Hard-workin’ farmers do get to go to town and have fun every now and then, right?
After mucking about with the walnuts, tending the livestock, feeding the new kitties, Blind Hog and Acorn headed to the Big City to see David Sedaris, live and in person. 3 Words? “It was awesome!” Acorn picked up a copy of his latest book, “A Carnival of Snackery” and had him sign it. He did so while asking questions “Did you grow up on a farm? Have you ever eaten horse?”
Even snagged a pint at a local micro-brewery beforehand. Like a real “date night!”
Acorn has future outings planned that involve new theatrical releases… Dune, The French Dispatch…
A section of piss-poor fencing got replaced. Always fencing work to be done.
Rain has been falling, 6.07″ for the month so far! Hot damn and pass them cookies!
Wood stove is prepped for the upcoming season- flue pipe cleaned, stove vacuumed out, glass windows washed. Blind Hog rolled in a couple loads of firewood and Acorn will lay the first logs.
Blind Hog could talk for a whole show about how much he loves that Hearthstone wood stove- Acorn is surprised he passed up the opportunity. Must be because of that tooth extraction he had the other day…
39F at the farm this morning. Livestock are all fine, barn kitties hanging in there. The calico who disappeared the first day has been sighted. her name is now “Nessie,” because, you know..
Nessie is on the right
Wild Hell Kitties
Steer misses his heifer pals
yet MORE English muffins
napping in the sunny spot
David Sedaris is coming to Springfield next week. Blind Hog and Acorn snagged free tickets, which BTW, were gone in 10 minutes. Even Badger nabbed herself a pair! Springfield Library must have got a grant or something to bring him here… Show has been delayed/rescheduled 3x due to the pandemic. Fingers crossed that the stars will stay in alignment for Thursday night. The venue is small and he will stay at his signing table until the cows come home.
Has it truly just been a week since Blind Hog and Acorn went to the art museum? Sheesh!
Since then, the eight felines have arrived on the farm. Kittens and cats in three barns. Grow kitties grow, and take care of the rodents!
Blind Hog has been clipping fields, splitting firewood. Even hoisted Acorn up in the front-end loader to assist in harvesting the oyster mushroom bonanza that appears along the driveway.
Rain has fallen, an inch so far. Will take all that falls! Rain may help distract the three calves being weaned. Was a loud couple of nights, but they are already getting better.
Goat boys will get new goat girls tomorrow. Spreading that love around…
After a busy week of YET MORE FARM CHORES, Blind Hog and Acorn picked up the Badger in Springfield fora 2 hr drive to Arkansas- destination? The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art! Their 10th birthday retrospective with “collections” as the theme- was very well done.
After looking at arts, lunch had to be ‘et… Blind Hog, Acorn and the Badger had a great table while awaiting the day’s special- prime rib sliders with gouda and chef-made horseradish mayo… And maybe a pint as well to wash it all down with…
Blind Hog took down three large dead trees that were on the side of the hill along the driveway. They are all chunked into 6′ lengths for him to cut further and split. Mr Woodchuck keeps chucking that wood! Blind Hog tried out the hot tub after the repair guy did his magic and lo! It still relaxes after 15 years!
Acorn has been at the grounds with her string trimmer as her shoulders can attest. She is also working on continuing education credits for her super secret project- a new business she hopes will be ready to go live at the first of the year.
The delivery of the eight new barn cats/kittens has been delayed till next week. Just in case you have been wondering…
Lots of loose ends getting done around the farm- hot tub was repaired, drained and cleaned. Purple martin gourds removed and put away for the winter. Corner fence post reset and fence wire affixed. Hay feeders are now in the yard awaiting new tarp covers which Acorn will make out of used billboard fabric.
Hay feeders needing attention
Power cord in conduit now…
Empty watermelon “shells”
Blind Hog fired up the burn pile then later he and Acorn also mounted the 10 yr old gas grill onto a nice, smooth, level platform. Nor more wobbly grill! Acorn gave it a good cleaning and new sear plates are on their way- will have it cooking like new!
Some of many…
Barn kitties are also forthcoming next week- friend Judy wanted to do a steep reduction in her numbers- we are taking 4 teens and a momma with 3 kittens. They will be divided between three barns. Looking forward to “rodent control” make no mistake!
