It Is As It Is

• We're expecting a hurricane, or something up here tomorrow.  Today I spent some time putting things away that were likely to blow away. 

 Good times.

The good thing is, that since I'll most likely have to stay inside, I'll have nothing to do but clean my office/sewing room.  And believe me, THAT is a very good thing.

• I also put the rabbits out for a bit of fresh air, since they're not likely to be able to run outside for quite a few days, depending on how soggy it gets.  They have nice cages, but I always feel that a bit of a run is good for everyone.

Daphne agrees.  She can't see very well, but she loves how outside smells.

I really think they love being outside, and it's great for me, because it gets them used to being handled.  And snuggled.  In that order, pretty much, but more snuggling than handling. 

• This morning the turkeys went to turkey heaven.  We didn't process them--they were WAY too big for any pot, cone, or even plucker we have.  I found a person through Craig's List up here who lives not too far away and would come, pick them up and process them in exchange for two of the Narragansetts.  That seemed more than fair to me--I love bartering.  I discovered a fellow homesteader this way, too.  It seems that he and his wife produce everything they eat.

Something to strive for, definitely  We've made a date to meet up so I can look at his gardens.  I've got to see how big they are, to see how they're feeding his family.  What I loved so much was how enthusiastic he was about homesteading.  He was inspirational.  I always figure I'm the only nut who thinks it's fantastic and everyone should do it, but he's the same way.  It was truly nice to meet a kindred spirit.

Most disappointing thing about the turkeys overall?  After 26 weeks of walking them to their stupid coop every night, and feeding them buckets of feed, and putting up with their stupid shenanigans and truckloads of poop, the two Narragansetts weighed 7 and 8 pounds, and Great White turned out not to be great, and weighed a whopping 17.  Return on investment?  Not really.  I'm thinking that we may not venture down this road again, or do it very differently if we do.

Blah.

• I did get a chance to speak to the vet about Min and Lilly, and she told me that she didn't see a need to separate them out from Dulci, as CAE is hard to transmit unless through milk or by blood.  So basically, if there's an injury, I need to stay on top of it, but I'm in contact with them all the time, so that shouldn't be a big deal.  She suggested that Min could still be bred if I catch the kids, and never allow them to nurse, but that Lilly should be a pet, as different blood tests showed some other issues.  She'll be retested in a month, but it's most likely that she'll just be a buddy from now on.  So she's "Companion Goat", and that's all right.

Min I won't breed this year, as I don't want Dulci's babies to suckle from the wrong mama at any time.  I'll breed her when Dulci's babies are no longer nursing, and yes, I'll catch the kids.

We had a good time with the girls today.  Min did her usual sneaking through the gate thing, and so I let them all out.  Most likely, they won't be out too much in the next few days, either.  My son and I raced them up and down the driveway.  What a blast!  They are fast as lightning, and there was no way either he or I could beat them.  We ran so much we had Dulci panting.    They are a barrel of fun, those girls.

I'm not happy with the way the tests turned out, I won't lie, but I know that in my heart, I can never part with my girls.  Fingers crossed that they don't show signs, but if they do, I know I won't ever write them off easily.  They are my girls, after all.  And I love them so.

And they smile:

 

And eat leaves:

 

And climb things they shouldn't:

And I've taught them to trick or treat.  So the kids should easily triple their haul this year:

 

Unless, of course, Halloween is washed out. 

And that would be bad, since I love me some horrible-for-me Milky Ways and peanut butter cups.  So bad for me, but so, so good.

Ah, my girls.  I love my girls. 

Be well, friends.  I hope you are all out of the path of this weird storm, and if not, batten down the hatches and good luck!

This Week Has It In For Me

Oh, for goodnesssakes.

You know the weeks you should just NOT get out of bed?  This has been one of them, and the world has it out for me.

First Ygraine died. 

And that was bad.

Then the girls' CAE tests came back.

Do I even need to say it?

Minerva-Positive

 

Lily-Positive

 

Dulcinea-Negative (YEAY!)

Oooh, I got one out of three.

Holy frikkin' crap, people.  What did I ever do to the world?

