FEEDING THOSE COWS

Cows gotta eat! And eat, and eat!
These cows are pretty tame – as you can see by the above photos.
After Mike opens up the electric fence to the new area the cows immediately move into it, you don’t have to ask them twice! And they sink their heads into that new lush grass and chow down! The calf was so short he could walk under the fence and Mike has now lifted it a bit so he still can, but it seems he has also learned not to touch it! Apparently it’s good for the calf to go out ahead of the herd and eat the tastiest grass! (My theory is that, since he will turn into a bull, he most likely will always get the tastiest grass!)

The cows are moved daily to new squares of pasture and, believe this, there is NOT much “cow smell”!
My great uncle ran cows and they were usually in the barn when we went and “peeeyewweeee” did they stink. When you drive in the country and come across cows you usually find them huddled into a corral with a hay bale in the middle surrounded by brown “stuff” that ain’t dirt and they smell. Well, that’s not the natural way to do things.
As I said, our cows are moved daily and in a week (or less) you won’t even know they were there – the “poo” is disintegrated and the grass is beginning to grow up again. Unless you are standing right by their area you won’t smell anything! - and what you do smell isn’t bad.
Mike goes into the enclosure on a daily basis, obviously, to move them, but now he goes in some days to feed them alfalfa tablets. He wanted a way to get them to come to him but not use corn – our cows will be cornless their whole lives, except for eating the husks of the corn on the cob we have.
You can see how tame they are, a couple of them finally letting him pat them on the head. Now as soon as they see that bucket they are all over him! He’s even gotten bitten a couple times! Again, this is something I have no intention of trying – cows are BIG. (Once again, the dog agrees with me!)

So now you know as much about cow wrangling as I do!
(Well, not really – since I know all about getting them into the corral and running them through the squeeze chute and artificial insemination – and trust me, you REALLY don’t want to know about that!!!)

MOOVING COWS - Part 2

Above - happy cows will be tasty cows! (We hope!)

Moving the cows involves moving the electric fence. This is something I vow never to do and the dog agrees with me, since he touched it once and now hides behind the gator until we move through the opened gate and then he knows it’s safe to go in. My husband, on the other hand, has touched it several times (you figure it out!)

There are many wire winders involved, along with many white plastic fence posts that are easily moved, along with some metal fence posts that hold the unspent coils of wire.
The lengths of wire are called “runs”. You need at least two “long runs” that will go the entire length of the pasture area. Between those you have the “short runs” which change on a daily basis – he takes one down for the cows to move into the next area and then closes off the area they just left.

Naturally, the coils of wire do not come on the wire winders - you have to do that yourself.
My husband’s method is to involve three dining room chairs – two to hold the coil of wire on a metal rod and one for him to sit in while he cranks it onto the wire winder. My job is to stand and supervise. (I’m very good at it!) Of course, now we have 2 chairs with marks from the metal rod; oh well, you can’t expect it to last forever!

However, I digress . . .

The long runs have the white plastic fence posts every so often and they will basically stay a long time, until that run is finished. The short runs get their fence posts moved frequently, so he puts just 2 or 3 posts there. (These posts are neat – they have a metal spike on the end - you just push the spike into the ground a little and then step on the part that sticks out at the bottom and, if the ground is soft, they go right in).
Then the coil of wire for that short run will hang onto the metal post and he hooks up a short red wire with what looks like a red clothespin on either end – like a jumper cable – and hooks one end to the electrified wire (very carefully!) and the other end to the run he just put in and it’s now electrified!
The cows don’t seem to have an inclination to come out of the fence; neither the dog nor I will go anywhere near it; but, shockingly(!) the husband is in and out all the time.

Above - putting in a new run - unwinding from the spool as he walks.Above - winding up the wire to open up a new area - you can see the "girls" mooving toward him - they know they will be getting more food.Above - the electric wire - the spool sitting on the metal rod - and a fence post on the right side.

Queen City Art Club Show Opening

Friday evening was the Queen City Art Club opening in Evendale. These photos don't represent the amount of people who came through - there were more! I just snapped when I had a chance so you could see some of the paintings. Obviously, more paintings were hung on the other sides of the room, as well as down the hallway.

In the top photo you can see the bookshelves where the smaller paintings were displayed, as well as some of the wood carvings. Other carvings were displayed around the room on platforms. We have 2 men who do wonderful carvings.

In the bottom photo you can see my large pink peony (how could you miss that!) and my agave just above the group of people.

Got to see some old friends and some new, and it made for a pleasant evening.

The show will hang at the Evendale Cultural Center until November 2 - hope you get a chance to stop by.

