John has so much work now that he is working six days a week, leaving at 4 in the morning and not getting home until after seven. Lady Astor and I wait for him. John has an habitual cough and when she hears him cough, as he walks from his truck to the barn after pulling in, she will move into the milking shed. Until then she stands outside the door and watches me watch her.
Thank goodness I have Tomoyo in the kitchen.
The calves in the West Wing Barn all ate hard and fast yesterday. Though the milk was at half strength again. We will slowly work up. They need some good nutrition now but I am so afraid of relapses. By evening they drop off a bit but they are getting stronger. Soon though the owners of these calves will come back and take them home. Let’s hope everyone is alive.
Little I will keep and maybe one of the other calves I have not made up my mind yet.
Little had two episodes yesterday when I was sure he was dying, he was prone – flat – like this ..
I called John and said I think he is dead, and when I turned back he was sitting up looking at me with that bemused expression calves have.
But each time he rallied. And is actually drinking more. By yesterday afternoon he was walking about in his pen sniffing things. Closely monitored by Nanny Boo of course (Boo barks to me from inside the pen – though I am not sure why – I am so tired now that I cannot even understand Dog. But I always go out to check the baby just in case). I have spent almost a week forcing that calf (and one other) to drink but now he drinks on his own so that is an improvement. But we will see. It is up to him really. He is nowhere near well so I am not letting my hopes rise up.
All the calves are drinking quite a bit of cold water from their barrels so that is a good sign.
Mr Flowers is losing his summer feathers at such a rate it looks like he pushed an eject button. I am collecting them. They are beautiful and so very long. We will have to decide what to do with them. I still miss Godot, the funny wee chap, but we cannot blame Mr Flowers for doing as nature intended. Though I want to.
Even the old roosters are fighting lately. Must be the time of year.
Even with all the troubles the garden keeps on producing. I am dehydrating tomatoes and making tomato sauce as fast as I can. There are not as many as there should be with the wet start to the season.
I promised Amanda that I would show some of the grubby farm shots. This is grubby. And I am only just starting the clean up that comes from having a sick animal in the barn. Then there will be lots of clean.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farm
celi
ps. This morning Little Bobby stood up and mooed. I have never heard his voice before. I warmed a bottle of milk and went out and fed him. He drank greedily then after a while he lay back down under his tree. This was the best I have seen him be. And he smelt different this morning.
Did I tell you that there is a big grey heron roosting in the big tree outside the bedroom window? When I go out in the night he flaps his huge wings at me. He is an enormous bird. I will try and get a sunset picture of him for you.
The Kitchen's Garden 
72 responses to “Prone Cats and Sleeping Calves”
Miss C, I am following these calves and your work like an intensely suspenseful novel. I do not have experience with bottle calves and find this so intriguing. Interesting about Nanny Boo’s barking and the heron, too!
Curious, too – what is John’s off-farm work and do you find time to use your pool!?
I’m wondering the same and thinking construction. Also, that is one long day, 4 a.m. – 7 p.m.
John is in the pool every day after work.. it is his saving! He works in construction – you go where the job is.. c
I figured he was in construction! Glad the pool is seeing some use, too. Take care!
Good to hear that Little Bobby is doing better. Your dedication is amazing.
I am holding out hope for your sweet ones that are struggling and love that you have a heron around. You attract everyone to your farm, don’t you? Take care of yourself. I see you wearing yourself to a frazzle very quickly.
aaww – we are still pulling for the little guy. He’s a fighter – 🙂 XOXO – Bacon
I’m so glad little bobby is mooing this morning that is so sweet… You are tenacious Celi, very lucky for him. I’m sure there were times he was like I just want to give up & you were like uh uh.
Your farm is beautiful it really shows how much you all love it. Have a fabulous day.
Robin🐥
Yes, it has been a different garden year down here as well. We are putting in our fall garden now. So glad you’ve had and still have help Celi. You have so much going there on the farmy. It’s amazing how you do it all! Does the heron hang out at the creek that is really a ditch during the day? Or are there other places to go for him to eat? How cool to have one nesting by your bedroom window. They are such magnificent birds! Sending strength and energy you way! xo
Greetings! Some time ago, my mom shared your amazing blog with me and I am so impressed with the work you do, the spirit in which you do it, and the uniquely personal voice you so openly share with your audience. As a teacher, I’m presently taking a blogging class and I am wondering how much time you devote each day to updating your blog. With Much Gratitude, Monette
Good Morning Monette. My blog goes up every 24 hours so I have a set daily routine. Without this routine i could not maintain a daily page. I take pictures as i go through the day. Sometimes writing or recording key words. Then, I spend an hour in the evening with a glass of wine, downloading all the images, and setting them into the page with a few words or ideas here and there. At 4.30 in the morning or thereabouts I write about the last 24 hours and post between 5 and 6. This usually takes me about 45 minutes and is why my words are simple. I run quite a busy day so this is why i have blocked out these two units of time to suit my abilities. Photos in the evening when I am tired (I find working with images soothing) and writing in the morning when I am fresh and full of words. Does that help? c
Absolutely! Thank you so very much.
Progress! YAY!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Hoping for the best with your wee calves & praying for you & them to be strong & healthy!
Is the heron interested in the fish in your rain barrels? My Niece had a pond with gold fish in her back yard, until a big heron stopped by for a snack.