As it stands, I have decided that Lilly and Min (who came from a "closed and clean" herd, mind you) will live a life of celibacy.  They are now nun-goats.  I don't want to risk missing the kids and having them become infected and then having to sell infected goats.  No thanks.

Lilly?  Minerva?  This one is for you.

Maybe minus the high heels.  That seems a bit much to me.

I have read that the most responsible thing I can do is to destroy the girls, and move on.

'Cause you know, farmers have no hearts.

Yeah, right.

I can't do that.

I've become too attached.  They are the sweetest, wildest monkey girls ever, and I can't part with them.  Besides, who would I walk to the bus stop?  What other 90 pound animal is going to sit on my lap?

Exactly.

It ain't happening.  So I'm doing what I see is the next best responsible thing to do, and making them pets.  And yes, that kills me, because everyone here has a job, and now they've been fired before they were even hired.  So I guess "Pet" will have to be a job, and that'll balance it out in my books.

I think I'll call it "Companion".  That has a better ring to it.

By default, then, Dulci becomes the only breeder, and her kids will all be kept.  As long as they're not all bucks.  Hopefully the world is wreaking havoc on someone else that week, and will let me have a doe or two.

Dulci will kid, she'll be the milker, and her daughter/s will be bred when they are old enough, and then we'll have more than one milker, because one milker isn't enough for our family.  And I'll worry about what do with with their kids at that time.

The only question I haven't answered for myself is whether or not I need to separate Min and Lilly out.  It seems most people don't, and run a mixed herd without issue, but some do separate.  And of course, the big question is, how much time will I get with my girls before their time runs out?  That's the biggie. 

Is it bedtime yet?  I'd like to wake up sometime next month.

Ygraine

Ygraine died yesterday.

And I don't want to talk about it.

We have a lot of animals here.

I care for them all.

But some are friends.

She was a friend.

Rest in peace, Ygraine.

And So the Story Goes

I went to the Fiber Festival yesterday.  I went alone.  I thought I'd just go, buy bunnies, look around, and leave.  NUH-UH.  It was the best day EVER!!!

I can't believe how much I enjoyed myself.  It was a wonderful day.  I got there at 9:30, and went right to buy a bunny from the breeder I'd made contact with earlier this month.  The breeder brought five rabbits, one which was a Chestnut doe that I thought looked wonderful from her pictures, and would really add to the bunnies here.  When I got there and saw them all, though, the decision was not cut and dry.  They were all gorgeous, and their fiber is amazing.  I instead bought a Chocolate Agouti doe, instead of the Chestnut.  What can I say?  She called to me.  Her name is Daphne, and I took some bad pictures of her.  Here they are: 

Daphne trying to escape

Daphne's rear end

Can you see the coloration in there?  It's so had to get a picture of.  She's a light grey brown with a slightly umber banding.  Beautiful!

As I was picking Daphne, I heard someone else call my name.  This guy:

This is Daphne's brother, Buckley.  His eyes are bluey-brown, which just knocked me out.

But I didn't buy him for his eyes.  He's an Opal buck, and his wool is this amazing light pearl grey with a slightly darker banding. 

Probably the best picture of him is this one, while he's in his snazzy cage:

They are works of art, they truly are.  And I wasn't the only one who thought so.  When I went back at the end of the day to pick them up, the breeder had sold every one of her rabbits.  So yes, they were gorgeous.

I did make the rounds to the other breeders as well--there were only 3 at the show.  One had a nice smoky-colored rabbit, but I didn't like the way she/he (I never got that far) was being kept.  The cages were too small to turn around in.  Not cool, in my opinion, so I passed that one by.  The third breeder, however, had Satin Angoras, which I would not have considered, as I like the English so much.  But when I saw the color on the little ones, that went right out the window. 

Meet Camille:

8 weeks old, and a redhead.  I'm a sucker for ginger hair in an animal, I really am.  Look at her banding:

She's already got an amazing crimp, and she's as sweet as pie and feisty, to boot. 

