The old tan colored cow with horns had a calf today! I think it is a heifer, but I wouldn't put any money on it at this point. I didn't edge in close enough to really tell.

In other news, I got the rest of the fence posts in for the fence across the creek. I'll string the wire tomorrow if things go as planned.

This morning, right after watching Perry Mason with Granddaddy, I turned my face to the water trough. (I should have gone out earlier, but Perry Mason came on while I was washing the dishes and I got roped into the mystery.) I dug around until I uncovered the pipe, nodded my head, and headed back towards the yard. I grabbed my PVC pipe cutters out of the pickup (yes, I know that is kind of a strange place to keep them!) then went to the barn. I grabbed the pipe with the float valve on it, stuck it in the vice and started trying to get the broken fitting off. I ended up banging on it with a wrench, which broke the plastic some. Then I just used some of that ol' ingenuity that makes this stuff so fun and pried it off with a screwdriver.

I hunted and hunted for a wire brush...I looked in the toolbox and around about. Having given up, I went back to the vice, looked down and groaned..."It was right here the whole time!" :D I needed to use it to knock off some of the rust out of the threads. Soon I had the whole contraption ready to fit back into it's proper place. I had to run to the garage and pick up my PVC pipe cleaner and glue.

By now, it was about 11:30 and Savannah came out to tell me that lunch was ready. She stayed around to help me put the thing back together. I had her go turn the water on for a minute to wash the sand out of the pipe (after I cut the old fitting off). Well, it filled my hole up with water, so I sent her in to get something to scoop the water out...I held my hand over the pipe opening to keep sand from getting back into the hole. By the time she got back the water had gone down enough that we didn't really need to scoop the water out...but I did scoop a little out anyway. Quickly, I slapped some cleaner and glue on the fitting, then we stuffed this thing together. After letting it sit for a little bit, we slipped the trough back under the float valve and I filled the hole back in.

The plumbers came and fixed Granddaddy's toilet today as well...it was kind of funny, I went out when the first one showed up and after a minute, as I was just standing there, he said, "Well?" and I just shrugged, not really knowing what he was getting at. He laughed and said, "Oh and I thought you came out to greet me!"

Then, later, I was in the house doing something at the stove when I heard the door rattle. The second plumber had showed up. As he opened the door he asked, "You don't have any man eating dogs, do you?"

But...to back up a little in time...I got the last fence post in and looked at my watch. 3:00 p.m. Good. That was exactly the time I intended on quitting. Why so early? Well, Savannah had taken Granddaddy to his eye appointment and we had a dinner guest coming this evening (it was a pleasant little meal), and I was supposed to take care of supper--and I needed to put the meat on at 3:30. (Get this--we didn't eat the meat! Our dinner guest brought over some venison...and I ate some stewed meat Savannah had been making broth out of--she'd already had "her share" or so she said.) I got home, washed my hair, put the meat on, ate a snack, and started cooking the green beans and carrots. I sang on the top of my lungs for a while, cleaned the bathrooms--to some extent or another, cleared off the dining room table and buffet (Savannah had sewing stuff out), and swept the garage all before the plumbers showed up.

After Savannah got home, I went out to feed my critters. Snip was so distracted by the buzzards cleaning up after birth that he didn't immediately start chowing down like he normally does. The roosters went nuts like usual when I entered their pen to fill up their feeder. They are so noisy and act like I'm going to eat them...well...I am, but not yet! :D The heifers were glad to see the food as usual. I filled their water trough up--also like usual. It just took longer since I couldn't run water this morning--I did haul out about 5 gallons this morning, but it didn't fill it up. I was barefoot and I stepped right into a chilly pie...which made me laugh! I did wash my feet before coming in though.

A busy day with several things completed...quite satisfying!

Um...sorta. A day off from fence building that is. I was so draggy today. When talking to Mama this morning, she told me to take the day off from fence building. I agreed pretty quickly because my wrists are still hurting from it. So...I went to the feed store this morning.

I fully intended on feeding my cows first, but I drove right past the road! So, I just went on into town.

