It's snowed again on and off all day, and we received another 2 inches last night after I blew the driveway. Herbie got stuck just after the last curve of the driveway, so was in a foul mood when he stomped into the house about 1am. He re-blew the driveway this morning after chores, and I pulled him up with the truck. We really need to get him a 4-WD truck as well. He wants a 1990s' Chevy so I'm keeping an eye out. The Honda is just no match for Michigan Winters, or our steeply angled driveway. Wouldn't mind a 4 wheel truck in place of the Dually to, with the same power, but less weight therefore less diesel and less tyres to be replaced. Also need a different kind of tailgate. For a working truck that has hay bales in and out for half the year, need a different system than the one it usually comes with.
It was barber day on the farm today. Cut Herbies hair and beard, so he could shave his face. He decided that if he looked the part for warmer weather, maybe it would comply ! He looks at least 10 years younger without the facial hair, but I like his beard and mustache, think it makes him look rather distinguished ! Cut it rather short, and we laughed at the first time I cut his hair. On my balcony of my apartment in Grand Blanc about 6 years ago, and it took me over an hour ! I was so surprised that he'd let me cut it ! Now it's sit down, snip, snip, snip, clean up ears, nose, eyebrows and neck, done.
Got all the sheep to eat sunflower seeds from my hand. Well not the twin boys, they have no seniority at all and can't get near my hand, but I chucked some on the ground for them. It's been challenging getting them to see sunflower seeds in the husk as food. No problem with the cows, but the sheep previously just ate the corn and / or barley and left the sunflower seeds. It's a natural source of selenium so I'm pleased they are eating it.
My usual two pairs of insulated gloves were both wet from watering animals, so took a pair I got from Trudi. Those Tennessee gloves just ain't a match for Michigan weather. My fingers froze, and I only wore them to go pick up the hay, so was just standing outside to show Mike how far to push the bales onto the back of the truck. One of the pairs is one black and one navy glove, need to find the matching ones but have no idea where to even look. Maybe the shed with some of my car stuff, or the basement where my ex-office stuff is stored. The cheap pair I bought for $5 from Menards are already coming apart.
Checked out the new chicks and ducklings at Tractor Supply and Family Farm and Home the other day. No desire to buy any now, but love looking at them and hearing them cheep.
Still no calf from Star, but she is happy out with the others. Phoned that farmer the other day who owes me the calves, his cows have seemingly not started to calve yet. I need a boy and a girl for Larry still. Come on, get busy girls !
The little tractor is leaking fuel. I didn't realise it until I went to take it to blow the driveway yesterday. Herbie had asked me if we have any kitty litter, yep, but I didn't know what he wanted to know for, until I saw all the fuel soaked kitty litter on the shed floor. I had to put about a gallon of diesel into the tractor before I could take it out, struggled to open the one he'd used previously, couldn't get it open, so took the other full one. Standing on the stool to reach the fuel tank opening, lifting 5 gallons with a tender arm, then that ruddy child proof nozzle that needs to be pushed against the side to let the fuel run. Oy vey, it was a struggle. After I'd finished, I put one of the plastic snow sleds underneath to catch the dripping fuel. Didn't know where it was dripping from, but this morning there was a goodly amount of diesel in the sled. Herbie thought it was a good idea, but we used an old, yellow 6-gallon bucket under the manifold (?) this time. Something else that needs fixing.
Need to go do evening chores and check up on Star agai