Remember this picture of Sarah munching on my hydrangeas?
I have iron fence sections that I can move around so today I put them across the hydrangeas, far enough away that the goats can’t reach them.
So during this fence construction I got another small injury – on the same leg but as Rick tells me – “if you’re gonna be dumb, you’d better be tough”.
Our next project was a lid Rick made for the hay feeder so Sarah doesn’t fall in and break her neck which is what happened to Zach years ago.
Had to lock them out while we worked – not happy.
It’s strong enough for Sarah to stand on top which she did immediately.
By 4 o’clock the young chickens came in to roost.
So as I was in the area of the goose that has been setting on eggs for way too long, I reached in to grab one and SHE BIT ME!
IF YOU’RE GONNA BE DUMB, YOU’D BETTER BE TOUGH!!!
An Indiana reader sent these pictures of wildlife in her area:
Good Night, Everybody! I look forward to having coffee on the porch tomorrow morning and reading your comments.
Lots of nice pictures! Good ones of the birds and love the sunflower with the bee but Tired Scarlett is adorable. Goats give a good laugh but are o mischievous! I don’t think I’d survive!
Quit banging yourself up! Might be “If you’re going to be stupid, you have to be tough!” But hurts in the long run! Take care! I have been with you for years and thoroughly enjoy your “Blog about nothing!”
Nicole – thanks for being a long time reader. I think my issue is fear of not being able to do this stuff as I age. Use or lose it is my motto! Rest assured – I’m not done yet!
Mary, such nice photos today!…except the injuries😩😩 I wear long pants to help prevent injuries. They happen anyway…but to a lesser degree maybe.
I have a Wandering Jew plant that is dark purple. Have tried to kill it several times because it just doesn’t look pretty in the yard…that color. But it won’t die!! Since my MIL gave it to me, I should put in a pretty pot somewhere I guess. Can you change the color by adding lime or something, like hydrangeas? Any ideas?
Bonnie – I do not know that wandering Jew can change color – I don’t think so. Repot in a pretty pot and trim it back. You might like it! Too hot for long pants!
Bonnie – there are different variegated colors of Tradescantia zebrina – like green/silver, light green/dark green and the purple – kinda like hostas, but you can’t change their colors. Your purple one is beautiful and lush though. Think like a quilter and use a color wheel and find a complimentary pot even a gorgeous white pot! I always thought that the purple was a nice contrast to all of the other green plants. Sherry W.
Ma-ry! OUCH! I hope you had an “iced tea” last evening.
Like previous comments – a great post full of variety. Those little goats, are too cute. And two new things I learned about: bird feeder camera and Melaleuca. I’ve learned lots from the wealth of knowledge and experience in this community.
Jan – me, too! Collectively we are an informed bunch! And yes, I had a couple ice teas and planing the same tonight during the Fever game.
I read the comments and like other readers, I enjoyed the wildlife photos. I love the closeups of the birds.
The goats look like they are a lot of work but I am loving the photos and reading about their adventures. They are so cute!
I took a stray cat to the vet this morning and will pick her up at 3. She loves me and follows me around the yard when I work outside and she jumps up on the table or my lap when I’m resting. My niece and her son spent a week with me last week and the cat was in the middle of every conversation when we sat on the patio. I am pretty sure she is calling this home. I felt so sorry for her this morning…she was scared. I nearly cried when I left the vet’s office.
Sheryl – oh, I hope you can keep her ! She has obviously chosen you.
Mary sorry about your injuries. You need to wear jeans, long sleeves and boots when going to the barn or working in the tall grass. I always do for the same reason as I always bruise easily. Got back from Cook,Mn with the kids and grandkids. Had a great time. Did take my sewing machine and finished a panel top. Now getting ready for a garage sale my SIL is having in July.
Thank you and everyone for the farm, bird and quilt pictures. So wonderful.
I don’t know if I said anything of my brother passing in April from his cancer and brain tumor. Then my younger brother found out he has small cell lung cancer in his left lung. Does not show up in his brain. He started this 3 weeks of every day chemo yesterday. It is a cancer with very little symptoms, it was found only because he has an annual CT scan for his COPD.
