Farmerjan's journal - Weather

[farmerjan]

Sat eve.... it was a chilly wet sprinkly/showery wet day today.

I got up and got the crate loaded on the truck and went to get the hens. There are 7; 4 while leghorns and 3 sex link reds. The leghorns are laying... he is getting about 3-4 eggs regularly and said that there are some brown ones ( there was a brown and a white one in the coop). So, I ought to get eggs for the winter. After I got there, he said he would also give me the coop they were in... it is one of the TSC ones with the "run" underneath the coop. It will be a good one for keeping a breeding pen in so I can separate out purebred eggs for hatching. When I found out about the hens, I asked about the pen but was told they were going to keep it, but once I got there today, he said there was no point to keep it because it will just fall apart and rot. This gentleman is in his 80's I think, his wife has Parkinsons and their daughter (wife of the farmer) is a nurse that comes and helps to take care of her daily. He is very nice and sharp but walks and works slowly and the chicken pen is above where their house is and a pretty steep hill to go up to take care of them and it is not a good scenario for the winter weather conditions. I will get DS to go with me and help me lift it up onto the truck since it is already all put together. It needs a little work on the floor of the "house part" but will be good for a few years. Roof is good and all the wire is good.

They are in the crate in the "greenhouse" shelter that the meat birds used. Had a couple of spots that I have to get some new straw bales to put up against the side of it. They will get turned out in it tomorrow. I wanted to make sure they got over the whole change to a new place as we had some trouble catching them. I think I will try to crate them at night so that there aren't any roving critters like possums or coons trying to get them. They will have 10x the space they had before so I think they will be happy. I may let them out after a week or so, in the afternoons when I am here, because I do not want to invite the hawk back that was here for the last flock of meat birds.

So, then DS texted me and said he was going to go check some cows out at pasture, and I could go if I wanted to. So I did a "ride along" this afternoon. He didn't get the ones moved he was thinking of so didn't sell any today which I am really glad. I don't think this is a good time to sell. We looked over some and he was saying which he liked and what he thought about some others and possible "to sell" candidates and I basically agree. He is going to move some home after Christmas, and then get the other group moved around New Years, and then we will look them over better and make some definite decisions. Ought to have 15+/- heifers to sell and then will be weaning some. The steers he has gathered up and bought calves and all, are looking good and he ought to have a nice bunch of steers to sell in Mar/April. Have 1 cow that was called open and put back to pasture that has a new calf.... and a heifer that was not supposed to be bred just dropped a calf. I am glad that our retired vet friend is not going to be able to do any more pregnancy checks because he has not been as accurate as he used to be and several that were called open have calved. We will be using the other vet with the ultrasound that is VERY ACCURATE....

Have picked out a few in the heifer field that are with a bull, that will get preg checked and some sold as bred heifers. They are okay heifers, but there are some we like better. I only have 1 in that whole group.... I had almost all the heifers that calved this past year. So, it is okay. I am going to keep a few of the calves off these heifers of mine that calved too.

So we got back and Deb had come out this weekend, so we went out to eat tonight. Had some Thai food at a restaurant here.... I have never had it. She has so she had an idea of what would be good. I had a sweet and sour mix with shrimp, and it wasn't bad. Not something I fell in love with, but I would be able to go eat with someone who might really love Thai food. I am not against trying other stuff, but I do not like spicy so there would be some limits. Still, something different for a change. She is going back tomorrow and going to New Mexico to friends for Christmas this year so I will bring home a plant she has there to take care of and just watch the house. She will be gone through the new year so it will be probably a month before she gets back here again.

DS's GF is doing pretty good he says. He said the incision is not as bad as he thought it would be. She goes back to Dr on Monday for initial checkup. They had to change the bandages after 4 days, at home, so he got to see it. So, I guess things are going okay there. He didn't say much else so I didn't push it.

Got some Christmas cards on the way home this morning so I can send out a couple more on Monday... and have what I need for Christmas holiday. I am doing money this year with a few little odds and ends because it is not only easiest, but everyone can use it. DS's GF is not working, plus the surgery and all.... DS is working on a tighter budget since he did not take the other position.... I will do a token gift for her daughter and a little money in a card, and a small little thing for the GF sisters 2 kids..... Tootsie Roll banks... just to have something if I go there on Christmas again... her parents drink soda by the case so will get some at the grocery store for them.
I have decided to roast a chicken with stuffing and do mashed potatoes for DS & GF's house, for the week between Christmas and New Years and they can have a couple of meals that way. They can open a can of vegies to go with it. That way they can have sliced chicken for sandwiches too. She doesn't eat leftovers but he will, so it shouldn't go to waste. I will probably do 2 at once and cook another one for me. The last 2 chicken sandwiches were pretty good!!!!! Got chickens in the freezer... may as well use them.

