Still Horrible

But I Do Have Hay

I called my hay guy and got no answer. I suspect he closed for the holiday week and forget me--mostly because of the beastly weather and the ice. (The place next to him is like a skating rink.)

So, I called my former hay guy--the farmer who farms the lands around my pasture and drove over there to pick up some bales. I decided to use my car since the truck and trailer had been disconnected and I'm not sure my icy driveway would be good for controlling them anyhow. I headed out right after school got out. The road into the town I have to pass through was closed. I took the detour, and they were doing road construction there too, but it didn't slow me down much at all. I picked up the first eight bales and drove home, then headed out again as I really wanted to stock up a little with another eight.

Hit the same closed road, took the detour and STOP! This time the road crew was filling in the roadbed with macadam--hot paving material. OK, but...but...they were filling it in by hand, shovelful by shovel full instead of pouring it out of the truck. I was stalled there for at least five minutes and it didn't look as if anything was going to move for a fair bit of time, so I pulled out of the ever increasing line of cars and took an even longer route.

The town of Jamesburg is a small little one, with a mainstreet split by railroad tracks. The road I needed to take is a main through road. Why would they be doing simultaneous construction on the only two routes in is beyond me. The detour took me into town from the several miles further out, but I eventually got to the hay barn to get the rest of my load.

Then I dropped by the supermarket to get the Christmas carrots for the Boys. (carrots with greenery tops) When I got home I figured I'd check out the footing around the barn to see if there was any way the Boys could go out for a bit.

NO WAY! Even the snow, having been soaked by the rains, was frozen into treacherous ice. And anywhere the water was lying, including in most of the paths the horses use, was suitable only for ice skates. I have those little spiky things on my barn boots and even I was having trouble navigating the footing. I tried to explain this to Toby and Tucker who were watching my every move and I think they understood. Chance, on the other side of the barn couldn't see, but I was very clear in telling everyone how dangerous it was out there.

Now there is rain on the way and much higher temperatures, giving me hope this will all wash away. But I am not sure how much worse the morning will be. Wet ice not yet thawed can be even worse.

I have one of the new bales of hay already next to the feed room, so as long as I can make it out there the Boys will be well fed.

The heated water buckets have been a godsend. I am so glad I invested in them.

Till tomorrow, then. I hope the news will be better on the weather front.

PS: Just thought to add that Reggie, my black kitty who went for the NAET treatment is doing so much better. He has virtually stopped his compulsive groominh and is, in general, much quieter and content. He still has a ton of personality and likes lots of attention, but he seems so much more comfortable. Can't wait for the next visit to the vet to see how things are going and perhaps give him another acupuncture session.

This for all the people in the world who question natural therapies as a way of curing physical problems.