Never thought retirement would be like this

Tabitha, you are so sweet. :rose:

No, the fencers didn't show up, but the weather was much worse out there. The power had been off a long time when I got there. The faucets were exploding and chugging and popping, from low water pressure. It was COLD (58F) and windy and rainy. Brrrr!

When I was a kid, and said something like, "I wish it were summer vacation time," my mother always told me...

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...but right now, I'm willing to give up 3 days. Just want it to be Tuesday.
　
Just before I was ready to take off back home I heard a dog bark---one of THE dogs. I recognize it because they came back to bark at me last Friday after getting Dixie. One of those dogs is mean. The other may just be a tag along. I don't know which one I heard. It was over on the rental property, possibly tied up, not moving. I couldn't see over the bushes. This is the house with 6 pickup trucks parked out front at times, with the Confederate flag proudly put out on Easter Sunday. I am not going over there, period.

So I drag out some old fence wire and do a temporary fix so that dogs can't come through the barn gates, at least not on a dead run, and locked the goats up. They will stay locked up as long as I'm not there.

I was not imagining it, there are 500 volts of electricity on that gate. The gate and my feet were wet yesterday, so I could feel it. Not today. Don't know how long it's been that way. No problems anywhere close by. Still getting 7400 volts on the electric line, though. That's enough. (Daily lesson in Electric Fence 101. :rolleyes:)

Top it all off, I've got a luncheon appointment Monday with a group of people planned for a long time. A couple I used to work with are visiting from overseas. Haven't seen them since 1986. And the fencers are coming! Yikes!!! :p
 

Oh Nancy, you are having a horrid time! I wish we could all be there to help. That was a good idea to lock the dears up in the barn. They will be safe now until the fencers arrive.



 
Nancy, you be very careful...that dog seems mean and he would just as soon attack you as he did Dixie! Animal Control needs to make an investigation in my opinion. What a bunch of "southern goobers"! They give the South a bad reputation. I just have to shake my head at times and wonder!?

Well, the fencers can do their work without you there.....go and enjoy your time with your old time friends! If I were closer, I'd come and supervisor those fencers and let you enjoy your luncheon!
 

maggiemae said:
Nancy, you be very careful...that dog seems mean and he would just as soon attack you as he did Dixie! Animal Control needs to make an investigation in my opinion. What a bunch of "southern goobers"! They give the South a bad reputation. I just have to shake my head at times and wonder!?

Well, the fencers can do their work without you there.....go and enjoy your time with your old time friends! If I were closer, I'd come and supervisor those fencers and let you enjoy your luncheon!
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maggiemae, I guess I'm guilty of stereotyping, aren't I? But it's actually kind of funny, because the scene there fits the things you see in some movies.

I don't blame these dogs, just the owners. That one dog may have been taught to be mean by rough playing when it was little, just because it looked cute as a puppy.

True the fencers don't need my supervision, but...

I asked the fencer guy if he could fix the gates so dogs can't climb over them, and he said he never knew a dog to "climb" over a fence! Heck you can find dozens of YouTube videos showing dogs climbing fences. His comment doesn't give me a lot of confidence.:rolleyes: I'm a worrier, as you can probably tell, but sometimes after it's too late. :(
 
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The goats are tucked in for the night. One of two gates on the barn, fortified. It ain't pretty, but it should work, up to 4'. No time for anything fancy right now.

Now, I'm not going to mention goats again......until Monday night. :playful:

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goats.....what goats?
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LOL, funny! Just where is that fence guy from? Doesn't he know hunting dogs climb fences?

The sweet deer I was so concerned about this Fall are about to get on my last nerve now. They are eating my Knock Out Rose bush. It was full of blooms yesterday and all are gone today with a lot of foliage too. So I put a metal wind chime on a shepherd's hook right in the plant to see if it will scare them off. They must be feeding during the night. Might need to go to Tractor Supply and see what they have. I did read online that moth balls work too. And rotten eggs...mix 4 or 5 eggs with hot sauce and water...spray. That's enough to drive me away!
 
I understand completely about "neighbors dogs!"

When new neighbors moved in next to my long driveway, they had a smaller dog. Unfortunately, at the time, I had geese and the little dog nailed three of the goslings. I went to the neighbor and asked them to not let their dog roam because it had killed 3 goslings. While I was trying to talk to the son-in-law (older couple couldn't speak English) their little dog ran to me, jumped up and bit me on the elbow. No apology from the neighbors.

The neighbor's daughter called me a few hours later and wanted to "see the bodies". Omgawd... I told her the goslings were already buried and I was NOT going to dig them up and I would appreciate if she would explain to her parents that I do NOT want their dog on my property. Wasn't too long after, that we installed a large, locked gate to keep out neighbors dogs and other unwelcomed (two-legged) guests.

About two years later, another neighbor's dog jumped the fence late at night and killed three of the adult geese. I heard the noise and ran outside to find the woman trying to get her large dog to leave the geese alone. I told the woman to write out a check for $150.00 and make it out to the Humane Society in memory of my 3 geese, which she did the next day.

Anyway, I hope the gate in the barn serves the purpose. If you have a gun, Nancy, you should carry it with you. That dog seems to be mean. (Better safe, than sorry!)
 
maggiemae said:
LOL, funny! Just where is that fence guy from? Doesn't he know hunting dogs climb fences?

The sweet deer I was so concerned about this Fall are about to get on my last nerve now. They are eating my Knock Out Rose bush. It was full of blooms yesterday and all are gone today with a lot of foliage too. So I put a metal wind chime on a shepherd's hook right in the plant to see if it will scare them off. They must be feeding during the night. Might need to go to Tractor Supply and see what they have. I did read online that moth balls work too. And rotten eggs...mix 4 or 5 eggs with hot sauce and water...spray. That's enough to drive me away!
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He was born and raised 10 miles from my place. You would think New York City, wouldn't you? ;)

I love knock-out roses. I remember that deer last fall. If you are going to use wind chimes, you've got to get more serious, like this bone chime. Use deer antlers on top. :devil:

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Callie said:
I understand completely about "neighbors dogs!"

