Hank!

So I found this beagle wandering around on our main road.  Of course I was afraid he might get hit by a car.  I brought him home, locked him in a horse stall with food and water, then went checking with all the neighbors.  So far it is not looking good for me.  Everyone says he was at my intersection all day looking lost.  I think that makes him a drop off.

The next day, because I hate dogs being locked up, I turned him loose and begged him not to bolt.  He seems to be older and calm, and very grateful to have food and nice kids to run around with.  All my other dogs seem to like him, too.

We are calling him Hank and calling the vet tomorrow to have some "stuff" removed.  I hope his old owners won't mind, if they ever come looking for him.

I have to wonder...What is wrong with me?  For years I had a rule about only owning one dog, Hank will give us 4!  Age seems to brings a soft heart, or is it a soft mind?  Which ever it is, Hank seems happy with it.

Cupcakes and Rainbows?

Jeana has a saying, "Life isn' always cupcakes and rainbows".  I think that might apply to my day yesterday.  At 6am one of the employees called to say the refrigerator in the barn quit.  No, that's not where the milk is, just their snacks and a couple dozen eggs.  Inconvenient, but not the end of the world.  So I take off for town and go about 100 yards when the rear gearbox in my beloved excursion comes to a grinding halt!  All that before 8 in the morning!  I was almost scared to do much more, but as the day went on, I was blessed with pleasantness.  But I think Jeana is right, life is not always cupcakes and rainbow.

More kids

As some of you know, I have this knack for finding kids that want a place to stay.  Or, I should say they have a knack for finding me.  This weeks additions are Jeana's 3 year old daughter that she just regained custody of.  Yay for Jeana!!  And then there is her 18 year old cousin, Alayna that wanted to stay for the summer and do some odd jobs around the farm before she starts college in August.

I am so proud of Jeana for getting her life in order and getting her daughter back.  She has had a tough family, ready to pounce on her for failing.  Just some good old "you can do this" pep talks and a stable home is all it took to make this girl step up to responsability. Of course I think her famiy would like me to point out that "she has to prove herself to them", or "she has le them down so many times in the past", but I ask this, "which came first, the chicke or the egg".

Her daughter, Hollie is a handful of 3 year old, but it keeps the house alive and pumping!  We have already taught her that water really is better than BugJuice.  Who feeds that crap to a kid?  So should I wonder why she weighs as much as my 12 year old?

Alayna is one of the few who are here for nothing more than good intentions.  She has been a great student, never got in trouble, isn't really running from her home life, just wanting to spread her wings a bit (and maybe earn a few bucks) before she starts college.

More flowers

Today was just another busy day.  I did start out by playing with my horse, Sean at 7:30 this morning.  We jumped a couple jumps.

As soon as I got home I was called because we had a new calf in the heifer lot.  We have about 20 heifers due in the next couple week.  A cow had twins, and then 2 more heifers calved after dinner.

After dinner I took my partners in crime to the local green house for some flowers.  Donna, the owner, helped design them.  My favorite part is the Indian pop corn plant in the back, perfect for a farm arrangement.

Newer than new

There is nothing more fun on the farm than witnessing a birth. No matter how many you have seen in the past, each one is awsome. And when it's a hiefer with her first, it's even more exciting.

Welcome to the world little man!

Farm Chores

Brian helping Mike feed our newest girl on the farm.  She will stay here a couple days before she moves to the neighbors.  Phil custom raises our calves for the first 90 days.  It just gives the calves a place to be center of attention.  With this many cows and acres to take care of, delegation seemed like the best plan for these tender girls.

Here the ladies are headed out to the new pasture.  I think they look as happy as a California cow!  It was so hot this afternoon they opted to stay in the free stall barn enjoying the shade and fans.  I don't blame them.

Here are those darn girls again, working away.  We went out and picked up 220 square bales on the hottest day of the year so far. 

Small Farmer

If you look really close you can see Glenn.  He is very proud to be the driver of the old Dodge.  He is quite the fence worker.

Fence, fence, and more fence.

Fencing off a big field is no small task!  Then add in dividing it for rotation and that's a lot of fence.  We have got 2 miles of wire strung and it's not enough.  The fun part is that the cows keep walking over to the gate and checking out our progress.  You know they are just as anxious for us to get it done as we are.  We are hoping to get them on the new pasture today.