Should we start acting more like cows I wonder?

~*~Pepper - a.k.a "FARM DIVA"~*~

No, my dear Pepper hasnt changed one bit since I've last talked to you about her. She is as "divaish" as ever if not worse. The world revolves around treats and being anything other than a chicken which has become an unspoken word around her. It is a BAD word. She still thinks she is a cow, prefers cat food and pineapples over *whispering* chicken feed, and her best friend is my horse Gypsy second to only me. She coos to me- yet (excuse the french) B*@^&'s to everyone else who will lend an ear to her squawking. She has to approve of any change, movement, and activity that goes on in and around "her" barn. Man - I LOVE that chicken! For one little "cow" she is one tough bird!
She does however look on the Sunny Side Of Life and the best part of that is tattle telling on everyone she can! Makes me laugh every time...such a Diva!

57 calves left to come!!!! We have entered a stand still..happens every time right about now, seems they take a break before all at once they decide to fill the nursery up again. The "babysitters" have all been chosen and its one of my favorite things to see when I drive out on the farm when we go to check the cattle and do our counts of Cows and Calves to make sure everyone is safe and sound with no calving problems and that calves are all feeding well, and Cows are not having any health problems before calving. How awesome it is, that God has given them seemingly human emotion to "hire" a babysitter to watch over the kiddos when they need a break to graze, or mingle with their buddies for a "mom's day out", just like we do. Isn't it amazing how they also have they have the inherit ability to hide and bed them down when they are first born for the first week, maybe more when they go to eat until the baby's are strong enough to keep up and learn danger, or when its time to calve- to go into the woods away from everyone for labor and quietly give birth hidden away from danger, calves hidden away from everyone and everything. You can tell the weather if you watch your cattle, you'll know a storm or snow or a strong rain is coming - they will be heading for the woods, in flood they will head for high ground. People say cattle are stupid. Are they? Have you ever watched a cow, a herd? Why would someone say this, because they are cautious and can be coaxed into a pen? But lets look at people. How often are humans coaxed into a pen? Followers by nature, not curious enough in fact jumping in with both feet with NO fear of danger. We dont watch that hot wire fence - even when we are told its hot, we have to touch it to see if they are right dont we? No, I disagree, cows are smart, much smarter than we are. They have the sense to stay with they're baby's in quiet, to bond, to get their baby sitters, and often you will see mom run back suddenly to where the baby sitter is laying and check on her baby, giving her calf a lick on the side or head for her own reassurance and walk back to the herd to continue her "Moms day out". Her calf is NEVER forgotten in this important dangerous vulnerable time that is ultimately HER responsibility. She has the smarts to move with the herd when they ALL see the signs that rain or snow is coming, the sky's are darkening with a storm moving in, its time for shelter - move to the woods and protect each other. Letting the trees provide wind break and and umbrella from the rain or snow and cold temperatures. What do we do? We stand at our doors and watch, or go outside and drive to town to the movies with tornado sirens going off, send out kids down the street to play with neighbors we dont know. Keep our weapons in reach of small hands, teach them to be bigots and prejudice, we sit them in front of the TV rather than take them to church, let them out of our sight at ages we should be watching them and holding them closely. We dont say our prayers and often too tired for that kiss - if just to reassure ourselves they are still there, BUT momma cow does - and she is just a stupid cow huh?
I think personally, that we have a lot to learn from a cow when you come to think of it.

Just my thoughts this morning....

Calf Fries Anyone? (working spring calves...no rest for the wicked this weekend!)

First and Foremost...You havent heard from me in a few days...why you ask? My Internet connection is terrible....so I've visited you all, and a few that I've never read...but I cannot comment..I'm sorry as before please dont think I'm ignoring you. I havent had time to answer comments on my own blog..probably wont let me anyway *sigh*

The horses are really enjoying their new crib! Buck here found something interesting to smell and listen too. Dont you love that long doo he's sporting! If I could keep the others from eating his mane I'd be really happy. Any suggestions?

The weekend was absolutely beautiful. Warm and Sunny. Levi had to have his wet nose in everything...as usual.
We put Carrot out into the sunshine. That little bunny was so happy! I swear I saw her smile and mouth the words "thank you" to me!

On to farm business...

Saturday we worked calves. If you remember from earlier posts, that means the calves that have been born so far, got ear tags, vaccinated, wormed, and bulls castrated. We only did 1 herd so far...73 cows - 51 calves in that bunch. An 8 hour busy, dirty day. And I had fun! LOL

First we call all the cows and calves into a holding lot. They have been brought that way by Norm feeding silage to them, that way they are happy to go right into the lot...of course Saturday one cow refused to go in...so her baby and her were left out. He was only a couple days old anyway. We'll get him later.

Once they are in the lot, they have Hay to eat and salt poured for them. The girls are very happy about the latter of the two.Neil wanted to move my car for me, it was in the way. Its a stick shift..it didn't move. Poor Neil...Neil Norm said he'd give you lessons if you want...just call and ask!!! I must add though that Douglas finally after about 20 tries got my car to start, and then even drove it in first gear a few feet...not bad for a 10 year old! Leah too finally after several tries got the truck started and she too drove a few miles. Neil just didn't have enough time to work his way through it.Then the sorting begins...as many calves as possible are rounded up and pushed into an area penned off in the same lot as the other cows. Cows that wouldnt leave their calves go in too..this is done until all the calves -momma or not-are separated...Cows sorted out of calves. They were pretty easy going. So sorting went smoothly.This next picture is funny! NO Neil isnt hitting her on the butt. He just has the prod behind her, she got blocked and spun around and took off...I think its funny!