Rita / sorry but I go into the barn at least 12-15 times a day! I don’t have time to change my clothes every time!
I hear you Mary load and clear. We wouldn’t get anything done if we had to change all the time. I don’t have farm animals but do have a large yard.
Rita, So sorry about your brother passing and to have your younger brother suffering as well must be just overwhelming for you. Prayers for you all.
I wish just once to see a Northern Cardinal, but guess I never will, unless they decide to migrate west. But, we do have two pairs of quail in our yard running about every day . They even get into the chicken house and help themselves to feed. I love to watch them. Soon they will be bringing their babies for us to see. They remind you of little mice running around. We have quail in the yard almost every summer.
Todays photos were great, Mary, except the injuries. I hope they are better this morning. Darned goose.
Hi Mary! What a exciting tour of the farm today. Sorry about your “owie’s”. The goats are so cute looking on at you guys working. An the hens are really growing. It’s fun to see their transformation from little fuzzy chicks to grown up girls. Thank you!
Gmorning Mary,
Your leg…OUCH! and your arm… did ya get the egg? 🤔🥴 Good thing you are a “Get er done” kinda girl!
I loved those camera bird shots, a few of my friends have them and I love seeing what feathered friends stopped by. Your chickens are beautiful and those goats are so silly. The picture of them waiting to get back in was sweet.
Hope today is injury free!
Oh, Mary, you are tough but accidents happen in a heartbeat! Take care of the injuries and you will heal. And don’t give up!
Loved the photos this morning. Put a smile on my face. I hope to get a walk this morning to ease my anxiety of a dental appt. it is just a cleaning job but I know he will find something that will squeeze $$ out of me in addition to my insurance.
Fran – ooh, I hate going to the dentist, too!! But I don’t want dentures either so I go twice a year religiously. It’s a beautiful morning for a walk!
Rick’s comment does not surprise me at all! Put some Melaleuca on it Mary. Everything looks great. Marsha is Loving all the cards, more comments on that later but thank you thank you thank you everyone she is amazed by The generosity of everyone
Mareen – you figured out how to leave a comment! Excellent! So where do I get Melaleuca???
Before you use Melaleuca be sure you’re not allergic to tea tree oil. I broke out in horrible blisters and I ended up going to the doctor. You can buy melaleuca products on Amazon. I use all their other cleaning products and they are good.
Injuries come in threes so I hope this is the end. You poor thing. I hope you heal quickly.
Gloria – there’s a guy in CC who is posting on FB about a cat he’s been feeding for months who is now sick and he says it’s not his responsibility to take it to a vet. Could you help? I’d pay the vet bill if you’d take the cat
Can you forward me his information please?
Gloria – I have no idea if I’m allergic to tea tree oil! I guess I’ll just do what I’m doing
I really enjoyed all the photos today. My favorites were the chickens and the goats. Just love seeing them.
I just wanted to let you know that our daughter, Rhonda, has been so sick from her second chemo treatment that she hasn’t even felt like opening her cards. She has several, but is doing better as of last night, so hopefully she will feel like opening them. She has a lot of stress in her life right now, too. She has received a lot of cards, and will let you know how many when she feels better. Thank you to everyone that sent a card. They were overwhelmed by the response.
Thank you again for this blog. So glad you got the problem fixed and it’s working again. Missed you when it wasn’t working. Have a great day and as others have said, take care of your injuries.
And, ladies, I might also say that our Mary has a birthday coming up on July 3!
Jeanine – oh, poor Rhonda!!!! I think you said she had some help or that her kids were not that far away. Oh, I wish some of us were close to her – I’d be so happy to lend a hand. How long till her next chemo? Tell her not to worry about the cards right now – just take care of herself as best she can!! Her husbands last Sunday is this week, isn’t it?