Car transmission is making noise... had them look at it yesterday when it started... they are not sure, but probably need to either have it rebuilt or a new one.... going to see which way is better. So I drove the truck today, no problem shifting.... So I am back to it for now. Oh well...

Forgot to look at a replacement infared heater for the bedroom... might go early tomorrow to TSC and Lowe's to see what they have. Also might hit Ollie's... a discount closeout store that gets all sorts of things.....sometimes at real good prices. Then I hope that I will be done with any/all shopping until after Christmas. Oh, have to do the customary "tractor" calendar for DS... forgot to get one. Will look at TSC....

Time to maybe do something in the house this evening.... maybe just sit and watch a movie????? Got plenty to watch....

 

[Baymule]

Things are rolling along for you. I see improvements in many parts of your life. From heifers, calves, chickens, coop, to the GF and her doing better. With your new knees, you can kick the moon now!

 

[farmerjan]

Monday late afternoon. BRRRRRRR..... it never got above the 40's......It was a COLD 20 this morning..... and got up to 49 in the sun with only a little bit of a breeze but it was BRISK...

Yesterday was wet and damp early. Temps started at 50 and dropped all day... cleared off to sun and got colder quick by late afternoon. I took water out and let the chickens out into the greenhouse and they seemed to be okay. I put some straw in the crate and hoped for the best. They are not used to much human interaction as the older gentleman didn't spend much time around them. The Leghorns are naturally a little flighty and they have the 3 red hens a little skittish too. But hopefully they will get better. I did not go out and lock them in the crate last night. It was cold and I just hunkered down in the house, watched a few movies and just didn't do alot.

So, today I had to go to PT... and the newer girl there who did the "medicare test" thing, started working on me a bit and is still a little bothered by the "knot" in the back of the right knee and she really hit it a couple times. She did alot of careful looking, not finding anything that looked "out of normal" but she wanted me to call the dr again and tell them that she thinks it would be in my best interest to have an ultrasound for the REMOTE possibility of a blood clot. There is no redness, no red streaks, only a very little puffiness, nothing to really look like a possible blood clot, and thinks that it is only soft tissue and muscle/tendon/ligament and ham string issues.....but..... so I said I would call the dr office and I talked to the PA I saw a couple weeks ago. She said she agrees that an ultrasound would be in order just to be on the safe side.... so she called my pcp, they have forwarded it to the hosp here and I have to call them tomorrow. I am not really worried about it, but to make sure there is nothing that is there underlying the ham string, I am fine with a ultrasound. She sent it down as a STAT.... because she said on the off chance it is a blood clot, it needs to be addressed NOW.... which I get.

So after I left there, I called my farmer, who I got the chickens from his FIL, and went and got a dozen bales of straw so I could fix around the bottom of the ends of the greenhouse shelter, and put some around my peonies that are in "tubs" because I didn't know where I wanted them planted and don't want them to get too "frozen" and ruined in the tubs instead of being in the ground. There is stuff I want moved in the yard and then think I will make a bed for peonies and some of the pretty daylilies I have. So, for this winter, I want to protect them from the worst of the cold winds and all with the straw blanketed up around the tubs. Took most of the straw out and put some inside the greenhouse along the front and back panels and just piled a couple bales in there to keep the weather from breaking them down too much. Chickens were a little upset but didn't fly around, just nervously went from one end to another. They also presented me with 3 eggs in the crate I had left in there for them... 2 white and a brown one... I am not going to worry about who is laying or not for the winter... It is only 7 hens. Hopefully I will get them a little more used to people as I try to give them some scratch feed everyday when I go in there besides the layer feed in the feeder. Plus I can carry out a 2 gallon bucket of water to put in the automatic waterer everyday or every other day and do fine.

So I didn't go do any shopping on Sunday or even today. I have a dentist appt tomorrow to fix/replace the filling and cavity behind it. And if I call first thing in the morning and see how soon they can get me in for the ultrasound. I have a farm tomorrow afternoon to test at 4... 100 cows, no set up so not a big deal. I will put my sample bottles in the truck and if I can get the ultrasound in, just stay in town for the day. We'll see. I have PT and then a farm on Wed aft but that one is 50+ miles south so have to leave by 1:30 to get there on time. No set up there but have to have my bottles ready to go. I might get both farm's bottles in the trays this evening. I do need to see about a heater though... but should be able to fit that in somewhere in the next 2 days.