So, yep, I came home with three, not one.  Oops.  I did say I couldn't be held responsible if I were to go alone.  And I went alone.  I did not, however, buy an Angora wether, and I could have, for a very reasonable price.  So I think, if you put it all in perspective, I did very well.

What I did not do, though, was walk through, buy bunnies, and leave.  It was such a gorgeous fair, I spent every minute I could taking it all in.  There's something very appealing to me about a craft that has tools that are as beautiful as the finished product.  I bought a pair of carding combs to work with the fiber I have already from Ygraine, some amazing roving to work with, and a pair of drop spindles. 

The one on top is a heavier spindle for wools, and the one on bottom is a lighter spindle for the Angora.  They were both hand crafted, by two different vendors.  They are amazing.  I also bought a hand-thrown yarn pot, because it's a brilliant idea.  And it's beautiful. 

In all, a fantastic day.  I haven't enjoyed myself so much somewhere in a long time, especially not alone.  It took me two hours to get home because of traffic, and I was an hour and a half late for feeding animals (and I heard about that, believe me), but it was totally worth it.  Today I will get everyone settled in the garage-barn and then maybe I'll feel all the beautiful fiber that followed me home yesterday. 

Have a wonderful day, everyone.  I leave you with a picture of the "bunny train", out in the back, while I clean out their spots inside.

All Spiffed Up

Ygraine hasn't been feeling well lately.  I'm not sure why, but I think PJB may have something to do with it. ;-)

Anyway, because she hasn't been feeling well, she's been laying around a bit more than normal.  And, I didn't tell you this previously, but Ygraine is all but totally incontinent.  Poor old girl.  But because of this, and because she's been laying down a lot, her back end is really wet and messy.  Which, I'm sure, contributes to her unhappiness.

Torn between not wanting to bother her, and really wanting to clean her up, I brought her in today for a bath.  She looks like a new Ygraine.

Hiding behind the toilet

It's obvious to me that she's been bathed MANY times before.  She was a show rabbit, so I know it must have been fairly often.  She just stood in the bathtub and let me wash her--even her belly.  I can't even imagine trying to do that with PJB--I think I'd lose a limb.

Big, fluffy ears!

I flipped her over and she said not a word in protest.  I got her bottom nicely cleaned up, and when I was done washing her, I took her out, clipped off the really bad wool that wouldn't come clean, trimmed her nails, and blew her dry.

She's the same color as the floor

She was very patient throughout.  She seemed much happier when the warm water ran on her, and she was fairly happy after we were done--she explored the house a little.

And now; in front of the toilet.  WOW!

Her back end isn't working really well, though.  I'm not sure if it's arthritis, or because her belly is so big (and I'm not sure why that is either, though I have a guess).  It was clear to me when I saw her hop around, that it's not working as well as it was a month ago. 

I'm still working on that, and I'll have to wait and see why it might be.  In the meantime, though, I am pretty happy with how she's done since she got here.  When she came, it was obvious she was pretty neglected.  She was super skinny, her coat was a mess, and she had fur mites.  Today, as I groomed her, I really paid attention to how she's done, and she's come along wonderfully.  I knew I had been keeping on top of her coat, and I was pretty sure I'd gotten rid of the mites (I had).  Her condition has come up a bit, too.  She's still pretty skinny, but her spine is no longer sharp in her back.  She's got a little coating on it now, and that makes me happy.

So she's a success story, in my book.  Not to mention that she's a sweet and gentle girl who normally loves to be held and petted.  I will have to wait and see what's up with the belly and her back end.  I promise, when I find out, I'll let you know.  In the meantime, I'm off to clean out carriers.  Tomorrow is the Fiber Festival. 

Well, Surprise!!!!

Allow me to admit how stupid I can be.  I'm not proud.  I am a dope.  Case in point:

Yesterday I came home from work to a rabbit in labor.  Bella was in her cage, amidst a mess of shredded papers and hay, and clearly straining to push something out.  It took me a minute to assess, but I realized--DUH--she was in labor and making no progress.  Yep, I'm a genious. 

