It looks nicer outside today than it really is. Not that I've checked it out for myself - Glen informed me of the nippy temperatures when he came in from feeding Charlie (the latest in a long line of bottle-fed calves). I guess it is almost November, we should be thankful that we don't have snow yet.
I spent yesterday afternoon (the morning was too frosty and cold) outside finishing up what yard work needed to be done. At last the potatos have all been dug and carried in, as well as the last six feet of the carrot row. I'll finish cleaning out the cold room downstairs and get Glen to haul all the heavy bags down when he gets home from work tonight. I've also got the tarps we used to cover the tomatoes during the early frosts all folded and ready to be put away. I tried to get the tiller to start so I could put that away, but it outweighs me by quite a lot - it won that round. I'll leave that job for the he-man of the family.
Last weekend we brought all the cattle in and ran them through the chutes. They all had to be sprayed with a de-louser (we do it every fall - it saves them a lot of misery through the winter) and the calves had to have their innoculations. The girls were home from university to help so the whole operation went pretty smoothly, but it still took the whole day. It just so happened that we had tickets to the annual health foundation fundraiser that night and we were even done in time to take in the meal and dinner theatre - although, after all that fresh air and exercise, it would have been pretty easy to doze off after the meal. Glen has arranged that we will be boarding another 40 cows and 40 feeders through this winter, so when they arrive we'll have to treat them all too. I don't know that there are enough hours in the day to get all the work done, but Glen seems to think we can do it. I'm going to have to sit him down and try to explain the concept of semi-retirement to him again. He's just not getting it.
He is talking about maybe spending a day or two in the states pricing out vehicles. My car is ready for a trade and he wants to see for himself all the pros and cons of buying with Canadian dollars on the other side of the border. For sure you have to look at more than just the price tag, but at first glance the savings on some vehicles are substantial. I just think it will be a great way to have a short holiday away and maybe I can get some Christmas shopping done as well.
With Glen off to work again today, I have plans to get some baking done, some house cleaning, and maybe a last few things done outside. I've already warned him that I plan to invite myself along with my sisters and their husbands to take in a fowl supper tonight. I love the community feel of a fowl supper (and the food is great too) and Glen really would rather have a plate of stew at home - so be it - we'll each get what we want.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
TAKING A DAY
There is always so much to do! Thank goodness I'm home today trying to catch up on the house neglect of the past two weeks. I think I could use a whole week to get it all done.
Life here has been dis-jointed this past few weeks. My sister's husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor in early August and regretfully told there was nothing anyone could do - it had gone too far before the warning signs had presented themselves. They told him that he had from two weeks to two months to live, and they were almost right on with the prediction. They spent the time wisely putting everything in Margaret's name and doing their best to prepare for the future. There were even three weeks in August, after the doctors managed to find the right mix of medication for pain, that were good to them. But then the inevitable happened and he started going downhill again with nothing to stop the disease's progress. Over the past three weeks since John was admitted into palliative care, we sisters have tried to be with Margaret as much as possible - all taking turns to spread out the visits as much as possible. I've driven to the other side of the province twice (1400 kms round trip) and we will be heading out there tomorrow morning EARLY to be in Coleville for a 3:00 o'clock funeral.
My sister Wendy left to be with Margaret immediately after the call that John was gone to be there to help her with the final preparations for the funeral, and we'll all spend the night after the funeral together for some family time. Margaret is so lucky to be living in Coleville. The people there have been beyond fantastic in their support - giving both financially and emotionally - throughout this terrible time. When I was up there for my first visit I mentioned this to one of Margaret's friends and she said that any small town would have done the same, and maybe they would, but I still say that the people of Coleville are special.
All my fall work around this place has been pretty much put on hold. My potatoes have not been dug, the lawn mowers are not put away (mostly because the big drive-in door to the Quonset was broken and wouldn't open) and the house looks like it was abandonned to a man for eight days, all tolled, over the past two weeks. Before I knew that we weren't leaving until tomorrow morning I had taken today off and was not even tempted to change it when the plans changed. So far I've done four loads of laundry, made a big pot of soup, sorted through the ripe tomatoes, cleaned out the porch and washed its floor, and plan to tackle the outside jobs right after I sign off here. The sun is shining, the temperature is balmy - for October - and I feel like I might even catch up someday.
Life here has been dis-jointed this past few weeks. My sister's husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor in early August and regretfully told there was nothing anyone could do - it had gone too far before the warning signs had presented themselves. They told him that he had from two weeks to two months to live, and they were almost right on with the prediction. They spent the time wisely putting everything in Margaret's name and doing their best to prepare for the future. There were even three weeks in August, after the doctors managed to find the right mix of medication for pain, that were good to them. But then the inevitable happened and he started going downhill again with nothing to stop the disease's progress. Over the past three weeks since John was admitted into palliative care, we sisters have tried to be with Margaret as much as possible - all taking turns to spread out the visits as much as possible. I've driven to the other side of the province twice (1400 kms round trip) and we will be heading out there tomorrow morning EARLY to be in Coleville for a 3:00 o'clock funeral.
My sister Wendy left to be with Margaret immediately after the call that John was gone to be there to help her with the final preparations for the funeral, and we'll all spend the night after the funeral together for some family time. Margaret is so lucky to be living in Coleville. The people there have been beyond fantastic in their support - giving both financially and emotionally - throughout this terrible time. When I was up there for my first visit I mentioned this to one of Margaret's friends and she said that any small town would have done the same, and maybe they would, but I still say that the people of Coleville are special.
All my fall work around this place has been pretty much put on hold. My potatoes have not been dug, the lawn mowers are not put away (mostly because the big drive-in door to the Quonset was broken and wouldn't open) and the house looks like it was abandonned to a man for eight days, all tolled, over the past two weeks. Before I knew that we weren't leaving until tomorrow morning I had taken today off and was not even tempted to change it when the plans changed. So far I've done four loads of laundry, made a big pot of soup, sorted through the ripe tomatoes, cleaned out the porch and washed its floor, and plan to tackle the outside jobs right after I sign off here. The sun is shining, the temperature is balmy - for October - and I feel like I might even catch up someday.
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