Another Day, A Lot More Snow

Looks like the new chain method works rather well; the feeder was filled twice today and will be filled tomorrow morning, soon as it gets light.

Between Daddy John, Daniel and Clinton the road was plowed today; good thing because Joe, Clinton's helper was stuck again and couldn't get home.

The view from my back porch; the snow is even with the porch and difficult to see where to step off. All that nice plowing Daddy John did yesterday...for naught. We've had another foot of snow and more drifts of 2.5 feet; going to the barn is wearing me down and I made Sadie stay inside this morning. Even with her sweater, she gets cold; she and Sam will be six next month and I'm starting to treat her with gentle care. She doesn't have much of a coat and gets cold easily; no need to tempt pneumonia.

Sam needs a longer coat but not sure where to find one; when he comes in, his nose is covered in snow so I make him lie in front of the fire until he gets warm.

Charlie called to say the boys couldn't get here today to bring a load of wood and that's just as well...Charlie is calving and it's spirit crushing work. He's lost two calves because they froze due to deep snow and cold; most of the others he takes to the garage where there's a heater to warm them and keep them alive...calves and Charlie too.

My back porch wood supply was down to nothing...seriously not one stick of wood!...so when I went to do afternoon chores, I took the canvas log carrier with me and put six or seven biggish pieces of wood inside. Then, using a horse lead rope, I pulled it through the straps and placing each end over each shoulder and using a ski pole to help me walk, I hauled enough wood to last me through the night. Sadie is standing in the path the carrier made as I pulled it through the snow, a distance of about one hundred yards and all uphill; it's from the far back side of the barn in the right of the picture. Tonight is going to be a four aspirin night and a couple of fingers of B&B but I'm just glad I was able to do this although the pain level is beginning to increase throughout my shoulders, arms, legs, feet body. A couple of weeks ago when those mountain climbers got hung up in Washington state, Daddy said, "What on earth makes people do stuff like that?" My take is, "They don't have physical labor...work...to do any more and they need to expend energy and prove themselves." I'm not so much proving myself as just doing what it takes to keep us fed and warm and am, I do believe, as ready as I'll ever be to sell and move. It would kill Dave to know I want to leave but that was then and this is now; it's time for me to move forward and HEY GOD...I believe I'm ready -lol-.

As I've heard all my life...this is a sight for sore eyes. Not sure what it means but this is what I look like when I get in from the barn except I've removed my gloves. Most of this snow isn't from falling down, it's from the latest snow storm and high winds blowing fiercely. Weather report said six inches but it was more like twelve with drifts to my knees; Daniel said it was terrible off road and feeding the cattle was treacherous.

To the ejit who threw Daisy Mae on the side of the road...thank you. As it happens, that dog does hunt and it's a beautiful sound and sight.

Daisy brought home a raccoon this week; last week it was part of a deer but I don't think she killed the deer as it wasn't as "fresh" as the raccoon.

When I went outside to bring in my last few sticks of fire wood, I saw this sight and it brought tears to my eyes! Daniel blew the snow off the driveway and tomorrow the youngin's are coming to bring fire wood from the barn to the house. This makes it easier on them and it's going to be plenty rough enough, but, they're eighteen years old and probably won't feel a thing. I'm well more than three times older and I'm sure to feel it all...for them and me -lam-.

Weather report is rain, rain, rain and temps of 41 above; the wind has started up and sounds dreadful. Please Lord, keep my horses (and us at the house) safe. I fed double this afternoon and they have shelter...should they choose, so I've done what I can do, at least for today. Someone told me it was going to be slushy tomorrow but I don't care; at least, I don't think I care. I know it's going to be above freezing and, God willing, I'll get a load of firewood and right now that's enough...heck, it's more than enough!

Blessings ~ your prayers and don't mind asking for more ~ Daniel, blowing my driveway clear ~ enough wood to get me through the night 
~ safety, safety, safety ~