I didn't really do anything overly exciting today...I washed my sheets and some filthy clothes...played my guitar for a little bit (yay!!! I've really fallen out of the habit), photographed and listed the lastest pair of socks, and gave Granddaddy one of the pairs with the messed up toes. His face lit up when I handed them to him and he had to try one on. So, I helped him with that since he was flat on his back in that recliner.

I decided to take my slow moving self for a horse ride. Savannah looked at me like I was on the verge of nuts and said, "Are you sure?" I was like, "Yep...he needs to be ridden." He behaved himself pretty well. We walked, trotted, and loped just a tad. I worked on spins--which aren't near a spin yet and a few other things that take patience. No bucks today!

Anyway, there was a providential reason for my ride that I had no idea about--I had a watering hole where I should have had a water trough. That's right...this time it wasn't because the trough had slipped off the mound or the water was pouring out a half-inch hole in the trough. Nope. It was more serious. Some booger broke the pipe off at the base! Anyway, I slogged out there and attempted to plug the hole, but it didn't work, so we just cut the water off to the pasture. Hopefully by tomorrow the water will all be gone and I can work on that. So...I may or may not get back to fence tomorrow. I will have to cart some water out to the calves in the morning, but that is doable.

Sorry if this isn't so interesting tonight...my chatterbox isn't working to great and my hands are stiff. :)

Maybe I'll have more interesting tales to tell tomorrow...

Critters, computer time, fence work, and more critters. That's the short version. :D

The long version is probably slightly more intresting. The morning was pretty normal--only I ate my breakfast before going across the creek to feed my cows. Mama told me I probably ought to...and you know what? I think my stomach agrees! (As well as my brain...)

I finally got the first AfterEffects composition finished today...it looks something like this:

I heated up lunch (leftovers are so easy--particularly when one is distracted) and at almost noon, I woke Granddaddy up (he was snoozing in front of the TV like he often does that time of day) so we could eat. Then I washed the dishes and had my coffee.

Shortly thereafter, I betook myself off to go work on the fence at our place. I got the remaining three wires strung on the first section, north of the footgate, and then started on the second section, south of the footgate. The wire stringing wasn't hard and I managed to get the wire fairly tight without too much trouble.

Then I started digging holes and planting posts again. I got the first 'H' frame fixed up--including the 'deadman'--which I did a better job on than the other two. I bent two nails into useless wiggles trying to get the cross bar in. I was starting to get frustrated before I realized that there had to be a knot in that post and that it would go better if I started pounding the nails in with the post laying on the ground! I can be a bit of dummy sometimes, you know...I was just trying to do it like I had yesterday--but then again, that post first had to be trimmed and then it was still super tight...

Anyway, before I went further, I called Mama, but got Daddy instead--which in the long run was probably better. I talked to Daddy a bit about what to do; since the only part of the fence that is really falling down is north of the water trough, I was wondering if I should just do that part--but also thinking how it would have looked silly like that.

Anyway, Daddy told me to do the whole length. I got started digging a post hole and kept hitting root. (There is an oak right there in the fence row.) I finally found a spot where I could get through--the problem with that being it was just about where I had planned to plant a deadman. I instead just put the post in normal depth. I don't know if I will put a dead man in there or not...the corner post I'm going to attach the wire to is pretty solid...I'll make my final decision on that one tomorrow when I get back to the job.

By this time, my wrists were really hurting and I was hungry, so I called it quits for the day. After cleaning up after myself of course. I don't leave tools laying around, you know. I really need to get out there and burn the old, decomposing hay and all those palm fronds...when I do that, I'm going to have a hose in hand.

I got home and we fed the cows. Then we moved the chickens. We should have done it yesterday, but we didn't. The rooster I have in with the hens, I'm going to keep...he's kind of become a pet. (I know Mama, I wasn't supposed to let that happen!) I call him "Tail-less" because he hasn't much of a tail left. I also think I have at least two Buff Orphingtons among my New Hampshire Red hens...they just look like Buff's--which is fine with me because I like the Buffy's. :) There is also a Rhode Island Red hen running around with the roosters. When I put that crazy black and white thing and my poor little wounded henny back in with the rest of the hens, I'll add Miss Rhode Island. Speaking of the little hen, she seems to be getting a little better--slowly. She eats and drinks and is letting that foot down a little more. I let her out of the kennel today and she got some green stuff in her. While she hopped a bit, I got my fingers into her feathers and tried to clean her up some. She did a little preening herself--which is the first I've seen since we've had her 'hospitalized'. I think I may let her out like that again for a few minutes tomorrow. It seemed to do her good.