We had 3 of last years calves that came late in the stock barn for feeding until they grew bigger. We had to move them out to sort and work the other calves, so they got loaded into the trailer. Do you remember my bottle fed calf from last year - Andy? This is him now!Douglas and I took a little break while Leah, Norm and Neil sorted the calves into different holding areas to work. Did I mention that Leah is fearless? She did such an excellent job Saturday, worked hard and I think she had fun at it! I was really proud to watch her...she picked up almost immediately how to watch a cows body language and she is a natural!Douglas cant seem to take a picture without a silly face.

Can you guess what this next picture is? It's not a hard one, I promise!

Yep...it's Doug shooting his Air Rifle

Everything on the farm is green! FINALLY!

Below are our steeds that we use to cut and sort.....

Yeah I'd like to use a horse too, but these will have to do.
This momma was calling for her baby - quite loudly.

Here she is again giving me the ol' hairy eyeball look! She really wants her little one back! They were all so dang loud we could barely talk!

Here is a calf getting vaccinated:

Now - this next momma didn't leave the window into the barn the whole time....she was too funny, and obviously a very good mom!

Here are some others waiting for the job to be done and get the baby's back where they belong.

Then after everyone one is tagged and vaccinated and bulls castrated, we let the little tykes out by 3's or 4's...made sure they found momma and matched up and sucked...they were then (momma and baby_ sorted into the adjacent lot. Until everyone had been sorted.

They all rush over to see if the next little one is there's or not.

I probably posted too many pictures and didn't give enough information about the whole process. I've had one of those days where every thing I've touched turns to coal...not gold. More on that later...off to visit and hopefully leave some comments.

nite all...

Friday Farm Report - Earth Hour - Etsy Sale, etc.

Rain is forcasted again for today...I'm not complaining, farmers always need rain...but it does nothing for my motivation or mood! Yesterday was one of those days - got absolutely NOTHING accomplished at all. I'm going to try to make today a much better day. This rain has put a "damper" on my photo challenge this week too. Kinda hard to get a really nice landscape photo. (which is our challenge this week)

Weaver had a wonderful post yesterday listing the things she was grateful for. It really spoke to me, because when I first started my blog long ago I used to do an "Attitude of Gratitude" once a week to list things that I was grateful for that happened during the week. She has inspired me to revisit my thankful heart. I'm not going to do that today..but on Sundays when the week is completely over. I look forward to doing that again! I need to keep myself in check and take the time to thank God for the wonderful blessings in my life. So thanks Weaver for watering that seed I planted LONG long ago! I think its great to remind ourselves of what we are thankful for and it lets people into your world a little more!

My sweet friend Libby makes handmade soaps, clothing and laundry powder and sells on Artfire and Etsy like I do. She is having a MAJOR sale in her Artfire shop on all of her products. EVERYTHING is 40% off! So take a look at what she's got to offer! She makes all Vegan products, her soap is to die for! I've ordered from her since hers is so different than mine. Goat Milk soap is more of a light creamy lather...hers is super bubbly! LOL great benefits from both kinds! My good friend Mari also buys her laundry soap from her and claims its totally AWESOME! I've been wanting to get some myself (I'm still perfecting mine...argh! My soap is softer so it doesnt come out right...more work in that area, guess I'll have to harden my soaps for the laundry powder) So check her out! And let your friends know too! Click HERE to visit her store! Click HERE to check out her blog - she just posted pictures of the most adorable little girl I've ever seen (her sweetie Maylee)- next to my own of course! LOL

My toe - well it has really hurt the last couple of days...probably the rain. I'm disgusted that the doctor said nothing can be done..he barely only looked at it and is one of those who rushes in and rushes out in 20 seconds. I'm wanting to get a second opinion. I think if my joint can be lined up it would heal better. As it is..the top joint is pushed way to the right side of my toe...I cant (and probably will never be able to bend it) but who knows if I dont get a second opinion. My whole foot hurts, not just the toe...the stupid doctor didnt even want an X-ray even though i asked him about it. I'm not going back there ever again. The same office misdiagnosed Douglas 2x with his Whooping Cough and the doc he saw didnt even want to test him for it!!! As highly contagious as that is, the school HAS to know if he is positive! Its a requirement when exposed to it! The Health Department who handles infectious diseases was pretty put out and said they were going to due a phone call to the doctor and his office for not following protocol.

So I'm actually trying not to whine too much...though this past week thats about ALL I've wanted to do. I've gotten NOTHING accomplished, I have NO motivation or desire to do ANYTHING! I HATE DAYS LIKE THIS!

I'd really like to take a fun motivating vacation..like visiting out west....New Zealand...New Mexico....visit my horse-loving friends and ride all day! Camping...ANYTHING! I got the itch. I want someone around SO badly who I could ride with every day it makes me sick. I do have a wonderful friend Susan who said I can come ride when I want....after I get a helmet (which I'm looking for now) I'm gonna take her up on her offer and try to ride as much as I can each week, if she'll have me.

