Dusting off my blog

I'm not one to skip blogging for long, but remember, I am babysitting four days a week.  It isn't that I don't have time, it's just that I'm all wrapped up in Cora's cuteness.  I do try to make a daily entry in her private blog, which today consisted of two videos.  

The son-in-law came by tonight to tell us that he knows someone who is paying a ridiculous price for grass-fed beef (he thought maybe $6 a pound, but wasn't sure).  He thought maybe we might want to sell some of the grass-fed beef in our two freezers.  You bet your life we do, although I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I charged someone $6 a pound.  If we connect, and if it works out, we might find a use for George, the steer, next spring... right here at home.  

Chickens:  I haven't mentioned the chickens in awhile, but they are still laying.  I got them so early in the year that I really expected them to stop laying eggs before now (for the winter), but they are all working.  I still turn them out each evening for a couple of hours. 

Cows:  I need to get out there and take a picture of my herd (count 'em, four head).  They're doing well.  All three females are coming in heat every twenty or twenty-one days, and George-the-steer is eating like crazy so that somebody can have grass-fed, hormone-free beef next year that won't cost them $6 a pound.  One heifer, Gracie, would be the perfect age to breed in January.  The youngest, Penny, won't be the ideal age to breed until May.  Right now our plans (if they don't all die before then) are to purchase a bull in March:  One heifer will be past the ideal age, one will be just right, and one will be a little young but will probably do OK bred early.  Ideally we'd get a young Jersey bull, but if we have to, we'll settle for an Angus.  It's a shame we can't just rent a bull, but nobody does that these days.  Artificial insemination is out of the question, since the guy I tried before works a full-time job, so the timing is never right unless the cows come in heat on weekends.  Besides, he really doesn't like making a trip for just one cow at a time.  

I was afraid Cliff wouldn't keep up his daily walks after I stopped, but he's still going strong.  Iris and Mamma Kitty try to keep him honest.  So far I haven't gained weight as a result of not being able to go for my daily walk.  

Our son, his wife, and our granddaughter are coming for Thanksgiving, so I'm going to do my best to make it a traditional celebration.  

Over and out.