From Guinea House to Green House

Since my brief foray into guinea keeping ended so abruptly and definitively, I no longer had any need for a guinea house.  I finally decided that it was time for plan B (to be accurate, in my world that would be plan 964,997 - B2.  But who's counting?).

I bought some greenhouse plastic from FarmTek and set about turning my make-shift guinea coop into a make-shift greenhouse instead.

This was a pretty simple, inexpensive project (if you skip the whole guinea fiasco portion, which I highly recommend).  I didn't keep track and I used a lot of leftovers from other projects, but I think this entire structure could be built for well under $150.  It could easily be made longer by adding more panels.  Each panel costs about $25 and the plastic is sold by the foot.  Although, if I was setting out to build a hoop house, I'd probably buy PVC pipe instead. 

Then again, the welded wire panels do make for a much sturdier structure than PVC and, given the wind I get here.....hmmm, maybe I wouldn't do PVC up here on Hell-Wind Hill.  The greenhouse might end up in the pond.  Those of you who live in more civilized climes might consider it.

I've still got to figure out if it should have a vent in the back here and it still needs some more work on the front.  However, yesterday, on a cold, bleak, grey November day when all the world has once again fallen prey to blood-lust and violence, I went out and planted spinach, lettuce and corn salad.  Because what else does one do?

Prowlers

Meet the Authors

A friend was over this weekend, actually she was Tanner and Scout's original mom.  We have kept in touch all these years and we still know where all the pups from that litter are.  They have all stayed with their original families and have had the kind lives that all dogs dream of.  It is really a remarkable thing.

While here, she snapped this shot of me and the donkeys.  Tessa was busy doing horse things and missed the photo shoot.  I thought I'd share it here as there are very few photos that include me.  And check out how tall Ramsey has gotten!  I hadn't noticed until I saw it here, but I think he has gained another inch.  I will have to get out the tape measure.

The Night Crew

Gone to the Dogs

Someone keeps nagging me for more puppy pictures, especially of Bess.  Maybe this will quiet the whining for a few days.  Or hours.  Minutes anyway, at least.

Gone fish'n.  I wonder...is this what you'd call a dry fly?

The Great White vs. Killer Whale?  Polar Bear vs. Orca?  Or is that a Wicked Tuna?  FB has a fondness for them.

These two are still best buds, although Bess is now double Connor's weight.  He still goes over to FB's while I am at work and they play and play and play....

and play, and play.....and play.

Connor is the fittest dog I have ever seen.  If you can get him to hold still long enough to pet him (and that's a big IF), you will feel that he is nothing but hard muscle and whipcord.  He eats 4-5 cups of food a day, plus some extras, and there is not a spare ounce on him. Between hiking with me, helping on the farm and playing with Bess, he must cover at least 30 miles a day - all at warp speed.

Bess has her crazy moments, but they are just that, moments.  The rest of the time she is very calm and sweet. 

She is proving to be an outstanding Livestock Guardian.  She has a very quiet, natural way with the sheep, who do not feel at all threatened by her.  She LOVES the sheep and is extremely dedicated to protecting them and the rest of the farm from marauding predators.

Bess is a great example of good genetics and a well rounded up-bringing.  Her way with the livestock and her guarding instinct are bred in the bone and come from generations of careful selection.  Her generally affable nature has been nurtured by abundant socialization and unlimited love.  The combination has made for a very sweet, hug-able, lovable guard dog who is endlessly gentle with people, dogs or livestock, but would tear a coyote apart. 

So many people think that LGD's should never be handled and they usually grow up as semi-feral dogs who are very difficult to handle.  Many of them are just outright dangerous to have around.  Bess blows that whole ridiculous notion of not handling your LGD right out of the water.

Personally, I believe that the whole concept is based on a faulty premise - that animals are not capable of recognizing the need to vary behavior based on circumstance and need.  Every animal I've ever known has been capable of making that distinction.  If they don't, it is always because of human interference.

Since I don't want to be accused of favoritism, I mustn't leave out the poor middle child.

Kelsey is not having the best of weeks as she was spayed on Thursday.  Kelsey is 6 1/2 and spaying is always harder on older dogs.  She has never had puppies and it has not been a big deal keeping it that way, but the vet insists it is better for her.  Maybe yes, maybe no.

Either way, it is done and, hopefully, Kelsey will be back to her normal, crazy, sweet self in a few days.

And....a couple of pictures of the old man....

.....just because.

Trick or Treaters

I am sorry to have disappeared on you.  It's been a rough week and the next one doesn't look to be any better.  I will try to do better, but things are likely to remain erratic for a while yet.  All this leaving in the dark and getting home in the dark is proving to be hard on the brain cells.  And everything else.

Working nights has some serious drawbacks, but at least i get to see the sun each day.  Trying to hike in the dark is interesting.  Good thing I have a guide dog to keep me on the trail.

As usual, Emma and Ramsey do their best to cheer me up.  Last weekend, they decided that a bit of trick or treating was in order and showed up in costume.

Can you figure out what they decided to be?

Yup, a two-headed donkey.

Very scary.

They were looking for handouts of course....

....and they weren't gonna take no for an answer.

Fingers would do if that was all there was to be had.

You gotta watch those trick or treaters...

Especially the two-headed donkey kind.

You Think Daylight Savings is Bad?

There is much chaos in my job lately and, for the first time in 12 years, I am working days instead of nights.  That little hour of ridiculousness that we call Daylight Savings Time is nothing compared to a wholesale swapping of night and day.  I was up at 5 am this morning and home at 5pm and hardly saw the sun at all. 

I am finding it hard to string words together.  Actually, I am finding it hard to blog at all right now because I am turned inside out and my head is so full of noise. 

So, how about a chocolate fix instead.  At least the donkeys are getting to enjoy the beautiful weather that I am missing down in the salt mines.