Happy (Spidey) Halloween

 

Barb Wire Tumbleweed Globe

Whenever we replace some old fence, I try to save the rusty barb wire.  I finally found something to do with some of it.

I found this on Pinterest.  The description did not include a size.

I went with a 24 nice diameter. First, I made four individual circles.  I put three of them together the took the forth and placed it around the circumference perpendicular to the other theee.

From there it was just a matter of rolling more wire around it.

I loved it but thought it needed more wire.

                                             7

 I had been using pieces of wire that I had removed the barbs from to connect the wires randomly where they crossed.  It was a bit tedious. 

Then I had an epiphany.  I remembered about these copper hog rings that I had. 

That made connecting the wires a breeze.  They should weather pretty quickly and not be too shiny. 

After adding another wreath of wire, I was done.

 I think some Christmas lights will be just the thing. 

Around The House

Ever since hurricane Helene, we have had no more rain.  Yet according to the online drought monitor we aren’t even concerned abnormally dry.  The dry weather and warm temperatures have made it very nice to be outside. 

Our red maple and burning bushes are at their peak. 

I just love this view down the driveway.

We have been having some beautiful foggy sunrises. 

But about the only thing blooming are the mums that we won as a door prize at a Farm Bureau dinner.  When Sadie was here Saturday she just about hugged them.
 

40 More Feet

Would you believe last week while we were at Mike’s Hall of Fame ceremony, someone managed to tear out 40 feet of fence at a farm we rent on the main road.  When we got home there were three messages from different people about the fence.  Apparently, the cows were right there and could have gotten out onto the road.  Fortunately, a great neighbor patched it up enough to keep the cows from getting out.

Yesterday I went with Joe to help with a more permanent repair.  This is at a wide spot next to the main road.  People are always parking or turning around here.  Our guess is that one of the logging trucks backed into it and tore out the posts and wire.  I picked up trash while waiting for Joe to need me to help.  Someone that likes Bootlegger and Fireball whiskey is pretty trashy.  I picked up half a dozen of each of those drinks.  I really dislike trashy people.

Anyway,  Joe had some old wire from where we had replaced another fence that we used for this project.  That along with three more metal posts got the job done.

So 40 more feet of repaired fence to go along with all the fence that trees have fallen on and the flood took out.  Are we done with fences yet?
 

Garden Chair Of Solitude

For those of you that follow the Terrible Real Estate Agent Photographs blog (link on my side bar) you already know about the garden chair of solitude.  For those that don’t know,  HERE is the link to those particular posts. It is worth the effort to click the link for a good laugh.

Well, after the flood I was riding Hugo through the bottom and we encountered his first Garden Chair of Solitude.  It was about the only thing that caused him any concern on our ride. 

 I think this one could be a contender for the series Alone. 

Change Of Plans

I decided a couple of weeks ago to quit pursuing my plan to enter Hugo in a limited distance endurance ride.  We started out doing great with conditioning, but then between the hurricane/flood, Emily’s wedding and life I just wasn’t managing enough riding time.  It wasn’t fair to Hugo to continue to push him into something he wasn’t going to be ready for.

I will say that the extra time that I had already put in has paid off.  Hugo seems to be more comfortable going everywhere at different speeds.  But he is still hard to catch. 

And now I don’t have to feel guilty on the days I choose to ride Otoelene.  Maybe I will look for another ride in the Spring.
 

Sock Eating Boot

We have a small group for fall calving cows at the house.  Joe wanted to get them up today to vaccinate and deworm the cows and vaccinate and ear notch the calves.

They were on top of the hill in front of the house.  It was a hike to get up there but the view was totally worth the effort. 

The sunshine on the fog made it look almost like a lake. 

Emily sent some beautiful pictures of her trip and I told Joe that it is nice to travel and see new things, but it even better to walk out the door and see this every day.

However, walking up the hill Joe had to take a break to fix his sock.  He said his boot was eating it.  I had never heard it phrased that way but it was an apt description.  He said it was a common saying.  Well, he must have had good socks for the last 35 years because I had never heard him say it before.

Back at the barn we got the cows and calves worked in short order.

 It was a short morning chore. 

Petting Zoo

I think we could just about open a petting zoo here.

Allie really likes Lucy.  She kept calling Ricky the big cow and asking to go feed the little calf when we’re were at the barn a couple of days ago.

Yesterday, Sadie wanted to get in the rabbit pen to pet them.  I am bunny sitting for Emily and Keiran until they return from their honeymoon.  Today was spay day for Cinnamon and Thyme.  Another vet at the clinic does that surgery. She said everything went well.  They are back in their pen and doing fine so far. 

Sadie wanted to ride but we didn’t have time.  She settled for walking around the field to pet each horse, except Hugo who is in a different field and I still can’t walk up to him to pet. 

 Lastly, Sadie wanted to sit on the porch and hold Kit.  He is such a tolerant cat that loves attention.  I wasn’t there because I was taking Allie back to the house.  But Joe took Sadie to feed the dogs, they got petted too.

Selling Goats

We have decided to cut our goat herd down from 75 nannies to around 40.  That means culling a lot.  The sheep and goat sale at the market is every 3rd Saturday. 

Allie helped round them up yesterday. 

It wasn’t a particularly difficult task.

They headed right for the barn.

Once they are all together it starts to look like a lot.   They stayed in a lot next to the barn overnight so they would be easy to get up this morning.

And with Mike’s help, everything was a breeze.

Joe and Mike took turns catching.  I tagged the ones leaving and dewormed some of the ones staying.

Mike put a few wrestling moves on some of them.

We culled around 25 nannies and sold the bigger end of the wether kids.

Next month we will select the replacement females, maybe cull a few more nannies and  keep a few small kids since they don’t bring very much.  It seems to work out better to keep them another year to let them grow.

Next on the agenda is finding a new billy.
 

Hall Of Fame

We happily attended Mike’s induction ceremony into his High School’s Hall Of Fame Today.

Each inductee was introduced by someone that knew them well and touted their accomplishments.  Then the inductees offered a few remarks.  

We are very proud of Mike and his wrestling achievements, culminating in winning the State Championship his senior year.

Mike showed us the trophy hall.

And I know his mother is very proud.

Afterwards, we were all treated to a nice lunch.  Sadie and Allie had fun playing with their cousin.

They even had a game of Candy Land.

It was a very memorable day.  Congratulations Mike!