Tuesday, June 18, 2013

C'est La Vie






It has been a month of ups and downs, which I guess is fairly typical of life these days. The grass is a soft emerald green, red and white climbing roses are intertwined on the rock wall, butterflies waft lazily along the currents to land on brightly colored blooms, looking for nectar. Most of the hummingbirds have moved on, as they don’t stay here in this valley, but merely stop in, during their migration north. In 24 hours I went from filling their feeder 3x a day to not needing to fill it at all. Only one little hanger-on stops by for a sip now and then. He’s a welcome sight, even if  he lacks the colorful brilliance of his cousins who visited me in California.

Pain has been a frequent companion, so the weeds have gotten ahead of me. I was doing so well and had a handle on the garden but pain pretty much became an obstacle impossible to overcome. Nevertheless, I did get the corn in and it’s peeking out of the soil now, potatoes are needing to be covered and there are plenty of peppers on the jalapeno plants. Cider sat down on the big tomatillo plant I have been babying since March and snapped it off at the base, so although I put in two more, they are much smaller and probably won’t have time for fruit to mature this year.

I am making some progress with the rest of the yard, as far as flowers and plants go. It's so nice to have something that makes my eyes and soul happy to gaze at, instead of dirt and thistle. The boss' wife is extremely talented and has made their home a little Eden with parklike lawns and flowers, shrubs and trees of all kinds, surrounding the houses, an oasis in the high desert. She would drive the backhoe building burms and moving enormous rocks to anchor everything. As one afflicted with  "tractorphobia", I go about armed with a shovel and a wheelbarrow. Eventually, I will succeed in doing my part on ranch beautification.

Em is being treated for an infection so we have no dairy. No milk, no cream, no sour cream, ice cream, cream cheese, yogurt...she contributes so much. We picked up two lambs from the butcher and a steer is being processed as we speak. I've been trying to make more room in the freezers before we bring him home. I canned some of the best beef stock of my life, as well as several quarts of chicken stock. More 'mexi-meat' and ' beef dip' went on the shelves as they have been so handy and are among our favorites, even in summer. I made a couple batches of jerky that were well recieved, and a couple that I incinerated but make great treats for the dogs. Nothing wasted here.

The meatie chickens were doing well, happy and very healthy, and I was thrilled that in 5 weeks I have not lost even one to heart or leg problems. They were active and thriving, until an owl decided to interfere. Bruno was guarding from outside the pen when the owl beheaded two chicks one night. I put Bruno INSIDE the pen, and 10 chicks went totally missing. We eventually found a couple of little bodies outside the electric fence. The following night I moved all the chickens into the lambing shed, far beyond the other side of the pasture. Five chicks refused to come, so we waited for dusk when they would roost to capture them. We were too late. As we were opening the gate, the owl swooped down and snatched the last of them. I was amazed at how incredibly fast and silent this killer was. Cletus was trying hard to catch it but this bird was too quick, and too stealthy for the dogs to compete with. There is a family of owls in the barn next to the house and this is "Owl Central", multiple kinds from Great Horned Owls on down to the smaller barn owls. The dogs have always been successful keeping them out of the yard, but there are lots of places for the chicks to hide in here and the owls can only approach from one direction, giving the dogs the advantage in security. Not so in the orchard where the owl can just sit in the tree and wait for the dog to move out of his way before swooping down and nabbing a chicken, with no danger of being caught.
 I’ll have to bring the survivors back into the yard and lock them in the lambing shed at night. The good news is, they don't care. They just like to eat. 
I have lost 40% of my flock. That is upsetting.



The boss (someone we really appreciate, because he and his family treat us like we are family too) sent another bull to woo EmmaLou. He’s not a very friendly hunk of bovine though.  As Randyman was trying to move Em thru the gate, the bull, whom I will refer to as Kamikaze,  clobbered him. Reports say the bull launched him 10 feet into the air and he came down hard on the rocks. At that point the beast was satisfied and left him alone, in lieu of crushing him with his head. It could have been much more serious, as even very experienced cowmen are frequently killed by these unpredictable and hormonal animals that weight in excess of 1000 lb of pure raging muscle. They intimidate me if I am not horseback. Randyman does everything on foot, usually with adequate caution. Not this time. I am grateful his life was spared and he sustained no injuries more serious than a badly bruised posterior and damaged pride, although the latter is insignificant because he is a very humble man.

He says he currently has “buns of steel’ as his ‘cheeks’ are badly bruised, swollen and hard. They are even the steely blue-black of a gun barrel. 

I would think he has buns of lead and aluminum, but who am I to say?






Initially, the Maremmas did not want Kamikaze near EmmaLou as they know he is not MY bull. After a bit of convincing that he was indeed, a guest of hers, they escorted him over and left him alone. They've clearly not been happy with the couple's behavior so far, however.

