What round are we on, now?
☆ October 4, 2012
Are you looking forward to the colder months ahead? What do your winter days look like vs. your summer days?
The bummer, for me, about winter is how short the days are. That part is hard. But I’m going to use the endless dark hours to my advantage this winter and hopefully get another book written. In the meantime, I’ve been doing some hardcore fall cleaning, which does not have the same ring as spring cleaning but actually makes much more sense. In the spring, I think, “the weather is changing, I’m about to spend all my time outside, who cares if my house is a mess!” But in the fall, I think, “the weather is changing, I’m about to spend way more time inside, time to clean every nook and cranny and purge all that is unnecessary.”
You have accomplished a lot since moving to Wyoming and building your house and in the process you have picked up quite a few skills you didn’t possess before. Looking back, which skill are you the most proud of learning and what skill do you look forward to learning in the future?
“…building your house” gives me far too much credit. With Mike’s help, I took the cabin from “glorified tent” to “hovel.” As for skills ~ this is a hard one, to pick just one. Probably learning how to speak cow. And I really look forward to mastering cheesemaking. I’ve not had much time this summer to spend experimenting but hope to try my hand at some aged cheeses this fall.
How did things turn out with the intern? / Will you ever have another temporary assistant? / Do you still have that AWESOME trailer out back?
It ended way back in 2010 for very specific reasons, but I did realize some general things that I needed to address before doing it again (which I would very much like to do) ~ for instance, paying for propane to heat the trailer 24/7 nearly broke my bank. I do still have the glorious Psychedelic Jellybean and use it as an extension of my house ~ it’s shipping HQ / writing room / a nice place for random naps.
Is Chloe spayed? I am curious simply because I have heard there are new options such as tubal ligations available. Thinking in the future I may go the tubal ligation route vs a full hysterectomy (spay) for my female pup.
She is. But this is interesting info!
Do you have a huge vet bill in general?
Not usually, but this year it’s going to be significant with the summer trauma trifecta of Sir Baby, Daisy, and Mushy.
You might have said, but I don’t remember, how the vet takes to Charlie, or whether that’s evolved over time.
They’ve never personally met. I’ve done Charlie’s vacs and treatments myself, but I do have him muzzle trained in case he and the vet ever need to meet face to face.
Do you handle your own dog-cat-coyote vaccinations?
Some but not all.
It seems like your days are very full. Do you ever feel like it’s a grind or experience burnout? If so, what do you do to restore your balance?
Of course! I watched the entire first season of Downton Abbey in one day. That was restorative, to be totally indulgent and just blob for a day (and why doesn’t Netflix streaming have Season 2?!?) The animals are grounding and lightening ~ they’re like four-legged meditations all around me. A soak in my outdoor cast iron tub is transcendent. Ignoring the computer, ignoring the time, being with friends, being with Mike…
Speaking of, I’m going to go spend an afternoon hour on my bull.
I’m only a fraction of the way through your Q’s…. more on the way!
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29 Responses to “What round are we on, now?”
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October 4th, 2012 @ 3:57 pm
First! :)
I love all your honesty Shreve! Hope this works out the way you wanted to and all this Q’s give you some inspiration for the winter!
October 4th, 2012 @ 3:58 pm
Aaaargh, should have been “these” Q’s. :(
October 4th, 2012 @ 4:50 pm
Sir Baby and Daisy are “old friends” from all you’ve written about them BUT who is Mushy?
October 4th, 2012 @ 5:09 pm
Amazon prime has season 2 of DA streaming! :)
October 4th, 2012 @ 5:34 pm
Fall cleaning makes perfect sense to me!
October 4th, 2012 @ 5:51 pm
Woa? What happened with Mushy?
October 4th, 2012 @ 5:56 pm
I wish more people would properly muzzle train. I saw a little American Eskimo Dog outside my vet last time I was there (with my Fiona) and he was clearly NOT happy about the muzzle he was wearing. He was shutting down, glaring at his person, fighting it…
The person seemed really unsure and guilty about it, rather than seeing it as the way his dog could safely get care (which I’m sure was making the dog even worse.)
October 4th, 2012 @ 6:22 pm
Mushy is one of her cats. An owl attacked her but she is ok now.
