Just a bit of cabin fever

Pasture View from the front door. The now empty windswept pasture that is not in use right now.

Some days are spent waiting for Rich to wake up and help him either have lunch or some other meal. I ache to get outside and do something other than just chores.

View out the porch door also:

On those really cold days I think up other things.
Like a bit of computer art work to color up my day:

Yesterday I picked up an odd looking piece of 'something' from the floor of the shed. It probably came from hay.

But it struck me with an idea.

Some flat still life work with natural things. The curly things are from a grapevine I passed while walking through the neighbor pasture the other day.
I need a do over for this. Perhaps putting the items in tiny vases would be neat.

This one was just for fun. I found this old rusty odd can in the shed.

I picked up my Grandmother Pearl's old notebook of directions on how to make lace and doilies and ...

And then some messing around...

There is a story behind this pink one eyed bear...I just couldn't resist it.
It was alone on the shelf purchase price... $1.
I felt it needed a good home.

And then a Thank You card for Mr. Farmer ... for all of his help.

So after I get Rich set up for the morning, I'll grab my snowshoes, make a stop to feed the new kid goat and play with him.

Then head out in this latest snow storm. The snow coming down is light fluffy and quite beautiful.

I am tired!

Early morning work out yesterday with CrossFit. I got home to do my chores, the neighbor's chores and of course the regular stuff.

Last night I caught an opossum in the neighbor's hen house. It was in a nesting box and I have no clue as to how it got in but I couldn't leave it there!

So I had to get it out, but it was not cooperative and it was very nasty.
I used a shovel and a rake to get it out and got it in a bucket and put a lid on it with a metal weight to get it out of there.

From wrangling angry possums to....
a pretty bad night with my sweetie...

to...
finding a goat in the throes of labor when I went up to do morning chores....

I didn't know it was Sedona's first time kidding. I called said neighbors to ask where they were on their travels back home and they said they would be home in about an hour.

I told them that their goat was ready to give birth.
Only after the hoof and nose presented, Sedona gave up for a long while. She came an leaned up against me and I could see she was chilled and exhausted.
I wondered how long she'd been at it.
All I recall from my goat days was that they hardly ever have kidding problems and usually give birth after presenting within 30 minutes.

Thankfully the neighbors did show up. Their oldest boy came in to see if Sedona had given birth.
I told him: Get warm soapy water and your mom and her goat kit. Sedona needs help.

Everyone came and I had Lauren hold Sedona while I examined the baby. It was alive but the sac had broken. I washed up and soaped up, Lauren offered me some gloves but I know from ages of birthing animals that my hands could feel much better without. Oh well, it would be messy anyway.
The kid was twisted the head turned as to make the birth impossible... and as Sedona bawled out her protest, I got the kid straightened and pulled the both feet gently forward as she pushed.
I saw the nose and tongue.
Lauren's husband got me a piece of twine and I caught up the slippery legs.

Funny now that I look back on it. I talked to Sedona like this:
Hey honey, I got the feet, okay I got the nose,...oh sweetie just give me a little push...come on that's it..
that's good...
oh sweetie...
yes...
come on...

I kept up the blather until with a huge bawl the head came out and I told Sedona that it was all easy peasy now!
Baby came out all slimy. Broke in my new coveralls as I pulled the kid onto my lap and started to clear the nose and mouth of goo and ick.

Sedona gave one sigh and walked away shaking. We adult humans kneeling in the bedding with a newborn goat were in wonder. The children stood glued to the stall panels watching and talking.

This little one was brought into the house and wrapped in warm towels and dried off. He ... it was a he...got some colostrum and warmed up.

My neighbor sent me a photo just before I went out for our evening chores...

What a beautiful little Lamancha!

One of the kids asked me later if I'd ever helped deliver a baby animal before and I had to smile at all of the times I had.

I feel good inside.

Simple

Photo by me.
Done in my DIY Lightbox.
Edited with Paint Shop Pro and added texture overlays.