There are only 4 bottle calves this year so far, which is fortunate for me as I struggle to get their bottles out there twice a day to feed them, dragging the heavy wagon. I am grateful to have them all behind a panel with the bottle rack Randyman bult me last year, to avoid the bumps and bruises that come from their abuse. They are cute for the first 3 days then they become aggressive, and for someone like me, kinda risky, even. This year they are all getting eartags and a file so I can keep track of who has had what, as far as veterinary care. Last year found several getting sick. We pulled them all through but it was tough. This year, I lost one in 24 hours from renal failure, and Beastly,the next calf to come in, (and the calf who sprained my back) had to be fed by stomach tube for several days before we got her to take a bottle. They are all doing well at the moment.

On the days I have enough mobility, I am again trying to tame down SushiMoo. She is just not a people friendly cow, but luckily she is greedy, so day by day, I lure her into the stanchion with grain. We haven’t made it all the way yet, but at least she is becoming consistent about responding to her name and following me. Once I can get her locked in the headgate, I can start to brush her and show her that it’s a happy thing to be touched and handled. She has carefully taken inventory of everything on the way in, and is very aware of changes. She’s too smart for my own good.





My 5 Jersey Giant chicks are finally out of the brooder and hanging out with the flock, learning to forage. The guineas took them under their wings, figuratively speaking, which I thought was pretty magnanimous of them. So Thomas, the guineas, and all the regular chickens have their routines now. They love hanging out in EmmaLou's wintertime tent during the day. I hope these new birds don’t fly over fences as I am tired of chasing laying hens out of the yard, and I wish they were tired of being pinged with BB’s from my little air gun. They seem to figure the destruction of my plants is worth the bruise.



Only once recently, was I able to bring Mister in to ride him. It’s the best therapy for me, as it gently stretches muscles and flexes joints without impact. I usually feel energized and more flexible after riding and the more I do, the greater my physical improvement. Randyman even noticed. Unfortunately, most days I cannot make it down to his pasture and back to get my horses, or lift a saddle and there is no one to help. That is a very frustrating situation for me, when I spent my whole life throwing saddles on colts and riding all day long.

I head back to the hospital in early July for 3rd infusion. Maybe this time it will make a difference and I can get back to life again. It would be great to have all my challenges set aside for awhile. I have some really great days in between the bad ones at least. I miss riding after cows and spending the day out on the hundreds of thousands of acres of range across the ranch. I won’t count it out...not yet.

Meanwhile, this is as good a place as any, to do anything or nothing at all.

19 comments:

  1. I hear you about the struggles of getting around lately...I've had to go back to using a cane for general mobility and am once again wondering if there is any potential at all in trying to train my Lab for service work. Like Sushi she is VERY food motivated - too much so - I think she'd drag me across a parking lot to check out a crumb. I'm dubious I can get her 'public ready' before she'd be ready to retire :-) I also am finding a lot of enjoyment in my flowers and the beauty of the season. We just need to keep on trudging I guess.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! I hear ya. Cider, although capable of being very helpful, particularly when it comes to bringing me things or picking things up, insists that before he can do either, he has to find something suitable for me to throw first. Not the most altruistic of canines...

      Delete
  2. SushiMoo is a solid girl! She does have a stubborn look about her, though. I have faith that you will prevail. I have to say that I am amazed at how much you do, given the limitations of your disease. It would grind weaker beings to the ground. There are so many challenges about your lifestyle - predators, included. I hope you can stop the owl predation while you still have meat chicks. It's frustrating to have your dinner taken away from you. My thoughts are with you often, out there on the north-left coast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Susan. I am really hoping sushi will be more low maintenance, being 1/2 beefer. Em costs me a fortune in grain to maintain her condition while she's lactating. The meaties will remain sequestered until processing time, I'm afraid. The owls owe me!

      Delete
  3. Petey! I am so sorry to hear about your meat flock. That is so sad. I know what it is like to raise them just to have them be taken away. That bull is one stout looking bull. Randyman surely is very fortunate that he wasn't seriously injured, for that we all are thankful! I do wonder, as you are so in tune with your animals and I know you could train them...is there a way that if you were able to get Mister up to you, that you could have Randyman rig up a saddle hanging from some sort of a hoist and have Mister walk under it? Then you could easily lower it down with the hoist (hung in a tree or off a beam or something) and fasten it to him? Just trying to think outside the box. I know what pleasure and therapy riding gives you. PS my daughter and grandson (7mos old) are out here visiting from California. He has been having his nightly bath with your Rose soap. It seems to relax him and for that we are greatful to you and your handiwork! Be blessed. Staci

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The saddle hoist would be no problem to build, it's getting randy to do it. THAT has been the greatest challenge of all things. He is the worlds greatest procrastinator, bless his black heart!
      I am glad your grandson likes the soap! :) Blessings to you and yours, as well

      Delete
  4. Oh Dear, I do hope Randy will forgive me! I laughed so hard at his *buns of steel*. Then again I do feel sorry for him as that had to hurt something feirce.
    Sorry to know the bad days have been with you too often. Nothing can be as frusterating as knowing something needs you attention and knowing you can not do it easily like the past. Mowing the lawn with the push mower near kills my bad feet and ankles. Unlevel ground causes more pain than I like. I am way more of a whimp than you! *wink*
    Tell Cider to watch where he sits from now on. You can't aford to loss anymore plants.
    Sending hugs and prayers for better days to begin outweighing the poor again, SOON.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The reaction of the cowboys was apparently to laugh at him as well for playing rodeo clown. He says he's just 'swell'. I can't imagine using a push mower. Luckily we have a riding mower for my back yard that i also use in the pasture. Thanks for your well wishes, ican use them!