MOOVING COWS - Part 1

I’ll be putting up a series of posts about the cattle which will involve lots of photos so they will be very visual and thereby artistic! – and educational – and maybe even funny. But if you aren’t into cows, don’t give up on me! I’ve got too much going on right now to get much painting done and, also, just gotta keep the hubby happy, ya know! I promise more painting information will come soon!

Moving the cows involves a few steps. In this, Part 1, I will explain moving the “equipment”.

The equipment consists of the water trough onto which is attached the new shade roof and the water hose on a reel with the mineral feeder dragging behind - all of which is referred to as the “shademobile” - See Photo below:
First my husband has to open up a new area for the cows to be moved into (more about this in Part 2).
Then my husband backs either one of the tractors, the gator or the mower up to the hitch (sometimes this requires more than one backing up move, since he has to get it “just so” before it will hook up, and since we have nothing but hills, it’s not always an easy task). Then he hooks it all up and off he goes – slowly! He has to be careful about the angle of the hitch on those hills. Also, because of the hills, the trough is hung on metal rods that allow it to swing so it will remain relatively level. As you can see, the "girls" wait patiently for all of this!We have water lines buried and after so many moves he has to unhook the hose and re-hook it to a new water line. I even got to help do that (lucky me!) My job was to drive the gator to the next water hookup holding the end of the hose while he pulled the hose along farther away from me. That was not bad, I was on flat ground!

Below you can see a water hose in the foreground and Mike mooving the "shademobile" into the area he has just opened up. The "girls" already have their heads down munching on that new grass!The time before that I was simply driving the gator from one area to the next to pick him up and the hill I was driving toward didn’t look that steep so I didn’t have my seat belt on. However, it turned out to be so steep that I began sliding out the side - even though there is a tiny little piece of metal tubing that supposedly will keep you in. (That wasn’t going to hold in my less than tiny butt, I can tell you!) I began sliding left, hanging onto the steering wheel and shrieking before it dawned on me to hang onto the right seat, which I did - - but then it dawned on me that seat would fold down, so then I grabbed onto the other tiny little piece of metal tubing on the right side of the gator (are you getting this image in your head yet!) and drove to where my husband was - - - doubled over with laughter!

Turned out that part of the sliding problem was due to the fresh cow **** combined with the angle of the hill. But I made it! (Sadly – for you, not me – no one was around to take a photo!)

ODE TO A WAITING ROOM

When left alone in a doctor’s waiting room, the quiet must settle my mind – the gurgle of the (seawater) fish tank pump (with some cute little clown fish, some pretty colorful ones and one really, really big ugly fish); low volume Muzak featuring what sounds like Yanni (or is that Yawni!); drops of rain on the skylight; the nurse shuffling papers; the whir of the copier – all a gentle white noise.

The ideas start to flow and everything seems a good idea! Well, why not – I’m a captive – only my mind is free to roam.
A list of necessary jobs for ViewPoint consumes several minutes – I’m chomping at the bit to get them completed.
Then a short list of pictures to paint – some begun, some not.
Another list of the order in which it all should be done.

I’m full of energy and hope! I know it won’t last – as soon as I get home I’ll get right on the ViewPoint because I have to, then the excitement will fade and it will be so easy to forget and let it all slide again. That’s my usual modus operandi – guess I’m just a dreamer at heart.

More waiting time . . .
ideas for fixing up my painting area at home
ideas for a commission
“Why is lighting so bad in an eye doctor’s office – perhaps he’s creating his own future patients?”
“Why didn’t I bring that granola bar?” (that’s sitting on the dining room table at home)
“Will I feel “icky” looking at that eye patch?”
read a little – but - bad lighting, remember!
“Yaw-w-w-w-n”
walk around the room and stretch
“Nurse is playing solitaire on the computer – wonder what she gets paid?”
“My hair needs a trim”
count waiting room chairs – 25 – seriously???? - think that many people are ever here waiting? How large a patient backlog would that represent? Maybe some folks bring the whole tribe!
look out the window at the rain – which has been coming down in fits and spurts all week
stretch
watch the fish again
find some information about ophthalmic (ocular) migraines
“I could use a laptop right now – think of the timesaving that would be”
read a little more . . .
think about lunch – “Will I be on an eye patch diet?” (It didn’t bother me, nor did seeing the actual eye post surgery!)

Finally I hear my husband’s voice – I can find him in any crowd if I just listen a moment! He’s been regaling the operating room staff with tales of cows, no doubt!

Finally ready to head out on this dreary day and get my “work” day started after lunch – at 3 p.m.!!!

