A Scratching Ghost, and Way-too Friendly Neighbors

Several months ago, I purchased a 6-year-old Charolais bull for my small cow herd.  He's a big white, muscular guy, and very quiet.  I was a bit concerned that a new bull in a new pasture might try to look for a way out, so the first morning after I'd turned him in with the cows, I looked out in the back field.  No bull.

I got on the quad and made a circle around the 35-acre back field.  Found all the cows, no problem.  No bull.  So I rode the fence-line.  No holes, but still no bull.

I opened the back gate into my neighbor's property and went northwest around the point of the hill nearly to Springville.  No stray bull over there, and not even any tracks in the trail.  I decided there couldn't be any bull in that field because he'd make tracks, or I'd find him hanging along the fences somewhere.  So, back to my field and shut the gate.

Having gone around the western half of the outside fence, I started along the eastern half.  No holes, no broken wires.  Everything seemed secure.  Now I was beginning to wonder if I had Houdini for a bull, and he'd magically gotten out somehow.

Within 100 yards of the house is a big oak tree with several granite rocks of significant size scattered near the base.  I'd glanced in there when I looked the first time, but there weren't any animals, just boulders.  Besides, the cows were all half a pasture away.

As I approached the house, puzzling in my mind trying to figure out where this new bull could have gone ... I rode right up on him.  He was laying under the tree, in the shade, between the boulders which are about his size, resting quietly.

He had literally disappeared from view by being in plain sight.  So nothing would have it, but he must be named Ghost.

This morning, my bride was on her way down the drive on her way to work.  Ghost was standing right at the gate.  When I glanced over, this was the picture I saw.  Sharon going down the road, visible under Ghost.

I wasn't sure why he was standing right at the gate, other than he was simply waiting for me to go to the barn to feed hay.  So I walked a bit closer.  Then I discovered why.

There is a Pyracantha bush growing along the fence (you can see a hint of red berries above his tailhead).  Ghost was slowly and gently swaying side-to-side scratching his rear-end on the berry bushes.  Even Ghosts have itches in their britches.

Yesterday, late morning, I went to the back door to let our three dogs go outside.  As I opened the back door, the large male bobcat we often see in the area, ducked off our patio, and around to the far side of the garage.

This cat is fully large enough to make a very quick meal of either of the two Chihuahuas, and could really cut up the Boxer.  I watched the dogs, who'd gone the other way, and they'd not seen the cat.  I walked outside with them, making sure the bobcat beat a hasty retreat and wasn't waiting on the far end of the garage.

My concern is that often I let the dogs go outside by themselves.  The key is to make some "people" noise, sending the wild critters scurrying to safety away from humans, and before they decide to catch a quick snack.

Yesterday evening, probably around 8:30, I heard a coyote talking between the house and the barn, so they are coming very close to the house.

During the day when I know where they are, I really don't mind them being in view.  But I'd rather they stay a bit further from the house for the safety of my dogs.

Home again, Sycamores STILL Holding Leaves

After a wonderful trip to San Francisco, then Vacaville to visit, Rocklin for dinner, and back to Napa to visit kids, we returned home yesterday.  As we entered the river-bottom area, I started looking at the Sycamore trees.

Almost every leaf is now a brilliant yellow, but amazingly, most are still hanging tightly to the limbs of the tree.  I was quite surprised, as I anticipated the wind we had while we were absent, would have brought down the majority of leaves.  But it sure didn't.  A few more were on the ground than before, but not nearly the carpet of leaves I expected.

Sharon commented how beautiful the trees are dressed in their Fall Finery, and they certainly are that.

The dogs spent the days in the kennel at our vet, and were mighty glad to see us return.  With the fireplace warming the house, and dogs spread out on the couch, things were normal again.

I had a rather embarrassing event while we were gone.  Embarrassing in that it could have been prevented.

I parked the truck in a parking structure across from the hotel, only to learn it would not crank hard enough to start the diesel engine when I went to leave San Francisco.  After a 30-minute wait, and a few unproductive efforts, I was soon on my way again.

A stop at a Kragan auto-parts store in Vacaville, and I learned the terminals were corroded.  I seriously doubted it could be THAT corroded, but maybe.  So bought a terminal brush and a little foaming spray.  After 15 minutes effort, the terminals had been cleaned, sprayed, removed and replaced, and I was a bit chagrined to discover it cranked briskly.  So, now I have to schedule a terminal-cleaning about every 6 months.

The column needs finishing today.  I need to get some pictures to go with the column.