Yes, she has three grown children there this summer. I wish I could be there to help as well, but I cannot leave my husband. Rhonda’s next chemo treatment is next Wednesday. She gets so sick afterwards. She was finally some better yesterday. And yes, their last Sunday is this coming Sunday the 28th. The church is having a farewell, and they are also having a simple meal afterwards in the fire hall, inviting the community to come. They will take a freewill offering for them. They do have a lot of expenses since they have to drive to Aberdeen, SD, for Kelley’s treatments, and Rhonda’s are in Sioux Falls, SD, which is 4 hours from them. Also, they are planning to move here sometime this summer. Their two adult children are also moving here. Their youngest will be going back to college. We (they) are in the process of building a barndominium on our farm. They will live at one end and we at the other end, with a garage between us. Rhonda knew her dad did not want to move to town, and wanted to stay on the farm, so they are doing this for us. It really surprised us when they sprang that on us over a year ago. Thank you for understanding.
Jeanine – A BARNDOMINIUM!!! How fantastic for all of you – won’t that be fun to all be together but not on top of each other? So where will Rhonda continue her medical treatment? I’m not surprised about the community send off. How soon will they be able to get packed up and is the barndominium built? Or when will that start? Sorry for so many questions
This was all their idea, but as we see it coming together it does get exciting. Rhonda has two more treatments in July, so it will probably be more towards the end of July before they can move. They are working on the barndominium right now, but waiting for the floor trusses before they can do much more. Rhonda wants to stay with her cancer team throughout the first two treatments, so if they get moved here, they will drive to Sioux Falls from here, and it will be 5 hours from here. She’s hoping the rest of her journey will take place here. They have so much to get done before they can move and Rhonda gets so frustrated because she can only do so much, and that is not very much, especially after a chemo treatment. God is helping her get through this. Thanks for asking.
I just love this post Mary. Actually I love all of them, but this one had ALL of the things!!! Farm animals, birds, flowers, quilts….eye candy for sure. Sorry about your injuries. and sure hope they heal fast. That goat horn injury looks like it is going to take a while. I haven’t done much outside and I need to. I have all the excuses.
maybe wear hard rubber boots as armor? tall boots! please take care so as not to invite infection! I love your gusto! keep up your busy life! you are an inspiration to many!
Barbara – haha! My “gusto” is only because I don’t want to sit around and get old. When I was thinking about getting these goats and chickens I knew I needed a reason to get up and get outside every day. I do have tall boots but I don’t always have them with me – oh, I could leave them in the barn, couldn’t I?
Wait and see. A mouse will nest in your boot. I see a boot cover cozy post coming up, or you could just stuff a placemat in them.
Body armor is another alternative for your job, Mary. It would be there also in case of rotary cutter slices, cuts, and chips. All I do is keep stabbing myself with straight pins. Once a small burn brushing up against the edge of a hot iron.
Mary – there is a lot of soccer going on around the country right now – maybe we can find you a pair of leftover shin guards…that would have helped with 2 out of 3 of the injuries… 😉 Sherry W
Sherry – haha!! Yes, shin guards would sure help!
What great pictures and post. Watch your leg! I’m just about healed from my rooster giving my cellulitis and staff infection! He grabbed my leg then bit me. Of course I never went in until it had blown up to what it became. Then got hives from the antibiotics.
Always something!
Don’t you love those barred rocks, I have 5 of them with an assortment of others. They are the friendliest birds.
Margie – yes, friendly and just sorta round at this age . I thought about your rooster wound / I think I’m in the downhill slide now. I’m going to get my Gees Bend book right now!!
Margie – I forgot what page- tell me-the book is on my lap
Page 102. There are some talented ladies that did those quilts. The patterned ones are works of art!
Isn’t that fantastic? If I did that however, I’d think it looked like trash – ha!! I like p 111, 143 and 153
Love all the bird camera pictures. Dottie & Sarah are just the cutest pair, and I can see they can be very entertaining! I certainly can understand you keeping busy with all the chores. Once a busy person, always a busy person. I had a Dr tell me years ago that due to my arthritis to just keep moving, don’t sit too much. I’ve always kept very busy & that’s when I’m happiest. But I’ve also injured myself more than a few times getting those things done! So far the list of serious injuries were a fractured rib, the most painful! And a hairline fracture of my foot, resulting in wearing a boot for 6 wks. My husband was a wonderful accountant but never a fixer of things. I’m the one that hung all the blinds in our home, twice, & hung all the pictures, etc. I was too impatient to wait for him to “find time” to do it. So I always just did it myself! I still do most everything myself. Right now I have a major leak in my waterline. I keep my water turned off at the main valve & turn it on only when I need water. Waiting on my grandson who’s a plumber to take care of this on his day off! I’m having trouble being patient!😊 Oh and I have bronchitis due to seasonal allergies. A trip to Urgent Care resulted in 3 prescriptions+ an inhaler. Loved the NP who gave me a breathing treatment! We sat & chatted about our love for animals & life!
