A break in the Clouds

We finally got a break from the constant rain. Everything is soggy of course but the boy was excited enough by even the prospect of getting to shoot skeet that he push mowed around the root cellar/duck pond. It's been a long time since we could even afford to shoot a couple clays around here. I got a few shots in while grilling our lunch, in between the flips. Even the college kid took a few shots. She just didn't want her brother to out-do her, LOL. They even conned a neighbor to pull for them, LOL. He didn't want to try it himself tho.

Check out those crazy kittens. There's 2 there from different Mommas with my old cat, Shadow. Shadow is 9 years old and has adopted both litters of kittens, tends them like they are her own.

Possible rain showers on and off thru Tuesday so I'm hoping to get a few things planted. The over night temps are still in the mid 40s.

I sold 7 bunnies to Rural King yesterday, my son's friends mother works there and they needed bunnies so they got some. Got a decent price for them, plus I don't have to feed them to butcher size. That's a win-win situation. I have 9 more that are 2 weeks old plus another batch I havent counted that were born 3 days ago. The rabbits are doing well this year.

Thank you all for your comments on the passing of my old mare, Dusty. I miss her very much.

Broken Heart

On February 9, 1983, a beautiful chestnut filly was born in Tallahassee Florida. I found her in the spring of 2000 and bought her as a barren mare. 2 foals later, countless trophies, show awards and 11 wonderful and exciting years with one of the smartest horses I have ever known, I write this with a broken heart. This morning was the last one for my friend Sheza Speck of Dust.

Still Storming

Yep, it's still raining! We did get a little break today, the sun even came out for a bit. But, here we are, getting rained on again, right at dark. I knew this one was coming so I milked and did evening chores a little early. We actually skated by in a tiny sliver and didn't get much of the storm, it's just raining more on us now. Like we need any more water here. Everywhere around us is flooded!

I made a little bit of money cutting a tree up for a farmer down the road and it burned a hole in my pocket. I spent it on plywood to fix the holes in the floor. I made myself a chicken laying box with the scrap. I hate to waste anything if I can avoid it so with just a tiny bit left over and a sturdy chicken box to hang, I'm a happy camper! And yes, I built it in the front room. It was raining outside! LOL

I've been having trouble getting the cows milk to form a good curd since she calved. I made a batch of colby tonight and added a bit of chloride to it that I have for the goats milk. It seemed to help some. I got a decent curd and it's in the press right now. I hope it looks good when it comes out of the press in the morning.

I have been mulling the idea of using those simple solar driveway lights for alternative lighting around the house. I picked up a couple of those single led lights and a couple of the 3 led spot light ones. The spot light ones are wonderful and 2 of them together puts off enough light to read by. They also have on/off switches. I have been using them out in the barn and they're working out great. I haven't quite gotten past the ideas in the head stage but I will share what I come up with when I get something solid worked out...

Quiet Waiting

Here's a peek at one of the newest kittens on the farm. Butter cat had these hid in amongst my canning jar shelves.

We had a nasty squall of a storm roll thru here this past Tuesday. Ripped roofs off, knocked down trees and knocked power out to several thousand people in the area. Wednesday morning broke to show all the nasty damage. To add insult to injury, Thursday night brought the next round which is still pounding us today. There's a line from around Tulsa OK, where the storms are forming from, that just keeps coming, one right after another. This little anomaly has not moved east at all. It has dumped plenty of rain on us and if ever there was a time I was glad to not have anything in the garden yet, this is it!

Having trouble getting the milk from the jersey cow to form a good curd to make cheese with. Not sure what's going on with it but the curd does not want to cook down to firming up. I'm open to any ideas...

Happy Easter......