When you feel like life is getting the better of you I always find the best antidoteto the overwhelmed feeling is some good hard work. It has been cold so I broke out the clown pants, hauled them on and got stuck in.
In the last two days I have shoveled out and cleaned most of the north side of the barn, over summer the cows creep in on occasion and the sheep find their way in through the broken north door, someone is sick like Queenie with her sore eye and before you know it there is shoveling to do.
I hauled the chicken ark all the way around the exterior of the farm and into the gardens. When Our John got home he helped me place it over a small area of the vegetable garden. Covering a couple of tomatoes and the brassicas. This is going to be a great development.
Yesterday I completely rearranged all the furniture in our big room. I do all my best housework when I am mad
The Middle Kitten did die. Apparently we have been struggling with a massive infestation of worms in their wee organs. Even though they were wormed when they first came, the worms had already gotton into the bloodstream of the first two. Round worms are hideous. And very hard on tiny weak kittens. The dogs have had an extra dose of worming stuff too just to be sure.
But the little Marmalade kitten is getting stronger I think. He is the toughest little cat and hates to have Boo out of his sight, so we have been taking him for walks outside to get his body moving hoping his bowels will follow suit. He just plods noisily along behind Boo, with me walking backwards in front of them to make sure that Boo does not pick him up.
I have to say that Boo is a lot calmer now that there is only one to mind.
I think Daisy must be about four and a half months pregnant now. Time is flying past!
Apple Upside Down Slice.
So, things are back on a more even keel. Today I am going to cover the ark in heavy plastic. Then continue with the cleaning of the barn. After the barn I will start the chook house. I hate cleaning the chook house, so I am hoping that I can run the laying chooks across the fields as well, next year. I will happily drag two arks if it means no chook house to clean out. This winter maybe I will find someone to build me another ark, with laying boxes. Then all the fertiliser goes straight onto the fields, without the need of a shovel in between. From now on the chook house will only be for the winters!
What an excellent decision.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Your friend, celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
71 responses to “Getting Stuck In”
I am with you on cleaning out the chook house!! I did mine on Sunday and had the sore back for two days to prove it! Doesn’t help that 2 dogs, 7 chickens and 2 kittens want to help and end up only getting in the way. Then there is pushing the barrow the other side of the garden fence where my compost heaps are and getting all that good stuff incorporated! This morning I did something that has taken my mind off the sore back, I fell over whilst walking the dogs in the park! Straight down onto my left knee and hands. Now I have one more scar to compliment all the others from my younger days of climbing trees and falling off bikes LOL. So much to do still before winter so I will just limp away and get it done because I am so flipping determined to be ready for winter.
Oh NO! Falls are rotton for grown ups.. how miserable.. but yes, we have to motor on and later there will be time to relax in front of the fire.. c
Good morning Celi, long time away, but I still find you busy working away in your barn and tending to your animals, which I see have found a new kitten! I’m reading back about these little ones and so sad to hear of your little middle one. I’m one to bring in all the lost – whether kids or animals – the only thing that saves me from a house full is the community rules I must abide by!
Sometimes going full out can help & it sounds like your engine’s were rev’ing. It sure looks like Boo isn’t giving up on this last little guy though.
As for the worming…I let the vet handle that. Kevin used to do it for the livestock, but for kitties and dogs…this city gal married to the farmer takes full advantage of the local veterinary service! 🙂 I can handle a lot of things around here…but this goes along with wellness exams which you have to have or no rabies vaccine! On the off year they get a wellness exam to make sure they are healthy. Or I wouldn’t have known they didn’t have teeth!!!! Barn kitties are not like house kitties. They come in contact with outside influences that are quite daunting….they also get dosed with Advantage. Man is that stuff expensive!!!!
What do you and everyone else think of the Lyme’s Disease Vaccines for dogs? I did get them for Maisy…but then due to all the controversy I stopped them. I did a tick check everytime she came in. What say all of you????
Good luck with the big kitten. That Apple Upside Down Slice looks very good 🙂
I have a cold today, and feel utterly foggy and rather stupidly sad. Your photos of Boo and her marmalade kitten really made me smile. I’m glad they are so bonded.
Do sorry these of the middle kitty, d
So sorry to hear of the middle kitty, does Boo get it? I hope this one is very strong and makes it. Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Like you, I know when I need to get outside and put forth some hard work to get things right in my head. I’m glad you were so productive! Ya gotta love Boo… what a gift to have a willing caretaker around to help ease the load!
Best for the remaining baby, Boo and you… oh worms – so nasty! Damn damn… be well.
Happy to see you’re back in the saddle again,Celi. It takes gumption and guts to make yourself get up and move. It’s that moment of decision that demands courage. I know because it’s that that I lack. : (
Boo is a good mom. He must have learned from you, darling. Hang tough … as if you’ve ever hung any other sort of way.
upside down sometimes.. on a swing? sounds interesting!! c
I actually don’t mind cleaning the hen house…it does give me a start if I find my friend snake in there, but I wait while he/she finishes dinner and then go back and start again. I let my hens out every evening. Just enough so they can run and eat bugs and have a great time. Then they stay in the house or their run until time. They know if I’m late getting there to let them out.
That photo of Boo with his little charge is precious! Love is a mighty thing, isn’t it?
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Ahhhh you are so right Ceci! Soon winter and time to slow down…. 😀 Yes! Winters are wondeful by the fire…just working on machinery and equipment (which I don’t do), meetings, watching the market and moving snow…which I do help out with. Lots and lots and lots and lots of SNOW!!!! To stay in shape Kevin does the treadmill and I ride my bike on it’s lovely stand! We both do the home gym…or we suffer when spring work comes around again! So thankful for our spa house!
what a busy lady you are. So much life day in and day out and never a dull moment!