That was my reaction when I arrived at our place to return Daddy's ladder to the barn.

Captain Abe, Socks, Strawberry, and the two calves were in the yard!!

As it turns out, the footgate on the east side of the yard was standing open because the fence along that side was pushed in. I'm glad that I hadn't fed them either yesterday morning or this morning, because when Daddy left, he left about a third of a bag of feed over there. I went in to get it (going through the backdoor rather than the garage) and ended up fixing the toilet in the back bathroom--I guess it'd been sitting there running since Saturday morning. The float valve is somewhat flaky.

I brought the feed out. I was slightly nervous about this--remember, my bull has horns--and really the only time he gets 'silly' is when there's feed about. ('Silly' means he puts his head down and shakes it a little and maybe hops a bit.) Anyway, he did start to be slightly silly...I am totally impressed by what a good animal he is!! I turned and looked at him and yelled, "Now, quit that!" And you know what? He did!

By this point, Socks came trotting up--she's a nut about food and not near as obedient as Abe. I led them through the gate, dumped the feed, and hurried out. Since the fence had been pushed in, the barb wire 'latch' was no longer long enough. I managed to get it hooked just enough to hold it while I rushed off to the pick-up and grabbed some wire and the wire pliers. (So glad I didn't toss the wire out before I left the house!) I eyeballed the length I needed, then cut the wire and wired the gate shut. Meanwhile, Socks and Strawberry had to come see what I was doing--or more honestly, if I had anymore feed in that sack... :D

Once I got the gate wired, I shoved the fence back upright--to a degree. It took longer than it initially sounds, but I got it done. I used the old gate wire and wired a chunk of the chainlink back to the top pole.

THEN...I finally got around to putting the ladder back in the barn.

I hit the road headed for town after that...off to the feedstore! I needed sweet feed for the heifers, feed for the chickens, and mineral for the rest of the cows.

I rode Snip this morning; he bucked with me again, but I stayed on and hauled him in (so far, he hasn't managed to throw me...I don't really think he's trying to, either...I think he's just being frisky). I also figured out how to carry better. See, with my new saddle, the pistol doesn't stay quite as well as with the other one...so my brain got to working. I took some nylon rope (I called Savannah and asked her to bring it out to me), wound it through the holster, and tied it down to my leg. (I finally figured out why all the movie/TV cowboys always had their holsters tied to their legs.) It worked great! I still had to take it off before I could get Snip's right front hoof cleaned (it always gets in the way--particularly since he leans on me so hard with that leg), but the riding part was much more practical.

During the writing of this, Savannah called me from the Winn-Dixie parking lot asking me to come get her. She had been trying to get the Saturn started for 40 minutes. So, I jumped in the truck (which also needs work) and picked her up. While coming home, after dropping into AutoZone, we decided that I'll take the pick-up to Tex in the morning and she'll call the Saturn place in P.C. for a new ignition switch.

Those were the 'exciting' parts of my day...the rest was just normal.

Sooo....I just happened to be poking around for pictures of a particular hair-do and I typed in "John Wayne" and saw some pictures I'd never seen before...I had to share some of these great pictures of my all-time favorite actor!

The Duke always played a man's man--and I truely believe that's who he was. Whether or not he was a Christian...well, I don't speculate on that. :)

I'm afraid John Wayne is something of a litmus test for good-lookin' in my book; that square jaw and a smile that lights up his whole face. :D Well, John Wayne and my own Daddy of course!

So, now you have it! I think Duke was awful handsome. (But...of course, if you already know me; you probably already knew that! :D)

So, this blog post will expound on two days. Yesterday (Thursday) and today (Friday).

Yesterday morning, I stumbled into my clothes and out the door to feed the animals around 8 o'clock. I tried to get the three heifers that were in with the neighbor's heifer patch to come through the fence, but it didn't work. I called Daddy, who was on his way over, and he helped try once he got there. Anyway, we left off until later in the day.

After I ate breakfast, we went to town. We spent all morning running around from store to store gathering parts for the 'whizbang' chicken plucker. (I'll have to take some pictures of the completed project.) We got the plastic drum for free. :) Granddaddy used to drive oil trucks for the man we got it from. We dropped in at the gunstore--because I wanted to--and didn't buy anything; even though I did look around at holsters again.