Fridays Farm Report

Horses

King is doing very well...I'm only barley seeing a limp! YEA! Now if only the heifers would finish calving in the pasture here behind the house I can put the boys back into that field and out of the more wet one they are in now. I want to keep those abscesses away. Kacy and I were talking and why it never occurred to me I dont know, but King's hooves are all white...which means they are softer than the dark hooves. And since his lot is wet right now...its probably the cause of his abscess!! DUH! Why didn't I think of that sooner! I havent worked with my boys, groomed, nothing, for a few days...so today I'm hoping I'll get some things done here in the house (since I did NOTHING all day yesterday) and can get out and do some grooming and work with Jack. Everyone else is the same...Bella and Buck are the lovebirds of the bunch so much so, when they were here at the house with King we had to send Bella over to the other pasture with Molly and Georgia because she wouldnt let us get our hands on him!!!! She was a pill and very soured. Well darn it..they have connected again!.grrrrr. Thats okay! They are going to be in for a surprise when they get taken back to 1st grade and get some of the kinks out of them. Bella's worse problem is how barn sour she is. Of course its really not her fault. When we got her last year we also purchased the gelding that she has ALWAYS been with, never rode without. He of course wasnt happy with the change and threw Norm into a pond as soon as he got on him. He went back needless to say..which was a shame he was a beautiful gelding and had such a nice gait. So really Bella doesnt know any better....but she'll learn!!! LOL She is so bad, she bolts back to the barn as soon as she is out of sight...cant have that happen someone will get hurt.

Molly - just good old even tempered Molly! The only trouble she gives us is when she's being shod. I'm still really hoping I can get a round pen built...I need one so badly, its not a want - it is a need so that i can exercise these guys and get ground work done with them, teaching them manners and respect. They are horses, they need to work.

Cattle

Giant is doing well, growing fast, and a fast eater..thinking maybe he may need more to eat in a day than little Torro. I'm going to start giving him an extra bottle in the middle of the day and see how he does. Both him and Torro are going to be started on calf feed today (Norm in case I forget we are out I think of the good calf feed!) and hay too. Giant will learn to eat with Torro showing him. You wanna hear something funny! In order to teach Oliver and Annie (my first two bottle fed calves - RIP my Oliver :-( ) Leah and I had to mimic a cow eating hay. Lord it must have been the funniest thing to see...but they viewed us as momma, and calves learn by mimicry. It only took us a few times (cause those calves were just awesome little bovines!) getting down on all fours with a pile of hay in front of us and pretending to eat.....didn't take them long at all and they were eating hay and calf feed like the big boys (and girls). It was the only way they would get it figured out, we tried all we could think of before we played "cow". Hey - you do what you got when your all they got! As I told you after Oliver died..We learned A LOT from him.

Kacy - you wanted to know about the "Fart Tax" as Liz, Amy and I refer to it as? Go HERE to my blog posting to read more. I read in Farm World that now those who have been crying "TAX" is back pedaling. They are reporting that this isn't what has been proposed. Farmers all over the US have been in an uproar and speaking out against any kind of taxing like this. the Fart Tax would put MANY MANY farmers out of business. Using us as an example..if the tax went through it would cost us (with a herd of 150) $10,000 dollars a year just to have cattle! There is no way to recoup that loss.

Calf Count

As of yesterday we have 82 little bundles of joy running and romping around! Since I broke my toe I havent been out and about on the farm...I do miss seeing them! Baby animals of any kind just give me the warm fuzzies!

Cropping

Norm laid the first bit of fertilizer down in the field across the street from the house. He still has many acres to fertilize and the time will come soon to plant in end of April, first of May - trying to be finished the 1st of June.

The garden this year will be done in two places. The veggies that need steady water, like bell peppers, tomatoes, watermelons, etc. are going to be planted here at the house along side the flower garden I intend to do this year. We have a humongous piles of branches that the Ice storm brought down to burn first. I need to get everything outlined soon though so I know what and where I want to plant.

Chickens

The plan this year is to get anywhere from 10 - 20 chickens. The outbuilding we have here by the house is what we are turning into a coop. The floor is a mess, its full of junk, and needs an overhaul. The worse part of it will be cleaning it all out. For that Norm is getting our "adopted son" Neil and the real McCoy - Douglas to clean it out. Wont take them but a couple hours to get it ready for us to lay the new flooring and walls. We are covering the old floor thats full of holes from the raccoons with plywood, and the walls with plywood and some white roofing metal. It wont take much to get it in order, its just the matter of starting on it! I really hope that next week, since my toe is feeling a bit better we can begin. I'm planning on getting Chickens just ready to lay, and a few chicks as well.

Goats

Well....I dont know really how thats coming along. Norm said he is trying to figure out where we are going to keep them. I now have the Goat Registry, and a new goat sale has begun about 45 minutes away the 4th Thursday of every month. I'm intent though on purchasing them from a farmer/breeder though to ensure a good quality milker. HOWEVER where we live..there just are not any!!! I'm so disgusted about that, so we may have to resort to the goat sale.

I do know what to look for as far as health and conformation, etc, so maybe we will get lucky if we have to use the sale.

That's all for now! I'll visit you later after I get some house cleaning done! Have a great day all!

"Poverty cannot deprive us of many consolations. It cannot rob us of the affection we have for each other, or degrade us in our own opinion, of in that of any person, whose opinion we ought to value."-Ann Radcliffe

Cow Psychology, Calf Pictures

I believe she was posing for this picture!

The baby sitter was keeping these three under control

Calf we had to pull out of a sink hole today...he's fine - took him to momma and he immediately began to eat!

Cow Psychology Jerry Davis link-

Too good Liz not to post again!

