Jackie then went further North to their new Lake House, while Angie and I came back to Saranac, stopping at a few yard sales on the way. Back home, I aired the back tyre of the buggy, and we went black raspberry picking. Covered ourselves with bug spray, again, as the mozzies are like a plague. Cut through the cow pasture and started picking. Realised that bug spray has a life calculated in seconds rather than hours. The milkweed is in flower, their purple clusters of fragrance wafted over us while we braved insects and thorns.
Came back to the barn and re-aired the buggys' back tyre. That sucker is leaking badly. Then went back out to find the elderberry bush I thought I'd seen on the North side of the hayfield. Yep, so have found 2 wild elderberries on the farm. Also never seen them before. Maybe if I go look down by the creek I'll find some more. Angie left, and Herbie arrived home just as I made an avo sandwich, so took it with me and we drove the truck out to the hayfield. Herbie fixed the chain. I helped, but it took longer than expected as he had to dismantle some things. Love his strong, capable hands. Told him while he was lying under the haybine. What, these greasy hands. Yep. Mine were greasy too. But we got it going, and he watched from the truck as I finished mowing the half field.
Back inside, we had some lunch, chicken and salad for Herbie, just some chicken for me and then it was shower time and bedtime for Herbie.
After the sun had set already I went to find Dolly to milk her. Passing through the garage, I picked up the Americuana hen that has been living in the garage, and took her to the lower barn. Tired of having yucky chicken poop in the garage. Called for Dolly as I was crossing to the barn, and when I came out she was waiting for me at the pasture gate. She's such a good cow. Daisy May wanted to come too, but I decided that nope, she wasn't going to get any grain if she wasn't giving me milk. Liquorice and her lamb are still down in the lower barn, although I did see them out in the yard yesterday, nibbling grass. I'd taken the sheep back down to their enclosure this afternoon too, and the 3 lambs were out on the back lawn again. Damn. I was intending to fix the hole in the fence before putting them back. Oh well, another time.
Got about 5 gallons of milk from Dolly. Filled up the cat / dog / chicken bowl in the lower barn, and the bucket to take to the house. Poured a gallon for Angie, and another for Vickie, and put the bucket with about another 2 gallons in the fridge. Added to the milk from tomorrow, I may start a wheel of cheddar.
Made the brine for my Parmesan, and dunked it in there. Has to soak for 24 hours. Well, it's after midnight, and I wanted to wash my hair, but that will probably be better done in the morning.
Good night.