The Mag 148

Sunday, always a good day for creation, brings us the challenge I have grown to love from Magpie Tales.  Tess Kincaid spends many hours, I'm sure, trolling for a most excellent visual aid for our creation and your entertainment at Magpie Tales.  Not many rules but we have to play nice.

Snow and ice                                      Photo by Andy Magee 
To fog and rain
Made coming down
Easier than
Going up has been.

Saturday Centus 138 Thirteenth Day of Christmas

Saturday Centus Time with Jenny Matlock.  A wonderful Christmasy challenge 106 words for The Thirteen Day of Christmas.  I surprised myself.  The words flowed easily and counted 106 exactly.  Hop by Jenny's place and read all the tales.

The thirteenth day of Christmas
The stockings weren't found
The house was messy
The tree falling down

I wore my lovely sweater
My husband wore his ties
One thing made it better
Everyone said Goodbye

They took their presents
They left the mess
I hope they’re happy
I’m left with stress

Although it’s all over
The gifts are hauled away
Guests seemed to have forgotten
The meaning of the day

Christmas is about giving
Oh, so very true
Not mounds of senseless presents
But the gift of you.

So next year please
Keep your presents in your car
We’re having a real Christmas
Following The Star

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERY ONE!

Market Day and Peanut Hay...

Many small farms are unable to keep livestock any more.  The drought has finished many.  The need for hay far exceeds the resources.  All calves but one went to the sale in hopes we could find hay for our seed stock.  We wanted to keep our heifers this year since we had a beautiful bunch.  We could not, not knowing if we would find hay or not.  Many are making this choice and many have had to sell completely.

Hubby directs the trailer to the loading chute.  The bull was not happy and voices his discontent with part of his herd leaving.  He was in the corral with them but promptly jumped the gate crushing it with his heavy exit strategy.  Normally a nice calm fellow, he did not like this one bit.

On the news last night I heard people are stealing hay in Missouri and Texas because of the long drought or maybe just because they can.  Hay is at a premium.  We were able to go a different "hay" way this year.

Peanut hay!  We have hay and the cows love it!!!  I do believe we will have enough for the winter and that is a great relief.  We feed range cubes and keep feeder buckets out but hay or roughage is necessary.  I imagine horses would colic or founder on this but the cows are very happy.  In fact the first bale was rolled out by the bull himself.

In south Arkansas peanuts are grown.  They have a  machine that pulls them up.  After a few days, the peanuts are ready to be harvested.  Another piece of equipment picks up the plants and shakes them to remove the peanuts. What is left has been baled for cattle feed.  It would be an added bonus if peanuts voluntarily grow next year.

We are the lucky ones!  We have feed!  Our herd is the smallest it's been since we began.  Hopefully the rains will come well timed and we can increase our herd again.

For now, we're happy...WE HAVE HAY!

My Ghost Story Caught On Camera

I sat exhausted, vulnerable.  The most overwhelming feeling of sadness, hopelessness over came me.  My heart beat accelerated and a distinct heaviness centered in my chest.  I could not get past this depressed  feeling.

The circles under my eyes clearly show the effects of  dreams I can't explain and my lack of good sleep.  The extreme tiredness is mirrored in the folds of my face.

Marcy came to visit taking this picture.  The pressure is marked by the perfectly round orb centered on my chest.

I think I see a face! Camera malfunction?  No orbs in any other shots before this or after.

Does this mean something or is it a cock and bull story?

You decide.

Eating Out...

Gotcha!

A new place I whirled into on a day out with Marcy.

This was a  first for us.

The grill was surrounded by people waiting for lunch.  The chef entertained us with his artful cooking skills.

Rice, eggs and vegetables grilled and served to each plate.  

The meat is cooked next, chicken, shrimp and steak.

It was wonderful!

My steak was cooked to perfection.

The chef received a round of applause.