March 6

It was already 50 degrees when I went to work. It got up to 90 degrees today. It’s only March and it was 90 degrees today. If we do not get some rain we are going to be in for another hot summer. We need rain. 

The sky was beautiful this evening. The time is about to change and it’s staying lighter longer. I like that. I hate feeding in the dark. 

As I was in the shop getting feed for some animals, one of my chickens, Ernestine got scared and was flying somewhere in the shop. She dropped out of my sight and did not come out where she should have. I started searching and I found her caught between some heavy stuff. She was face down and couldn’t move. Chickens are brutal. Some of the other hens came over and just started pecking here. I had to get them away from her more than once while I figured out how to get here out of there. She looked and sounds pitiful. I was able to move one piece of the heavy stuff and she was able to run out. I was so glad she was okay. 

For some reason buckwheat was making all kinds of weird noises tonight but he seemed fine. Him and Waldo were fighting over something. They are a hoot to watch. 

I may have figured out why Yeller has been on top of the chicken coop. There is a bird’s nest in the gutter so I think he is watching that and ready to attack. Or he is getting away from the other cats. It could be either of those things. 

Onyx is a butterfly killer. He was chasing one tonight but he missed. 

I found a rooster spur on the ground tonight. Those things could be terrifying. 

You just never know what is going to go on around here. It’s entertaining. 

Word of the day is entertaining. Psalm 126:2-3

March 5

It’s been another warm day. The animals were loving being out in the sun. Most of them were laying out in in the majority of the day. They were relaxed. 

The rest of the animals were wormed tonight. They hated every minute of it, but it got done. 

We finally got the rest of Hercules’ horn cut. Ronnie was able to get a better wire saw and it came right off. Good times. 

We got some things accomplished today, so the pics were limited. It was a good day. 

Word of the day is accomplishment. Philippians 2:13

March 4

Today is Mattie’s first birthday. It has been a whirlwind for sure. I cannot believe it had been a year. A little back story, I really thought Noma was pregnant last year. She showed all the signs, but no one agreed with me. A year ago today Ronnie got me up out of bed and told me to go look out the window. There stood a baby donkey right there with Noma. All I could say was I knew it. He has been such a joy. He has been a brat also. He is spoiled and I know that is my fault. He is socialized and loves people. He is a mess. We needed him and did not know it. 

Y’all know I have been struggling this week in a bad way. I know to some it might sound silly that I’m this upset over a donkey, but he was an important part of our farm. I had a call Tuesday of this week with some people wanting to come volunteer. I was struggling badly when I talked to her, but I knew I could not say no. I agreed and we set up a time for today. I needed them to come out. I needed to remember what we are doing here. They helped me greatly with being here today. We washed out all the water troughs and cleaned out a pen. They got to love on the animals which is always fun to see. I’m grateful they came out today. 

Spring is in the air. There are flowers blooming and bugs everywhere. 

All the animals are starting to shed their hair. Saverine stood by the fence and just get hair off her today. I hope that was a bonding moment for us. 

I think the cats all ran off with Jelly today. I did not see any of them until Jelly came back and they all looked so guilty. At least they are home. 

Pedro and Red are still fighting like crazy. I wish they would stop that nonsense. I thought getting them both fixed would help that, but it has not helped. They are bringing blood these days. Pedro looks like he has mange on his face because of all the wounds. They are being ridiculous. 

I’m not sure what is going on with Yeller, but he has a new spot and I think he is hunting something. He is staying on top of the chicken coop and the barn. It’s odd to see him up there. 

This morning was rough on me knowing I needed to get up and around. I knew I had stuff to do but I just felt so drained, mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted. Ursula just came over and snuggled up to me. She is such a sweet little cat. I needed that. 

Life takes us all down some paths we do not want to go down, but it’s part of life and it molds us into who we are. We need to show compassion to others when life hands us something we do not want to face. 

Word of the day is compassion. Matthew 9:36-38

March 3

Last night I had put the worming meds on the cats like I was supposed to and I was concerned about Persia. She seemed to be the only one having some kind of reaction. She was foaming at the mouth and looked miserable. This morning she was still doing it but she was up and around. I had been concerned about her all day. She was fine where I got home from work and then right before it was time for bed she started it again and then ran behind a freezer and hid. Ronnie and I got her out of there and I washed the medicine off her. I could not handle watching that anymore. 

