Farmerjan's journal - Weather

[farmerjan]

Yes, @Bruce , it is "relatively" new in comparison to hip replacement. Actually was invented/perfected by my 2nd choice dr at the Duke conglomerate. Only because I was hoping that this younger one would think that stem cell regeneration would work for me. I did a fair amount of research about it before finally going down there. Done some more since then. Seems that Duke does more ankle replacements than any other medical complex in the country. They have like 20 doctors that specialize in just feet/ankles right there. Not all do replacements. Still pretty impressive in my book. He knows the doctor that is in UVA here in Charlottesville, closer to me, that does the replacements. But I just never got that "comfortable" feeling at that appointment a couple years ago. So, you have to go to whom and where you feel that it is a good fit, and I liked what I saw and what I experienced there in NC. I like that there are more than one there too, that are familiar with the procedure and all, just because.

AHHHHH @Baymule, I get it now. Sorry, I was thinking that you were already in the medicare age group. I guess because I knew you weren't working, didn't realize you had "retired early", to take care of your mom. It sure has been a big relief to me to not have the big deductible to look at, although mine was less than yours would have been. And mine was part of my job, but it wasn't as good as we used to have, before the whole "obama care" BS came along.

I am seldom sick either, and hadn't used even a small portion of the out of pocket deductible for the last 10 years of work. So it was like not having insurance because I never got any benefit except to "apply this portion to your deductible" statements. Still came out of my pocket. That was 90% for the different doctor appointments that I made over the past several years, for consultations. I think I have gone in for the signature sore throats I have had, about 4 times in the last 10 years. Have had them since I was a kid, probably due to still having my tonsils. None of the treatments I was going to Pittsburgh area, for the prolotherapy and PRP treatments, was covered. All out of pocket and that was probably over $10,000 in the course of 2 years. But, I am not sorry I tried it, and it did some good in my left knee. It doesn't hurt near as much as it did. The other joints might have benefited if I had done it 10-20 years ago before they got so bad, but the injuries might have made it so they would never have gotten any good from it. The right knee was injured the first time when I was a teenager.

It is a chilly, cloudy, wet, rainy, drizzly, kind of day. Just like was predicted. Got a few things to do here, then will call my farmer from yesterday, and see how he has progressed with the computer work. I don't think I am going to bother to haul any water today, but I will go up and check the spring when I go out. I can haul tomorrow afternoon if need be when it is sunny out. The cattle drink alot less since it has gotten cooler, and they even drink less when it is rainy because the grass isn't dry as they are eating it. I didn't go check it yesterday, since it was looking okay after the rain on sat eve/sun morn with the 1.6 inches we got.
I didn't get the heat detectors on the cows yesterday like I had hoped. Can't do it today, their hair is wet and they won't stick. Would like to get it done in the next 2 days with it supposed to be sunny and dry.... but I wasn't anticipating having to spend half my days testing both days. Oh well, we will see....I'll get it fit in here somewhere.

My son is leaving tomorrow to go up north to see his grandparents, and I will also have to feed and water the chickens and sheep at his house. He is going to move the sheep into a new section, so won't have to do anything except check them and fill water troughs. Plus check on the cows daily since the older cows are calving now.

Be a good day to stay in, curl up with a book and hibernate with this wet outside.... yeah right

 

[farmerjan]

Been a couple of long days and aggravating to say the least. Dealing with the farmer that hadn't tested in a year and all the "I haven't gotten all the information caught up yet" and 2 extra trips there and still not getting the co-operation I should have gotten, has put me in a very UNHAPPY state of mind. I lost much of the day on Wed by going back to that other farm, then lost nearly all the day Thursday, making another trip there only for the farmer to not have left the computer in the office, and didn't answer the phone when I tried him, so I just left and said that's it.... I wasn't going to make another trip today, and the samples were getting shipped and the lab will have to deal with the mistakes, and aggravation because it wasn't done the way it is supposed to. NOT WORTH IT for a farm that hasn't tested for a year....

