Round Two About to Descend

Well... the sprinkling of snow we were told we were going to get on Monday has now turned into another full-blown winter storm, with 6 to 10 more inches predicted.  Yes, I have talked to Troy-Next-Door to have him contact the gentleman to re-do our drive on Wednesday sometime, as it is supposed to run Monday noon to Tuesday noonish.  

We are grateful for the moisture, we needed it so badly... but it IS hard to trudge around in it.  We had a good discussion today, and we may phase the old henhouse out as we lose birds over the next year.  It would be so much easier to use just the new henhouse, and reduce numbers.  However, it would also give us a chance to clean and re-do the old henhouse, and then the turkeys could take it over.  Something to think about, anyway. 

The tomato bisque last night was a made-from-scratch thrown together from what we have in the pantry, but I try to keep things on hand that I can use to throw things together.  Keith asked to eat lightly tonight, and I fixed him a cheeseburger... he couldn't even finish that.  It's out in the pasture with other scraps, but we have not seen hide nor hair of the vixen or a coyote in the last three nights.  I know they are having terrible trouble getting around.  I did see a dead coyote by the side of the road today on my way to church... it was not there this morning when I delivered the eggs to the food pantry.  It hurts me to see them. 

The horses around the corner that I always felt so sorry for are gone now.  The man ran an ad on Craigslist last weekend, and on Sunday, after taking Nathan home, I saw them being loaded into a trailer.  At least, I saw the brown filly... and hoped the other two were loaded.  I prayed that they were not going to a killer buyer... oh yes, they are still out there.  It wouldn't be so bad if they would be going to a humane slaughter, but we are in the heart of America, and Mexican abbatoirs are notoriously cruel.  I might be silly to pray for animals, but I do... and pray that those three found a good home with someone who would take care of them. 

Our old man Ranger has had a very good last six weeks.  At one point, we thought we were going to lose him, but even though he is limping around badly, he has had more good days than bad.  In fact, I am only giving him his Tramadol once a day now, and he has been going outside quite a bit, even if it's just to lay on the porch.  Today, though, after church, I locked up, and he followed me out through the snow and wandered around a little.  I am so glad for him... I hope this keeps up for a while longer.  He's so gray now, but he was our black and silver beauty when young. 

Lilly does not let anything stop her... here she was listening to the Spehar's dog barking... and was getting agitated.  She watched something tonight in the pasture, as well... and I could not see it. 

I have put food out the last few nights, knowing the storm was coming, and after it started.  I have seen NO sign of fox or coyote.  I have seen this several times: 

That's a big crow.  He took care of the food. 

The camera fell backwards on the deck this morning... and look what it captured.  Beautiful, glorious blue skies... and lots of starlings and redwings waiting to eat.  Keith stocked up again today on more feed... we are prepared for the coming week. Please note the buds on the maple tree!  26 days until spring! 

That's it for today from Calamity Acres!