November 2013 – Plum Blossom Farm

I rely on the wood stove to keep me warm all winter. This requires that I have a lot of wood to supply the stove. I have run low many times and have always managed to scrounge up some wood one way or another, but is not ideal. When the wood pile runs low I tend to light shorter fires, less often and obviously am cold a lot more.

This year I was determined to not run low so I could relax and just light a fire whenever the thermometer read under 65 degrees. Friends chipped in and helped me gather about a cord together. Some came from trees that had been removed along roads. Some came from a dead fig tree that I had on the property that needed to be taken down since I moved here 2 years ago.

But for the first time this year I am actually buying a cord of white oak. I feel a bit like a sell-out but I am willing to risk that title to be warm!

All the oak came split and dumped in my driveway from an outfit in Santa Rosa. All I had to do was stack the pieces, which feels a bit like playing a puzzle.

Luckily the only wood I had to split was some of the fig, but it was so dry it made me feel wonderfully strong and empowered! It will be so nice to just enjoy the winter in a warm cozy house. Sometimes it can be 80 degrees inside when the wood stove really gets cranking. Makes it feel like a whole other season altogether.

A month of expensive vet visits are the most current events at Plum Blossom Farm. The older sheep in the flock are needing dental work. Most sheep are not allowed to grow old. They are sent to slaughter far before they need any medical care. On my farm however all the animals have a forever home here and are given whatever medical attention they need.

Just like horses, sheeps teeth continue to grow throughout their life. This is probably where the phrase “long in the tooth” comes from. This becomes a problem as the grinding molars grow and cause each bite to be painful. The sheep in this condition lose weight and become thin. I have heard so many times that old sheep just get skinny, there is no way you can fatten them up. But apparently this is the actual problem and it is at least manageable. But it does cost – $125 each.

I found a new wonderful vet out of Potter Valley named Dr Rich Brazil. He was willing to float my older sheep’s teeth. This means filing them down. It was a long process with sedation involved but everyone made it through fine so far. I will do one more round of old girls and boys to make sure everyone’s teeth are in good shape. I had to break the patients into two
groups to divide the bill.

I am glad to do what I can for these sweet animals. It is so rewarding to see them eating better now and finally putting some weight back on; just in time for winter.

Month: November 2013

Firewood Stacked and Ready to Burn!

Sheep Oral Surgery

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