I can't remember if we did the Tractor Supply/Do It Best dance before or after we got the barrel. (Yesterday was a long day!) Anyway, we went to DIB and looked at stuff. Then we went to TS and looked at stuff. Then Daddy went back to DIB and I dropped into the Goodwill (which is between the two stores which are in the same strip mall). I found a pair of pants--they are a bit long (no surprise there!), but they fit okay. I called Daddy, "Which store are you in?" "Tractor Supply, back in the back corner." "Okay, be right there."

From there, we went back to Do It Best and got lumber. All this took a while and my feet were hurting me and everyone knew where I was because my spurs went 'clank-clack!' with every step. I was also limping which made it even worse.

We came home, ate lunch and went to work. Daddy of course, did most of it. First he sawed the top off the barrel. Next he sawed the rim off the top of the barrel to use as the spinning 'plate' in the bottom. I attempted to help by holding onto it. Several times I got asked, "You can't hold that down?" Sorry! But that plastic is thick, that saw is vibrating it seriously, and my arms are so sweaty that they are slipping off (this was when Daddy told me: "Roll down your sleeves." Oh, duh...right. Why didn't I think of that??). Anyway, we ended up with me sitting on the thing and it still was slipping around some!

I guess the next thing was drilling the holes and putting the rubber fingers in. Daddy drilled and I helped with the fingers. Then we got the 'plate' put in with the spindle hooked up just right....

I guess that was the end of the chicken plucker for the day; since Daddy didn't have a motor--he got that this morning.

We went in and ate dinner. Then, we went out to see if we could get the last heifer back in. When I had fed them, two of them had come on in. Well, Daddy hauled an old gate out there, cut a hole in the fence and was fixing to get it up, when I noticed that "Blondie" had come on in! So, Daddy and I started patching the fence.

Sometime along here, he noticed them strolling back down the heifer patch and told me to go down the fence and check for a hole. Well...this is where I screwed up (for the second time really--my first screw up was when I didn't check the fences before putting the heifers in). Instead of heading straight to the far corner and checking on the way back, I strolled along and started stapling under a tree where none of the posts had staples.

All of a sudden, the crazies down at the end of the pasture, bolted and next thing we knew were in the neighbor's driveway! Daddy was none too happy to say the least. I made it down to the corner and found a sure-enough hole (I wonder why the neighbor's hadn't seen or fixed it...nevermind; it is still my fault that the heifers were being such a pain because I didn't check fences!) I ducked through it and attempted to run them in--no luck. (Not that I believe in luck.) I went back to where Daddy was and we hauled tools and a post down and got the hole fixed. While we were on our way down, the neighbor charged them in his truck and his dog chased them, too. Two of the three who were out came back. Once again, "Blondie" was the odd one out. Daddy and I got her in before we (Daddy) mended the fence. I need to stretch that wire along their driveway now--and replace at least one post.

By the time we got done, it was 8:30 and we were whooped.

This morning, I rode Snip. He was pretty good, except when he bucked on me...stinker. My new saddle is going to take a little bit of getting used to. It requires riding with my legs at a fuller extention--which is fine, I'm just not quite used to it yet.

After lunch, I went back to helping Daddy on the chicken plucker. He hadn't worked on it too long before lunch. By the time I got out there with the coffee, he had part of the frame already built, so I helped hold it while he put it together. Some point along the way, we took a trip to Wal-mart to get screws, a certain type of drill bit, and a battery operated drill--which is now sitting here charging after Daddy got a few screws put in with it fresh out of the box.

The motor is now attached and all the thing lacks is a belt--which I have to get.

During the afternoon, I either got something in my left eye, or got stung on the eyelid. I've never had an eyelid swell up like that. Anyway, it was an rather unpleasant sensation. I ended up getting my sunglasses (I hate sunglasses and only wear them when backing up with the bush hog) and putting them on to break the breeze away from that eye. I kept taking them off anytime I had to go dig in the bolt, washer, and nut cans...I can't see with them on!

