Winter has set in here, just mud instead of snow. And it keeps getting deeper with rain and warming (40sF) temps. Supposed to get cold for about a week, maybe freeze the ground!! Perhaps I can get further out in the hay field to spread used bedding. Got the tractor stuck today. Filled the tire lugs with sloppy mud, had to get husband to pull me out wih the other tractor. This was on a “high” side of the field! Water is running off, just that there is so much of it!
Not much driving happening, too wet, and now sloppy snowy, icy roads so passing cars throw wet “stuff” as they pass. Horses are feeling pretty lively, brisk days do that! Got tails shortened so there should be no ice and mud balls from dragging across the mucky ground.
Got a bunch of bridles cleaned, greased, need to reassemble so it all gets back to the barn. The Old Man’s heavy blanket is ready for morning turnout of 10F. Big change in weather tonite, dropping from 29F that was “cold” the last few weeks! He has been wearing his rain sheet on wet days, just for a windbreaker. Then the lighter insulated blanket today, which he had fun rolling in so it looks as filthy as the rain sheet. Now jumping to heavy with low Temps and wind for most of the week. The others seem fine without covers, poofy mostly except for mud spots from rolling. The metal curry comb is getting a workout each night breaking dried mud when they come in!
They will get extra hay to keep warm with, they like that. We seem alright in the hay department, still have all the 2nd cutting on the wagons under cover in the hoop barn. Plus most of 1st still stacked in the barn. Have not fed as much as usual with the warmer temps, they were not cleaning it up.
Sold some hay at the hay auction, for the good price of $7.50 for small bales, probably 45#. Auction guy said “green sells” and he was right! Other prices ranged from $3 to $9 on small squares. Auction does not specify types of hay in their weekly sales listing. Ours was all grass hay. Gives us space to start unloading wagons so we can park tractors and trucks under cover again.
I got my eyes fixed which has limited my lifting to 25#s, so not any help stacking. Soon though! Amazing how much vision change fixing cataracts makes! Still have to get a new final glasses prescription in a couple weeks with my final checkup. The Dollar Tree readers are just not cutting it, but the $1.25 price was right! Ha ha
Tack sales starting, so I am getting stuff around for that. Prices will be low on most things to move them on faster. Hope to get all the stuff into the little truck, it will be crowded!
Weather has been a concern, with stuff canceled because of conditions. Police saying “Stay Home!” Planned to attend the MSU Polo game last night, driving club board meeting today, but both were canceled for safety. Working on sewing repairs and crafty stuff, never get finished with those projects, though the piles are smaller!
More and less snow around the State, though often less than predicted…so far. We have about 5 inches, wet heavy stuff with an icy top. We have a predicted total of 10-14 inches by Monday. Boot cleats are ready by the back door if needed. We can manage, just hoping ground freezes before we get the insulating snow layer. We had plenty of time to prepare, got gas and diesel, milk, snack stuff, dog and cat food. Freezers are full. Thursday actually was my regular shopping day! So now it is sit back and see what we get.
Hope all of you are doing well in your local conditions.
