January 31

     The weather was supposed to get bad this week. I don’t believe it until I see it. I got up this morning to go to work and did not even look outside. I saw Ronnie heading outside to feed all the animals. As he opened the back door and stepped out on the steps, I thought he was a goner. The ice was so think on the steps, he almost feel out of the house and down the steps. The dogs slid down the steps. It’s 19 degrees and not going to get much better. It will snow tomorrow as well, or that’s what they are predicting. Ronnie will go to work today, but I am staying home. 

     Ursula has been crazy again lately. I guess she gets tired of me sleeping and comes over and knocks stuff off the beside dresser. I then have to lock her in the bathroom and she knocks off all the stuff on the counter. 

     It definitely looked cold out this morning. None of the animals wanted to come out of their shelters from what I saw this morning. I do not blame them. I stayed in most of the day myself. 

     As I went out to feed, I saw something I did not want to see. Josephine had somehow gotten in between the frozen doors on the shop and could not get out. She froze to death there today. I’m sickened and heartbroken. I know these things happen but oh it hurts my heart. I know she suffered which makes it that much worse. 

     The animals all got fed this evening like normal. They all looked fine. I was cold. The weather looked cold and it’s supposed to snow all day tomorrow. I’m not looking forward to that. It’s just a couple more days of this and then we will not be as cold. We just have to keep moving forward. 

     Word of the day is moving forward. Proverbs 4:25

January 30

     Well, the winter weather is officially here. It’s cold and I do not care for it. I may be cold, but the animals do not seem to be too worried about it. They are all doing their own thing like normal. 

     The donkeys and goats all got some hay. The other animals got their normal feed and some extra hay. 

     The sheep seem to have something going on since they have diarrhea. We will get them wormed and they should be fine.   

       Cracker Jack is still pouting and not acting himself. It is stressful when things happen like that. 

      Chief is still being aggressive over food, but all the horses were able to eat their hay and then went into the barn to stay warmer. 

     The chickens actually left me some eggs today even with the cold. 

      The pigs got some more hay today and were grateful for it. 

       The cold weather is never fun but it will be over soon. This is only supposed to last a few days. 

       Word of the day is caring for animals. Matthew 10:29

January 29

     I got up this morning to an encouraging message on my phone. It brought me tears. We really do not know or understand the impact we have on someone in their time of need. We do need to work on being kind to everyone at all times. People need to know they matter. God puts people in our paths for a reason.

     It was a cold morning for sure. The wind is brutal out there. Ronnie and I went to feed to get it done. All the animals were in their cozy warm spots and only came out to eat. 

     The cats are having to fight for their food because the chickens want to eat cat food. It is crazy to watch them. The cats are running around and the chickens are running around. The cats are terrified of the chickens but the chickens are not terrified of them. M

     The donkeys were in the barn and not looking to come out anytime soon. I cannot blame them. It is cold. And looks to be cold all week. 

     I was able to spend some extra time with Ursula today. She always enjoy that. I enjoy the cuddles also. 

     I spent most of the day writing, so I was able to spend time with Persia, Bubba, and Oreo today also. 

     Later in the day, I went out to feed. It had gotten colder throughout the day. I bundled up and braved the cold. Poor Ronnie had to work all day. 

     I gave the donkey and goats some hay tonight to have them eat more so they could stay warmer. They normally only eat what’s in the pasture and they seem happy with that. They did enjoy the hay though. 

     It was so cold, but all the animals seemed fine. The cats were running around the pasture. They would run around and then hide in a warm spot. 

     The horses wanted some hay. Chief was being extra for sure. He is getting violent with the other horses. He is being awful to them. I hope it stops soon. 

     I saw Bill drinking water from the trough on the other side of the fence. It was funny to watch him do that. 

     I gave the pigs some hay tonight and made sure they had plenty of straw since it is going to be cold all week. They loved it. 

     Word of the day is kindness. Ephesians 4:32

     

January 28

     I will admit, I was lazy today. Just plain lazy. This last week has been exhausting with stuff at work. Then we had cold weather and the wind and I was over it. I spent most of the day in bed. I was so tired. Ursula loved that. She got to spend most of the day with me. That does not happen often. 

    I did go out and help with feeding my watering this evening. We did all of that a little early tonight. The wind was terrible out this evening. 

     I had checked on the animals a few times during the day, through the window and most of them were lazy today also. It is probably because the weather is fixing to change again and they all know it better than we do. 

     All the animals were fine today. Lazy, but fine. Resting is one thing, being lazy is another. 

     Word of the day is lazy. Proverbs 12:11

January 27

     Another cold morning. It was 25 again this morning. It warmed up to about 60 degrees. That’s not terrible. The animals like when it’s not too bad out. I have a feeling the summer is going to be brutal if we do not get any rain. 

     All the animals seemed to be in a good mood tonight. No one was fighting and they were all where they were supposed to be. That’s a good day in my book. 

     The cows and donkeys have a new hay bale but the cows were eating on the last of the old one. In my mind I thought waste not want not. They are pretty good about eating everything they have. 

     Sonny is now chasing the other roosters, so the tables have turned in a day. I did laugh about it. He is also chasing hens now. That may never change. 

     Cracker Jack is eating more, but I’m wondering if his teeth are bothering him. He still is not eating like he normally does. He gets tired of fighting the sheep for food. I know that is an issue. 

