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.