I am so grateful. Heat and humidity have been almost relentless since May, and it's been dry, dry, dry.
So dry that in the week before July 4th, I called the police four times to report that thoughtless people (a bit of serious editing there, readers) were repeatedly setting off illegal fireworks near my place. Curmudgeon? Maybe. But the forest didn't burn and my barns are intact.
Speaking of barns, a couple of weeks ago I went out before dawn - the best time to do "extra" chores in this weather - to set up a big fan in the goat barn. The fan is part of a large haul of goodies bought at a farm sale last Autumn. It had been stored safely out of goats' reach in the little stilt barn, hanging from two nails in a rafter. Retrieving it meant teetering on a stepstool while keeping one eye on LeShodu, Betula and Acer - the three biggest goats in the herd - who had been sleeping in the stilt barn til I showed up to entertain them. Each was capable of bumping me off that stool with a gentle "whatcha doin'?" nose-nudge.
I managed to hang onto the fan and get off the stool without mishap, mostly because even in the relative "cool" before sun-up, the goats were too lethargic to help. This endlessly muggy weather makes the goats either lethargic or cranky. Same here, goats, same here. I move even more slowly than usual, if you can imagine it. And there's been a lot more swearing when things don't go smoothly. (Please don't imagine that second part.)
In the big barn, I attached a piece of stock panel at an angle across one stall to keep the goats away from the fan, then opened the west door of the barn. Campion was the first to investigate:
The fan isn't on all the time, but when the air is hot and thick and humid, it certainly helps to keep a little air moving through the barn. And I hope it's helping keep the biting flies out as well.
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So far this summer, there have been only three days when the gardens have not needed watering. There are hoses set up to reach the big gardens but every evening after regular chores I've been carrying buckets of water to a few small garden areas beyond reach of the hoses. A couple of days ago I broke down and bought one more hundred-foot section. (After extensive research last year, I invested in several sections of 100% rubber hose. And I do mean "invested;" these hoses will be specifically mentioned in my Will.) Money well spent. What a thrill to have that hose carrying the water for me! Simple tools often provide miraculous results.
Here's another miraculous thing: the vegetable plants are beginning to produce.
French filet pole beans |
Ronde de Nice squash |
And tonight I think I can skip watering the gardens.
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Piper visited the doggy spa last week, where she is very popular and always has a swell time. Usually she has a professional bath in the Spring and Autumn, but this was an extra trip; the equivalent of buying new jimjams for a hospital stay.
Piper's doctor felt a couple of molars were giving her trouble and should probably be removed. To be honest, I was hesitant; Piper wasn't off her grub at all and showed no signs of discomfort. And as boisterous as Piper is - and as much as I am in total denial about this - she is not a youngster. Anesthesia always carries a risk.
But I did the responsible thing: trusted my vet and scheduled dental surgery this past Wednesday. It was two hours of surgery in the morning, and poor Pip was feeling peculiar and a bit wobbly when I brought her home late that afternoon. She is feeling much more herself now, but we're still taking things more quietly than usual. I'm hoping we'll be back out for little strolls in the woods this week.
typical provisions for Adventures with Piper |
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What are you planning for the coming week?
Can you believe it will be August?
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I love the fan escapade, except for the thought of wrestling something over my head. That's completely impossible for me. I guess I would've failed at your task!
ReplyDeleteBut your goats looked thrilled with the new addition. Way to go!!!!
I'm glad that Piper's dental surgery went smoothly. I guess it's always better to do stuff like that before it causes problems but denial is something I practice often too!!!!
Enjoy your home grown veggies!!!
No big plans here. We just got back from 2 wks on the road, and I'm just going to try to catch up with life this week :) I'm sure I won't be successful.
I think you once told me that we "never" catch up, and I think you are absolutely right :)
DeleteWelcome home, KB. I look forward to the next wildlife reports!
I hear ya on the fireworks... we have been blessed 'knock on wood' that in recent years we have gotten good rainfalls just before the 4th...ofcourse not all the fireworks stop on the 4th but the majority do. It amazes me how people are willing to take such chances... Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteIt boggles the mind, really. I suppose there's the possibility that some people are just unaware of the risks, but you'd think the illegality might make a difference...wouldn't you?
DeleteHappy August and New Watering Hose!
ReplyDeleteI shutter to think what our pets did back in the day when vet visits were near non existent except for shots and accidents. Spa day was hose, soap and a raincoat. lol For the fan, I'd have a stroll in a junk yard for something Superman would buy because I think of goats as getting through anything.
I've given many hose showers in the Summer, but leaning is really painful for me so getting a dog really clean requires a trip to the spa. I'm lucky there's a groomer nearby who will *just* give Piper a bath - and apparently make a fuss over her, because Piper truly LOVES going there!
DeleteGood to hear Piper is doing well. Girl, be careful with that climbing. Glad you got the air going for the kids though. Not much worse than kranky children.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't blame them. They are wearing fur coats.
DeleteVery glad to see the end of July here too! I love your goat photos--they are so curious and so entertaining, aren't they? Our gardens are mid-stride, still producing lots of food and I am scrambling to keep up.
ReplyDeleteYou and Tipper are blowing me away with your garden productivity! I keep reminding myself that my season is always weeks behind yours, but still I doubt I'll be catching up this year. ;)
DeleteThe weather has just been so frightful and weird that I didn't manage to get the gardens in this year, again! Almost no rain but the plants seem to be doing well considering. Since we got no snow last winter and now no rain I haven't taken the luxury of watering since all we have is a well. Glad Piper is doing well and you and the goats haven't melted into the ground! Wonder what August and the ensuing fall has in mind for us?
ReplyDeleteHugs for now,
Oh, new blog url thepinkopossumstudio[dot]blogspot[dot]com
I'm on a well also, and I hope this isn't the year I find the bottom, so to speak.
DeleteI simply cannot understand the stupidity of people who put their own idiocy over the safety of others. I hope the police were able to catch them and rattle some sense into them. Well done with the fan - I'm sure the goats will appreciate the breeze, as will you when you're in the barn. Seems like rain is either feast or famine all over the world. We had some yesterday - for all of 3 1/2 minutes.
ReplyDeleteDear Piper, I do hope she is making a good recovery xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kath - she's doing very well, thanks! Although I think she is hoping this Canned Food Only menu will continue forever. Even my vet suggested she is playing me. and is likely to win.
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