Yesterday I called the farm a disaster zone (after 2 and a 1/2 MORE inches of rain) and the animals must be evacuated to higher ground. Except the pigs who are as happy as .. well.. Pigs. 
Thoroughly disillusioned we moved the two Bobbys (steers) across the way onto the concrete pad there (they were literally splashing through the fields) and Aunty Del onto concrete with Lady Astor here. I hope Aunty behaves.
The calf Naomi is still sitting quietly in her pen waiting for her time to join the throng. Weaning time is never fun. And we are slowly sinking into the mire.
Even the well is flooded and the pump periodically pours water out onto the drive.
I saw a muskrat steaming up a ditch yesterday and there are Herons fishing in the fields. I have no idea if they are getting any fish but they are stood on one leg watching for fish. So something must be moving about in there.
The sun came out later in the day and we began to steam and slowly dry a little.
So I let the piglets out for a wee run about.
They fell to turning over the last of the mud and puddles. It was exhausting work.
Dinner time.
There are five, they are just hard to catch all at one time. Because their mother is so trusting of me they are also very friendly and spend a lot of time gnawing on my boots. I am keeping one little gilt, I will show her to you as soon as I can get a shot. Her name is Bubba Ann. Whitney, one of the woofers who came earlier in the summer, named her. 
The Lady on the Ridge who has the Billy Goats that go with my two La Mancha girls has offered to have them up there for a while until we decide what to do. So Brenda and Freya went for a ride in the back seat of her truck and are now living with a small flock of Boar Goats. Happy as clams.
There is more rain in the forecast but maybe it will go around?
I hope you have a lovely day,
Love your friend
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
49 responses to “The disaster zone”
I am sorry Celi. Things are a mess for you and no farmer deserves to be drowning in their own fields. You mention the herons on one leg…I feel as if my comment a few days ago about the good fortune of NOT seeing fishes in the fields may have caused some sort of karmic misadventure to come true. 😦 I so hope that things improve very soon.
I had to laugh though – I told Amanda about your comment as we stalked the herons for a shot – we had a laugh!
Rain, rain go away. Come again some other day (in October!).
Years ago when I was living in a rural area, it was a nesting area for the Great Blue Herons and we had a lovely big pond with gold fish in it. The Herons would come and ‘fish’ there but not for fishies; they were after frogs. It was amazing to watch them, almost imperceptively move from one foot to the other, in their hunt.
Your piggies are beautiful! They appear so huge until positioned at the milk bar when they come into perspective again. Thank goodness for the Lady on the Ridge; at least that’s one problem you don’t need to deal with during your disaster.
Am sending dry thoughts your way… at this point I don’t think we can jinx you into a drought, you have far too much moisture there to overcome that possiblity. It really is alarming to view your drainage ditches and hear of flooded wells. Does this mean you are having to boil water? I am thinking so, and that just adds one more step in dealing with all this. Hang in there, C., we are all pulling for you. May your day dry up and turn lovely. ~ Mame 🙂
Oh no, I hope that things get better soon and that the next bout of rain misses you!
Goodness, those piglets are growing fast!
Speaking of fish in the fields, many years ago (probably 30 or 40) we had a summer of rain like this year. Farmers were catching fish in their fields and had a competition as to who had the biggest fish. The fish were kept in a big watering tank at the (now closed) FS plant on 116.
That is a lot of water! I woke at 2 this morning to open up the windows and heard an odd sound. We had sheets of rain coming down. I have not heard that sound in a month and a half. Not forecast. I’m trying to send the warm dry weather we’ve had to you in my thoughts. I’m glad you have higher ground to put everyone on. The piglets are adorable.
Rain,rain go away! Those little piggies are gorgeous 🙂 Laura
The weather is certainly adding a lot to your already full plate. We’ve had seasons like that…so much rain that we stay in a constant state of wet and flood. But your poor farmy. I wish we could give you some of our hot and too dry and take some of your rain. We need it. Everyone on the farmy is growing so fast. I’m thrilled for you that Poppy has proven herself to be such a wonderful sow.
oh my gosh- this is too much rain- unless you had rice paddies and even then it might be too much- those little piggies are adorable and what a good temporary goat solution!
Here’s to dry days for you!
Must be where the old phrase came from “When it rains, it pours.” With all this rain in this area, I’m becoming worried the hay, wheat, and corn crops will be ruined – and that’s going to affect so many who don’t realize the connection of weather, farms, and city.
Hope there a break for water to drain a bit. Animals get tired of sloshing after a while.
(Despite the chaos and storms theirs beauty: the canal shot (herons? oh, my), the sky reflected in the water by the corn field, and that last scene. Little bits to keep you going through the rest?)
I have everything crossed for you, that the rain stops for a while and the sun dries the land. I love those little piggies, and was happy to see the picture of Tonton with his stick. I’m sure the goats will be happier with other goats to play with instead of laying in ambush to you. And you will certainly be happier.
I wish you the strength to endure Noye’s Fludde. This time tomorrow I shall be on my way to Newcastle – almost there, if all goes well.
Love,
ViV xox
That is WAY Too much rain! WAY!!! COME ON SUN!!! It’s TIME!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
So disheartening, this ridiculous rain. We woke to thunder this morning. Though now it is a bit sunny here. Don’t know how long it will last. Hope you’re getting some of it.
I’m amazed your sunflowers ever grew. Just so sorry your animals had to be moved to higher ground…so much extra work. glad the piglets, the boys, have recovered from their pain. There’s something to be said for being a creature other than a human. They know how to live in the moment.. TonTon with his stick!
Oh my goodness. You all are getting moss behind the ears. So frustrating. California drying up like a bone. You under water with no end in sight. The pigs do carry on, though, don’t they. Come hell or high water, they’re game.
This, my dear C, is way too much rain. I am sorry you must deal with this.