The early herd Wed morning is just too early anymore... and the herd that I did Thursday is just long... mostly because they don't start til 7 a.m., but also because they are milking about 40 more than the last test 2 months ago; freshened a bunch of heifers and some more cows came back in fresh. Oh well, today I spent getting samples packed and shipped, took a couple of rims down to drop off so they could work on getting the new tires mounted and such, then will just have to put them on the truck on Monday....
Went to town and sat through hours of the cattle sale to watch prices and it doesn't seem like the new owners are getting it "together" very well yet. Lots of delays, and waiting between bunches through the ring because they just don't seem to be able to get cattle moved around very fast and can't sort them in the pen prior to coming in the ring.....got a message that the people at one place we rent are going to be gone for a few days, and that the calves are getting through the electric fence along the driveway, so I have to go up there tomorrow and see what is what. Also have to do the chickens and all at my sons' house again tomorrow. He is supposed to be home Sunday aft or eve....
Had another farm want to test on Mon eve-Tues morning. They are one of only 2 that I do 2 consecutive tests. And the big one in Winchester (2 hrs away) wants to test Wed morning so I will go up there on Tuesday eve & stay over. They start at 2 a.m.. Got another scheduled for Friday as they don't want to do it the next Monday with the time change on Sunday. They are great so that is okay... but it seems like they all want the same week, instead of me being able to get them spaced out like 2-3 a week over the whole month.

Weather was really nice Wed and Thurs, , today was some sun then some clouds but still in the low 60's. Supposed to get some showers tonight, and showers into Sat night with more "rain" into early Sunday. We can use it, but I was hoping to get some of the leaves up and that sure didn't happen with this PITA herd the past several days. The maple is turning yellow in a hurry, but alot of the leaves are falling off too. I need to do a mowing and getting the stuff bagged up for the few chickens I will have through the winter. Have to see how the weather plays out. Gotta be dry for a few days so the leaves are dry to store.

Couldn't sleep because of my knee aching so got up and wrote this. Now I will probably go to bed and sleep later than I want to try to get some stuff done tomorrow....

 

[Baymule]

Funny how that stabbing pain in your knee, like someone driving a sharpened screwdriver through you knee with a 5 pound sledge hammer, will make for a bad night's sleep.

Take turmeric. It reduces inflammation. It helps me a lot, I can feel the pain subsiding in 30 minutes. You can buy it in capsules, but I buy a 1 pound bag at the health food store for about $8 and mix it with coconut oil to make a paste. I take a spoonful of the stuff, immediately washing it down with something to drink. Tastes bitter, yukky, but it works. Turmeric is my friend. It's a love/hate thing.

 

[AmberLops]

Another thing that works great (especially with turmeric) for pain is Great Corydalis
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Coryda...eat+corydalis+tea+pills&qid=1572148647&sr=8-4
I take these tea pills but there are other ones, in capsules but i haven't tried any other brand but this one. They work!

 

[farmerjan]

Thanks for the info. I already take 2 different formulas of turmeric/curcumin, one has black pepper in it and the other has some boswellia and collagen. Haven't seen or felt any relief. I am giving them another month, but it's been 4 months already. There just doesn't seem to be anything that will help very much. I had not seen or heard about the one with the bioprene, so have ordered that to try and the corydalis. Worst it can do is .... nothing.....I have done many different supplements, both from the holistic approach with the dr that I had the PRP and prolotherapy treatments, that he has proprietary blends he has formulated..... to other ones I have found and tried from ads and info on the internet and reading about in magazines, journals, etc.. Believe me, I have tried many, and when I do I try to do at least a 3 month trial on any because I know that it takes a little time for things to work.
So will give these others a try, you never know, might just find a magic bullet to help ease the pain.

