Looking around on the farm, after returning from my trip out west, numerous tasks had been put off far too long. First, I needed to recover from a nasty bug and now I find my energy level is slow in returning. Last week, I felt as if I began to start chipping away at the list glaring in my face. I am thankful for the days that I need to refrain from physical activity to rest my body physically. It gives me time to work on the backside of this web site and time to write. It does not quench the burning desire to get stuff done.
One of these tasks were most unpleasant for me. I have said before I do not enjoy killing animals. This had not changed, but I have been seeing an opossum sauntering off when walking into the chicken barn after dark. Up until last week it was always out of sight by the time I returned with the gun. Note: This species is known to carry disease(s) that spreads to not only to chickens but horses as well. My horse hay is stored in my chicken barn at the moment. Yuk! ‘Possums in my barn is simply not ok with me. Trapping them did not seem to be a great option either for I would likely catch one of my many cats or kittens before a ‘possum.
Arriving back to the barn, gun in hand, I managed one shot, but not fatal. Due to the amount of items stored in that barn I needed to move boxes to get another. I felt completely inadequate, wanting to simply give up on this. Of course, I was not ok with leaving a wounded animal to suffer and some of my cats were becoming rather curious. All did not end well, in my mind, if I did not complete that which I had started. I found a dog kennel and positioned it, hoping the ‘possum would enter it. While it seemed like a hopeful idea, it did not work. I took a deep breath and prayed, “Lord how do I do this?” He said, “Go for the heart.” It worked! I was thankful for the leadership and thanked Him out loud when I seen it was a female. I knew how much harder this would had been for me had I found babies or needed to deal with babies in the barn.
Imagine my surprise when two nights later I entered the barn to see another ‘possum walking around. I was feeling stronger over all and good thing. Before I went to bed that night I had removed the presence of two male ‘possums. I also seen one sneaking off into the nearby wooded area. “You better stay out of my barn” was my silent message.
While that was all unpleasant enough, I had several bodies to depose of. Truth: I did not feel strong enough to bury them. I had lost some growing chickens as well. My preferred method: burning for disposal, but I was going to need some wood to fuel the fire. Also, the area around the barn was in need of TLC to create a cleaner look and discourage animals from lurking right outside the barn. A few hours on the riding lawn mower, a wheel barrow to haul sticks and previously cut fallen limbs provided me with wood for the fire. While I need to mow the area again in the next week, the appearance has improved dramatically. Certainly the lack of cover leading to the barn, while it will not stop an animal from entering it, will create a more vunerable environment to get there. One other simple discouragement has been to only allow access to the cat food during the day.
I believed the Lord had laid it on my heart to repair the shelter next. My spouse proved a great help to make some needed improvements. At some point, Bo and Rosie had found a way to remove several boards on the south side. How horses do what they do? I have yet to figure out. Sometimes they leave me shaking my head. Thankful this did not result in injury.
I worked moving the manure and dirt from the area and he worked on the boards themselves. We patched it all back together so now there is once again a south wall on the shelter.
This project is going to need more attention in the near future but Saturday we were able to provide a safe shelter for these mares. Looking around and seeing minor improvements motivates me to tackle the next chore.
Homesteading and farming on any scale is not for the weak of heart. I may struggle physically right now, but my spirit has not lost its spunk. I needed to wade through my grief to find it. I am thankful to Lord for leading me. I have no idea how many times I have repeated Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.