Dolly the Rebate Dog

Just when you think you have seen it all, you get a surprise in the mail. We adopted Dolly from a nearby animal shelter three years ago. She was 8 1/2 years old at the time, and when we applied for adoption, they offered us a discount due to her age. We laughed and told her that she was close to her expiration date.

About a month ago, the shelter contacted me to inquire if I had kept her vaccinations up to date. I sent them proof of vaccination, some photos and a letter telling them how much she was enjoying country living. When I went to the mailbox this week, I saw another letter from the humane society and I thought, "What? Do they want her back?" When I opened the letter, they had sent me a $10 rebate for keeping her three years and keeping her vaccinations current. When Gene came home, he said that pretty soon we would be making money on her! I laughed so hard as he spent the evening calling out, "Hey Rebate, do you want to go for a walk?"

Here is Dolly waiting for Gene to come home.

ADDENDUM: After posting this, Gene received a $2 rebate from a dropped policy. I couldn't resist pointing out that Dolly was worth more than he was.

Cutting Hay

I have to admit that I'm facinated by the hay cutting process. We have watched weeds grow to nearly three feet on the 20+ acres south of us. Such beautiful, rolling hills are covered in noxious weeds (see May posting) and something that looks like Queen Anne's lace.

Then last week, a neighboring farmer came and cut the weeds down. The cutter leaves two neat rows of hay. A day later, the farmer comes back and turns the rows into one row, following the next day with a hay baler. Now there is a piece of equipment that I can get into. The baler rolls the hay into large rolls and binds them. There is something so serene in waking up to fields of round bales of hay poking out of the fog.

We have watched the farmer come the last few evenings to pick up the bales and haul them down hill. I'm wondering why he didn't just give them a good push with the tractor. It is, after all, downhill!

I wonder what a bale of hay goes for?

Farmer's Tan

Gene told me that I'm getting a farmer's tan. Just great! Next thing you know, I will be buying plaid shirts and cutting the sleeves off.

I'm done with Fertilizer

Last spring, we noticed that the grass in the front yard was looking a bit thin. When Gene asked what we should do about it, I told him it just needed a bit of fertilizer. I spread some out and it began to rain. Who knew it would rain 23 days in June? July isn't looking to be much better. While people living in the low areas are worrying about flooding, I'm on top of a hill trying to mow and keep the grass in line. Not only did the grass fill in, it is flourishing!

A farmer came and cut hay on the 20 some acres just south of us last night. I just pointed to our yard and signaled for him to keep on cutting. He waved and laughed, but I'm not kidding. You know it is bad when you need a GPS to find your house while you are looking over the top of the grass! I'm done with fertilizer!

God Bless Google

I think of all the times that I've been at a loss on what to do out here in the country and how many times that I have turned to Google for help. Tho, at times, the information can be daunting. Take, for example, the solutions for pond scum -- I am now educated on what causes algae in the first place. Sunlight and runoff seem to be the main culprits.

Google references suggest that I just put more shade around the tree. I wonder if that "Charlie Brown" sized willow tree will hurry up and grow to offer some shade. And how many more trees am I going to need to plant? We are already regretting planting a tree so far from the house. We haul water in 5 gallon buckets down to keep it alive. Oh wait, why don't we use pond water!

As for runoff, several articles suggest I divert the runoff to keep it out of the pond. Are you kidding me? I have 14 acres that slope, not so gently, toward the pond. It seems to me that this runoff is what is keeping the darn thing full. Redirecting water is a joke.

Pond Scum

It is interesting to me to realize how many things I never thought much about. I have driven by houses with ponds all my life; some are beautiful with blue water, some a bit murky, and a few have algae on them; but I've never given much thought to the care of ponds.

Now I find myself with three ponds. One is only a couple feet deep and has beautiful cattails growing in it. The ducks and birds love it. I see them peaking out at me as I walk along the driveway. The pheasants run toward it for cover.

The second pond is deep, but the water level fluctuates a lot. I know we could seal it with Bentonite, but the sides are very steep and I'm not sure if it is worth the cost, or what it would cost. This pond helps contain run off.

Then there is the big, beautiful pond that graces the entrance to our property. Two families of geese entertain us on the pond. The only problem is that it is totally covered in pond scum this month! I kid you not. The geese are even looking hesitant to climb in. I expect to see them walking on water soon. We have dumped $50 worth of algae eating crystals into the pond with little or no effect. I'm open to ideas . . . .