Turned out to be a mostly cloudy day all day today. Did get a little sun late in the afternoon, peeking through the clouds, but had clouded up more by dark. It was warm enough though, hit low 60's , so wasn't uncomfortable. Went up and did my son's chickens and all, went by a neighbor's where we make hay off their place, who lost her husband to that terrible freak jousting accident last year. She works outside of DC and comes down every few weeks. They(she) have a place up there, this was to be where they planned to retire to, and he was actually working from here alot by tele-commuting.... Anyway, we made plans for dinner. Then I went over to the pasture where the calves are getting through the electric fence. Found a few spots that I need a couple of new insulators, need to tighten up the fence in a few places. Didn't have the fence tester, so got that and some replacement insulators, and I will go back tomorrow and see if I can get it working right. Am looking at the possibility of having to replace the plug in charger though. It is clicking, but I didn't see the light blinking. Have lost one to lightning there once already, and it is on a surge protector, but am going to look at one that maybe has stronger protection.
Filled the truck with gas, and then got home and we met and went to a local German food restaurant. The food was decent, I am not a huge german food person but it was nice for a change. We had a chance to catch up, sadly she lost her mom back in sept, so we were discussing aging parents and the problems too. We don't have alot in common, but she is a nice person, and so a nice evening out.

The forecast is calling for somewhat steady rain most of the day tomorrow, starting in the early morning hours, so we will see. I am going to have to haul another load of water probably monday, the spring is still running slow. Rain is due to go on east and north, mostly sunny on monday and tues, with another front coming in for wed and thurs, then some sun again for friday. You never know. Already had a farm wanting to switch testing this coming week, which I really did not want to do, but it was that or put it off for 2 weeks as he is going to be gone the first week of Nov and then they are getting baby turkey's in the following week, so will have to get the houses bedded and all as soon as he gets home. So I will be off on mon and tues, then go to Winchester tues eve, test there early wed morning, then come home and do this "switched" farm on Wed eve and thurs morning. Then do another on fri morning. At least they are close, and don't start until 5:30 thurs morning and the one on friday doesn't start til 5:00 a.m..

Didn't get to check all the cows calving, so want to try to do that in the morning even if I have to take the 4x4 if it is raining and the pasture grass is slick. Water tank is on it but it won't be a big deal while empty. If it is not pouring, I may even go get a load of water after going up to the place with the electric fence and haul a load of water tomorrow. And if it is raining hard, I will stay in, in the morning for awhile instead. It is supposed to push on out by late afternoon so I can do the fence then. They can't get in any real trouble when they get out, just into the field that we cut for hay, and the round bales aren't all moved yet. Not like they can get on the road, but sure don't want the cows tearing the fence down trying to follow the calves out. That hay field has regrown nicely, and we do move the cows out there for late grazing anyway.

Time to go to bed, I did get up late this morning, and want to try to get up earlier tomorrow than today. Have to back it up tomorrow so that Tues night I can try to go to sleep real early up there at their house to be up by 1:30 a.m. to be at their barn before 2 a.m.....

 

[CntryBoy777]

One thing I have experienced with my knee is that when a joint is bone on bone nothing will really touch it. The best thing I have found that works the best for me is green BCs. They don't take the pain completely away, but do make it tolerable. I take from 3-6 a day, everyday. It is much easier to stay on top of it if ya continue to take it regularly than to wait until ya think ya need it and then take it; it sure beats opioids and the side effects. I have tried many herbal things, but always come back to BCs. It does have asprin in it, so some are sensitive to them, luckily I don't have that issue. Since I'm suppose to take asprin for the heart, I figure I'm knocking out 2 birds with 1 powder..........grinning and bearing it only lasts for a little while and then kicking ones behind begins for not keeping up with the pain level....

