OK – Mother Nature – what is up with you lately? Is everything OK?

I do not mind the warmer winter – it was quite pleasant to not have to sell a kidney to pay for heating bills this past winter.

I do have to take slight offence in your mood over the past three weeks though and I am wondering if there is anything that I – as a fellow woman – can do?

First – the deep freeze? What the hell was that about? You kept the temps above average through the coldest months of our winter and then what?? experienced a hot flash and decided to plunge us into sub zero temps for a few days?

Then  – OK – really??? Were you feeling upstaged by others when you decided to dump on us  – in one day mind you – the heaviest snowfall since I don’t know when??

And what is with this rain/snow/rain/snow SNRAIN bullshit??

Coming home to a flooded garage/barn/basement (sort of) – not really the capper of my day. Lucky I made it home with the people who have seemed to have forgotten how to drive in wet weather.

So  – dear Mother Nature- what can I do to help you? I thought I was doing enough – I recycle – I respect your enviroment – I talk to my plants and trees and critters and stuff.

Do you need a hug? A vacation – wait – a nice glass of wine??

You know where I live – if you want to talk it out – the Pinot Grigio is chilling and my door is open.

Just one last request  please – could you cut back on the  wind just a bit – I need my electric fence to stay up and also my trees – I think they may be pissed at you if they fell over and I know I would be a little disappointed.

Anything I can do to help – let me know.

Thanks!

Two posts in 24 hours – unprecedented.

I do have to comment on the weather so I will keep it brief.

It FINALLY SNOWED!!! – record breaking snow  – 46 centimetres which I think is like 20 inches to my imperial friends.

Insanity ensues.

I buried my truck to the rims making a break up the driveway – EPIC!!!

Trudged knee deep -lungs burning – thighs like lead – whoa!! – flashback to our first winter – to the house.

Burst through door – FRACK forgot cell phone, groceries and wine in the truck –  Son of A!?!?!

My sled – my sled – where is my trusty sled??

Down by the barn – waist deep – trudge, trudge, trudge – good thing I quite smoking or it would surely be a “Shining” “moment.

Back to the road – our kindly neighbour – I’ll haul you out- get this – my Kia – no frigging hook or spot to hook up a chain/strap/rope- screw it – she can stay there.

I saved the wine!!!

Off to feed horses and bock bocks through now waist deep snow- OK not quite but pretty damn close.

All those years my parents said “We used to walk both ways uphill in waist deep snow” Hey I’m using that one!!!

Horses fed- chickens fed.

Fired up Maximus Prime (our tractor) – Hey I can start him- not allowed to drive him though – specially after a glass (or two) of wine.

Hubs won’t be home any time soon SO the burning topic – how am I going to get my truck out to get to work tomorrow.

I have to go – the Big Boss is coming in for business reviews from the Pacific North West – providing he made it out of Chicago – I have to be there.

Meh- worry about that tomorrow morning I guess.

Glass of wine anyone?

In light of recent events in our lives as of late – I have connected – re-connected and am trying to connect with people.

I don’t like to talk about myself all that much – which the fact that I have a blog totally negates but for the most part I am a very private person.

So a few words about me as a person and not just a blogger/farmer/crazy lady.

My real name is truly not Regina Fallangi. Anyone who watches Friends will get the reference but there was a reason I chose that moniker.

If you wish to know the name I was born with – message me or ask – I have nothing to hide – I am not in a witness protection program nor am I a spy.

And if you want to know why I chose to have an alias on The Facebook – it’s simple – I really don’t want to connect with the trolls and meanies I went to school with – they are in the past – my family and friends are my future.

For instance – we have lived at Orange Acres for 3 years and I have never met my next door neighbour – but I talk to her frequently and I am looking forward to nice weather and the chance to meet her. A new friend.

It’s also brings me to my next point – I am actually quite shy but I do hide it well.

I love clothes – but not like store bought name brand stuff – I love thrift store finds – eclectic and cowboy boots – well any boots or shoes or footwear for that matter and scarves and brooches and knee socks – and – and – and…

I am a minimalist. I like the bargain – I love second hand treasures.

I have a great job that I am really good at and it pays the bills. I can broker million dollar deals but I buy things at discount stores.

I hate vegetables – most of them anyway. I love potatoes and carrots and turnips but not the fancy ones – ditto with fruit. I like the standard stuff – I love the flavours – I don’t like the textures – I am high maintenance to feed.

I am allergic to alot of stuff. Most meds – bees – cats- horses – dogs – hay – dust  – odd that I live on a farm.

Everyone knows the importance of my children in my life so no need to drone on about that – needless to say they are my world.

Hubs is my best friend – my very very best friend. He puts up with my crazy and makes me laugh everyday. I am very lucky to have him. Not alot of men would put up with this level of crazy.

My hair is not it’s natural colour – at my age – it is not naturally this radiant – but I don’t care – gray hair is experience high lights.

