FergusonK's journal - Goodbye Java Jewel.

[Ferguson K]

@promiseacres I have only had Jack since Friday morning. At home he doesn't need it, only out in public, so I haven't had much chance to try different things on him.

I plan on getting him one to start working with him on walks. He needs to learn to not try and lead his people.

He's learning to come when he's called and doesnt mind the crate as much now as he did on the first day. He knows he won't be left in it all day and he gets to be out of it (or outside) when we are home.

 

[Ferguson K]

I feel like I haven't been that active, but we've been busy. We're both exhausted and not much is happening around the house.

On the goat side: Red, Aelia, and Holly were sent to their new home in Wednesday. They're going to live up the road from us on 40 very green acres with a hard of cattle to clear the underbrush and genuinely be spoiled rotten. The first thing they did was take off about 3 acres back and dive into a bramble patch along the fence. They've been in that same patch for two days now and have just about eaten it down. New owner is pleased.

Pearl's buckling was finally named, by my nephews, and that really hinders our indecision on selling him. He's polled and comes from GREAT genetics. I love his overall look and how he's filling out. We're definitely retaining him through the winter and will make a decision later on. His name is Mason in the Sky. He is filling out nicely.

On the pig front, we've decided to get completely out. Potbellies included. We are down to five pigs, three of which should be picked up today. Two going tomorrow. Then we're done! No more pigs! The plan is to tear down the pens and repurpose that area for a fall garden. We will see if we have time to do that. Until then I am going to toss some seed and hope for the best I guess, haha!

On the home front, well, we really haven't gotten very far. We've ripped down the walls inside to open up the main room ans it looks great but nothing is organized and we're still in remodel chaos. Learning to maneuver around my own house again
LOL.

The foster puppy is getting comfortable with our routine. I hope he gets adopted by the right family soon, but I will miss him. He's a total doll. Really smart, too.

 

[Ferguson K]

So my loving husband just want out to the shed to grab something for me. I hear him yell and see him fall OUT of the shed. I see him running. I see panic.

Me: What is wrong with you?

John: There's a snake in the shed!!!

Me: No, it's that black lead rope.

John: I'm getting the gun!

Me: Just get the dog! I don't want you shooting a hole in my shed!

John: *runs into house*

So I go into the shed to see what all this fuss is about. I don't smell a snake. I don't see a snake. I figured that there wasn't a snake. I was wrong. As I was tossing bags around and looking for said "Super huge enormous snake!" I see my lead rope on the ground behind the feed cans. I figure that's what he's talking about. I reach for it, and then I smelled it.

Snakes have a certain small about them when they're upset. They also sort of like a mix of sitting things and fresh dirt. It's a specific smell. There was a snake. I almost grabbed it.

Husband shows back up with a gun, and no dog. I tell him to not shoot it and run for the dogs. I grabbed Blue and Sugar and sent them to him. Blue threwthe snake to Sugar, who was standing by my husband, he fell backwards to avoid this HUMONGOUS snake. I fell OUT of the shed, dropped my phone, and got the **** out of the way of the dogs. Blue takes the snake and runs out of the shed with it. He starts slapping it around ( Have you ever sloshed water in a Zip Lock?) John let's him have a good few minutes with it and steps in, forcing me to hold 200lbs of dogs that want to eat the snake right now. He put a round in its head and pulled the head off and tossed it back to the dogs.

It was almost 7 ft long. It's been robbing eggs for weeks. Got a batch of chicks, too.

Good dog Blue. Good dog Sugar.

Also, apparently my husband has red eye and looks really creepy.... sayeth someome who I sent these to.

I admit it. I was wrong there was a snake in the shed.

 

[Baymule]

Smart idea. Why raise pigs when you can go to the ranch and shoot a year's supply for the freezer? LOL

Oh how funny!! While I was writing the above sentence, you posted the snake! When I got to the picture of John and the dog playing tug of war with the snake, I busted out laughing and had to show my husband. That is priceless! Still laughing.....


I will suggest setting out plants for the fall garden. Unless it's greens, then yes, just scatter seeds. Time wise, for you, plants might be your best bet.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Holy cow! That's a big a$$ sake!
(and have to admit that the red-eyed monster in the pic is scarier than the snake!)

But, thank goodness it's all taken care of now. Hate an egg sucking snake...ugh!

 

[Ferguson K]

Smart idea. Why raise pigs when you can go to the ranch and shoot a year's supply for the freezer? LOL

Exactly My point!

I will suggest setting out plants for the fall garden. Unless it's greens, then yes, just scatter seeds. Time wise, for you, plants might be your best bet.

I only plan on doing Kale, lettuce, and well that's about all I can thing of that will grow in the cold? Cabbage? Spinach?

Going to attempt another round of peppers and Tomatos before the frost.

Holy cow! That's a big a$$ sake!
(and have to admit that the red-eyed monster in the pic is scarier than the snake!)

But, thank goodness it's all taken care of now. Hate an egg sucking snake...ugh!

It was quite entertaining. Dogs are enjoying their snack.

 

[Baymule]

Oh girl, you can grow LOTS of stuff in the winter! Green onion sets, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, mustard greens, turnips, cabbage, and you can plant English peas in mid January. In your location, you can grow year around and always have fresh vegetables on the table. In Livingston, I planted carrots in the fall and harvested in early spring.

 

[Ferguson K]

Good to know!

 

[babsbag]

Playing tug with a snake.

What kind of snake was that? I assume it wasn't a poisonous one? We only have one kind of bad snake...rattlesnake. I usually see at least one or two a year and was just commenting on how the Guineas are doing their job as I haven't seen any snakes. Well, I was out doing chores tonight and like the Night Before Christmas...and what to my wondering eyes did appear...it wasn't Santa that's for sure. I called my DH on the phone and he came with the gun and dispatched it. He used a shotgun so no pictures. I have a healthy respect for rattlesnakes.

 

[Ferguson K]

@babsbag Texas Rat Snake. Not uncommon to find them over six feet in length. They are very long snake, and are in fact a constrictor knot a poisonous snake. It's really kind of cool to watch them eating eggs, it's not cool when they're your own eggs. This snake over the last month has probably gotten close to a hundred eggs from us, and I'm a little frustrated. I never thought we were going to find it, let alone in the feed shed behind the feed bins.











Don't tell my dogs, but I kind of thought they had been getting the eggs because of where the eggs had been being late. I have to apologize to Connie and Maddie when I go out there this afternoon.