Summer Time

Bear Lake Mini Mini Vacay

 After the bale on the tractor day and many days of irrigating in the heat, Boyd decided we needed to get away from the farm.

 So, where did we decide to go?  Right to the source of all our irrigation water to sit in the sun.

 Make sense to anyone? 

 It actually was really fun.

 The weather was cool and just a bit windy.

 Windy enough to make waves that were fun to bounce in and try not to drown.

 We went out and floated around in water that hit just under our chins.  Boyd had his snorkel and swam around under water and even did handstands.  Yep, you heard that right.  Boyd did handstands under water.

 We watched jet skis and sailboats.

 Speed boats and a black lab down the shore.

 We decided not to let everyone else have all the fun on the toys, so we rented paddle boards.  They were a challenge in the waves, but we managed to master the skill.  That's me on the green board in my bikini with my totally tan body.  Boyd is in front of me on the red board leading the way.

 Me engana que eu gosto!!!

Another Gorgeous Sunset

The Bale Bailed

The same day we finished hauling hay, the guy buying it showed up to start hauling it to his place.  They completed two loads on Tuesday night and he was back Wednesday morning by 7:00 a.m. for the rest.

Things were going along fine until one bale decided to just bail right off the top and fall back on to the tractor.  

It bounced off the hood of the tractor and smashed the exhaust pipe.  The pipe was pushed in to the window of the tractor.  The bale fell off and didn't even break.

The best news is that the only physical damage to Boyd ended up being some scratches and minor cuts on his arm from the shattering glass.  Luckily he was wearing sunglasses.  He ended up with glass all in his clothes and down his hip boots.

 He had to spend hours vacuuming glass out of all the nooks and crannies of the tractor.

 He ordered a new window, exhaust pipe, light and a few other items.  And, most importantly, he will increase the height of the stop on the fork.
I told my friend who works at a hospital about this mishap and she told me that the hospital actually has a code just for hay bale injuries.  Sadly, it happens so frequently that is has its' own special code.

2nd Crop 2014

 We hauled 2nd crop Monday night and Tuesday morning in to early afternoon.

 The weather was bearable Monday night.

 Clouds...

 A bit of a breeze...

 The sun going down cooled things off.

 The next morning we were at it again.

 And by the time we hauled all the bales off the South Farm it was HOT.

 Good news is that the hay is producing well and we have managed to get two crops off without rain.

 Somehow one bale lost a string and it got caught over the hood of the 2-ton.

 And got stuck in the windshield wiper. 

And this would be my view when I drove the tractor home from the farm.  I volunteer to drive it home because it beats driving the truck loaded with hay and the tractor is air-conditioned.

Apricot Leather

 The apricots are ripe and ready for picking.  I managed to get some before the racoons and the birds.

 I made some leather.  It is my favorite!   I remember my mom making it when I was young and she would complain that we ate it all before she had time to stow it away for later. 

 She used screens and cookie sheets and set it out in the sun.  I remember her covering it with saran wrap to keep the bugs out. 

My way is much easier.  Just pour it on to trays, set the timer on the dehydrator and forget about it!

Shade for the Dogs

 The cats get to live in a house.  The goats get to have a log cabin of sorts with a brand new roof.

 And, the dogs... the dogs only get a tent. Not even a tent really.  More like a canopy.  And the one they had was wearing out and finally ripped apart in the wind storm last week.

 So, Saturday morning we tackled the project.  We took off the old tarp and pulled off all the broken strings.

 This time we used baling twine to make the supports.

 It was plenty hot!  Buddy found shade under the tailgate of the truck.

 There you have it!  A new covering.  Even though it is just a tent, it keeps the sun off their backs and the snow mostly out of their houses.

 I found PLENTY of baling twine. 

It even serves to provide a bit more shade for the goats.

Lots of Sunshine

 It's been plenty hot around here.

 Sometime the evenings cool down and then sometimes they don't.

 Sometimes it is in the high 70's when I do my morning chores.

 Sometimes, it is still sooooo hot when I walk at night.

But, I would still rather have the hot sun with days full of sunlight than the short dark days of winter.