Rain, rain, go away...

Last night's rainstorm left buckets of standing water around the construction site so there was no work on the barn today, although the ducks enjoyed splashing around the water-filled post holes. In the meantime, the building supply company brought in another load of lumber and prompty got stuck. I had to start up the tractor, which had been sitting idle during the cold months, to give the truck a push. It worked, but the truck left large gashes in the mud, which did nothing to add to the rough landscape left by winter's chill. I can't wait for spring.


In the mood for love
The cow was all doe-eyed and adoring this morning when I took her hay. After she rose up on her hind legs and tried to come over the fence, I was pretty sure it was time to call Mr. Hall, the AI guy. For months I've been watching for signs that she was in heat, but they aren't always straight-forward clues. Her first year, she'd bellow for hours - generally the early morning hours. Followed by several hours of jumping up on her shed. But she was too young to breed.

Mr. Hall has been doing cattle artificial insemination (AI) in the county for 52 years. He says I shouldn't get my hopes up as it may take another try. And we won't know for several weeks whether this first session "took". Having cow bred: Another "first" to add to my list.

January 2009

Winter arrived with a vengeance this month, with high winds and driving rain bringing in the New Year. Falling temperatures then hit a low of 9 degrees for two days running, covering the ponds in an inch of ice. Arctic air brought snow on Inauguration Day. All conspiring to delay installation of the plastic covering on the hoop house. Being forced inside does have its benefits, however, providing time to pore over the growing stack of seed catalogs. After inventorying my saved seed collection, I ordered more for the coming season. My goal this year is to grow a larger assortment of vegetables and flowers.

I also placed my order for day-old chicks from Murray McMurray Hatchery to arrive in February -- 6 each: Araucanas, Barred Rocks, Buff Orpingtons and Delawares, and 5 each: Dark Brahma Bantams and Mille Fleur Bantams. The hatchery throws in an "exotic" freebie, bringing the total to 35 chicks. I've built a brooder and am making progress on a 12'x12' chicken house.

How fast can a calf run? Pretty darn fast when she's out of the pen and running free. I've had Isabelle for just over a month now and I'm still getting to know her. Weighed down by heavy winter gear and hampered by snow, catching her was no easy task. Although this escape was made possible by not adequately latching the gate, I'll be looking at fencing around the property to help keep her contained should she make another run for freedom.

December 2008

Isabelle, a 3-month old Jersey calf, arrived this month. I built a small pen and metal-clad shed for her on the eastern side of the property, with plans to fence a larger western pasture soon. It will be some time before she's ready to be bred and produce milk, but that gives me time to learn about dairy cows.

It will also provide more time to learn the art of cheese-making. I took NCSU's 3-day Farmstead Cheesemaking short course this month and came away with a couple pounds of cheese—and a couple pounds heavier from daily cheese-tastings.

Apple and pear trees went into the new orchard and nearly 5-pounds of garlic was planted in the garden. Cold and wet weather continue to make for a lot of indoor days.