Pasture cows are jealous of cows that have been kept in the corral and fed for awhile, even if they have been sick. Be expecting the pasture cows to not give them a very good reception when you release them back to the pasture.
Never feed cows using your dress-up "Sunday pickup". Cows don’t know any better than to bump into it and lick the road-grime off of it. They leave big cow licks all over it.
Hoe handle across the head may be the best way to train cows to keep their nose out your business.
If you see a new baby calf running as fast as he can go with his tail curled over his back and waving like a happy flag, then smile with him, he just had dinner.
Cow’s tongues are as coarse as the most coarse grade of sandpaper; if you want to see or feel one just stick out you hand with molasses all over it, the cow will do the rest.
Don’t ask a rancher how many cows he has; if he only has a few he don’t want you to know. If he has a lot, he won’t know how many and he don’t want you to know. He probably won’t ask you how much money you have in the bank.
Only ask ranchers three questions; "How’s the cattle market, up or down?", "Have you got enough stock water?", "Have you got enough winter grazing or hay this year?"
Cows don’t like anything done to them at any age, so if it involves pain do it while they are young.
The lead cow is always watching to see if you are coming with feed.
The lead cow keeps everyone informed of your whereabouts.
The lead cow takes everyone to the best hay or grazing.
If you sell the lead cow another cow will take her place and do exactly the same thing.
The lead cow only loses credibility if she tells the herd you are coming with feed and it turns out you are not.
Credibility doesn’t mean a lot to cows and forgiveness comes easily.
Mother cows can forget where they left their babies, but if the cow is any good she keep looking and bellowing until the calf stands up and says "here I am mama".
Cows will bed down their baby calves and leave them alone with the varmints and the elements until time for the next feeding; sometimes as long as six to eight hours.
Cows tell baby calves to be still and not move until they return; not all calves listen. Mother cow will scold her calf when she returns, if the calf has moved.
Cows know what coyotes are and how to deal with them; you can worry about them if you want to. Time is probably better spent worrying about stray dogs and hogs when it comes to baby calves.
Lead cows like to make you think the whole herd is hungry.
A baby hawk on the ground in the pasture can stir the deepest and most fearful emotions in a herd. The herd not understanding the beast in distress, will gather around and stomp and bellow the poor beast into the ground.
Cattle work that involves a flow of blood should be saved until all other herd work is done. Cattle react very similar to elephants and get very upset and confused at the smell of blood from the injury of a fellow herd member.
A cow whose calf has died may accept another calf as her own if the hide from the dead calf is tied to the new calf. It’s the smell of the original calf that makes her think it’s hers. After the adoption it will be hers.
A first year heifer may not know what her newborn calf is and that she has responsibilities. If you keep her and the calf penned up for a few days they will get to know one another.
Calves being weaned will bellow strongly for their mothers for about four days. If you listen it hurts real bad.
Cows don’t have much to think about, so if you see one standing alone doing a lot of thinking, you may want to see if she is close to birthing time. Pregnant cows will stand in a little different way while their calves are getting into position to be born. This usually happens several days before birthing.
Bulls have to determine which one of them is dominant. A fight between bulls that weigh about the same may last more than an hour and will not end until one hollers calf rope.
Bulls get very possessive of their herd of cows and will walk the fence chasing any and all cows and calves away from it if other bulls are within cruising distance of the fence.
If you hear an extreme blast of air from the bulls nose you and the cows will move away from the fence or else pay for the bruises.
Bulls get the best feed by pushing everyone else out of the way.
Bulls don’t mind if younger bulls follow them around and watch during training sessions.
If you have to remove a dead cow from a pasture where other herd members are grazing; take the time to remove the main herd first and spare them the pain. Just like elephants, they know when you are removing a loved one and won’t take kindly to it. Your emotions may get involved too, when you hear the dramatic trumpeting of the death march to the burial ground.
Keep the family dog away from the cows unless it is a cow dog there to work cows. Cows don't need to like your dog any more than they should like coyotes.
Most cows need three to four days of "bonding time" with their new baby calves. During this time they learn to recognize each other and check to see if all systems are go.
Calves born in a cow lot during cattle work get very confused. They look around and think they have a lot of mothers and have a tough time bonding. This is when you keep cow and calf in lot for a few days to ensure that bond.
Calves have to have Mother's milk within three hours of birth or else will likely die . Most cows know this.
Cows like to start their so-called walk to "look for a calf " about five to ten hours before calving. If you expect her to have a tough time calving you better get her in the lot right then.
A cow will almost always turn back in the lane before her calf will, making it easy to trap her calf.
Don't let cows smell your hands if you have been feeding cows in another pasture, they will know it and expect to be fed the same thing.
Cows are like cats; they smell each other's breath to see what the other one has been eating.
Cows don't burp very often, but if they do, what can you say about it.
Don't walk through a herd of cows at night unless you can sing something they know.
Cows will bellow and carry on in a squeeze chute even if it doesn't hurt ... it's the fear of what might happen that counts.
Don't give the calf you plan to butcher a name ; it's like fattening, butchering, and eating a family member.
Cows like their cattle pens to be painted in earth colors, such as brown metal primer.
Cows, contrary to what one might think, don't mind the smell of Ben Gay on a cowboy, somehow they understand.
Cows don't remember that you are the person that fed them all Winter if you are standing between them and their new born calf.
Cows always look for their calves at the last place they left them when they can remember where that place is.
Since Cows always look for their calves at the last place they saw them, then always carry off the calf to another pasture for weaning, never move the cow to a new pasture; she will just jump the fence and come home to get her calf.
If you are looking for a baby calf just walk past the cow into the pasture like you know where her calf is. If you watch her face you can tell when you are going in the right direction. She will go with you and show you the calf.
Talk to your cows a lot; they won't understand, but who else will love you for what you said to the cows.
Be sure and chew something when you are standing in a group of cows and they will accept you better.
Never worry about cows excusing themselves in their farm pond drinking water unless you are drawing house water from it also.
Don't ever complain about the smell of cow piles, remember mother always said that's just the smell of money in the making.
Cows are not offended if you wear the same old dirty clothes to the cow lot everyday. Cows learn real fast to recognize that you belong to them and you only come to see them about cow business.
Always keep a good muffler on your cow feeding pickup. If you don't, the cows will watch everything you do. They can't concentrate on grazing if they think you are coming to feed them.
If an ole cow has twins be sure to remind her of it. If you don't, she may only take one with her to the other side of the pasture. When you hear that lone twin bellow late at night, you're not going to get any sleep.
When you move a bunch of cows across the road, be expecting at least one of them to leave a baby calf behind and want to come home looking for it after you have gone back to the house.
Baby calves can only survive about two to three days with the mother cow on the other side of the road in a different pasture.
Remember there are three kinds of cows. Cows that have baby calves and cows that don't; the third kind are always bull cows.
If you are considering going into the cow business, be sure to build fences and buy feed first. You can then better judge by how much money you have left if you can afford more than one cow.
Cows are always suspicious of your motives unless you are pouring out their favorite feed right where they want it to be.
If you decide to touch a cow, be sure you do so at the front end or you may learn the real meaning of "kicker."
Cows are not normally deep thinkers except when they are chewing their cuds.
Cows always know which way the wind is blowing from and point to it with their rears.
If you wear tennis shoes while working with cattle , every one of them will pick on you.
Cows are slow thinkers and don't like to be rushed.
Always wait till a cow has her head pointed into the squeeze chute before you use the hot shot.
Wear your baseball cap when working cattle. Cows hate western hats and will knock it right off your head and stomp on it.
Cows are not going to take you very seriously unless you are in their way.
Cows will move smoothly around a curved corral and not get frustrated. If they can find a square corner, though, they will see if they can jump out.
Don't ever let a cow think she is smarter than you are; next time she will be.
Never run from cows in a pasture unless you don't know them and they don't know you. Cows hate cowards and will take advantage of them.
Young calves will sometimes make "gorilla charges" when you have your back turned. Most of the time they will stop their charge when they see your face.
Always unwrap your hay bales before you drive into the pasture where the cows are. If you don't, you and your feed pickup may suffer a few concussions.

