Critter pictures, and feeling better

April 20, 2018 / Re-Farmer / Leave a comment

After another very rough night, and some major quality time with an electric heating pad, I can finally say that I’m starting to feel a bit better. This morning, I had even managed to get an audio recording of the weird noises my chest is making. While some was definitely cold related, the squeaking noise actually happens fairly regularly and is related to my chronic cough, so I figure it would be good to have a recording for the next time I go to the doctor about it.

Hungry Girl and Barbecue came by today. We are getting significantly less deer visits since the weather has gotten warmer!

Thankfully, the girls have been able to take over for me while I’ve been down for the count. As I type this, they are busily making supper. I don’t know what they’re making, but it smells delicious. *L*

Though still feeling sick, I did have to drive into town to pick up a few things. I’m the only person with a valid driver’s license right now, so it’s not like I could foist it off on someone else, though my husband was willing to do the drive. This, in spite of having his own rough night and still having really bad pain days.

For the first time since stores started putting them out, I actually used the disinfectant wipes on my hands and on the cart handle, then hid my hands in my sleeves to push the cart, while my daughter did all the touching of product that was needed. I sure don’t want anyone else to get sick because of me!

I’ve noticed for some time, the odd fur pattern on Barbecue’s neck. I have come to the conclusion that it is the result of scarring.

We are really noticing what a difference it has been, not doing that monthly Costco shopping trip in the city. We’re having to go into town for groceries far more often, and it’s costing us a lot more per item. We’re still not spending as much as we normally budget, simply because our budget had to be re-adjusted to pay for the work on the van; the money isn’t there to overspend. However, it’s more because of what we’re NOT buying, that what we ARE buying. It has set back making up for the costs of the move by at least a couple of months.

Hungry Girl was nice enough to give me a silly face picture! :-D

But we have a roof over our heads, food on the table, and the bills are being paid, and that’s the important part.

I think this is the first time I’ve seen a chickadee, just resting on a branch, rather than in constant motion!

Still, we are really looking forward to being able to do the monthly bulk shopping again, and restocking the cupboards and freezer!

The Re-Farmer

Almost checked off the list (plus critter pictures!)

April 18, 2018April 18, 2018 / Re-Farmer / Leave a comment

The goal for today: get my younger daughter’s learner’s license transferred to our new province.

Birth certificate: check
Health care card: check
Something with physical address on it: ______

It was the third item that was the stickler for us. Usually, it would be something like a utility bill, but she has none in her name.

So that meant a trip to the bank. She had updated her information online, but it only had space for her to add our box number – the mailing address. There were other things, like her employment status, that it didn’t have the option for her to change.

The nearest branch of her bank is in the town my mother lives in, which is a 20 minute drive away.

No worries. We could get the letter she needed, like the one I got from my branch in the nearer town, and get her driver’s license transferred there.

When we got there, I showed the lone teller the letter I got as an example of what we needed.

Turns out, she couldn’t write up a letter like that, and her manager wasn’t in. She could, however, update my daughter’s information and print out a statement.

It took several attempts before she could get a printout that included both the mailing address (which was part of the basic information) and our physical address (which had to be input somewhere else and was not normally included in any printouts). It was part of the paperwork needed for direct deposits, so when my daughter is finally able to go job hunting and gets a job, she’ll have that on hand.

Great! It took a while, but it was done.

Next: finding a place where we could transfer her license.

We couldn’t find one.

I realize this is a small town, but you’d think they’d have a public insurance broker somewhere. Maybe they do, but just not in the business area? There isn’t much else to the town for us to have explored.

We did go to a department store in hopes of finding some underwear for my husband, that didn’t cost $15 for one pair! We did find some – three for $15 – but none in his size!

Who knew it would be so difficult just to buy some gitch?

So getting her license transferred meant driving another half hour to the town we usually go to. No worries. It’s a pleasant drive with pleasant company.

Besides, the staff over there knows us pretty well by now!

My daughter had everything she needed and a file was started. She’s never had a license in this province, since she was 9 when we left it, so that actually made it easier.

The hang up?

She doesn’t have a full license.

To get a learners license in this province, she will need to write the knowledge test again.

Which isn’t done in this town anymore. We’d have to go to another town that’s about a half hour’s drive north of our place, or a small city that’s about an hour’s drive away from home.

The main difference is that the small city has places where we can combine errands and do some shopping.

We have an appointment booked for next week, when the CPP Disability comes in. That way, my daughter has time to go online and study a bit, in case there are differences between provinces, and we’ll have money for gas and groceries.

At least this is the only delay. Everything else is just fine, and the paperwork she printed out for us has the file number she’ll need, and we can finish processing for her temporary license in the same place as where she needs to take the written test (assuming she passes, which I have no concerns about).

