Farmerjan's journal - Weather

[murphysranch]

I like dividend stocks nowadays, being on SS.
8%!! That's a good rate of return for quarterly income. None of mine come into that range on an annualized basis.

 

[farmerjan]

Friday morning. Fog and wet, misty stuff out there... AGAIN.... You don't like to complain about moisture because it is really much better than being dried up.... to a point. Everything is soggy out there now. The bigger problem about getting so much moisture this time of year is the ground is cold, nothing is growing, so it takes alot longer to permeate down into the soil and is not used up by anything in the process. So it "sits there" so to speak. Have not been to the nurse cow pasture since the other night as I will get stuck on the flat area where I usually drive up near the barn and where it is sloped would probably slide down... if I can't get close enough to the gate to get through with the buckets I get a little concerned because I DO NOT need the cows to come up and get pushy and knock me down or anything like that. I don't keep grain up there anymore because the ground hogs will get the lids off the metal cans sometimes, even with weight (hay bales) on top and since I am not in there daily like when the nurse cow had small calves on her dependent on my feeding her grain every day, I don't need someone to get a panel loose and get in the "feed area" ... which they did last year and made a mess of the hay stored in there.... smooshed the metal cans and just tore things up. The barn needs some major work and since we don't know how much longer we might actually have it since the son and d-i-l seem to fall in and out of favor (she was out of favor but now have been told that the parents want to see about doing some crossfencing to keep the cow manure off the driveway and away from the house area...so must be back in favor again.....) and this has to be done to accommodate their driving in and making their circle to come back out and all this hog wash which will make the fencing twice as much because we will not be able to come off existing fencing around the house but have to put up more that is like 20 ft off what is there....
This is why DS went in debt over 600,000 for doug's farm so that we do not have to keep dealing with constant BS from landowners.... and in part why he is transitioning to more steers so that we do not get in a position to have to cut more brood cows if we lose a place.

We will lose about 5 acres of this place because of what has been hinted at and we will have to do alot of fencing... we will be doing "temporary" electric fencing... much as he and I hate high tensile wire... it is the only thing that will stretch well with few posts. He is going to tell them that they HAVE to allow us to put a fence charge off the electric at the house because of the number of deer in there they will run through the fences (hence the hi-tensile so it will not get torn down as much) but also so that it will have a hotter charge to keep the cattle off and away from it.
Since the son and d-i-l come up about 2 times a year... because there is nothing there that they actually like to do, except when the family has a get together... this is a total bunch of bs and waste. We will put in alot of effort for very little benefit for anyone... just to shut up the d-i-l 's constant complaining about some cow manure on her car once a year. I wish they would sell it but it belonged to the grandfather and it will never be sold. Too bad the daughter and s-i-l wouldn't buy out the son as she is more practical and sensible and they would maybe only come down from PA for a little bit in the summer and cows are not a big deal to her...
Oh well, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

Going out to let the chickens out in a few minutes. Nasty dreary day out there. Might clear off a bit tomorrow but now more again on Sunday... then a couple clear days and rain again mid next week????

 

[Mini Horses]

Is there a written lease? If so, would there be anything that might make this situation easier for y'all? Space, fence location, useages, etc....

Ya know, why visit the farm if you don't like animals that you KNOW are there by lease? In a rental "quiet enjoyment" would limit their demands on you, normally. Just a thought.

 

[farmerjan]

