Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

''When you are kind to someone in trouble, you hope they'll remember and be kind to someone else. And it'll become like a wildfire.''

Whoopi Goldberg

Good one, Heidi!
Gee, Golly, Whoopi actually said something I can agree with...

Great TOPP, Heidi!

Heidi, it seems like a well-thought solution to the broken wire problem, but lots of work to accomplish your goal! I hope your thumb is OK

Thinking of Everyone & sending {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, , positive thoughts, and prayers!

I agree, good TOPP Heidi!
Well, Victoria seems to be coming out of it's Covid trouble, with restrictions eased in the last few days. A cause for much celebration for our Victorian friends like Midge and those we no longer hear from like Bean and Gail. It has been a hard four or five months of lockdown for them but proof that these restrictions do work. I am so happy for them. I think the hardest would be not being able to see family. And losing jobs.

I wish the USA had had the sense to have a serious lockdown early on. The Covid-19 epidemic is worse than ever around here, with more new cases every day than ever before. And despite signs on every building thet MASKS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW, half the people in the stores refuse to wear them, and law enforcement refuses to do a thing. Stupid people.

I'm 99% certain that my thumb is fractured. I can't use it to pick up even a popsicle stick, even with the splint on. I tried. It's still badly discolored, and swollen up so much I can't believe the skin hasn't burst from the pressure. I have a great foam lined metal splint for thumbs, that's attached with velcro. Really protects and immobilizes. So I see no reason to go see a doctor. I can tell it's not a compound fracture, so no surgery required.... just time. And I can give it that.
If I really want someone to look at it, I have an epidural pain block scheduled tor Monday afternoon. I can ask the doctor to look at it if I get really worried..... but I don't think that'll be necessary. I'm just wondering if I'll have another temporary Pain Management doctor again. If I don't like this guy, I'll contact my long time doctor and arrange to visit him in downtown Louisville.

Mike the Vet was HIGHLY complementary about the job I did with the gate and electric wiring. It may have been a lot of work to do it right, but it will last longer than I do. The gate now latches on it's own and the latch is on a strong post embedded in concrete. The gate end is on a wheel, so it will swing easily into place and not sag. And it can now be opened in either direction. Before it could only be opened to the south. I added a new chain as well, for extra security. And there is now nothing that can short out the fence for about a half mile from that gate. I still need to strengthen a few other weak areas on the property.... but I'm going to wait for the rain to stop and my thumb to feel better.

We were admiring my young bull, Laird, this evening. He's the first home-bred bull I've ever kept for my breeding program. He still has an outstanding disposition, super nice conformation, and the longest back I've ever seen on a young bull. The beef cuts along the back are referred to as the money cuts, because they are of the highest quality and sell for the most per pound. A top breeding bull for a beef (instead of show) program has a long loin. The disposition is of extreme financial importance in that calmer animals gain weight faster on less feed, because they aren't fretting off the weight. He also has excellent legs, which are important for a breeding bull. Mike believes I've made an excellent choice in keeping him for breeding. He's almost 9 months old and is stunning right now.

Copy of what I posted on FB:
Here we go again!! Col's eye update #4738 - or it feels like it.
He has to have yet another operation on his eye as he still has very little vision in it after 6 months. There is a scar very close to the optic nerve that is blocking the blood supply to the back of his eye. It has to be removed or it will get worse and he will never get vision back in that eye. That will be done on Thursday 26th November.
Fingers crossed that this will be the magic one that restores his eyesight.
It is 3 years in February since the accident happened. We are both so over it!

Heidi, Good report on Laird.

CynB - Hoping for the best outcome with Col's upcoming surgery...

Thanks DorA, so do we! It's just all so frustrating. The Doctors are trying so hard but I think Col's eye was damaged worse that originally thought.
According to our weather people we are expecting widespread massive storms today producing gale-force winds, heavy rain and massive-sized hail (11cm = nearly 4 inch diameter). Already the wind is strong. Fingers crossed that it won't be as fierce as expected.

Greetings, Fellow Sudokuaholics!

CynB, thanks for the update on the progress being made by Victoria and easing of Covid restrictions! Such good news for Midge and family - and Bean (who posts on TOS) and Gail. Apparently people there are smart enough to follow restrictions so that progress can be made (unlike the case here in many areas of the US.) I'm sure it is a welcome relief to be able to see and be with family when the restrictions are lifted! I'm beginning to wonder when we'll be able to see our family again in person. It has been since Christmas for our out-of-state children & grandchildren.

Heidi, I'm sorry to hear that your thumb is most likely fractured! The swelling sounds like it would be quite uncomfortable. Your sprint sounds well designed and will most likely help protect your thumb.

