Thursday, July 24, 2008

Whiny Thursday

Whew, it's been pretty hectic here on the ol' stump ranch these last few days. We are full swing into haying season, which could also be called "constantly broke-down and repairing haybine and baler" season, or "pouring money into ancient equipment" season, or "run to town for parts every time you turn around" season, or "never get anything done because you're constantly on the run for something else" season, or "God-damn it, it's raining and gonna ruin our cut hay" season, or "bring some beer to the tractor 'cause the air-conditioning is broken and it's really freakin' hot in here" season.........all of which are much too long, so we just call it haying season.

At the rate we are replacing parts and pieces of the baler, we'll have a brand-new one by the end of the season! Kinda like that Johnny Cash song "One Piece at a Time" except it cost us far more than a dime!

The weather has been good, which is a blessing. It's supposed to stay hot for the next couple of days, too. So hopefully we'll get most of the hay put up in good shape. Not sure what kind of shape the Bag Lady and the Cowman will be in by the time it's all done, though! The Bag Lady almost couldn't get out of bed this morning because everything was hurting her. Climbing in and out of the baler and trying to move those heavy rollers into place is certainly good exercise. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? But sheesh, the Bag Lady is playin' out....

Enough complaining. Here's some prettiness to brighten the day!
The Bag Lady's hollyhocks are blooming:

Here's a close-up of a couple hollyhock blossoms:

Some different types of lilies:




No idea what this one is called - the Bag Lady calls it Tom Dooley because it hangs it's head
(and now she has that song stuck in her own head!!)


Another variety of lily:

And a slightly blurry close-up of one of her flower pots:


That's all she has for you. Have a good day!

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

here's hoping your thursday is filled with SMOOOOOTHLY working machinery and, perhaps, some fun surprises?

we can always hope...

xo xo,

Miz.

Crabby McSlacker said...

Hope it gets better!

(And at least you're not Tom Dooley... that poor boy's about to die!).

Missicat said...

Didn't know there were so many different "seasons" up north! Hope it gets better - at least you have the pretty flowers...

Leah J. Utas said...

Best of luck and weather for your haying season. I hope everything goes well from now on.

Pretty flowers, df Bag Lady. Quite like the hollyhocks. Did you know they are supposed to keep unwanted guests from your door?
And some time before the morning is out I'm going to have to play "Tom Dooley" a few times to get it out of my system.

JavaChick said...

Sounds exhausting...You are going to need a vacation when the haying is done! Flowers are pretty though. :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like it was a DAY and I hope your Thursday is an easier one!

Beautiful flowers - makes me jealous and determined to have a balcony garden next summer.

Hilary said...

OK that's it. I really need to plant some hollyhocks. It seems that every 3rd blog has wonderful photos of beautiful hollyhocks. Remind me to do that, willya Baggie? ;)

Beautiful lily shots too.

I hope your haying gets done without a hitch.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...are you sure Tom Dooley isn't the baler's name? (Hoping for a reprieve.)

Mary Anne in Kentucky

Anonymous said...

Hollyhocks are supposed to keep unwanted guests away? Since mine are growing across the front steps, it seems likely!

Mary Anne in Kentucky

the Bag Lady said...

Miz - thanks! I'd settle for some smoothness today.

Crabby - At least Tom Dooley could get some rest... but yeah, you have a point.

Missicat - no wonder I have seasonal affective disorder! There are so mny seasons, I get disordered! :)

dfLeah - Thanks. I didn't know that about hollyhocks! And sorry about the Tom Dooley ear worm.

Javachick - it is a little tiring, but if I can't get away camping, I'll just spend more time on your blog, gazing at your camping pictures and pretending I'm there!

Gemfit - thanks! Hopefully our luck will get better now. And thanks for stopping by!

Hilary - don't forget to plant some hollyhocks for next year, 'kay? :)

Mary Anne - that baler is really pushing it's luck! It feels like we've replaced every bearing in the damned thing - some more than once! I just hope it's got it out of it's system now!

TB--Milwaukee said...

Your Holly Hocks like SO much better than mine. I'm a wee bit jealous.

Thanks for the song, I'm going to be singing it all day. Just wish I could remember more than the first line. Drats!

Anonymous said...

hope you're feeling better and things are smoothing out. sending super duper good farm season vibes your way ;-)

the Bag Lady said...

TB - "Hang down your head, Tom Dooley, hang down your head and cry, hang down your head, Tom Dooley, poor boy you're going to die" Was that any help? :)

Fitarella - thanks darlin'! Things feel better already - must be those good vibes!

Unknown said...

You're a busy lady! Hope it all goes well and you're not hurting too much.

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

So that's what hollyhocks look like!

Wishing you good machinery karma!

the Bag Lady said...

Thanks, Sagan - the kinks are working their way out now and I'm ready for whatever the day will throw at me! (at least, I hope I am!!)

BG - The hollyhocks that I have grow over 6 feet tall, and look kind of strange until they blossom!
Thanks for the good karma - we can use it!!

new*me said...

omg......the flowers are gorgeous.....I bet that is inspiration in and of itself for you to get that sore, hard-workin' body out of bed!

Most people, will NEVER do that type of hard work! You ought to be commended!

the Bag Lady said...

new*me - Thanks! I can't take too much credit for the flowers - basically, all I did was stick 'em in the ground - it's 'survival of the fittest' around here!

And I never dreamed when I was younger that I would be doing ANY of the work I do around here...always thought I'd be a rich lady of leisure!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA..............

Reb said...

The hollyhocks are loverly Sis! Good luck with the rest of the hayin'.

the Bag Lady said...

Thanks, sis!

Shammickite said...

The hollyhocks are gorgeous! And your haying troubles remind me of when we had a small farm.... oh my that was a lot of work!

the Bag Lady said...

ex-S - thanks! And yes, it is a lot of work at times, but it's worth it in the end!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Ms. Bag Lady, these are gorgeous flowers!
Thank you for sharing them.

Maggie said...

What beautiful lillies. Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

the Bag Lady said...

Thanks, Maggie - it's been crazy-busy..... still is! :)