VSG Maintenance Group
08/27/2020, Thursday
Shel and Shirl would have LOVED the bison ranch ! The ranch is owned and run by animals first preservationists dedicated to protecting the American bison. There are 200+ head in the heard, which has access to 350+ acres at staggered regions. Bulls are put in with the herd July, August and September for rutting season, and then removed to separate pastures in October so that there are no late babies. We were able to see a multitude of wet and dry wallows and this season's babies. There are four white buffalo in the herd, believed to be sacred. They built a huge structure for the herd in inclement weather, but NONE of them will go in. During one particularly bad winter storm, they made a horseshoe shape out of the enormous sized hay rolls and the herd stood outside of it. Majestic animals !
Age: 64; 5' 5"; High weight: 345; Start weight: 271 (01/05/15); Surgery weight: 218 (05/27/15); Pre-Op (-53); M 1 (-18); M 2 (-1.5); M 3 (-13.5 ); M 4 (-13); M 5 (- 8); M 6 (-12) M 7 (-5, Xmas); M 8 (- 9) Under surgeon's goal and REACHED HEALTHY BMI 12/07/15!! (Six months and one week.) AT GOAL month 8. Maintaining at goal range (139- 144) ~ four (4) years !!
What a wonderful ranch! So glad you could experience that and boy does it bring back Shel.
Weight 121.8. Currently attending a WW online meeting as I have missed the last 2.
Crazy next few days. Today Mike, SIL and I are meeting SIL's cousin and her boyfriend for lunch. It will be Mike's first time meeting them. Tomorrow I have a physical then am going away alone for 2 days to Newburyport MA for DH's and my anniversary. I wanted to be alone for it and I think in a way I am doing it to say goodbye?
Have a safe and healthy day all!
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
Oh Liz, I felt such a poignant tug at my heart when I read about your anniversary plans. This does seem like the right time to sit quietly with your thoughts and memories of Paul, and to talk with him however it is that you do that...
Diane, it's wonderful to hear about someone doing the right thing, like caring for these incredible animals in an ethical manner.
Today I'm meeting online with a student and administrator at the students request. He's a rising senior, and, to his credit, is worrying/wondering about his life after he graduates and wants some extra guidance to start preparing. Proud of him. And then, of course, radiation.
I've developed a radiation uniform. Leggings, front zip sports bra, cami I am willing to sacrifice to the oily lotions I need to slather on, t shirt. Repeat 18 more times. I ordered 4 bras and 4 cheap camis so laundry every 4 days. Also bought some gauze pads to tuck into places where sports bra is squishing skin unto skin, like the uniboob cleavage. So off we go!
on 8/27/20 9:44 am
I had a solo movie marathon yesterday and so sat on my rear all day. It was actually kind of fun. I did well on my food. I was up .6 pounds, but I think that's understandable given I didn't move much and this stuff isn't linear. I won't let it bug me.
Today is the therapist and my knitting group zoom tonight.
DianeO, those Buffalo survived for eons on the Plains in driving snow, wind and cold. I bet they think, "ahhhh, this feels great!" Which is what I would feel if it started snowing. I would probably go roll around in it for a bit to cool off!
Good Morning from my HAPPY PLACE - so lovely to wake up here. Have been out and let out the chooks - they are pecking around their huge pen and my girls came straight up to the fence as soon as they saw me - mooing their heads off. They are all looking good. We will treat them for worms and lice this trip via Pour on Drench - likely tommorrow morning. Thankfully they are easy to move into the yards with the promise of hay. Nice to have 500+ kilo animals that will come when they are called.
Loved hearing about the Bison Diane. It makes me so happy that people are working so hard to preserve them. They are truely majestic I agree and all I could think about was our darling Shel. Miss her so very much. I would have loved to see the white ones - wow. Hoping a couple of those are female so they can continue to breed into the herd. I did chuckle when you described their lack of interest in the shelters - our girls are no different. We have build temporary shelters for calves and they have refused to use them. As long as they can be together as a herd - they seem to be happy. Needless to say we have planted gum trees in both front paddocks so as to provide shelter for them in the coming years.
Huge storms late afternoon in Melbourne - 50,000 homes still without power and 3 deaths caused from falling trees. My DS went over to my mums when she lost power and checked everything - took her torches. I got him to put out the candle she had lit as a precaution. She still doesnt have power this morning but is thankfully ok. Old school use of the stove for her morning coffee this morning.
Liz - Sending you much love and support as you navigate through this next stage. I think some alone time with your memories of Paul is a lovely way to honor you both
DD - Thinking of you as you start Day 2. Sounds like you have formulated the perfect outfit to allow you comfort during your treatment
Cec - Good luck rolling in the snow ha ha ha - I would join you - though I have never actually lived in a place where it snowed. Ive visited it and skied it though. Im well and truely a summer girl - the hotter the better
Love to all that follow. Im sitting working - listening to one of the chooks cluck her head off as she no doubt lays an egg, the dogs are soaking up the morning sun and the view is just perfect. Im home
S
I can picture your livestock crowding the fence when they hear/see you. My grandparents had dairy cattle, and I loved being in the barn with them and Grandpa. They do have their personalities. We had beef cattle. Sometimes nursing didn't work, too much mastitis etc and I would be assigned the job of feeding the calf milk replacement. My Dad would warn, do not be making friends with these calves. Later, you learn the hard way why you should not become too attached to beef cattle, but it's hard not to.
It is the best feeling to see them running up when they hear you. All 1100 lbs of them. Hence the reason I have a healthy respect for them and their size when we are moving them around the yards and crush. There is nothing cuter than freshly born faces covered in their mummas milk. I can understand how it would be hard not to get attached when you are bottle feeding. Thankfully we havent had to do that yet. Im hoping to be able to share 5 gorgeous new faces between November to December - all being well.
We only name our girls as any boys born are destined for the freezer - harsh reality but delicious and we are blessed to be able to feed our family with Home grown Angus
