dry monday

When I turned on the kitchen faucet at 1AM and nothing happened, I said to Moxie and Della, "Well, this is likely to be an interesting day." Such a useful word, isn't it, "interesting"?  So far, I have been waiting over 6 hours for a callback from my usual plumber, and 3 hours for a callback from the plumber who did a small job for me in 2020. (I almost wrote "the plumber who did a small job for me last year," but caught myself.) I have now also left a message with a pump installer/fixer, since a repair or replacement may be what's needed anyway. If so, talking with him may effectively cut to the chase and bypass the plumbers who seem happy to bypass me. The pump man is still on holiday until tomorrow, but you never know - he may be the first to call back.

I can live with inconvenience, and can work around the absence of many not-strictly-necessary things, but good water is critical. Goats need it, chickens need it. Fresh clean water for everyone gets taken care of morning and evening, every day. And because of that, the cats have plenty for at least another day, and the goats are alright until tonight. The hens will be fine for a couple of days. I usually drink water all day long, but fortunately made a jar of Turkish coffee yesterday so I've been sipping that as iced coffee all day. It's possible I will have acquired a fairly fine edge by evening.

Other than the water situation, 2023 is off to a good start here, and I hope the same is true for all of you. Do you have special plans for adventure in the new year? Last night I opened my little box of new art supplies, and here's the first sketch of 2023, based on a video clip. This is one of the Sheldrick WildlifeTrust's orphaned elephant babies, playing in shallow water and having a grand time. The sketch was made with water-soluble graphite pencils - a concept that boggles my mind the tiniest bit. When it comes to art, it seems there's always something new to try. And most of it is inexpensive and very good fun.

Oh dear. It was totally accidental, but I can't seem to get away from the water theme!

Thank you for all the lovely comments about the hap for the second baby. If anyone feels the urge to make one, let me know and we can have a long-distance knit-along! I'm already in the mood to cast on another one, even without a baby waiting in the wings. Maybe an adult-sized blanket this time. It's just a very satisfying knit. Think about it! 

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wordless wednesday

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blimey o'reilly

Winter is well and truly here.

Yesterday morning it was -6F (-21C) in the sun.

The goats are all well-dressed for Winter, but I saw both Betula (above) and LeShodu (below) hold up one hoof for a few moments when I was collecting the empty breakfast buckets. Cold feet, goats? But they were not interested in going back into the barns.

On days like this, buckets contain extra oats, for extra warming power. Speaking of buckets...on each of the goatcams, one of the preset directions points directly down into a big water bucket.

Being able to check the water levels from inside the house is a functional luxury for me. Is the water is clean? Are the de-icers are working? If either answer is "no" it means getting out there immediately, night or day.

And the water level in each bucket tells me how many gallon jugs of water I'll need to set outside the door at chore times. That way I don't have to keep coming back inside, pulling off my boots (cleats and floors don't mix) and going to the sink to fill another jug while leaving clumps of melting snow all over the kitchen. 

The above picture was taken by a goatcam at about 1PM yesterday.

The goats choose to spend most of their time outside, so I throw hay down in several locations both in and out of the barns.

On such a bittercold day, that bright sun was very welcome.

Those looong Winter shadows at 1PM!

 Today, it's doing this.

Has been since last night.

Tiny, tiny flakes.

The view from right here, right now:

The original prediction was that the snow would stop by morning.

Then, it was predicted to stop at noon.

Now, it's predicted to stop at 2:45.

Glad the propane delivery came yesterday.

Also glad I have a tiny house.

Hope everyone is having a lovely Saturday.

Stay warm - or cool - as appropriate for your hemisphere!

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