more on moosey babe

Here is the video I took of the moose calf we encountered on our road. It shows how slippery the ice really is. And she was clearly getting quite annoyed with us. I wish I had thought to turn off the heater, which is blasting away.

I've been vacillating about posting this because about 10 hours later I went back to find that she had died. Something must have happened to her Mom for her to be alone like that and the baby could not survive without her. I know that nature can seem so cruel sometimes, but I'm glad I got to meet that little girl... even for a few minutes.

moosey babe

8:00 on Saturday morning, this little girl was in the middle of our road (there's that squiggly sign in the background, indicating our driveway is just ahead). She seems to be separated from her Mom for some reason and did not want to move out of the way.

My Grandfather

I've added another blog to my profile.... my grandfather.

last cries of winter

This is Sue's little dog, Sprocket. He came out to see us as we were collecting wood. He's not too crazy about the sub zero temperatures.

The other day Tom called to say he was plowing out the guy who lives in the valley below us. Had to use the telephoto lense to get this pic.... can you see him down there?

We drove down to check how he was doing. If you look directly above the snow blade at the bare patch just above the trees (way off in the distance) you can see our house.

Here's a more zoomed in shot.

When the job was all done (some 6 1/2 hours later.... long driveway), there were horses and a donkey by the house. Funny looking guy, this.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch.... Cleo's looking for where Xena buried that bone.

Kermit's just hangin' around.

Xena asks "does this ice field make my ass look fat?"

The greenhouse will soon be visible again from behind the mountain of snow piled up in front.

Look what has popped up in the lettuce patch (inside the greenhouse, of course). What a thrill.

Also.... check out Art's blog for other stories and pics.

And, lastly, to change the subject.... I recently was in Victoria and brought home a family heirloom. These were amongst my Mom's belongings and I remember her loaning them to me to wear at Art's and my wedding. I didn't pay attention at the time, as she told me who they had belonged to, but all these years later I found them again. My auntie Roberta was able to tell me that they are from my great grandmother Barriskell. Such a treasure!

take a drive to our house

For those who have never been here, I thought I'd show you the lovely drive up our driveway. For those that have been here, but not seen it in winter, enjoy the snowy view....

Starting at the "squiggly" sign on Savory Road, enter our driveway at the bottom gate and travel uphill 1 km. Don't mind the cracked windshield... those are common in these parts. The tall "cross" at the second gate is not a cross, but a weather station and flag pole.



And then, just for fun, let's go back down again....

Here's what it looked like at our house today

a visit to the cathouse

There have been a few trips to the veterinarian over the past few weeks, the latest being Xena for a gash she got on her leg.  I don't know how it happened, but it did require about 6 stitches.  Once again, she was a brave girl and let the vet do what she had to do.  In return, she got the BEST treats.  Here she is at home, resting after her ordeal.  The black on her forearm are the stitches.

The Burns Lake Vet Clinic is a wonderful place.  As well as offering the best care to all variety of animals they also have a rescue shelter for cats.  Over the few years we've been here we have taken home 5 cats from here.

During the summer, a second  shelter was built and Art generously volunteered his skills as an Electrician to install a light and outlet for a heater.  With the days getting shorter and colder, these are becoming essentials.

While Art was working away, I visited the residents of the other shelter.  There were maybe a total of 10 or 12.  As much fun as it is to go in and play with all those kittens, it is pure torture to leave.  Who can resist these darlings?!

The drive home along Savory Road.  I do love Autumn.

don't eat pig poo

I wouldn't need to tell you that, right?  But it seems that Xena finds it to be a yummy treat.  I don't know about dogs sometimes.

Yesterday we decided to formally introduce the dogs to the pigs.  They've been just dying of curiosity for two weeks now and there's been a lot of whining and nose licking through the bars.  So Xena went first.

 

Once face-to-face she was a little bit nervous.

.... especially when one started chewing on the end of her tail.

So, then it was Cleo's turn.

Both were very good girls.

Today, we let them in the pen sans leashes.  While Cleo made a bee-line for the food trough, Xena found some lovely chewy nuggets.  MMMMmmmmm.

piggies (part 3)... and other stuff

Turns out that pigs like to play.  Did you know that?  So, we gave them a soccer ball. They love it!

Civil Servants ?  No one's servants and rarely civil....

Xena seemed to be worried about me being inside the skid steer. As soon as I opened the door, she jumped in and sat on me.

piggies (part 2)

After keeping the new piglets inside for the first day, it was time to let them explore their outside pen. 

I love this one. It looks like the pigs are giggling and whispering to each other before going over to check out the dogs .... who are DYING of curiosity about these newcomers.

This is how they sleep. Can you see them under the hay?

The pigs and chickens discover each other.

good friends and new piggies (part 1)

Earlier in the summer, RT & Rhoda came to visit and of course their dog Tommy. Tommy and our Xena are "in looooovvvve".

 When they leave, Xena truly seems depressed.

But then Mike and Bubba came to stay while, with their dogs Rusty and Maya. Doggy heaven was restored. Their timing was pretty good because we were just getting ready to bring home two new piglets and needed to build a pen to put them in. Their help was very appreciated.