When new neighbors moved in next to my long driveway, they had a smaller dog. Unfortunately, at the time, I had geese and the little dog nailed three of the goslings. I went to the neighbor and asked them to not let their dog roam because it had killed 3 goslings. While I was trying to talk to the son-in-law (older couple couldn't speak English) their little dog ran to me, jumped up and bit me on the elbow. No apology from the neighbors.

The neighbor's daughter called me a few hours later and wanted to "see the bodies". Omgawd... I told her the goslings were already buried and I was NOT going to dig them up and I would appreciate if she would explain to her parents that I do NOT want their dog on my property. Wasn't too long after, that we installed a large, locked gate to keep out neighbors dogs and other unwelcomed (two-legged) guests.

About two years later, another neighbor's dog jumped the fence late at night and killed three of the adult geese. I heard the noise and ran outside to find the woman trying to get her large dog to leave the geese alone. I told the woman to write out a check for $150.00 and make it out to the Humane Society in memory of my 3 geese, which she did the next day.

Anyway, I hope the gate in the barn serves the purpose. If you have a gun, Nancy, you should carry it with you. That dog seems to be mean. (Better safe, than sorry!)
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Aww... that's sad about your geese, Callie. That would make me so mad. My new neighbor has ducks running loose. I sent her an email and told her what happened here. It's when the animals run, that they're vulnerable. The dogs first just want to chase, and then get carried away, so I think the wired gates will work 'cause nobody has room to start running.
 
"If you have a gun, Nancy, you should carry it with you." Personally, I am fond of Mr Smith and Mr. Wesson! They keep me company when Mike is out of town! LOL
 
maggiemae said:
"If you have a gun, Nancy, you should carry it with you." Personally, I am fond of Mr Smith and Mr. Wesson! They keep me company when Mike is out of town! LOL
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I agree, at least for a while. I've got a .22 rifle---a nuisance to carry around walking, though.:p Doubt I'd be very fast on the draw. Probably lose a toe. :eek:nthego:

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The fencer called early this morning and said two of his crew called in with "The Monday Morning Blues," (his words) and so he would start tomorrow instead. It made today much less hectic. This shouldn't take them more than... 2 days?

The lunch went well, I guess. There were just 7 of us---the visiting couple and their daughter, two guys I used to work with, and a fellow that arranged everything, who I didn't know.

I always thought this couple were very nice, and never forgot them all these years, but really didn't associate with them that much, or so I thought. Never thought they would remember me. When they were here I took them, and a friend of theirs, fishing out at the lake one time. The only thing we caught was a snapping turtle. They remembered all the details of that little adventure, and so do I. They are from Thailand.

The two guys I worked with sat at the end of the table and talked only to each other the whole time. :rolleyes: The rest of us had a good conversation though. So glad I got to go.

Tonight---dog barking again from neighbor's property, but still not moving around. Seems hearing my voice starts him barking. Same to you, fella! Woof!

The internet has been slow for 10 days. A two minute video takes 20 minutes to finish in HD and re-buffers (is that the term?) each time you replay. Photos and pages take forever to load. Seems to be better after midnight. :confused: About to give up Googling forever. :(
 
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Nope. No pictures of a beautiful new fence. The fencers didn't show up Tuesday, or today. Doesn't really surprise me. This is why I try to figure out how to do everything I can. Much faster. If I had started Saturday, I could have already finished a very small enclosed area around the barn by myself by now.

It is time to do the spring removal of winter straw bedding from the barn. Will start that tomorrow. Next time try to attach the post hole digger and give a try at digging a few holes. If the fencers don't show up by Friday, I'll buy some supplies and go ahead with it. If they do show up, a few holes here and there won't hurt anything. I'll just fill them back in, and mark them for later.:)

The goats are getting used to being locked up. The first time I couldn't get Rusty to go in. The other 2 would be happier without him. He can run like a gazelle and could outrun ONE dog, but TWO might corner him. Second night I tricked him, and although we had a terrible clash as I was closing the gate, I won. Third and 4th nights he walked right in. Go figure.
 
Dear Nancy you have a gift for writing in an amusing way even when you are fed up. I admire your good spirits. I am relieved that the goats are behaving for you.
 
I was thinking about you today and wondered if they ever showed up. Must be nice to have so much work that you can just put off a job! NOT! Atleast the guy could have called you and let you know what was going on. Yep, if you want something done...do it yourself! I guess the goats realize something is going on and they are just waiting. Maybe they miss Dixie.

Glad you got to meet your friends for lunch. Sounds like you made some memories with your Thailand friends! You can never take memories away and these seemed like good ones! The other two guys...not so much! Well, their loss!
 
Just got a call from the fencer saying he will start tomorrow (Friday). Can have a few more cups of coffee this morning before getting started.

:coffeelaugh:

Update: 8:45am: HVAC man just called to say they have the part for the AC, and he'll be out before 10am to install it. Could things be starting to come together??? More coffee? :)

Update: 11:20am: HVAC man just finished installing the part, but broke a pvc pipe and has to go get a fitting. Better leave the barn clean out until after the fencers leave now, assuming they show up tomorrow.
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Nope. No one showed up. At least I got a big bush near the house cut down and carried off. It had become a bit of a security issue. And washed the truck. Neither was necessary. Oh well.... I have to go out anyway, just to let the goats out to get some exercise. Not likely anyone will show up before Monday now. Back to plan A tomorrow---dig some holes? ;)
 
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