Winning the fight for one of the sheep, anyway. Two of the bite victims didn't make it, but I am winning the fight for Sammy. He was getting anemic, so I wormed him and replenished the minerals, restarted him on a big dose of antibiotics - must have stopped too soon last time, and we hand carried water, grass, and feed mixed with electrolytes for the two worst days.
Last night when I went out to feed, Sammy was up and fighting for his share. He was quite interested in the new mineral block - trying to get it before I even unwrapped it. It was a good thing to see.
Sweetpea (little ewe lamb born on Friday now has a name) has been doing her best to learn to run and jump in the sheep pen - my husband reports that she is chasing any chickens who hop into the sheep pen. The kumu who wanted me to name her "dog" pointed out that "peas" are still food - but, I replied, not for dogs!
We have been tying up the dogs a lot more - not trusting that they won't dig under the horse fence that surrounds the sheep pen or wiggle under the bamboo and hot wire fence to the pasture. We definitely have to think of a more permanent solution.
It's almost time to pull some of the taro, and we can certainly harvest some of the lau (leaves) already. Maybe I will makes some chicken luau this weekend - although the lau take a long time to cook and we have a busy weekend - my favorite (and the kids' hardest) Cross Country race and the church picnic are both coming up. Maybe I will just load it all up into a crock pot one day.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
And now the Silver Lining...
My little one just called me to tell me that Audrey had her lamb today while we were all out.
I am getting so much better at telling when the big day is imminent. I told my husband, "Within a few days," day or two ago - he scoffed, but this time, anyway, I was right. She looked right sunken around the hip bones this morning, but I was so busy with big gaping holes in sheep that I didn't pay a bit of attention. Audrey is an awesome mom, and I knew there was only one, because she was not so rotund this time around, so I wasn't anticipating problems.
And, Praise the Lord, it's a ewe lamb! I need a name. I can't even rush home and see her because it is Open House tonight and I have to stand up in front of adults. I am so tired from my maggoty-dreams last night that I hope I don't say something really dumb. My daughter says the lamb looks like the little ewe lamb that got overlain a few months ago. Her name was Uila, which means lightning, but it is a very clear beautiful day today. There was a soft rain earlier; maybe her name should be Ualani: heavenly rain - hopefully she is our luck turning. Good luck is actually "Pomaika'i", but I know too many kids who actually carry that name to use it on a sheep.
I can say that even though some adults thought I was nuts to teach predicates and subjects, every single kid in all my classes got an A on the quiz. That's good, because I am ready to move on to direct objects and if you can't find the verb, you can't find the direct object, that's for sure.
I am feeling so bummed that it will be so late tonight when I get off work. We really need more than a flashlight for barn lights!
I am getting so much better at telling when the big day is imminent. I told my husband, "Within a few days," day or two ago - he scoffed, but this time, anyway, I was right. She looked right sunken around the hip bones this morning, but I was so busy with big gaping holes in sheep that I didn't pay a bit of attention. Audrey is an awesome mom, and I knew there was only one, because she was not so rotund this time around, so I wasn't anticipating problems.
And, Praise the Lord, it's a ewe lamb! I need a name. I can't even rush home and see her because it is Open House tonight and I have to stand up in front of adults. I am so tired from my maggoty-dreams last night that I hope I don't say something really dumb. My daughter says the lamb looks like the little ewe lamb that got overlain a few months ago. Her name was Uila, which means lightning, but it is a very clear beautiful day today. There was a soft rain earlier; maybe her name should be Ualani: heavenly rain - hopefully she is our luck turning. Good luck is actually "Pomaika'i", but I know too many kids who actually carry that name to use it on a sheep.
I can say that even though some adults thought I was nuts to teach predicates and subjects, every single kid in all my classes got an A on the quiz. That's good, because I am ready to move on to direct objects and if you can't find the verb, you can't find the direct object, that's for sure.
I am feeling so bummed that it will be so late tonight when I get off work. We really need more than a flashlight for barn lights!
Time to Make New Arrangements
It seems that the dogs have learned that it is fun to chase and bite sheep. We are up to 3 serious bite wounds. Sally (Franken-ewe) is doing her usual I-hurt-so-I-hide routine. I am seriously spending the few daylight hours trying to find her. My husband found her one day, but my stupidity let her back out, and then he left me to get her back in by myself.
After struggling to lift her into a wheel barrow and thinking I was going to pull her leg right off (it's that bad), I just built her another one of my make-do shelters, shot her up with penicillin, fed her high energy food and try to hydrate her with electrolytes. Last night, I went out to do a repeat performance, but she'd moved herself, and I just couldn't find her. We have too many little hidey-holes in the subtropical forest.
I am battling with maggots on the two ram lambs. I clean it out each night, but there is no way to bandage where these wounds are and it being the end of summer, the flies are fierce. Even fly spray isn't working.
