Rain and more rain

Its been raining here all day. That's good for my plants, but bad for me. That means I need to mow soon. In the spring I sometimes have to mow twice a week. The grass grows that fast.

Worked on some garden projects.  I have to work today at the casino, so I limited my farm work.  Now there is a break in the rain I can head out to finish sheep afternoon chores.

Peace Out

Chicken..Kinda Ironic

Yesterday was a very nice day, I got a lot accomplished outside.  Lambing season is over and I have about half the sheep sheared. Since the weather was beautiful I opted to spend my day up front in the gardens.  Most people know me as a sheep farmer, but I am also a HUGE cut flower grower.  I have 2 acres of gardens up front by the road that has raised beds, cut flower beds, grapes, lots of lavender and a cute little garden shed to sell stuff out of.

One thing that takes soooo much time from me is the WEEDS. So this year I decided my motto is "Plan ahead, work hard now, so you don't have to work harder, later" LOL I spent the whole day laying weed block.

When I finally headed up to the barn for my evening chores, I noticed one of my chickens was dead in the coop. I was very sad and had to take care of the body. I hate when I loose an animal. I don't even like to see the Cats get a mouse.  I know it happens but I don't like having to see it.

With that being said. Tim came home from work and asked what we were having for dinner. I was dead tired and really didn't want to cook.  The first place that came to mind was "LEE'S" famous Chicken.  Doesn't it seem odd and ironic that after taking care of  my dead laying hen I was really hungry for fried chicken.  I felt horrible about it, but they (Lee's) do have good chicken.

Peace Out.  and RIP miss chicken

Today...first mowing of the year.

Today I did the first mowing of 2018.  Tim customized my lawn mower again this year. When he bought it, I had some request that he did, like where I can mow in reverse ect.  Its all about convenience for me. I mow several acres of grass every week. I have so much, I do it in stages. Today I did up and down the driveway (we have a very long driveway) and up by the road.

I asked Tim to make me an attachment that allows the mower deck to not throw the clippings all over my flower beds. But could be held up to allow it to spread it as I mow the rest of the grass.  I wanted it durable and easy to use.  Here is what he designed and built.  It works pretty good. Now I am not throwing clipping all in my raised beds. Easy Peasy!

Peace Out!!

And then there was one...

Have to work at the Casino early today, and of course its suppose to be super nice outside. Go figure. Was up extra early to do farm chores so I can be out for work by 9 am.  Two new babies greeted me in the barn.  One of the last yearlings had twins. Kind of small babies but we will see if they keep up and grow fast. I am always nervous the first week with them.

Yesterday sheared two ewes and tossed them outside.  I have 7 left in the barn with only ONE, Yes ONE ewe yet to lamb. Hallelujah!!

Alright heading to JOB number 3, wish I could stay and do farm work, but this is the one that makes the most money.

Peace out!!

Garden work today on the farm

Since the temperatue was tolatorably,  I headed up to the garden shed and did some work. Cleaned and organized, raked, pulled weeds and trimmed some grapes back.

Had a new lamb baby born today. Little white ram from a first time mom. Looking good so far.

Now maybe a cup of coffee,  and a little relax time.

At least the Sun is out

Still pretty cold and windy here, but the sun is shining and the new babies and moms can soak up some rays.  I wake up every morning before looking out side and say "please no snow, please no snow." Maybe some day I will sitting up in bed saying "Wow its hot in here, going to be a scorcher today" July....right?

Its hard being a farmer.

So after loosing one older ewe I started my day loosing another one.  This weather and having babies takes its toll on some of the older ewes.

She was very weak yesterday so Tim and I brought her back into the barn,  got her in a nice dry warm pen with food and water. I treated her with everything I had, and just waited.  She was gone this morning.

People sometimes don't understand,  The whole story of raising animals.  They tend to see what's on Facebook or the news.  How people are just in it for the money or how dare they have them outside when its muddy, raining or snowing.

