Blind Hog and Acorn The Acorn

The time came for out last two Dexter cattle to be sent to the butcher.  We did arrange for "on farm kill" for Mr Tasty the steer (the last calf born on the farm) and our good old Calpurnia (one of the first calves who arrived at the farm).  Will not get into all the arguments  defending the decision to "eat a family member" but I will say this, she had a goodly bit of fat cover, had not run around in years, and to just bury her would have been such a waste.

Mr Tasty on the other hand was as fine a specimen of hanging beef as you could hope for.  These two will feed our family for a good couple of years or more.

Otherwise, the garden is getting planted, geese have decided to sit on their nests,  and amazingly Acorn also broke a 28 year record of avoiding hair salons and yes- PAID for a haircut... This bit was not discussed in the podcast.

Blind Hog is getting the lawn mowed before the rains set in.  Acorn just adjusted the carb on the Massey Ferguson and yes, it is running- even drove it around a little bit!  Fingers crossed...

Yes indeedy- rain is falling on the farm.  Blind Hog and Acorn got yard chores done earlier in the week and have a bona fide excuse to sit on their rumps and catch up on reading, English Premier League football, baking- all the usual things that lazy farmers love to do.

Acorn's amazing match skills never cease to impress...  Getting 72 from adding 24  +16 + 16...  Adding in an extra pint in there somewhere...  Needless to say, the three bottle kids are sucking the white stuff down.

Looking at the rain, Acorn might just take Blind Hog up on his idea to go up to Mansfield this afternoon for a couple more gallons- just to make sure we will get through tomorrow and Monday...

Blind Hog and Acorn said goodbye to Skittles the macaw this week- the houseguest went back home.  In fact, the neighbors sent pictures- they have cleared the location of the house, pushed all the remains in a pile and will haul the metal to the recyclers.  The site looks great.  Is also helpful when you own a bulldozer and Colleen likes to run her dozer...

Asparagus is doing great- three pickings so far.  Geese have not gone totally broody yet.  THAT is frustrating Acorn to no end.

Bottle kids are growing like weeds.  Quarts of skyr filling the freezer.

Acorn went and got herself ordained (online) as you just never know when it might come in handy...  Another merit badge for the sash!

Warning!  There is a VER LOUD houseguest at the farm...

What a week...  Eclipse, asparagus, quads, and our neighbor's housefire capped things off.  I just cannot imagine their loss.

While they get themselves straightened out, we are babysitting Mr Skittles, a scarlet macaw.

One bottle kid is on a 3x a day feeding schedule, the other 4x a day.  The first feeding is the only time both are fed at the same time.

Have to say, Acorn is a little tired...

Yup- 18 years ago Blind Hog, Acorn and the Badger, along with all the stuffs/animals/pickups/trailers- began the two day drive to Missouri...

Monday is Eclipse Day...  So exciting.  The farm should see 99.4% totality.

Lil' honkers hatching but not without issues...  Blind Hog had issues with his laptop...  Acorn is still pissed at the deer but went out and strung electric twine 7 feet up around the garden...  It can be electrified if needed.  Morels are being shy- only found a few and they were small.

Kidding season is winding down.  Milking is ramping up.  Quarts of skyr are refilling the freezer.  All in all, business as usual on the farm...

BEES IN THE HOUSE!  Yes, mild panic ensued but 5 bees was 5 more than needed. One of Acorn's nightmares...  Turns out, it was a few mason bees hatching out after hibernating in the bark of firewood that Blind Hog brought in....  PHEW!!!

Yo-yo temperatures continue.  Acorn may have to buy cold crop garden starts after all...  The cabbage, broccoli and kale did not enjoy the below 20F mornings last week...

76F today at the farm.  Moved the bee hives further east towards the new chosen bee-spot for the two hives.  Both were doing just fine.