It's been discouraging and really, really disgusting.
We don't have the heart to put down the dog, who is 11 but healthy, but he is being tied up for the first time in his life. It's probably too sentimental. I am not a person who thinks the dog is a person, but he's an oldish dog.
With my husband not working, money is a problem - and part of me is thinking I should just sell the sheep. He doesn't want to sell any of them or eat any of them and I could use the money I am spending caring for them on other bills. I like how short they keep the pasture grass, and of course, for the first three weeks, lambs are wonderful, but sometimes, they are just discouraging. That would mean I would also have to sell the horse, and put the other one down or out to pasture in the south of this island (another expense) because he is just not doing as well as I would like.
It's been a long discouraging season on the animal front.
Oops, there goes the bell for the end of lunch - time to get to class!
After struggling to lift her into a wheel barrow and thinking I was going to pull her leg right off (it's that bad), I just built her another one of my make-do shelters, shot her up with penicillin, fed her high energy food and try to hydrate her with electrolytes. Last night, I went out to do a repeat performance, but she'd moved herself, and I just couldn't find her. We have too many little hidey-holes in the subtropical forest.
I am battling with maggots on the two ram lambs. I clean it out each night, but there is no way to bandage where these wounds are and it being the end of summer, the flies are fierce. Even fly spray isn't working.
It's been discouraging and really, really disgusting.
We don't have the heart to put down the dog, who is 11 but healthy, but he is being tied up for the first time in his life. It's probably too sentimental. I am not a person who thinks the dog is a person, but he's an oldish dog.
With my husband not working, money is a problem - and part of me is thinking I should just sell the sheep. He doesn't want to sell any of them or eat any of them and I could use the money I am spending caring for them on other bills. I like how short they keep the pasture grass, and of course, for the first three weeks, lambs are wonderful, but sometimes, they are just discouraging. That would mean I would also have to sell the horse, and put the other one down or out to pasture in the south of this island (another expense) because he is just not doing as well as I would like.
It's been a long discouraging season on the animal front.
Oops, there goes the bell for the end of lunch - time to get to class!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Remnants of a Tropical Storm
are rolling by down south and bringing slightly sticky, slightly warmer weather with an increase of showers. Well, it's an increase most places, looks kind of normal out here in the gloomy hinterlands.
I got to baking today - so that my visiting nephew and my husband have something to eat while the rest of us are at school. I made 24 hamburger rolls, 36 cinnamon rolls, a few dozen chocolate chip cookies, a loaf of sandwich bread and am now making an enchilada casserole, since I am too lazy to roll enchiladas for real.
I pulled the peppers out and harvested all of them and planted tomatoes and cukes and watermelon in the vacant pots. My husband planted the hibiscus we had rooting in a five gallon bucket of water into 7 gallon pots - just till we can figure out where the heck we want them. They grow like crazy up here - can get up to 20-30 feet in the wet here - so it isn't an idle question. I noticed that the kahili ginger I had rooting with them doesn't look so good - may have to take a hike up the road and find another one to pull out and bring home. I have yellow ginger and this red variety, but I really like that kahili ginger. I would like to get some edible pink shell ginger, too. Someday...
At church today, our musical contributions went so much better. Last week was a disaster - it is us, a 17 year old piano player and none of us our leaders. We end up trying to follow each other, and last week it was so comical, I actually laughed... and then got in trouble from my poor offended husband. I was more laughing at me than anyone else, but oh well. I just can't get up over the C anymore - and so many church songs ask for D or even E.
Well, time to go check on the rice and bean concoction I have simmering down there to go in the casserole....Have a good week, everyone!
I got to baking today - so that my visiting nephew and my husband have something to eat while the rest of us are at school. I made 24 hamburger rolls, 36 cinnamon rolls, a few dozen chocolate chip cookies, a loaf of sandwich bread and am now making an enchilada casserole, since I am too lazy to roll enchiladas for real.
I pulled the peppers out and harvested all of them and planted tomatoes and cukes and watermelon in the vacant pots. My husband planted the hibiscus we had rooting in a five gallon bucket of water into 7 gallon pots - just till we can figure out where the heck we want them. They grow like crazy up here - can get up to 20-30 feet in the wet here - so it isn't an idle question. I noticed that the kahili ginger I had rooting with them doesn't look so good - may have to take a hike up the road and find another one to pull out and bring home. I have yellow ginger and this red variety, but I really like that kahili ginger. I would like to get some edible pink shell ginger, too. Someday...
At church today, our musical contributions went so much better. Last week was a disaster - it is us, a 17 year old piano player and none of us our leaders. We end up trying to follow each other, and last week it was so comical, I actually laughed... and then got in trouble from my poor offended husband. I was more laughing at me than anyone else, but oh well. I just can't get up over the C anymore - and so many church songs ask for D or even E.
