So, last thing I knew it was June- then the heat came and time went
fast-forward to August... Criminy... August?? Already???
On the farm we have been busy, but then we look around and wonder just what has been accomplished. It has been in the
90's, dry and miserable for weeks now. July brought only 2.5 inches of rain
and the fields are looking like toast. Animals are cranky, bees are cranky, we are starting to get cranky... Oh,
that's right, we are always cranky!
Savannah has been enjoying her "Social Summer" with her many
activities. Summer school, MSU band camp, church youth camping retreat, mission trip to Kansas City; she is in DC now
on her pilgrimage with the diocese youth and when she returns has a week of band camp at her high school with classes resuming
the following week.
We have been working on different things on the farm- putting up plums (dried, canned and plum
sauce), peaches and blackberries. Tomatoes are beginning to come in. Bambi has been working hard in the garden-
no okra, bean or squash for us this year. Don't even mention "melons" or I will cry... She has twins
and is hanging around- we are pretty much coyote free - so she is becoming quite tolerant when we drive up and down the road.
A limb fell on the fence between us and a neighbor, two of our Texas bucks went over and we have yet to catch them
back. Butch and Sundance are hanging around, but have outwitted us at every turn.
Thick woods and dense brush does not help, but we put the does in the adjoining field to keep them close by and that at least is working... I hope to find them this morning with the does as we laid a section of fence
down. Just hope the does did not cross over with the bad boys!
Our dream trip to California is planned
with tickets purchased and hotel reservations made. Sequoia National Forest, Yosemite, Salinas/Steinbeck Center and
finally Monterey and the aquarium. The way time has been flying by, it will be here in no time! I cannot wait
to go. Our first family vacation in 5 years!
Have calves to wean and halter break, bees to rob of honey, chores to be done.
Taking a red heifer to the Missouri Dexter Breeders Show and Sale at the end of the month. We are soaking our clothes
daily with sweat (bee suits are like saunas) and fall into bed like tired pups. Summer will be over soon but what we really need is rain rain rain. THAT will make or break our Fall. "Rain in August brings honey and wine" but also sets up the stage for a good Fall grazing period.
Keep cool and make sure the pantry
is full, hay is in the barn and the woodpile is growing! Winter will be here soon and it seems like extreme summer heat
brings extreme winter cold, and vice-versa...
-Mary Jane
