.A cold day is fine. Or should I say a fine cold day is fine. But a cold day, though not too cold with a high of 29F (-1C), but with low slate gray clouds and a relentless wind becomes uncomfortable.
Yesterday it snowed on and off and blew without enthusiasm. 
So we worked in the barn most of the day. 
I tried to get a shot of Daisy through the dirty barn windows but she wasn’t having any of it.
I cleaned the pig pen again. While I was away the Shush Sisters got lazy and shifted their toilet inside and you know how I feel about that. I train the pigs as though they are dogs so I pointed to the smelly deposits and made them have a sniff so they knew exactly what I was mad about told them off in a disgusted voice. They followed me in and out, in and out, as I cleaned up with my shovel, making small squeaky apologetic noises. 
Queenie is adjusting, with good grace, to her new living arrangements with a more reasonable amount of fodder. She is such a solid wee heifer. But she is now living where Minty and Meadow were. So now I have the problem of how to arrange for Minty and Meadow to have access to shelter from the salad bar field, it is OK for now, but when it gets really cold I will have to do an evening shuffle to bring them right into the centre of the barn where there is a free pen.
But thats OK. There is no hurry. I have time.
Daisy is milking nicely for me now, her anti kicking apparatus is leaning on the wall as a reminder, but she is more settled, and her new pen works well. But there are some changes to her udder that are a little worrying. And as you know to farm organically we must pay attention to change in an animal, the idea is to get ahead of any infection. I am going to see if I can get her milk tested on Monday to make sure she is healthy although there are no outward signs of mastitis in the milk. This is not a good time of year to be ordering tests. I have consulted with Trapper Creek and she has recommended a homeopathic remedy called Mastoblast that I shall begin the moment it arrives. I can use this proactively in case mastitis is beginning to rumble.
Better safe than sorry as Mum used to say. She also used to say – a stitch in time saves nine. She also used to say if you don’t clean all those clothes off the floor of your room I am putting them in a rubbish bag and throwing them all out.
Good morning. Have a lovely day.
celi
.
The Kitchen's Garden 
62 responses to “Cold wind blowing”
It’s looking very winery there. I wish we had some snow…just cold here. I do hope Daisy will be okay. Sounds like otherwise all is calm and well on the farmy during this quiet time, and I’m glad. 🙂
It is lovely out here today, cold but SUNNY! yay.. c
wintery and winery…that’s what typing with two fingers does…or maybe I was just thinking about your ice wine! 😉 sunny here, too and beautiful.
I once tried that line on my eldest son, about tossing out all the clothes left on the floor, and he was delighted with the idea of getting all new clothes. Heck, that didn’t work out at all like I’d hoped. Weather looks cold there. We’re bouncing around 10c, so not too bad here, but raining again. And again. And again. And again. And ….
Uh oh, I sound like your mother.
(laughter) .. c
Oooh…I’m cold just reading this. Well, I am cold this winter since I’m not living in Florida, but I’ve thought of you as I face my not as cold weather as you have. When I have to take my dogs out, I think, if C can get to her barn and do all that work outside, then I can take a quick walk with my dogs! Really, though, I must get a winter coat – that would help!
a good winter coat is an excellent idea for the dog walking.. I wear so many layers i have trouble bending my arms sometimes!! c
I can feel the cold, and it’s SO helpful when you add the temperature in Celsius – thank you. That really brings it home how cold it is, and the contrast with our summer where you were not so long ago. My mother said those things too. I hope the barn was a (slightly) warmer place to be.
I’m watching the hydrangea flower heads, and see that they are still hanging on, in their dried state.
Those hydrangeas will not give up, i am very proud of their determination not to drop petals! c
Good to see you back so to speak. That picture makes me cold. I like the one of the cow by the car too.
I did that once to my kids about their toys. They didn’t and I did. They have not forgotten it. (Although, the toys did reappear several weeks later with. a next time they ARE gone.)
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
¸.•*¨*•♪♫♫♪HAPPY NEW YEAR ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥
I hope Daisy is okay. The daily picture seems to have changed greatly in the last few days. It really does look very grey and cold. I’m sure your pigs knew exactly what you were saying to them – they are very intelligent and can be very well trained. One of my dogs is a bit naughty and when it’s pouring with rain I have to watch her like a hawk because she won’t go outside (doesn’t like wet paws!) and if I don’t keep my eye on her she’ll sneak into a dark corner and do naughty things! xx
I am sure some pigs are very bright, these two seem a little on the dense but loveable side actually but ah well, maybe one day i will get one of those intelligent pigs I hear about.. I think like dogs and people some are brighter than others.. c
Your Mum would have approved mightily of your Shush sisters policy, Celi! It’s quite gratifying that they felt apologetic….
I think they were being apologetic or maybe they were whining about the cold.. they have no fur, but if I put a dog coat on them they would eat it ..so they have to make do with deep straw! c
I totally laughed out loud at that “picking your clothes up or I’ll throw them” sentence. It feels good to laugh in the midst of grey and worry.
I think they all know who’s mum 😉
I must try the rubbish tactic with my daughter’s bedroom.
it works, especially if you really do shove everything into a bag and she comes home to a completely cleared floor.. c
Chuckled at your last line. The barn looks very cosy in contrast to the daily photo view – which has its own appeal.
The balance is returning to The Farmy. Mistress C. is putting everything in order. Everything must be neat and tidy to welcome in the new year. Good Husband and I wish Celi and John the very, very best for 2012. With great affection Virginia
Glad your back safely and had a good visit with the family… I read all your blogs whilst away… but still on a walk about and will be for another 2 weeks… sounds cold there by you.. where I am we hit the 40 degree everyday easily and it’s dry.. but then the Kalahari is semi desert… and we have a big swimming pool at my son’s place… Happy New Year to you and may it be all you wish for….
sounds like that swimming pool might get a lot of use! Have a lovely new years!! c