I remember when I could do a cartwheel and probably could if I really put my mind to it BUT do not want to hurt myself – odd that I will ride an 1000 lb horse with no fear of hurting myself. Whatever…

I love to cook – I would not say that I am a chef my any stretch of the imagination – but my family does not go hungry and home cooked meals are important.

Did I mention I love cats – I guess I should – I have 8 of them.!!!

I am also addicted to owning chickens – oh my birds – they are an infinite source of amusement.

Hey wait – have I done this post before?? meh -maybe.

My dear cousin recently told me that she is looking forward to learning about the grown up version of me. I was a brat as a child.

I am hoping that this little snippet gives some insight to the person that I have become.

I am honest, straightforward and free thinking. I love all types of music (even country) and white wine. The cold does not bother me – the heat – like hotter than the fires of hell heat??? I can take it or leave it.

While I will freely admit I have lied on occasion – I cannot tolerate people lying -and I hate to do so myself.

My family and my friends are very important to me and I would never do anything to intentionally hurt them or lead them astray.

I am fiercely protective – and don’t take crap from anyone.

In summation – I’m just a regular person – living a regular life -with slightly irregular problems right now BUT my problems are no more or more less than anyone living their regular lives.

I am a very fortunate human being to have such amazing family and friends.

I feel grateful everyday!

This past week has been a blur.

Our family experienced a sudden and unexpected death that directly affects the two most important people in my life – my children.

I have struggled writing this post – I have written it  – edited it – deleted it and re-written it several times.

Trying to think of a way to make it NOT about me – but about them and it still comes off as about me.

My ex husband passed away unexpectedly this past Monday.

Both of my children have been handling their grief in different ways.

There were no instructions – there was no will – there is no estate.

My daughter has taken control – has handled all arrangements and has done all this with a great deal of grace and dignity for a task that should not be thrust on someone so young. I am so very proud of her.

My son is having a much more difficult time with this. He has been a source of strength to all of us in his own way and I don’t even think he recognises it.

When I stated earlier this week that “life is short – love each other” I truly meant that because you never know when it can end.

Me – well I’m sad. While he may have been my ex-husband – we did have two amazing children together – we did have our good times and  while we have not had contact in months – it’s sad to know that we will never have contact again.

All that can be done at this point is to support the children – guide them through the legalities and let them know that they are truly and genuinely loved by many many people.

It’s clearly no secret – my posts have been infrequent and I have heard from a few enquiring as to my well being – thank you.

I’ve been uninspired as of late and I listen to my husband walk across the room stirring a glass of crap he has to drink for his colonoscopy tomorrow and yammering away- I am about to lose my shit!!!

Sorry – a moment please.

Thank you for that.

I’ve been uninspired – restless – grouchy – easily annoyed and a little unhappy.

I’m blaming the weather actually – mayhaps the season – I’m not quite sure.

I just came in from night feed. It’s snowing – ever so lightly. It’s chilly but not bone numbingly cold.

It’s quiet and still and lovely.

The herd is happy- the bock bocks infinitely amusing as I sat there just chatting with them. They make me smile.

I came back in and well – hubs yammering – dishes yet to be washed and no inspiration still.

I think I’ll go back outside and sit with the bock bocks and visit the herd again and hope that inspiration returns soon.

Sigh – I hate this time of year.

Well – Happy January 2nd???

I know I’m late and have been slacking in posting – it’ because I have not been experiencing a lot of “AHA” inspirational moments.

This is our third Christmas here in our little stone house.

Below is a list (in no particular order) of what I am incredibly grateful for this Christmas.

1. Firewood – thank you trees for heating our home and pissing off the propane man.
2. The weather – love it or hate it – it’s unprecedented this year with above zero temps- sun and no snow. Do hate the mud though.
3. Food – so much food.
4. Wine – so much wine – never enough wine.
5. Friends – oh I have made so many friends in our little area – I am blessed. The networking is amazing – they’ll tell two friends and they’ll tell two friends and so on and so on…
6. Chickens!! – enough said. Everyone knows how I love my birds.
7. Big Horse – Girl Horse and B  Horse – my sanity.
8. Hubs – that man has the patience of a saint I swear.
9. Swearing – not very Christmasy but I just stubbed my toe!
10. My family -every in law, outlaw, outcast, cousin, aunt, uncle – etc etc etc.
11. My children – my beautiful, talented, drive me crazy, make me smile children.

I’ve been a little uninspired as of late.

Work has gotten me down and then the flu/cold/plague.

The Hubs has been sick now for two weeks so our little farm has been a bit of a real chore for me – coupled with the mud – I’ve been off my game and feeling sorry for myself.

No time to ride- the constant darkness but as I look out my office window – I am seeing the most glorious full moon and it’s warm in here so I have the window open and I swear the coyotes are right outside.

I am sure the inspiration will come back – I am sure that we will get snow eventually – winter will come – we will (well I won’t) curse it and we will go around and around again.