     The sheep are so cute. I know I have said that before but they are. They like to jump up on me like a dog. They do remind me of dogs a little bit. They are fun to be around. 

     The pigs were all wagging their tails tonight as they ate. They usually do that but it still warms my heart. I hung out with them some tonight. Darla and Gus are the two who fight for dominance. Both of them wanted my attention but that’s normal. I wanted to pet Bacon Bit but I ended up chasing her around. When I gave up and stoped, Gus was right behind me so there was the mystery of why she did not want my attention. Gus can be a bully. 

     I was watching Athena and Onyx. Both of them are still so small to be a year old. Athena’s stitches did come out finally but Onyx still has hers. I may have to clip it. It’s been long enough.

 

     Yeller is back to his normal self. He was running around and chasing Onyx earlier, so that is a good thing. I was concerned about him. 

     Athena knows she drives the donkeys crazy, so she sat right by the fence out of their reach and stretched and played in the dirt just to get on their nerves. It was truly a funny sight. 

     Mattie was chasing Jelly across the pasture and then he switched to Onyx. I’m glad he did not catch either of them. 

     Noma is not herself. She ate and went into the shelter on her own so she could rest. When she sees Mattie, her ears go back and she looks annoyed. She is ready for him to leave her alone. As she was laying down, she let me get close to her, not close enough to pet her, but it’s progress. 

     Chief is still the top horse in the pasture and the rest of them still do not mess with him. I’m glad for him. He deserves that.

 

     Takua is a smart horse. Ronnie had left half a bale of alfalfa sitting on the ground just out of their reach. He stood there looking at it, I happened to see what he was doing and I gave each of the horses a fleck of hay. They appreciated it. I threw it all out one at a time so each would get to eat theirs. They are smart. 

     Mattie was wild tonight running around in the cool night air. He got all the animals riled up and they started running around in the pens. It was funny to watch them. They were crazy. 

     The chickens still roost on the fence which drives me crazy for some reason or another. I do not feel it is a good spot for them, but they seem happy with it. 

     As I was headed inside to go shower and get me something to eat, I heard coyotes. They sounded close. I prayed over the farm and the animals right then and there. I believe in the power of prayer. I know God will protect this place. 

     Word of the day is prayer. John 15:7

January 26

     This morning was a cold 25 degrees. The ground was frosty and cold. It was pretty though. 

     Ronnie was home when I got home, so we both were able to feed quickly. I did not take to many photos today since we got it finished so quickly. 

     The sheep were rather impatient trying to get to their fed. That’s normal but it always makes me laugh. 

     Sonny is getting bullied by the other roosters. That’s normal when the roosters come of age. 

     Chief has really made the other horses a believer. Spots tried to get his feed and he ran her off. The girls then just stood and watched him. I had to laugh. 

     All the cats were home this evening. I like when they are home. 

     Patience in life is important. I know some days are harder than others. 

     Word of the day is patience. Romans 8:25

January 25

     The snow did not stick anywhere so all was well this morning. The roads were fine to get to work and the wind was not blowing like it normally does. The temps did not get up to being warm, but they were above freezing. I’m grateful for that.

 

     I enjoy feeding and watering the animals in the evenings. It takes longer because I like to check everyone over but it helps me to decompress from the day. Today was a busy day. 

     All the cats were home when I got home. They are grateful I changed their food back and so are the chickens. I was glad to see Jelly home. Out of all the cats we had before the kittens came along, I thought he would be the first to leave but he is the only remaining one we have from the barn cats before the kittens. I am glad he has stayed this long. I hope he always comes home. We have a special bond since he landed me in the ER once upon a time. 

     I finally got a photo of the three look alike sisters who Ronnie calls the twisted sisters. They look like clowns running around which is a little creepy if I do say so myself. 

     Sonny has become of age and is now chasing the hens around which gets him chased by the other roosters. It’s a mad house around here with all that going on constantly. 

     Red did get the cactus out of his face. Pedro had one on him today and he would not let me get it off. That is no surprise. Hopefully he gets it out on his own. His looked deeper than Red’s did but we will see what happens there. 

     The sky was beautiful tonight and and the animals seemed to enjoy the sun. They were all in a good mood. That makes things easier. 

     Treat was out eating with the rest of them. I was concerned about her the other night when she snuggled in the straw without her friends, but she was fine tonight. That’s always a good thing. 

     Chief made a believer out of the other horses. They do not mess with his food now. The other four horses were standing there watching him to be finished eating which made me laugh.

 

     Saverine, Spots, and Takua are all working on being friendlier. I was able to pet all three and even have some kisses. That’s progress in my book. 

     Noma has been sitting by the fence more. I think she is missing Jeb. They had a pretty good bond when Jeb first got here. She seems exhausted lately and is laying down more. I am pretty sure she is pregnant and is feeling it. She is starting to look it and she has weaned Mattie finally so I think she is going to have another one. I hate that but I am grateful the donkeys are all fixed now so I do not have to worry about it anymore. Mattie will be fixed at a year old and that will be that. 

     Ned was all smiles again and it made my night complete. I love how happy he is. I love that all of them are happy. 

      Life will hand you lemons from time to time. You cannot please everyone in this life, but you can please God with your actions. Do what he wants you to do. 

     Word of the day is pleasing. 1 Corinthians 10:33