Hopefully the epidural on Monday goes as planned. It's reassuring that you could ask the doctor to look at your thumb, if you prefer. Here's hoping that you'll like this new Pain Management doctor. Having to go all the way to Louisville would make getting your epidurals quite inconvenient, wouldn't it?

Heidi, I'm glad you were able to complete the gate and electric wiring work. It's also nice that Mike the Vet recognized and complimented your good work! Your description certainly sounds like you did a great and efficient job! You're certainly getting a lot done and making improvements!

It's great to know that Laird is developing into a very promising young bull. It's nice and reassuring to know that he was bred, born, and raised on your farm! Thanks for the explanation about the importance of a long back and strong legs. I enjoy learning more about your farm and all you do there.

CynB, I'm sorry to hear that Col's eye will need additional surgery. It must be very disappointing for both of you. Sending positive thoughts and prayers that the next steps will provide the desired promising results!

CynB, here's hoping that the weather predictors are wrong and you don't get the winds and hail predicted!

Thinking of Everyone and sending healing energy, prayers, , positive thoughts, and {{{{{HUGS}}}}}}! All the best for good health and much happiness!

Thanks Julie! I hope everything is going as planned for you and hubby. You both have more issues than we do.
Well, I have none except for Arthritis which has finally made things more difficult for me. I don't have the mobility I would like but only in getting in and out of cars or out of some chairs. Once I am up I move well enough but my back gets me when loading/unloading the dishwasher. And my fingers won't let me write neatly anmore.
When I look around me I know that my little aches and pains and even Col's eye saga is nothing compared with what others are dealing with.
A co-worker of Col's whose wife was dealing with terminal cancer was given the same diagnosos himself a few months ago. She passed away 2 weeks ago and he is still going on with a more positive attitude that most of us could muster. Puts things into perspective!!

That it does, CynB. That is true courage.

Tomorrow afternoon is my much needed epidural pain block. I foolishly forgot to stock up on food for alpacas and horses beforehand, so I'm going to have to ask someone to unload it from my truck on Tuesday once I can drive and pick it up. Or I can pick it up tomorrow morning and ask someone to come over Tuesday to unload it for me. I won't have time tomorrow to go to the feed store and unload it myself before i leave.

Hi, Everyone!

CynB, thinking positive thoughts for Col's co-worker!

Heidi, I hope the epidural goes well tomorrow, and you find a way to get feed for the alpacas and horses!

Thinking of Everyone and sending positive thoughts, , healing energy, prayers, and {{{{{HUGS}}}}} for All! Sleep well!

Got up early enough that I was able to get to the feed store, get back home and unload the feed myself. I have an hour to rest, then clean myself up before leaving for the hospital. I also fed everybody in the barn early, so I don't have to worry about that later today. I can come home and crash. The only animals I'll need to feed later today are the guppies. I fed and watered all the birds around midnight last night.

I'm NOT a morning person, and got up MUCH earlier than usual today.

I report next Monday morning for jury selection. I haven't been reading the local papers, so I have no idea what the case is about. Which probably means I'll be selected.

Have read lots of news since being here. Hope your thumb is better Heidi and the epidural was a doozy, Being on jury duty is interesting but sitting till for a long time may be uncomfortable.
CynB - sorry to hear about another op for Col After all of this time it is a shame he can't be seen earlier.
Good luck Julie with your procedures and wishing you the best outcome.
DorA - have
you finished the huge cleanup? Is your hand o.k now?
I am in again on Monday for more heart stents - kidney function has picked up enough to go back thank goodness
Big day for you upsiders today - hubby and I have been watching the broadcasts this morning. I hope whoever becomes president, that there is none of the aftermath that has happened in recent months. We have to wait for another 2 years for out state election in Victoria - been counting the lies and deceit our premier has performed over the past twelve months - he wouldn't survive in private enterprise.
Still feeding the cockatoos - one of them is very friendly and eats out of my hand. He/she actually bangs on the wire door to let me know they are ready to be fed, so I am only feeding them every 3rd day so they are not dependent on us.
Best wishes to all. Catch you later.

It was one of the mildest of the epidurals. This doctor didn't want to cause me pain, and I kept telling her that the more it hurt, the better it worked.
The thumb still hurts like fury if bumped. There's no doubt on my mind that it IS broken.
I don't have a choice on jury duty... but if I'm selected, I will bring a cushion along for comfort. I kind of enjoy sitting on a jury if it doesn't get horribly technical.... but right now the courts aren't taking any cases except the most serious ones, so this shouldn't be a dull one.
I'll be seeing Mike the Vet tomorrow, and I'll tell him about the jury duty. We're planning on working the cattle soon, and this could interfere with our schedule. I need to clean out the 3 1/2 ton feed bin, and order the feed for weaning the calves. We've already discussed what to order, and the feed mill wants just 24 hour notice as to when to deliver. I could have the feed delivered on Friday, and we could work the cattle and wean the calves over the weekend. That way it couldn't complicate jury duty, and vice versa. I'll discuss it with Mike tomorrow.

