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Work, we won't even go there...wish I did not have to go.  I think my favorite part of the last two weeks is all the on line training. When do I have time to train when I am trying to run a business?  Also the new and improved, cut down on paper work brain child of a moron program that we are required to use that is not available half of the time has been a joy and a delight.  Enough said, I will not make it ruin my evening too.

I was sorting my emails to place all my wonderful comments in a row without any interference from the junk mail when I decided, boy if only these were true!  I could lose a hundred pounds collectively is just a few days, lower my interest rates and rake in the money from twenty foreign citizens who have chosen me especially because of my sweetness and my ability to help other people.  I could do all this while sporting an enormous erection that would please any one. I love the junk mail.

I did notice I am posting for the eight hundred eighty-eighth time and thought that was very special.  That someone is  reading my blog is amazing and I savor each comment like I would expensive dark chocolate.

Thank you for making this possible.

I thought it might be fun to answer some questions...any one  have a question for me?

This N That With No Pictures

Either my computer is crazy or I am.  I try to upload a picture and it says, site had exceeded number of times to retry.  Any computer experts know what is going on?  Is my computer too full or my blog have too many pictures.  I am lost, as usual.

I must show pictures, perphaps I show too many!  My words are never good enough to describe what a picture can say.

The weather has been dream weather.  Things are growing like crazy which means soon our maintenance will not break even with the growing.  In the pastures, this is good.  Not so good in the yard.  Every thing Marcy has planted has come up so we will be blessed with food and flowers.  I even planted some old dry butter beans from a bag to cook and every one has come up!  I don't even like butter beans...hubby does so hope he will enjoy the fresh ones when they come.

The flowers are stunning and I WAS going to share some of those but I will have to wait and see what my computer problem is.  In the meantime, you are stuck with only my words.

After six weeks, my voice is here more than gone.  I still cannot hear well but I think I am getting the best of this unnamed crud that has dominated every moment of my life for so long.  I shall miss it when it is gone.

The horses are shedding their winter coats quite nicely and are getting their summer shine.  I love it!  I spent yesterday evening scratching, brushing, hugging and loving them.  I still think the best smell in the world is the smell of a horse.  I buried my face in their necks and did get my daily hit of that lovely smell. 

For those horse experts, I have a bay Arabian that seems to be dappling...is that possible with a bay horse?

We have a new baby heifer, doing well.

Hubby is donating a bull to the school to raise money for the new PA system for the sports field.  The bull have been trimmed and photographed and chances will be sold to win him.  I hope he raises enough money to pay for the entire system.  Hubby would be so proud.

Work, sadly, beckons me and I must heed the call.  One of these day, it will no longer call and I can spend my entire day At The Farm.

This N That

I believe Mother Nature has it messed up this year but I am not complaining.  Red Buds, Dogwood and Irises do not bloom at the same time!  Every where I see it, May's flowers are blooming with April's.  Tulips show their color along side the blooms of Iris and Lily.  The plums, peaches, pears and apples are all blooming.

Good bye, terrible Winter.

Hello, Spring/Summer.

All horses brushed, wormed, trimmed and tucked into their pasture after a day on good, green grass.  It was nice to get covered with horse hair, snuggled by big animals, and know there are a few less winter hairs that I will have to brush next time.

It is thrilling to know all are ready to ride.  I just have some tweaking to do on saddles and bridles.  Just a few things, like changing my reins to clips instead of buckles, combining some bridle parts to make complete sets for each horse.  When completed I can grab a bridle and know it belongs to this horse, completely adjusted and ready to go.  I have to change the monster cinch to the Australian for Charme and the western for all the others.  I will have each horse a saddle that fits perfectly but must take a step at a time.  The Western does well on the boys since they are similiar in build.  Some day I will add a barrell saddle or trail saddle for the lightness of them.  This old lady can't swing those big Westerns like I used to do.

The high line crew is busy putting in culverts and big gates and new roads.  The farm will never look the same but I do hope it looks better.  I can not prevent progress but I can pray nothing but good comes from these changes. At least now, I will not have to worry if the horse will cross the creek, they won't even know they are crossing water.

Still nursing the crud.  We have become close friends and it is with me day and night. I can't hear out of one ear and I cough a lot.  This has been my constant companion for almost a month, I am ready for it to move out!  Hubby was sick one day and rushed to the doctor and brought me medicine too so hopefully...

Still short handed at work, with no change in sight.  I know many are working six days to help the post office through its readjustment but I am so tired, sick and tired.

Time moves to the busy season At The Farm. Then I think, is there an unbusy season??

I hope Spring has graced you with her beauty.

