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I’m Back!! All is Still Well on Frolic Farm

Annette Johnston — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:28:03 +0000

I was seriously ill this summer, but am now back in the saddle, so to speak. The critters are all fine. Smokey Bunny is on a program of diet and exercise. His coat looks great, even though it has been neglected. Hershey the mini donkey is fat too.


I received 6 young hens from a neighbor, and when they start laying this fall, I will be getting a ton of eggs every day.  I have also been raising 7 hens to replace my aging flock.



Frozen Water Pipes at Frolic Farm
Annette Johnston — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:38:00 +0000
It was so cold a couple of weeks ago, that the water pipes in my basement froze.  You can imagine how difficult it is to take care of 30 critters when no water comes out of the pump in the barn.  Fortunately, I had a few gallons of emergency water in jugs, and was able to carry them out to the barn so everyone had drinking water.  I called 3 different well servicers for repairs, but all were busy on other calls (other people with frozen pipes).  Finally, the wife of the owner of one of the well companies had a good suggestion for me.  She told me to climb up on a step ladder and feel along the pipes until I could find the frozen spot.  Then, use my hair blow dryer to heat it up for a few minutes to thaw it out.  I couldn’t imagine that this would work (sounded way too easy!!), but I was willing to try anything at this point.  So I followed her instructions, found a frozen spot, heated it with my blow dryer, and it worked!  Boy, was I ever pleased to see water flowing out of my faucet.  
I have now put insulation behind the pipes along the basement wall where it froze, to avoid any future problems.  Live and learn!
I have always found duct tape to be great for minor repairs around the farm.  Now my toolkit for farm repairs includes duct tape and a blow dryer!



Happy Holidays from Frolic Farm
Annette Johnston — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:51:08 +0000
Brrr.  It’s mighty cold here at Frolic Farm, in Michigan.  We’ve had several snowstorms this past week, and another one today.  The weather has been near 0 at night.  Dollie Llama, Robin the horse, and Hershey the mini donkey are fine, with their thick winter coats.  I turn them outside into the pasture unless there is a blizzard.  They have a run in shed to stay out of the wind.  They do enjoy being in their warm and dry stalls at night, though.
Dollie, Robin, and Hershey have hung their Christmas stockings on their stall doors, all ready for Santa to fill them.  They have a big wreath on the barn door.  
Best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season!