Living in the country requires some skill ....and a lot of effort.  I've probably stated that before, but, I'll say it again.

There's never two days alike......ever.  

Mornings start a little early around here.....not counting the days that Dewayne actually gets up at 4:45 to get to work....I mean the days that we are actually going to get something done here ...on the farm.  So, that being said....our days can start anywhere between 6 - 6:30.  That depends on the weather and what we are setting out to accomplish that particular day.

Occasionally we have the odd day where we don't sleep much and we are up at 5:30 because the storm keeps us from a sound nights sleep.

Nevertheless it gets hot early and we try to get started a little early to avoid a "meltdown" by noon.

This Texas heat has us sweating ourselves near to dehydration before 11 AM.      We keep Walmart in business buying bottled water. 

Well, anyway...moving on to more important discussions.....

The "mule" is forever being put to use.  We use it for EVERYTHING.  And let me tell you, when it's coughing or acting like it's on a "breakdown".....we have to resort to using the golf cart...yes, even the golf cart has a hitch on it.  

If the "mule" had a license plate on it.....I'd probably drive it to town.  Yes, I sure would.  Hair flying and all.  Whoooohooo!

The only thing the "mule" doesn't have on it right now is a wench.....and today, we looked at one at Tractor Supply.

Let me stop for a minute and say something.....I like Tractor Supply.  Now, you can't be a citified gal and really appreciate Tractor Supply.   You have to live in the country, breathe the country air, have a "mule" and a tractor and you must, at all costs....own a pair of rubber boots....that you keep at your door.  

This, my friend and fellow-reader, is the license you need to ....indulge in Tractor Supply.

Dewayne is pulling a trailer of scrap metal with our "work-horse".

Barbed wire fence.....yeah....we've put our share of them up....and honestly, we are about to string 5 more rows of the stuff in the near future to build a fence that was torn apart by the flood waters of Harvey when a retention pond behind our property broke.

Below....we are checking the fence line as far as we can to make sure the neighbors cows don't cross over......and there's "talk" of us getting a few cows to put out for pasture to help with the "mooo-wwwwing".

Would you just look at him??!!  I mean just look at him!!  Him and his gator hat......Thank goodness the Lord only made one of him! Whew!  We'd really be in trouble if there were two!

He loves his new weed - eater.....his mom was so proud of her purchase she even bought him a shield.

I told you this little machine is a go-getter!.  

There is no telling where these two are headed.  Probably to go solve the world's biggest problems and they are on the right machine to do it!  hahahahaha!

Below is a smug look if there ever was one.  It was told to me that I will inherit the tractor.  But, do you see who's on it????   I will have to go find a piece of duck tape, write my name on it and stick it somewhere on the tractor to stake my claim....at least that's how it's been explained to me if a person wants anything around here, that's how you have to do it!  

We woke up one morning and heard a bunch of racket.  I couldn't figure out where in the world it was coming from.  I looked over at the barn and the tractor was gone.  All of a sudden I could hear it coming from the valley......I walked out there to see who/what was happening.....and here she was....my mother in law....cleaning and rearranging.  I came back to the cabin and informed Dewayne that we may better go see what in the world she was up to that early in the morning. 

Sometimes she puts all of us to shame.   She runs circles around us.  I've had to start taking extra vitamins just to keep up with her from time to time.

You see those hands on the hips???? Those are people that are deeply concentrating.  

You can't make a decision unless you have your hand on your hip.  

Like Mother, like son.....(whatever that means....I've never understood that phrase to save my life).  

If one is outside, the other is sure to follow.....

This burn pile was piled for almost two months.  I thought I'd never get it to burn.   Then one day, the right ingredients came along, wind, dry leaves, charcoal briquettes and a bag of garbage.   

We "bunched" it for several days after that and it finally burned to nothing. 

At the end of the day.....it's all in who you love, what you've accomplished that leaves you feeling good inside and ......what's on the stove for dinner.

You see that wagon next to the tractor?  

I have inherited it.   

I pull it behind the "mule" and load it down with whatever I find.   

My mother in law bought it at ...you guessed it......Tractor Supply.

Well, tomorrow's another day...

Happy trails to you,

Over and out, 

Mrs. Rogers