Better than Grumpy Cat—Waiting for spring at Lester's Flat!

I am fully recovered from my ugly flu, and getting back to being a non-grumpy person. A lot has been going on here at Lester's Flat that I haven't been able to share with the general public.

The Husband resigned from his bank job and has had these 2 weeks off (to take care of sick and grumpy wifey!). He starts Monday with a local non-profit. It's much closer to home and less stress, leaving more time for his farming (ad)ventures.

Those farm animals have been braving below zero temperatures combined with lots of wind and snow. The 3 little piggies are not so little anymore, and they're getting a little crazy in the cold. We had to zip-tie a piece of metal bedframe to the pig fence at about 8 pm one night when the 3 of them decided that they wanted to go out on the town. They were biting at my hands and head-butting the wimpy wire fence the whole time that we were out there, freezing, working to keep them where they belong. What does one do if the pigs escape?  I hope we never find out! I can't even imagine trying to convince a few 200-lb animals to come back to their not-so-cozy home...

Our 2 pregnant female goats, and their buddy Jacko, don't seem to mind the cold so much with their nice winter coats. Kids expected in early March!

Chickens and ducks are impatiently waiting for the thaw. Most of the chickens have frostbite on their combs, which looks painful. All have stopped laying eggs, except for one frozen chicken egg today—the first sign of spring!

And finally I have started putting together some artwork to sell in the little gallery in town. The Old Blacksmith Shop Gallery in Schuyler Lake was exactly that—an old building beautifully restored by a guy named Bill Isaac. I have been talking to them about bringing in my artwork for the last 2 years, and I am just about ready. These first 2 pieces are actually gifts (not for sale) but I have settled on these barnwood frames as the best way to present the printed canvas. I also have 2 stretched canvases that I want to mount on some barnwood from the falling down horse barn across the street.

The WoodMan photo is just for kicks. He looks so handsome sleeping in the sun! Sophie chooses most often to sleep on the slate floor. I guess the radiant floor heat feels nice on her old bones. I'll get some new pictures of her one of these days coming up, and if we see blue skies again any time soon, I will make an effort to get some new piggie and pregnant goat photos! Lucille is out there right now, sleeping in the baby crib full of hay. It seems to be the favorite spot on sunny days.

Grumpy Cat comes to Schuyler Lake

I am just now feeling normal again after being beaten up by some flu bug on January 19. It kicked me hard! Having never had the flu before, I was pretty cocky about not getting a flu shot. If I was at the doctor's office and they offered, I got it, but I think that only happened once, maybe 2 years ago.

The worst part about this flu was that I caught it from the owners of the newspaper, but they came down with it 2 days before me and had the weekend to recover (sort of). I got stuck with feeling the worst on Monday and Tuesday, the 2 most important days at the paper. Even though I do not believe in working when sick, especially this sick, I had to go in because the paper has to go out!

I was so bad, I even locked The Husband out of the house on the coldest night in forever. He went out to check on the animals, and I locked the door and went to bed. I couldn't figure out why someone was knocking on the door at 10 pm, even though I had just locked it maybe 10 minutes earlier... Sorry, Babe...

There is no photo that can describe the ugly flu-infested mess that I was, so you will just have to imagine me with the Grumpy Cat face and thank me for not posting a real photo of me.

Well that's a fine Howdy-Do!

Happy New Year! Welcome 2014! We're off to a fine start this January 2, it's 0° at high noon! At least the sun is shining?

I was hoping to make it to NJ for the annual Colvard-McCann party on Saturday night, but the weather does not appear to be cooperating. They are expecting 11" of snow today and possibly more on Sunday when I would be driving back. Little Sister was looking forward to my visit, but she will be happier if she doesn't have to worry about me driving.

For some color in this bleak and dreary post, I included a photo of the wreath that I won in the Adorn-A-Door Auction. Local business people and artists create some really fantastic wreath-like objects that might include coupons, pieces from their shop, or pieces of art. I also bid on the Cooperstown Distillery wreath which included a bottle of Fenimore Gin. Next year I'll know to go later in the day and only bid on the wreaths I really want...that I can also afford. I didn't even remember bidding on this nice, traditional wreath that had 2 Cooperstown mugs in the middle along with the 3 mercury glass ornaments. The auction benefits the Cooperstown Art Association.

My New Year's resolution is to create some real art and either join the Art Association or display my work in the Blacksmith Shop Gallery (in our little town) or both.