The Riley Factor #49

The Riley Factor March 31, 2010
(All the news from Rock Creek Farm that's fit to print, along with some unfit to print rumors, prognostications and bloviations.)

Fort Plain, NY, March 31 --  As Good Friday and Easter approach, Riley prepares for his first NY dog physical examination, scheduled for this coming Saturday morning at Glen Animal Hospital, located about a half hour drive from Middle-of-Nowhere to Further-Out-There-in-the-

Middle-of-Nowhere.  Assuming a flying-colors passing grade from the doc, the wily Golden Retriever is scheduled for his first surgery, the infamous neutering procedure, in the week following.  Riley is approaching his seven-month birthday, and the time is right.  Riley spent yesterday afternoon out in the pouring rain digging a tunnel (presumably) to China.  After a half hour of toiling, you couldn't tell dog from dirt -- he was covered head to tail in mud, necessitating a hosing-off down in the barn, which Susan eagerly accommodated.  The Herd of Six has been spending most days out in the pasture, grazing as the grass and clover green-up, and has had its grain feeding adjusted to a 50/50 mix of commercially available 12% protein all stock animal feed and cracked wheat, grown right here at Rock Creek Farm -- they love it.  Only young Ari remains on liquid feed, as Zeke graduated to the hay & grain regimen earlier this week.  Ari is on a 50/50 mix of warm raw milk and milk replacer, which he alternately takes eagerly or ignores.  Occasionally, Ari also takes a quart or two of electrolyte solution -- he is still rather small and very cute, probably weighing-in at 75 pounds or so (born March 2).  Susan and Nancy kiss Ari and Zeke good night -- those two calves both love as much attention as they can get.  Inside the farm house, the week has been spent on various maintenance projects, including Nancy & Kore working on the joint compound in the large bedroom in the brick house.  Israel has been on site all week building bookshelves for the library room -- scheduled to be completed today -- so far they look great.  Out in the greenhouse, Susan has hundreds of plants started from seed, including several varieties of tomatoes and peppers, squash, navy beans, green beans, cucumbers, asparagus, onions, melons, corn, all sorts of herbs, and even some tobacco.

The Riley Factor #48

The Riley Factor March 24, 2010
(All the news that's fit to print, along with some unfit to print rumors, prognostications and bloviations.)

Fort Plain, NY, March 24 --  Riley is healthy and happy again, and scheduled for his first veterinarian physical examination.  Apparently already tipped-off to looming unpleasantries by one of his dog or cat friends, Riley is already shying-away from anyone wearing rubber gloves.  No doubt, his wariness will increase as his April 3 date-with-the-doctor approaches.  Riley spent part of yesterday watching Ephram load and unload the outdoor wood furnace on and off the giant steel-wheeled fork lift -- project to be completed another day.  On Monday, Susan spread two and a half tri-axle dump truck loads of crusher-run on the existing roads, widening several of them, and extended the road all the way back to the new barn.  The project will require at least another 5 loads to further extend the road past the new barn and install a stone floor in that barn and also into the old existing equipment shed.  In addition, recent work done to the septic tank, which is underneath the driveway to the horse barn, and also recent work done to the horse barn drainage system, will require some stone to cover everything back to its pristine state.  Ahhh ... fun in the sun in rural America.

The Riley Factor #47

The Riley Factor March 13, 2010
(All the news that's fit to print, along with some unfit to print rumors, prognostications and bloviations.)

Fort Plain, NY, March 13 --  With the snow gently falling, the week closes, a week where Riley spent most of his time battling diarrhea (with all the pleasantries, and about an 80% success rate).  Other than that, he has been happy and active.  Every day this week was sunny, dry and warm, here in Middle-of-Nowhere.  New bull calf Ari, born March 2, is in the process of being converted from bottle feeding to pail feeding, which is much less labor intensive.  Ari is amazingly cute and friendly, as is Zeke, born February 2.  Both are red & white Holsteins, but clearly from different blood lines, evidenced by variations in red coloring and head shape.  Gabe, Eli, Michael & Raphael as all fine, growing (especially the two Holsteins) and happy.  They regularly eat their hay and grain allotments, and frequently top off their evening meals with an apple.  The walls in the room over the garage are about three-quarters complete, with decorating to follow.  The greenhouse is in full bloom, with many trays of vegetables and flowers sprouting.  Cucumbers, tomatoes, squash and melons lead the pack, with herbs and lettuces running close behind.  The three hardware-cloth tables are nearly full of planted pots and trays, all grown from seed, and the lemon, lime, almond and olive trees are flourishing.  There is still six inches of two-week-old snow on the ground, but all is mushy and melting.  Roads and driveway are clear and dry (excepting today's rain and now snow).  Mailbox had been decapitated by the famous state wing plows, and has been replaced with a newer version.  Nancy is weekending in Western Massachusetts, while Susan and Chris hold down the fort.  All in all, a good week was had by everyone.

