The Riley Factor #53

The Riley Factor April 20, 2010
(All the Rock Creek Farm news that's fit to print, along with unfit to print rumors, prognostications & bloviations.)

FORT PLAIN NY, April 20 -- On Monday, Susan planted 300 red onions outside in the new garden located next to the greenhouse.  And Chris planted the final five trees in the orchard, after digging yet another five perfect holes ... two walnut trees, two almond trees and one beautiful we-forgot-what-we-bought sapling.  We also created three 30-foot long low tunnels (sides of hay bales with plastic tops) for early growing of transplantings from the greenhouse that can't yet be exposed to the cold night airs.

This morning, Riley joined Susan and Chris on a trip to Leon's Freysbush Garage to have a few minor issues addressed on the old Jeep.  On the menu were front brakes, power steering and the horn (who needs those modern high-priced options anyway?  Just give me four wheels of basic transportation and I'll be fine).  The best piece of dialog from the garage follows....
 
  Chris:  Leon, the third thing I'd like you too take a look at is the horn.
  Leon:  What's wrong?
  Chris: Well, the horn never works when it is raining or freezing.  And it only works sometimes when it is sunny.  For example, yesterday it worked fine and today it isn't working at all.
  Leon:  Sounds like the horn.

You cannot get dialog like that from Hollywood.  Only in Middle-of-Nowhere.

Yesterday, Chris was in the audience (actually, Chris was the entire audience, except for a few cows hanging around the gym) for Bovine-Mania 1, the facing-off of two of the largest members of the Herd of Five, to prove who has the most testosterone remaining from those days when steers were bulls.  In the red & white corner stood Gabriel the Holstein, eight months old, 500 pounds, and 48 inches at the shoulder.  In the black corner was Michael the Dexter, one year old, 450 pounds and 40 inches at the shoulder.  As the action began, the two stared-down each other in the center of the squared circle, and Michael made the first move, a bold head-butt to the noggin' of Gabriel.  Not one to be outdone, Gabriel charged back with a head-butt full-on to Michael's cranium.  When the dust settled after about 10 minutes of rough-house, the bout was judged a draw, and Michael was scratching his forehead on Gabe's ribs.  Good thing their horns were removed when they were small calves, or the blood-letting would not have been pretty.

On tap for today, more obedience training for Riley, more planting for CEO Susan and Vice President Nancy, and more of the ubiquitous earth relocation detail for Chris.  Swing low, sweet chariot, he's coming for to carry me home ...