When it
rains…it pours…
More than a motto for salt, this was the theme of a wet week
on the hill.
I thought I’d compartmentalized my grief, that we were just
moving on…doing our thing, until I saw those flashing red and blue lights in my
rearview.
“Ma’am…do you know just how fast you were going?”
This was definitely NOT the way to start the week. As the
police office took my license and registration to run through the system, I struggled
to retain my composure.
When he came back and said “ma’am, you have a clean driving
record. BUT, you’re not going to keep it if you keep this up…” I felt my lip
quiver. When he told me just how fast I was going, I felt that first tear start
sliding down my cheek. I knew there were more to come. And, I knew I had to
warn this unsuspecting man what was about to happen.
“Officer, I am SO sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. But, I
have to run these errands, and we had a loss in the family…and I am not telling
you this so you’ll feel sorry and let me go. I know I was wrong. But...” I could no longer blink
fast enough to stop the flood.
He looked a little bewildered. “Well, I was going to let you
off even before you told me that. But, you really need to be careful…especially
now. I’m terribly sorry for your loss!”
I sat there in a daze as he drove away.
I pulled myself together, resolved to pay full time and
attention and headed to my next stop. Before I could get out of the car, my
phone rang. The Boss needed me to pick up something for a repair job. I started
to tell him what just happened, and I dissolved again.
This was going to be an incredibly long trip.
Another mop-up job and I entered the credit union to deposit
the week’s receipts. Inside, embroiled in her own frustrations was a dear
family member. Our tearful greeting was cut short as it became evident that a
satisfactory solution wasn’t a possibility and she was off to yet another
appointment.
My next stop involved yet another family member encounter. (such
is life in a small town---you almost ALWAYS see somebody you know) This time
the words failed. “now, don’t you start…you’ll get me going...” As we parted
ways, I again felt the tears sliding down my cheeks, unbidden. I didn’t realize
what a mess I was until a random shopper inquired, “Ma’am…Ma’am! Are you okay?”
Needless to say, I was not exaggerating when I said it was a long, wet week here on the hill.
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| at least someone appreciates the rain |
Heeding the advice JUST STAY BUSY, we set about to get some
stuff done. But, it’s still too cold to get going in the garden. There's only so much that we can do. The Boss was hoping to get the mowing started
before it turns into a jungle, so he started on maintenance and repair. I started
seeds and worked on odds and ends. And, then it started raining…
A dark, rainy day for an already heartbreaking funeral
seemed just a little too much sadness. There were tears when brother and niece
played/sang a duet. There were more tears when sister/daughter shared a few
words. But, when the first notes of Steve Warriner’s "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" began to play, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
And, while this was a “celebration of life” and everyone had
a story about how Bonnie affected them in a positive way and how she was a wonderful
example of LOVE, it was still one of the saddest things I have ever
experienced. As the long procession snaked its way across town, all the
oncoming traffic stopped in a show of respect, the scope of which I had never
before witnessed.
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| maple helicopters in the rain |
But, the week was progressing, and I am certain she would
have wanted us to continue…
So, onward.
The continued rain was not the only thing interfering with
any sense of progress on the hill. The garden mower wouldn’t start. Now, the
Gravely (the garden mower) has been on its last legs…er, wheels…for some time.
As a matter of fact, two years ago this week, we were off trying to solve the
possible demise of this little workhorse. The story is here. That time, Tbone worked a little mechanical magic and got it running without
any major difficulties. While he was consulted this time, the Boss took on the
repair himself. But, he needed a part. (we would confront the bigger question
of replacement later)
 |
| lawnmower check-up |
TSC had something he thought might work, but the only source
for the exact replacement meant going to the tractor dealer in the Draft. It seemed prudent to extend our current dump
run/lunch date rather than make a separate trip.
With the proper part purchased, we headed back to the hill.
When I got out to open the gate, acrid smoke was pouring out
of the wheel well. Now, while my mechanical knowledge may be limited, I know
enough to know this couldn’t be good. It seemed bad. Real bad.
 |
| checking out the problem |
Unfortunately, I was right.
