Rain, rain, a little more rain, and today help is coming in the form of a big load of mulch to top off the area behind the backyard fence, create a new “berm” along the new river route that seems to be forming every time it rains lately, replace the washed-away mulch in the new “river bed,” and finally get the inkberry hollies in back mulched. This along with some trenching should get us back to the usual water flow patterns.
Every time I see a dump truck for sale I think “I need that” - wouldn’t it be nice to be able to go get loads of mulch and stone whenever I need them?
I spent some time earlier this week propping up pollinator plants that have gotten so tall they are now tipping over. Next year I will follow the advice I was given to pinch the tall-growing ones back early in the season so they get bushier and not so beanstalk-y.
It’s been a nice few days at the barn, just following the routine of mucking, feeding, grooming, hanging out with the herd. Yesterday Keil Bay and I got a rare treat. Our massage therapist came and set up her traveling table and hot stones in the living room. Ninety minutes of bliss and then we shifted to the barn aisle for Keil Bay’s hour. He immediately went into his bodywork endorphin zone and yawned, licked, chewed, googled his eyeballs, and turned about 50 times to thank H for being such a good massage therapist!
I came inside happy and relaxed.
Sometimes good things come to an abrupt end. When I went back to feed dinner and turn out, Rafer was mildly lame on his right hind for no apparent reason. Hoof looks great, he just got trimmed Tuesday, no heat, no evidence of anything. Fetlock maybe a tiny bit puffy but he was using his leg and did put weight on that hoof so I turned him out hoping that the normal routine would be the best medicine. He’s about the same this morning. I’m keeping them all out until mid-morning so some cleaning can be done in the barn, and if he seems any worse when I bring them in I’ll call the vet.
(Really hoping this is not the “A” word)
After checking Rafer last night, Keil Bay coughed about five times and I went into a panic thinking he was choking. Nothing coming out of nostrils, nothing alarming. Sometimes a cough is just... a cough. But as I was assessing that, a huge horsefly landed on my back and I came inside with four big bites.
A little witch hazel and all was well again.
I’m hoping the work today prevents a big mess tomorrow when, you guessed it, more rain is predicted!
In the big picture, I slept really well, feel good this morning, and am grateful for my time on the table yesterday. All are healthy and happy with one sweet little exception, and we’ll get him back to normal soon. I’m focusing on the acorns falling, muscadines turning, and a few less biting insects than has been true, big horsefly notwithstanding. :)
billie hinton’s camera-obscura:
life and lessons on November Hill Farm
Hope Rafer heals quickly. Your massage sounds wonderful. I could use one. Seems like you’re doing lots of work there rerouting water. We’ve been having big storms here too...having one now. Just got the herd in during the thunde and rain,they’re all so calm it’s amazing. The neighbor here keeps trying to sell me his dump truck and I’d love it the problem is where to put it!
ReplyDeleteEither he sprained his leg or he has an abscess. He is moving and grazing but also resting some too. Not getting worse, not getting better! You’re right re: the water stuff here. Everything flows away from house and barn but I’m trying to get things flowing the way they used to flow. Between having the fencing put in and a few things being disturbed it seems the flow pattern has been altered. But I now have a very nice trench to get water around instead of through my pollinator beds, and a pile of mulch that is about a quarter of the way spread. More mulch and gravel Monday should finish that area.
ReplyDeleteLOL about parking the dump truck - that is such a good point. I want it but not parked on November Hill!
Stay safe and dry.