I have clearly lost my mind. My self diagnosis is based on the fact that I am about to tear up the brick sidewalk I nearly killed myself building five years ago, to seed grass there instead and relocate the bricks along the flower bed retaining walls to eliminate having to trim grass with the trimmer. I can just run the tire of my mower over the brick. Bliss ! But it means working on my knees for most of the summer, there is over a 1000 bricks to move. ugh.... insanity I know.
My dog portrait gift to Rbts cousin was a big hit. I had a few separation issues but not as bad as with my other paintings. The furniture pieces are turning out well, I enjoy the challenges.
Man am I feeling old.
Red Neck Shakespeer
notes on a human condition
Splendor
June 9, 2014
February 17, 2014
Superman Syndrome
What is Superman Syndrome you ask. It's thinking you can fly faster than a speeding bullet.
How do I know about it, why I performed that move today while we were moving cow calf pairs out to the field. I stepped on what I thought was a frozen cow pie stuck to the ground but it wasn't, it tipped I lost my balance and manage to save myself from rally sideways by twisting in mid air to fall forwards instead, my left knee took the brunt of my considerable weight hitting the ground then my left elbow and right wrist next, it happened so fast I don't remember much other than the burst of pain, stars and lightening all at once but rob was watching from a distance and says I actually skidded about three feet in the wet slushy snow and Half thawed manure, ugh. I was nearly running at the time to head off a calf that was trying to turn back on me. The eye witness to my downfall says I actually flew through the air a bit with my arms stretched out in front of me. Ha ha ha superman.
My knee is about three times it's normal size and black and blue very stiff and sharp pains whenever I move the joint.
How do I know about it, why I performed that move today while we were moving cow calf pairs out to the field. I stepped on what I thought was a frozen cow pie stuck to the ground but it wasn't, it tipped I lost my balance and manage to save myself from rally sideways by twisting in mid air to fall forwards instead, my left knee took the brunt of my considerable weight hitting the ground then my left elbow and right wrist next, it happened so fast I don't remember much other than the burst of pain, stars and lightening all at once but rob was watching from a distance and says I actually skidded about three feet in the wet slushy snow and Half thawed manure, ugh. I was nearly running at the time to head off a calf that was trying to turn back on me. The eye witness to my downfall says I actually flew through the air a bit with my arms stretched out in front of me. Ha ha ha superman.
My knee is about three times it's normal size and black and blue very stiff and sharp pains whenever I move the joint.
Something weird is going on
Calving is happening fast an furious this year. Two fatalities so far but six sets of twins to make up the losses and then some. In the first two weeks of calving we've had 75 % of our cows freshen. For those of you with COW knowledge will know that's pretty damned good. For those of you who aren't, we'll, it's like your general contractor saying it will be another three months to finish building your dream home but he finishes in two, WOOOHOOOO !!!
The only flies in the ointment are the problem births, an 8 year old cow, who, as a first time mom years ago gave birth to a still born, she licked her baby and mooed at it but it never got up to suck. Every year she calves a healthy calf, licks it, mooes at it, but kicks it if it tries to nurse. Every year we have to hobble her so that she can not lift her foot to hurt the calf, this year she accepted the nursing in record time and is hobble Free after only 7 days. Yay 59R, you go girl !
Another old cow has had twins for the very first time but only wants the first calf born,the other calf might as well be afterbirth for all the attention she pays it. Robert has had to wage psychological
Warfare on her. Our biggest worry was the 130 lb. calf born to another 8 yr old cow, the biggest calf she's ever had. Our average birth weight is 97 lb. so he did a bit too much growing. In fact he got so big that he couldn't move in the cows uterus. For quite sometime we think, given how bent and stiff his legs are. He's weak and can't straighten his legs out enough to stand so we bottle feed him and give physio therapy, bending his joints and stretching them out straight. He doesn't like it, but we got him straddling a square bale of straw and he liked that. His morale got a big boost once he was able to sort of stand. Now, I am happy to announce he can get to his feet with his own effort and is nursing from his mommy. Thankfully she is a very quiet and gentle soul, we think she knows we are only trying to help, I love it when these things have happy endings for us all. I cry for days when we can't save them and I have to shoot one.
The weather here this week has turned nice which gives us a breather and a chance to catch up on bedding and sorting. Other than that, I have been working on a new painting sporadically and doing Rbts laundry, it's a messy time of year.
The only flies in the ointment are the problem births, an 8 year old cow, who, as a first time mom years ago gave birth to a still born, she licked her baby and mooed at it but it never got up to suck. Every year she calves a healthy calf, licks it, mooes at it, but kicks it if it tries to nurse. Every year we have to hobble her so that she can not lift her foot to hurt the calf, this year she accepted the nursing in record time and is hobble Free after only 7 days. Yay 59R, you go girl !