I also changed out the tire on the Craftsman mower (it goes flat in under an hour!) The old Murry mower has the exact same rear tires so Daddy suggested I make the switch. I hadn't noticed this, but I was at anyrate pleased with the idea. I did it all by myself (except for the jacking--which was more of a lift by Daddy and a stuff the jack under by the daughter deal than an actually jacking job; and getting the snap ring back on the tire.) I also needed a tiny bit of help with the key on the axle. Anyway, it's nice not to see a flat tire on the lawn mower every time I turn around! :)

Well, I hope this dull recounting of the last two days hasn't bored you. I'm sure yesterday's tale would have been more interesting if I had typed it up last night, but I was beat and didn't feel like it.

Well, I'm off to get cleaned up!

I guess. Maybe not much more than other days, but it was busy all the same.

I spent a good part of the morning reading Gordon Clark's The Philosophy of Science and Belief in God. I finished the second chapter on 'Newtonian Science'. It's pretty interesting, and of course, Dr. Clark occasionally throws something in that tickles the funny bone.

After lunch, Daddy and I moved the heifers. Now, I hadn't prepped like I was supposed to. I was supposed to hook up the trailer and pull it into the yard yesterday. And air up the tires...but I had forgotten all about that part. The reason I didn't do the first part yesterday was  because I didn't ask Savannah to help me and I didn't know if I could do it myself--and obviously, I didn't try. Oh well. Daddy wasn't really irritated with me at all for not doing it. He was more laughing, "You were supposed to do this yesterday!" Anyway, I aired the tires while he did something in the barn...oh, I remember what it was! He was looking for this grease can--which he later found in the floor board of the truck! He greased the wheels on the sliding door at the back of the horse trailer as well as all the hinges. I worked the oil into the joints and we headed out to the pens.

We stopped to burn the feedsacks that were in the trailer as well as the cardboard box that had been in the chicken coop...that was kind of nasty. :)

Daddy backed the trailer up and I attempted to guide him in straight. I don't think he really needed me, though. Then I climbed the fence and started moving the heifers into the hopper pen while Daddy scrounged out the hot-shots. He handed me mine (the little short one--I can't handle the longer one with much accuracy) and then got the hopper ready. I went outside the pens and helped run the heifers into the trailer and then slid the door shut behind them.

The next move was to transfer Charlotte into the center pen with the water trough...she's old enough to start needing/learning how to drink water. I actually sat on the edge of the water trough this evening and got some into her after her bottle. I'd scoop the water into my hand and poke my fingers into her mouth and she sucked it down. She seemed like she was enjoying it, yet was slightly curious about the flavor (or lack thereof.) I couldn't quite get her nose into the water, but I'll keep trying.

We took the heifers off and pulled into the heifer pen. Meanwhile Snip, their next door neighbor, started dancing like a goof-ball. We let them stand for a few minutes while Daddy had me go to the barn and get a bucket full of feed. I fed some of them a little through the bars before Daddy opened the back and had me toll them out. I dumped the feed into the tub while they were watching...but the only one who stayed around was "Big Red". She stood there and ate most of it by herself! Last time I looked, "August" and "Little Red" were in with the neighbor's heifers! Daddy says he thinks they'll come back over...which I think I agree with. Cows are herd animals and they know with whom they belong.

Anyway, after Daddy washed the trailer out, we (but mostly him) finished putting the plastic chicken wire up on the thing. We turned it into the chicken hospital. I found another dead rooster and a seriously wounded one--then three more that needed special care. After that, we moved the chicken coops--that's when I found those others that needed doctoring. My hands still smell of sulfer...

So, as you can see, I kept busy today...as did Daddy. :) Savannah went to the chiropractor today, but she too was busy with other things throughout the day. She is my 'nurse' when I'm the chicken 'doctor'. "Nurse, give me some goop." I don't call her nurse for real though...and the 'goop' is a sulfer based yellow paste--which is why I stink of sulfer.

Until next time!

That pretty much sums up my day. Oh, and of course, dishes. :)

I got going at a bit more normal time that I did yesterday morning. (I went to bed early Sunday evening and got up late next morning!) However, it was still almost ten by the time I got around to breakfast because I had some unexpected chicken emergencies to deal with. First off, while actually on my way to the pens to feed the heifers, I noticed a dead rooster. (Third one in two days...they sure enjoy killing each other off!)