I wasn't sure how far along she was, labor-wise, so I carefully picked her up to look at her rear.  And there were feet.  I'll be.  But the feet were the wrong feet (the backs, not the fronts), I knew that right away, and he/she was stuck, and poor Bella, she was having quite a time with him.  So I gently pulled the bunny out.  Field medicine at it's best.

As you can imagine, I think, he was stillborn.  A single.  A big grey guy (he had hair!  Freaky), born breech--too big for Bella, who is 3 1/2 pounds, to handle.  Understandable why he didn't make it.  I kept watch on Bella to make sure she was done, and an hour later, it was obvious she was.  So I left her alone.  This morning, she is her normal self, except--get this--she likes me.  Every time I've approached her in the past, I've gotten the laid-back ears.  Not today.  Today she's my buddy.  Ears up, looking at me without horror in her pink eyes.  It's nice to see.  I guess there's nothing like having someone assist in a difficult labor to make friends.

Why the surprise??  PJB (Philip Johnny Bob's nickname) mated Bella WAY back in the beginning of September.  My husband and I both managed to catch it (and laughed, because that falling over thing bucks do is TOO funny).  I did a quick guess on due dates, and waited.  And nothing.  28 days--nope.  31 days---nope.  35 days---nope.  When the dates passed, I thought, well, whatever happened, it didn't take.  But it did, just not that time.  Yesterday was way past the day, meaning that whatever I saw wasn't the time that worked.  But the next time, it did.  He's been busy, that little stinker. 

Of course, now I'm looking more closely at Ygraine.  She's got a pot belly.  I thought she'd just been eating well--she was so super skinny I've been feeding her up.  She doesn't want PJB anywhere near her, and hasn't for a long time.  I just thought she was old and crochety.  I admit my stupidity.  Yesterday, after the rabbit I didn't think was pregnant gave birth, I looked at Ygraine and noticed that she's really moody.  She's been a bit moody lately, but yesterday, moreso.  Yesterday she didn't want me to touch the sides of her belly, which is new.  This morning she is the same. 

Oh hell.

I put some nesting material in her house, I will cover half with a towel, and I will wait and see.  Maybe there'll be another surprise?  At least I'm watching this time.

But I'm not a total loss, I have learned from this experience.  I have learned:

1. Rabbits do not exercise restraint when it comes to breeding.  I thought they didn't like one another.  Um, no.
2. Just because I couldn't get pregnant easily and have lots of stupid issues with it, doesn't mean everyone has the same problems.  I should learn to assume that if a mating took place, there's going to be a baby.  Period.
3. I need to stop running PJB with the girls and put a fence down their play area.

I will keep you posted on Ygraine, if there's anything to report.  I will tell you that this morning, when PJB walked by Bella's cage, she didn't snort at him.  She looked interested in him again.  Like, "Hey big boy, come here often?" 

Strumpet.

D! O! N! E!

Yes we are!  Done with meatbirds for the year.  Ahhhhhh....  that's so nice. 

Hubby and I finished up on Saturday, processing the last 16.  It was a long day.  More than once I found my mind drifting to next weekend's fiber festival, and thinking "Won't it be nice NOT to have to do this next weekend?"  Oh yes, it will.

Out of the 35 we had, many have already been sold, but we have quite a few in the freezer for us for the winter.  Our grand total for this adventure?  195.81 pounds of chicken.  An average of 5.59 pounds per bird.  Not bad. 

The interesting thing about this batch was that it was a week between last processing and this processing, and the birds were remarkably different.  Feathers that came off easily last week, didn't this week.  Body cavities which were roomy-ish last week were unbelievably tight this week.  The birds were near 11 weeks old--3 weeks older than I like.  In retrospect, it was lucky they all made it to this point without incident, but they were too old.  What a hassle getting them plucked.  I finally skinned the last one, just because it was way too stubbly, and I just couldn't be bothered.  Chicken soup, anyone?

I went to their pen yesterday and cleaned out their waterers and feeders in the stream.   I admit, I was a little misty-eyed over it.  I had come to like this batch.  They were incredibly active-- most of the time they were in the garden in front, or mooching food off the layers on the other side of the yard.  They actually went into their houses at night (ish), and they were feisty as all hell.  But, what are you going to do?  They were meant for a different destiny, and have gone to chicken happy land.

