Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Some like it hot

I hear some people like summer – love it, even. Here, we're not big fans – especially when it comes early, hot and dry. The only things that seem to thrive are the flies (yuck), the flowers, and the garden (with lots of watering).


Benny has been bumping heads (through the dividing fence) with ewes in the fold, so I decided he was strong enough to go back out with the boys. I waited until yesterday afternoon when they were laying low in the heat to avoid said flies, hoping that would reduce re-entry bashing.
Benny wasn't bullied but acted persecuted all the same, baaAAAing and following me along the fence as if to say, "Why did you put me out here? Please don't leave me out here!" He's been baaaing ever since, confirming that he is completely back to normal. ;-)

What grass hasn't been eaten up is quickly drying up. At least it gives the horses something to do – besides constantly fighting flies.

We've even had a weather fatality.
Just kidding; Oreo was likely the cause of a fatality, not a victim.

The other day I found this on the driveway to the barn.
Obviously a member of the weasel family, but something I've not seen before in our 25 years in NW Oregon. Google to the rescue:
now I can say I've seen my first ermine! May there be others, and may they ALL have a strong preference for gophers and ground squirrels!

That's it for now from . . .

11 comments:

Sharrie said...

Found one just like that some years back. Same fate......death by cat, I think. Your flowers and veggies look great. Ours are not so far along.

Mary Ann said...

An ermine. My GOSH! Is that aqulegia Nora Barlow?

Michelle said...

Sharrie, I was very surprised; I had no idea they lived in the area! Thought of them as a far north creature. Our garden is not as far along as some, but we should get some food.

Mary Ann, I don't have any Columbines; the pink flowers are dahlias.

Anonymous said...

When did you start the peppers? Inside or outside? Ours are only now making a tiny, blade of green, appearance. That's wild about the ermine!!! We have lots of small wild creatures (and deer), I'd love to add an ermine to the mix! I hope you're able to see a live one. Stay as cool as possible these next few days.

Michelle said...

Wanda, Rick bought good-sized plants; we haven't had much luck growing our own garden starts. As for the heat, fortunately our heat pump still cools effectively, even though the heating function stopped working early last winter.

Leigh said...

Wow, I've never seen an ermine. Good kitty. And poor sheepsters in the heat! We've been in the upper 90s for weeks now. I'm about ready for a change.

Theresa said...

Wow, that's a tough cat! Those things can be fearsome little fighters, wonder if this one was not up to snuff. We have weasels, a larger variety I see on occasion. Not a big fan of summer here either and we are all on fire watch since thunderstorms are expected this weekend. Hot, dry parched earth and it's not even August yet. Scary.

Susan said...

I am NOT a fan of hot. It has been - so far - a pretty cool spring, early summer here. But I am sure the heat and humidity will descend. Blech. Weasels are fascinating, but deadly around poultry. They kill without limit of appetite.

Retired Knitter said...

Oreo - what a cute name for a black and white cat!!

Tammy said...

Glad Benny is better! Your berries are lovely and I hate hot weather as well. I love summer, but not when it is stifling hot/humid. The ermine is beautiful but I'm guessing could be a real nuisance around chickens. The kitties around here have been working overtime and I'm about tired of finding the 'remains'.

Tammy

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Not a fan of heat but like it better than I liked 20 below this past February. I do chores early morning, late afternoon and stay in the house during heat of the day. It makes for crazy scheduling but, somehow, it works.