A Hodge Podge of Things

Last time I went to use the speedlight for my camera, I realized I forgot to take the batteries out, and they had corroded and ruined the light.  I don’t use it very often, but when I do, I really do need it.

Last week I replaced it. Because I have a photo shoot coming up.  I’m excited. (Hopefully, I’ll get to share the results.) Here’s a hint of what I might be doing with it.

I have started a new knitting project.  It’s a pullover raglan sweater.  We’ll see how this goes.

Of course, I have my usual knitting help.

Bob

Bob’s health continues to fail.  The other day, he literally slept in the same spot for about twelve hours. He seems to be getting a little unsteady when I set him down from my lap.  I can’t keep him in the house where he belongs because he hates everyone in here.

coming back to the house from a potty run

When it was nicer last week, he got into another fight with Tux.  It won’t be long because I can’t keep him in constant pain and miserable.

Tux did have a little scratch on his nose from the fight, but he was the clear winner.

In happier news, I am thrilled to say the Christmas cactus is blooming.

It’s got several more blossoms that are going to open soon.

Herbie decided to try out the open shelf on the plant stand.  He looks like another cute little statue.  Unfortunately, it gives him pretty good access to nibble on the plant next to him.

Herbie the Love Bug

I still haven’t repotted the plants because the only potting soil I could find was outside and frozen solid.  I’ll just wait until they get more in for the spring.

Since this seems to be a post that is all about cats, Tux has accepted the full-time position of Eden Hills barn cat.

His preferred sleeping spot it clear up on top of the hay.

It will be his job to help keep rodents away.

Finally, it seems like every weekend I’m making some sort of seitan (vegetarian meat substitute made with vital wheat gluten).

Last weekend it was bacon.  Up next is turkey.

Flower Osboer

I originally made this post on March 19th.  Then my appointment with the vet didn’t get written down, so it was rescheduled, and the backhoe burned, so I had no way to bury her. So she had to wait until there was a new backhoe, but the warmer weather meant she started to do better.  Then I gave her an obscene amount of copper and babied her, and then she did well.  But this fall has been hard on all of my old goats.  And she was pale and weak and it wasn’t fair to even think about asking her to do another winter.  I was also afraid she was going to get down and not be able to get up.  So I made another appointment with the vet.  And this time, we really said good-bye.

Flower Osboer 23 May 2010 – 17 Oct 2022

Original Post: Flower is the last of my Goliath babies.  It seems like I have so many lasts and good-byes with my old herd.

She has struggled with the copper, and this winter was especially challenging with her poor fur quality and the cold.  It’s a horrible irony that I managed to baby her through the winter, but she’s just so tired.  She is frail.  And it doesn’t seem fair to make her keep going.

Flower

She was always funny and willing to get dressed up, even when the wardrobe made things a bit challenging.

We said good-bye yesterday afternoon.  She is back with her twin brother, Bud.

I will miss her.

My Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Week

I know I said I was going to focus on the positive, but this has really been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week.  It started on Monday.  I had my doctor’s appointments.  Other than having to wear dark sunglasses, my eye appointment and mammogram were fine.

Glad I had my mom to drive me home

I also saw the podiatrist.  My assessment going into the appointment was that I’m a hot mess from the top of the ankle to the tip of the toes on both feet.  And, basically, I was right. And at some point I evidently chipped a bone in my left ankle. The right one is just full of spurs and arthritis. Fun times!  It’s looking more like a surgery is in my future to clean out that ankle with the arthritis and spurs.

Tuesday is when I discovered Bambi had passed.

Those ears!

Wednesday morning, I left for work and ended up having a deer commit suicide by jumping into my car.  Honestly, I am feeling really lucky that it wasn’t worse than it was.  The car runs, and other than a headlight gone and the door only half opening, it’s functional.  It will get fixed next month.

Deer damage

When I got home that afternoon, I discovered that Flower has bottle jaw.  Her eye membranes are pure white.

Flower (taken on Friday; she does look a little better)

Thursday, Freddie tried to kill me–multiple times.  He will get sold rather than wethered.  I have a policy of not keeping goats who try to kill me.

Freddie

Astra was also acting sick.  She had no appetite and seemed really cold, but I couldn’t find anything wrong with her otherwise.

Astra–she seemed fine the next day.

And Friday…the streak broke.  Thank goatness.