Another old cow has had twins for the very first time but only wants the first calf born,the other calf might as well be afterbirth for all the attention she pays it. Robert has had to wage psychological
Warfare on her. Our biggest worry was the 130 lb. calf born to another 8 yr old cow, the biggest calf she's ever had. Our average birth weight is 97 lb. so he did a bit too much growing. In fact he got so big that he couldn't move in the cows uterus. For quite sometime we think, given how bent and stiff his legs are. He's weak and can't straighten his legs out enough to stand so we bottle feed him and give physio therapy, bending his joints and stretching them out straight. He doesn't like it, but we got him straddling a square bale of straw and he liked that. His morale got a big boost once he was able to sort of stand. Now, I am happy to announce he can get to his feet with his own effort and is nursing from his mommy. Thankfully she is a very quiet and gentle soul, we think she knows we are only trying to help, I love it when these things have happy endings for us all. I cry for days when we can't save them and I have to shoot one.
The weather here this week has turned nice which gives us a breather and a chance to catch up on bedding and sorting. Other than that, I have been working on a new painting sporadically and doing Rbts laundry, it's a messy time of year.
January 12, 2014
Oh The Dread
Another calving season is soon to begin and I am filled with apprehension. I am not able to just let the whole stressful procedure roll off my back like I did when I was younger. Rbt tries to take on more of the work with the cows but he can't do it all and I worry about him having an accident when he is so tired. We will manage I know but the five years until he is ready to retire wont come soon enough for me.
December 13, 2013
The Problem With This Generation
The problem with this generation is we've spoiled them. Through easing our guilt at both parents having to work so the family can live like kings, we never spend any time with them, we felt guilty and bought them every little thing their heart desired. They had no chores, no responsibility, no drive to achieve anything because we did it all for them.
Now they are out in the big bad, mean old world and they can't survive ! REALLY !!!!!
They may be lucky enough to find a job, but they show up late, take too many sick days to go shopping or just lay in bed, ask for advances on their pay because they have no ability to manage their money and spend it at a faster rate than they can make it, their credit cards are maxed out and guess what, they can't pay their rent ! The next thing you know they're moving back in with mom and dad indefinitely. Don't let them !
Most young people today live in a dream world. When they leave home right after school, they think they are so much smarter than their parents. They're going to do things so much better than mom and dad did. There in lays the problem, they move out, age 19+ and expect to find an executive type job paying six digits a year, work only 12 hour weeks with full benefits and a generous pension plan that kicks in after only working two weeks. They want to own a 4000 sq ft house and drive a hummer and be able to take two or three, month long vacations to somewhere warm and beautiful. Basically they want what they think mom and dad have. Only it took mom and dad forty years to get the big house, nice car and vacations. And dad has worked for the same firm for thirty five years and still doesn't make a six figure salary.
Spoiled brats , that's what we have raised. They would rather move into mom and dads basement and go on EI rather than take a lesser paying job. Which leads me to the, "when I was your age" part of my rant.
But seriously, when I was their age I never had those options, you took any job just to pay the bills, and moving back home was never an option, mom and dad never had a basement I could move into.
Now they are out in the big bad, mean old world and they can't survive ! REALLY !!!!!
They may be lucky enough to find a job, but they show up late, take too many sick days to go shopping or just lay in bed, ask for advances on their pay because they have no ability to manage their money and spend it at a faster rate than they can make it, their credit cards are maxed out and guess what, they can't pay their rent ! The next thing you know they're moving back in with mom and dad indefinitely. Don't let them !
Most young people today live in a dream world. When they leave home right after school, they think they are so much smarter than their parents. They're going to do things so much better than mom and dad did. There in lays the problem, they move out, age 19+ and expect to find an executive type job paying six digits a year, work only 12 hour weeks with full benefits and a generous pension plan that kicks in after only working two weeks. They want to own a 4000 sq ft house and drive a hummer and be able to take two or three, month long vacations to somewhere warm and beautiful. Basically they want what they think mom and dad have. Only it took mom and dad forty years to get the big house, nice car and vacations. And dad has worked for the same firm for thirty five years and still doesn't make a six figure salary.
Spoiled brats , that's what we have raised. They would rather move into mom and dads basement and go on EI rather than take a lesser paying job. Which leads me to the, "when I was your age" part of my rant.
But seriously, when I was their age I never had those options, you took any job just to pay the bills, and moving back home was never an option, mom and dad never had a basement I could move into.
November 19, 2013
Sad Tidings
So here it is less than a month after being diagnosed with cancer Rbts brother is dead, the funeral is tomorrow, what would have been his 69 th birthday. These past few weeks have been eye opening in a lot of ways, many I am still processing. But one thing I have had confirmed beyond a doubt is that my man is the king of procrastination and denial.
I am being facetious when I say it is so much better to avoid any confrontation than to clear the air of negativity and be at peace. I used to think my family were F'd up we were always fighting amongst ourselves, but at least we were honest about it. You pissed me off by "borrowing" something of mine, I punch your lights out or tell your jealous boyfriend your out on a date. Ha ha ha, Oh i loved that one.It was healthy. In this moment I can't stand to look at you, but once I get the emotion off my chest by yelling, the air is clear, you know where I stand. It's not healthy keeping things bottled up. It's like a septic wound that rots you from the inside out. A cancer.
