Summer time

It is officially summer now and that means that we all get crazy busy.  I can't seem to get myself to all the places I want/need to be during the day.  I really am horrible at time management a good portion of the time. It is a good thing I can really crank stuff out if I need to.

So, where are we at?  The garden is a weedy jungle.  We've had a rough spring and my tomatoes aren't doing too well.  I must have something going on with something around here because my tomatoes outside and my avocado inside are doing the same thing.  Both have curling leaves that are not really growing.  They are still green though.  Not sure what is going on.  I haven't done any research yet so that will come later. One of the many things I need to get to.

Everything else seems to be doing all right.  I've been really bad about getting things in on time so I'm hoping I get a good crop.  At the very least potatoes and onions would be nice to have.  I know the rest I can get at the farmers' market if I really need to.

I have figured out a way to have our property bring in a little income.  I now have three yearling calves pastured here.  It isn't a ton of money but it will help pay for a bit of fencing here and there.  It is better than letting the pasture go to waste and it helps out my friends who own the calves.  It is nice too because I don't have to fork over $1500-$2500 per animal to have three animals on the place.  Beeves aren't cheap right now in this area.  Especially since last fall our area (just north of us) got hit with a freak early-season blizzard that killed a bunch of animals so there are several ranchers looking for replacement heifers (cows that haven't had a calf yet) this year.

Let's see, what else?  I lost a chicken to our new dog.  Dumb move on my part.  I am most bummed about the fact that it was my best layer and friendliest chicken.  We got a new kitten who is a holy terror.  He thinks he is Mr. Special and king of the place.

Our old dog, Buddy is on his downhill slide.  He has congenital heart failure.  It will be a very sad day when he goes.  He's been with us for 13 years.  The medicine the vet has him on seems to be helping him be more comfortable.  A week ago he wasn't fighting us at all about the meds and now we have a bit of fight.  This is good and bad.  Good because it means they are working, bad because we can't just stop giving them. Unfortunately the dog is smart enough to figure out that the extra treats contain the medicine.  We have had to resort to dissolving the pills in water and shooting them into his mouth with a syringe.  At least he gets most of them this way.  At this point it is just making him as comfortable as possible in his last while.  As far along as he is I'm kind of doubting he'll get to winter.  Who knows though?

Happier news:  The kids are doing well.  Bear is soon to turn six-years-old.  How in the heck?!  I know, I know.  Everyone tells you it will go fast but you don't really have any idea just how fast until you do it for yourself.  Both kids love books.  Bear is reading a lot and participating in our local library's summer reading program.  I'm trying to get the 4-H thing started with him too but I am horrible about getting that going.  Fair is frighteningly right around the corner.

Mia is doing her best to learn to read.  She has most of the letter sounds down and is starting to try to spell. She is also writing her name and most of her capital letters.  What a difference in kids.  Bear never cared about writing etc.  Still doesn't really.  Mia wants to read, write, and do math.  Her and Bear do simple addition math at the dinner table for fun.  Bear keeps trying to get her to go a lot past her abilities but that is probably why she is as good at all of this as she is.  Big brother is always pushing a little bit more and she wants to do everything he can do.  They both seem to love a good challenge.  I just try to encourage that.

Bear finally is napping.  Almost 6 and he still needs it.  Mia is pretty well over naps at 3.  That makes for a sad mom.  I love nap time.  I knew he needed one today when I was having to tell him everything 5 times and then having to yell to get him to actually hear and act.  He becomes a little zombie when he needs sleep.

I'd better take advantage of the peace and try to get the kitchen, pantry, and everything else ready to start processing food.  I have strawberries that need jammed.