VAXen, and Foxen again

[altivo]

OK, I've got the SIMH emulator running, impersonating a VAX system, and I've more or less successfully installed OpenVMS 7.3 on it. That was a rather bumpy ride, since the last time I did a VMS installation was version 4.4 back in 1987 or so. Still has a way to go, but it boots and you can log in. That's a reasonable start. Trying to remember how to use DEC text editors is painful, though. I used to be a whiz with EDT, but now I can't remember my way around in it at all. Several config files need editing, and at the moment I'm not ready to tackle that job.

I did not see foxen today. However, I saw evidence that they were here. They've enlarged their burrow under the corner of the big barn (our indoor riding arena) and actually broken through the floor in the corner. Now that corner has a lot of boxes full of stuff piled in it, mostly things we packed when we moved eight years ago and have never found room or need for since. (Actually, some of them I'd like to have back in daily use but there's just no room in this tiny house.) Anyway, there was an old plastic hula hoop over there. It was used in dog training once upon a time (you know, the old jump through a hoop routine) and apparently they managed to drag that out through their tunnel. I'm not sure how. But I found it lying in the dirt outside the excavation. I doubt they went in the main door and rolled it around there, about a distance of 10 meters each way.

Tess has made it to the three hour mark now, meaning she can be out on the grass for that long each day if it is dry enough. And, another threshhold comes with that. It's a long enough time that she starts to lose interest in eating more. Two of the last three days, when I've gone to bring her in, she was standing in the shade of a big maple tree just daydreaming and not eating. The flies have been nasty enough that I now spray her all over with repellent (an herbal formula, no synthetics or oil-based chemicals) and then apply a stronger roll-on product to her face and ears. Then she gets a fly mask as well. She doesn't care for all that, but she doesn't fuss because she knows it means she gets to go out. She's always eager to go out, but now that it's hot and the insects are biting, she's always eager to come back in as well. Other than being a little impatient with me at times, though, she is always a very good girl.

Gary's in Chicago tonight, but will be back tomorrow and I'm meeting him and our friend Rob for dinner right after work. Then they have a performance engagement, to which I may go if I'm not too tired. After tomorrow I'm off work for a whole week, yay! Saturday is Gary's birthday, and I have some small but fun things for him. He wanted to have an open house and invite folks over, so we'll do that again. (I prefer to hide and pretend I don't have a birthday, but to each his own.) Then Sunday is Fathers' Day. I already got a card from all the animals, and he'll get one too. The big event is still a couple of weeks off. The end of June will be our 25th anniversary together.

I'm following his instructions to protect all the animals from the nasty foxes. The cat is in the house and the dog door is closed for the night. The barns are shut up and the fans turned on so they won't eat the sheep or horses. We have to humor him sometimes so he'll sleep at night.

Comments

[dakhun.livejournal.com]

We have to humor him sometimes so he'll sleep at night.

By "he", do you mean Gary or the fox? ;-)
I'd do extra work to humour a fox to keep him around.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

You have a somewhat more handy fox, though. And I imagine he's housebroken and even takes a bath now and then. ;p

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

Awww foxen want to play with the hoop :)

What does Tess do when she's impatient with you? *chuckles* Quite the strong personality Tess seems to have. And its wonderful how much trouble you go to to help your pony friend :)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Oh, she may stomp her foot or kick the door if she's in her stall. She's very vocal, too (most mares are chatty.) The mere tone of the sound she makes can tell you definitely when she's displeased. When she's happy with you she makes little grumbling noises in her throat. Angry, she can shout loud enough to deafen you.

When walking on a lead, or if I'm riding, she announces her impatience by breaking into a trot for about two paces. That's as far as she can get before the lead tightens or I catch her with the rein. Normally that action is accompanied by an impatient little squeal.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

Heh heh I like Tess more and more :)

[deffox]

Never know when those nasty foxes will eat all the adult cats, horses, and sheep. :-P

Haven't seen one in the wild in years now.

Sounds like the foxes are really making themselves at home.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Well, the neighbors will run out of chickens soon and then we'll see what happens. I expect they'll move on.

As for the horses and sheep, they still seem to have all their legs.