Alice – your water isn’t fixed yet?? Instead of waiting for your grandson, why not call a plumber and beg him to come asap. What an inconvenience for you – having to turn it off and on? Ugh. Yes, I can’t stand to keep thinking about the things that need to be done so I charge in and sometimes it doesn’t go so well – like yesterday. I’ll be fine but my leg does hurt. I’ve got a sock over it right now – just read that I shouldn’t. E using hydrogen peroxide – who knew?
It seems these days that often “they” don’t like using hydrogen peroxide, especially on large wounds. But, at the same time, they are medical professionals and are making recommendations based on today’s findings. The only thing I have been able to figure out is that peroxide delays healing. I am certainly puzzled about the topic. Just today people are worried about peroxide going into the Potomac River. I guess that it is really bad exposing floral and fauna to it.
Mary, no plumber will do anything without knowing exactly where the break in the water line is, already checked. A couple of plumbers had the equipment but they’re even more pricey than my quote to fix the leak. The guy from the leak detection co explained everything he was doing & how he detected exactly where the break was. I can manage until Saturday morning with this, just 2 more days. I just plan what I have to accomplish when I turn the water on & get er done quickly!! Two plumbers are coming Saturday morning.
Alice – I can feel the anxiety in your words! This is awful for you – and it’s been going on for so long! I can’t wait to read your note that says it’s fixed and your life can go back to normal.
I think I mentioned I’m having the carpet taken up in my dining & living rooms. They called this morning & wanted to install on 7/1. I pushed that until 7/6! I’m hoping all goes well with the water situation, but one never knows! Being sick with bronchitis I need to not take on too much too close together. I’m having vinyl plank put down & then large area rugs. My china cabinet & large curio with my grandma & mother’s antique dishes has to be emptied. Tomorrow I have to empty my walk in closet so it’s ready for the plumbers on Saturday! I will be so happy when this leak is fixed. I do think being raised on a farm & having limited water supply at times has helped me deal with this water issue pretty well. The plumbers couldn’t do anything until I could get the leak detection Co out here & they seem to be quite busy for some reason.
Alice – you’re in the middle of too much disruption for me – sooooo much work!!! At least you can get thru the 4th and what a great time to sort thru things. Good luck and let us know about the leak.
You are not dumb, just busy doing what must be done. I am the same way and if I don’t do things they won’t get done. I spent 2 days mowing about 15 acres and all I got was criticism for what I did, not a word about how wonderful the farm looked. When you are a farm woman, accidents happen. My skin is so thin and frail now that just trimming or pulling weeds can lead to bumping into a stick that opens my skin.
The goats look like “now who did that, we can’t eat out flowers!” They are do precious, little buggers, they are one of the bravest animals I know. They will climb anywhere they can and eat just about anything!
Don’t work to hard. I have been trying to keep busy to keep from being to lonely since my sisters went back to Kentucky. Three weeks went way to fast and I am always blue without them. Haven’t had a chance to sit at my sewing machine yet but that’s coming.
Blessings to everyone.
Linda – you sounded
Iike you were having a great time with your sisters! Mowing gives me lots of time to think but 15 acres??? Holy Cow! What kind of mower do you have? I know you bought new things at the quilt stores which should make you want to dig in. Pick one and get busy on something fun. Tell you know who to fix his own meals.
Maybe make quilted covers for those goat horns …haha. Those wounds look sore. Loved seeing those cardinal pics.
Well, I think we may need to wrap you in bubble wrap! HA. I had a horse once that was always doing injuries to himself and I kept threatening him with bubble wrap…. for a while I was doing in my arms. Those big purple bruise spots. ugh. Darn that goose! My one horse bit me once (he learned not to do that again) and the bruise on my upper arm was the size of a grapefruit. But then we still love them don’t we!!!!
