Journey to farmlife

This is the tree in the big paddock that blew over in the wild weather. The cows are eating the vines that were growing on the tree.

25/05/2009

What a lot of water we have had these few days. We received one years’ water in three days to be precise. The dams are at last around 73% and the drought is officially broken. Another bout of heavy rain and many flash floods added to the mix. Allot of surrounding suburbs are under water and have major insurance claims to lodge no doubt. Those that are lucky enough to have insurance cover. We have been safe through it all which I am very grateful for. A few branches were broken off around the house in the gale force winds but nothing close to the house thankfully. The new duck pond overflowed and the top dams is at its brink. The ground has absorbed so much water it is spongy and soft. Even to walk on is difficult as you seem to sink almost as if it were sinking sand. During the cyclonic weather pattern many houses lost electricity. At one stage ours dimmed but never went out. It wasn’t very pleasant to hear the new reports of the devastation around us. The Premier declared Queensland a state of emergency due to the damage done. I understand more and more why the weather in Australia is regarded as extreme. Mother natures’ wrath is released in full fury at these times.

The ducks have refused to swim in the pond for some unknown reason. I declare I have never heard about ducks which do not want to swim in water. I have thought about this scenario time and time again. I had tried to entice them with bread and finally resorted to throwing them into the middle only to find them frantically fly out again. Me thinks there might just be an anaconda down in the water that the ducks know about and are afraid of. Jokes aside, what on earth could they be afraid of? It’s just water for goodness sake. It’s really strange.

The goats have sulked around and definitely do not enjoy all the wet. Johnny eventually cleared out a spot for them in the little shed we had in their enclosed paddock so they could take refuge there. The first day the rain fell, I kept them inside their enclosures where they sleep. This was one big mistake. I will not do that again. I declare goats are the smelliest animal I’ve met. The urine is excessively strong and nothing you laid down absorbs the smell. I’ve been thinking about all my animals and have come to the following conclusion. The chooks are the cleanest, the goats are the smelliest, and the ducks and cows are the messiest. Oh boy, nothing like overcast days to make one think strange thoughts! None the less, I approached the aid of my local stock supply store in the hope there was a product out there that could help take the urine smell away. I was given aglime but the gentlemen behind the counter could not guarantee it would work. What to do! I was desperate what can I say. I grabbed the aglime and headed home. Reading the information on the side I noticed it said it was used to improve soil. It didn’t say anything about smell! It didn’t work and Saturday morning Johnny mucked out all the woodcutting's which were holding the urine. He hosed down the area and the smells got much better. I’m sure as the sun dried everything out it will go back to what it was before all the rain. I’m not putting wood shaving back in their enclosures again. Johnny says pallet to take them off the floor would be better and to allow the urine to flow down to the drain and out of the enclosures is better. Well, that is the idea anyway – hopefully it works. Saturday the rain came on and off throughout the day. Johnny was attacking the trees above the garage and got quite a lot pruned. The lounge is still in progress however I’m happy to report that my curtains are finally up. They look wonderful. The painting of the lounge is about 95% done. We just have the final touches to the skirting boards to do. We planned to do some tiling to finish off the slate this weekend too but as usual the time runs away with us. Sunday, I at long last planted my orange tree with much deliberation from Johnny about where it was to be placed. The soil is waterlogged and it probably wasn’t the best time to be planting fruit trees but my impatient nature got the better of me. It’s in the ground and that is good in my book. I pasted a lazy Sunday, reading and doing my puzzle which once again, probably should have been spending the time painting or tiling or something constructive. I was lacking zeal though. Yup, reading was definitely a better choice.

Today the sun is shinning and busy drying everything out which is great. The pup is lying on my lap as I type here. Nothing likes Mom’s lap. He is stretched out and comfortable. It brings back sweet memories of when the children were mere babies. They used to fit comfortably on our laps and sleep peacefully. Gee, those days seem like a million years ago and yet it wasn’t so long ago. Time has passed. I’ve made so many adjustments and changes to my life since then. Who would have thought life’s’ highway would have landed me here on a farm on Australian soil? Spending a few moments looking back isn’t bad. It makes you grateful for all of the experience. Life has been stressful, busy, happy, sad, joyful but mostly very exciting. I’m grateful for it all and believe it has shaped me into the person I am. Well, before I got sidetracked there I was telling you that Spot was going for his next injection today and micro chipping so probably won’t be too happy later on. I figured a bit of spoiling now was in order.

Last night Jonathan managed to stroke the stray cat (now christened socks) and even managed to pick him up to pet. He was quite comfortable and we were surprised. I was extremely concerned that he may scratch Jonathan and warned my son of such. The moment Jonathan put him down; he darted out the door like a lightening bolt. He is definitely coming around though. Who would have though this could have been achieved? He probably thought okay that’s enough human touch for one night!

I suppose you could say I’ve started another fruit tree if you one of those people who think Avocado are fruit. I stabbed the pips with toothpicks and suspended them over a bowl with some water. I placed them on the window sill to get some sun which hopefully stays out longer the next few days and weeks. If I can wait patiently I will see some roots growing soon and the humble pips will land up producing many wonderfully avo’s in the distant future. I had great plans to plant pumpkins and tomatoes awhile back. I will get to that soon. I need the planting bug to bite and I’ll be on my way. I’m afraid I’m not there yet!

The fireplace was in full use over the weekend of course. We have discovered that you have to chop the wood into wedges for it too really take off and burn. Yes, this is an awful job and one left to the mighty men in my life. Can you imagine me with….. What’s that thing called - a wood chopper???? Oh no, that is just sad. Ah, now I remember, it is called an axe. Well I was saying that the fire needs to taste the inside of the log. It seems to burn easier. Perhaps it’s drier there and that is the reason. I’m not too clued up with this process (you can tell I didn’t become a scout) but I have faith that I will learn. To enjoy the pleasure of an evening in front of a fire one must endure the pains of preparation. Such is life.