And I am glad to say that we're done for the year.  Next year?  We'll see.  If the price of feed goes up the way it's starting to, we'll have to reassess.  Ugh. 

Well, 'till next time!

Meeting the Daddy of My Grand "Kids"

I mean my goatie girls' potential beau.  A Boer buck by the name of Zeus.

I wish I was able to get a picture, but he looks like this:

Picture 230 pounds of muscle and hair, and that's him.  He's quite a guy. 

I went to meet him today, after discussing breeding with my friend Teresa at the feed store.  I've known her quite a while, and I know she's as particular about her goats as I am about mine.  Zeus is one of her two breeding bucks.  The other's name is---get this---Thor.  HA!!  Thor is not available this year, but Zeus is.  He wasn't really interested in me, but that's because I'm not a girl goat.  Right now it's all business with the boys.  "Show me the women!"  That's all they're saying.

He's a huge hunk of man-goat, and I'm sure he'll be a great asset to the herd here at Chicken Scratch.  He'll come to stay for a month in November to be sure he's bred both Min and Lilly.  Dulci will be rooming elsewhere for the time being, so she doesn't get accidentally bred.  She's way too young, and nowhere near big enough.  I think her time will be next year, possibly next fall, instead of the late winter this year.  She is growing well, but not putting on the same poundage at the same rate the other two girls did.  I can compare weights at the same ages, and she's a little behind.  I don't think it will hurt her to wait and let her get bigger.  If I have the two in milk I will be happy.  Three is icing on the cake.

But the other two bananas are about 90 pounds now, in good condition, and about to be CAE tested to be sure all is well.  Then they will have a date with destiny.

And you know what?  I am a nervous wreck.  It's like sending my daughter out on her first date.  If I'm like this with my goats, I can't imagine what I'll be like with my daughter!  Tranquilizers, anyone???

Aye yayeyaye!  I think I need a drink. 

Anywho, I chose a Boer buck because around here Boer-cross are hot commodities.  I am hoping for good selling with the mix.  In addition, if I get a couple of nice sized boys, I can keep one for whethering and then teach him to pull a cart.  Teresa has a pair of Saanens she keeps for that--they are 330 pounds each---HUMONGOUS.  Their names are Bill and Ted, and they do work around the farm.  They are gentle as can be, and if I could have fit them into my jacket (or my car), I would have stolen them immediately.  Luckily, they are too big.  But I am intrigued that a dairy goat can get to that size and do that work, and now I'm thinking that's something I could really use.  We've been tossing around the idea of a donkey (read:  I've been discussing it at my husband, and he looks at me blankly until I stop talking) to do some heavy lifting.  I don't have a donkey.  But I do have goats who have the potential to make other goats.  And maybe I'll get a behemoth to pull stuff around.  That would be so useful!   Hmmmmm......the ideas are percolating.

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  I'm out now, to try to get some more work done.  Take care, everyone!!!

When Bad FO's Happen to Good Soap

Without mentioning names, I'm going to say that there are some soap supply companies that I trust more than others.  This time, I took a chance on one I don't really trust, and it proved me right.

Exhibit 1:  The first time I've had a fragrance oil rice on me

EEEEWWWW!!!!

YUCKY!!!!

GA-ROSS!!!!

 

It's a tested recipe, tested temps, the whole nine.  I didn't miss a step, and it traced beautifully until I put the FO in.  It was the fragrance oil, plain and simple.

I have a big ol' pot of yuck right now.  I'm trying to figure out what to do with it.  Smells pretty, but it's totally unusable. 

UGH!!!

The Low Down

The good news is that my finger is mostly healed up and I can now leave it unbandaged for a little while without it hurting like mad.  It's really ugly, though.  I did quite a number.  I bandage it not only for comfort's sake, but also to not scare small children.  Screaming children are really loud, and I'm pretty sure mobs of them will cause someone to call the cops.  Better not to tempt fate. 