After I put her back in the kennel, I  fed Snip--who really had been very patient. Savannah fed the cats. I then rushed off to feed the heifers. I'm glad the golf cart didn't die on me because I forgot to put it on the charger last night and I meant to put it on this morning after I got back from the pens--but I forgot!

The rest of the evening was going normally, until Uncle Rod showed up with his wife to do a little pistol . Snip of course, decided that he had to know what was going on and stood right behind the backstop. I changed and hauled him off into the horse lot and closed the gap gate. That horse is so downright silly! Oh well...

Well, I'll go see if Savannah is about ready for prayers... :)

I rode Snip this morning. As it was cool and breezy, he decided that he wasn't going to be the most cooperative. (That and he also needs his feet trimmed and he needs to be wormed--both items on my to-do list.)

He bucked on me once, but I slammed him down and backed him up as is my habit before he really got going. Ornery critter...anyway...I thought ya'll might like to see some pictures of my ever growing horse. He no longer looks like a scrawny pony, but like a real horse. So...enjoy! :)

I'm still wearing my old worn out boots to ride in...sometime when I take my feet out of the stirrups and ride like that, I feel like my boots are falling off! But, I might as well keep wearing them until they completely fall apart. Besides, they are still fairly comfortable. (Good boots, those.)

Mama Cat has four kittens...one pur black like her, two gray and whites, and one black and white. So far, I have only managed to catch the black one and one of the gray and white ones. I have thereby determined that at least half the litter are male. :) These kittens are even scaredier (not a real word) than the last lot.

Well, anyway, I'd better get off of here. I have work to do. I intend, Lord willing, to at least get a good start on putting a barb-wire fence up at our place. The chain-link has been continually going down hill and now it has reached a point where I can't just kick it back into position anymore. After talking with the folks, it was determined to put a barb-wire fence up just inside the chain-link. I think I'll give it a good go at taking the chain-link down once I have the fence up. I'm not sure exactly how to take the chain-link down, but I don't imagine it'll be too difficult to find out.

I was going to do this last week, but what between the rain and then me not feeling well--it just didn't happen. I'm not complaining, we needed the rain and I managed to get another pair of socks done. :)

See ya later then!

If ya'll hang on for a few minutes...I'll get the next installment of James and Burke up on 'Stories by Racheal'. I think I've put up several episodes since the last time I mentioned it...Some evenings, I sit and work on James and Burke for a little bit; it gets done that way so I don't have to take a chunk out of my day when I could be doing something a tad more, well, useful. :D

I'll go ahead and say here that the next several may actually raise some eyebrows (obstructed romance, you know). However, what I want to go ahead and point out is that on neither character's side is there rebellion. I have talked to Savannah about it twice and did some thinking on my own and came to the conclusion that the joining of the two characters in marriage was not wrong. The person who acts as the obstacle is not really an obstacle when one looks beyond the very surface...however, you might as well read this week's episode and next week's and the week after's to really get all that square in your mind. Since this isn't taken care of all in one episode, I wanted to go ahead and explain the issue a little more fully. Without really giving anything away, of course!

I will accept any and all critiques on how I might have handled the situation better. My goal was to handle it in a righteous fashion. Can I say here that a lot of times my stories write themselves? In other words, the ideas and story lines come to me unconciously. Some of the situations I had to really think up, but most were just things that came rather spontaneously. With that in mind, and the fact that life often has an 'obstacles', I wanted to deal with something that very well might affect people. Hopefully, I have handled it in a right manner. I am comfortable with the story...my only fear is that others will be uncomfortable with it due to the subject matter it deals with. Life is complicated...

So...let me know what you think. :)

I Skyped with my folks for a good chunk this afternoon while working on something...Mama took the following picture on her end then sent it to me. I kind of like it... :) Pretty good for a video call, I think!

Like most Saturday's it was busy...but I still found time to watch Gunsmoke with Granddaddy. What a hilarious episode...silly, really.