My rain barrels are smaller than the heron, and right against the house, I would so like to see him try – it would be a great shot. c
Wey Hey and bostin, Bobby Little (Geordie and Brummy for great stuff!) – you keep this up and you’ll soon be out of the woods. The internet has been down all day here, and I was fretting.
I’m worried about you and Big John – you can only keep that pace going for so long, and then downtime is needed to reboot the energy levels.
The Farmy is looking lovely now the rain is staying away (touch wood). The maize in front of our living room windows is so high it’s hidden all the trees, and it has big tassels – I reckon they’ll harvest it before the usual October, and then we’ll get our view back.
This pace is only in the summer, so we know to make hay while the sun shines etc..
Oh to hear a big MOO! I can’t help thinking this little bobby is responding to being loved. Can’t help it. I know he is certainly not out of danger, serious danger, but oh he and you are certainly giving it the old college try.
A heron! Yes, I’m wondering too, where is he finding food? The creek?
Yes the creek and for some time they were fishing for frogs in the fields.. but the fields are all dried out now so the creek for sure..they come every year..
Slow and steady is the way to go with Bobby Little… I am smiling, I know a fellow called Bobby Little and he moves so slowly that dead lice would win the race any day! Celi, you radiate positivity and it is sure helping me as I wait for my eye surgery at the end of the month. Thankfully Elly will come to look after me at the early stage and she does not realise that part of her daily duties will be to read your posts to me while I am “posturing”. I am already practising and managed one hours sleep face down last night. I hope to increase that to two hours tonight. I am hoping that by the time I go to surgery, my body will be comfortable with sleeping face down.
Oh dear! What kind of surgery are you having? Sleeping face down is not easy.
The surgery is called ‘vitrectomy eye surgery’ and used for several eye conditions. In my case it is for a Macular Pucker that causes a hole and distorts or loses vision particularly with reading or close work. Makes me glad I have two eyes! 😉 You can read more about it here: http://www.facedownrental.com/vitrectomy.asp Discomfort for a short time will be worth the return of good vision. Thanks for your concern.
Sounds difficult.. maybe i should send you a taped version of events while you are recovering , like a talking book!! c
Celi, you have your hands full without me adding to your workload. I will insist that Elly aka ‘Nurse Hitler’ includes the animal sounds as each one is mentioned. Maybe I should be the one to make a podcast of her efforts, what do you think?
Having to sleep face-down and possibly spending much of your waking time looking at the floor sounds like retinal surgery to me? My husband had cataract surgery in the fall of 2013, it came up quickly because of an infection and diabetic problem in March of that year. We weren’t prepared – nor were we prepared for the 2 retinal surgeries that followed in the next 5 weeks. The cataract surgery apparently stirred up trouble. Oh boy – no fun at the time, but good now. We were told about a cushion “system” that could be rented to help you be comfortable while sleeping face down. Several pillows that Velcro together and leave a space for your face so you can breathe. Don’t know if you have such things in Ireland Grannymar – but worth asking your doctor or perhaps your local health nurse or senior’s care centre. I think it cost us about $25 CDN for 2 weeks. It wasn’t super comfortable, but it did help.
Good luck with the surgery.
Chris S in Canada
Chris, see my reply to Anon’s comment. You got it in one. I have had very successful cateract surgery on both eyes in 2011. At the pre-assessment appointment last week I was told that equipment was available, but it was really common sense and I might not need it. A V shaped pillow for my head and an ordinary one under my chest was recommended. Elly my daughter who will come home to look after me has gone ahead and organised the rental of some equipment – I will discover what it is when it arrives a couple of days before the surgery date, that will give me a chance to try it out. Yesterday I went shopping for pull on trousers and a few button through cardigans. In my book preparation is half the battle. Thanks for your concern.
Hey! I’m growing the same kind of hot peppers in my micro-farm 🙂
WordPress has done it again. I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting, and nothing from the Farmy in my Reader. I thought there must be a crisis, and then I saw a post from you in Nanette’s sidebar when I was visiting her blog. It looks like they’ve decided for me that there’s too much excitement here, and I’m not to be allowed to read you any more…. I shall go and change my settings so I get an email alert as well. I’m delighted about Little; talking and sniffing and walking are all good.
This happens to most people every now and then.. I have lost almost all mine lately too.. wordpress is huge!
It seems to happen every time they change something. There has been a huge beta test going on in the background around the functionality of some of the themes, and it just went live. If I don’t get tomorrow’s post, I shall unFollow and then Follow again to switch it back on! Give Little a zen hug for me – I think he’s too frail for a proper one just yet.
You are right he is so frail, frail is exactly the word. But just a half hour ago he hauled himself up and tottered across and all his milk THEN he was looking for more. Maybe.. just maybe I am thinking today though every time i check on him I mentally prepare myself
I shall light a candle to St Blaise, the patron saint of cowherds and sick animals…. After all, it can’t hurt.
Saint Blaise.. no that can’t hurt..
And sore throats, Kate.
I keep a supple of candles and light them for people who are ill or going through surgery or facing exams. It means I think of them each time I see the candle flicker. Some days I light it for someone unknown to me who might be having a difficult time. If I have to leave the house the candle still flickers while standing in the kitchen sink. Today I will join Kate and light it for Bobby Little.
Indeed he is! I well remember being carted off to church on his feast day to have my annual sore throat blessed!