PH started a new job over an hour away. We will miss having him home so early every day. It was very useful to be so close to home, and to have the perks of his last position. We don't have that now, but thankfully his last employer provide an excellent severance package, plus gave him the company truck, trailer, storage shed, lots of scrap metal, lumber, an engine hoist (we plan to use this during butchering) and lots of other useful bits.
We received 150 bales of hay and are trying to find the time to get them into the barn. We are expecting rain today, so we lost that battle for now. We will have to use a tarp to cover the hay, though we are thankful for the rain.
We lost the meat chickens we were raising to "something". It killed all except one chick. Thankfully, we have had two hens laying consistently this summer, and have been able to add to our flock.
The current issue now is that we have a mountain lion in our neighborhood that is killing livestock. So far in the past two weeks, four calves have been killed, a family dog, and two horses were attacked though escaped. We are keeping a watch on the livestock, have guns handy, and are not going out after dark at the moment.
We will be canning this weekend, plus attending our favorite barter. Can't wait.
Bees are doing great. They have survived our hot summer. I have had to feed them between honey flows. Currently, the mesquite are doing great and the girls are loaded down with pollen. I have had to replace the hive on it's uprights twice (stupid cow). She keeps knocking it over. We need to fence it in apart from her. I thought it was in an isolated location, but Molly intentionally goes to the hive. The first time I got stung three times. I was fine at first, but the next day I was sick and was sick for a week. Apparently, I am allergic (like my grandmother) and will be getting an Epi-pen, just in case.
The second time, I was smart enough to put my suit/veil on before picking up the hive. The girls are usually very calm, but not when they get knocked over.
I have checked the hive and am discouraged to see that not all the frames are filled. I thought after so long they would all be filled. I am worried about them making through the winter. I will continue to feed and watch them. They are laying, I can see brood and the Queen is still energetic. I'll try and remember to take pictures. I have a way to take pictures and upload online now, so that is good.
Getting worried about the economy and the State of our Country even more. It's irritating my kids that I am so protective, but I really would feel better about them staying out of crowded areas until my 18 yo PD#1 is able to get her CHL. She is a knife girl, but I'll feel a little better when she has a handgun on her 24/7.
Well, off to get the homestead buckled down before the storm hits..
PD#1 cupcakes from her 18th birthday