Friday Farm Update

This week has been a busy one here on the farm.

Torro is coming a long nicely, healthy, and very active little bugger!

Georgia is getting closer to her due date! I'm very excited to experience the birth of a foal for the first time! I have come to grow on Georgia! She now knows that I am the bearer of good food, and she greets me with a friendly rolling snort! Get this! She even let me rub on her the other day! Woo hoo! Trust me that is progress.

Pepper is back to laying...but I wonder why everyone elses chickens lay more than 1 egg a day??? Is my Pepper defective?

Doug went to feed Torro yesterday afternoon and came running back to tell me there was a hawk in the barn...Oh no! Pepper! She was out all day! I ran down to find a Red tail Hawk finishing a meal of pigeon! Whew, pepper dodged the bullet! No more free ranging for her for awhile, now that the hawk knows there is a plentiful supply of pigeons, he'll be back again for an easy meal.

The bathroom that we have had renovated (new tile) is completed. We ended up having to get more linoleum but I really like the floor. Do you know how it is when you have a plan in your mind and its not done the way you want? Well the bath kinda ended up that way. The faucet in the tub is NOT what I picked out. For whatever reason they had to get another one, and i told them to get one like I had...same style...very country. They came back and put up a very modern faucet. Not at all what I wanted. Too late for me to say something.

I have a tile stripe running along the wall that I picked out..white beaded thin strip...I wanted it 3 tiles down from the end cap so that it would flow seamlessly along the wall, without the window or light switch breaking it up...both of these things were told to them several times, before I could say anything again....the stripe is only 1 tile down, with the window and light switch breaking it up...and to top it off the tile is not level in some places. *sigh*

And there is more...I wanted to keep the ceiling smooth, told this as well a few times....it was textured before I even got back from taking Douglas to school!

The bad thing is...My uncle, cousin, and my uncles brother who remodel and build homes are the ones we contracted to do the bathroom and our hardwood floors. What do you do? Basically my uncle did it the way HE wanted rather than what I asked for. Bummed about that, because my vision for the bath is not carried through. I'll post a picture later....too upset to even walk in there right now. The white tile I picked out really brightened the room and made the bath look bigger...hey! A bright spot.

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Cow and calf count on the hill is off...another baby was born yesterday which should make 8 calves, and only 7 has been counted for 2 days. This is not unusual, momma usually hides them away for 3 or 4 days before she brings him or her out to be with the rest of the herd.

Hopefully today we will get an accurate count.

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Douglas is with his dad this weekend and Norm and I are celebrating my good health report and the fact that I can no longer worry about my cancer, with our good friends Donnie and Michele. I'm hoping to get our other friends and neighbors too, Dennis and Mari to go with us, but I havent been able to talk to Mari yet.

I'm supposed to go to Mari's to take some pictures for our Etsy teams March giveaway.

I'll post the link and instructions to win! It begins March 1st! Yea!

So this morning I've been busy making soap again! I LOVE IT! I also got an order last night, just 36 hours after I re-opened my Etsy shop. I had it closed since the ice storm. I've listed new items too, so come check it out.

I'll be getting some more on there tomorrow...some great body butter...Victoria Secrets - VERY SEXY! YUUUUMMMM is all I can say!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I got a wonderful surprise yesterday!!! Kacy gave me a call on the tele! We have become friends through blogger world and it was so great to "meet" in person! Unfortunately she lives in Oregon...so far away! Why is it that my friends have to be so far away!!!!! Bummer! I do plan one day to get out and meet everyone "proper-like"! I sure NEED to win the lottery so I can do all I plan in life! Kacy it was awesome to talk to you! I hope you get that blog issue worked out, and to get to mine its on my side bar...I NEED to write in it! I also hope that you get those issues we talked about cleared up and over with!