Stress has taken up residence in our house lately. Dealing with Toms dying, beef sales, custom wood orders that change daily, the crappy winter weather and a flare up of shingles, it has just been a joy.
I sincerely hope, selfishly, for sure, that life will return to some sort of normal next week. I yearn to sit in front of my easel again.
I am being facetious when I say it is so much better to avoid any confrontation than to clear the air of negativity and be at peace. I used to think my family were F'd up we were always fighting amongst ourselves, but at least we were honest about it. You pissed me off by "borrowing" something of mine, I punch your lights out or tell your jealous boyfriend your out on a date. Ha ha ha, Oh i loved that one.It was healthy. In this moment I can't stand to look at you, but once I get the emotion off my chest by yelling, the air is clear, you know where I stand. It's not healthy keeping things bottled up. It's like a septic wound that rots you from the inside out. A cancer.
Stress has taken up residence in our house lately. Dealing with Toms dying, beef sales, custom wood orders that change daily, the crappy winter weather and a flare up of shingles, it has just been a joy.
I sincerely hope, selfishly, for sure, that life will return to some sort of normal next week. I yearn to sit in front of my easel again.
October 28, 2013
Well, I like that
First snow fell yesterday, ugh. I don't even want to think about the next six months of misery coming our way weather wise.
Some interesting developments around here this month. Got a call from Rbts nephew, Rbts brother has just been diagnosed with Renal cancer. It is advanced and untreatable, so they have put him on morphine and give him only weeks to live. The man looks like he's dead already, totally emaciated. Fluid on his lungs from lung cancer, it is hard to believe he only just decided he needed to see a doctor two weeks ago. We haven't seen him since last Christmas, but you would think someone should have raised some hell a bit sooner. Perhaps they were all waiting for his loving wife to sound the alarm. Dead head that she is, she probably didn't notice anything wrong. The fact that he quit eating should have been a red flag. But since she gets her calories from a bottle she just honestly never noticed his not eating food. Her vow to bow out and leave the boys to handle their dads care and estate business without her interference lasted about as long as her last stretch on the wagon. How long can you hold your breath ? That's about how long she kept her word. Now she has brow beat and manipulated Tom into signing her as his soul decision maker about his health and care. God help him, he's going to need it with her in charge. She has proclaimed her dower rights to Toms home and land. So much for Toms last days being, quiet and peaceful. The boys have got a lawyer and will fight her right to getting their mothers legacy to them. The land has been in their mothers "Wedman" family for 120 years. Long enough for them to have mineral Rights to the property. No small thing in that area with oil and gas exploration. In her will their mother left them the land trusting Tom to make sure they got it,no one could have foreseen Toms meeting this other woman or his latching on to her like a drowning man to a life raft. Stormy days ahead. Meanwhile we have made an effort to bury the hatchet(preferably in Sues head) and went to visit Tom in hospital
, it was strained at best, thank god I took my iPad and could break the ice showing him my furniture and paintings. We haven't made it back for a second visit, Rbt is procrastinating.
Soon there won't be anymore excuses, it is just so sad that things have gotten this weird between brothers because of one loony toons woman that no one other than Tom can stand.
Some interesting developments around here this month. Got a call from Rbts nephew, Rbts brother has just been diagnosed with Renal cancer. It is advanced and untreatable, so they have put him on morphine and give him only weeks to live. The man looks like he's dead already, totally emaciated. Fluid on his lungs from lung cancer, it is hard to believe he only just decided he needed to see a doctor two weeks ago. We haven't seen him since last Christmas, but you would think someone should have raised some hell a bit sooner. Perhaps they were all waiting for his loving wife to sound the alarm. Dead head that she is, she probably didn't notice anything wrong. The fact that he quit eating should have been a red flag. But since she gets her calories from a bottle she just honestly never noticed his not eating food. Her vow to bow out and leave the boys to handle their dads care and estate business without her interference lasted about as long as her last stretch on the wagon. How long can you hold your breath ? That's about how long she kept her word. Now she has brow beat and manipulated Tom into signing her as his soul decision maker about his health and care. God help him, he's going to need it with her in charge. She has proclaimed her dower rights to Toms home and land. So much for Toms last days being, quiet and peaceful. The boys have got a lawyer and will fight her right to getting their mothers legacy to them. The land has been in their mothers "Wedman" family for 120 years. Long enough for them to have mineral Rights to the property. No small thing in that area with oil and gas exploration. In her will their mother left them the land trusting Tom to make sure they got it,no one could have foreseen Toms meeting this other woman or his latching on to her like a drowning man to a life raft. Stormy days ahead. Meanwhile we have made an effort to bury the hatchet(preferably in Sues head) and went to visit Tom in hospital
, it was strained at best, thank god I took my iPad and could break the ice showing him my furniture and paintings. We haven't made it back for a second visit, Rbt is procrastinating.
Soon there won't be anymore excuses, it is just so sad that things have gotten this weird between brothers because of one loony toons woman that no one other than Tom can stand.
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