Lyrics by Ellie Goulding: How Long Will I Love You

How long will I love you
As long as stars are above you
And longer if I can
How long will I need you
As long as the seasons need to
Follow their plan

How long will I be with you
As long as the sea is bound to
Wash up on the sand

How long will I want you
As long as you want me to
And longer by far
How long will I hold you
As long as your father told you
As long as you can

How long will I give to you
As long as I live through you
However long you say

How long will I love you
As long as stars are above you
And longer if I may

How long will I love you
As long as stars are above you

Snow Shoe..in'

The proper thing would have been to take skis right? It is so much easier to glide across the snow.

Well.

Not exactly.
Not when you are crossing creeks and jumping rocks or going over downed trees.

Then my backcountry snow shoes are much better. Though after crossing water, you have to get the ice/snow out of the cleats or they clog up. I carry a stick for that. I have my Kenosha pal to thank for that nice heavy walking stick he made for me.
I abuse it a lot.

Once out of the wind, it wasn't too bad. There were no tracks on the ridge or in the wide open pasture areas, but as I got closer to the creek I saw more trails.
The deer, coyote, raccoon, and all other animals were sharing the trails along the creek.

Hmmm, snow day! Schools were closed. The desk is frozen in place so I don't think I will be moving it any time soon.

I kept getting surprised at the reflections in the creek. The snow had covered all the rocks and gave the bottom a soft look.

This photo above is my favorite place of all the creek.

I walked to the snow mobile crossing and then turned around and headed home.

I think I could have spent hours walking about and just enjoying the beauty...

But we eventually have to return home and the duties that await us there....

Big Snow

While slogging through the snow up to the neighbor's house I took several measurements with a ruler. 7 inches here, 8 inches there, and 10 inches in another spot. I stopped measuring. It was obvious we had a snowfall and there was more to come later on.

I had debated wearing the snowshoes, but taking them off to go in the neighbor's house...well I just didn't feel like taking them off and putting them on over and over.

All the goats were good, the rabbits were fine, ... chickens...good! I shoveled around the coop and the doorway to the goat pens and opened the door a bit for some air.

I heard some rumbling noises and figured it was the town truck up on the ridge. When I got done feeding I was surprised by being able to walk back down the driveway. There was a Good Samaritan who plowed.
Word has gotten around about Rich being ill. Over the years Rich was the guy who jumped on his tractor, skid steer, or ran over with his truck and chainsaw...or whatever else was needed to assist anyone. He'd even fix things just because a good neighbor needed something fixed. As an ex welder, he knew how to do it properly too.

I have clean up to do in front of the shed and next to the horse trailer AND the little turn around. But I put my big girl pants on the other day and fueled up the skid steer and did some pre storm cleaning. I did it super slow and it went well.

Charlie tried his best to play in the snow but got cold in the morning. He has been rummaging around in the big shed. Last night I think he ate something that upset his stomach, this is the second time he has done that. No more chores with Charlie unless I can keep him close for a while. [I think he looks for bird feathers in the shed and then eats them? Ewwwww....]
We'll try some walks on leash [it is coyote mating season] these next few days.

Well there you have it for right now.

I took a long snow shoe hike yesterday during the storm through the valley. It was wonderful.

That Good Samaritan came through again this morning and blew another 5 inches of snow and drifts off the drive.
I am so grateful.

This above is a shot of one of the summer pastures. I just loved the fresh snow...

Have a good day. Time to get my day going.

Photos from my walk coming soon.

Winter Thoughts

I've always said I've loved winter.
This week I am changing my mind.

Here is Charlie with his 'walking' rope going up the driveway after our last snow storm. My wonderful neighbor plowed us out again, and that night the winds blew portions of the lower driveway in. I shoveled part of it because I figured it wouldn't be a big deal.
Boy was that stuff packed in!

Let's face it. This one person with a little shovel wasn't going to clear it. I could use the skidsteer but I am a bit leery of it now. Machines and I don't like each other much.

So the neighbor said he'd come down and clean this up before he and his family left on their week long vacation.