I jumped out of the golf cart, entered the coop and was fixing to exit when I noticed another rooster hunkered down--with a bloody back. "You'll be next," I said. Then I scooped him up and tucked him under my arm. I was surprised with how little fight he put up. I hauled the dead rooster to the burn hole and went into the house, where I hollered at Savannah to come help me. I decided that I would go ahead and move the two hens from the 'hospital' back in with the other hens--along with the one Rhode Island Red in with the roosters--and put the rooster in the hospital after we doctored him. Well...the hens attacked the black and white one so severely that I almost immediately removed her again. So, she and the rooster are sharing the kennel now.

I went and fed the heifers. On my way back, I noticed the little hen (the one they had almost killed previously) was already bleeding again. I almost got mad. I charged into the coop (if one can be said to 'charge' into that thing seeing how it's built) and grabbed her up. "You're not going to kill her after I saved her life!" Once again, I went into the house and hollered for Savannah. She came and we put some 'goop' (sulfer based stuff) on the little henny's head. Since there isn't enough room in the kennel for three birds, we placed a laundry basket over her. She's tame enough that I can grab her pretty easy so she's the best one to tuck under a laundry basket--besides the fact that she's the smallest. Still, I need to rig up something better.

I came in, changed my shirt--since it had enough sulfer stuff on it to make me reek all day, ate breakfast, and washed the dishes. Then I went for a ride. The left stirrup is a bigger problem than the left one--and I believe Savannah figured out the problem. It is actually too high, so it's twisting my foot around. I have gotten cramps in my arch and up the back of my leg both times I've ridden in my new saddle. The right one fits better since that leg is shorter by a little bit.

After lunch and dishes and a few minutes of TV while finishing my coffee, I played my cello for nigh on an hour and then my guitar for about 45 minutes. From there I got the hair brained idea to go test the lawn mower again.

I went out, aired up the back tire that insists on going flat quickly, hopped on, turned the fuel line on, and cranked it up. It took a tiny bit of messing with the throttle to get it to come all the way to life, but I got it. I backed out, engaged the blades, and took off. It didn't die on my today! I have no idea really why it died yesterday, but I'm just glad that it worked. I mowed the driveway first then moved into the yard. I didn't do behind the barn very well because there was too much stuff out and about that I need to pick up before next time. I got horrendeously gritty. (*big grin*) To such a degree in fact that I looked rather like I had a 5 o'clock shadow! Or at least a mustache...

Anyway, it is satisfying when stuff works for you. (Oh, and I did remember to shut the fuel line off this time!)

Yet another of my Granddaddy's interesting expressions that I learned while playing rummy with him. I haven't done that in a while and it's been even longer since I heard him use that one, but it is quite apropo for the situation.
 
You know that Craftsman lawn-mower? The one with the belt problems? Well, the new belt is perfect, but something else is wrong. I cranked the thing up, started mowing and got half way around the yard and was heading down the driveway when it stalled out and died on me! I couldn't re-crank it, even though the engine turned over--quite quickly in fact. It just wouldn't take. That's what's fiddly-duke...

I had another fiddly-duke moment earlier in the day as well. I dropped in on the downtown area on my feedstore run because I'm on the hunt for old pictures that I can scan and use in my documentary. Anyway, most of the stores that I had any interest in were closed--it being Monday. (I forgot that they aren't open on Monday because they are open on Saturday...) I was just going to leave, but a lady was sitting there on her phone; she kindly asked me if I needed anything...so I explained my predicament. After she suggested a certain store, I felt I couldn't go without popping in (besides, it is one of my favorites--kind of like a museum). And I am so glad I did! I found a years worth of reproduction Harper's Weekly's dating from November 1860 to November 1861! I got the entire stack for $25. I'll have to drift back downtown some other time to visit the other stores...

From there I went to Smith's. I could have smacked myself because I turned down the wrong road so I had to turn around. I got a brown and black girth for my new saddle...I was going to get a 7/8" drill bit with a 1/2" shank like Poppa asked me too...but they didn't have any. I actually got the 3 bags of chicken feed that I asked for this time. I've had this happen twice: I'll ask for 3 bags but they only call out 2...I understand that it's because 2 is already in the computer. I suppose I could have been more forceful in the past, but I just don't like to interrupt--silly, isn't it? The Ol' Man, Redneck 1 and Redneck 3 were out in the barn. I noticed that while Ol' Man just leaned on the truck talking about the weather, that the young guys did all the work. :) I really think he's more of the Boss Man out there now more than he is an actual laborer, but that is prefectly fine with me...and probably with him and the 'boys'. Speaking of which, Redneck 1 has recently gotten married...I noticed the gold band today. It's still clean looking. :D

Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to go feed the animals... :)

I might as well start with yesterday...

I spent the morning helping Daddy. First we got the new gate hung. We need a longer piece of chain now, but we'll get to that at some point. Anyway, it's nice to have a pretty gate. :D

Then Daddy trimmed some more tree limbs. I drove the truck, adjusted a few of the fallen limbs into a more convenient position for dragging later, and tried to keep the horse out from under the next falling limb. Daddy twisted his ankle pretty badly at some point shortly before we stopped.

After lunch, Daddy went off to work on the airplane and I saddled up the tractor and went to work dragging the limbs off. (Shifting range and gears correctly now. :P) After that I took the golf cart down the drive and picked up some of the extra large rocks we'd managed to plow up. I also picked up sticks and moss and tossed them over the fence. I was going to start mowing, but the mower decided that it wasn't going to work. I think the problem has something to do with the starter. Daddy's out there looking at it now...speaking of which, I need him to look at the golf cart too--it didn't want to work for me this morning.

This morning I attmepted to 'stream-line' things because I was supposed to be at the cemetary at 9 to help put Confederate battle flags on the veteran's graves.

I arrived shortly after nine, after having bolted my breakfast...Mr. and Mrs. A, along with Dolly G, already had several of the graves flagged. After a short talk with Mr. A, who handed me some flags, I went to work. I planted about 5, I think. Anyway, I also had to wander to all corners of the cemetary to 'visit' relatives as close as my grandmother and as far off as great-great uncles and their families. I was also looking for a particular grave that I knew I had seen in a particular area (I learned to drive in this cemetary!), but I could not find it.

The A's would have taken both Dolly and I out to eat at Slim's Bar-B-Que, but Dolly wanted to go on home and we had relatives coming...which was fine because I wasn't ready for lunch anyway! Turns out, we ended up going out to eat at Slim's anyway!!

It was rather funny...we were to meet Betty, Jessica, and Jessica's kids at Slim's. We were sitting out front when a couple come up and the lady says to Savannah, "You're --'s granddaughter, aren't you? I'm Betty's sister." Her husband is Italian; he's also 91. I had difficulty understanding him, but he seemed to be a very nice man. He showed us some pictures of him in uniform back in WWII--quite a fine looking young man. :) Later he told me that he entered the war when he was 16 and when it was over he was 25...I didn't ask which side he was on. The uniform he had on in the photo's looked like wool.

Anyway, after a bit, when Betty's niece showed up, we went in and got seated. Minutes later, Betty, another of her sisters, and Jessica showed up...only Jessica was outside feeding her 5 month old baby, Harper. Her daughter, Macy, is 4 and cute as a button--but more on the kids later. :) It was sometime later that Butch, Granddaddy, and Daddy got there.

Savannah and Jessica got their salads before mine arrived, so I was holding Harper (he is adorable and such a good baby!) I tucked him in my left arm when my food arrived and ate most of the salad with the little laddie comfortably sitting there...he got ahold of my nose at one point, which was kind of funny. Anyway, I was mostly done when Jessica took him back--she seemed rather impressed that I didn't have any problem balancing him on one side while chowing down. To say the least, I throughly enjoyed the little feller's company. :)

Macy and I got to playing with the salt and pepper shakers--which have flip tops with a thumb latch. Anyhow, we got salt and pepper all over the table! (Not on purpose, of course.) Both Jessica's kids have green eyes, big round green eyes.

Because Butch was driving his sister-in-law's car, everyone came out here. The guys did a little shooting and we gave the ladies a tour of the place. Macy got to ride on Snip for a little bit and I think she really enjoyed it. I went to fetch him without the lead rope, so I whipped off my belt (the one with the CS buckle on it)....

...and looped that through his halter and hauled him after me like that! He, of course, tried to nibble on the belt. After Macy was done riding, I showed her how to feed him by hand.

Then...disaster struck! *bemused smile* I really shouldn't laugh, but it really was almost funny the way the little girl stood there and stared at the bugs on her feet and then began to howl when they bit her! Yes...she was standing on the edge of a fire ant pile. She didn't want her feet on the ground after that!

