It All Started Good….

The day had gotten off to a good start. Well, now that I say that it really hadn’t. We had met with our tax accountant and found out unless we charge something between now and the first of the year we will be owning a whole lot more in income tax.  

After that we were having more hay delivered. Between the drought and flood and drought we were going to need additional feed for the winter. 

I decided to ride Otoelene to relax and check on the progress of the two new billies we had turned out that morning. 

Everything was good except for the breezy weather.  

That’s when things came to an abrupt halt.  

The wind was rattling the tin roof on an old barn that has been trying to fall down. Otoelene is always a little iffy around it when the wind is up.  I thought that  I was making a big enough detour away from the barn but apparently I wasn’t far enough When she got up the last of the hill to the driveway she just started bucking and running   I pointed her up hill hoping that would slow her down. It did not and I eventually came off

Luckily, I had my phone but no signal . I decided once I had caught my breath, to try the SOS function. Joe was at the house and probably would not miss me for at least another hour. I was laying on my right side trying to type with my left hand.  It was very difficult. The voice function did not work but the message was that I could track the satellite across the sky and send a text.  I was finally able to send it and help did arrive. 

Two ambulance rides later, 

I am in the hospital in Roanoke awaiting back surgery tomorrow for a burst fracture of L1.  In order to try to avoid becoming paralyzed I have to lay flat on my back and try not to move. With the help of a lot of pain medicine I am managing so far. I have been told that if there are no complications I should get back to the condition that I was in, just with a less bendable back. 

Life can change in an instant.  Not necessarily the change I was hoping for in order to pay less income tax. 

 

Happy Birthday Joe!

I have been a little slack about the blog lately because I was at a continuing education meeting in Asheville.  I was able to spend some time with Emily and Keiran.  I learned a new board game, Wingspan.  Very fitting for two professional birders.  And  Carol came over for dinner one evening and enjoyed an episode of The Great British Baking Show.

But I had to get back for Joe’s birthday. 

Mike and Virginia had us over for steak last night.  No cake, but you can tell how good the ice cream was by Allie’s face.

Sadie also got messy licking the bowl.

Then mama took us out for the traditional birthday lunch.  Joe picked The Mason Jar.  I highly recommend  it.

Sadie and Allie enjoyed all of the extra adult attention. 

Afterwards we came back home to fire pit but it started raining so I baked a chocolate cake instead. So Joe  got his birthday cake after all.

 

No Coupons Needed

I normally don’t “penny shop” at Dollar General but I had my eye on that Dino canvas print for some time now. 

 I was also able to pick up some sunscreen and wasp spray while I was at it. $78 retail, 12 cents out of pocket. 

9 Years Of Help

Yesterday was fall calving cow working day.

It was beautiful weather again.

Once again, Joe had done all the pre work to make getting them up easy.

Mike was able to help us.  I can’t believe he has been helping for 9 years now.

One extra chore was to cut this cow’s horns back again.  Otherwise, they will start growing into her skin.

Her head and horns would not fit through the head gate.  So there were some adjustments to try to get a good angle with the saw.  Mission accomplished and she was turned back out.

Then it was time for the calves.

They are so cute.

I mean, don’t you just want to hug this one?

 I thought this one had some very unique hair swirls. It almost looks like another set of eyes.  No mishaps and Joe even took us out for lunch.

Leaves, Kit Kat, S’mores

The leaves all dropped off the red maple.  I raked them up Saturday and told Virginia I had a big pile of leaves.  

She brought Sadie and Allie over Sunday to play in them.

I had just planted a new azalea that I got at Lowe’s on clearance. Sadie gasped when she saw it and was surprised that it was blooming.  She asked if I had seen it as she grabbed a branch and picked it.  I said yes, I had seen it, I had just planted it!  She handed me the flower and said it was for Gigi.

Then back to the leaves.

Allie helped bury Sadie.

The leaves sticking all over didn’t bother her at all.

Then Kit Kat showed up.  He had no idea what was in store.

But once he found out, he didn’t like it.

But he did tolerate it.

He has got to be the best cat ever.

Then we started up the fire pit and made s’mores!  Not sure what this pose is but she was showing off how sticky her hands were after eating her s’more.
 Another fun Sunday afternoon. 

Bunny Sitting

My bunny sitting duties have ended. 

Emily and Keiran returned from Portugal and picked up Cinnamon and Thyme. I managed to keep them both alive and got them spayed.  They did escape a few times in the garage.  It was always a little nerve racking when I would go out there and only see one or none in the pen.  Then the hunt was on.  The garage is a little neater after the last hunt.  

Kit Kat was not too impressed with them leaving.  

But I received a very cute bunny sitting thank you gift to remember them by. 

 Not really sure what is says on the back, looks like Portuguese to me. 

Bumper Crop

Bumper crop of what you may ask, 

Hedge apples, or Osage Orange.

I think they have the coolest texture. 

The inside looks a little strange.

They have been falling off and rolling down the hill.

They are filling up the driveway.

You can see how far they have traveled. 

And there are still more to come.

I have never seen a goat eat one but the horses seem to enjoy them.