Apparently, the caliper was stuck. That burning smell was the
brake pad melting.
So…forget the garden mower. There was another more pressing
repair job. Without the truck, much of life here on the hill would come to a
standstill. And, we REALLY needed it for Market day.
But, the rain.
Doing vehicular repair outside in the rain is not anybody’s
idea of a good time. Time to put the
truck in the shop.
 |
| another reason for indoor repair... unwanted, totally unskilled "helpers" |
But.
There were chicks in a kiddie pool in the shop.
In order to get the truck IN the shop the chicks had to come
OUT. In order to get the chicks OUT, the big broilers had to move. In order to
move the big broilers…
Suddenly we were in full-blown crisis mode. It was time for
us to do what we do best. Teamwork.
He moved the field pen and repaired the waterer while I caught and crated the broilers in the brooder.
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| somebody doesn't look to thrilled with moving day |
Then while I hauled them out to the pen, he did a quick cleaning job.
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| cleaning the brooder |
I rounded up the baby broilers and
re-housed them while he got the truck back on its wheels to head into the shop.
Somewhere along the way, I hauled the chickie-pool out to the compost pile,
dumped it and then cleaned it and put it away.
 |
| warm and cozy in the brooder you'd think they'd look happier |
The truck repair job was going to have to wait until the
next day when the Boss could get parts. In the meantime, there was a sick lamb
that needed some attention. He was off to himself when we headed out to town and
that’s never a good sign.
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| sick lamb |
The combination of the rain, cool temperatures and limited
grazing sets the stage for all sorts of health issues. In a perfect world, we
would simply keep the sheep in the barn and feed them hay. However, we are out
of hay. Our last visit to the hay-guy was supposed to be just that---the LAST.
He had limited supply and had promised it to somebody else. (partly because I
said I didn’t need/want it) Besides, it was raining (again) and you can’t haul
hay in the rain. The warm weather of Spring has to arrive soon (right?) so
we’ll just muddle through.
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| yes, that is a syringe in my hair that way it doesn't get squished and lose the medicine |
Catching the ailing lamb in the gross, slippery mud wasn’t
quite the ordeal I had anticipated. A short struggle ensued as he was bigger
and feistier than I had anticipated. But, in the end he was successfully
treated. Mission accomplished. But, sick lambs rarely respond to treatment
quickly and often die. This would be a game of wait-and-see.
 |
| not looking so good |
While the Boss headed into town for parts, I headed down to
the hoophouse to finally get some planting done. But, first there were what
seemed like tons of weeds to pull. The hens enjoyed the green treat and I was
making great progress.
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| treats? you brought us treats? |
At that moment, my back waged a protest. All the bending and
lifting from the day before had been too much. My back was sending a distinct
message “nope, no way…ain’t doin’ this!”
So much for getting caught up…the rest of the day was spent
in the close company of the heating pad.
A bad back seemed like the icing on the cake…the final straw.
It could have been a reason to get majorly bummed out…’cause honestly this had
not been a great week. (in a long string of not so great weeks)
But.
I have been making a concerted effort to find the good. This
has proven to be a serious challenge sometimes.
Here goes:
We all have some fond and amazing memories of our Bonnie. The
pain of loss will fade over time. Just knowing her made us all better people.
The Spring flowers are gorgeous. And, it stopped raining.
I didn't get a traffic ticket, and that little incident made me more attentive.
We’re back on the road/in the garden relatively cheaply. The repair work went smoothly.
The sick lamb was out grazing with the others this morning.
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| early morning grazing (the sick one is at the back) |
And, my back is somewhat functional once more.
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| all the rain has the brassicas looking great and ready for transplant |
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| there are lots of squash and cukes in the greenhouse ready to plant |
It was a beautiful day for the Market and all the other outdoor
activities that were taking place in and around town. Maybe Spring has finally
come to stay.
For right now, let’s not worry about the continued cold
nights, the delayed plantings or potential supply issues.
I choose to enjoy the beautiful weather and the lovely
spring colors.
Have a Happy
Sunday!
Thanks for stopping by. Come back and “visit” again soon!
