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Got you...

Yes the new calves have been seduced by the green bucket of "sweet feed". They are now under my control. It took them three days to decide to try it; they liked the grass and hay, buy were reluctant to try the feed. But, as with all other cows before them, they have been smitten.

They are cute and have already elected a leader for their small pack of four. They are going to stay in the calf pen for another week. Then they will be introduced to the larger herd. Just wait until they realize there is already a really, big lead cow elected.

Things that are worth noting:

1) someone thinks they should lead every group

2) Jake would like to be the leader, but he was not elected

3) some days I am afraid they think I am the lead cow

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Finally, after a pretty painful birth...

It was a four delivery. The first calves out were so little they would have needed to be bottle fed. I am sorry something that small scares me. I am afraid I could do something wrong. Also, they would have to be fed at least twice today. So, I went for the 200-250 pound babies. I tried to buy several but was out bid on all but four.

They are cute. They hit the ground eating. (no bottles needed) They did cry some and my girls came over to check them out. Everyone introduced themselves and seemed to get along. The new calves are in the new calf pen and seemed safe and somewhat happy.

Sale barn facts of the day:

1) just because you want a certain calf doesn't mean you can afford him

2) Jake can stay in house

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....and the nursery is ready.

Yes we have the calf pen ready for new babies. It is amazing how many things were needed before really young calves can be brought home. They need a safe place to play. They need plenty of special food. They need shade to sleep. (kind of sounds like people babies doesn't it?)

Tomorrow will be "cattle auction day" again. This time I hope it will not be a repeat of last time. (my fanny can't take another 5 hours of bench pressing) The goal is to purchase 10 really little calves and start them off on calf pellets. Wish me luck!

Things I didn't know little bitty calves needed:

1) a mineral block just like the big girls

2) special feed

3) a large safe play area (ours is fenced so they can't get out and nothing can get in; we think)

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Ready for some R&R

I am not sure what is the most tiring part of being a farmer; the physical work, the mental work or the emotional drain. What I do know is I am exhausted. I am ready to see the ocean. My arms are sore, my brain hurts, and I am to sit in a beach chair.

Everyone needs to take a vacation now and then. I think Jake and the cows will understand if I get them babysitters and leave good instructions on what their feeding schedules are.

Signs you need a break:

1) you go to bed at 9:30, after taking an hour long nap on the couch

2) Jake thinks you need a nap

3) your precious 3 year old granddaughter asks "Are you tired?"

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Some help for you?

This week's project was finishing the calf pen. When everything but hanging the gate was finished the cows decided Bob needed some help. They all lined up to give their opinion. It is amazing how much cows think they know.

With the pen completed we are going to buy even smaller calves. Hopefully we can make a little bit more money buying them younger. I guess the cows we are keeping in our herd will be letting us know how to do that too.

Little known cow facts:

1) they are nosey

2) they are bossy

3) they are opinionated

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The Good, The Bad, and The Jake

AM..."Jake the Hero". This morning Jake felt a disturbance in the force (I think he really heard the dogs barking) and alerted us to dogs chasing the cows. Because of Jake's loud barking Bob went outside and heard the commotion. He immediately went to the pasture and rescued the cow the dogs had cut away from the her.

PM..."Jake the Horrible". This afternoon Jake went with me to pick up my granddaughter from preschool. He knows he is supposed to stay in the cargo area of the car, but while I was inside getting Mal he climbed over the backseat, then into the front seat. When I got back to the car he was in the driver's seat looking very pleased with himself. He shed all over the car getting me in trouble with the car cleaner, Bob.

Good things and bad things about Jake;

1) Good - he will sleep anywhere Bad - he will sleep anywhere

2) Good - he will eat anything Bad - he will eat anything

3) Good - he never shares my secrets Bad - he never pays any attention to my secrets

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Something is falling from the sky..

and it is not space junk

It is raining! I never knew I would be this happy to have rain. I also never knew I would have cows, pastures, and the need for rain. We have been in a drought situation for several weeks now. One of our neighboring counties has issued a total ban on outdoor water use. Maybe this is the beginning of the end of the drought. (fingers are crossed)

Things that matter now that didn't before the cows:

1) are the fences in good repair

2) is Jake on best behavior (today he "pointed" one of the cows)

3) is the grass green (on the right side of the fence of course)

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Maybe they are too well trained...

today when I went to check on the cows four were not with the herd. I put out the feed for the 19 who came running. As soon as I thought they were all content I walked across the pasture to find late comers. I had walked half way across the field when I realized the 19 good cows were following me.