In an attempt to get her mind off her stinging feet, Betty started talking to her about the barn...and the tractor...and then I pitched in and asked, "You want to see it closer?" When I got a positive reaction, I scooped the little thing off the trunk of the car and headed for the barn. Jessica got some pictures of the following actions...

I climbed up on the tractor with Macy and sat her in my lap--trying to explain why the John Deere isn't a "big tractor". Sure, it's a big tractor, but it's small compared to some! :)

Then we went to see the chickens...and I told her a little about the roosters and the hens...and why some were in the "hosbital"...and then (and I wish I had a picture of this!), we watered the hens. I wanted to just put Macy down, but she didn't trust that there were no ants around and the one place I did set her down was right next to some cow dung and that was "gross"...so anyway, we concluded the matter by having her get on my back, while I was on my knees with my head poked into the coop! I told her she had to help me hold the chicken wire out of the way and to be careful because it might stratch. She was pretty game about that...and even got to pet a hen and Tail-less!

I had a ball...too bad Savannah didn't get any pictures. I think I may ask Savannah to ask Butch (she has his e-mail) to ask Jessica to send us some of those pictures! I can just imagine the kind of hilarity they might cause...

I love kids...

After lunch, Daddy and I headed off to town to go get a couple gas cans full of desiel. I also filled up the truck at the gas station and we checked the engine fluids. I was feeling slightly self concious at the time because last time it rained, some water leaked in and got part of my seat wet, so because I was driving, I had a wet spot on my jeans. I also cleaned the windshield.

From there we went to our place and picked up the old ladder which I've always been rather scared of and filled up the Kubota with desiel. Soon we were back on the road, with me driving quite concious of the ladder hanging out of the back of the truck, not strapped in. Like I told Daddy, it reminded me of the time I brought those 16 foot boards home...

We got back here and poured the remaining desiel into the John Deere, gathered up some tools, and some water bottles, and headed off down the driveway to trim back this one tree in particular. (It's spliting.) Of course, Daddy actually did all the chainsaw work while I just stood back and watched and/or held the ladder. I'm really in no hurry to do any chainsaw work--particularly up on a ladder! After the big hunk came down, Daddy sent me off to go bring the tractor down.

As I got close, he started yelling something at me and waving his arms about in a way that should have told me something, but left me more confused than ever. I got scolded for shifting gears without idling the tractor just right. Well...now I know. Turns out, this wears out the clutch too fast, but when I first started driving the thing Daddy didn't tell me this (of course, it was over the phone)...it's a good thing he caught me or I'd have been even more distructive! So...even though it's never pleasant to get chewed out (stinkin' pride, you know), I'm thankful I was! :D

We got the first log hooked up to the tractor and headed off, Daddy driving and me hanging on to the side of the tractor standing on this out cropping hunk of iron with a post out the top of it. I haven't any idea what it is for, but it's handy for dual riding! I watched how Daddy operated the tractor as well as the log plowing up the drive way.

We made over half a dozen trips, (I think). On one I rode back half sitting on Daddy's lap...but determined that it really was more comfortable standing on the iron slab off the side--despite the fact that I had a nut pushing up through the sole of my boot into the arch of my foot that was rather uncomfortable. Another time, Daddy suggested to carry the 'new' gate down on the tractor. I ended up perched somehow sort of on the sidewall over the tire, standing on one foot, with my other knee resting on Daddy's thigh. My horse riding muscles came in handy as I held onto the gate over and behind Daddy's head.

It was my job to hook up and unhook the limbs...I'm alright at that kind of work. :) I think overall, we had as fun a time as one can have while doing such work. Daddy said at one point (yelled rather since that's what you have to do on a tractor), "We're doing a mechanized Indian trick!" Meaning of course, that the leaves of the branches were covering our trail...

Snip got his poor, confused look everytime we drove by. He eventually came down closer to where the main body of the chainsaw work had been done and I fed him some leaves and spanish moss. He likes that stuff a lot!

We went along the fence in the front and Daddy trimmed out some branches to make it easier to work on the fence. I managed to knock my hat off with a limb I was attempting to throw over the fence. I must say, it was rather reminisent of the time I pulled my hatted head into the fence (loosing the hat into the ditch) while we were cleaning up after Hurricane Charlie...

