I caught Chigger in her Sam The Sheepdog mode today, watching over the girls as they go about their late afternoon forage. A lot of people that meet Chigger in person kinda laugh at the idea of her being a real guard dog but she takes herself pretty serious! And she does a good job too. Just last week she alerted me to a large, stray dog lurking up in the woods behind the house. I ran out and yelled and it ran off so I didn't think much more about it. Well, a day or two later I was inside once again (as I have been a lot lately) and I heard her really having a fit about something. Looking out the window I could see Chigger was right close to the house just barking her head off. This was fairly odd so I immediately ran out to see and lo and behold that dog had come back. It was trying to get around the corner of the house and head towards where the chickens were huddled under the deck but Chigger wasn't havin' it. In fact, she had that dog, which was bigger, hemmed up against the wall. I did not kill the dog (because it had not killed anything of mine) but I did scare the living crap out of it and I have not seen it back. Chigger got a good treat and much praise.
Other than all that there still has not been a lot going on around here but things are improving. I went to see the new internist and that went well I think. She thinks perhaps I have a severe case of gastritis from the nsaid use. Now, how my stomach could affect my brain and all so much I don't really understand but the treatment she suggested seems to be working. Perhaps my stomach was so inflamed it could not absorb nutrients from food??? I don't know. All she prescribed was 1 baby aspirin and a low dose Nexium just long enough to get my stomach healed up. Now, I have also added lots of kefir (for the probiotics) and I'm still laying off animal proteins a great deal. No pork or red meat in any form. I can have a little cheese, goat milk, and a little chicken occasionally. No spicy food either but I do take a little raw ginger every day because it's supposed to help heal your stomach. We are still waiting on a little more bloodwork results but for now that's what I'm going with. I'm not back to 100% but I am much improved. I can drive myself now and think much, much clearer. One other curious thing I've noticed is that since I've cut so far back on meat, I have a much happier, more positive mood. I think those of you that have read here for a long time know that I can get kinda low at times and just basically pissy. Well, I'm not Mary Poppins or anything but I've just kinda had a better attitude about things and a lot more motivation. I imagine that no matter what my stomach does I will continue to go light on the meat (or not at all) from now on. As the doc said, it's not a bad way to go!
So, in light of all that I've been cleaning like crazy, purging a bit more junk and basically trying to get caught up around here and get my studio and basement cleaned up and more organized. And I started decorating for Christmas! Got my front door wreath made today and hopefully will get one made for the chook's house this week. Yes, I decorate for them a little. Why not?? Makes the place smell nice and I think they like it. Once I let go of the guilt for not having been able to produce much of any pottery for the Christmas season it has also helped me to feel better. I also used my new mixer!! I love that thing and plan on cranking out some yum Christmas cookies before too long. Well, I'm off to decorate the tree!! I hope all of you are doing well too! Enjoy the full moon tonight!
12 comments:
I'm glad things seem to be looking up.
Good to know life is going better for you. Maybe you could find the dog's owner and give a stern warning? Hope your holidays are a happy time for you and Jack.
It's great to see your inner Mary Poppins coming out!
Hooray for Chigger! She's such a friend. Put up a stocking for her. Glad you are feeling better and hope the improvement continues.
I'm sure glad to hear that you are on the mend, even if it's just a little!
Not a good time of the year to feel bad!
http://www.survivalblog.com/2013/12/in-it-for-the-long-haul-by-java-powered.html
Garlic Cures Everything
I need to get a good garlic garden planted, because I have so many uses for the stuff that I simply haven’t been growing enough of it. I have an astute neighbor who is also a prepper. She noticed my need for garlic and planted a bunch to barter with me when things get dicey. I put the garlic cloves through a hand-cranked juicer. The pulp is mixed in with corn for my sheep, cows, and poultry. It helps flush out internal parasites, keep the lice and fleas away, and builds the immune system. I also mix garlic into my dogs’ dinners sometimes to combat internal parasites.
Garlic is a natural antibiotic and anti-viral. The juice is potent stuff. I keep some on hand in the refrigerator all the time. If I feel a cold coming on, I can spread some of the juice or pulp on toast with butter and the cold almost always goes away within an hour or so.
http://www.survivalblog.com/2013/12/in-it-for-the-long-haul-by-java-powered.html
Garlic is a natural antibiotic and anti-viral. The juice is potent stuff. I keep some on hand in the refrigerator all the time. If I feel a cold coming on, I can spread some of the juice or pulp on toast with butter and the cold almost always goes away within an hour or so.
Hey Pablo! thanks man.
Hey Sissy! thanks! no, there's no way to know where that dog came from or where it went.
Hey Ed! Haha!! I still wouldn't expect too much. ;)
Hey Ken! Oh yes, Chigger always has her own stocking filed with treats. thanks!
Hey jim! that's right! thanks!
Hey Vlad! Yeah, I use tons of garlic too. It's very easy to grow and I always keep a big patch. I use my little food processor to grind up a batch and keep in the fridge like that. Very handy. We use it on the animals also about once a season.
That Chigger looks mighty tough sitting there being a protector. Good Girl!
Fred chases the larger birds off the feeders LOL
I'm so happy to hear you are doing so much better. Keep up the good work with staying away from the meats.
You are not weird...my stomach always overrules my brain!!! If that is possibly my dog harassing your chickens please let me know. I don't think she ventures down that far but she is golden retriever/chow mix with blue collar and lots of jingle. Phone number is on her tags. Just don't feed her...she will be your friend for life!
Merry Christmas!
Your BackWoods Neighbor
Hey Jo! thanks! fortunately Chigger doesn't pay any attention to the bird feeders around here! unless a squirrel comes around, but that's okay.
Hey Neighbor! ha! well, everybody's is like that at times I guess!
Don't worry, i remember what you described your dog like and I would never shoot one that looked anything like that. I don't think she comes over this far though. This one was big and black, no collar. The only way I would use deadly force against an animal is if they were in the act of killing one of mine. A loud noise and dirt flying is enough to deter most of them.
Oh! and Merry Christmas!!
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