 

[Mini Horses]

We are getting those fronts here, similar to you FarmerJan. Couple days on & couple off. The rain has been good but not overwhelming, thankfully. Been up a couple hours and it smells like rain as I went to kitchen -- had left a window open slightly over sink, facing covered porch. The reports say rain all day, so I expected it. Well, I work later so will be inside & it's ok

FarmerJan I think you already have a broader then original medicare plan...@Baymule, I think you have something like 3 months to switch, once you get your medicare….consider this:

Yesterday I met up with an agent to switch out my original medicare to one of the medicare plans. For the same $$ I get a LOT more coverage in areas I had none before and that is why I switched. Starts Jan 1. In 9 yrs I have never used any portion of medicare, just payed. Didn't need anything. Had no RX coverage, didn't need. Now, I will pay a "penalty" for that, somewhere between 15-25 per month, which I will pay above the current medicare deduction. BUT the new plan gives me these annual benefits that I didn't have before -- beyond the RX coverage requirement -- 2 covered dental exams/cleanings & $1200 dental repair, 1 covered eye exam & $200 toward glasses, OTC card for purchases of up to $700.. for all kinds of aspirin, tums, cold & allergy, skin care, dental care, shampoo, vit/min.....like most everything you would buy on the pharmacy aisles! Plus Silversneekers at the Y (the Y wanted $60 a month for me otherwise). Now, I can "re-spend" my insurance premiums!! Over $2K will be available to me each year. I am thrilled. Thanks, Anthem BCBS !

I paid $370 for glasses & exam last time, now $100.
Need to replace 2 fillings that came out (no pain) so that will be done. I'll never "pay" for aspirin, vitamins, toothpaste or wrinkle cream again. What a gift -- especially as I want to cut back on outside work and do more here on this little place. I finally feel I am "getting something" for those insurance premiums. That's always the issue with "insurance" you pay & hope you don't need it but, it gets annoying. I can't BELIEVE this, & telling everyone!

now...coffee time.

 

[farmerjan]

@Mini Horses , I am not exactly sure which plan/supplement I have off hand. It is Anthem BCBS.... I trust our insurance lady from work who is still advising me. I had it in my mind to call her just to check, so will do it now, just to find out. I do know I have the silversneakers, and really hope that I can start to take advantage of it even though it is a good 30+ min. trip to town just to get to the Y or to the center at the hospital where they also have an "exercise" program that it is accepted. I haven't had time to do it, and really haven't wanted to make that extra trip in on my days off. I get tired of the driving after doing so much for so many years. I will have to check into the glasses thing as I just got a new pair and didn't even think about the possibility of them being covered. I have dental ins through work still, available to us even as part-time, and it covers pretty good. I don't know about the OTC card for things like aspirin and all that. That sounds good, have to check it out too. Maybe I will need to change my "selection"... Thanks for the info. I did get the prescription coverage so that I would not have to pay any "penalty" down the road, partly knowing that I would be doing this surgery in a year or two after being eligible. I paid 149.00 for the whole year for prescription, and of course haven't used it since I got it. It renews in December I think, will have to ask her about that too.

 

[Baymule]

Are these plans any doctor, any hospital?

 

[farmerjan]

We had a nice day today. It started raining like at 1-2 a.m. and was still raining a little at 8. Then next thing you know it was clearing off and the sun was out. We got another .7 inch from it. Had sun all day and a little breeze, it was really warm and comfortable. Mon and Tues are supposed to be pretty decent and then some rain coming back in Tues night and into early Friday.
I went up and went over the electric fence with a fine tooth comb. Replaced several insulators that were damaged. plus 2 were missing. Pulled the wire tighter. Found a couple places that the wire had actually gotten off the insulator and in 2 places it was touching metal.... Got a very slight showing on the tester, only the first light was showing anything. So it may be the charger, it is a real old one. Or it might be that the ground isn't real good; plus there is alot of the wire that is older and some rusty type spots. So the charger just might not be able to push the charge along the wire.
My son is back from up north, I texted him and told him and he said he has another charger to put up there to try. He is supposed to be going up there tomorrow with the truck and trailer and move the rest of the round bales off the field, and then the cows and calves will get the hayfield anyway. Got 6 new calves in there now.
Didn't haul any water, and hope that I won't have to with this last rain. Didn't go check the water trough today, but will definitely go up there in the morning.