We are supposed to warm back up a bit... to mid 50's and some sun for the next few days. There is a front that looks to stay south of us and head east so @Mini Horses might get some of it on Wed/Thurs and then there is another possibility for Christmas saturday... but it looks to be rain again... I will be off for 5 days from work and PT and everything. Then the following Tuesday it gets busy again.

I need to go in and do a sink full of dishes.... and I really should get something more unpacked or something around here accomplished. Can't seem to get more motivated after doing the straw and all.....I ate a couple of sandwiches around 2 so not really hungry but I feel like I ought to be doing something. But I keep yawning... and I did get some sleep last night; but maybe not enough after loading and unloading the straw and all that "new to me" exercise I haven't been doing lately.

DS just came by on his way home after doing some feeding. Said the dr is pleased with GF's situation a week out. They are still waiting for results on the "in depth" biopsy on a couple of lymph nodes they took last week before they decide on whether she can get by with just radiation or has to have chemo also. So, he seems to be good with things so that is good. I told him I got the chickens and that I needed him to reposition a couple of the insulation tubes we had put on the metal tubing for the frame on the top of the greenhouse so that they didn't wear the material from rubbing. I cannot reach them without getting on a ladder and don't think that is the best idea for me to try yet.... also talked a little about Christmas and he said you are coming to her parents house right? I figured that they would go there for a little bit according to how she feels because of the kids all there. I told him that I was only going to do some money for the kids and a tootsie roll bank because they get so many toys and stuff... he said that was more than I needed to do. I also said that I would cook a chicken with stuffing and mashed potatoes for them next week and they could open a vegetable at home... probably do it Wednesday the 29th so they will have something to eat for a couple days. Leftovers from Christmas should be gone by then. I will take out 2 chickens next Monday and make sure I have enough bread for stuffing and then cook them Wed and he can stop on his way home Wed eve and get it and take it home. That'll give me another one to eat on and make sandwiches from too. Gotta make sure I have a heavy foil pan so they can just take it all home....

And..... I got a mouse this afternoon......as long as I keep catching them that is good.....got one last week....oh well...

 

[Mini Horses]

Similar weather here...the front you mention is supposed to hit tue night into wed morn. Ok...that leaves things clearing and warming thru Christmas. That's good. I will work a few hrs tomorrow, and need to pick up a load of hay wed, about an HR out. Then I'm pretty "done" for a week. Did eye glasses apptmt today, dental last 2 wks.....permanent cap and glasses won't be ready until after New Year. Offices are close to one another but an hour from home. So will schedule for same day...one trip!

Light work tomorrow, replenish greeting card sections in a couple stores. Brings back memories of yrs I worked for American Greetings. .

We haven't had real cold for a steady time and I'm not liking even what we've had. . Cold is not my friend....neither is snow. Not looking forward to Jan & Feb.

Hope the bump behind your knee is nothing serious. Good to get it checked right away and know! Sounds like DS is a little less anxious with GF results sounding better ....he's sharing. Hopefully things keep going well for everyone.

Fresh eggs and only one mouse! Hey, improvements. Enjoy those little things.

 

[Ridgetop]

Hope the news on the knee is good. I think you will have a nice time at GF's parent's house for Christmas. Her mother and sister seem very nice.

 

[farmerjan]

Thursday eve. I am done testing for several days. Been kinda busy the last 2 days. Weather was COLD this morning...22 up to 50 and sun so pretty nice. Supposed to get warmer for the next 10 days pretty much. No snow here for Christmas that's for sure.

Got the ultra sound on the knees and I asked the girl who was very nice, if I needed to be worried. She said, well, I can't get specific until the dr reads it, but if there was anything alarming I would have your dr on the phone; for them to decide to admit you or not, and I don't need to call your dr.... so no clots. She did show me the screen to look at the one where there is a constant flow and then when she asked me to pump my foot once, how the flow increases.... really was interesting.... So, no blood clots to worry about. Good but then this constant pain and tightness has to be in the ham string/tendons/muscles etc...... going to be a pain to try to deal with it not wanting to loosen up. Especially since the left leg/knee does not have that pain/knotted up feeling. Hot packs to relax and then more stretching I guess...

I tested the farm Tuesday and the farmer did get up and give me the numbers on the last 4 groups of cows... I did the first 6 groups, then his son came in so it didn't hold them up. He said he was expecting me to use a cane and all, and thought I was doing real good and walking really good.....
Then the ultrasound Wed morning and then tested another farm Wed eve. They always call out the numbers so not a problem. But we were in there for over 3 hours and I did get tired. But got them done, so have a few days off. I am going to try to do more with the exercises to see if I can get a little more flexibility....
Went to Goodwill down near that farm as I was running a bit early and don't get to go in that one often, Found a few books and some dvd's....