Cathy! Your so close, no reason not to come down and meet up! We'll celebrate our benchmarks with cancer like you said! We are both survivors and should be celebrated! YEA us! So let me know, I'm up for getting together!

Libby Dear - your so great! Leah is home next weekend...Indian??? Can you do that?

Let me know! I am excited to see you again! Hopefully I can meet the boys too!

Did I tell you that I love the dreads????

OOOOH just got an email I made another sell on Etsy! YEA...I get to make more soap! Tomorrow!

I had better jump off here, I gotta get cleaned up, I'm supposed to go to Mari's and take some picks of my giveaway items and email them to the team.

Like I said I'll let you know when its up, the link, and what to do!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

~*~Torro~*~Scours Remedy- answer to comments

They say when God closes one door...

another opens.

Whether this is true with beloved pets or not I dont know. Maybe its situational??

But today was a very exciting day for us, in fact the whole weekend was!

We had a cow calve twins, before the second one was born the buzzards got to it and killed it. Which unfortunately happens a lot, they can be more of a threat than coyotes. Our neighbors the last few years have had a lot of trouble with the buzzards. The momma cow never recognized the second baby.

Torro, born this afternoon, February 22, 2009

is our latest addition. He is my first hand raised calf of this year, and he came at the perfect time!

We are still so sad about losing Oliver, Doug wants to bond with this new calf, in fact he was the first to imprint on him, but he is hesitant and scared to get attached for fear of loosing him too.

I'm tickled pink for the opportunity to raise another baby, though its bitter sweet.

A new baby is what we needed to get over this bad week we have had.

Torro took to the bottle right away, no need to tube him at all! So much less stress on a calf that way.

He's a little bull...in case the name didn't give it away! he he!

Other good news...Georgia should foal within the next two weeks! Her bag is growing, milk vein is much more prominent, and she is heavy with her baby, now spreading her back legs a lot to walk and when she relaxes. She now greats me with a friendly snort, knowing I'm the one that brings her the food she has grown to eagerly await for as soon as I walk out of the house! She even let me rub on her head! Major break through. In case you dont know...she hated me. Why? No clue...but she did. I think she is warming up. She is defiantly a mans horse.

Leah has already named the foal....Radish....you know "here's my horse - Radish" LOL Horseradish! Yeah I know thats now how its spelled, but gives us a laugh anyway. The next heifer calf we have that will be kept hand raised or not is Patty...Cow-Pattie. Oh the fun we had today with names! Leah cracked me up today. I love when she is so happy and excited!

The next good new's....I've been feeling really bad, went to the OBGYN worried that my cancer had progressed again. I was supposed to get checked up every 3 -4 months, but I got so tired of biopsy's that hurt, more tests, pokes and prods and went through a rough time emotionally because of it all that I quit going. They didn't know where the cancer cells were coming from for sure and they were actually pre-cancerous. I had cervical and uterine cancer, however I was lucky enough that a full hysterectomy was considered "corrective surgery" they said. I wasnt staged yet......so no radiation no chemo.

I was so lucky.

But again this weekend - GREAT news! My cancer cells are no longer active, they are what the doctor said "dormant"! They may never even become active again...or they may never. But they arent now and thats the news I needed to hear. However...there is always a however huh?? No clue to why I keep getting the fevers and the general all over feel bads. And she felt my lymph nodes in my neck where hard and swollen, and felt several lumps on my neck....great. Wasnt expecting that! I had an ultra sound done on Thursday...hopefully that will be all clear. I'll know sometimes this week for sure. But I'm optimistic that it will be nothing.

Okay......

HOMEMADE SOURS REMEDY:

The number one rule with a calf that gets scours is FLUIDS!!! They CAN die from scours. (for those who dont know....its the cows version of the runs!)

Here is the remedy...

Use for emergency Oral Fluids when you cant get to the store...

1 Table Spoon of 'lite' salt

1 table spoon baking soda

1 package jam or jelly pectin

2 quarts (4 pints) of water

Mix ingredients together and administer to cow or sick calf at least tow to three times per day if they have become noticeably dehydrated.

Some say to continue milk in between fluids, others dont..we have found its best to take them off milk for a day or two and give whats called Bounce Back, its the best we have found. There are many out there...you can get all kinds at TSC including the bounce back....the others arent worth a crap.

There is also one called Scours Remedy..cant remember the color of the packets... I'm thinking blue? But dont mark my word I'll have to ask Norm about that one. On the Bounce Back..yellow packet...it comes in two separate powders that you mic in warm water and instructions on the back on how to administer and how much, how often.

Hope this helps you out, and I'm sooooo sorry I couldnt get this up here sooner. I hope Angus is doing better!

hmmmm this weekend was jammed packed and I still have not had the opportunity to visit every one, I'm really sorry I havent been by!

Several of you asked me:

Lisa - when we sell the cow that had the still birth, she will be sold but she will be bought for meet...sad huh, but thats what they are raised for.