Well, time to go check on the rice and bean concoction I have simmering down there to go in the casserole....Have a good week, everyone!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Moving Slow
It's a bit chilly and rainy this morning, and I chaperoned my first dance at the new school. Very organized and quite well attended. I was at the check in desk and the music was so loud I had trouble distinguishing between "Ka" and "Pa" and "Ta". I sort of defaulted to the Ks,though, because of it being probably the most common initial to start a Hawaiian last name.
I am fairly tired, though.
I need to get cleaning, because one of my nephews is coming to stay for a bit, and the guest room could use a good freshening up. I am a little concerned he accepted my facebook friend request but blocked me from his wall - haven't really said more than a few words to the young man in years, as he lives in another state and family gatherings tend to be LARGE, so you don't get to say more than a few words to members of the other generation - my kids have 26 cousins on that side of the family, ranging from still in elementary school up to in their thirties with a kid or two. It would be nice to see who is going to visit. I missed the most recent gathering because I started my new job (and I am still a bit cranky about it, too), but the one before that, I counted 52 family members in four generations in ONE ROOM. Facebook spoils you; I guess I have to find out the old-fashioned way....
My goal for today, besides cleaning for the nephew, is to start some seeds to replace the peppers and tomatoes that are starting to run to the end of their lives, weed a little around the taro and the sweet potatoes, and start getting ready for the Cross Country season. I semi-agreed to be team mom again, but even half-hearted means yes to a busy coach, so here I go. There are a few tasks I could organize better than last year - the weekly snack and water thing, the potluck for the big Invitational race our school hosts, plus the course marshall recruiting. I don't think there is a girls' mom this year, so that might things a bit harder this year.
I am sure there are a few animal related chores that need doing - weekends are so short, I need to prioritize, which feels a little like putting out fires rather than actually accomplishing anything.
The good news is, although I still miss my oldest very much, our electric bill was $80 less this month. I am sure it wasn't all her - we all went back to school and half the family was gone that one week, but still. Teenaged girls take loooong showers and do lots of laundry, and in her case, use the computer and internet as a source of music and entertainment nearly 24-7. It was bound to put a dent in the bill - and this was a rainy month, so not much in the way of solar. It might be even more during sunny months.
I am fairly tired, though.
I need to get cleaning, because one of my nephews is coming to stay for a bit, and the guest room could use a good freshening up. I am a little concerned he accepted my facebook friend request but blocked me from his wall - haven't really said more than a few words to the young man in years, as he lives in another state and family gatherings tend to be LARGE, so you don't get to say more than a few words to members of the other generation - my kids have 26 cousins on that side of the family, ranging from still in elementary school up to in their thirties with a kid or two. It would be nice to see who is going to visit. I missed the most recent gathering because I started my new job (and I am still a bit cranky about it, too), but the one before that, I counted 52 family members in four generations in ONE ROOM. Facebook spoils you; I guess I have to find out the old-fashioned way....
My goal for today, besides cleaning for the nephew, is to start some seeds to replace the peppers and tomatoes that are starting to run to the end of their lives, weed a little around the taro and the sweet potatoes, and start getting ready for the Cross Country season. I semi-agreed to be team mom again, but even half-hearted means yes to a busy coach, so here I go. There are a few tasks I could organize better than last year - the weekly snack and water thing, the potluck for the big Invitational race our school hosts, plus the course marshall recruiting. I don't think there is a girls' mom this year, so that might things a bit harder this year.
I am sure there are a few animal related chores that need doing - weekends are so short, I need to prioritize, which feels a little like putting out fires rather than actually accomplishing anything.
The good news is, although I still miss my oldest very much, our electric bill was $80 less this month. I am sure it wasn't all her - we all went back to school and half the family was gone that one week, but still. Teenaged girls take loooong showers and do lots of laundry, and in her case, use the computer and internet as a source of music and entertainment nearly 24-7. It was bound to put a dent in the bill - and this was a rainy month, so not much in the way of solar. It might be even more during sunny months.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Waiting for Peppers to Turn Red
I have quite a few green bell peppers growing in containers. They got so tall, they are actually falling over, which makes me want to pick them. I see that a few are turning red, which I would dearly love (red bell peppers are approaching $7/lb in the Hilo Safeway), but with the plants falling over like small felled trees, I am wondering if that will ever happen. Anyone have any experience with that?
This weekend is the last non-cross-country weekend for a few months - so I am determined to do something with the rest of the jalapeno peppers. Something, given the increased production of tomatoes (more, but still not enough for sauce), will probably be more salsa.
The 8 month old ram lamb who was bit on the okole is doing great after three days of penicillin. He wasn't as badly injured as Spot, fortunately. He ran, albeit a little gimpily, to eat along with everyone else yesterday. I will give him one more shot, just to be sure, and then let him be.
