Gauging the level of impatience through the fireplace vent....

When we put in the fireplace we put in extra venting to divert some heat up to the upstairs(it really only gets cold enough to use it a few weeks a year - still Hawaii, even if at altitude).  It is a great sound conductor.  I use it on Sunday mornings to judge when I have to stop reading blogs or books and get up and be productive.

Today, I got up at 6:56, woke up our 18 year old who had four minutes to get to work.  She really ought to stop relying on me as the alarm clock....

That kind of tipped my hand, that I am really up and not sleeping the sleep of the exhausted teacher.  It's been an hour and 15 minutes and I have been visiting  Homestead ...... From Scratch,  Lemonade Adventure, and   From Beyond My Kitchen Window .  All my other blogs have been private, mostly classroom blogs, and I am enjoying reading other people's blogs and hearing about other small farmer's experiences.  It is a little daunting to put out my first public blog...so it is nice to see "company".  


I am hoping the farrier will come today.  Ohia's feet are awful, awful, awful.  This mud isn't helping.  I have been feeding him a supplement with probiotics and biotin, but he is still so sore.  If putting shoes on doesn't help (he's been barefoot), I really will have to think about putting him down.  So very sad. 


I am really going to have to break down and realize that I do not have the time or the facilities to train my warm blood mare.  She is really willing, but slightly kolohe (naughty) - meaning she will try something once, but when you tell her, "No!" firmly enough she desists.  I need a round pen, though.  I can't train her in the pasture like I did Ohia.  He is a paint and very calm, kind, and willing.  She is huge, pushy, although basically a good girl.  Now I have to find the money and the trainer to put 30 days on her.  


Well, I do need to get up and start cleaning the stall, washing the mud from the horses' legs, just in case the farrier comes (well, I would have to do those things anyway - daily jobs - but I have to keep them in for him and make sure their fed before he gets here).  


Other than that, today will be weeding the garden, mulching the citrus trees, and baking day.  I am planning on making whole wheat bagels, English muffins, and probably blueberry muffins....possibly hamburger buns.  Oh, darn, I just remembered 16 year old has a Math League meet at Hilo High.  Shucks. Another 100 mile driving day.  I long for days I can just stay home and do the things I need to do around here.