I love all the animal photos!!! Love those 2 goats staring you down saying hurry up woman! A friend of mine has the photo bird feeder — love those pictures!!! Thank you for sharing them with us.
Lynette – those two little scamps are mad at me for keeping them from the hydrangeas – I’m thinking of letting them into the pasture but then then the chicks will go, too, where they will be prime targets for hawks. I’m thinking of getting that photo bird feeder.
Nasty leg gash but I understand how you want to get things done so accidents will happen. Loved all the pictures. We get cardinals and blue jays daily around our home but at camp there are two eagle nests along the lake so you see them soar by the shoreline. That’s a sight I enjoy.
I’m going to pull out all my homespuns and put them in a tote or two and take them to the garage to store out of my way while I sort out some of my stash. It’s the least of my fabric I use right now but I want to keep them. I gave away a lot of my patriotic fabric to a quilts of valor group so down to one small drawer. I’d use my red and blue fabrics for any other patriotic project now. I want to get all my UFO’s stored into one closet to keep them visible to finish. And time to pass on the ones to the craft thrift store that I will not enjoy putting time into. Big job but I need some order that’s driving me nuts.
Kathy – I have an endless amount of brushed cottons – I need a project for them – wonder what. I have one cardinal who comes to the feeder in my sight only at dusk – he is so beautiful! Eagle nests! That would be fun
There is that big sawtooth star that Linda Brannock once published. I will send two images.
Li – such a great pattern!! I know I have that pattern.
Good morning from my hospital room in Sioux Falls. I’m already walking like a trooper with my walker. Jay and the kids can’t believe it!! Neither. Can I!!
I loved all the pictures today ..well except for your injuries!! Our skin is thin! Get yourself some good hair skin and nails vitamins.
Not sure what the plan is for today. I assume homeward bound I hope!! Thanks for the prayers ladies. Love you all!
Joy – wow! You’re doing great! Won’t it be nice to go home to your own bed, chair and coffee pot? Whew – that’s over and summer is ahead. So glad you let us know.
Joy – I hope you get to go home today – when that pain block wears off completely (maybe it has?) you might slow down a bit. Does your walker have a seat? Very helpful. Let us know if you get home.
Yes, the pain blok is mostly gone but Tylenol covers it. That is good! I got a wheeled walker with big wheels and a seat. The lawn is so rough. The doc said that ball of my hip looked like a mushroom with spikes. I’m sitting here waiting for therapy impatiently.
THanks for all the love!! Poor Rhonda and hubby. Such a struggle. Thoughts and prayers!
Joy, this is such great news. I did not know Tylenol would help with this type of soreness/pain. So wonderful your mobility is coming back. Keep up the strong healing.
Gorgeous days this week in southwestern Ohio. We’ve had good rain, and are supposed to have more later in the week, I guess coming from Iowa! Love the goat and bird pictures.
You’re just like many of us who want things done. We just do it! No patience in my old age. But when I was diagnosed with osteopenia, I realized I can’t afford to break any more bones . I try to be more deliberate in my physical actions. Not just jumping on every step stool in my way! Lol
Raining in Ankeny this morning. Almost done though. Heat and humidity are coming back. Yuck….
Diana – that’s the thing – we’re pretty much all old ladies on this blog and have no patience. I’m going to try to be more careful –
I remember Zack so precious. I bought your cards with him nose to nose with JD? I only usd them for special occasions. Such a dear little boy he would climb up on the box and jump off. Unfortunately it was his demise.
Angie – you even sent me back a Zach card one time! I’m sure you’re the only reader who remembers Zach. I will never forget my horror finding him.
Hi Mary, sorry about all you injuries. That comes with being a “can do, do it myself kid of girl”, right? I’m the type that wants things done now so I just do it myself. The bird pictures are beautiful!
The other day I was headed home from my son’s place and a wild turkey hen was crossing the road with about 10 little chicks following her. I wanted a picture so bad but she scooted them right along out of harms way. It was a sight to behold. The next day I had to stop for a young deer standing in the middle of the road and then it’s twin came out of the woods and they both disappeared into the woods on the other side. It was so sweet. I just love those close encounters with wildlife.
