Shari’s Gone Country

After having nearly been snowed in over Christmas, we’re now thawing out. Of course, thawing out means mud… well, really slick, wet fine sand… and muck boots.

Wouldn’t ya know it… our neighbors asked us to feed for them, too, as they’ve gone north to pick up their granddaughter. And, they’re really muddy at their place.

Oh well, we’ll get thawed out just enough to leave really deep boot prints, and then winter will set in again, preserving those prints, and covering them with just enough snow to make it hard to use the same paths without falling down (and that’s no fun).

I’m keeping a close eye on our cows in their pen. I really expect they’ll be sinking to their knees before things stabilize. One neat thing, the calf has been getting up on the “cow mound” the past couple days, as well as bedding down in her little shelter. Mama…she’s a true range cow, prefering the elements.

On the “internet marketing” front, I’m winning the war. You’ll have to take a look at some of the things I’ve done at Ask Me Why… Work From Home as well as “Let’s Do Business with Real Online Companies“.

Over the years, Cindy and I have been quietly gathering software and information, waiting for just the right time. I’d have to say the time is now, as more and more folks are unemployed and looking for ways to make a few extra bucks.

Over the past couple of weeks, Cindy and I have been moving blogs to our new server. After much thought, prayer, and careful analysis of our costs, we’ve chosen to get our own server and become “web hosters” in preparation for another online adventure.

I can’t really tell you about the new adventure yet, but will share as soon as possible.

As a result, you’ll notice that my pictures are not validating. I’m working on some options and will have the problem solved before the first of the year.

This has been the perfect time to get “geeky” as we’ve been buried in snow, only going outside long enough to feed twice a day. All the animals are doing very well, even learning to use their shelters during the worst of the weather.

Watch for new advertising opportunities, as well as linking options and soon… a new way to generate more traffic to your own blog (oops… did I just say something?)

For the past week, we’ve been securing stuff, and making sure all the animals have nice cushy shelters for the inevitable Utah high desert winter.

Here’s what things look like around here as of Friday (Dec 12) afternoon. I finally had time to take pictures.

The sheep have been without their “wind wall” all summer, as their little shelter gets too hot for them. So, we shoved it back in place. Don’t think it will get knocked around before we can tack it in place. There’s enough room for all seven ewes to get in, lay down, and keep each other warm. They’ve got enough head room, too.

Cows are pretty much okay with cold, and even snow, but wind is really hard on them. Sweetie Pie, the cow has a pretty short coat. Guess that’s part of her “Corriente” genes. Buttercup, the heifer calf is growing a beautiful winter coat. That’s the Herford genes in her.

Cindy and I cleaned the cow pen, shoveling all the manure into a pile for them to climb on. The pile (actually a compost pile) will generate a little heat, so the snow will melt off that area first.

Then, we provided a full bale of nice, soft straw, banking it up the north wall of their shelter. We also added a windbreak (some leftover paneling) that we tied into place. Gotta love the baling twine!

The chickens have always had the best shelter, with the horses having the second-best digs. Last week, Cindy and I got their stalls nice and clean, so they’ll have shelter. The only problem is that there is little to no southern protection for them. Their coats are pretty shaggy and we’ll give them extra alfalfa as it gets colder.

Back in while to show you what winter looks like around here… yes, it has arrived.

I’m not sure what’s gone wrong yet.

The other day, I updated everything to WP 2.7 after doing full backups. For about 48 hours, everything worked just fine.

Then I started to add a new post, and wanted to install pictures from my picture gallery. That’s when the barnyard waste hit the fan, literally.

My gallery isn’t talking to WP2.7 and I haven’t figured out why yet.

Have you ever gone to support forums and find posts that state the problem, and shortly after the same poster returns and says, never mind, they found the solution… WITHOUT POSTING THE SOLUTION? Such absolutely selfhish, ignorant boobs!

Things are somewhat complicated in that there are several different updates to the gallery software, the plugin software, and then there’s the theme update that just screwed things up royally…

Oh well, I’ve got plenty to do while we’re getting another 5 or so inches of snow.

Here we go, blowing into winter!

Yep, looks like the weather pattern is changing. The big blocking high pressure ridge situated over California is breaking down, and that will let the jet stream come right over top of us.

The snow that hit Salt Lake and the surrounding area will most likely miss us, but Cedar City is getting snow. That’s not unusual as the I15 corridor is like a magnet for moisture.

We were just out to feed, and the sheep were huddled in their shelter. You should have seen them wolfing down their alfalfa, just so they could run back to the shelter. Mama cow “Sweetie Pie” and calf “Buttercup” were more than ready for dinner. The horses were whinnying at us as if to say… “Hurry up! We’re hungry and want to hunker down for the night.”

Even the chickens were more than happy to stay in their coop.

The tumbleweed and sand are blowing from the north to the south, so we’re pretty well protected. All the animal shelters have solid north sides, except for the cows. They get that north wall in a couple days.

Looks like we’ll be dropping to 15 or so by tomorrow night. Sure glad we’ve winterized this year.