ByBy Coyote

Today was a little less harsh on the body...although I still managed a few battle scars!

I did morning chores and didn't run across anything too strange. After we all met and gossiped for the day, Jeff and Tina went out to fence for a while and Ross took the windrower out to finish up a spot we are going to square bale soon and then started in on the ditch hay. Every other place is just too wet to get into yet. Merle would really like to cut the hailed wheat but it's wayyy to wet! ...guess we'll wait. So, everyone else went in the their directions and Merle and I went up to shoot this mornings coon. Yes, that would be eleven- this one was a huge male again, he opened the trap and we knew as soon as he went out he would be quick. Well, the first shot hit...we think, but not hard enough. Merle chased him until he hid in some tall weeds by the shed. Then, we could spot a couple moving and played wild goose chase until he finally ran out and stopped after the third shot hit him- tough sucker. I must admit that it was a little entertaining, but we completed that task for the day. Then, we finished up some morning odds and ends and loaded up salt and mineral. We strung for most of the morning through the black cows at duck creek. We brought the .22 because we were going through some prairie dog towns, but before we hit one, Merle spotted a coyote off on a side hill. He was a little ways off, but he asked me if I wanted to shoot it anyway. I was definitly game- so as soon as I got the gun ready of course he tried to take off but Merle called him and he stopped, and then again, and finally, boom- shot him dead in the neck. I'm not gunna lie, it was rather exciting, I've never shot a coyote. So, that made the day kinda cool:) After that we shot a few prairie dogs and then kept on mosying to finish up our stringing.

When we were done, we ended up only seven or eight miles north of town, so we just headed that direction to pick up more salt and blocks. We stopped by the H and got burgers first and ate them at the fire hall, then headed over to GE and got salt from Jay. While we were there there was and H&S salesman around, and he gave us a little info on their silage boxes/forage wagon mixers. Some of that new hydraulic stuff is really interesting! ...but way out of most anyones price range- mine for sure! We finally headed back home. Merle needed to do a little bookwork (yay for payday ;) and I really was feeling like crap today, so I cheated and took a nap while he did that. Meanwhile, Tina needed to take her dog to the vet so she took a sick steer we had here along with- haven't heard how it went, guess we'll know later. During that time Jeff started to cut hay with Ross, which means we now have a lot of hay down- almost too much, so I hope the weather cooperates for baling and exspecially the square bales that we'll put up tomorrow or the next day.

After my nice little nap, we headed back to the hayfield to finish up a little spot. We were only there about an hour and then had to head home and do chores because Merle helped me get an appointment with a chiropractor in town at 7:30. So, I showered quick and then looked for my car keys for a while...no luck. I have no idea where they are hiding- hopefully not in my locked car! Anyway, he came and got me and we headed in. After she did her adjustment and different things I could definitly tell she had moved some things around. I'm sure it will be sore for quite a while, but hopefully this will really help. She didn't think anything was broken, but if it gets bad I guess I'll just resort to x-rays- o how fun. After that we ate at Markota and saw Matt there and visted with him (Merle's nephew). Then, headed home. So here I am, ready for bed. Tomorrow sounds like maybe more salt and mineral and hay- guess we'll see!