Status Update

My dad is 84 and his body is wearing out. His systems just keep letting him down. Currently he is home and my mom and I are taking care of him, which is his wishes. Hospice is supposed to be contacting us soon. This is a difficult time, but so rewarding too. Mark has recently arrived to help and it is great having his brawn and my dad was able to sit up for about 30 minutes on his favorite couch. I don't have internet at the house and only get away for short times. Right now I am having a great cup of coffee at a Starbucks, but soon I need to return to my childhood home. To compound the situation, my mom has dementia. Till next time.

The Plague of Flies

Our house keeps filling up with flies. It is bizarre. And we had a six legged calf born. Look it up on google, apparently it isn't as odd as you would think and is just a weird genetic glitch. It is called conjoined or parasitic twins and happens because the twins don't separate properly. While many six legged calves live, ours had to be put down because she couldn't breathe when she stood up. (the extra legs were attached to her spine near her shoulders.) It was hard. She was a cute little thing, with a sweet temperment and innocence. We also had a cow lose a newborn in birth. All in the same day. Big Bummer. So we went this morning and got a couple little Holstein bull calves from a dairy to try to put on the mamas who lost their little ones. These are called drop calves, and the dairies don't have any use for them. This is our first attempt at this, and so far, it doesn't look like it will work. We tried all the tricks that all the 'cattle folk' gave us, (tieing on the dead calves tail, using vicks on the cows nose, etc) but the only nursing that has taken place has been when the mama cow is in the chute. But folks told us it could take awhile, so time will tell. Otherwise, Johanna is excited at the prospect of having a couple little ones to bottle feed, and she is now in charge of the cattle, because I have to leave again. While I was in Las Vegas, my dad was hospitalized. He has since been discharged, but today things took a turn for the worse, and I have to go down there and help them. I don't know how long I will be gone. So, it could be a while before we have another post. Until then, enjoy your days.

While I Was Away

Mark apparently enjoyed a lovely sunset. ( Photos found on his camera)



And fed some cows.
And wrote some poems. Here's one:

In the silence
There is no quiet
I hear your smile
I feel your laughter
The ache of your fears
The peace of our love.

(ahhh)

and he cut and delivered many loads of firewood!

Now a steady rain falls outside and I hope to get caught up on a few things that didn't get done while I was away. Like bills. UGH.

Las Vegas Baby

I've been away visiting my grandson in Las Vegas and while the Mark of this blog was home on the ranch, he didn't have any time to update our blog. He is behind in firewood deliveries and we have already gotten our first 4 inches of rain, so he has some unhappy customers.

My grandson is wonderful and I loved Vegas this time. I never once visited a casino, but spent my days enjoying my 'baby', my daughter and taking evening walks with their adorable dog Bella. I also got to help organize and rearrange my daughter's new Kindergarten room. I once taught preschool, so I loved being back in a classroom and felt useful.

Now I am heading home. I turned on my computer for the first time (can you believe it) to do my flight check in and thought I should do a quick update.

Here is the view from my window here in Vegas. Snowy mountains in the background that house a ski resort. A ski resort in Vegas? Who knew.

Once I get home, I should be back on my normal every day online status. I look forward to visiting all the blogs I have missed while I was away.