They stayed right with me the entire time I was hunting the 4 bad cows. After searching for about half an hour I finally found the wayward cows. Then me and 23 cows walked back to the barn where everyone celebrated their safe return.

Reasons to celebrate:

1) things turning out well

2) the fact Jake is not having beans today (he did yesterday and it was a mistake)

3) friends will come find you even when you don't know you are lost

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Never Say Never

and I didn't even know this was on my never to do list: but if I had known it existed it would have been. We feed warts to Warty tonight....yes I am ashamed to say I did something I found on the Internet. Several sites said to remove a few warts, let them dry, and feed them to the cow. The result is supposed to be a wart-free cow. (Lord, I have stooped to a new low)

I will keep you posted on the results of our procedure. The cow didn't know what we had done, but we did. I now know my decision to stay away, far, far, away from the medical profession was a wise decision.

Reason the medical profession is not for me:

1) our boys always called Bob when they were hurt

2) I am a sympathy thrower upper (if you throw up I am throwing up with you)

3) I faint at the sight of blood (just ask Bob's doctor)

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Perfect Weather

Sometimes you catch a break. Today we began fencing the new calf pen. Last time we started a fencing job the temperature was 98 and the humidity level was 98. Today the temperature remained in the 70s and the humidity level was 20. The job was still hard but not horrible.

The cows came to watch the beginning of the job. They seemed content to just watch and be quiet; but, when their green buckets were used for hauling water to the post holes they became very verbal. Green buckets equal food, and no food was being served. Sometimes we train our animals too well.

Fencing facts:

1) fence early in the morning (this is for people other than me)

2) Jake will not help fence (he has learned some bad habits from me)

3) Cows are not much help with fencing (especially if you use their green buckets)

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20 Questions?

Grandchildren are wonderful helpers; just ask them. My grandson has helped with the chores a few times and each time is a learning experience for me. Today's help consisted of me figuring out the answers to a five year old's questions. The questions were: How many cows do you have? 23 Why do they push each other for the food? they are cows and don't know any better Are they bullies? no, not really they just don't know any better Why do you keep cows who are bullies? they just don't know any better How do you know if they are boys or girls? the same way you know with puppies When can we milk them? never Why do you have barbed wire fences? to keep the cows in the pasture Why? because we don't want them to get hurt Why? (deep breath, I have not played 20 questions in a long time)

Things needed when you use five year old help:

1) patience

2) a good sense of humor

3) patience

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Sad Goodbye

The first two calves I purchased were sold today. They were purchased on my birthday and have been on the farm since April. They are sisters and have become pets. I have to confess I named them (a really big mistake for me).

I have to confess tears were shed as the trailor pulled away with Split Ear and Little Sister. Their brother, Babies' Daddy, gets to stay for a while longer. I wonder sometimes if I am too tender hearted to be in the calf selling business.

Things I need to stop doing:

1) naming the calves

2) petting the calves

3) believing the calves have the same feelings I do

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Doctor Appointment Day

My morning was spent traveling to Macon for an appointment with my rheumatologist. The joys of living in the country is you get to travel forty miles for a routine check-up. I think it's a fair trade off because I only have to go 3 or 4 times a year; I get to live in the country the other 360 days.

The reason I have a rheumatologist is lupus. I was diagnosed several years ago after suffering with fatigue, swollen joints, pancreatitis and general aches. I have not held a "real" job for three years, but don't tell the cows they are not a "real" job.

Reasons the cows have not figured out I have lupus:

1) they chew cud during my nap time and don't notice I'm MIA

2) they don't notice I am tired as long as I have green buckets of feed

3) they are pretty self-absorbed

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Old Farm House

This 200 year old farm house is on the property we purchased this summer. It was built by my great-grandfather. The lumber used was grown on the farm. I would love for someone to use the lumber for some wonderful project. If you have any suggestions for someone who does this type of removal and repurposing please let me know.

We are planning on clearing more land for pastures and want to salvage as much of the old while making room for the things we need today. Change is hard, but not changing is worse.

