February 21

I am feeling like a failure today. I know I shouldn’t feel that way, but some days are hard. I do not know what is going on with me, but today has not been a good day. It could be me. 

The weather has been warm. It was 84 degrees and the wind was not as bad. At least that was good today. 

Maggie is not well. Bubba is not well. The inside cats have worms, again. Onyx has something going on with her eye. Cracker Jack is not doing any better. We lost a rooster today. Tinkerbelle has a cut on her leg that I have no idea where it came from. The donkeys will not stop fighting. We cannot get Hercules horn cut even though we have tried several times and we will continue to try. I feel like I am failing them all. I do not think I am seriously but some days are just rough mentally with taking care of all these animals. 

To make matters worse, I had a lady ask me about taking some goats. I would love to, but I cannot take anymore. She was nice about it. I then got a call later about a pig and and a dog. Again, I said no. Then I felt like that answer was not good because then she said they were going to have to put them down if I could not take them. I get it, they need a home. I think what people do not realize is, Ronnie and I spend a lot of money every month just on feed. We also have to come up with money for a farrier for animals and vet care. We also have to have money for water and electricity. We also have to live. Would I take them all if I could, of course, but I cannot do that. I have to be able to take care of the animals we already have. I wish others could understand that. I just feel like I am failing these animals I already have. 

Tomorrow is a new day. I have to remember that. I know deep down I’m not failing, but today sure feels like it. 

Word of the day is failure. Psalm 73:26

February 20

Whew. What a day. Let me tell you, it’s been a day. Nothing bad happened but it’s been a day. The high today was in the 80s, but the wind was about 35 mph. It was insane. It’s hard to drive. It’s hard to walk. The wind is something I have never seen anywhere else. 

I loved on Maggie some today. She is having difficulty getting up so I had to help her. She can get up with some help after she has been laying down for a while. 

The wind made things harder to feed and water, but I managed to do it. 

I had noticed the house cats are still having difficulty with worms. I gave them all more wormer. I’m sure I’m going to have to end up taking them to the vet. Hopefully they get rid of them now. We will see. 

The animals were all able to eat tonight even through the wind. They did not even complain. 

Maggie was cute tonight laying outside and Athena right beside her. For some reason Athena loves Maggie and Pepper. Onyx does, too. 

I was able to spend some time with the horses. Saverine and Takua love water so I played with the water with them and they loved it. 

I was able to love on Chief some tonight, too. He is calming down some. 

Jeb is still in the pen. He is getting fixed this week. 

I found where the chickens have been laying eggs. There were twenty five eggs there. I do not know why I still get shocked by that but I do. I wish they would lay in one spot but they won’t unless we build a huge building with laying boxes. 

I got a picture today that I have been trying to get for so long. I sure was excited about that. 

Carlos is getting taller somehow. I thought he was already full grown, but I guess not. 

Cracker Jack got another dose of antibiotics tonight, so hopefully he will start feeling better soon. 

Word of the day is wind. John 3:8

February 19

We got a little rain today. Not much, but a little. Any is better than none. The animals all seemed to enjoy it. The high was in the sixties so it was almost perfect. 

This morning I got to see the donkeys. Pedro and Red still like to fight but I think they are constantly fighting over the lead position in the pasture. Ned and Pete do not fight like that. 

I also got to see their reaction to Athena which I had to laugh about. They do not like her much. 

There has been so much dust lately, I had to clean out Yeller’s eyes and nose today. That cat is so cute. 

It’s been an eventful week with Cracker Jack. He will not eat much. He has lost a lot of weight. We thought he was irritated with the sheep and that still could be part of it. We let him out last weekend but that was not going to work either. Ronnie wormed him with no new results. I have been concerned. We had started separating the sheep and Cracker Jack so he would eat more. He still is not eating much. The next thing I did was look inside his mouth. Let’s just say he was less than cooperative. However, I was able to smell what smelled like infection, so we started him on antibiotics. I hope that fixes the issue. 