The bad news is, if there's any, that I haven't been able to stop and write in quite a while.  While all the world looks like it's falling asleep here, I have just been hopping like a total loon.  The job list is numerous--I finally stopped at 57 items, but I know I'm still missing things.  Luckily, I have gotten some of it done, which is nice, because then I feel like I'm accomplishing things.  Crossing things off the list has become a bit of an obsession. 

Lets see, what's new here......

• I went with my dad to JFK airport to pick up my youngest brother, who just came back from South Korea.  He'd been gone a year.  That was a nice day, and a nice change of pace, and I am super glad to see him.
• On Sunday, we did process 19 of the 35 broilers we have---one week later than I would have liked, but oh well.  I had a conflict the previous weekend.  It went pretty well, and smoothly, since my husband and I have gotten down a bit of a flow.  He even graduated to "Chief Dispatcher", a dubious title to be sure, but a lot more help to me then I can say.  He sped up the day a lot.  Now if we could only draft a third person in to do the plucking, I could be "Chief Entrails Officer" and not have to switch.  Oh the glamor!!
• Yes, we have 16 more birds to go.  That's for Saturday, and then we're done for the year.  Yee haw!
• I managed to get some of the biggest jobs done last week, between the rain and my finger injury.  I got the goat house, chicken coop, goose houses, and duck house all cleaned out.  Yep, it'll maybe last a week, at most (especially with the ducks--piglets!).  It's done, though, and they are ready for winter in that respect.
• I also got the hugest job of all done---moving the wood pile.  The pile has been here since before we have, and some of it was good, and some of it was terrible.  I spent four days taking it down, moving the good stuff to a "to be split" pile or right to the new wood pile.  The crappy stuff I spread around the pond to try to shore it up.  That was some hard work!
• The girls (my goaty girls, that is) are being CAE tested next week, because it's breeding season.  I am a little worried about it, just because there are no guarantees and I couldn't see everything and know everything about their mamas (and I am a control freak), but I am hoping it will come out ok.  The vet has to come to us, because at 80 pounds times two and 60 pounds times one, my husband is unwilling to load them into the car and drive somewhere with them (wuss!).  Anyway, I am unwilling to breed them without knowing their status, so enters the test.  I am hoping for the best possible outcome--negative!
• The bunnies are bunnying along, but it's become obvious that Ygraine will NEVER mate with Phillip Johnny Bob, no matter how much he tries to convince her.  I believe her to be older than I was told.  I love her to pieces, so I don't care so much, and her wool is lovely, but it's a problem (obviously) for breeding.  So, I am in search mode for another Angora doe. 
• Which I may find at the Wool and Fiber Festival in Dutchess County in two weeks.  I am SUPER excited about it, and I will take plenty of pictures!  Due to a scheduling conflict, I am going all by my lonesome, but that's ok.  As I explained to my husband, if I come home with TWO Angora does instead of one, or an Alpaca, or a whole garage full of wool batts and yarn, it's all his fault.  If there's no one there to reign me in, I can't be held responsible.  And that's all I have to say about that.
• I have been sewing a bit lately, since we've had a bit of needed rain.  I made an apron, of which I owe you a picture, and quilted two of my mom's quilts.  It was nice to get back in the sewing room, but I still can't spend the whole day at it without feeling guilty about not working outside, where I know I'm needed.  Even if it's pouring rain out.  Yeah, it makes no sense.  Currently, I'm working on crocheting some washcloths because...
• I am doing another craft fair.  This time it's a true craft fair, and that's all there is there and that's that.  No food or stuff to see.  I am bringing the soaps I have left, and a few new ones, as well as making up some gift baskets and some other nice things.  I'm calling it "The Softer Side of Chicken Scratch Acres".  I am hoping it will go well.  It's to be held in mid-November.
• My daughter's teacher just had them read a book on Benjamin Franklin, whose father made candles and soaps.  My daughter, of course, spoke up and said that I know how to do that, so I am now teaching a class of 22 5th graders how to pour candles next week.  That should be easy.  Getting them to choose a scent will be the hard thing.  I believe I am to go back soon after to teach them about soap and have them pour out some melt and pour.  It should be a lot of fun. 
• Speaking of teaching and influencing, when I did the egg hatching workshop last year, I inadvertantly sparked a whole slew of new chicken owners, one of which is the son of my daughter's 4th grade teacher.  He's just started with a small flock of 6, and I've lent him some of my brooder equipment as well as my expertise.  When there's a whole bunch of new farmers coming up, you can blame me.

