That lion is still here

[altivo]

Not that I particularly mind lions. I know one or two that I really like a lot, in fact. But still. March comes in like a lion (which it did) and goes out like a lamb (the days are growing short, Mr. Leo.)

At least it isn't snow or ice now. But for the first day of spring, we've seen no sunlight. It is darker than most days of the winter were, and every so often a thundershower passes. The lights have flickered three times that I noticed, including the relays clicking on UPSes and so forth. No computers rebooted yet though, which is a relief.

In the Department of Other Irritations:

I couldn't put off paying the horse vet any longer. I pay her in advance for all the basic care for a year, which is nice, but it's a big lump when it comes. So I wrote the check this morning and now they're paid up to the end of the year. Four visits plus all their basic vaccinations and tests and stuff. It's a good deal, really. (I keep telling myself.) But combined with taxes coming up it still feels kind of "ouchy."

Looks like we will run out of hay before the first new hay comes in this summer. Means I have to find a source for at least a hundred bales and pay for those, at top price no doubt. Another ouch.

And the sheep are due for shearing. That will probably run over $100 now, we have so many. It's gonna be a slim spring, I can see that. I should get a raise next month, but they are usually just nominal, not much more than the cost of living. This year the cost of health insurance went up more than my entire raise from last spring. x..x

We still have to have the water pipes under the barns dug up and the hydrants replaced. That will probably run us another $1000 or so. Still uncertain whether the insurance will pay anything, though they offered to cut a check after we had the shut off valve installed. That job cost $620 and our deductible is $500. We told them to wait until the whole job is done. It all hangs on whether the well guys say "Yes, the pipes froze and that caused the damage" or "The pipes were old and would have failed regardless of weather." Apparently damage due to abnormal freezing weather is covered. Normal aging or wear and tear, of course, is not.

Comments

[leopanthera.livejournal.com]

I'm still here. ;)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Yes, you're one of those I make exceptions for. But I don't think you bring gloomy, cold weather either. Or do you? XD

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

Wild felines *humphs* always with that no shirt policy *chuckles*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

They know what looks good on (off) them. This one is extremely cute either way. And talented too.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

*grumbles*

[deffox]

Sounds like a number of bills are hitting all at once. Hope the insurance will pick up a chunk of the waterworks repairs.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Yep. Always happens when I think my checking account is starting to get fat. ;p

[songdogmi.livejournal.com]

It's the fabulous new Checkbook Weight Reduction Diet. I see that on late night infomercials on TV all the time (under slightly different names).

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Fortunately I have a leather checkbook cover that I acquired 30 years ago. Otherwise, my checkbook would be so slim now I wouldn't be able to find it.

[nekura-ca.livejournal.com]

What do you do with the wool from the sheep? Do you use it all for your own spinning and weaving? I though it's a lot of work to process raw wool into usable fibers.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I use perhaps a third of it myself. The rest is sold to other spinners in my local guild, not at a profit but for enough to cover the cost of shearing.

I never intended to have quite so many sheep as we do. At the moment there are eight, we've been as high as nine. Three would be as many as I'd really want, but they keep making more. I don't care for lamb or mutton, and though my mate does like them, he considers these sheep his pets and would never eat one. ;p

Processing raw wool is not a huge job, but does require some time and effort. Washing it is the task I hate most, but you have to do that. I'm starting to learn that I don't have to be frugal, and can discard large portions if they are too messy to clean. I have no shortage of wool.

Combing is not difficult but does take a lot of time. It produces the nicest yarn. Carding is faster, and the yarn is adequate for many uses. I have a hand cranked drum carder that will process quite a lot of wool in an hour. Last fall I actually sent some fleece to a commercial processor in Ohio. First time I've tried that, but the results were excellent. Of course, the processing costs about $6 per pound finished weight, but it may be worth it in some cases.

Spinning, weaving, and knitting are my pleasures, so the time spent there doesn't really count. That's a hobby. No one has yet complained about getting handmade mittens, scarves, or hats as gifts. :D

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

I'm not doing the "no bill" dance, I'm pooped and my paws are sore.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

If you have a "no bill" dance, you should make a video on how to do it. You could sell it on television and become wealthy.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

*rocks up in overalls and a big pipe wrench* Tighten your pipes sir? *falls over giggling*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

*takes the wrench away and hands you a manure fork*

Not today, but I'll pay you to clean stalls.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

Great now its like working for the government :P

*sets about forking*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

No, hardly as bad as that. In my stable, when you clean it stays clean until the horse comes back in. With the government, the shit comes back all by itself. (And that's the forking truth.)