Libby and Lisa were interested:

Why did the calf die? No way to really know. More than likely the calf had problems that otherwise would make it impossible to live, maybe a deformity of his internal organs? He was HUGE so maybe his momma was in labor actually for a long time and she wasnt having the contractions or able to deliver him. He was too big for her to have, so maybe he stayed in her too long? Maybe the placenta ruptured while he was inside? I just dont know. Generally I think its due to the fact that the calf had problems that would cause him not to survive regardless. Does Momma get depressed when this happens? I dont believe they have the same feelings that we have, but I did learn with Oliver that they do can enjoy our company and affection that we show them long after they quit taking the bottle. When a cow looses her calf for whatever reason, for days she will stay with him, never wandering far...nudging him to rise, clean him even...as time goes on she wanders further and further away as her maternal instinct disappears. Not having the calf suck and seek her or call for her causes her to finally leave the dead calf. The cow today that had the twins was devoted ONLY to the first calf that the buzzards killed and never even recognized Torro at all as being hers, which is VERY common when twins are born. Libby. after trying to kill Norm and Neil when they got her in the barn to try to take to her other calf...I wont be patting her on the back! LOL But I'm glad she is fine and once she cannot find the dead calf, after awhile of looking and calling for him for a few days...life for her will go back to normal.

One interesting thing about cows though along these lines...They will often leave several calves with a cow - the Baby sitter....go graze and enjoy the time off for several hours...then switch out! Its been so neat every time I see one cow with several of her herd members babies following her and doing whats told! Such a human thing to do isnt it???? I'm glad the pics didnt gross anyone out, I had several close ups that were much more graphic, but decided against those!

Yes Libby I'd LOVE to write a book, I've got lots to tell LOL I'm a talker anyway...but it would be so much fun!

Lets shoot for 2 weeks to get together for Indian food, Leah said I'm not allowed to go without her, Indian is one of her favorites!

Hi there Crystal J! I'm so glad you stopped by!!! I'll check to see if you have a blog and come visit! Lambs are so cute its got to be a joy to raise one!!!! Your so lucky! Where do you live?

I'm anxious to hear about what all you do!

Hi Kim! I'm sorry I've not been able to email you, I'm so back logged with all my Etsy stuff, and emails and my blogging friends its unreal! I hope things are good with you, and I'm still hoping that we can get some of our team members together soon, if not all of em, those of us really close! What fun!!!!!

Hey there Amy! I'll get my 8 random things up - promise! I cant wait to catch up with you!

Hi Elaine, I cant wait to see what art you have been working on, I hope the puppies are doing well too!

Thanks for your comment Cathy! I really miss my little guy.....thanks for stopping by!

Ramblings...your a doll, hugs appreciated!

Liz...love you too, keep the Terrorist healthy and away from hills!!! LOL seriously.....I wish I could have her, Lord those big brown eyes stole me long ago!

Hey there KK...I'm sorry to hear you in a sad mood too...I'll have to come over and see whats up! Whatever it may be...HUGZ!

Hey there Christy! Missed talking to you....yeah last week was rough all around..but we trudge on, I had tons of bad news but this weekend sure brightened my mood up tons!

Hi there Ian, glad you stopped by, I'll check out the blog you told me about sounds interesting!

Liz...send Maggie on over! LOL she'll fit right in the hen house! LOL

LOL Elaine..people probably think Leah and I are nuts! But like Liz said actually riding a cow isnt so unusual, they mostly do it out west, and in European countries...In fact I'm sure you've seen the old time paintings or pictures of little girls riding a big old gentle cow! It used to be done a lot back when! Wouldnt it be neat to do that though...ride a cow in a parade??? I bet Leah and I would be the one's who got all the glory and attention! Bet we would make the paper for sure! LOL

Hi there Sue! thanks a lot for your comments too! I hope to come over and visit in the next day or so...

Okay its about 11 pm and I will be going out soon for another bottle for the calf and then bed so I'd better hop off here to get that ready and check on little Torro...Pictures tomorrow I promise. It was too dark in the barn today to get any!

I'm back!

One of this years first calves! And he is a little doll!

This is momma!

I've been gone so long! I'll have so much updating to do on everyone! I got TONS of emails and comments that I havent replied to, so I'll try to get caught up over the next few days. I probably wont be able to reply to each comment so I'll just say this...thanks guys for checking on me and your lovely comments!

I'll answer your emails later guys!

I have been lucky to have wifi access so I have been able to stop in by and by. I'm glad this nasty weather is gone....yesterday was 58 degrees and today I woke up to 26 degrees slapping me in the face! What a rude awakening! LOL

Okay so my blog is about farm life...the good the bad and the ugly...sometimes its a mixture of all.

Tuesday was a very unsettling day for me. I'm doing a separate post about that morning after this on a special topic.

But to put the day in a nut shell.......I wish it had never happened!

We began getting calves 6 days ago. We have a count tonight of 5 live births, 1 still birth, and 1 in the process of calving as I type. (I'm running out soon so we can go check on her)

Yes you read right, one still birth.

So I'm going to show and describe this incident.....I'm warning you now...if the sight of dead animals, or gross things make you sick...just go on and skip this post and go to the next. I have pictures included, not for the gore factor but for a learning experience.

Terrible Tuesday (as it is now referred too by me) started out with a flat tire on the trailer when we went to take the rest of last years calves to the sale barn, patched and promptly shredded half way there. But before we even left the house, we found a heifer (which is a 1st and 2nd year calving cow) trying to calve with her back downhill. Now cows are pretty athletic....that can be proven if you try to walk up to one of its little calves! They can jump and practically look like they are flying at you! LOL But when I cow gets her back downhill, feet uphill, they CAN NOT get up. Why? The way a cow stands prevents them from getting their footing or body rolled around when in this position. So this little heifer (who for a few days seemed like she was going to calve, acted a little sickly even)was trying to calve and if left there within 15 - 20 minutes would bloat and then die. The bloat is caused by the gases in their rumin not being able to be expelled or passed through the body. They can die within minutes if not found. We rushed to her, and saw an absolutely HUGE calf with only his muzzle and feet sticking out and the poor heifer flailing around everywhere. We pulled the calf, which is where you take some chains around each hoof, they are attached to a pulley- like pole and they are cranked tighter and tighter until it pulls the baby right on out.