Here is a quick education for anyone doubting.  I wake up early after working a full shift at my other job. jump into farm clothes and outside I go. I make sure they have water and grain. I let my dogs out in the run yard to potty while I am in the barn doing morning chores.  Then I come in have a cup of coffee check my computer laundry, dishes, trash or whatever house work needs done. Then head out to do yard work, garden work, sheep work  If its cold out I do craft work inside to sell at the farmers market. At 1:00 pm everyday I head back out to the barn and do afternoon chores. Let the dogs run a bit again. Make sure everyone has water toss hay, gather eggs. clean up the barn, toss things, bring down more hay bales.  I try to be back in the house to give me an hour to get ready for work.

I Do this everyday, rain or shine, snow or sun. Even vomiting with the FLU.  That's raising animals. So when I hit a bump in the road, to me its devastating,  But I have other babies to take care of.  No time to cry, be sick, or feel sorry for myself.  That's raising animals.

Peace Out!

Add to resume...Tattoo artist, sorta

Today since it has been raining all day I spent most of the day in the barn. Sheared a little white yearling. Her fleece is like silk.  Very soft very low micron.

I also had to TATOO. Yep tattoo some ewes.

Since I have 9 ewes that look identical, (they are all related),  I have trouble telling them apart. I had ear tags in but they have removed them somehow over the months. This way they are ear tagged permanently and I am able to tell the difference as they get older.

Now I don't use a traditionally tattoo machine but a hand held tool in which I put the number in, clean the ear with alcohol,  then squeeze. Remove the punch and rub black tattoo ink into the wound.

You can see the ones we did with their signature black ear.  Over time all you will see is a black number in their ear.

I hate doing it, but since USDA requires identification on animals used for breeding and market,  it has to be done.

Now done with all the hard work so I can chill and watch some TV for the evening.

Peace Out Farm PEEPS!

They lost their mom.

I had two lamb babies that I have been bottle feeding in anticipation of loosing their mom. Well today was the day we had to put  their mom down. It is never easy,  even with a sheep.

My blood, sweat and tears have went into each and every animal here on the farm. When I loose one it is very hard. I still cry.  I also remember when they were born and how that made me feel.  And of course all the happiness they brought me.

Now these two little boys are orphaned and really need me more than ever.

Rest in Peace, Sepia. Don't worry girl....I've got this.

Peace Out!

And....its a nice day

Had lots to do since the weather finally is cooperating.  I had a greenhouse like the one pictured below and it imploded. So now there is just an empty space. I had to gather all the thousands of greenhouse pieces load them up on the tractor and take them in the back to put into the dumpster.  Made 3 trips. Not including the trips to get the right wrench and socket to help tear it apart.

Had to stop and visit the bottle babies. So I got a selfie with one of the pipsqueaks.

Now I am ready to call it a day.

Peace out farm peeps!

Sun and Wind

Sun comes out and the wind blows.

It nice to see the temperature above freezing today, but it also brings some huge gusts of wind.  Everyone is just chillin' here on the farm. Moved some EWES around yesterday. I have new moms and babies in JUGS in the barn, then they get moved to a holding area and then outside.

The new babies are pretty small and need to be protected in the barn until I feel comfortable sending them out into the big scary world.  Most moms do a great job keeping an eye and protecting them. And there are some that are like, "OOOhh green grass, see ya bitches"  then the poor babies are running around lost and scared.

Tomorrow is suppose to be a beautiful warm spring day. Can't wait to open up house windows and doors. I don't like a stuffy closed up house.  And I am off work so I have the whole day to myself for farm work.

That's all so far today.

Peace out, Farm Peeps!

Just a dumpster

Most people know I have a pretty large farm. Which in turn generates a lot of trash. We try to do what we can to recycle, but stuff tends to accumulate. I have been contemplating renting a dumpster for several years now.  A place to toss things that can not be reused or given away.  Its kind of a big deal for me since I don't like the ides of a big yellow monstrosity sitting in front of my barn. But if it keeps the crap picked up and from blowing all over the farm and into the trees I am willing to make a sacrifice.

So after thinking it over for a few days I am actually excited to have a place to put broken things and stuff that has GOT TO GO!!!

