Tuesday, July 15, 2008

It's that time again

Oh, how I love the feeling of knowing I've got a barn full of hay. But, as good as that feels, it equally sucks when I realize my hay supply is rapidly dwindling, only two bales remain, and it's time to go get more. Why the big deal? Well, for one thing, it's expensive. But the bigger issue is that I am terribly allergic to hay. The whole moving about of 25 to 30 bales of hay is not a pleasurable experience for me. Sneezing, itchy eyes, red welts covering my body....not a great thing for a chick who fancies herself a farm girl, eh?

Fortunately, I had a TON (get it?) of help yesterday. Two strong sons, one son's mighty girlfriend, and one powerful husband were all standing by to assist.

Aidan, my youngest, went with me to pick it up from our hay supplier:

Dale, the local dairy farmer (aka my hay supplier), put him right to work:



Dale is kind enough to loan us his big diesel truck for the transport of my hay. This is no small thing as hay delivery charges start at about $60.00 (Thank you, Dale!). It's funny driving this thing home when it's this heavily loaded:

Back at my barn, everyone pitched in to unload the 1 ton under the barn eaves. With all those able hands, we were done in 22 minutes!:

The donks kept offering to assist but couldn't figure out why I wouldn't open the gate for them:

When Aidan and I got back to the dairy farm to return the truck, Dale offered to teach me how to give animal injections. Cool! Having six donkeys in my care, this is a skill I really need to have:

Apparently, some of Dale's calves have a nasty case of pink-eye and needed penicillin injections:

Here's my back:

I knelt in something reeeeeally nasty, too. That may be a small spot, but boy, did it have a potent stench:

I was trying really hard to have a steady hand, but it got a bit intense when the calf decided it was time to get up and I still had the 3 1/2" needle in his neck:

Aidan loved coming here. He couldn't stop laughing at what strong suction the calves had when they sucked on his fingers:

They were much happier when he gave them a bottle instead:

Sweet little calf face:

Did I mention how happy it makes me to be fully stocked up with hay?:

Oh, and I really like flowers, too:

9 comments:

  1. Yep, we got hay on the same day. I too rushed home and took my clothes off to get rid of the itch. But it does feel wonderful to have a good supply of hay. A farmgirl never rests.
    Love the video of you giving the shot. Makes me feel like I now know you:)
    And I loves flowers too!

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  2. Danni, check out This Goat's Life post Ode to Hay. If I knew how to link it I would but I think you know the blog I'm talking about.
    We got hay from the same place.

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  3. That was a full day! I bet you are learning stuff daily with all these new experiences. I love those drumstick alliums. Mine are blooming and the honeybees are all over them!

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  4. Wow! You are really learning all sorts of valuable stuff. That video was great. And the expression on Aiden's face when he was feeding the calf was wonderful.

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  5. Now I see where your sons get their curly hair!

    Way to go on medicating those sweet calves.

    Having a barn full of hay reminds me of a full tank of fuel . . . sort of! Especially with today's price for diesel.

    Beautiful flowers, hmmmm. . . drumstick alliums, I'll have to remember that one.

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  6. I love hay. Straw. The whole dried grass family of products.

    Anyway, I wanted to tell you that we had a freaky egg yesterday. No shell. Just a sack of egg stuff. I think it was the first for the White Rock, Dottie. Kinda, well, disgusting, actually. She didn't even bother to drop it in the box-- just on the floor in the poop.

    I see you're in the witness protection program, too. "Here's a picture of the top of my head. Here's my back. Oh, here's a MOVIE of my back!"

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  7. Hi goatgirl - yeah, I remember the first time you posted a picture of yourself on your blog, I was so thrilled to finally see the face of the voice I love to read! :-)

    Hi NW Nature Nut - Drumstick Alliums....I kept trying to remember that name but I couldn't. You'd think I wouldn't forget that one - my son is a drummer!

    Hi farmer jen - Yes, it was a very busy and learning-filled day. Aidan made me take him back to the dairy farm the next day so his buddy, Chris, could experience it!

    Hi california grammy - sigh, yes, this is what happens to my head if I just let my hair air-dry after a shower. Poor Aidan, he was cursed with a mom and dad who BOTH have curly hair. He has been trying to straighten it for years; now he's just going for the dread-head look. lol

    Hi rian...witness protection program....FUNNY!! And safe, don't you think? You and I could literally bump into each other on the street and I wouldn't have a clue that you're the guy who grows the funny squash. :-)

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  8. Wow Danni!! Great job!!!
    (Where the hell have I been!!!) You are a great nurse...your donks will be in good hands!
    Love the flowers too!

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  9. Wow. That was impressive. I think I would have to work up to that. You are very brave. Was it easier, you think, on a cow you didnt really know as opposed to a donk that you love a whole bunch?

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