Tomorrow is Mattie’s first birthday. It’s hard to imagine that he has been with us a year already. He is a bundle of joy some days and a terror other days. He is loved though. Now it’s time to castrate him and get him in the other pasture. I think he will thrive over there with more room in that pasture. He will like it. I do get concerned thinking about the goats over there. Mattie is a little aggressive with smaller animals. I will save that for another day. 

I spent some time with Tinkerbelle this evening. She is having some difficulty with getting around but she is doing the best she can. It’s not all the time but he joints seems to be stiff more often. I wonder if that’s because she is a fainting goat and they are bred for their muscles to stiffen up. Regardless, I petted and loved on her until she decided she wanted to eat my clothes. 

The outside cats were in the pen with Tinkerbelle and Cinderella tonight. Tinkerbelle was not amused but Cinderella seems to be okay with it. 

There is never a dull moment around here but today was calmer than it normally is. 

Word of the day is calm. Psalm 16:8

March 2

I am ready for this week to be over. It has not been the best week. I’m mentally exhausted. I know tomorrow is Friday and I’m excited about that. I need to sleep. 

There was a cold front coming in today. We got about 5 minutes of rain and that about it. However, the dust and wind storm that came next was a bit insane. It said the wind was only going 25 miles an hour but I think it was so much harder. It was bad. I was exhausted having to feed and water during all that. The animals did not much enjoy it either. That all would have rather stayed in their warm shelters. I hurried as fast as I could through the whole thing. 

We have started feeding the cows and donkeys separately and differently. The cows are now going into a pen to eat. That probably will not last long. Alex gave me a hard time with even going in there today. We will see what happens with that. 

The pigs refused to come out until I was in the pen with their food. They do not much like the wind or the cold. 

The donkeys in the pasture might have enjoyed the cooler weather and were chasing each other like crazy. The goats over there just wanted out of the way. I do like watching them when they look so carefree and happy. 

I have been having difficulty with worms badly with the inside cats and have no idea how or why. When Ronnie was at the vet last week, he picked up some prescription meds for them all. I gave the meds tonight. Persia somehow licked some of it off her and started foaming at the mouth. I had a small freak out moment about it as I’m chasing her around the house trying to clean her up. Oreo and Bubba did not make the same mistake. Ursula made the mistake but did not get sick. Hopefully they will be okay. I’m truly paranoid right now about it all. 

I have no cried as much today so that’s a good thing. I have started writing my tribute to Cracker Jack and I think that is helping. He served his purpose on this earth and even though it hurts, I know he had a good life. 

Word of the day is purpose. Jeremiah 29:11

March 1

I cannot believe March is already here. Time is flying by. Things are different around here with the passing of Cracker Jack. I’m so sad being out on the farm and not hearing him braying at me. I know it was his time to go or he would still be here. I’m grateful for the two days I spent with him after being at the vet. If I’m being honest, I was shocked he came home. That’s how sick he was. I’m grateful for those two days. 

I was still helping my friend out on her farm today. It’s nice to spend some time with other animals. She has some nice animals also. 

Today is National pig day. I’m grateful for all my pigs. There are still 9 of them and they are full of personality. 

Ronnie was able to start working animals. We are going to get them all done by this weekend. 

We have changed the way we are feeding Noma and Mattie to make sure they are healthy. Cracker Jack has both of us a little paranoid. 

I got a call about some people coming out to volunteer this weekend. I’m excited about that. 

Yeller has been climbing like crazy. I think he is learning bad habits from Athena. 

The chickens are up to hiding eggs again, but I found them again. 

I finished writing the next devotional book. That’s such a great accomplishment. I’m also working on a book about Cracker Jack so everyone will know how amazing he was. 

The kids have been worried about me, they have called and texted. They know how sad I am. I appreciated that. 

The sky was gorgeous tonight. I do love that about West Texas.

 

Life goes on. We have to remember the good times when we lose someone. People have been kind and helpful to me during this hard time. 

Word of the day is helping. Galatians 6:2