No sewing/quilting week as this week as my sisters came for our annual sister’s week and we went to the VT quilt show. Lots of beautiful quilts and ton of vendors. Lots of spending and fun was had by all
Have a great day and be careful! Sending healing thoughts your way.
Bonnie – you’re right – I want it done right now! And Rick needs to think and think about it so I just do it myself – sometimes poorly and many times I fix things with gray duct tape which he frowns upon. Haha!!
Getting pictures is tricky – nobody waits for you!
Thank you for all the pictures to look at. 🙂❤️❤️❤️
Hi Mary, bad luck with your injuries, take care,hope you don’t get an infection! I put out bird seed every day, lots of sparrows and occasional fantail,new Zealand birds are not colourful! My mother used to have wandering jew in an Italian straw wine bottle hanging in the lounge,very trendy in the 60,s! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Great farm pictures! Sorry about your injuries.🩹💉
The goats are so cute; I just noticed the difference in their ears.
Thanks, Mary 🥰
Jeanie – Sarah is a Nigerian Dwarf and Dottie is a Boer goat.
Great farm pictures! Sorry about your injuries.🩹💉
The goats are so cute; I just noticed the difference in their ears.
Wow Mary, who knew farm animals could be so dangerous?🤪. I hope you heal fast and well. I loved seeing the photos sent to you of the Cardinal. I have never seen any in Ca. but I have a lot of hummingbirds and filling their feeder every other day with nectar. I could never do all the chores you do, makes me tired reading about what you do and accomplish. The difference from having a farm and being a city slicker!
Be careful!
Mary – being a farm person I’m used to lots of chores and this year I more than doubled them with chicks and goats but I feel so good I just couldn’t resist. I decided I wasn’t too old.😊
I think you’re taking to many chances….. need to be more careful!….. we are not ‘spring chickens’ anymore!😉we don’t/can’t bounce back like we used too! That latest bite looks like a trip to your local urgent care would be in order!! You need to hire out more stuff/ tougher chores!…. Do I sound like your mother….. dear friend!?😘
Mary Ellen – yes, Mother! I’ve got all summer to bounce back / I do have a problem with wanting to do stuff all the time. And I do it all too fast – I will work on that.
I am SO sorry we don’t live closer – we’d be over there to help you. Three injuries in such a short time – that’s 3 too many. I’m glad you know what to do to prevent infection as those injuries look bad. We are like you – very thin skin but still need to get things done. Our list is much shorter than yours, though. Thank you for sending the pictures of everything – it’s always good to see your chooks, the property looking beautiful, and the hydrangeas. Those are glorious! It’s very hot here right now, so I’m spending most of my time sewing up quilt blocks, quilt tops and cutting for more. It feels good to use up the fabric, but there is NO sign that I’ve even taken fabric out or precuts down to make the quilts. Enjoy your coffee in the morning, in the cool air. That’s the best time for me – enjoying my cup of tea, reading the blog posts and the cool air blowing in from outside (window open). By 10 or 11 we’re shutting doors, windows, etc and running the air. Weird, though. Today we started the air quite late as I was COLD – the temp hit 80 and finally I warmed up. This getting (and being) old is definitely not for wusses…
Deb – I just don’t want to get so old I can’t do anything!!!
Do you love the Bird Feeder Camera pictures as much as i do? I have several friends with them. I don’t have enough birds to buy the camera.
Karen – I don’t have one – but I can see by these pictures it might be fun. No birds around your place? Really!
Hi Mary, hope your battle scars heal soon
I can’t find any reference to Jacks passing. Missed that email during your computer problems. I’m sorry for your loss. Xx
Denise – Jack, the cat, belonged to a reader who talked about him in a comment
Did Rick put a hook on the hay feeder cover? Having one on it will make it so much easier to fill the feeder without using a hand to hold it open. Your hens look so pretty. Still so dry here. No rain but plenty of clouds.
Your poor leg is taking a beating this summer.
Martha – didn’t think about a hook but I can do that myself. These are the prettiest chickens I’ve ever had!! We’re hoping for rain tonight / I suppose it will go around us as usual.
Oh Mary! I had to chuckle over Rick’s comment. I do hope you heal up quickly from all of these injuries.