Well did I say he was HUGE? OMG He was very big, no way momma could have had him even if she wasnt downhill! I pulled the bag from his face, and cleaned out his nose, and nothing. His head was REALLY swollen, and trying to "jar" him into breathing gave him a few kicks. Thats when we smelled him. Poor guy had died in the womb about 24 hours before she calved. No wonder she was sickly acting. Norm pulled her around and up on her feet and of course, things got worse...she prolapsed. Prolapse in case you arent aware is when the Uterus pulls free and falls through the cervix, or pelvic bone. So this poor sick heifer, who just lost her baby, sicker than a dog, been stuck for about 30 minutes, now had this happen.

Well Dr. Mark came out and sewed her back up, and after about 24 hours she was up and walking around and eating. Now she has to be sold, every time she calves she will prolapse. But at least she is alive.

So here are a few of the shots I took of the whole ordeal. I purposely didn't put the real Gorey pictures, I figured they were a little much. But here you will get the idea.

The day just wasnt a good one at all. In fact this week has been terrible. But I'm here and talking to you now! So there is a bright spot after all! ;-)

Well I'm going to prepare for my next post......it's a hard one for me...and you'll understand when you read.

So to end on a good note.....we now have a full carton of eggs from Pepper! When my daughter gets home this weekend, we shall all have eggs for breakfast! I'm excited! And Lisa.....I read about your hen, Honey I too didn't think I could love a chicken.....but then again when I thought that, I'd never had a chicken...therefore I knew nothing! LOL Chickens are great and lovable and I'm sorry to hear about yours!!!!!!!!

Spinning yards....I assume that Angus is up and over scours???? I will post up that homemade scours remedy and what to do if a calf gets scours in another post tonight. Right now I've got to go check on a cow! Wish her luck!

Friday Farm Forcast: COLD!!!! & the day in pictures.

Good evening! I've only got a few minutes here, so I've got to make this fast! Busy day, and unfortunately all of it was spent outside, except for the last 3 hours I've spent indoors making soap, lip balm, and body butter......soooo yummy!

And now, going to figure out how we are going to fit in supper, and Douglas' basketball game!

Tomorrow Norm and I are going to a farm auction.

Sunday! Meeting Libby, a sweet friend ( on my Bluegrass etsy street team-whom I must call my "teacher" cause she has helped me out soo much when I first started making soap) face-to-face for the first time! YEA! I cant wait! I'm hyped!

Kids are gone this weekend, and it looks like its going to be another busy day tomorrow!

Nite all, sleep well and warm.

~*~Rae~*~

"Regret for wasted time is more wasted time."-Mason Cooley

Dreaming of Summer...Blog STILL not updating!!!!AARRGGHH

I'm soooo frustrated with google blogger right now. I've been in the discussion rooms about how to fix something thats broken...The Blog Doctor has given me instructions that I have followed and still.....my updates are not showing up.....I dont know what else the "Blog Doctor" will suggest....maybe it'll get fixed....probably not...thats my luck.

We have put all the horses into the barns to get out of the nasty weather over the next few days. I'm not so much worried about the 4 over in another pasture....they are young and healthy and are more capable of handleing cold winds and even temps in the single digits...however..they dont have a shed to run in right now since we have the keeper heifers in the half of their lot that has the shed....so there is no protection from the cold wind, possible snow and rain or ice. But still...they are much younger and handle KY weather pretty good. But just in case, they are put up in the barn....its a good solid barn with no drafts so they are well protected...maybe will get bored...but out of the elements. King is another story all together due to his age, and of course little Jack is just a baby I dont know if he would withstand this cold front better or worse than the others, and since he is here at the house with King...he gets stalled up to. I'll allow those two to get out of their stalls and walk around in the barn a bit while I do some cleaning tomorrow so they hopefully wont be so bored and restless.

Norm and I fed cattle today, the keeper heifers and the 73 cows on the hill needed hay. The other bunches were all fine.

Funny thing...since we separated the Momma cows into two bunches...One pasture(Poodles-yes thats the name of that part of the farm) has 41 and the other (on the hill)had 71 for 2 or 3 months...now the hill has 73. Hmmm add water and multiply? LOL Guess there have been 2 hiding out. We always count cows all year to be sure there are no problems, a death, or illness. We count DAILY when its calving season....so how we missed those 2 are a mystery. Just like the little calf born a week before Christmas....how that immaculate birth happened we dont know. She had to have been bred the VERY last day the bulls were in which for us is odd since we had 2 bulls in that bunch that dont "miss". Oh well....at least we arent missing 2!

Tomorrow Norm has his Dr. check up...the first after his surgery. He is doing well, tomorrow making 2 weeks and he has been walking and working for a full week now! He doesnt have any pain...it just aches but he says more from the incisions than where they reconstructed his ACL that was snapped in two. I think he is doing exceptional. Lisa - I hope that your ACL repair will go just as well for you!!!!! ((((prayers are being said that that happens for you!!!))))

Well...not much to blog about....I'm feeling like $8@!, still have this fever thats lingered for over 2 months, its dreary so my mood isnt good to say the least, and I'm so freaking tired all the time its making me ill-tempered! Hopefully I'll get the whole blog thingy straightened out.

So gonna head out....

Red sky in the morning - Shepherds warning...

Peace-Rachel