@Mini Horses ... the D-I-L and Son are stuck up ( noses in the air) Doctors....and it is something to be able to say they went out to the "farm" for a day or two. They only come out when there is a family get together... she is a regular B***H.......and he is a totally henpecked puss* whipped wimp....
No there is no written lease, we have had it forever when the fences were falling down and worked off rent for building new fence and other things.... DS has been friends with the daughter forever.... thought once he might get together with her... but..... she likes living "better" and doesn't have to work... her husband is a nice guy... but his job working in the lumber sales/grading of high end lumber... like for fancy furniture making and such... he goes overseas to other countries and all sorts of stuff... I don't fully understand it but he makes money......and they live WELL....... anyway, they have moved a couple times and now are in PA... so they only come down once or twice a year...
The daughter and son have inherited it from the deceased grandfather.... it's a pain but for years we just did what we needed and got along fine. Now the son and d-i-l are making waves.... he wanted to plant a vineyard, to say they grew their own grapes to make wine..... NO CLUE as to the work involved... You know.. the ones that have to brag they have this and do that and go here and there.... get some "underling" to do the work.... but the mother has control until she passes I guess....
DS is going to get with the father and see what he is thinking about the fence.... he doesn't want to give it up because it is good grazing... but we will see. The fact that it is across the road from me is very convenient.... but in the summer if it is dry, I have to haul water, if the spring gets low, because we cannot use the well there.... might run up the electric bill.... OMG..... the mother "inherited" this place, then another place from an aunt that died that she took care of there towards the end... no kids.... the father is a real estate agent... still works... I think it is to get out of the house..... plus the mother just spends money all the time... and the father takes care of all the places.... mows, etc... just the last couple years have they redone this house .... it was literally gutted to the walls inside and they almost dozed it.... but now they can come to the farm for the weekend... They literally live 1/2 hour away......"country gentleman " type BS.....

Okay, off that soapbox.....

It was 37 this morning, got up to 41 (wow) and back down to 38... rainy/sprinkly wet enough to be cold and damp and yucky out. Did the chickens and that is all outside.

I went to do some shopping yesterday. had to go to the farm I tested because I LEFT the check on the desk... we were talking about their poultry houses and this and that and plain forgot it. So, I packed the samples, took them with me, got the check and all and then dropped them at UPS and did some grocery shopping... got some of the gatorade or whatever it is for DS and some other stuff... it is going to be part of his Christmas, because money is a little tight until I get this explorer sold and he is really feeling the financial pinch and this way he won't feel bad about what I give him and him not able to give as much back. Besides, he can use this stuff... GF spends way too much on the kids and DS just gets a little bummed out with it all... So this is going to be my "contribution " to him and I know he will appreciate it and use it....
So today I stayed here....

Oh well....
Just made myself some liver and sauteed onions... I like liver..... from our own beef of course.
Have had on the local "Christmas music station" (for the month of Dec).... worked on a jigsaw puzzle a little when the knees were hurting. Weather....
I have been trying to completely empty things out of the kitchen.... got tired of the mouse situation... Got some new "glue boards" yesterday while shopping and it was really "profitable".... I had 2 yesterday morning, and then got 2 last night again... and for once I do not hear or see any signs of any mice. Got one in the bathroom and hopefully it is the only one that was in the bathroom/bedroom area.... been hearing it and could not find it anywhere. Well, I had put out 6 more sticky traps along the walls/edges of bureaus and such... and got that one. Maybe I will get to the point where they are gone .... for awhile....

So, I am going to quit doing anything practical and maybe watch a movie.... I could not get to sleep last night so am tired and hopefully will go to bed and sleep through tonight.

Possible snow flurries/ wintry mix tomorrow but no accumulations they say... it sure is raw chilly out there.... Then maybe some sun Mon-Tues ????

 

[farmerjan]

Trying to be a NICE Sunday morning... the sun is trying to come through the thick clouds and it is actually kinda "bright" out there. SOOOO nice for a change of pace. 36 low, up to 42 at 10 so not going to warm up alot.
Ate a bowl of Cream of Wheat cereal.... with some maple syrup.

2 weeks to Christmas .....going to take everything off the kitchen counters and do a thorough scrubbing.... too wet to do anything outside. It was muddy when I came home Friday aft and squishy when I did the chickens. Need a couple days to dry the soil on top.

 

[Mini Horses]

We have similar weather here. I'm a touch warmer. But water isn't soaking as fast or deep as I'd like. Clean up inside day here, also. Need a week of it!! But slow work for jobs this coming week, so looking hopeful. Definitely see week between Christmas and new year as pretty much "at home". Would be great if weather stays like it is now👍🤞 I'd love that.😁.