Anyway, I started the day by going to the feedstores. When I got to Bryan's Jose was on the forklift getting hay for someone else, but Dave knew what I wanted. :) He signaled Jose that I wanted a roll of cow hay by first getting his attention than putting his fingers up to the top of his head like horns! It kind of amused me.

At Smith's they were really busy! I have never been in there before when they were that kind of busy. Even though they were busy, three of the guys still loaded my truck--Drummer Dude, Redneck 1 and Redneck 3 (who's name I actually found out last week--but I'm going to keep calling him Redneck 3...it was funny, I came home and said to Savannah, "Redneck 3 has a name!")

After lunch and watching The Rebel, I vaccumed the floor. It needed it, particularly since I missed last week--because we weren't home. Of course, I also washed the dishes... :D

I spent a chunk of the afternoon working on the same AfterEffects project I had been working on a couple of days ago--I had to redo it first because of the footage and then again because of the size--I didn't realize my composition settings were different than my Premiere Pro project settings.

I also got a heel turned on my next pair of socks. I like turning heels you know.

Sorry this is so short, but I kind of need to scram. Savannah is ready for prayers.

See ya later!!

The only profitable thing I've done today besides getting my first AfterEffects composition finished and rendered, is getting the new float valve put on the horse trough.

When I headed out to do it, shortly after Savannah left for her chiropracter appointment, I figured it would be a fairly easy job that would only take maybe 30 minutes (since I had never put a float valve on before). Well...it took closer to two hours.

First, I made several trips back and forth between the barn for tools. No biggie--that's pretty normal. I wasn't sure I was going to get the pipes unscrewed, and then they came and I got sprayed big time with water. I hadn't turned the pump off. Well, I went and jammed something in the points, but it didn't seem to slow the water down much (if at all), so I went ahead and pulled the fuses. I just hope Granddaddy didn't need any water in the house...

Then I discovered that diameter of the fitting for the pipe was bigger on the new valve than on the old one, so I made several trips for pieces. None of them were going to work, as I eventually figured out. Feeling rather blued, I headed for the barn and found an old float valve with plenty of pipe on it--and the pipe was going to work! I would end up returning to the barn with that chunk to stick it in the vise and take part of it off.

Now all that wouldn't have been so bad, except that someplace fairly early on Snip showed up and was a regular pain in the neck for the rest of the afternoon. On top of that I'm not sure that I'm not fighting Mollerat Meningitis again so I'm trying not to push too hard.

But, back to Snip, he wasn't content just to stand and watch me...no, he had to get his nose right between my face and my hands (and therefore what I was working on). He chewed on the shovel, on the pipes, on the tools, on the box (I eventually snatched that from him and tossed it over the fence). He nibbled on my hair, on my pockets, and at one point, he stuck his sandy nose on the small of my back which really tickled besides dribbling sand down my britches. He got excited and reared up some (at least he didn't kick!) Part of his stupidness was he thinks I'm going to feed him anytime I'm out there.

Finally, I had my pipe all ready and then I realized that when I had dug the weeds out from around the tub that it had slipped some so the pipe coming from the ground was no longer lined up with the opening in the tub...so I had to dig out from the other side of the tub in an attempt to tip it. While on my knees on the edge, rocking back and forth and trying not to take a header into the fence and water, or to tip off backwards and soak my seat in the puddle (either of which would have probably put Snip into one of his crazy 'dances' where I wouldn't have been safe), suddenly whatever was plugging the drain hole gave way and the tub emptied it's contents. It sure made that aspect of what I was trying to do easier. I removed my boots and socks so I wouldn't soak them. I didn't bother about rolling up my pants since they were already wet and filthy. I tossed the boots over the fence to keep Snip from chewing on them. I lifted up on the tub and discovered that I could pick it up,  but couldn't hold onto it with one hand and shovel with the other--then I saw a chunk of an old fence post lying there that would work just fine--so I walked around in my now wet, barefeet, stepping on plenty of goat-heads in the process (ouch!) and retrieved the piece of wood. Then I had to ward Snip off. I was fully inclined to whack him over the head with the wood if he got any more belligerent. Sticking the wood down under there and shoving it farther with my foot while I lifted worked.
 
