Karbon Kounty Moos

I’ve been setting a live trap every night the last week or so. Every morning it has been tripped and tipped over, but I haven’t caught the raiders. They’ve been wreaking havoc with the bird feeders. Seconds after letting the dogs out this morning, the raucous lawn party began. By the time I made it to the front yard they were attacking and rolling the cage. The big tom wasn’t thrilled with the new turn of events. Ty had a collar that I was able to grab. He was put on the porch. Lucky wasn’t wearing her collar, I had taken it off last night while scratching her neck. The old girl was having so much fun I couldn’t get anywhere near her. Somehow, I caught Sugar. I was making a lot more noise than any of the animals. I’m not sure why I bother, no one pays any attention to me. Finally, I got Lucky on the porch, too. There was a stick involved.

For the fun part I donned a pair of leather gloves. The trap is so mangled I couldn’t get the door to stay open. Tom was very vocal in his displeasure. I was holding the door open for him, but he didn’t trust me. What a surprise. He insisted on facing the back of the cage. I had to hold the cage door open and get him turned around. The third time was a charm.

Ahh - it’s been a week from Hades, following at least a year from there. I’m now at the “ribs are aching from coughing fits” stage. I’m still kicking, not very high though.

In the spirit of Furry Friday here’s Sugar:

She’s looking a little “hangdog”, isn’t she? She didn’t enjoy the cold hose bath that we just had. I caught her rolling in horse manure. This was right after Lucky vomited on the carpet before I could get her out the door. . .

Last night I was driving the Kawasaki Mule and was smacked in the nose by a bee. Or some other hard bodied insect with a stinger. It hurt as soon as it hit me. I was afraid that I’d look like Karl Malden. I did have a beer and benadryl cocktail when I got home.

Then there was Tuesday’s “computer desk incident”. I had manhandled it across the rooms to the front door. Lynn and I got it out and into my pickup. When I delivered it - no one was home. I maneuvered it over one side of the truck and the tailgate. As I climbed out, it gracefully slid to the ground - in three pieces. Sorry, Maneta. I guess that it served us well, though. Later that day, one of the 35 pound boxes of soybean oil (don’t ask) in the bed of the pickup fell on its side and leaked all over.

I’m hoping for a slow Saturday.

I started sneezing on Sunday. Waking with a wicked sore throat on Monday, I called the doctor’s office. They were able to squeeze me in that morning.

As I turned off the highway, a pickup in front of me did too - without using a turn signal. As the brown pickup left the road for the grass, I came to a stop - wondering what was wrong. Then it returned to the road, and crossed the bridge. I stayed far behind it. I noticed the cowboy behind the wheel and the County 29 plates. I thought that he must be lost - or looking for an address. He turned right - again without signaling. I sighed as I turned behind him - I was already signaling to go the same way. He proceeded down the street at about 5 miles an hour. I kept my distance. In front of the clinic, he turned left (no indicator light - what a surprise). They utilize angle parking, but he drove up over the sidewalk and on the lawn. I signaled and waited until he backed up off the lawn. He parked over the sidewalk. I pulled in and parked, giving him a very wide berth.

As I walked around the front of my car, he struggled to get out of his pickup. I asked him, “Are you all right?” He said, “I can’t see out of my left eye”. What can you possibly say to that? I walked into the clinic and stood at the receptionist’s desk as I signed a form. The cowboy came in and stood next to me. I said, “You know, I followed you from the highway, and you turned three times without using your signals. I stayed way behind you because I didn’t know what you were doing or where you were going”. He said, “I didn’t know what I was doing either. I’m having a bad day”.

As we sat in the waiting room he seemed restless and fidgety. He kept picking up magazines and putting them back down. He looked over at me and I asked him again if he was okay. I know, we’re at the doctor’s, but I asked any way. He just repeated that he was having a bad day. He was called into an examing room before me.

I saw the doctor - he still thinks that it’s allergies. Maybe so, but I now have a cold on top of that. I commented to him about the “cowboy having a bad day”. I said that I didn’t think he should be behind the wheel. I thanked the doctor and the receptionist and left.

I noticed the red plastic first - scattered like poppy petals in the street next to my car.

Son of a . . .

I went back in the office and asked them to call the police. Once at the back of the car I saw the extent of the damage. The tail light was broken and the rear of the car was smashed. I called my insurance company as I waited for an officer to come to take the report.

even when you’re not having fun. . .

I started blogging two years ago. Because of this place - “Karbon Kounty” -
I have had the pleasure of getting to know some wonderful people. Many in real life.

Thanks to all of you who have helped make this an interesting ride.

I found another photo of Allan sharing with the dogs. I took it just over a year ago. Now I share most of my meals with the three of them. If I leave anything unattended, Sugar helps herself.

Susan Butcher
1954 - 2006

I’ve been neglecting the blog. No, I’m not on vacation. Busier than ever - the usual story. I was very fortunate to take in several day trips while Linda was here. It was unbearably hot the entire time - so there were a few places we didn’t attempt. We tried to visit cool spots.

Which were few and far between. August is here and the weather has somehow cooled down a little. The yearling heifers are enjoying the irrigated pasture.

That’s clover blooming, not dandelions going to seed.

They’re fascinated with the horses.

I’ve just realized that the last time they saw horses was trailing home in October.