I was all smiles about that until I just looked at the forecast for the next few days.
3-5 inches of snow and wintery mix on Sunday? Then additional 'stuff' on Monday eve through Tuesday. Um.
Rich has a PT appointment on Tuesday. It looks like the additional 'stuff' could be significant.

Plan A.
Plow with the skidsteer like crazy and make that appointment.
Plan B.
Don't go crazy and reschedule.

Plan C.
Call around and see if I can get someone to plow for me.
I like plan C.
I think I will mix up plan C with plan B.


Truthfully, I could probably get out with the big ol' Truck in most weather, but I prefer not to drive the truck. The 'Ru can handle most things.
But it is the driveway hill that strikes fear in my heart.

I guess I will just have to wait and see what comes at us this week.
My freezer is full and we have plenty of food and milk...well, I could use some more coffee.
Must always have coffee.
Right?

If I get stuck at home I can work on the calendar I was supposed to make for us. And one for the neighbor ... a small gift for all of their help.

I can practice some still life.

In fact. Things won't be that much different than they normally are.

Except ... well.
Except I will miss my neighbors dreadfully.

But I will be doing some chores each day. Feeding the goats and chickens. Checking on the snakes, rabbits, and the Madagascar Hissing Beetles.
Basil is staying with neighbor's mom.

I guess if the weather gets nasty I won't stress out. I'll reschedule the PT appointment and carry on as I always do.

Instead I will find ways to enjoy the winter weather.
The temperatures will be just about perfect for hiking and exploring, at least there will not be a Polar Vortex this week!

Travels with Charlie...

Charlie is about 13 months old now, and I've struggled for a while to get him used to car travel without getting sick.
In his crate he gets sick.

So I'd made him a DIY car seat and he liked it but still drooled and acted as though he was going to be sick at any time on most car rides. On the way home from our hikes he always curled up and slept, so I figured it was just nerves about going places. He never has acted sick while someone was holding him...

So!
Yesterday I decided to take him to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. He has proven over and over again to be an excellent little hiking partner. He is easy to take on a leash and is excellent at trail walking when I let him drag a line or leash. He still has issues with wonderful smells and ignoring me for those smells. But that is what a dog's life is all about. Smells. Charlie teaches me to stop and 'smell' the forest and look around.

On our drive to KVR he just sat in his car seat and looked around.
This isn't a very good photo, but I stopped to make a turn and grabbed a quick shot with the cell phone.

He was curious, but NO drooling or gagging!

When we finally got to our parking spot, he came alive and started to whine a bit. He has it figured out. Car ride = Hiking and Cool Smells.

I found the trail head for this section of the Cut Off Trail and we started along the rock formations. The snow, the big melt, and the big freeze had created a tail only fit for Yak Traks or cleats. Snow shoes would have worked with ice cleats, but I'd worn my Yak Traks.

What was amazing is that the Polar Vortex had cooled the rock croppings and the rapid warm up had created a frost on the surfaces of many rocks which gave the rocks an odd look as if they had white fungus on them.

Charlie forged ahead following the trail around this bluff ...

I was torn between taking closeup shots of all the ice and textures in this spot or just a landscape shot showing the trail along the rock formation. Ice formations were all around.

I just went with the 'Big' picture.

It was so overwhelming.
It was so quiet, except for the crows...
It was so peaceful.

The ice was beautiful in its own way, if you like winter.

We then turned and made out way back towards the stream and along a rock outcropping.
I walked between the stream and the bluffs.

The stark contrast between the ice and the frosty bluff was pretty neat. I didn't go any closer as there was water flowing under the ice between myself and the rocks.

Charlie and I made it back to the car and then we drove down and around the corner and parked.
We took another long walk to check out where Warner and the Kickapoo joined up.

There were Ice Shoves from the recent melt down and gnarled twisted wrecks of trees from this summer's flooding. Yet it was still beautiful.

We walked and took in the scenery.
When I got back to the Subaru, I set Charlie in his car seat and he curled up and fell sound asleep.