Sunday, January 11, 2015

sunday snapshots (infrared)

Guess what we got today?

"Was it extra carrots?
Because I think you forgot mine!"

In the past few weeks, I've bought an unusual amount of Stuff.
It feels a bit alarming.

Today I had to remind myself that
I am not in a crazy-impulsive acquisition mode;
these items survived multiple purges of a year-long wishlist.
When prices finally drop in late December and early January,
I know how much money was saved by waiting months.
It's sensible spending.

Still feels weird, though!

Ever since Spring, when I moved many of the goats - and the treasured goatcam - into the "big" barn, I've wanted to replace the camera in the original goatshed. It's in constant use by a shifting set of bunkmates - currently the big boys, Acer and Betula, share it - and especially when it is a "sick bay" or a nursery ward, it is very helpful to have a way to check on the residents without disturbing them. It has been a life-saver.

Last week, the same model camera went on sale.
At last!
And today I happily spent a couple of hours on the phone with a lovely Foscam Tech Support person (only the first 45 minutes was On Hold; after that, things picked right up). He got the new camera working wirelessly and set up both cameras to display together, side by side, on my laptop.
And because my laptop is soooo slooooow to load,
 we had time to exchange a few comments about goats.
And bears.
And the goats and bears of our respective countries.
And I told him that, if necessary, I can shoo away a black bear 
but there is NO WAY on earth I could do what HE does!

And let's face it:
it's clear which skill is more generally useful.

"You know what I think is a useful skill?
BRINGING CARROTS!"

Fortunately, I've got that one covered.
~~~~~

Friday, January 9, 2015

snowy morning

Fresh snow fell last night.



Smoothing out the previous surface of crusted, icy snow.



Concealing some things, and highlighting others.



When the sun comes up, the snow sparkles.
There is the feeling of a new beginning, a fresh start.
Who would want to take the first step
into such an unmarked and perfect world?




I think you know the answer:





It's time to quit pondering
and get on with the chores.

"Yes! Let's get on with the chores!
Can I ride in the Hayboggan this time?"

If I had any sense, I would teach Piper to
pull the Hayboggan!
There is an unplowable layer of thick ice
beneath the new snow.
So, until the next big thaw -
which could be tomorrow or could be April -
I'll be hauling individual bales of hay
and sacks of grain
and groceries
up from the bottom of the driveway.
It's not a terribly long driveway.
But the middle section is a hill.


And I think Piper would enjoy the challenge!
Right, Piper?

"Not.Born.Yesterday.
Also,
Not!Sled!Dog!"


Oh well. At least she enjoys supervising!

~~~~~

Thursday, January 8, 2015

crikey

As you can see, the good news is:



the wind dropped!
~~~~~

Sunday, January 4, 2015

today's weather

Some snow.


Some sleet.


Some ice.


Some fog.
~~~


And the best response to such a mishmash of weather:

 
Some hay.
~~~~~

Thursday, January 1, 2015

2014 pictorial

January



February

March

April


May

 

June


July 



August



September 



October



November



December


























~~~~~