After a bit of determined work we got the old gate off. It took different tools, the main one of any use being the car jack out of the truck, and some elbow grease. Once again, Daddy did most of the work. The long and the short of the gate tale is that a new hole is going to have to be drilled for the upper hinge. The distance between the hinges is less on the new gate (which is currently chained to the gate post to keep any light fingered feller from just snitching it easily--though it's heavy enough that it wouldn't be "easy as pie" to use that strange metaphor). The new gate is also several inches shorter, but it'll still work.

As it was closing in on 6 o'clock, we decided to call it quits for the day--except that I still had to feed my critters. It took a little extra time because I had to fill up a five gallon watering can in the hen coop. Charlotte was pleased to see the bottle this evening and if it were possible, the thing would have been sucked completely flat! It gets concave and I pull it out of her mouth and lift up the edge of the nipple to let some air back into it, the whole while the silly little calf spins around me, pressed close to my legs (and occasionally stepping on a toe). Sometimes I think she's going to knock me down! Anyway, she's not acting like a scaredy nut like she did on Sunday...I was so frustrated about that that I blew up. It also prompted me to separate Charlotte from the other heifers (names go like this: Big Whitey, Big Red, Little Red [the one who really gets Charlotte worked up], Blondie, and August [so called because she was born then--in fact, she's the white calf in this video]).

Anyway, we had a busy, fairly productive day. I spent a good portion of the morning reading my narration to Savannah and doing some editing. It's always nice to have that second set of ears to tell you why something just doesn't set right.

I'm not sure what's on the agenda for tomorrow...but I'll probably tell you all about it after it happens! :)

Updated my cattle numbering again this morning...another bull calf! :D Yay!
 
In other news, I rode my new saddle this morning...the stirrups are the biggest difference, believe it or not. I think if I wear my new boots rather than the old ones, they'll give me that fraction of an inch boost I need. (I have the stirrups set to their shortest length!)
 
I also need a girth. I tossed the saddle up on Snip's back and went to cinch it up when I realized "this strap is the one that goes through the girth buckle! I need a girth." I was going to use the one off the other saddle, but the belt is rusted shut. So, I just rode with the narrow strap--I did no quick turns, you can be sure of that! When I told Daddy that, he made a funny face of mock horror! :D

There are a few seams in different places that I'm going to have to get used to, but the fact that the saddle is lower and wider in the back is actually more comfortable I think. Overall, I'm happy with the purchase.

Feeling the need to return to it's rightful owner the saddle I've been using since I first began my horse riding adventures, I started looking for a new one. Daddy popped into the local pawn shop a few days ago and when he came home he told me they had several in there.

This morning, as I was heading out to go to the feed store, I called Daddy and told him I was thinking about stopping in there and seeing about one of those saddles. That was good with him as long as I called him before I actually purchased anything.

So, with a truck bed of feed (along with a few fence posts and some barbed-wire), I pulled in there and crawled out of the truck. I walked in and was greeted by the sight of over half a dozen saddles of various styles and sizes. I walked around them all a bit...felt a couple of them...Finally, I took one up and walked to the counter, "Excuse me, ma'am, but is there a place I can sit on this thing?" Ends up the best place was right where it had been...on top of a large amplifier (it came up to my waist!) I hopped up and wiggled around a little bit. I got off, adjusted the stirrups (not enough) and hopped back on again. While it certainly doesn't come up as high in the back of the seat, it was pretty comfortable. I liked it...and besides, I thought it looked kind of nice--despite the little areas where it's rather dog-eared.

I called Daddy and he told me to get it. It was marked $120, but it was actually on sale for $95 (I kind of suspected that, but I told Daddy one-twenty)--so what with the taxes and all I got my "new" saddle for $101! I will ride tomorrow morning (hopefully) and find out how grand it really is...

Now, how'd  you like some pictures? I took them after I oiled it when I came home from the chiropractor.

An upside to the different saddle shape is also that if I ever wanted to take Snip to a reenactment, this saddle would pass muster a whole lot better than the other one! 

Hey! It looks like it might rain!! I sure hope so, we need it. The grass is certainly greener than it was two weeks ago and growing, but it'd grow even better with some rain. In fact, I was singing a silly song I made up on the fly about "the grass grows green" while in the pasture putting out the mineral! I couldn't remember it now, so don't ask for either words or music, please. ;D