Acorn has begun new classes online for healthcare professionals- she desires to start her own “thing,” more about that will be disclosed later on. She did however go ahead and secure a catchy web domain while thinking “If you build it, they will come…”
Sourdough
Sourdough English muffins
Full Monty breakfast…
Finally from the SteelMeadow Kitchen- Homemade English Muffins are easy! Do not be intimidated! While you are baking bread, cut off a couple 3 oz blobs of dough to rise. “Dry fry” on an ungreased iron skillet for 7-8 min on “medium/350F”, then flip for another couple minutes. DO NOT EAT until the next day- trust Acorn on this- you need to wait for the steam to escape and the muffin to be dry…
Ahh yes, the agony of the late summer swarm. NOW Acorn knows where the bees came from when she saw them in the bee tree behind the mailbox a few weeks ago… Oh well, it happens.
Blind Hog has had good luck with the tractors- Mahindra had a minor issue but neighbor Fred found the shorted out wire off the starter. Massey Fergus in running like a champ with the new carburetor.
Goats are moved back in with the cows, fields ready for Fall rains. Garden is cycling around and the geese have been granted “yard privileges…” They just LOVE hanging out with Blind Hog and Acorn… Seriously- they are like right there whenever outdoor chores are going on. Who knew geese would be so curious?
Acorn made up a new batch of sourdough starter from her own apples but since that was not ready, she opted for spelt pancakes. No milk? Why, use cocoa mix for chocolate waffles. 11/10- highly recommend.
Texas was a blast- good food (Ribs! Chicken soup!), fun at the Bucky’s carwash… And MORE!
Acorn is getting ready to get on a plane, again, and go visit her Mum and Rumi in Houston. Blind Hog and Sam once again will mind the conn.
Heifers like ther shorter pasture
Goat girls on the move
The past week has been full of the usual chores- laundry, gardening, canning and mowing. Blind Hog clipped the “south field” so the goats can see where they are- not too fond of venturing into a field with grass above their heads!
Goat breeding is on schedule- looking forward to the kids next year.
Inspired by the Big Boy…
Combustion flare
A delightful week- very “uneventful” which is fine for the two farmers. OK, so maybe just a little more “train trivia” will be discussed…
Phew! Whatta week! Acorn returned back from a fun weekend in Florida with Dad and Joyce- hot winds, cool pool and much relaxation for a tired farmer. She had to jog between terminals to catch a connecting flight but hey- she and her luggage both made it!
One day to ‘catch up” on chores, (namely- replacing the carburetor on the Massey Ferguson 35), and then a whole day spent behind the wheel- driving 3 hrs to Arkansas to see the Big Boy locomotive in action for a 45 min stop. Blind Hog and Acorn left after 30 minutes of train pictures, videos, etc and drove an hour north to a little crossroad town along the tracks. Set up, took a video of the train blasting through, then back in the car. 6 miles up the road to Poplar Bluff where the locomotive was to spend the night. After almost 2 hrs of standing in line for a spot on a shuttle bus, they made it to the rail-yard for 20 minutes of yet more pictures and videos.
Finally, it was time to leave and head back to the farm- a 2.5 hr drive. Bona fide railfans, Acorn cannot wait to chase the locomotive again.
Yes- Acorn is leaving for the weekend for family visit- boarding pass in one hand and a negative ‘rona test result in the other. Blind Hog and Sam will take care of things, and stay out of trouble… Hopefully. Blind Hog promised no tree felling or lumberjacking.
Past week has been spent cleaning house, tidying up, cooking-canning-baking. Garden and yard are groomed, livestock moved to new grazing. Should be easy sailing for the lads. Why does it seem there is so much work to get a house in shape before even just one person goes on a trip? Acorn felt like Gayle Waters-Waters…
Images from the Facebook Big-Boy fan page… Ed the engineer…
Big Boy in KC
Puffing through Oklahoma…
When Acorn returns, the farmers will try to “catch the train” and be “railfans” for an afternoon. The largest steam engine in the world, UP #4014 aka “Big Boy,” is passing by within a 2.5 hr drive of the farm. Acorn is beyond excited. Catch the schedule here:
