This morning was a COLD one, as dawn broke over the ranch everything was cloaked in a coat of sparkling white. The reserve team ventured out, almost unrecognisable into the frigid air with multiple layers of wool and fleece. Fashion is forgotten when the Winter frost bites!
Yesterday was farrier day. Carlos our intrepid 5 foot farrier arrived and one by one the horses had their pedicure. The Shires are always a challenge as they try to balance their one ton frame on 3 legs, invariably leaning their whole weight onto a groaning Carlos. Tiger the Ginger cat aka “the Supervisor” can always be found where people are gathering and farrier day is always a time to get some feline attention. Tiger sits on a prominent post or a convenient shoulder and, purr machine running, makes sure that everyone knows that Tiger is “in the house”. Shy his brother never too cordial is always in close proximity to the feed room, just in case the food fairy visits ! The big ginger and white cat has apparently been in a war that he luckily walked away from..but his face bears the scars. The cats have been luck survivors of an environment that hosts wild dogs, cayotes racoons and eagles, maybe Shy has used up yet another of his 9 lives !
The door in the barn door is still not completed and by all accounts have tested Greg’s patience as drills became wedged and hinges didn’t fit..but it looks good and will be a Godsend when the bitter Winter winds blow.
The team, Greg, Quatre and Ginger did some lumber clearing yesterday and some uninvited lodgers have been found living and apparently breeding prolifically in our wood. Always the scientist Greg captured a sample and between the internet and the pickled bug a name was given to the creepy crawly insect. It’s apparently a new arrival to the States…another nasty blamed on Europe ( along with the noxious weed Scotch Broom and some really disagreeable slug ) somewhere in its ID there is a “Vulgaris”…(looks like no one else appreciates it either !!!). Greg and Quatre enjoyed the detective work and Greg’s microscope got a workout.
Time to move this rickety old body, I’ve been sedimentary long enough and my back is happy to tell me “enough”. Take care, keep safe and warm. M