Meanwhile, they had to keep her old learners license. Because we’re past the 90 days, she’s not allowed to drive, anyhow.

At least it should be easier for my older daughter. Hers is just a photo ID, not a driver’s license.

Little by little, it’s getting done.

The Re-Farmer

Deerly Deer

April 17, 2018April 17, 2018 / Re-Farmer / Leave a comment

I only saw Hungry Girl and Barbecue come by today. They were much distracted by the antics of the cats while here!

Hungry Girl kept a close and nervous watch on the cats, and ended up taking off fairly quickly.

Barbecue took off and came back, several times.

Barbecue also graced me with some entertaining faces!

Such a silly girl! :-D

As for me, though it is still early, I am done for the day. Time to have some tea with lots of lemon and head to bed early. Hopefully, I will be feeling better tomorrow!

The Re-Farmer

A Day of Rest – and critters

April 15, 2018April 15, 2018 / Re-Farmer / Leave a comment

Today was a day of rest from things like breaking down that wood pile in the garden. Unfortunately, it was also another bad pain day for my husband. With the weather getting warmer, he’s itching to get outside for a bit of a walk, but it’s not been working out lately. :-(

The outside cats were out in full force when I fed them this morning. All the regulars were out. Even The Hand came out, though she was still very stand-offish.

Yes, there are actually two food bowls with food in them. They just like to all be around one, I guess! :-D

My going back and forth to put away the bowl I use for the cat food, then getting the deer feed, was too much for her, though. She still didn’t go far, and watched me closely. Can you see her?

“You can’t see me!”

I look forward to when she is comfortable enough to at least not run away from the food when we’re around.

Butterscotch, on the other hand, has no such qualms.

“MY FACE! TOUCH IT! NOW!”

When she wants pets, she does get rather insistent!

Myself, I didn’t see a single deer, though they did come by. One, I just missed. Hungry Girl had been outside the window, while three squirrels were busily chasing each other through the branches, when Beep Beep suddenly made a flying leap into a tree after them, startling her away! :-D My daughter did manage to get a couple of photos first, though.

“Yo!”

I did notice a group of blue jays at the seeds and went over to get pictures, only to have them fly off into the trees. They used to stay when I went to the window, but now they don’t. I think something in the light has changed as spring progresses, and now they can see more movement through the reflections on the glass.

This was the best I could manage!

So uncooperative! :-D

My younger daughter and I got to take advantage of today being Community Day in Pokemon Go and went into town to play the game. That was enjoyable few hours together. :-)

Then we got home, and found this.

“I will haunt you in your dreams.”

Waiting for us.

Turns out my older daughter found it hidden away in the yard and left it for us to find.

It’s still there.

:-D

The Re-Farmer

No Deer Today!

April 14, 2018 / Re-Farmer / Leave a comment

I saw only one deer today, and it took off before I had a chance to take it’s photo.

Sadness.

Today was a day I ended up spending mostly on the computer, though I did manage some time outside enjoying some manual labour, working clearing up the pile of wood in the garden. It seems we can only go so far, then have to pause for the day, so that newly uncovered ice and snow can thaw, and we can get more out.

I do, however, still have some critter pictures for you to enjoy.

First up, this dapper little gentleman.

Oh, those adorable little hands!

Then I found these pictures on the card, that my daughter took. Too funny!

What, after I’ve posted these, and now that it’s getting too dark, a whole herd of deer will show up. :-D

The Re-Farmer

Our Daily Deer

April 13, 2018 / Re-Farmer / Leave a comment

I got very few photos today, but we got good progress on the wood pile in the garden.

The deer path goes through not far from some of the new piles we’ve made, so I half expected the deer might be a bit stand-offish about coming over, but nope; Hungry Girl and Barbecue came right on over, soon after we left the garden area.

It is nice to finally be able to get outside and get more stuff done, even if the snow made our footing a big treacherous. I am really looking forward to more manual labor!

The Re-Farmer

A New Furry Friend! Plus techie updates

April 11, 2018April 11, 2018 / Re-Farmer / Leave a comment

This morning, I had an appointment with my cousin, who had replaced the water pump on my van a while back. That would be the one that the garage is saying needs to be replaced, and that it was loose.

The water pump is fine. And if it weren’t, it’s still under warranty, and he’d be fixing it, at his own cost.

Also, that small coolant leak?

Has stopped leaking. This one, I saw leaking myself. I guess it just needed some time after work was done.

I told him about what had been happening with the coolant, getting the thermostat changed, then discovering the coolant had been leaking out the back. He commented that it was too bad they’d changed the thermostat – but it still might have needed to be changed, considering the age of the vehicle.

