August 20

Today was a little different for me. I needed to get stuff done today and that’s what I did. I needed to get 100 bags completed for the walk. I did some paperwork for work and I paid bills. It took me 5 hours to get the bags done, but I got it done. Persia wanted to help, but she finally got out of the box. 

I went out to take the trash out I saw Jelly with the other 3 cats. They are so skinny. I know it’s because it’s so hot and they don’t want to eat but it terrifies me. I hate that they are so skinny. I know it will be okay though. Cooler temps are coming. 

Word of the day is completions. John 4:34

August 19

It wasn’t too hot today. It made it to 103 but the wind made it better. I can handle that. However, I was super tired today and worked on some stuff for the walk in the house most of the day. I had a volunteer helping for part of the day. 

When it was time to go out and feed, Ronnie and I did it quickly. I say that, it might not have been as quick as I thought, but it felt quick. 

I did have an incident today that does not happen often. I went to feed the chickens in the coop and the donkeys surrounded the coop. Red and Pedro both are protective of me for some reason and I could not get out of the coop. When I would try to come out of the coop, those two would start fighting, so I was stuck in there. Ronnie finally came out and got them all away from the coop so I could get out. Usually they just let me out, but today they didn’t. It was weird. Red and Pedro have been fighting a lot lately, so I think that’s what the problem was. 

I went over and noticed there was a hole in the sand in the pig mud hole. What the heck that was, I have no idea. I put more wet sand or mud to cover the hole and the water stayed, so we will see what happens there. For now they have plenty of water in the mud hole. The pigs were fine though. They are all happy and healthy. 

Chief’s eye is not any better. It’s still cloudy. He is jumpy so I really wonder if he can see out of it. He is still in charge in that pasture though. 

Ronnie went over and was watching the pigs. He seems to like them more these days. I find that funny. 

Willow was aggravating Mattie. That cracks me up. He did that to her for a long time. I guess it’s payback. 

Willow is still sweet and loving to all of us. I love that about her. She doesn’t ask questions, she just loves you. 

I gave Mattie more attention tonight. He is doing well, but I’m ready for this weather to get cooler so he can go to the vet and we can get him out of the pen. I hate that he is in there. 

However, it does not seem to bother him at all. 

The donkeys were all fine after our little incident and they were heading out into the pasture. 

Word of the day is change. Isaiah 43:19

August 18

It was another super hot day. It was miserable outside. I am hanging in there though. It could always be worse. 

As I was leaving for work, I noticed another chicken crossing the road. I am missing a chicken who looks just like that one I saw. I’m not sure what Thelma was doing, but I’m wondering if Louise is over there sitting on eggs or something. If that’s not the case, I have no idea what has happened to Louise. I did see Thelma when I got home, but still no Louise. 

Later when I got I saw Suzie Q trying to lay an egg. I made her get up and move around some. That’s only because I have lost a couple while trying to lay eggs in this heat. I wanted to make sure she was okay. She seemed to be. 

I also saw a huge group of chickens under the bush in the front trying to stay cool. They looked miserable. 

Chief looks rough. His eye is better, but I’m afraid he is now visually impaired. That eye is really cloudy now. I’m concerned about him. 

Jasper, Willow, and Noma were trying to steal Mattie’s hay. I’m sure they didn’t get much of it. Alex had already taken the rest of Jasper’s feed. 

The donkeys were hanging out under the trees this evening to stay in the shade. 

The horses are starting to put weight on and we have a new plan to get us some round bales. We need those desperately. It’s been hard to find the hay we need. 

Lester healed up and is back to his normal self. I’m glad of that. 

The pigs are all still doing well also. It’s been a brutal summer for them. 

Willow is still trying to make friends with the horses but the horses do not care for her. 

Word of the day is concern. Romans 13:8

August 17

The weather was not bad to bad today. It was still warm out, but not bad. I was glad about it. It looked like rain in an area today, but it didn’t make it to our house. 

The first thing that happened today was I slept through my alarm. That thing went off for a good half hour. Ursula came and sat down beside me and cuddled next to me which is what finally woke me up. I was so happy she did that this morning. 

The donkeys were under a tree in the pasture when I got home. I am not sure why I love to see that, but I do. 

Chief’s eye is looking better. It is at least opened. You can tell it is bothering him, but it’s better. 

Mattie threw a big fit about not getting his food first like normal. He was rolling around on the ground and trying to get his head under some fencing. We love him but he is a brat. 

The donkeys and cows got a new hay bale today. Willow was happy about it. She started eating away on that bale. While Willow was eating, one of the cows startled her and she kicked at him and ran, almost right into me. I was laughing and she stopped before she got to me. 

I got to hang out with the donkeys some tonight. I sure do love that. They are such loving things, to me anyway. 

I watched Pete trying to stomp on a bird. I’m not shocked, but I was grateful he did not get the bird. 

I watched some chickens cooling off in the water bowl. I had to laugh. They are smart. 

Bubba came and sat in my lap. Persia was sitting beside me. She just put her little paw on Bubba. It was cute to see. 

Word of the day is happy. Proverbs10:28

August 16

It was 100 degrees today, but honestly, it was not terrible. Yes, it was hot, but the breeze was there, so that made it better. 

Ronnie worked late, so he was not home to feed today. I did it by myself like I used to. 

I put out chicken feed and of course Hercules had to eat with the chickens. That goat is something else. He is always into something he shouldn’t. 

Tinkerbelle was looking dehydrated, so I added some water to her feed and Cinderella’s feed. Both of them looked at me like I had bumped my head. I added a little more feed and they decided to go ahead and eat it. That’s all they were getting, so I’m glad they ate it. 

I got to love on Noma today. I soak that up anytime I get the chance. I had feed obviously but I got to love on her. I still wish she would let her guard down a little. She is loved so much, but she still doesn’t realize it. 

I finally figured out what plant is causing the devil’s claw. I found it so interesting. It’s the only plant in the pasture the animals will not eat. I should have known then. 

I got to spray the horses down tonight. They are looking better. I’m so grateful for that. Spots has gotten into something though. She has a cut on both front legs. I don’t know what is happening to her. 

Chief must have done something to him, too. His eye was completely closed and had some drainage coming out of it. He looked miserable. He was also jumpy. No one told me how hard it was to have horses. 

Willow was wanting to make friends with the horses, but they do not like her. Who knows why. Must be because she is a donkey. They hate Mattie, too. 

The pigs are still doing well. I’m sure it has something to do with all the water and mud they have through the day. I’m happy to see they are hanging in there. It’s been a rough summer. 

As I was finishing feeding, I was walking around turning off water and locking stuff up. I heard something running up behind me. I turned and looked and it was one of the younger chickens. I think this one will be a rooster. I scared it when I turned around. I’m not having a rooster chase me. No way. 

Word of the day is scars. Zechariah 13:6