Then I got the pipe and the valve screwed on and got the pumps up and running again.

Once I put the fuses back in I went in search of a plug--first in the horse lot where I stepped on even more goat-heads and then got whalloped upside the head (my left eye to be exact) by Snip's very sandy nose. I looked like I had a black eye. I don't think it actually bruised, but it sure looked like it before I got cleaned up!

Anyway, the thing is working like it should and holding water now. It took far longer than it should have and I found myself on the brink of tears at least twice simply because I don't feel the greatest and Snip was being such a nuisance! BUT, it's done and that I'm pleased about! :)

Thursday was Granddaddy's 82nd birthday! We went up to cousin Butch's for the day...I really think Granddaddy had a good time. Hopefully, we can take him to Butch's again sometime in the not too distant future. (It's a pretty long haul for an old man.)

I jokingly have been calling Granddady's birthday 'the day of the cakes'. Savannah made one (a coconut cream/peanut butter cake which would make an awesome carrot cake!) When we got home, we discovered some other relatives had dropped off gifts and cake while we were gone (Granddaddy rather liked that cheesecake). Then later, Uncle Rod and the cousin's came over with a cake that Cassandra had made and decorated with homemade butter based frosting. Young Rod ate more of it than Granddaddy, but that's okay--Granddaddy had just finished supper and therefore wasn't too hungry. :)

I thought I was coming down with a cold, but thankfully, I kicked it before it really got established. I wonder how much that spoonful of honey and lemon Betty gave me helped. :D

Today we went to a Ladies' Tea at the church. I enjoyed it--we did get to meet some new people. Pastor S. talked with us a little bit, too. We ate, sang, listened to a devotional-like presentation, and talked. The presentation was about a quilt that was supposed to demonstrate things about the nature of God. Each square represented something different. Personally, I have difficulty in seeing stuff like that in quilt blocks...but maybe that's just me! I ate plenty and even though I didn't know most of the tunes or songs we sang, I attempted to belt them out--singing lower than they were being played for the most part.

On our way home, we dropped by the local "Pioneer Days" and said 'howdy' to the A.'s--who had just packed up the SCV tent...I told Mr. A. that if I forgot to bring the DVD's of the Cross Dedication to the meeting next Tuesday, that he had my permission to horse-whip me. He burst out laughing and said he thought that was a little too drastic. Anyway... :P

Then we stopped at Tractor Supply to get a sack of chick feed to hold the chickens over the weekend. I was stubbornly (good-naturedly) totedthe bag over my shoulder, turning down assistance from one of the employee's (he was doing something else anyways), and then from another costumer as he was coming in and we were standing in the checkout line. About the time we finally got checked out, he was fixing to leave and he offered again to take the bag--this time I let him. He was one of those guys that at first glance you tend to raise an eyebrow at--mainly due to his hair-do--a mohawk short on top and longish in the back--the rest of his head bald. Anyway, he was quite polite and nice. Turns out, after he loaded the bag in the trunk of the car, that he went to get into his truck and blatantly on the back window was this: US MARINE. The man's demeanor and carriage suddenly made sense. I GOT HELPED BY A MARINE!!! :)

Anyway, it was one of those times where I had to remind myself and be reminded to let a man do what I say (and really do) want men to do--be a gentleman and help out the 'damsel in distress'. Even though I was perfectly capable of carrying that 50 lb. sack of feed, I did the right thing and let the man be a man. And in the end, you know what? It feels great to be a woman! Not demeaning. Not insulting...the offer to carry that bag was anything but an insult..not degrading. Feminists (and those of us who aren't really feminists, but are used to doing stuff for ourselves and therefore reject help), don't really know what they (or we) are missing. Being treated like a lady makes one feel dignified--like she wants to be a lady. (And by lady, I don't mean a prissy snob who refuses to get her hands dirty--that kind of 'lady' I will never be--nor will I ever have any desire to be such.)

So, thank-you, Sir--whoever you are--for helping me. I appreciate it. :)

Greetings, O most esteemed Readers! I hope your day was as full of enjoyment as was mine! It's rather funny how many great memories one can make while working...