The sheep are shedding like crazy. It’s February and they are already shedding their hair and starting to look better. I’m sure they will feel better when the hair is gone as long as it does not get cold again. 

I learned the trick with Chief is to feed him first, so he is not such a jerk to the other horses. 

Maggie still is not feeling well. I know that is not going to change, but now she knows it also. She is not eating as much and she has stopped going under the porch even though that has been her favorite place to be. She is declining and it’s awful. 

Just another day on the farm. 

Word of the day is caring. Luke 6:31

February 18

It has been a cooler day today around here. Nothing too interesting has happened today. 

The cats were all hanging out on top of the hay today. I’m sure it helps them stay warmer. 

The goats did get out again today but they always go right back home. 

Cracker Jack ate more today, so that was good to see. 

All the other donkeys and goats were roaming around today. 

Jeb is still in the pen awaiting surgery next week. 

Porky ate out of my hand today, that’s getting to happen more. I will take that as a win. 

It was a relatively quiet day today. Most days are not like that, so I will take it. 

Word of the day is quite. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

February 17

This week has been a trying one. One thing after another, so I am happy to report, there was nothing new today. 

Cracker Jack is starting to act like his old self. He did eat more tonight. He also was braying and trying to knock me over, so that’s a good sign. 

Ted’s tail is still doing well. There are no signs of infection, so as long as it stays that way, he will be fine. 

I was able to pet Cinderella without her fainting on me. I would say that is progress. 

Spam has been coming up to me more and more. She let me give her belly rubs today. If you do not know her story, she was always the protector to her sister and refused to let me get near her for about a year and a half. She had still been distant but lately, every time I go into the pen, she wants attention. 

Jeb is still in the pen. Mattie is still trying to break him out. He just had to stay a while longer and then he can get out. He has his appointment next week. 

Noma is looking rounder and rounder. Mattie will have to be in the other pasture before she gives birth and thankfully this will be her last baby. 

Jelly came home again tonight. It is nice that he is coming home every night and I do not have to wonder about him. 

Sonny has decided since he does not have any friends, he will roost alone every night up in the rafters of the shop. Nothing is going to get him up there. 

Pete let me give him some attention tonight. That does not happen often so I soak it up when he does. He is so sweet these days. 

Athena was out in the pasture and had to go up in a tree so Pete could not get to her. She is a silly cat. She should know better by now. 

The sunset was beautiful again tonight. I do like to see the West Texas sunsets. 

Ronnie went out to fix some stuff in the pig pen tonight. Darla gave him attention and Russ almost did. For Russ that’s progress also. 

Ursula is as cuddly as ever. She let me sleep all night, so that’s progress. 

Maggie is not doing any better. I know what is coming and I hate the thought. She is falling down more and having difficulty with both her back legs. We are doing all we can for her. 

Word of the day is progress. 1 Corinthians 15:58

February 16

It did, in fact, get cold again. The high here today was in the forties. I hate it for the animals. They are susceptible to getting sick just like we are when the weather changes so much, so I have to watch closely. 

Sonny was all over the place today. It’s a good thing I love that rooster. He looked like he was going to pick on my shop hens, but he changed his mind with me standing there. 

I put Cracker Jack in the enclosed space to eat tonight and he did eat better. He still did not eat like he normally does, but at least he ate. Maybe he is getting sick. I just do not have a clue. I am keeping a good eye on him though. With him being in his twenties, there is no telling. 

Mattie has now ruined a good gate where Jeb is until he gets fixed. Mattie is standing up on his hind legs and putting his front legs up on the gate and trying to get it opened. The gate needs to hold up until next week. He is being such a brat right now. I’m sure it’s because he is coming of age but this is a lot just this week with him. I hope he gets surgery next week, too.

 

Everyone is good. Yeller found him a warm spot and was staying put. I cannot say I blame him. 

The one thing in life you can bet on is change. There is always a change. This week it’s the weather. Malachi 3:6