Merry Christmas everyone – thank you for reading.

I could quite possibly get sued for copyrite infringement or for being an incredibly bad lyricist – which I am NOT FYI – but – I was giggling the whole time I was doing chores and literally banged this out in less than 5 minutes.

Please forgive my lunacy – it’s been a long as week.

To the tune of Alanis Morisette’s “Hand in Pocket”  – I’d like to present  – Bot Knife in Pocket – my horsey/farmer friends will so totally get this.

I’m broke but I’m happy,
So broke that I juggle bills.
Don’t sleep but I’m waking up.
The Livestock is hungry,
Mud in the paddock baby…
Cause what is all come down to,
Is that everything’s gonna be fine, fine fine,
Cause I’ve got a bot knife in my pocket,
And the other one carries a hoof pick.

I feel good but discouraged,
The ground – it will never freeze,
This wet will never go away.
The horses don’t care,
The chickens don’t either
There’s a huge lack of day light baby…
But what is all comes down to,
Is that everything is gonna be quite alright…
Cause I’ve got a bot knife in my pocket,
And the other one is full of baler twine.

Today’s date is Sunday December 13th 2015.

I live in Eastern Canada.

It is currently raining.

This is unprecedented!!

On December 13th 2014 – we had a significant snow fall warning??

But now – the grass is “greenish” – the ground is mush – the squirrels are so fat they can barely walk!

I was literally hauling hay in a tee shirt today – it was a balmy – it’s above zero and this past week we have had record breaking temps!!

This brings me to my next dilemma.

I am so not in the Christmas Spirit this year. With the warmer temps – no snow on the ground and the plague rolling around our house – I have not even started shopping and usually I am done weeks ago.

So – we all made a pact today. Simple, simple, simple gifts. Hubs and I agreed to not buy each other anything and considering we just dropped 600 bones on hay – Santa’s sack is a little empty.

But really – it is not about who got what and who spent this and who bought this or that or the other thing.

It’s about family and loved ones and food and fun.

For instance – Hubs is sick – sicker than I have seen him in a long time. I had to get hay. Now you all know me well enough to know that I will NOT shall NOT and NEVER WILL pull a trailer – EVER!!!

So a last minute call to my Bro in a tizzy had him over here post haste to help me retrieve my trailer of hay.

Now the hay – while important – was not the best part of that haul – it was chilling with my bro and talking about this and than and the other thing – see  – that is what I am eluding to.

Connecting – hanging out – having a laugh – reminiscencing about this, that and the other thing.

All this warm and fuzzy sentiment does not negate the fact that is it still December 11th and I’m sorry to all the naysayers – I really need some snow and some cold temps please.

Just for a bit if you don’t mind horribly? I’d be ever so grateful.

Thank you!

The title?? – if you add them all up – it pretty much sums up life at Orange Acres right now.

I’ll start at the beginning.

But first a sip of a nice Malbec.

The beginning – if you recall – our beloved Rooster Clyde was snatched from us this past summer – my glorious boy – gone.

As a result of that – another was gifted to me -his offspring – aptly name C2 (Clyde Two).

My last work road trip saw C2 get an abscess on his leg seconds of me prior to leaving. He took a turn for this worse and this flightless child cannot seem to stand on his own two feet.

Soooo…we now have a Rooster living in our garage – he is bathed daily – hand fed and watered every 4 hours or so and he has shown improvement. His life spared for the time being unless he takes a turn for the worse then it will be the “Cooler” for him. I hate to see any animal suffer.

Lights – well – Hubs – in his brilliance has strung a set of carefully constructed – impeccably wired  flood lights through the yard so I do not have to worry about rolling my ankle on the frozen muck/mud pit that was once my barn yard.

This brings me to number 3 or as the title would have you believe – number 1.

There is a nip in the air – quite frosty – lovely.

Sip.

The frost tonight is sparkling like faeries or fireflies – coating everything with it’s magic.

The nip is minimal compared to the inevitable blast that will follow but tonight it was clear and crisp and magical.

Ponies prancing around – tossing their heads waiting for their tuck in and snack. Their breath warm as they investigate my ever present pony tail while feeding, blanketing and picking their feet.

Sip.

The weather will turn ugly tomorrow with frozen little bits of rain falling from the sky making driving treacherous I am sure as I prepare to jet off to Las Vegas for a quick “turn and burn” meeting this coming week.

My hope is that my Roo will be OK while I am not here. My son has been tending him during the day while we are not home but with me gone and Hubs working – he will have to fend for himself during those hours.

The nip in the air will be replaced with milder temps – crappy weather and what I am sure will be a muddy paddock.

BUT – the lights will still be shining to guide my/our way to the barn – to the paddock -to the prancing ponies waiting for dinner.

Sip.

Love it or hate it – winter is upon us and I can’t wait to see our fields blanketed in pristine white snow – to feel that bone chilling sub zero temps and to sit and talk to my herd.

Sip.

Good night.