Montana Writes January 25

Hi everyone. Well, the big news is that K and C bought the farm last week. Sienna celebrated by running away to Elmore for the 3rd day in a row. I think I went with her — I can’t remember now. It’s such a lovely walk across the golf course — how could we not? Actually the running away thing has been pretty bad. Sienna is majorly in the doghouse… literally. She has been kenneled most of the morning in her crate the last week until we could install the dreaded “electric fence.” It’s finally happening. I guess Kurt tried to install it last week, only to discover that the battery for the collar was dead. Another reprieve. But not for long. It got ordered in the mail. Should be any day now, and our freedome is revoked FOREVER. It’s been COLD. Our water bucket freezes every morning. Any ideas how to keep it from freezing??

The farm is still a muddy mess. Kurt got out to finish mulching the garlic fields last week after it froze for two days in a row. Jed and Corinna are sick with a sore throat/cough this week, which means we see very little of anyone outside. Sienna’s been getting to go into the house quite a bit just to keep her out of trouble. I guess I’m too stinky, because I don’t get invited. K and C took the boys to Pokagon State Park last weekend to experience “the toboggan slide.” It was a beautiful night with snow — so I’m told. Next year, I’m going along. Wonder if I can ride on “Team Bench” on the sled? I’ll make some t-shirts. The registrations for the CSA are starting to trickle in. We’re excited about the O-I drop-off site, and the potential for growing some connections out there. K and C went to recruit new members last Friday at several meetings, and met all kinds of enthusiastic people. Mr. Mike is going to enter us in the Pinewood Derby in Elmore again. (Last year our car won “Best in Show.”) I wonder what the design will be this year? In other news, Josiah is 7 and a half months old. He is drinking out of a sippy cup, and playing with any toy Jed plays with — especially the toy tractors. Hmph. Go figure! Corinna has told me that Josiah is being a “good little farm boy” and eating his vegetables twice a day now: carrots, winter squash, sweet potato, apples, bananas, avocado, pears, peaches, and even steamed broccoli!