      Delete
  5. I wonder if some of your hummers end up here. That would be funny if I was feeding some of the same ones you were!
    I smiled at the pix of Sushi taking inventory, she's a solid little cutie. I also like your Jersey Giants, a breed I was interested in, but my coop is pretty small and I need to have a better size to egg ratio.
    I really think you must be wrong about Randy being the worlds greatest procrastinator. I believe the prize goes to my own dear husband, and I would place a close second. ;)
    What is the infusion you will be getting? I'll keep you in prayer that has the effect you desire. Here's hoping you get more opportunities to spend some time astride Mister. God bless, Kristi

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is kind of a fun thought, my hummers certainly COULD migrate to your place! We should try and use them like carrier pigeons and tie little notes to their leg! I am interested to see how big the Jersey Giants actually get. Right now they don't look much different than other chickens, but they do seem to have a really gentle calm nature by comparison to my others. I will be getting my 3rd Remicade infusion. It' s a "loading dose". I had the first, then the 2nd 2 weeks later, now a month after that is my 3rd. I don't think it's working yet as today was horrendous. It comes and goes.
    Getting on Mister or Wimpy would be the best thing for me, for sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ok Petey, I got my tiny little microfiche note ready to attach to a tiny little hummer leg...keep an out out for the one with a tiny little strip of duct tape anklet. Ha!

      Delete
    2. ...what did I do with my reading glasses??

      Delete
  7. I hope Randyman is recovering from his encounter. Growing up my grandparents had a dairy farm that we helped with. When I was maybe 12 or so my dad decided we would get a beef calf and raise it at our place with the horses. He got the cutest little Black Angus bull calf. I couldn't imagine how I was ever going to be able to see him go to the butcher and then eat him. The dairy cows never bothered me since it was from a large herd and we never really considered them pets. By the time this cute little calf was 8 months old we couldn't go into the stall or paddock with him in it with out a whip or pitch fork and you learned to never turn your back on him. I remember the morning the truck came to pick him up. It was a cold winter morning. Even with all of the windows closed I could hear him bellowing and ramming the sides of the truck. That first bite of steak was sooooo delicious! From then on all male beef calves at our place were castrated.

    Just a thought about riding Mister. Is it the weight of the saddle that is a problem or your range of motion to get it up on him? If the weight is an issue a synthetic saddle may help. I think the western ones run about 20 lbs. I have a dressage and it goes maybe 10 lbs. When I first got it I wasn't sure I was going to like it but ended up loving it. Softer on the tush than a leather saddle and much "grippier". Plus there is a lot to be said to being able to hose it off instead of using leather cleaner and conditioner!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You're going to have some mental gymnastics keeping one step ahead of that Sushi Moo ! Hopefully she'll have a weakness for something ... for my thinker it's soft licorice :-)

    Glad Randyman isn't too badly damaged, so lucky !

    I hope the next infusion gives you the energy you need.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Elnini! Haha, I might have to give that licorice a try!

      Delete
  9. I'm sorry ur in pain. I hope infusion works again for what ever amount of time, but more than that I pray for healing. a youngr kid we both kno writes in a message about the first great petra in the church...right when he denies the Master he remembers that Jesus said, satan wanted to sift him like wheat...but he also remembers that Jesus said "but I have prayed for you that your faith fail not." I guess we have to remember that He prays that our faith fails not. I'm not going to comment about ur beautiful blog this time. it's all I want to say and I notice this new format capitalizes all my I-s. I don't want to be capitalized. d-guy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for that reminder, danielsan. I do feel as though I am being sifted sometimes and it's good to be reminded that He said He would pray for my faith. you are a capital guy wether the program knows it or not :)

      Delete
    2. I'm so sorry for your pain, - I too have had to curtail so much of my active outdoor life, but mine is just due to age. Watching the neighbors move their cattle makes me sad. The kelpies don't care, but my Pyr, Sage, seems to know when I need a shoulder to lean on and walks right next to me to let me use her as my "therapy dog". I'll hold good thoughts for your treatment to help. I so enjoy your blog - go here first all the time to see your adventures and accomplishments. Good luck! Judith in CO

      Delete
    3. Judith, thanks for sharing. It's good to know someone else understands how hard it is to watch everyone else living the life I long for while I watch. Living life here is amazing, but it is a mix of gratitude and grieving at the same time. Thanks for your well wishes

      Delete