares who took a pup off this breeding ran her pup Juniper in the Novice class at a benefit trial in ( I think) MO.
She ran against a handful of other Novice dogs and took a first and second place respectfully.
Maggie Chambers has a pup too that she named Strike and ran her in Pro Novice at Leslie Whitney's fun trial this past weekend.
She was very happy with her work but said that the sheep were quite light and since it was a fun trial she walked to help her dog get a better handle on the sheep on the drive out. She said she was pleased with the way her pup handled the pen having never worked her at one. She managed the pen , telling me that they were not easy to get in.
So looking like pups are off to a good start in both of their trialing careers!
Lastly, two of the litter mates have stepped to the post and made their first outing at sheepdog trials.
Liz Phares who took a pup off this breeding ran her pup Juniper in the Novice class at a benefit trial in ( I think) MO.
She ran against a handful of other Novice dogs and took a first and second place respectfully.
Maggie Chambers has a pup too that she named Strike and ran her in Pro Novice at Leslie Whitney's fun trial this past weekend.
She was very happy with her work but said that the sheep were quite light and since it was a fun trial she walked to help her dog get a better handle on the sheep on the drive out. She said she was pleased with the way her pup handled the pen having never worked her at one. She managed the pen , telling me that they were not easy to get in.
So looking like pups are off to a good start in both of their trialing careers!
Monday, November 29, 2010
the color for today is "Orange"
Yep, since 9-11 Paul gets a daily text of what the days "color" is.
Today in the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania the color is orange and will be for a few weeks.
Why?
Today is a day more important than any other day in these here parts.
More that Thanksgiving , Easter, Christmas, Memorial, Veterans or Labor day.
Today is the opening day for deer with rifles.
Schools are closed, businesses, and I'll bet the banks are too!
Not much to write about lately. Nothing good anyway and I just don't feel like sharing the bad.
This too shall pass but I have been in a funk. Sad from some current events and has made me not do much more than I need to.
Have not worked the dogs in over a week and a half. I just don't feel like it. So I'm not.
Today I had a visit with my friend Lori. She was close by due to work so she stopped by and we had lunch together. Was great to see her and catch up.
Have to get together and work dogs soon before the weather breaks bad and we can't.
I promise to blog more reliably once I get over myself ; ^ )
Today in the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania the color is orange and will be for a few weeks.
Why?
Today is a day more important than any other day in these here parts.
More that Thanksgiving , Easter, Christmas, Memorial, Veterans or Labor day.
Today is the opening day for deer with rifles.
Schools are closed, businesses, and I'll bet the banks are too!
Not much to write about lately. Nothing good anyway and I just don't feel like sharing the bad.
This too shall pass but I have been in a funk. Sad from some current events and has made me not do much more than I need to.
Have not worked the dogs in over a week and a half. I just don't feel like it. So I'm not.
Today I had a visit with my friend Lori. She was close by due to work so she stopped by and we had lunch together. Was great to see her and catch up.
Have to get together and work dogs soon before the weather breaks bad and we can't.
I promise to blog more reliably once I get over myself ; ^ )
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
a visit from the Farm Fairy
Gotta love that Farm Fairy!
Had a visit during the week and the result left our farm with two new rolls of 330' woven wire fence
12 Hog Panels
1 winter bib coverall ( that fits me nicely )
and the best for last
one post hole digger for our tractor.
I'll take the Farm Fairy any day over Santa Claus!
I think today is REALLY the last warm day we will see in a while. We have really been blessed with a good long string of pleasant days. The past two were top ten in my book. Bright sunshine low 60's F and non existent wind.
I think today may be the last time the dogs get to swim ( but they are die hards and we may still hit the water a few more times if its in the 50's F )
Been taking a few days break with working the dogs other than what needs to be done.
Have been getting other stuff done . One being stringing up the Christmas lights while the weather is nice. Had gotten them all lined out and fixed to the roof yesterday and realised I had forgotten to test them.
I thought to myself "oh they should be fine, I just bought them last year. "
Well I am sure you guessed it !
AGGRAVATING!
Had a visit during the week and the result left our farm with two new rolls of 330' woven wire fence
12 Hog Panels
1 winter bib coverall ( that fits me nicely )
and the best for last
one post hole digger for our tractor.
I'll take the Farm Fairy any day over Santa Claus!
I think today is REALLY the last warm day we will see in a while. We have really been blessed with a good long string of pleasant days. The past two were top ten in my book. Bright sunshine low 60's F and non existent wind.
I think today may be the last time the dogs get to swim ( but they are die hards and we may still hit the water a few more times if its in the 50's F )
Been taking a few days break with working the dogs other than what needs to be done.
Have been getting other stuff done . One being stringing up the Christmas lights while the weather is nice. Had gotten them all lined out and fixed to the roof yesterday and realised I had forgotten to test them.
I thought to myself "oh they should be fine, I just bought them last year. "
Well I am sure you guessed it !
AGGRAVATING!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
black and white
I have been fooling around with my camera and took some Black and White photographs . It is interesting how loss of color to a photograph brings out a richness and texture that can only be noticed by our eyes when we take the color away. I enjoyed working in this mode. I hope you enjoy the pictures I took.
Rush
Spirit holding a single
Bracken
 |
| Dream bringing in the sheep |
 |
| Flint |
 |
| Spirit |
 |
| Dream |
 |
| water over rocks |
 |
| old maple on the farm |
Plus, I made my first pot of sauce ( or better known to my Italian friends as Gravy ) off the canned tomatoes from this past summers garden . It was really tasty!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
