The Invasion

I recently noticed a pattern of destruction in my tack room. Every morning the cat food bin would be relocated to a different area of the room. Usually this was upside down with contents spilled all over the floor. Since the cats were still looking for food even with the availability of the buffet in the tack room, I could only conclude that we had varmits! I purchased a humane trap at Southern States this weekend, and set it. Day One: 1 small raccoon (too cute to do away with) Set free a few miles up the road. Day Two (today): 1 large raccoon (too humble to do away with. Set free in Cleveland County. I need to rinse the trap, so I won't set it up tonight. I'll keep you posted on the tally.

We've had more visitors since my last post. Jim's cousins Steven and Mary (and two of the four kids) stopped in on their way to a wedding. We haven't seen them since the reunion in '94. We've all aged (in a good way, of course). It seems that we are becoming a popular stopping place for the relatives which is nice. We are seeing people we haven't seen in ages.

Finished Interior Wall

The Upper Barn

All's Quiet on the Western Carolina Front

The holidays are over, and the company's gone. The in-laws have left after six months, although they did go to Chicago and Florida in that time period. They should be back sometime in August for another five. In the meantime, we enjoying our "alone" time. Soon we will be visited by Jim's cousin Steven and wife Mary, Stephanie, and Tommy. That's next week. Then Mom and Dad will be here in March while the coach is being serviced in Gaffney. I hope it's warm enough to enjoy their visit, although I always look forward to seeing them.

The weather has turned colder. The forecasters are talking, hinting that we could see snow next week. That would be enjoyable. We haven't see snow for two years. Have great hills for sledding, but we haven't been able to try it out yet. I don't mind the cold as long as it's not windy.

The new barn is coming along, and if my pictures could post I'd post some here, but I keep getting a server error from Google. I hope that gets resolved soon. We're going to start on the back walls this weekend. I'll be moving the horses to the back forty next week for the rest of the winter. I need to fertilize the pasture up here, and expand the space. We're going to go for permanent wood fencing as soon as Jim finds an auger.

The Joys of Country Living

Well, it finally happened. Our 50 year old septic system backed up after the last big rain. It wouldn't have been such a big deal except we didn't know where the tank was located. Call in the backhoe! After many large holes in the yard and driveway, it was found UNDER the driveway! Now, anyone with a septic system knows that is not the best location for the septic tank. We have driven cars, tractors, and very large motor coaches over it in the past year and a half. As a matter of fact, I believe my parents coach was parked over it in a past visit. Thank God the lid didn't break. How would you explain that to the insurance company? The tank is now clean and functioning once more. We may need to replace the system, and maybe a new well while we are at it. Our water turns a lovely shade of orange when it rains hard. I love the country, but I really miss city water and sewer.

On a lighter note, Jim's aunt and uncle stopped in for a quick visit on their way to Florida. We played a six way game of Hungarian Rummy. Jim won six bucks, the lucky dog! It was a long game, but fun.

I've noticed with the strange, warm, wet winter we are having, that my sweet palamino gelding loves the mud (or the nightly grooming/mud removal). The day before yesterday I noticed him rolling in the pasture (of course, the muddiest area he could find). When I called to him, he got up, and went bucking up the pasture with complete joyful abandon. My appaloosa gelding rolls, but doesn't get as gleeful as Dakota. Maybe there is something to those spa mud soaks....