I’ll have to wait for the next waiting room experience to fuel my creative energy again!

THE STORY OF SUNLIGHT

And it came to pass that the land was in grayness for many days.
Morning was as evening, day was as night.
And the rain fell from the sky both night and day for many days.
People hid under umbrellas, cars splashed in puddles.
And the citizens were sad and depressed.
Children could not play outside.
And the mothers were sad and depressed.

But then a great lightness came into the sky.
Puddles disappeared and the lakes sparkled.
Babies cried and toddlers held close to their mothers as they looked up at the sky.
And the citizens were frightened.
“What is this strange light that comes down from the sky?” they asked their elders.

“Ahhhh” exclaimed the elders. “Fear not this strange light, for it has been seen here before. This light is good and is called – SUNLIGHT.”
And the people saw that the light was good, for it let the children play outside and the mothers were happy.
And it allowed the citizens to come out from under the umbrellas, and the cars were dry and clean.
And at last the citizens of Cincinnati and surrounding areas, including southeastern Indiana . . . .
. . . . were happy!

BETHESDA OPENING

This spring one of the local hospitals was in the process of renovating a building and they wanted to feature art from local artists in the facility, but didn’t know how to go about that. They contacted a well known local artist and she suggested a competition. I entered the competition - we were allowed to enter up to 3 paintings – and all of mine were chosen! The artwork will hang for one year unless it sells (hope springs eternal!)
The opening was Wednesday night. The facility is quite lovely and each of the dressing rooms has one piece of artwork. The rest is spread through the halls, reception and waiting areas and the common area and foyer.
Two of mine are hanging in one of the upstairs waiting rooms – it was cool to walk into the reception area, glance over and see them hanging! The other is in the hallway of the first floor ladies dressing room area.
There were several other works by more GCWS artists. Kept running into (literally – the place was crowded!) people I know and so had a very enjoyable evening.
It was so much fun walking through – original artwork behind each door! All sorts of media, all kinds of styles, all different sizes! Some of the works are already purchased, too!
Last week, one of my students called me to give me a heads up before the opening – she had just been there for her mammogram and was surprised to see my artwork on the wall! She then walked around the rest of the facility and said it was like being in a gallery!
That was their plan – to make what can be an unpleasant experience into a pleasant one via beautiful surroundings. I think they succeeded!

Here are a couple photos taken quickly during the evening - Mary Jo Cropper Family Breast Center, on the campus of Bethesda North Hospital - Grand Opening.

MY SHOW!

Must give a big thanks to my husband! He helped me hang my show at the FCN Bank in Harrison, OH as well as carry in my bin and card rack the evening of the reception. And he will also help me take it all down!

The reception was Thursday evening and I must admit I was a bit nervous - that no one would come! But, like my first solo show (if you offer food they will come!) some did come!

Had more of a turnout than I anticipated (in the 40+ range) – so at least it wasn’t just Mike and me sitting around! Mike asked the bank manager how the turnout compared to other openings and it was about “average”. The manager also said it depends on how many friends and family the artist has! Since I have a non-caring family and only a few friends, you can imagine my excitement at seeing real, live people walk in the door! Several came from the various art clubs, some from my classes and a few who saw it advertised or were just coming to the bank and saw it.

The bank provided a small buffet and a good friend came bearing a lovely bouquet!

I did make a few small sales, so basically I will consider it a success!

TRIP TO TROY AND TRIPLE ART TREAT!

Wednesday was a beautiful sapphire blue September day (perhaps why the September birthstone is sapphire???) and another artful day for me and a painting friend!

First, we dropped by the FCN Bank so she could check out my show. Then to the Middletown Arts Center for their Area Art Show (I had a “loser” to pick up, but one also made it into the show!) We saw several paintings from members of the GCWS. We also ran into one of the MAC instructors whom I know and she gave us a quick tour of the facilities.
Then it was off to Troy, OH for the Ohio Watercolor Society traveling show where I knew several of the artists who were fortunate to have their work selected for the exhibit. That venue is an old restored mansion now used as an arts and cultural center - quite a beautiful building.

Of course, there was also a stop at the art store and lunch – quite an artful day!

SAYONARA UMBRELLA!

Well, the cow umbrella is no longer needed.

My husband went to a yet another cattle seminar (who knew – they are kind of like watercolor workshops for us!!!!!!!) and learned that the water for the cows must be kept cool. So, that involved the creation of an aluminum roof that will not only protect the water from the heat but is larger for the cows to go under during the heat of the day.

They seem content! But I kind of miss seeing that perky umbrella!