Normally Jan/Feb are dead with this job. This year it looks like they are picking up some of the jobs into earlier schedule cycles. (Certain resets are both seasonal and repetitive at certain sequences) That's good and bad. A few is ok but, heavy all at once isn't. Right now a good amount of my jobs are at stores unassigned to reps -- they quit, not enough hired for area, etc. A little extra $ in slow time. At least I can refuse jobs in stores not "my assigned."

Hope they're hiring for 2023!!

 

[Mini Horses]

Hearing weather....y'all getting some messy stuff between tue and thur? We're getting rain wed night, most all day thur. Not as cold as you. So thinking it's prob gonna be frozen there part of the day. 😔🥴

 

[farmerjan]

Monday eve.... chilly day, but some sun. Not alot, but no rain. I got up to the cows/calves at the nurse cow pasture but could not get in the ones I wanted with their calves for DS to move any. He called me at 2 and said he could move some if I could get them in. Like I had much notice..... .

But I went up, and alot of the bigger calves went in and I fed the rest some grain... then put a partial bale of hay inside in the bunk for the calves to come in and maybe eat a bit. The rolls were gone so told DS they would need hay outside... hoping that the little calves that had started going in will go in for some hay or grain... I will have to lock them in and then bring the cows in and sort them out to stay in with the calves. I can lock them in the barn and open the pen to get the cows and all in... then sort out from there.... It will take a few days of working with them. Got 3 cows, that need to go with the bull to get bred back have fall calves on them now........ several calves need tags, and several bull calves that need to get worked also. So if I can get in at least 2 pairs he will come get them. There are also about 4-5 that need preg checking...and if they are as far as I think, the calves need to be weaned off anyway. They will have to be pushing 6 months, or more.... the bull went out of there July 4th weekend....The cows will get moved out of there since they should be due again in spring, and the calves can stay with the rest that they are familiar with, and with the heifers that are there now. No bull is going in there this fall/winter, this year.

It is down to freezing and is supposed to be only partly sunny tomorrow and temps in the 40's. I think it hit 50 today but was a cold feeling with not much sun.

Yes, @Mini Horses they are calling for some freezing rain/sleet/and just plain cold and wet and miserable. I have a farm to test Tuesday aft... then Thurs, Fri, and Sat afternoons, but Thursday is dependent on the weather... Will see how things are Thurs morning. They have said that Thurs would suit them but they were a bit concerned about the weather.... play it by ear. Got 2 scheduled for next week too... it's that all or nothing syndrome.... .

Going in to bed. Need to get the bottles in the racks tomorrow morning... don't need meters for tomorrow's herd... but will need them all (24)for the Thursday herd, 16 for Friday, 12 for Sat, 16 for next Monday, 12 for next Wed.... might put off Thursday's herd, for next Tuesday anyway.... since the Mon herd and this 24 meter herd need the brackets in the same position and it will save me alot of time changing them back and forth....

 

[farmerjan]

Cold and cloudy with little relief in sight. 31 and looking like snow out there. Forecast is for some of these clouds to pass to the east and some sun this afternoon; ahead of the wet and cold coming. The local weather is now calling for this to come in Wed night, sleet/freezing rain and a not very good commute on Thursday morning.
There is forecast for significant snow accumulation out in the western and upper mid western areas....
All according to the temps could be some less than ideal weather for a good part of the day. I think that I am going to just put the farm scheduled for Thursday, off until next Tuesday..... I would have to leave here by 10:30 or 11 to get there by 1... not worth going out in the mess if it is slick. I will talk to DS to see what he might be hearing at VDOT.... but.... I am getting to be anti-work in crappy weather.
I am going to get sample bottles in the trays for this afternoon... make some breakfast.... let the chickens out.

 

[Mini Horses]

... I am getting to be anti-work in crappy weather.

Agree....me too!!! Hard enough to do chores.