Added Height

I had been briefly thinking about an adding some height to the flower bed next to the driveway. 

With the pear trees gone, the flower bed seems a bit short. 

Luckily, I had some wine barrel rings Mike had given me awhile back. 

 I decided to bolt two together then wire a piece of cattle panel to it to anchor it into ground. I think it will be perfect for some sweet peas to climb up this summer.

Last Group

Joe and I worked the last group of cows and calves this morning. 

We had 11 pairs to work and 7 for me to pregnancy check. 

It was nice finally getting the last ones worked.  Joe will be turning out the bulls out soon. 

The mud is long gone and we are back to dust. Some rain would really be appreciated. 

I did find a surprise in the barn. Luckily, it was just the skin and not the snake. 

Pretty cool how the scales over the eyes even shed. 

 

Zoom

Draper's colt has been very popular. 

They are spending more time outside.  After over 2 months in the barn, Draper is glad to be out on grass again. 

I caught some zoomies on video.  He is starting to venture away from mom more. 

Linda visited yesterday, 

and Carol came a little bit later.  "Golden Boy" (joe's nickname for him) is eating up all the attention. 

 

First Visitors

Day 3 and Draper’s colt had his first visitors. 

Mitchell and Ann came to see how cute his is in person.  Draper didn’t mind the extra people. She is just happy to be out on grass again.  

While Draper was eating her grain, her colt (I need a name) went over to see Joe. So far he seems curious and not too jumpy. 

By the way, he passed the initial test on getting enough colostrum. 

I don’t think I am being too biased when I say how handsome he is. 

He’s Here!

It has been a long wait.  After last year’s stillbirth I really wasn’t getting my hopes up.  But I was trying to do everything I could right.  She went over her due date by 10 days. She has been in the barn on fescue free hay since the first of April.  I have been putting her in a bedded stall every night for a week.  I aim the Birdfy camera at the whole barn during the day  and moved it to just the stall at night.  I can check the live feed on the app from anywhere.    I usually wake up around 2:30-3 and check the camera. But last night, I had an itchy spot right in the center of my back that I couldn’t reach and it wouldn’t go away.  So I thought I would go ahead and check the camera. 

 It didn’t record it but she was lying down. She went to roll over and hit the coral panels, got startled and jumped up. When she swung around I could see feet. I told Joe I was headed to the barn. 

I got there in time to see it born!  I did jump in and moved the placenta off his face. 

Then after a bit I untangled he’s front legs from her rear legs. 

Draper is being a good mom. 

He was born at 12:23, stood at 1:18 and nursed at 1:45.  I made it back to bed at 3:30. 

This morning he was still perfect. 

I had to go to work today but Joe will be there for the vet to do the foal CITE test to make sure he got enough colostrum.  

I will have plenty of blog material for awhile. 

In Bloom At The 4Rs

We are still in a drought but have had just enough rain to keep things green. Plus, I have been carrying a lot of water to the flowers. 

Not really a bloom, but I moved my wine bottle bush out from the shadows to the stump of one of the river birches that we had cut down. 

The cone flowers are just starting to bloom. 

And can you see that electric blue in the background? 

That is the delphinium that I planted last year as a trial.  I had never grown it before so I wanted to see if it would come back, and it did!  I think I might have to get a few more now. 

The day lilies along the driveway are heading towards their peak. 

And for my flower pots, I decided to try different foliage plants instead of flowers. 
 Who doesn’t love a nice poke a dot plant and sweet potato vine. 

$220 For $10

I really need to stop going to the Big Bin Dealz  Store. Today was $2 day.  I really held back and actually put some things back. But I did find some good Dealz. 

I had actually been looking for some new placemats. I thought these would look nice. 

I didn’t know they sold for $80 at Pottery Barn. 

I thought these wooded knobs looked cute. Surely , I can find a project for them. 

And a $20 savings is nothing to sneeze at. 

This is a 100% cotton table cloth. I really liked the pattern and color. 

$58 savings.  

I had gotten Emily’s stainless steel in sink dish drainer for Christmas a couple of years ago. 

I paid a little more than $2 for it then. I thought maybe I would give it a try to see if it would clear off my countertop some.  

A you-tuber I have been watching about growing house plants recommended a water meter instead of using your finger. 

For $2 I thought I might give it a try.  

Can you tell I am becoming addicted to this store.