No need for OCD, its just a dumpster.

 Peace out, Farm Peeps.

Quiet day on the farm

Lets see, what's going on at the farm? Not much today. Kind of quiet. Waiting on a few more girls to lamb and of course the weather to warm up. I have several ewes shaved that really need to go out into the field, buts its been too cold for them With having multi births and being shaved it takes too many calories from the moms to feed and stay warm, that puts them in a ketosis state. NOT GOOD. So I patiently wait for the weather to improve and then I'll boot them outside.

Worked on some candles. These are Cherry Blossom ones. Pictured below.

Have some little plugs starting under my grow lights.  I'm starting a variety of Scabiosa. And of course a picture of the little plants saying hello to the world.

Sun is starting to shine just before it is ready to set.  At least the babies outside can catch a few rays before bedtime.

I have one personal little rant. I am Facebook friends with a few Chinese Crested people and a old name came up about her bulling new Crested owners.  This person who is being a huge bully and a big "C" word.  Has skeletons in her closet like everyone else. So talk about a hypocrite.

My two cents..... "Unless you can walk on water, you have to room to JUDGE"


Peace out,  farm peeps!

Too cold out, lets recycle & reuse

Living in Northern Ohio has its ups and downs. Downs include the weather. Today is a DOWN DAY. 32 degrees outside and windy with just a hint of sun. This type of weather makes farm work such an effort. I have to bundle up every time I head outside. Making sure I have my  hood, gloves, boots, ect.  So today is an inside project day since the weather is not cooperating.

My farm is all about recycle, reuse, refurbish. I am working on a few little things for my garden shed up front and the farmers market. Today I am making Soup Can Candles.  I use beautiful fun Chalk paint colors to paint recycled soup cans and with scents that fill your home. The smells are heavenly.  Also I use all natural waxes and oils.  These are going to be a huge hit this summer.

While my cans dry between paint coats, I headed out to do some afternoon farm chores. And as you can see I'm bundled up like an Eskimo.

There was a bit of excitement out in the barn. I have cameras, lights and heat lamps plugged in. While I was collecting eggs I noticed the breaker had tripped. Went to go find Tim to fix it. When we tripped in back on flames started coming out of one of the lights. Looks like a wire broke at the base and it was in the midst of catching on fire. SO GLAD WE SAW IT.

After outside farm chores I walked around looking at the flower beds. I have lilac bushes right outside of my office window. For weeks they have had buds, but  no leaves.  Once I see some tiny greens I'll start feeling better.   The cold and wind is taking its toll on me, emotionally and since I am not a cold loving person, its also physically kicking my butt.

Now with a nice hot cup of Coffee and feet in front of the fire,  this farm girl is Happy.

Peace Out, Farm PEEPS!

Back at it...

Ok I have decided to give this "BLOG" thing another go. Only because I have lots of people, on a daily basis ask, "What's going on at the Farm/"

I had a blog 7 years ago and just recently went back to read some of the post. Not much has changed in the past few years. Same Farm, same fun, laughs, tears, and same drama.

Lambing season started on Feb. 28th and I am almost done. Yet to go,  1 brown ewe that is for sure pregnant and should pop any day and then 4 yearlings (I tried breeding in the fall}. One has lambed with 2 very nice healthy babies, one had a miscarriage the other 2 are yet to do anything.

The weather has been, to say it mildly, a huge "BITCH" It has been so cold and nasty. I am so ready for spring. This Fake spring is no fun.

Below are some pictures I took around the farm today. My only flower blooms up at the gardens is this brave Daffodil. One of my farm cats helping me with chores. She follows me around everywhere. She is my protector, incase of a renegade Robin or Blue Jay.

I have a couple of bottle babies that I take care of every few hours.  They are my PIPSQUEAKS.

Done for the day, so a shower and then maybe some Chinese for dinner.

