January 24

     There was snow in the forecast for today. You know I worry about the weather. I always do. I worry about it. I admit it. I shouldn’t, but I do. I didn’t even know if it would snow. You never know out here. 

     It did snow. However, it was not much and it did not stick to the ground. There was nothing to worry about. I drive myself crazy, so say a prayer for my husband because you know I drive him crazy. 

     All of the animals wanted to be in the shelters, but they came out to eat. We gave them all extra feed to keep them warmer. I’m glad the snow didn’t last. I’m sure the animals feel the same. 

     Jeb decided he would eat with the big horses which cracks me up. Noma is looking bigger these days. The cats are in hiding. The donkeys were in the barn to stay out of the weather. The chickens were still everywhere. Not too much new today. 

     Ronnie and I fed together so it did not take as long and I was not going to stay out longer than I had to. It’s cold out there. 

     Word of the day is worry. Proverbs 12:25

January 23

     The weather is turning cold. It is January after all, it’s supposed to be cold. I do not like the cold. It stresses me out with all the animals. They can handle it, I know that but I still hate it. It’s supposed to be rainy and snowy tomorrow. I hate it. 

     I got home to feed the animals. I put my coat on and got to feeding and watering. The longer I was out the colder it got. It’s the wind that is so cold. I made it through. The clouds look like snow is coming. 

     The chickens were eating the cat food and Jelly gets so nervous around the chickens. He jumped up on top of the shelf and stayed there until I ran off the chickens from the food bowl.

 

     Luckily with the cold weather coming in, the cats are staying in the shop. They ran around for a while, but then they went back in the shop. It’s warmer in there than it is out in the open. They are smart. 

      Noma seems to be having more difficulty moving around again. She ate and then went a sat down in the shelter. Mattie was in there with her. 

      I gave the pigs some hay tonight since it was getting cold. All of them but Treat were eating it. Treat snuggled down in the straw to stay warm. I went in and rubbed her belly and she oinked at me. I hope she is okay. I’m sure she was just cold. 

     Alex was affectionate tonight. He hasn’t been affectionate in a while so it was sweet. He was wanting some attention. I gave him some attention. 

      Those fence chickens even in the cold and wind were still roosting on the fence. There refuse to move their roosting spot. 

     Porky was funny tonight. He looked like he was dancing next to the PortAHut. He was hilarious. I have no idea what he was doing. 

      Even with the weather changes, life is good. The animals are all taken care of and they are all good. Everyone is doing fine. Let’s pray they stay that way through the next few weeks. 

      Word of the day is seasons. Isaiah 4:6

     

     

January 22

     Today was a good day. Ronnie and I did a little relaxing. I got two days in a row. I needed it badly. The weather is turning cooler than it has been in a couple weeks. The chickens are already feeling it. We did not get as many eggs as we had been getting. 

     Ursula ran out of the bedroom this morning. She walked around the couch and then decided to go back to her room. None of the other cats even bothered her which I thought was funny. She has been laying on her blanket since then. 

     Oreo decided he would take Persia’s spot on the couch. She was looking at him with hatred in her eyes as she was in his spot. That’s funny. 

     The more I look at Bubba, the sicker he looks. His hair is turning white and he is skinny. I know his time is limited. It is sad to watch. It breaks my heart. 

     As I was outside, I watched the donkeys out in the pasture just standing there watching me. They eventually came over and wanted some attention. Red had a cactus piece stuck in his nose. I worked for a long time to try to get it out, but he would not let me. 

     Ned wanted attention tonight. He was so cute with all his facial expressions. He knows how to smile and it puts a smile on my face. I sure do love him. 

     Ronnie tried hard to get the cactus off Red also, but Red walked away. 

     I watched Athena and Onyx in the pasture tonight. The donkeys were watching them closely. Both of them should fear for their lives when they are out there. The donkeys did chase them out of the pasture. 

     I do enjoy every moment on the farm. It’s relaxing and peaceful to be out with the animals. We should enjoy every moment in life. 

     Word of the day is enjoying every moment. Matthew 6:34

January 21

     Another windy day here in West Texas. I think the wind has stirred up some allergies or something. I woke up not feeling well today. I stayed in the house most of the day because of that. I did go out to feed the animals in the evening. Ronnie had been out there most of the day. He was working on another pig pen but with his shoulder issues from being injured back in October and me being in the house, he did not get too far with it. It’s okay though, it will be finished eventually. It’s getting cold tonight again as well, so he put extra straw in the pig pens. Looks like all week next week it will be colder. 

     Since I was in the house today, I worked on little projects I am wanting to finish. I worked on two books and even made a few pieces of jewelry for when I have another booth set up. 

     I also was contacted by someone with a home school group wanting to set up a field trip for the kids. I love that idea. We have it set up for a couple weeks from now, so that will be fun. Things are looking good. 

     I have learned, if you do not get the rest you need, your body will decide to make you rest. We need rest sometimes. 

