We had a good weekend. Yesterday I started cutting the 2nd half of the hayfield, and Herbie finished it while I came in for some food. Wow, it's beautiful hay. Lots of soft, green grass, with the bright green alfalfa. I raked it this afternoon, and think I may be able to bale it tomorrow afternoon. The next rain is possible on Saturday or Sunday. We were talking about how much we have learnt in the past 6 years on the farm. Our learning to make good hay is still a work in progress. As Herbie said, making hay is easy, it's making good hay that's hard.
Yesterday and then again today, we filled the trailer with the freshly cut hay and delivered one lot to the cows, another to the bulls and horses, and then filled the sheep feeder too. Total silence on the farm as all the beasties munched away. The only problem spoiling them like this is that they look at me like I'm daft when I bring hay next time. He's filled the trailer again today for me to feed them tomorrow too. We're giving them the hay from the L-part of the field.
Another chicken has hatched 3 chicks. 2 little yellow ones, and one black. That makes 12 so far in total and there are still 4 chickens sitting, although I put guinea eggs under the one in the chicken house rafters. Never successfully hatched any guinea eggs here on the farm but try every year.
Have someone coming tomorrow to look at Big Red to breed her cows. I so wanted to share his genetics. Noticed today that his forelock is no longer blonde, just his tail. If she likes him, he'll go stay on her farm for about 6 weeks. This should be good for him because he won't be the lowest status like he is here, so he should put more weight on as no one will be chasing him from the feeder. Watched Gabriel today. He takes turns eating, chasing the horses, and pushing the other 2 bulls away. I'm rather pleased that he's put the horses in their place. A bit of a change from them chasing the cows around the pasture. Herbie actually saw Missy bite Big Red on his rump today ! And his horns are just as big as Gabriels !
For lunch today, we went down to the Ionia Free Fair for the steak tips with onions and green pepper, smashed red potatoes and mushrooms. All cooked in huge cast iron pans. This concession had an all-new, completely stainless steel trailer. Sort if like those travel trailers that have slide-out parts. For dessert we had the frozen cheesecake on a stick dipped in chocolate. It was disappointing this year. Seems that the quality of both cheesecake and chocolate has deteriorated. Oh well, suppose these fat old people shouldn't be eating pudding :)
Then we went and drooled at the tractors and attachments. There was this hay discbine that cut 30ft in each sweep. A set of cutting discs in front of the tractor the width of the tractor so that it doesn't drive over any hay prior to cutting, and 2 wings off the back. A thing of beauty. Then there was a round baler and some very nice tractors. There was also a cute skidsteer. I really, really want one of those, and this one had an enclosed cab, so probably has air-conditioning. Herbie doesn't understand why I want one.
Before taking the tractor out to cut hay yesterday, I made the holes with the post-hole digger for the new grapevines, blueberries and lavender, plus I made a hole next to the one cherry tree that died. The 2nd one has growth coming from the bottom, so I'm thinking about seeing what it produces. Also got the cucumbers planted. Seems that I've lost another tomato plant, only counted 4 today. But maybe when I weed the bed I'll find some more. That's a loss of 9 !
Have a bucket of Clausen knock-off pickles in the diningroom, should be ready to put into jars shortly and still have to can all the jams I've made so far. Still blueberries to process and thinking about making Dilly Beans. Never had them before, and Herbie has never heard of them, but we both like pickles, so why not ?
Tanya, Herbie asked me today if you could come up via the farm for dads' wedding. Puzzled, I asked why to which he replied - I need her to work her magic on my shoulders and back, as well as my sore knee ! Oy. Think I need to give him a massage. Probably won't be as therapeutic as yours, but I'm here.