Month: February 2015

A Roll Of The Hay

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For a couple of months, when the grass is stockpiled and not growing, we feed hay.  It helps the pastures and nourishes the herd.  Brent rolls the very super heavy hay bale out then calls the cows through.

Over the years, I have collected photos of Brent rolling out the hay bales.  Usually, I have Z on my hip, but lately, I just take photos and leave him to it.

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” You could help, you know,” he asks sweetly.  Yes, I should help, but you pushing a hay bale is some good photage.  And you don’t really need help.

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Your shoulders get a good work out.  Your delts bulge.DSC_2188

You get all grassy.

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Even in the snowy

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The herd loves you for this work.  And your body loves you as well.

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Happy Birthday to you, Brent.

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Hay rolling is almost over.  Z is older.  and I’ll stop taking photos to lend a hand.

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Mismatched Gumboots

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The other day or was it yesterday it all seems so long ago, Minty took photos of Z in mismatched socks.  I won’t go into socks … I could go on and on.  It would be therapy for me and boring to you.  Thankfully, here in Southwest France, socks aren’t needed through Spring, Summer and most of Autumn.

Today, little Z was running around in mismatched gumboots.  They call them “gumboots” in Australia.  In England, they have more than eleven words for “gumboots.”  I don’t know what they call them in America.  I grew up in Southern California.  No socks and no what-ever-you-call-thems.  Yes, yes, I lived in Seattle where it rains everyday except for that week in July, but there aren’t many puddles.  And John Fluevog didn’t make rain gear.

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Thankfully the golden puppies of love chewed the opposite boots.  One pink left and one red right.  Not the same size.  Not the same color, but the kids LOVE splashing in muddy puddles.

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Otto and Minty collected a tin of four-leaf clovers.  Brent seeded a few paddocks with clover.  It seems we have our fair share of the four-leaf variety.  Lucky us!  Lucky cows!

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Minty Photos

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Our middle child likes to borrow the camera.  I’ve lost one camera, expensive, by child and it was more my fault than theirs.  Parents, don’t place your camera ON something attractive to a child ( e.g. camera placed on child’s drawing ).  When children borrow the camera, there are some rules.  The big rule being, keep the strap around your neck.  Minty has followed the rules and had the opportunity to take some great photos.  Her last batch was lovely.

Today the sun was shining and the animals were playful.  Otto set up a “lemonaide stand.”  His prices were reduced because France is on sale right now.  Sales end next week, I think.  We live away from the village and away from the road, but he still brought in a profit.  He has loyal customers.

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Minty grabbed a shot of Z.  It goes like this: the head, the body, the mismatched socks:DSC_9939

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MInty chose these photos.  She takes many photos and picks her favs.  I’m not sure what she saw in the photo below, but for me it is a reminder of things the kids construct with things around the farm.  They do this a lot and their piece remains for months … sometimes.DSC_9935

No Gnews

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Is good Gnews. What a shitty week. I wake up and wait for the boring and ordinary. No Gnews, thank you.

So we shall watch what is happening now.  Otto ordered flint and steel to make fire.  Amazing nine … wait TEN – year-old fun.  Minecraft inspired, no doubt.

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Always exciting to see the ice pour out of the hose knowing that the water shall flow.  Oh yes, it goes, the water.

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Casualty of play caught just after the snow melted.  She was a sweet toy, but too much for the Goldens to control themselves.  Decapitated.

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It’s vacation now and the girls dusted off the tap shoes.  I walked the dog.  Knocked my toe and got back to chugging a rhythm.  Great fun.  Z is a natural tap dancer.  Might stick her on a corner in Auch with a hat.  She’s that good.IMG_1624

The books came out as well.  Poor bored children.  Having to read books to pass the day away.

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Gnews ref:

The Internet Is Not So Awesome

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When it’s gone. We’ve managed to use the cell phone to get by.

But to use a cell phone in this old house you must step outside. In thé cold. So i use my Woods selectively with out correction of french auto correct.

Curée tôt trying to set-up a local “hot spot ” and a warm spot ( for me ). The cell phone works well In thé -2 C outside. Great hot spot. Terrible warm spot.

Cows are great. Beef is good. If you need us, use cell phone or email. If we are short with you, it’s because words become more precious when you are freezing your star off writing them.