February 9, 2026

Life on the Ranch: With Craig off to a symposium on alternate cropping systems, I had to get my own firewood and it's like playing Jenga, or at least it was the way I did it. I pulled the wrong piece and got a cascade at my feet. Checked the water troughs, relieved to find they were all full and the heaters were working, so no ice to break. Spotted Gigi out at the edge of the crop field positioned for maximum sun and minimum wind. She was okay with having a big pen to herself for a vacation from being on duty for awhile, but got bored and let herself out while we were on vacation. She's not going anywhere, she's a "homing" breed of LGD (Livestock Guardian Dog) and not a "roaming" breed. Still well supplied with wreaths from the cemeteries, they will provide goat treats for the next few months until the pastures green up.

All in all a quiet day, with a skiff of snow this afternoon to remind us it's still winter.