outside cats

Still working on that whole “spring” thing!

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It’s been a chilly few days, with even a bit of snow during the night. Nothing like what they got in other parts of the country, that’s for sure! I actually wouldn’t mind more snow right now. Or rain. Instead, as of yesterday, we are now under a burn ban. It’s just too dry out there.

I had a bit of company while doing my rounds today. Just Rolando Moon this morning.

20190428.rolando.moon

It’s funny that such an ornery cat acts so affectionate at times. She’s gotten better at letting me pick her up, but not for long. She either jumps down after a few moments, or starts biting at my fingers. Not full-on bites. Just enough to feel it. Then she jumps down. :-D

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Seasonal things

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I’ve been able to spend more time outside in the last few days. Aside from cleaning up the downed branches in the yard and burning them in the fire pit, this has mostly been assessing things and making decisions.

I was checking around the garden area and could clearly see where the deer were coming in at the corner.

20190420.deer.path

Even with the snow gone, the path the deer made through the ditch and over the fence is clearly visible!

I was also noticing some changes. Like this.

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Critter of the Day: the Beep Beep

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Lady Beep Beep, slinking her way through the tall grass.

2019-04-12.beepbeep

Our first winter here, we would see cats sitting on the barrel behind her in this photo, just watching things. This past winter, the staves fell in and the cats lost their perch.

Found it!

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We have finally reached a point where enough snow has melted away, and the yard is dry enough, that I can walk around most of the yard.

At least while the ground is still frozen in the mornings.

Which meant I have finally been able to look for the base of the grape vine that got surrounded by spirea, next to the storage house.

I found it.

20190411.grapevine.base

It’s still hard to see, so I put the arrow in. It’s hard to see because there is a spirea growing right up against it!

I’m going to have to be very careful, clearing that away.

Then I can prune it back and set up some kind of trellis for it to climb. I’m thinking of using the left over wire fencing I used to build the back gate. After that, it will be a matter of keeping the spirea from crowding it again. Hopefully, this will translate to better, bigger grapes to harvest this year. If nothing else, it’ll be easier to get to them! :-)

While doing my much extended rounds this morning, I had some delightful company.

20190411.butterscotch

Butterscotch does make it hard to walk at times. :-)

The Re-Farmer

Bouncin’ Babies

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Ah, spring is in the air!

Here is some video I found while checking the trail cam this morning.

Pay close attention to the background.

The young deer back there are just full of bounce and energy!!

We are also looking ahead to more bouncing babies.

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Butterscotch is getting big, and it’s not just gaining weight from having a reliable food source, anymore! She’s getting quite rolly polly in the middle. Should be interesting to see how big of a litter she has!

20190409.hello.beepbeep

I’m pretty sure that Beep Beep is pregnant. She, too, has put on weight just from having reliable access to food, so it may be just that, but … well … it’s that time of year!

The last while, it has been Beep Beep that has been following me when I do my rounds and wanting to be picked up. Butterscotch still wants up and attention, but I think it’s starting to get uncomfortable for her to be picked up, no matter how gentle I try to be. Beep Beep is taking advantage of this, it seems. She will just loll about in my arms, then give me chin kisses.

Such sweet kitties!

The Re-Farmer