It's spring and I need to take care of the farm. I also need to stay busy or I will go crazy so....
I raise goats, about 75 does that are having babies. Well the local coyotes think it's now a buffet for them. Ray and I have a lot of firearms and I talked with the local Conservation folks. I can call the coyotes in and shoot them. So I went and had myself set up so I can do just that. Now me the chicken I am would not take the garbage out in the dark..but 2 nights ago I heard the coyotes calling, it's 3am and I got everything together and went out in the back field, sat under a tree, set out my call and shot a big ole male coyote.
I have also talked with the local Amish kids and they showed me how to set out snares. The coyotes have been digging holes under my wire fencing. So plan to snare a few coyotes if possible.
Ray and I never liked A/C much unless it's August and 100. So have wanted a whole house fan to draw in the cool evening air, finially went out shopped found what I think I need and hired a guy to install it. Next week it will be installed.
Last month won my Small Claims Court case against the floor installer. After 20 yrs with the same kitchen floor Ray said I could get a new one. We went and picked out a nice floor from a local company, year warrenty and had it installed. It was a horrible job, grout coming out, tiles uneven, etc. Company said I needed to contact the installer, but I paid the company. So after Ray died and before the year was over, I guess I was feeling mean..I filed in court and represented myself, won the case. Now just waiting for payment, they have 30 days..
Bought a carhauler flatbed trailer. Ray didn't like to spend $$ if he didn't think it needed to be spent. But a flat trailer I can back it into my barn and unload haybales. With the stock trailer I had to hire local teens because the hay had to be taken off the stocktrailer and hand carried into the barn and stacked. Hope Ray isn't in heaven and angry with me..
Ok tomorrow am going to the local farm store and buying a post hole auger for my tractor. The mailbox needs to be reput in the ground, I need a few posts to hold gates and some fencing needs to be done. My choice is to buy an auger and do the work myself or hire it out..I need to keep busy so am buying an auger..
I have planted the garden, just easy stuff I enjoy, lettuce, tomatoes, corn, and a few berry bushes and a new grape vine..
Sent my horse off for a months refresher in being ridden. Ex show horse that has never been trail ridden or amoung cattle. I know I could probley get the job done but if something happened I could be out in the field by myself thrown and not be found for days. This way he'll come home good to go. I love to ride, Ray was afraid of horses so for the last few years I haven't ridden..Just to busy with life with Ray. Now have lots of time..
Still need to spray weeds but it keeps raining, good time to rescreen a few window screens might do that today. Have a German Shorthair and brittney in for training, so need to put out a few quail for them to hunt. Glad the weather is staying a tad cool hate running dogs when it gets warm. End of the month they both go home.
Ya know on the surface friends and neighbors think I am doing ok, and I guess I am. I stay as busy as I can just to be dog tired at night so I can sleep. When Ray was here I complained about not having enough time, the farm was always my thing, he fished. Now all I have is time and I wish I could go back. I miss my husband a lot, talk to him all the time, wish I could fish with him one more time. Really tired of crying but like all of us out there with a new normal we're all getting through it the best we can.