I rolled out of bed at five til 7--it was still dark outside. A short time later, I was cooking Granddaddy's breakfast. My one hour to get ready and feed the animals disappeared way too quickly. As I was rushing out the door to dash across the creek to feed my cows, I asked Savannah to cook my eggs for me and toss them in the oven (to stay warm, of course). As I passed Mr. Ricky's house, I saw both his and Mr. Tommy's trucks sitting in front of the garage. On my way back, I saw they were gone--so I knew they were already at Granddaddy's. I roared up the driveway (okay, so the Saturn doesn't exactly 'roar'), jumped out, said in essence, 'Howdy! How'ya doin', I haven't eaten my breakfast yet...I hope Savannah got it done...." *pant, pant*

Well, they laughed and told me to slow down and eat my breakfast. So, I dashed in (no, I didn't really slow down) and Savannah was just finishing my eggs. I cut myself a hunk of cheese and went back outside. I invited the men in, but they said, "Naw..." so I stood out there and ate my eggs...and got razzed about ruining a perfectly good breakfast with cheese! Neither one of them like it. Savannah came out and soon was getting the story on how we got our nicknames: "Little House" and "Rooster". I had forgotten exactly why they call me Rooster, but I got the story again...apparently, I remind them of the 'little lady out of Rooster Cogburn (or is it True Grit--I did a little looking and I suspect that's what it is). I've seen Rooster Cogburn and the Lady, which is the sequel to Rooster Cogburn, but not Rooster Cogburn (or True Grit), so I don't know who they are talking about. Anyhow, I find it funny that I got the Duke's name! :) No problems on my end--I'm a huge John Wayne fan!

Anyhow, as soon as I was done scarfing down my eggs (and cheese), we 'hit the trail'-Ha! The W. brother's in their respective trucks, Savannah driving ours, and me in the back--the ol' gate man you know. I hopped in with Tommy once everybody was through the gate. It took a couple of minutes to push the cows into the pens...there were three old slow ones in the back that we had to push up. Reaching the pens, I jumped out and ran and closed the gate. Mr. Ricky got to teasing me a bit later about wearing him out just watching me...I'm pretty fond of these guys--they constantly crack me up!

We started by cutting all the calves out. I pushed them from one pen into the outer hopper, then into the small hopper. Mr. Ricky worked the hopper gate, Savannah the beef gate, and Tommy wormed them and then let the cows out through the squeeze chute. Savannah was going to count them, but she said she lost count at 16. Mr. Tommy said, "All you have to do is count all the legs then divide by four!" Did I mention that these guys are hilarious?

It didn't take too long to get the cows out. After that we started parting calves: 'beef' (bull calves), 'cow' (heifer calves), and 'let 'em out!' I worked the hopper gate for the first time ever. Mr. Ricky told me to get up there since I knew which ones I wanted--so I did. We ended up with 10 bull calves, 5 heifer calves (weaners!), and 2 'let 'em out!'s--both heifers, just in case you are interested...

Leaving the calves standing, the brothers went to fetch Mr. C's trailer. Savannah and I took care of opening up the gates. It seems like I did something else while they were gone--but I can't remember what it was.

Mr. Ricky got the trailer backed up perfect the first try this time...it's a tad difficult since the trailer is so long and the area there is to work in is rather small there. We loaded the bull calves and then wormed the heifer calves. I worked the hopper for that too. Mr. Tommy stood 'hiding' behind a post and when they would come around the corner, he'd shoot them with the wormer. The smallest heifer, a red one, got kinda wild like and got her head stuck through the gate and pulled out the post it was attached to. When she got her head free, Mr. Ricky held onto her tail til Tommy got her wormed. I would have helped there, but I thought I might actually be more of a hinderance than I help so I just stayed back--maybe rightly, maybe wrongly--I'm not sure.

Then--'To Market, to market, to sell a fat calf...(or ten)". We were seller #41. I 'helped' unload them. I wasn't much help I'm afraid, but at least I tried. When I went back to pick up the check at almost 5 (the office closes at 5), the auction was still going on. I cannot understand auctioneers...

On the way home, we went down a road I'd never been down (that's not exactly true--I had just never been on that part of the road!) and stopped at a little tiny convience like store. Tommy and I went in. He got himself and his brother a coke, and a can of 'baccy. I bought Savannah and I some water.

