Much,Much,More of This and That
An on going blog of the farm and family. Thoughts of this and that and an up date of the animals on the farm
BRINGING HOME THE PRIZES!!
Dale and Holly won first in their class of Guernsey but did not win over all champion. Dale and Molly got a first place in Molly’s older class. Cassie placed fourth in older Jersey class.
Savannah placed first in her art and craft exhibit and first with her rabbit and chicken. Dale’s hen "Bob" the Polish breed received reserved grand champion.
Today is the horse and dog shows but we do not have any entries this year as Shannon’s dog had some problems. Shannon will go over to do his hour of volunteer work in the rabbit and chicken barn. His rabbit won a first place.
Monday evening will be the steer show. Cassie has an entry. Spot the steer. Monday is the show and Tuesday is the cattle buy.
The local merchants are solicited ahead of time by the contestants to purchase their animal. The contestant has to write letters and present them to merchants and individuals to attend the auction and ask them to bid on their animal. The amount of going money per pound is known and can be bid up or left at base price. This money when received goes towards purchase of another animal for next year plus feed and upkeep. The auctions are for meat cattle. Dairy cattle are treated differently.
Scratchy the pig big night is Wednesday. He will be sold for meat also.
The contestants must keep strict records books to alleviate any misconduct.
THE FIRST DAY OF FAIR WEEK
I am up at 4:30 am. Not that I am excited, rather I got a good night sleep with Dinah sleeping in her room. See Dina the Cat.
Well, Bob the chicken has been entered. She is black and white striped and he has small feathers sticking out all over her head and down in front of her eyes. She can only see the ground in front of where she is walking and I crack up when see her progress across the yard. They also entered a Turkin. A cross breed of a chicken and a turkey. UGLY……..poor thing.
The chickens were bathed in tubs and toweled dry. Chickens will have fleas and ticks and must be watched for that.
The cow and cattle crew were up late last night doing the final chores for today.
We will know by sundown if Holly is a winner.
I AM WRONG
I wrote that the cattle entry is Friday, February 20,2004 and I am wrong. Talking with Marshall who, along with Rick and Dale are in charge of cattle and swine for the farm he said Friday is chicken and rabbit day. Saturday is the day the cattle are brought to the Fair Grounds. Josh and A.J. are also part of the team.
This is an extended family project. Most family members and friends attend the fair and are there most days for the duration. Parents, Grandparents, Grandchildren, Sisters, Brothers, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, boyfriends, girlfriends, members with SO and so on.
The teens and children are required to keep up to date record books for each animal. The record books are reviewed when the animal is brought to the grounds. The record books show how much the animal weighed in the beginning how much it weighs now, what type of feed is used, how much feed is used, feed receipts, cost of grooming, cost of vet bills if any and much more. If the record book does not meet the requirements it must be redone or added to and then resubmitted. Most teens and children have been doing this since they were old enough to join the clubs.
http://geocities.com/southeasternyouthfair/exhibitorschedule.html
OFF TO THE FAIR
Friday is going to be a busy day at the Youth Fair Grounds of Marion County. All over the county trucks, vans, and trailers are loaded up and driven to the fair grounds. The first part of the stock show is cattle.
The grounds have permanent stalls for the cows and steers. Each contestant tries to out do the other in decorating the outside of their stalls. There are also places for pigs and goats and sheep. On hand are setups for washing the animals and drying. Each contestant places a large footlocker in front of the stall with all the equipment needed for the duration of the fair.
The whole area is covered by roof even the large arena for the horse showmanship
. There is a smaller arena for the dairy cow, pig, goat, sheep and dogs.One of the great things that the judges do is explain after each award the reason for their choices. This is a teaching experience for the kids and teens. They will go over each animal quickly and state what they liked or did not like.
Some show classes are just for best in breed and others are for showmanship.
Showmanship is how the participant handled their animal. Did it do what is expected in that class? Could the participant have done something different to cause the animal to show better. It is well done and they give credit to all the 4-H clubs and FFA (Future Farmers of
America)
More on the Live Stock Fair tomorrow.
I have not heard from my granddaughter Tara yet on the outcome of the lamb birthing. Perhaps the blessed event has not happened yet. If not they should give that poor sheep some Demerol or a spinal block at least. It has been 36 hours.
SLEEP????
Even using my CPAP I still wake up in the middle of the night!! I am rested and do not feel the lack of sleep hangover. What is up with this.?
I am up for an hour or so and then go back to bed and am able to sleep.
Yesterday I walked two miles and the day before one mile. The CPAP is working fine. I am used to it now. Anyone out there have had the same experience please share.
I know that I have the restless leg and I would say whole body spasm at times because I have woken up as this is happening. Perhaps this is the other sleep issue that was mentioned. When I see my Doctor we will need to talk.
Yes I am still taking a sleeping pill. Ambien 10mg at bed time.
Another mystery to solve.
THE FAIR STARTS SATURDAY! in Marion County. I am going to attended with my sister.
We have grandchildren and great nieces and nephews who have entered a variety of live stock and other items.
My granddaughter Tara the actor, and model is waiting out the birth of a baby lamb
at her Fair in Osceola County. Her mom had to go back to work during the day so Tara is on watch. She has her home work ,cell phone, and her head set. It is probably not too bad as the fair is still on and boys come by to talk with her. If her Dad hears that he will of course flip out. She is almost 15 you know.
I am still looking forward to the pig show. I will give details later.
GEOCACHING
I read a blog on AOL about Geocaching. It sounded like much fun. Here is one sight that should give enough information to get anyone going to the great outdoors. http://www.geocaching.com/
There are sights right here in my neighborhood. One across the street from Ma Barker’s house and one out by Moss Bluff, near the Dam Dinner.
The cheapest global positioning equipment is a watch for about a hundred dollars. That keeps me out of it but I am hoping to talk the California people into getting one.