Everything checked out fine. My alternator is making a slight whining noise. He told me that I only needed to be concerned if it started to get louder. Which might not happen for a year, even. It would be an expensive job to do, because of how difficult it is to get to, so there’s no point in doing it now.

I also asked him about the stalling problem. When we first start the vehicle, it sometimes stalls right away. I start it again, while giving it a bit of gas, and it’s fine. He talked to me about the sensor and how, on starting, the onboard computer checks all the sensors. It could just be reading a lack of oxygen or something, but if I just give it a bit of gas while starting it, it should be fine. Nothing wrong; just a bit inconvenient. Replacing the sensor would be very expensive.

His recommendation? Change nothing. If there’s a problem with the water pump, which he can’t find, he will change it, at no cost to me. There is nothing to prevent us from taking longer trips, like going to the city and back. Not that we can do that, since our budget has been completely blown by all the work done on the van, but it’s a relief, to be sure.

I’m going to have to have a talk with the garage about that water pump recommendation.

As I was typing this, my husband just updated me. We got a notice in the mail from our satellite internet provider. They have access to a new satellite, which can offer increased upload and download speeds and less stuttering in service. There is also the option to upgrade plans with higher data. Which we don’t need right now, since we got two accounts to get the higher data that we do have. I don’t mind that too much, since one of the accounts will be something my daughter can claim on her taxes next year.

In about a week, we’ll get a call from a technician to come over and align the satellite dishes to the new satellite.

So that’ll be nice.

After I got home from getting the van checked, I was in my crochet corner, working on a new basket, when I noticed Hungry Girl coming up to the feed. And oh, look – there’s Barbecue over by the trees.

No. That’s Barbecue coming up now…

They brought a new friend with them!

A strange new friend…

My first thought was that was an odd sun dappling pattern.

Where there is no sun to dapple.

Wait a minute…

Sure enough, it turned out to be a piebald deer!

Clearly, a deer they were completely comfortable with. There was no animosity of any kind, like we see when Mama and the Twins or Detail and her boy come by.

There’s even a little big of it on her other side.

What a remarkable looking deer! I’ve never seen anything like this before. I’ve seen photos of albino deer, but that’s it.

Eventually, they left because of the cats. I hope the new one comes back! We’re thinking of calling her Patches. :-D

The Re-Farmer

Faces

April 10, 2018April 10, 2018 / Re-Farmer / Leave a comment

While it may have been a day of the cats for the most part, it was also a day of silly faces from Hungry Girl!

And one pretty one for the mix… :-)

I missed out on seeing what other deer came by today, besides Hungry Girl and Barbecue. My younger daughter and I went into town today, and when we got home I drove into the yard, scaring away at least two deer that were at the window.

Ah, well.

The Re-Farmer

Day of the Cats

April 10, 2018April 10, 2018 / Re-Farmer / Leave a comment

Today, outside our window, it was cats, cats, cats!

I got to see Beep Beep trying for a bird. She did not succeed. Nor did the several of them that were interested in the very noisy squirrel! :-D

We got a couple of pictures of Nasty Crime Boy enjoying a nap in his favorite place, while Rolando Moon was on her favorite place on the ~~junk~~ pallet pile. Beep Beep and Butterscotch came to play, Trülbus made faces at us, while Squishum got rude and turned her back on us! Only The Hand neglected to make an appearance – at least when we were there to see.

:-D

The Re-Farmer

Daily Critters

April 9, 2018 / Re-Farmer / Leave a comment

I missed any deer activity we had this morning, just from being busy elsewhere in the house, but I did catch some lovely kitties!

When I fed the cats this morning, The Hand didn’t show up until after I’d gone to feed the deer, then ran off when tried to skirt around them to get to the sun room door and return the feed bucket.

I saw her later on, though, and got a few good photos.

Then she saw me in the window, jumped down and hid behind the cross!

It wasn’t until then that I noticed there was another cat, just sitting like a loaf.

Beep Beep is remarkably camouflaged for this time of year! All those browns and grey match her fur very well.

For a while, I thought I’d missed seeing the deer entirely, but then a loan deer showed up. It turned out to be Barbecue, with Hungry Girl coming soon after. Then, shortly after they left, Detail and her boy came by.

Those nubbins are getting big!

That’s some tasty treats! :-D

After a while, the two of them sauntered off down the well worn path through our garden area towards the road. Nubbins did turn around and come back on his own. He kept looking back for his mom, but I could see her continuing on towards the road, and he finally turned back and followed her.

He’s not quite ready to stay here on his own!

The Re-Farmer

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