It's more the state of our roads - I swear that I have to fight sea sickness as I pitch and bounce across the mountain road. This fierce winter has created more frost heaves in the road than Tetley's got teas. Our main route - running north all the way through Vermont and south a long ways, is in deplorable shape in our stretch. It's nothing more than miles of potholes strung together. There have been rumors that the highway department MIGHT get around to resurfacing a portion of it. I'll believe that when I see it. And then I am sure I'll be mitching and boaning about the inconvenience of it all.
There's not much news to bring you. Winter still has us in his grip and it will be a long while before all that ice and snow disappear. Little blips of 40 degree weather has created some lovely, gorgeous, brown, muddy patches here and there. But, best of all, two nights ago as I slogged out to feed the sheep/goats, I heard two redwinged blackbirds! Halleluiah! A (my) sure sign of spring! I am sure they were saying to each other, "Who's bright idea was it to migrate here this early?? It's frickin freezing!" But they were still here this morning - probably waiting for the wetlands to thaw.
I am still treating Linden's hoof and he's still limping. I did get a bottle of Kopertox, so that is Plan B, if he's not showing more signs of recovery by this weekend. I've been working on getting Apria used to me touching her - this year is the Year of the Llama. She needs hoof trimming, shearing, worming. It may take a village.
Scrappy has a hot spot already. I think it was brought on by the homemade wheat biscuits that I whipped up a week ago. That's the only change in his diet. I've been feeding him a grain free diet for quite some time, with no evidence of allergies or irritations. The chickens appreciated the rest of the biscuits, while Scrappy looked at me as if I had lost my senses.
Speaking of chickens, this has been a rough year for them. I lost two hens early-on in the winter to SCUDS (sudden chicken unknown death syndrome), then another to a sinus infection that I was unable to treat successfully, then two to the hawk, then I came home a couple of days ago to find Betty laid out. It looked as though she died suddenly - possibly a heart attack. She was one of my rescued Red Ranger meat birds. She was a big girl and I doubt if she ever laid an egg. But she was Betty. I am not going to buy any more chicks this year, but I may let a broody hen try to hatch a few. Of course, everyone was broody in February, when it was multiple degrees below zero. Now, with the day lengthening and the frigid temps finally skulking off in the night, not a one seems interested.
I am trying to get used to my new hours and new job. It is not easy. While I am actually only working a half-hour longer, starting an hour earlier has cramped my style. I did manage to negotiate down to only a half-hour lunch, since I never leave the office, never leave my desk, and usually work right through it. It will help having the earlier daylight - I'll be able to get out and do things with plenty of time to throw myself together for work. And, believe me, that is what I do. Throw.
I'm still waiting to hear when the kids will arrive from Alabama. I think the winter storm forecasts have made them wary. I am hopeful that they will arrive in early April. Big changes in store for a certain someone....
11 comments:
Your's aren't the only roads that have suffered mightily this winter. We even delayed a trip to the big city this week because of the terrible hump, bumps and cracks you could fall in lining the road from here to there.
Even though we've not had much weather above freezing, our snow is going down a little . . . through evaporation I guess. Tomorrow's forecast is 100% chance of snow . . . they haven't been brave enough to tell us how much to expect.
If you're starting work an hour earlier than you did before, I figure you must be getting up in the morning before you go to bed at night. Does the new schedule put a crimp on your sacred knitting time in the morning? Hope not.
Mama Pea - It's enough to rattle your teeth, isn't it? With all of the snow you had this winter, I bet it will be a while before you can find the ground! I will allow nothing to get between me and my sacred knitting, don't worry. It's more of a need to get some gitty-up in my get-go, which has gone. I am not as quick to adapt as I used to be. I am downright grouchy about it.
No snow here but tons of mud. I really should put it into fancy jars and sell it to the spa.
I really, really dislike having my routine messed with, you sound far more sanguine than I would.
I do hope your Company makes their cost cutting up to you in renumeration! I meant to ask did your vet give any antibiotics for the sore foot? Red Winged Black birds are such fun! Hang in there and stay careful on the rough roads!
Maybe Scrappy read your news about the new additions and is stressing just a leeetle? ;-)
A singing bird is the sign of good nature. If not we may not safe. Trees Planet
SCUDS, I learned something new today :)
Really sorry about your chicken losses. Hopefully one of the hens will go broody and bless you with little ones running around this Spring!!!!!
My dog is allergic to wheat and groomers :/ I have to spend big bucks on gluten free food and hours cutting her hair with scissors.The last time she was groomed she had infection oozing out of her eye. It costs me thirty more bucks on top of the haircut for medicine and the vets office is where I had her groomed :/ I'm the doggy beautician now and her skin has been perfect so it's worth it :)
Susan - Don't let me kid you, I am very cranky when my routine is changed. I am even thrilled about mud. Of course, that gets old fast.
Fiona - HA! That is not likely, but what a nice thought... No, the vet prescribed a bleach/water mix spritzed on once a day. It seems to be having some good effect, but he's still limping.
Michelle - Do you think? :)
Kelly - I still have my old, reliable Marie-Claude. She has never laid an egg, but she is quite the foster mother! An infection at the vet's?! I guess it's like going to the hospital - that's where all the germs are!
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