Time to Clean Up

Hanna has come and gone. She left some limbs, branches, etc to clean up but over all everything is fine. The worst of it was between 5am and 7am. Fed all the animals but decided to wait till the worst of the wind had passed before trying to milk. The goats didn't seem to mind the wait. I checked on all the animals every hour during the night and all were safe and dry. Well except the ducks and geese who were having pool parties. They loved it. And Harry and Harry the polish toppers that don't seem to have a brain. They roost on top of the chicken pen even in storms. They won't go inside the chicken house. They won't roost in trees. They stay out in the middle of a storm looking like drowned rats. All the others had a safe dry night. We didn't loose electric though others in the area did. I think all your prayers and good thoughts made this a easy storm for us.

Before Hanna got here I had a young couple come to get goat milk for a baby squirrel. They found it on the ground and couldn't find a nest to put it back. They really want to try and help it so I gave them some milk and what little advice I could. When I went out to the soap building to get a business card for them I was shocked but so proud to see Lady, Tramp and Sheba just laying in the corner of the dog lot. Why? Well Fred the turkey, John Henry the rooster and 3 hens had decided to go in the dog lot. They were walking around checking things out and the dogs didn't even bark. This is wonderful as all 3 dogs have chased and killed chickens before. They usually go crazy if a chicken even gets close to the fence. They got a cookie and some loving before I got the dumb poultry out of there.

As the rain started falling and the winds started blowing I took a few photos.

Safe and Dry

You can click to enlarge. The eye will be passing right over us in a few hours. We have had rain and gusts of wind all afternoon and evening. The rain has picked up and the wind is a little stronger. I just came in from checking the animals. They are all safe and snug at the moment. We should be getting 45 to 50 mph winds in the next hour according to the local news. Hanna is moving fast so hopefully she won't have time to do too much damage. Wanted to check in and let everyone know Ms.Diva and I are fine and keeping watch over Hidden Haven. Thanks for your comments, thoughts and prayers. We are doing fine.

Hanna

As of 5pm Hanna was predicted to come in right on top of us. The good thing is she will only be a category 1 or a tropical storm when she hits land. And she is moving fast. Everything is all locked away or tied down so think we will be fine. Now if Ike will go in a different direction we can get back to "normal" around here.

Poor William

I have been rushing around trying to get things done before Hanna arrives. William has been my venting outlet. I call him telling him what I have already done and ask what else I need to do. I vent at him when the electric fence stops working. He tries to tell me what to do and I am screaming back that I don't know how to do those things and I shouldn't have to know how to do everything. He waits for me to calm down, talks me through what to check and we decided I need a new charger. I rush to TSC before the close, come home and realize I can hook up a new box without getting zapped and it will work. When I tell him I am purchasing water he reminds me a couple gallons isn't enough and I purchase the bigger water jugs. When I tell him I purchased more lamp oil for the lamps he reminds me to get extra batteries and fuel for the camp stove. I tell him what I have already put away so the wind won't blow away he reminds me of other things and what needs to be covered and strapped down. How much water I need to stock up for the animals and extra feed. Hanna may not do anything here but at least with William's help and patience we are ready just incase. Its stressful having to deal with all this but its even more stressful for William having to deal with it from across country. Knowing he wants to be here to take care of the animals and things around the property before Hanna arrives makes me feel bad about venting with him. Except for a few last minute things needing to be done we are ready. The goats and other animals will be safe and dry. I will be safe and dry and things should still be where they belong hopefully when Hanna has come and gone. I can't promise I won't be venting more before its all over but I know William will let me vent and then tell me what I need to do to fix the problem. To all in Hanna's path stay safe and dry!