     Word of the day is rest. Mark 6:31

January 20

     I’m exhausted this week. The wind has been bad all week, except yesterday. It’s so hard getting things done in this wind that quite possibly could knock you down. It’s something for sure. The wind is bad because it is so flat there is nothing to stop the wind. 

     I did get to see the animals today. The donkeys were lining up at the fence when I got home. I was able to pet all of them. I don’t see them as often since they are liking being in the pasture more. I went on to feed the other animals. 

      Mattie and Noma both have decided to eat the chicken feed we through over the fence for the chickens. I know they are not starving. We feed them twice a day and they have a hay bale there. At least they share with the chickens. 

     I did find another dozen eggs today and even caught a hen laying. She tried to peck me several times but I decided to leave her alone and let her do our thing. 

     I have decided Yeller’s problem was the cat food. I switched back to their old food and he is out of the shop playing around. I mean, I should have known since the chickens did not even want to eat the other. The chickens are back to eating the cat food again and Yeller is not sick anymore. I learned my lesson. 

     After feeding the pigs, the donkeys were waiting on me to give them more attention, so I did. I sure do love them. I think they like me a little, too. 

     Edith and Suzie Q both gave me eggs today. I could not believe it. 

     I did watch the donkeys heading back to the pasture and they took the goats with them. I hope they came back before it was too dark. 

      I saw Sonny roosting in the barn. It did not last long. He left and went back to his spot. He has not been fully excepted yet by the other chickens. 

     Tinkerbelle cracks me up. She leans on her front legs to eat. She reminds me of me on Friday when I’m exhausted. I do wonder something if he joints are giving out. 

     I saw Cracker Jack looking longingly at Noma and Mattie. I know he misses them. It hurts me but it’s for his safety. 

     I went out to water the pigs and Gus is a needy pig. He wanted kisses and was not leaving until he got his fill of them.

 

    I have wondered where all the straw goes, the pigs eat it. I watched Treat and Spam eating straw tonight after dinner. 

     Spam has started to get jealous of attention so she will stand there until I give her some attention. She used to hate me and refused to come near me at all. Times have changed. 

     Onyx and Athena have decided Ronnie’s truck is their new play toy. They were all over it this afternoon. I told him he was going to have to check and make sure they are out of there before he leaves in the mornings. 

     The cows were fighting tonight. I had to laugh. They are funny. 

     I had wondered why Ursula was not laying on the bed anymore. Somehow her blue blanket had been covered up by another blanket and she did not like that blanket. I put her blue blanket out again and she was then laying on the bed again. 

     Caring for animals can be tough but it is rewarding.

     Word of the day is caring for animals. 2 Samuel 12:3

     

January 19

     Today was not a windy day and the temperature was not terrible. West Texas wind is the worst wind I have ever seen. Luckily today was not bad. 

     Eggs are a gold mine these days. We had not been getting too many eggs because of the weather. Today I ended up finding a baker’s dozen. That felt like I hit the jackpot. There are some people at work needing some eggs, so I’m glad the chickens were laying more today. 

     Yeller is definitely better. I do feel now that him not feeling well had something to do with a different food, that he did not like and the wind/dust storms we have been having lately. He was out of the shop this evening and I haven’t seen that all week. He must be feeling better. 

     I have noticed lately that all the male pigs are showing tusks. They have all been fixed but they are also around 3 years old, so I guess now is the time to be showing them. Russ really has some tusks now. He is the least friendly of all the pigs, but I was able to pet him tonight. 

     Cracker Jack has been in a pen for a while now. I really noticed today he has been losing some weight. That’s not a bad thing for him. The vet has told us several times he needed a diet. He is looking good. 

     Looks like Noma has finally decided to wean Mattie. I haven’t seen him nurse in a week and she does get aggressive with him when he gets too close to her now. That’s a good thing also. He needed to be weaned. He is almost a year old. We will get him fixed once he hits that year mark and then he will go to the pasture with the big boys. 

     Noma had taken a liking to Waldo. She stands at the fence with him quite often. It’s sweet. Maybe once Mattie goes to the other pasture, the little goats can get out of their pen for a while. They seem to like it in there though. Whenever they do get out, they go right back in. It’s their spot and they know it. 

     Chief finally showed Takua who was boss and he was able to eat all of his food again tonight. He made such an impression on the mares, they left the hay bale when he went over. They did come back and I was able to witness all five horses eating together. I assure you, that is a first. It’s progress though. 

     After all of that, I went to take the trash out. I looked over at one of our bushes in the front and saw an egg laying beside it. I went to investigate and saw another in the bush. They I look a little further and saw nineteen more for a total of twenty-one eggs. I water tested them all and they were all still good. That’s a lot of eggs for one day. Now if I could just get them to lay in the same spot every day, but not going to happen without locking them up and I’m not going to do that. 

     I have seen a lot of progress today with the animals. It makes me happy they are figuring things out. We all want to see progress in our lives. 

     Word of the day is progress. Philippians 1:6