Plan to mow the lawn and bag it and all the leaves that are falling off the trees real fast. They have barely turned yellow on the one maple and they are all over the ground. Colors won't last long in the hills this way. If I mow it, then will go back over it the next day and bag it , so the grass is dry and won't get moldy, will have tons and tons for the chickens. Will probably put some in the barn too for the calves for the winter.... I won't have any nurse cows with baby calves, but the smaller calves will be able to come in through the creep gate, so it won't hurt to have bedding there that I might be able to use in the garden next year for mulch next year.

Want to do some laundry to hang out tomorrow, and then get the tires on the truck. Going to get a thermostat and see if they will put it in for me. The truck heater doesn't seem to get warm enough to blow warm air in the truck. Checked the water/antifreeze and it is okay.... next is the thermostat not holding the warm engine water so it will run through heater core. There are no leaks so don't think the heater core is the problem unless it is clogged. Thermostat is easier to change first; I have never changed it since I have owned the truck I don't think, so it won't hurt to eliminate that first.

Got the cables to put on the tailgate on the 4x4 ranger, so it won't try to fall off every time I open it; trying to get all these little things caught up on the vehicles. Just wish he would get the car engine redone again.

Got a call from the little 20 cow herd that I used to double up with the big herd up in Winchester.... asked if I could come test them one more time. I thought from the last text that the cows were gone.... don't know what is up with that... but I will go there after I get done at the other herd like usual. Got to call the main computer processing center and get the herd re-activated..... I set up another herd for wed eve, and they are a 2x so will go back there on thurs morn.... It will be a very long and "achey" 2 days on my ankle/knee/feet/ joints.... Normally would not have set up any to do that eve since I have to get up so early on wed, and then do 2 farms.....then drive 2 + hours home and pack all the samples and such....and be in that barn by 4:30 wed eve.... only saving grace is that I will not have to get up Thurs morn until about 4:30 a.m. to be in the barn by 5:30, not too far away, but I know I will not be moving very fast thurs morning...

Got a quote for vehicle insurance that is less than what I just renewed it at, with better coverage. So going to switch it out and then I will get back most of what I paid for the other. Never been really happy with the ins co/agent that I got after the ones I used for years retired, and sold the business to another ins co.. The one that called me with a quote, I was a little skeptical about, but the company they represent, that they quoted me from, is an A rated company on the internet search I did; and the agent was really nice over the phone about what I wanted, asked questions and answered mine, and sent me an e-mail with the basic quote and info and said that they would send all the paperwork by mail if I signed up etc.... I haven't been real trusting about doing some of that stuff over the phone, I like to talk to people face to face, but he gave me some references for their agency, based in NC, and it looks pretty legit.. As soon as I am covered by the new company, and I might wait a week to have the paperwork in hand, then I can cancel the ins I have now, and get a refund. Renewed it the end of Sept, so will get most of it back and I can just use the refund for other bills that I would have used the new payment money for. Juggling money a little bit, but not in a way to get caught short, just paying the ins first then paying the other stuff a little later in the month instead of paying as soon as the bill comes in.... I try to pay things as soon as they come in, rather than wait til right when they are due, and try to keep enough cushion.... this will take a little chunk out for a week or two until I get the refund back. I pay my vehicle ins yearly.... be done with it and get a bit of a discount at the same time. Then I don't have to worry about it either...just like the prescrip drug plan with medicare. Pay it once and be done for the year.

Time to hit the shower and go to bed. Then I can get a decent start in the morning, laundry, auto parts, tires.. calling the processing center about the herd....maybe having to haul water.... and mowing the lawn so it can dry and I can run over it tuesday and bag some - most of it.