Hot for the sheep

Today and tomorrow are going to be scorchers and I feel really bad for the sheep.  I am sure it does not get to 100 degrees in Finland too often so these guys struggle when it gets this warm

We are heading out of town and I worry about what to do if something happens to them.  We have several people on call in case they are needed here.  They have to be able to run the tractor and know what to do if we loose an adult Sheep.  There are strict requirements from the USDA if we find an adult sheep dead on the farm.  So everything is ready and sitting on the kitchen table just in case.

Looks like we might get a little rain and that might help cool down the barn.  But tomorrow should be difficult as well.

Peace Out :)

Worm time of year

It seems here on the farm around the 4th of July we run into what we call a WORM WALL.  Even if we worm we start to notice the signs of a high worm infestation within our lamb flock.  It must be the high humidity and heat this time of year.

For instance we wormed the ram lambs 3 weeks ago and this past weekend we started seeing several cases of bottle jaw.  Bottle jaw is a sign of enema from high worm count.  So we wormed again.  Looks like our bottle jaw is corrected but you worry so much about the sheep building up a resistance to the wormer.  We try switching back and forth but someday you wonder if any wormer will work at all.

Peace out!!

It's all about the Chickens

Well, today I lost an adult hen. Found her dead in the hay pile. I made Tim take care of it. Things like that give me nightmares at night.  I have enough trouble sleeping as it is.

Also lost one of the 4 baby chicks I think it was a snack for the two feral cats living under the neighbors shed. Poor little peep :(

Now there are 3 chicks still kicking (FOR NOW). I have one that seems to wander all over and the neighbor has brought her back 3 times. She will be the next to go I bet. Something will have a taste for Chicken nuggets and snatch her up.

But on a funny note.  The other day I was out at the barn. I had driven the truck over there to drop off some feed. I really had to "Potty" but my foot was hurting so bad and the house was far away so I did what any normal person who really has to go would do, I headed behind the barn to squat and "Pee" well I was not alone here was most of my chickens with this "Whatcha doing look" One decided it would walk right between my legs.  Well most of you know when you are going it is pretty hard to stop so I try "Swooshing" her away but she continued to walk right under "You know" It is what it is.  Don't think I would eat her eggs for a few days.

That's all for now.

Peace Out!!!

I had to resuscitate a chick

Most people think I am weird to begin with but this will really confirm that.  For those who know I have new baby chicks I had hatch here on the farm.  I have been watching the eggs for 3 weeks and then on Memorial day they hatched. There are 4 little baby fuzz balls out following their mom.  Yesterday I was at the computer which looks out into the yard pastures and barn.  I saw mom and her babies walking towards the house then head back towards the sheep pasture.

A few mins later I went out to toss some salad scraps to them and noticed only 3 chicks. The other one had fallen into the sheep water trough and was struggling to stay a float. I immediately wrapped it in my jacket and headed for the house.  I laid it on a towel and used Tim's hair dryer to get it dry.  I would hold up one little wing then the other trying to resuscitate it.  After several mins under the warm dryer it started to "peep"  It took almost 30 mins under the dryer to get it completely dry and warm.

I then put it out by its mom in the yard on a brown dog bed to absorb the sun rays in hopes she (the mom) would stay around and when it felt strong enough it would follow her.

2 hours later I returned to the bed and it was gone.  She had all 4 of them out in the sheep pasture eating bugs.  Thank heavens.  Now, the joke is, I saved it and it probably is a rooster who will be in the stock pot anyway.  Oh well, a life is a life.

Peace out!!

When will it get done??

OK my garden is well still in the making. I have the plants, got it all tilled, but I do not seem to have any free time to spend planting.  Here it is middle of June and still tons of things are still not done.

We did get the small pasture of hay in, first cutting always is a bit stalkie, we got 275 bales.  Still need to do the big field in the back that is 13 acres and we are hoping for 500 bales, if we can get to it.

Sat. the farrier is coming out for the donkeys. Can't be here though I am going down to the Akron Canton airport on dog business.  So Sat is pretty tied up for me.  Everyone needs me and it seems they need me yesterday.  Tim has been sick so they will all be SOL if I get sick and in bed for a week.

Peace Out!!