Monday 18 January 2016

In for the afternoon.

The farmer has at last learned a bit of sense now that he is retired.   He has just taken Tess for her after-lunch walk and on coming back in he has taken off his outdoor togs and come into the house to sit by the wood burner and do the latest jigsaw.

There was a time, until fairly recently, when he almost thought it a crime to be indoors during the day.  (old habits die hard)   But he has learned his lesson.   This morning he gave the hens a thorough clean out while they were out in the paddock.   All the old straw went on to the compost heap and fresh straw was scattered and some corn thrown into it so that when they come in tonight the hens will have the lovely surprise of being able to scratch in new, clean straw in order to find bits of corn here and there. Whatever the weather the hens rush out in the mornings and dash into the fields looking for grubs - and pecking at the grass.

Our snow has almost gone but it is misty and grey and cold - worse in a lot of ways than sunny, frosty weather.   But it is set to get warmer towards the middle of the week.  Can't be soon enough for me - I think I have got soft in my old age.  I even made a blackberry and apple crumble for lunch - we rarely have a pudding but I thought the miserable view out of the window meant we needed a bit of cheering up.

My son has returned to the hospital today.   You may remember that just before Christmas he had a detached retina - well he felt something was just not right so he went back to the Specialist this morning and his wife just rang to say he is having more treatment while she waits for him.   Eyes are so important - so it is quite a worry.

 

24 comments:

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Hoping for everything good for your son! And that you get some sunshine soon!

Derek Faulkner said...

Pat, we're in that awful transition period now between winter and Spring, where every step forward seems to be followed by two back. A mild sunny day, when it almost feels like Spring, can be followed by two of snow. Glad that the farmer is now finding it easier to take it easy, although you can have too much of a good thing.

Terry and Linda said...

I hope everything good happens for your son!!!

Linda

Heather said...

We seem to hurtle toward Christmas and New Year and then the weeks drag through the rest of the winter, especially if the weather is miserable. It hasn't been too bad here today though the wind had a sharp edge to it.
I do hope the extra treatment to your son's eye will be effective.

Dawn said...

grey skies here too although its a bit milder, hope it ges well for your son

Midmarsh John said...

The thought of blackberry and apple crumble is making my mouth water.
I hope all went well with your son's eye.

Anonymous said...

We're still in that phase of it being a crime to be indoors during daylight hours (my OH that is- a farmer's son, so you'll understand the mentality). I bet the hens were thrilled with the fresh straw. Fingers crossed with your sons eyes.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

We have a great deal of snow now with more coming in Ontario. I hope everything is taken care of for your son's eye. Chickens do love a "freshly made" bed of straw, don't they? -Jenn

Dartford Warbler said...

Your hens must be very happy with their new bed and all that surprise corn to find!

Hoping that your son`s retina stays where it should from now on. Eyes are so precious but we take them for granted until something goes wrong.

Gwil W said...

Hope it all goes well. As you say, eyes are important. Fingers crossed here.

Rachel Phillips said...

Lovely day here. Very cold, bright, and dry with great sun rise and sunset. I don't mind the cold and frost and dry. Typical weather for the East.

Joanne Noragon said...

Too cold for me today. Minus 16 plus, Celsius. I do hope your son comes through well.

Penny said...

Old farmers around the world sound the same. Hope you get some sun soon.

Maria said...

All the best for your son. Greetings Maria x

donna baker said...

Glad your son went back to see the doctor when he felt something wrong. Hope it is just a small thing. You have to use up the garden's bounty from last year anyway so might as well keep going on these terrible and cold days. I'm soft too. Don't like the rain, snow, cold or cloudy days. My husband says I don't like it hot either. I don't when it is 90 degrees and above. My hands have been cold all day and just now have warmed up. I did something I never do. I turned up the thermostat.

Wilma said...

Wishing a good outcome for your son. I like living where it is usually pleasant to be outside. Hope you get some good weather soon.

angryparsnip said...

I hope all goes well for your son's eye.
'
And you get some warm and sunny weather soon.
I have my studio door open, fresh cool air coming in lovely.

cheers, parsnip and thehamish

mrsnesbitt said...

We use the phrase "We're in for the night now" Gates closed, hens locked away from the fox and we're all safe and warm.

Mac n' Janet said...

Hope his eye is ok, I worry about mine all the time. I have to practically chain my husband up to keep him inside if the weather is even half-way decent.

Mary said...

Do hope things go well for your son - glad he realized there was a problem which required attention rather than letting it go on. Men are often slow to take care of themselves - it goes back to caveman days I believe!

Your farmer is extremely busy for a 'retired guy', bless his heart.
Yum, blackberry and apple is always good.
Mary x

Cro Magnon said...

I tend to feel guilty if I sit around all day in front of the fire, but occasionally there's nothing one can do about it; other than take the dog for a walk.

thelma said...

Best wishes for your son hope it all gets sorted out.

Pondside said...

Like you, we here in the Pacific Northwest are in the soggy part of winter.
I hope that your son is soon on the mend.

meigancam01 said...

Very nice article!!
I hope your son will be fine very soon!!