I think that might be it.  I hope you all have a great evening.  Due to the lack of sunlight and the wealth of coyotes, I have to go outside and wrangle everyone into their homes.  Take care!

Tor Haz a Soopur Powur!

Heyo Peeple,

'Sme, Tor. 

I is riting to yoo beecus the bad laydee can't tipe wif hur hurt fingr.  So I steeled the majik boks, and now I is riting insted!  Ha!

There is a cool ting I needs to tell yoo.  I haz a soopur powur!  Lemme 'splain.

I is too boored to look at yoo.  DAT'S how boored I am!

I has been boored. 

I is gettin big, rite?  And I is needing things too doo.  I can play in the day, but at nite, bad laydee and bad man not like me too play.  Dey say, "Go too sleep, Tor!". 

Wut???  Nite is the best time too play!

So, I takes matturs intoo my own paws.  I cassyooally casyooaly slowlee walk arownd and nok stuff on the flor. 

Pikchurs?  Bonk!  Gone!

Monee?  Clankclink!  Gone!

Eyedroppers?  Bink!  Gone!

But that makes too much noiz, dey say.  "Stop, Tor!".  That's wut dey say. 

Sheeesh, peeple!  I gots nuffing too doo!

So last nite I lerned a trik.  Yoo nowe I like to clime, rite?  Well, look at me now!

I climed all the way up and den sat up hi.

 

Den the metal thingy looked yum, so I bited it.

 

I thaut dat wuz prettee gud, and kinda quyet, but o no!  Bad laydee and bad man yelld at mee!  Dey say "Tor, get down!  'S ten thurtee at nite!  Go too sleep!"

 

Well, I got a little mad den.

See how mad?  Reellee mad!

'Cuz I not undurstand how comes I can't play.  And I unleeshed my seecret soopur powur!

LAZUR EYES!!!!

nyowm nyowm nyowm!!!

 

 

rowm rowm URRRRRRPPPPP!

 

I didn't nowe I had lazur eyes even untill last nite!

 

Wowwee!

 

I is amayzing!!

 

 

Unfortoonatly Unforetuneatlee Sadlee, bad laydee and bad man did not melt. 

 

'Stoo bad.  I finks dat I will need to wurk on my soopur powur a littl bit too mayk it strongur.

 

Den bad laydee and bad man WILL melt!

 

Ha!!

 

Mebbee I will wurk on it laytur, tho.  I is too boored now.

 

By!

 

 



Benchwarming

Yesterday, I sat down to make a list of all of my "to do's" for the fall.  You know, things to get done before it gets too cold.  There are things on there that MUST get done, like cleaning the chicken coop, and things I'd like to get done, like remaking paths, so that I'm not doing them next spring with all the other chores that will inevitably also need to be done right at that time.

I got to item 53 when I stopped, took a breath, and figured I might as well start then as any time.  I enthusiastically began to clean out the goat house and hay the chicken run when I decided to get out the drill and fix one of the feeders. 

The next thing to happen was the feeder bar slid and sliced deeply into my finger.  It didn't even hurt--until I pulled my finger out.

Sparing you the gruesome pictures. 

I don't think I've hurt myself this badly in a while.  I couldn't believe how MUCH it hurt.  And it still hurts!  I hurt myself all the time, I have to admit, but it's usually minor.  This one is bad.

So I'm benchwarming a little.  I am still working a bit, because sitting out is not my style, but to say I've slowed down would be an understatement.  And you should see me type!  Ha!!  Not so good.

Anyway, I will be nursing this injury for a little while and slowing down accordingly.  But you're not going to see me disappear!  I'll just be a lot slower in posting.