The iguana boys were out by the chook shack this morning, hoping for grain, so I took them a bit. By the time I got over there, the goats had appeared. I kept dumping a little on the ground to distract the goats, and holding the bucket up for the alpacas. The tall boys politely took turns chowing from the bucket, then had a little squabble and I caught a little blow-by when one spat at the other. Meh. The sheep turned up after all the grain was gone, poor bastards. The pushy goats make it hard to give anybody else a share. I'll sneak out later and try to give the sheep a goodie.
Speaking of goats, the rat bastards have pushed the corner of their fence right over into the chicken yard. They were inside the chicken-yard gate the other day, hoping for some layer crumbles. Getting them out of there was exciting. They insisted on going back out the way they came in, and the chicken-wire roof (to keep chickens in and owls out) flopped there, entangling hooves and horns. I'm staggering after them through the deep slush, hollering and waving the cane. It was awesome. I'll be fixing that fence, and in the meantime I'm careful to be low-key when I take a bucket of chicken food out to the chicken house.
The goats are just being goats – they're not malicious. I do think they deserve to be with people who enjoy that goatish curiosity and sense of humor. I am not those people. I could do without the pressure they put on our fencing, too. We'll be looking to sell them this spring.
Other ideas for the tax return
1) A new (to us) washer, and maybe dryer. Our washer is a $25 Craig's List special, small capacity. Does an OK job, rips things up sometimes. The dryer was Richard's mom's, and dates back to the harvest-gold era. It takes two tries to get a load dry. We only use it in the winter – we have one of those awesome 1960s merry-go-round clotheslines for the rest of the year. I think a $75 washer would be about right.
2) A trip to the coast for C. to see all her old buddies. Is Port Townsend ready?
Three eggs today.
Hi, I found your blog about a week ago via Vera at Snippets from Labartere I've read the blog from the beginning and I'm in awe of everything you've accomplished in the time you've been there and with so little money. I'm in Alberta, Canada and we have been to Spokane quite a few times over the years. I understand a little bit of what you go through with all the snow although we live in a typical city suburb so don't have half the issues you have to deal with. I'm a little confused, do you also on a house in Spokane? I hope you are getting some relief from your MS regime, but it must be pretty difficult for you with all the work you have to do. Maybe the idea of moving to the coast isn't such a bad one!!! Look forward to reading your next post. Take care.
ReplyDeleteHi Janice! Awesome to hear from you. I usually assume my mom and a couple of friends are the only ones who read my blog, so it comes as a shock to hear differently. Isn't Vera great? She and Lester have restored their roofless villa beautifully, and they aren't spring chickens either! I'm a big fan of Canada and Canadians, used to buzz up to Grand Forks, B.C., for lunch and lumber, and we fell in love with Montreal on a trip in 2012. I'm often tempted to move up there when politics get ugly down here (you are all so civilized and kind). We lived in NE Spokane for 27 years, and still own our old bungalow there. We borrowed on it to buy this big weird place, and I really don't think we'll move again. I like to fantasize about life on a wooded, secluded beach, but it just about killed us to make the 25-mile move here, and I was healthy then! Spokane is nice little city and I appreciate the bookstores, concerts and hardware stores, but when I visit now, I can't imagine how we managed to live in such a hive of people. Do you dream of the country life in your suburb? It's awful easy to get used to the space in the country.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to be matter-of-fact and not whiny about the MS, but it's just been such a bolt-of-lightning ugly shock. Most days I'm still stunned by it. I've always been lucky and healthy, don't know how to be otherwise. Here in the West, man, woman or child, young or old, you do what has to be done. Fix the tire! Dig that hole! Patch the roof! Now I have to ask for help for the simplest things. That would happen with age, anyway – but this was very sudden, and I am not the least bit gracious about it. I guess I'm working my way through self-pity to acceptance. It's taking a damn long time.
But there's always plenty to do (though C. does most of it) and plenty to think about. Being busy is good. And if it weren't for chasing goats, what would I be doing?
Thanks for reading, and writing. Let me know if I get too obnoxious or pathetic or weird.
Su
When I find a blog that looks interesting I always like to read it from the beginning. If I thought you were 'too obnoxious or pathetic or weird' I would have quite in your archives back in 2013!! Keep writing just they way you do, calling a spade a spade. I love it. Janice
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