Well, Midge, the finger is pretty well healed. Just one little 'tender spot'. The clean up is not so good. With the Covid thing, no one wants donations. This past weekend I had to cut, just guessing, 2,000 feet of wire rope (cable) into pieces not longer than 3 ft for recycling. Longer pieces jam the shredder machines. Weight wise, I had over 2,200 pounds of scrap. I got about $160, but the rental of the chop saw and dump trailer was over $200, so................

While I had the trailer I also hauled 9 cu yds of gravel to put in the muddy spots. Some progress is being made, just not as much or as fast as I would like. It would be nice if my efforts could be improving the new place, instead of prepping the old place for sale..

Lovely weather today. Sunny and mid-60's.
I plan on getting some chores done, like cleaning out the feed bin.

Mike has too busy a schedule over the weekend, so he wants to wait a couple of weeks before working the herd. I've got the feed bun completely cleaned out and the sliding door working freely. This will give me plenty of time to reinforce the fence around the weaning area after Pandora got stupid this summer and smashed some of the boards for no apparent reason. There's a temporary fix, but that section of fence can't hold up to a determined assault by calves trying to get back to their mothers now.

Feed BIN, not feed BUN.

There is so much truth in this article it makes me want to cry..... From sadness, not joy.

https://johnpavlovitz.com/2020/11/05/we-were-wrong-about-america/

Got a 300 gallon water tank repaired. It had an 8 inch crack in it, and wouldn't hold water. Instead of tossing it out, I bought some special sealing tape specifically designed for water tanks and hoses. I applied the waterproof patches both inside and outside the tank, in case. I'll use this tank for water for the weaned calves instead of the two 100 gallon tanks we used last year.

So many gods, so many creeds,
So many paths that wind and wind,
While just the art of being kind
is all the sad world needs.

—Ella Wheeler Wilcox, poet (5 Nov 1850-1919)

Heidi, did you drill a hole at each end of the crack to stop the spread?

No. That would have made a bigger leak. I understand the theory, but didn't consider it practical in this case.

It's starting to look like I won't be having to report for jury selection on Monday. The number of cases of Covid-19 in this county have skyrocketed (most people are foolishly not wearing masks) and the State says that all trials in counties with increasing cases are to be postponed. The official announcement about THIS case will be early Monday morning.... and I'm not due to report until 11 am.

I hope Julie is OK. She hasn't been here in days.

Has anybody heard from Suzy? With her history of strokes, I really worry about her when I hear nothing.

Heidi, I have just read posts on FB by both Julie and Suzy.
I think that the prolonged waiting for an election result is stopping all other activities.
Let's hope that for both sides today brings a definite result.
What happens then is anybody's guess.

Joe Biden is the next President of the United States. Kamala Harris is the first woman and the first person of color (Her father is African American, her mother is from India) to serve as Vice President. The United States will now be represented by a more caring and diverse leadership.

And the world breathes a sigh of relief!

Just a brief Hello & {{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} Falling asleep at the computer.

I got the areas outside of the yard mowed for one last time this season.... now to mow the lawn. In case I DO get selected for a jury tomorrow, I won't want to have to worry about when I can mow one last time. Then I'll put the mower away for the winter.

Darn! I fell asleep and lost the comment! Sorry, Everyone! Sending healing energy, prayers, positive thoughts, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and

Jury duty WAS cancelled because of the rising number of Covid-19 cases in our county. Part of me is glad that I'm not going to be sitting around in a courtroom, and part of me is upset that people are so ignoring basic health guidelines that they're allowing a major health crisis to get worse.

Covid seems beyond control over there. I worry for all my friends there including you Heidi, although I hope that living in a rural area you are away from the worst of it. You must get nervous at the thought of going into more crowded areas.
We are nearly free of it now. Victoria had just recorded it's 11th day without a case. The people are finally getting some freedom - baby steps but better than what they've been dealing with. I hope Midge has had a chance to see her sons but I don't quite know what restrictions have eased and how far. Sydney still has small numbers of cases every day. If they get their act together instead of complaining because the other states won't let them in! Their Premier acts like a tired spoilt kid who can't get their own way. Who does that remind you of??