The paint horse has been really ouchy these last few weeks. I found some aspirin paste for equines that is helping immensely and the feed store got some beet pulp in, which for some reason works wonders on this horse. It just seems counter-intuitive, because I have to keep him away from other high carb foods such as waiawi and grain, but hey, it works. I need to grow a lot of beets. Haven't had much luck with root development with the beets - I get a lot of beautiful leaves, but these sort of anemic-looking roots.
I definitely need to start new seedlings to replace the peppers and the tomatoes which seem to be reaching their peak and will presumably start to die back. I am still getting the timing down. Unfortunately, I have some hibiscus branches in a 5 gallon bucket so they will start roots - and a huge batch of mosquitos have hatched and are using my visit to the greenhouse each day as the source of food. I notice even the cat, who has loved the greenhouse since we built it, is avoiding the mosquito haven. I am getting itchy just thinking about it.
This weekend is the last non-cross-country weekend for a few months - so I am determined to do something with the rest of the jalapeno peppers. Something, given the increased production of tomatoes (more, but still not enough for sauce), will probably be more salsa.
The 8 month old ram lamb who was bit on the okole is doing great after three days of penicillin. He wasn't as badly injured as Spot, fortunately. He ran, albeit a little gimpily, to eat along with everyone else yesterday. I will give him one more shot, just to be sure, and then let him be.
The paint horse has been really ouchy these last few weeks. I found some aspirin paste for equines that is helping immensely and the feed store got some beet pulp in, which for some reason works wonders on this horse. It just seems counter-intuitive, because I have to keep him away from other high carb foods such as waiawi and grain, but hey, it works. I need to grow a lot of beets. Haven't had much luck with root development with the beets - I get a lot of beautiful leaves, but these sort of anemic-looking roots.
I definitely need to start new seedlings to replace the peppers and the tomatoes which seem to be reaching their peak and will presumably start to die back. I am still getting the timing down. Unfortunately, I have some hibiscus branches in a 5 gallon bucket so they will start roots - and a huge batch of mosquitos have hatched and are using my visit to the greenhouse each day as the source of food. I notice even the cat, who has loved the greenhouse since we built it, is avoiding the mosquito haven. I am getting itchy just thinking about it.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Bad Season for my Sheep
I found a 3 month old lamb dead this morning. I can't really figure out what killed him - unless the dogs scared him to death. He wasn't ill yesterday, and he didn't have scours like the ewe that died last week. So now we're down to 9 sheep. It's fairly depressing.
It's raining, which considering where I live is not surprising, but there is this wether to bury and the farrier is coming and there a few hard feelings simmering under the surface about that talk the family still hasn't had about job allocations now that the oldest has moved out and one of the adults is in-between careers and the other is starting a new stressful job.
On a brighter note, I had a very long phone conversation with one of my former co-workers but still one of my best friends. I am still interested in what is going on at my old school, especially since I talked them into a venture and then ditched, in a way, and Hilo being such a small town, she knows many of the teachers I am teaching with now. She is a wise woman, so it was good to talk to her and bounce ideas of her.
It was slightly depressing to go out after that and find Kehili dead, though. I have so many black sheep, I had to look at his head to figure out which sheep it was. I am glad it wasn't Niele - if I lost another ewe, I would be pretty upset. When I came back from the barn, the dogs were doing the cringe and grin thing, so I guess it was them. There wasn't a mark on him, so he must have died of fright. He is the one who was still sneaking under the fence to come out into the yard - it separated him from the flock and they must have chased him.
I hate having to bury animals in the rain. Since it rains probably 90% of the time here, I suppose I should be used to it, but it is still less than pleasant.
It's raining, which considering where I live is not surprising, but there is this wether to bury and the farrier is coming and there a few hard feelings simmering under the surface about that talk the family still hasn't had about job allocations now that the oldest has moved out and one of the adults is in-between careers and the other is starting a new stressful job.
On a brighter note, I had a very long phone conversation with one of my former co-workers but still one of my best friends. I am still interested in what is going on at my old school, especially since I talked them into a venture and then ditched, in a way, and Hilo being such a small town, she knows many of the teachers I am teaching with now. She is a wise woman, so it was good to talk to her and bounce ideas of her.
It was slightly depressing to go out after that and find Kehili dead, though. I have so many black sheep, I had to look at his head to figure out which sheep it was. I am glad it wasn't Niele - if I lost another ewe, I would be pretty upset. When I came back from the barn, the dogs were doing the cringe and grin thing, so I guess it was them. There wasn't a mark on him, so he must have died of fright. He is the one who was still sneaking under the fence to come out into the yard - it separated him from the flock and they must have chased him.
I hate having to bury animals in the rain. Since it rains probably 90% of the time here, I suppose I should be used to it, but it is still less than pleasant.
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