Dreaming of Spring Gardening in the Middle of a Wisconsin winter part 2

[jvls1942]

by now Barb is on her way to the party. hope you have a great time and aren't the one to whine.
i have been pretty lazy lately. i did get the light installed in the garage.
got the rest of the carrots dug. Annie is going to make a carrot cake.
Lisa. ask hubby if I should knock the oat cover crop down before the snow flies. i am not going to plow it under until spring.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Jim not sure what husband will say. Most years he cuts down the deer plot before the snow flies. It makes it easier to plow the following spring if all that vegetation is down, and somewhat broken down. Otherwise it can get wrapped up in the plow blades.

Pretty slow here. Not sure if I mentioned my mother in law passed on the 10th. Seems weird to have finalized everything in her life in a half of a month.

Trixie is 30 pounds now. She's a good pup, and I consider her house broken at this point.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Jim husband says it depends on why you planted the oats. A cover crop is best cut down here in the fall and plowed so it can break down, planted for the birds or wildlife leave until spring.

 

[Cebarmlds]

Trixie is 30 pounds now. She's a good pup, and I consider her house broken at this point.

View attachment 4242786

She's a doll is she teething? mine loved ice cubes and cold raw carrots

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She's a doll is she teething? mine loved ice cubes and cold raw carrots

She still has all her baby teeth. I keep checking. Looks goofy with those tiny teeth.

 

[Callender Girl]

Lisa, sorry to learn about your mother-in-law's passing. Even when you realize it's time for someone to go, it's hard to lose them.

My sister's Halloween party co-founder passed away last week, and his funeral was the same day as the party. Bobby was a musician, singer, dancer and a lifelong performer. We knew he would insist that the "show must go on," so we had the party like we knew he would have wanted. But, it was especially hard for my sister. They had concocted this idea for a community-wide party idea 20 years ago and only took a break during COVID.

When I left to go back home, I had 6 ducks. When I went to put them away last night, there were 5. I texted the pet sitter who said she was "pretty sure" all 6 were in their houses Saturday night. I am always CERTAIN to make sure everybody gets put away.

My runners can't fly and rarely break from the flock, unlike my silly chickens. I looked everywhere yesterday afternoon and went out again after dark with my night vision head lamp to search. I tried again with the head lamp this morning, although I didn't really expect to find her.

There is no trace of Drew, so it must have been a predator -- but what? A ground attacker or aerial (both hawks and bald eagles around here)? A red tail flew over yesterday, but I just got a hint of a more likely culprit.

I had not heard coyote singing for weeks. But, just a few minutes ago I heard a solo, then a second singer. I ran out, yelled and clapped to let them know that I'm home, and their party is over.

This is why it's hard for me to go places. I'm always worried that something will happen to my critters, and this time it has. Although it could have happened ever if I was here, I feel guilty that I wasn't here to protect her.

 

[jvls1942]

Barb, when you shout and clap with the coyotes' song do you keep time ?
that funeral was timed perfectly . makes it easy to remember. kind of poetic.
i didn't know puppies lost their baby teeth.
too cold out to do anything so Annie is cooking and baking. cowboy beans, sloppy joes, spaghetti, choc chip cookies, soup.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Barb I haven't gone on any vacations for decades because I can't leave my dogs, nor expect someone else to take care of all my critters. I'm hoping your duck shows back up. Both fox and coyote can take a bird without feather loss.

Sorry about the loss of your sisters friend.

Jim is that all for one meal or does Annie prep and freeze meals? I'm making chili bean soup today.

 

[Cebarmlds]

I found several of Gabi's baby teeth, mainly under the dining table. I saved them.

 

[Callender Girl]

I took my first Keeshond to puppy school to learn socialization skills. It seemed to be going well as she was happily playing with a Sheltie -- who soon had blood all over his white chest.

His person and I freaked out -- turned out he had lost a baby tooth while he and Holly were playing. Whew! I'm pretty sure you get expelled from puppy school if you actually wound your playmates.

Lisa, I rarely leave home for more than a few hours because of the critters. I have two people I really trust to take care of them, and neither was available for the weekend.

My two rescue dogs are un-boardable. Especially, George, who has separation issues, sometimes when I'm just outside. Or upstairs.

George roused me and Dinah again this morning when he heard a coyote at 1:30. Two nights in a row, and I'm already tired of this routine. I actually dreamt about foxes last night (I think that's a first!), but I'm blaming a coyote for Drew's disappearance.

And, no, Jim, I don't think I can keep time very well when I'm running through the dark like a lunatic, trying to sound as threatening as possible while also not falling and breaking any useful bones.

I am now, as I was the last time there was a predator attack, on edge all the time. Every outdoor sound -- and I'm keeping a window slightly open day and night -- unnerves me and I run outside.

I AM jealous of people who can go places and do things without having to obsess over their pets' safety. I will never be one of those folks.