Things we don't want to loose:

1) the history of the farm

2) out integrity

3) our minds

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I have done some dumb things in my life...

but today I may have raised the bar. I actually bought and applied Compound W. What I bought it for is obvious...warts. What I applied it to....well...my poor warty cow. Yes, I am doing confessions again. My cow now has wart treatment on his head. (oh, I know it's not right) I have tried wart shots, pulling warts and wart whispering. Nothing has worked.

The poor cow is next in line for the sale barn. I can not send him with warts. (no one wants warts on their cows...I know) So, fingers are crossed, wart treatment applied, and tomorrow we hope to see results; good results.

Things I never thought I would do:

1) wart doctoring

2) explaining to my husband what was on the cow's warts

3) buying wart treatment without laughing

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If you want to make my husband mad...

Bob hates this saying...it may become my mantra. I admitted I was scared of asking for help and filling out important forms....but I put on those big girl panites (no sizes will be used to protect the chubby) and went to the FSA (farm services agency). As it turned out the person I talked with is someone I worked with several years ago. It was much easier dealing with a friend. The paper work is still in progress, but it seems they will walk me through it.

I need money for equiptment; especially a head gate. I can't ask my family to go through another vaccinating episode without one. I also need some minor things like a holding pen for calves, feeding troughs, a hay ring, etc.....

Good things that have happened by taking action:

1) the family farm is still ours

2) Jake is still ours

3) my family still loves me

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Little Lizard In A Big World

When I finally got time to relax on the deck with a cup of coffee I was surprised by this teeny, tiny lizard. Maybe if I had seen him before sitting down I wouldn't have screamed quite so loudly. I am sure he was just as surprised he could cause such panic in something as large as me. (not that I am that large, yeah right).

After my heart starting beating again I realized he was probably just as afraid of me, but he did manage not to scream. I wish I had that kind of control when I was afriad.

Things I am afraid of I should not be:

1) asking for help

2) filling out important forms (why I have a accountant)

3) small creatures

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Little lizard in a big world

When I finally went to set on the deck and enjoy a cup of coffee I was start

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With a little help from my friends (family)

I am afraid even visiting relatives are not spared the "cow experience".

We had the opportunity to have Bob's sister and her husband spend Saturday with us and showed them a good time. (watching cows eat).

Luckily "the girls" were on best behavior and put on a great show. They came running, took the food buckets away, and posed for this picture.

Today the family fun continued. My brother helped us give shots to six of the newer additions. The thrill of giving shots is hard to put into words. (at least words suitable for mixed company) We need a head gate. Right now we pen the calves between two gates and try not to hurt the cow or ourselves. Needless to say "head gate" is at the top of our wish list. (right behind a million dollars)

Things only family members who love you will do:

1) go with you to feed your cows without complaining

2) pray for the return of Jake (which worked)

3) assist you in committing hari-kari

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Can you say drought?

Today we discussed whether or not we needed to mow our pond. The water level is so low grass is beginning to grow where fish used to swim. We could use some rain and use it now. The millet we planted for hay is not growing and we are not sure if it will be worth the price of diesel to bail it. Thankfully our well from which we water our cows seems to be okay.

The forecast is calling for rain next week and our fingers and toes are crossed. The rain is suppose to come on a holiday; but I think it will be a holiday just to hear rain on our metal roof.

Signs you are in a drought:

1) the grass crackles when you walk

2) Jake has forgotten he is afraid of thunder

3) you don't mind having a holiday rained out

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The Thrill Is Gone

Yes, we said good-bye to three more cows yesterday. Remember the excitement of the cow sale, the smell of pooh, and the joy of watching people eat ice cream while sitting around a cow pen. Well after 5 hours of sitting at the sale yesterday I can now say it is no longer thrilling. I don't think watching paint dry could have been any more boring.

Everyone was so tired of watching cows sale that the owner of the auction barn passed out soft drinks and snacks. The problem was someone sold off their entire farm so there were twice as many cows to sell. I wish I had known, so I could have chosen a different date.

Confessions from a 5 hour cattle sale:

1) my fanny went to sleep after 1 hour

2) I could have gone to sleep after 3 hours (but the auctioneer would not shut up)

3) after 5 hours I ate a candy bar while sitting next to a cow pen (oh the shame of it all)