The Cross I Bear

Just a catch up on things happening At The Farm. I am still lazy and since I did not have enough work to do, I am now working six days a week at my job for an indefinite span of time. Will I survive? Who knows. My replacement had an opportunity to temporarily run another office. That is a great chance for her but not for me, except for the over time. That will be good. I can prepare for my retirement and have postponed it till all is settled. Hopefully that will be soon. Idea scenario, Leshia gets her own office and I can retire knowing she is in good shape.

Marcy is still paring pears and preserving them either by drying or canning. The crop is not over yet. The frost did not seem to damage much, even though it was a heavy one. The roses are only bitten around the edges so we may still have a bouquet or two.

Nuts are still being gathered by the nuts that live here and various creatures.

Plans for The Red Barn are developing. The equipment, cash counter and some shelves will hopefully be moved in this week. The arrangement Queen, Beverly, will have her work cut out for her. This wall shall be this and this corner will be that, etc.

Gypsy's training is progressing but no one seems interested. This is sad because she is a darling dog and is good with kids, cats, dogs, horses, cattle and a goat. Amazing what that girl will do for a treat. She met her first Otter the other night and that was a adventure for her. She is presently standing with her head in my lap wanting more attention. Gotta love her, she is a sweetie pie!

I guess I have to mention my cross now. It is working full time, raising a grandson, training a dog, trying to help Hubby on the farm, and getting the shop ready, which I have been elected to run, We have Marcy's other house to sell in Randolph County. Ah, the list is unending.

You make that cross easier and more enjoyable with your visits and comments. I looked and I have seventy-one followers...yipeee! I remember being scared when it took a few days to get my first comment.

You help me realize the beauty around me and remind me I am very fortunate to be one of the custodians of this wonderful space I call At The Farm. The truth is we never own a place, we only care for it, to assure this life continues by working with nature and not against it.

Thank you, my followers, my friends. You keep me honest and humble.

This N That

First day back to work after nine days off. I discovered I can not spell, think, add, or read any more! My foot gave me fits and developed quite a knot on top of it but much better than before medicine.

Came home to Marcy's Magic...potato cakes, caramel rolls and ham in a blanket. She fixes some things and I add to it for dinner. Last night it was freshly caught Bass from the pond.

Bev was almost in tears because she hit a root and bent the blade on the riding mower. I said Bev you use stuff, things happen, not your fault. I called her at home after Den had fixed it to make her feel better. She had just bent a piece of metal rather than the blade and Den knocked that right back into place. Bev sure was happy cause she thinks she tears up lots of equipment, heck, she is the only one that has been using the lawn care equipment...none of us have the time.

My bestest friend, Belinda, from Georgia sent me probably a bushel of fresh Vidalia onions. I think they cull them in the fields and if there is a small blemish or they are not shaped right, they give them away to who ever wants to pick them up. One place just feeds them to their cows. Not a thing wrong with them that I can see, except they are fresher than the ones in the store.

One bathroom is finished. Miracle working Bev has painted my whole bathroom, changed the color scheme, added shelves and it looks so good! I can't decide whether to sit on the screen porch or just take a book and sit in the bathtub. She had redone it when she was living here and caring for Dad. Bev said it was time for a makeover and who am I to argue with my decorator???

Awards day tomorrow at school and Andrew will be out of school til the middle of August. He is so glad! Not exactly a school lover, but he endures.

We have four calves now. Den loaded up last years and took them to the sale barn. I kinda hated it but he has to build fence so we can feed more but gotta sell some to get money for more fence. You farmers out there know what I'm talking about. We do have one up to fatten for this year's beef. TBone was so delicious and tender last year, I can not wait til this one is ready. Gelbvieh meat is so much better then any I have had, more marbling, more tender, more flavorful...now I'm getting hungry! Den has not named this one yet, maybe he will be Sirloin.

I have blabbered enough.

Here's the tip of the day: NEVER MAKE ANYONE MAD THAT OWNS A BACKHOE!

This N That

Boy, I use that title a lot! It is usually when I have a lot of things to say that have nothing to do with each other.

TP was Daddy's dog. Here she is in all her tattered glory.

Zander is learning about work hats early.


Another free range rooster

First, I must say I met a wonderful person at work today. May be just the person we need to have items in our new business. http://www.earthartandfoods.com/ has so many beautiful pieces, all hand made, and grows mushrooms, too. If you stop by, tell him, Gail At The Farm sent you. I am having a little trouble with his contact me button but I have notified him about the problem. This stuff is so cute and artsy!

Now for my day, I got to listen to deconstruction half the day at work. They are replacing my siding and I do not know why. I asked for a new floor three years ago and I am getting new siding. Maybe if I ask for a roof, I will get a floor.

Princess is not liking the pen!

We have added to the barn cats. We have two new litters since we only have two females, this is 100% production, now if I could sell them, this would be good.

Will I ever get to sit and enjoy the flowers?