Ricky dropped us and Tommy off at his place so Tommy could take us on home in his truck while Ricky set up to work their cows. I offered to help and after exchaning cellphone numbers, it was agreed. We went home for a quick lunch. When the phone rang announcing that they were ready, we loaded into the truck and headed off around the corner.

That's nice little set up they have--definitely in better shape than what we have. :) Tommy worked the 'beef' and 'cow' gates with his feet mainly, sitting on a cross beam over the chute. I got to work the hopper gate and really only made one mistake--I didn't move fast enough (Tommy got it all sorted out at the other end). Part of the reason being I'm a bit short. Once I crawled up higher on the fence, things went smoother. They ended up with 8 steers for market.

Savannah and I then headed into town for a roll of hay for the heifers. Jose probably knew what I wanted when I pulled in because he was pointed in the right direction when he asked me what he could do to help. :D

After unloading the hay, we moved the hen coop. That was rather time consuming, though not very hard, because of the distance we had to take it. I did get a good leg work out, walking bent double with my knees bent a little. At one point, I looked out and said, "Savannah, we have a chicken out!" I've been handling them enough that they aren't crazy spooky, so Savannah didn't have much problem catching her and slipping her back inside to me.

Before I moved the rooster coop, I went ahead and aired up the tires on the pick-up so I didn't have to move it again later. They were all down about half. I called Daddy to find out how much pressure they needed, and he told me and also how to read the tire. I had looked already, but missed it. Guess I didn't look hard enough...

I then moved the rooster coop...before I did that though, while taking the 'stuff' out of the coop, I noticed one of the bird's right leg is turned practically backwards from the knee! I picked him up and felt the leg, I even tried turning it (gently, of course!) It didn't really seem like it was bothering him, other than the fact that he was gimping pretty seriously. I called Mom, but Daddy answered, and anyway, the general consensus was, "Well, just leave him be...he'll butcher just as well with the crooked leg--so long as he makes it." Quite honestly, he seemed totally normal except for that creepy leg. I'm really not too worried about him. The funny part was, while I was on the phone, I had one of the roosters fly up and get his claws into my braid...he ended up sitting on the back of my neck. Mom was like, "Get that dirty bird off of you!" I was just laughing because it kind of tickled. It really tickled when he walked down my backbone when I leaned over...

From there I went out to feed the heifers and double check their water trough. It was empty again, so I got my hands into it and scraped the mud and leaves and other plant matter out and sure enough--the drain hole (there are bathtubs all over this place) didn't have a plug of any sort. So, I headed back towards the house and I found something in one of the scrap piles that I thought might work. I took it into the house and tested it in our bathtub and it worked! I dashed out and under the electric wire around the runway, over the pen fencing, and put the thing into the tub (which I had been filling with water this whole time). I think it is going to hold.

From there I rushed back to the house, grabbed my wallet, and out to the Saturn...I had to go get the check before the office closed. I was afraid I was going to be late, so I drove like a (safe) mad-woman and got there less than 10 minutes to closing time (there really wasn't much traffic on the road). I drove a little more slowly on the way home. :)

When I got home, I asked Savannah to back the Caddy out to the barn and I'd air up the tires--well, she came out and started to get into the truck. From the barn, I hollered, "Caddy!" Then seeing she was confused (poor darlin' is so tired!), I yelled, "It's okay, we'll go ahead and feed the cows. Come on!" I was planning on feeding the cows anyway, so it worked out fine. It really just amused me--"Why is she getting in the truck? I wanted the Cadillac!"

Anyway, when we finished feeding the cows, she brought the Cadillac out and while I aired up the tires, she checked the fluids. I mananged to sneak the thing back into the garage, before feeding Snip and the cats. I didn't need to feed or water the chickens since I'd already done that.

I came in to find supper ready...and a good one too. After supper, I washed three meals worth of dishes (which included drying three rack fulls!) Good thing I don't mind washing dishes... ;P

What a grand ol' day! Very busy, very humourous in some spots (I cannot help howling at Ricky and Tommy--and they like it that way), and very satifying.

Did you know I like to work cows?