Went with DS this afternoon to take him to get the tractor and equipment....you have to have someone do the ferrying...and I had to scoot back and forth across the seat because I can't get out and get back in the truck...it is too high off the ground and no handholds to pull yourself up into it. . So I slid from the passenger side to the drivers side when he was in the tractor and all, and then slid back over because he has no patience with my driving anymore... I don't go fast enough for him and I don't do this right etc and so forth....We
got 2 rolls of hay to take to another pasture on the way back and no way was I going to listen to him not picking up the rolls the right way or not putting them where he wanted them in the field. Made me bend the knees more and so they ache a little but not bad... I need to work on getting them more "limber".....

Got 7 eggs in the last 2 days from the chickens.... 3 browns and 4 whites. I did not go out there in the dark yesterday evening... I didn't get home til 9:30..... so that's pretty good. I'm satisfied. I will have to make myself some eggs fro breakfast now.....

Everything else is quiet. I have the cards and money in them for Christmas......a few little gifts for the kids but like DS said, they get way too much stuff..... so I got them tootsie roll banks, and plastic candy canes with m&m's inside and the cards and a little money.

DS said he wants to get the cows in that have calved and get them moved to a pasture with the bull. These are the ones that calved after he had moved the others already. So, I can help him with that tomorrow... He is also working on GF truck, she hit another deer a couple weeks ago, and her sister bought her one of the "fancy" ranch hand type bumper/grill protectors for Christmas... they are expensive..... but he is getting it all installed on the truck and it replaces the dented up one that the deer hit and he replaced her headlight and signal light that were broken and all...

Went to the dentist and he will have to place a crown on the tooth that has the problem. Didn't have enough time at that appt.... sooooooo.......Next week....

So, I am in for the night. Going in to wash my hair and take a shower and watch a Christmas movie. Santa Paws.... got it and Santa Paws 2 at Goodwill the other day. Not in the mood for any action or westerns tonight.... So, I will watch "sappy" Disney movies tonight.....I have been cold all afternoon so need to get a good hot shower and warmed up. It wasn't really cold out either... but I am feeling the cold more than I used to, especially after the knee replacement surgery. Guess that is the "older age" thing catching up? It is down to 36 and supposed to get down into the upper 20's or low 30's which is normal....

Have gotten a mouse every day for the last 4 days.....one time traps had the pb all eaten... guess I set them with the little thing too far over so it wasn't "hair trigger".... but I rebaited them and got one later that day. These are all little mice, not like the bigger deer mice I had last year.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and Saturday is Christmas day. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hope that it is peaceful and enjoyable for all....

 

[Baymule]

You are doing great and it’s your knees! You may be impatient, but just look at you go!

Getting eggs, you’ll have to make yourself a real good breakfast. Maybe some deviled eggs for supper too.

Hope you have a real nice Christmas, relax and enjoy the day.

 

[Mini Horses]

Patience. Took a long time for those hamstrings to shorten and reposition to accommodate the bad knees....now, they need to backTrack it all for the new ones. Just keep at it!! You are progressing well. Try stretching every morning before you get into whatever you need to do. Maybe heat on that side while you sit with hot chocolate

Another deer??? Dang! I sometimes wonder if hunters get as many with guns as others with their vehicles! . If they aren't in front they're trying to jump over. And they wonder why a chicken crosses the road......

 

[farmerjan]

Saturday eve. I went and got milk this morning and talked to the farmer for a bit. The weather has been warmer today and rather nice. 60 for high. Sun early then some clouds this after noon. I went to the farm and helped DS with silage feeding, opening gates, and helping at the pile when he was scooping out the silage. Then I went and opened gates at a couple of pastures so he could go in and out with hay rolls so he doesn't have to feed anything tomorrow. Then I came home around dark and have been puttering here in the house. Watched a Christmas movie and might watch another one. I ate some mashed potatoes but wasn't real hungry. I am going to just do mostly nothing.
Right knee ached this morning from all the bending and all yesterday, but that is good in that I need to keep it moving and bending more. Going to get more "religious" about the exercycle too and work these legs more.

Yes, @Mini Horses you are right about it is going to take time to get them stretched out more after being so contracted from the way I was walking and getting around. Heat has definitely helped more than the cold packs. Although they probably helped with the swelling, they did not help with the "loosening" of the various stretched out muscles/tendons/ligaments and ham string.

Quitting and going to watch another "sappy" Christmas movie. Wishing a Merry Christmas to all.

 

[farmerjan]

Also, talked to @CntryBoy and he and his wife are doing good. Gabby is 4 yrs old now and he said she is doing a good job of taking care of them. They are still working along on the property... not fenced yet but have good garden space now.