The Riley Factor #46

The Riley Factor -- EXTRA EDITION March 8, 2010
(All the news that's fit to print, along with some unfit to print rumors, prognostications and bloviations.)

Fort Plain, NY, March 8 --  EXTRA EDITION --  The Herd of Five has become the Herd of Six, with today's noontime addition of Ari, a very cute red & white six-day-old Holstein bull, who was born March 2, 2010.  Delivered by Phil, who works for Lloyd's son-in-law, Steve, the newcomer weighs-in at about 50 pounds and is sharing a room (stall) with three-week old Zeke, who already dwarfs the newbie.  Susan commented that, "Ari is adorable, a real hot ticket.  He likes to jump around and kick up his heels.  Now, Zeke has a playmate".  Zeke had spent much of the morning being head-butted around the stalls by Michael, his 300-plus-pound mentor and leader of the pack of bovines, and should fare better with a mate of similar size and demeanor, much like the manner in which Gabe and Eli pal around.  Riley already spent a half hour in stall with Ari, getting to know the new bull calf.

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The Riley Factor March 8, 2010
(All the news that's fit to print, along with some unfit to print rumors, prognostications and bloviations.)

Fort Plain, NY, March 8 --  Over the weekend and today, Riley suffered and is suffering with a bout of diarrhea, having to visit the little dogs room every hour or two, and making it outside about 80% of the time.  He seems a bit lethargic, but otherwise well.  Yesterday, in between naps, he enjoyed a couple of walks with Nancy and Gabby around The Boulevard trails.  Rock Creek began flowing over the weekend, after a winter of frozen-solid (and recently snow-covered) state, as warm temperatures have melted the snow-pack from about two feet a week ago to about a foot currently remaining.  With full sun and temperatures in the upper 40s forecast for this entire coming week, snow may be a memory on Rock Creek Farm by next weekend.  Riley and Gabby still love playing as often as possible in the soft deep snow, but it is an exercise of love, since they finish their workouts breathing hard, tired and content.  On site visitors today include Ephrain Blank, with his welding machine, to work on the trailer plow and PTO rototiller.

The Riley Factor #45

The Riley Factor -- March 5, 2010
(All the news that's fit to print, along with some unfit to print rumors, prognostications and bloviations.)

Fort Plain, NY, March 5 --  "Riley is a bad boy," commented CEO Susan Fuchs, as she danced around the kitchen with Riley after he had jumped-up on her.  Riley spent much of yesterday playing outside with Gabby near the greenhouse, as Susan and Nancy plotted, potted and planted.  There are now three 8'x3' hardware cloth tables in the greenhouse, to be used for holding and watering trays and pots of planted materials.  High temperature in the greenhouse in yesterday's brilliant sunlight and moderate nearly 40 degree outside temperature was 110 degrees.  Susan and Nancy had to work with the greenhouse doors open and ventilation louvers open with fans on.  Both Riley and Gabby turned-in early after the day's play.

A fond farewell today for 'Uncle' Vinny Bongiorni, who passed away last Sunday at the age of 94.  A great guy, always in good humor, laughing and telling stories, who will be missed by all who knew him.  No doubt, he is now resting in peace.

The Riley Factor #44

The Riley Factor -- March 3, 2010
(All the news that's fit to print, along with some unfit to print rumors, prognostications and bloviations.)

Fort Plain, NY, March 3 -- Well, the blizzards have blown and the snow has fallen, and playing in the deep snow is Riley's current favorite pastime.  Yesterday, he spent much time in the greenhouse with Susan and Nancy and also outside the glass menagerie running around in the snow with Gabby (40 degrees outside and a high of 90 degrees inside).  His house-training is about 98% a fait accompli.  Yesterday, Riley observed the Snyder Propane delivery truck and its 10,000 gallons of cargo get stuck on one of the roads out back en route to filling the Rock Creek Farm tank.  And he was witness to the large Kubota tractor reportedly putting a new 'gate' in the fence along the road between the cold cellar and the pasture during the rescue mission.  But, ever the loyal mascot, he is not talking and all witness accounts are being managed by Chris, and no evidence of the supposed fence breech exists so it may just be a rumor.