I can't believe it's August already, and that I haven't written in this blog for so long. I'm pleasantly surprised when some of you mention it so I'll keep it up. Here's a quick broad-brush update:
Most important, our surgical patient is doing great. She graduated from a walker to a cane and has been going without even that for a month. We went to Sea World when Ethan came to visit, and she walked all over that big place with no problem. Released from all post-op care and therapy, she now has to exercise on her own. Her goal is to ride horseback again someday, so she is motivated.
Hay operations began in May and hit full stride in June and July. Despite very dry conditions, our Sudan crops did well and we averaged almost 3 bales per acre on 3 fields. The Coastal and Klein weren't as good, but an unusual 4.5-inch rain on July 15-16-17 has greened up the countryside and given us hope of second cuttings. I spent the past few days moving the bales off the fields to allow regrowth. The rain benefited the grass in the pasture too, which will help delay the start of hay feeding. I have almost 150 bales in the hay lot now, with about 35 more to bring home, so we're in pretty good shape.
Nettie's little pasture across the lane is looking good. The grass we planted there is taking hold and it will be a handy place to put some animals away from the rest. I might plant some more seed this fall. When I replaced the fence between it and the big pasture I moved it off the centerline of the old Lanham-Hamilton road so now when we drive down there we're driving where the old folks used to drive.
The horses are living a life of ease. Amy and I were working with them and riding a little but the heat and busy-ness in the fields got me out of the equine routine. I need to get back in that groove. The 2 twin heifers are growing nicely. I guess they'll just wait until spring to get bred, and be on the same schedule as everybody else.
Grasshoppers have been awful. They thrive on consecutive years of drouth, which they've had in spades. I attended a brush and weed management seminar (sounds pretty exciting, huh?) and the DuPont reps there were talking about their new pesticide that was effective on hoppers and not toxic to birds, fish and other animals. I'm always leery of spraying because of exactly those side effects, especially on the chickens. So I bought a bottle, had the liquid fertilizer guy spray it on the Coastal fields and kept a quart to use around the yard. Although they had eaten the leaves off the peaches and a couple of other trees and started on the pecans and the oak in the back yard, this stuff really works and there are very few hoppers in the areas I sprayed. And the trees are putting out new green shoots. Maybe all those dead hoppers will be good fertilizer.
Speaking of chickens, I had ordered 10 new Rhode Island Red pullets and they came the day after Kathy's surgery. Amy brought them home and we raised them in the old red box in the garage, then the little portable coop until they needed more room. Since the big ones are usually mean to the little ones, I offered the 2 remaining big ones to Bobby Parks and she took them (in fact, she just brought us some eggs!). I ordered 10 expecting to lose one or two for some reason or another, but all 10 are doing fine. They should start to lay eggs near the end of August so I need to get started on nesting boxes for them.
The cows and calves are doing fine. All are in the big pasture with Lambert, the Polled Hereford bull. I sold the good old Angus bull due to advancing age and cumulative injuries (I hope Kathy doesn't read that and decide to sell me). I liked him and hope I can get another one as good. I don't see any signs that anyone isn't bred, so next February we hope to have a small crop of Herefords from Lambert and the Angus' last crop of baldies. Calf vaccinating and weaning will begin as soon as we get back from vacation.
Vacation will be in Port Aransas this year. I was missing something to tinker with in all my spare time and airplanes and British cars are too expensive, so I got another little sailboat. It's a Vagabond 17, almost a twin to the one I had in Kansas, and it will go with us to the beach.
We've had some company and some visitors and enjoyed them all. Come see us. We'll give you a cool drink for one hand and a grasshopper swatter for the other. Or look for us in our customary spot at the Kansas State home games.