October 4th, 2012 @ 7:03 pm
I went crazy waiting for season 2 of Downton on Netflix. Then one of the blogs I read mentioned PBS was streaming it for 2 weeks so caught it there. However, I’ve forgotten it and when it EVER comes on Netflix I’ll watch again.
Season 2 of The Walking Dead just loaded to Netflix and now I’m scared again!
October 4th, 2012 @ 7:41 pm
You can stream season 2 of Downton Abbey on Amazon Prime! Can not wait for season 3 in January!
October 4th, 2012 @ 8:57 pm
I have our Catahoula muzzle trained and I am glad I did it. He hates most people but us. We found him as a little puppy and feel he had been abused since he was born. He is a very fearful dog and doesn’t handle fast movements well, so I always muzzle him when I take him to a vet. It has worked out great for him and our vet!
October 5th, 2012 @ 6:39 am
sigh… I want my house to look just like the Psychadelic Jellybean. I just think it is SO pretty, and bright, and cheerful. How can one be blue sitting in a hot pink and cantaloupe kitchen??!?!?
October 5th, 2012 @ 6:50 am
I dub thee – COW WHISPER! Love that you say that is one of your most treasured skills. I say your best skill is adaptation and improvisation, but we are just outsiders looking in. Thank you for all this insight into your life and heart. P
October 5th, 2012 @ 7:49 am
I just love the fact that when you say, “I’m going to go spend an afternoon hour on my bull,” it makes perfect sense. And makes me a bit jealous, since I don’t have a bull to spend an afternoon hour on. My husband, by the way, grew up in farm country, and also loves bulls and agrees how gentle they usually are — so where did all the scary stories about evil bulls come from, anyway?
October 5th, 2012 @ 7:53 am
The q&a sessions have been what I check into every am. I’m working overseas in Afghanistan and these have definitely been a highlight of the day lately! Thanks for doing them
October 5th, 2012 @ 9:16 am
Thanks Laura, I missed the Mushy episode as well and always wondered what had happened.
We got a real dump of snow on Tuesday too Shreve and the mountains are totally covered. Brrrr, not ready! I agree that it might be a very cold winter as the squirrels tails are huge and tons of berries on the trees. You’ll have lots of time to write and we’ll have lots of time to read.
October 5th, 2012 @ 12:21 pm
Kudos, Shreve, on muzzle-training Charlie. May you never need to rely on it, but if you do, Charlie will come through with flying colors. And thanks so much for sharing the steps and letting people know this takes TIME.
In all the years I’ve been doing rescue, I’ve come across many people who have no patience, especially if they’ve adopted a dog with “baggage.” They just don’t get that it can take months-to-years to reassure some dogs (and cats, too); they expect “perfection” in one day or weekend.
Enjoy your snuggle with your bull! I wish I could join you. ;o) Since I can’t, please give him a big hug from me.
Even when I’ve fosterd the most damaged of dogs, they were always like “four-legged meditations” to me, too. I find all fur-kids to be wonderful stress reducers, and I think they find me to be a stress reducer for them, too, since I can never sit or lie down without having myself covered in cats and dogs.
October 5th, 2012 @ 5:38 pm
How do I love your blog … let me count the ways …. [see Question below]
MUZZLE or CRATE – I use the same process for crate-training cats. Especially when they’re not my own. Otherwise there’s often yowling. puncture marks and/or peeing. Cocooned in a crate, covered with a towel, they often feel like it’s a little treat haven or food den and settle right down. Much nicer for everyone, often even the vet since they’re much calmer on arrival. Trips to the vet can be done the same way, before they get sick, so they might have a nicer association.
FALL CLEANING – I’ve been doing it for years. My boyfriend looks at me funny, but he likes the logic and the results …. FALL GARDENING often works well, too. It’s cooler and not so wet. If I’m behind, like this year because of school, even if it snows, I can trim the roses back unless it’s very cold. It very seldom gets cold before January here. Great for other gardening work, too without the pressure of he impending growing season.
What did you do with Mushy that worked so well? Do tell, so we can pass on the wisdom!
October 5th, 2012 @ 9:00 pm
Hulu has Season 2 of Downton Abbey. It is so good!
October 6th, 2012 @ 4:42 am
Thanks for letting us spectators to your life be nosey!
Re: tubal ligation. Nope. A female would still go into heat and pyometra would still be a concern. Mammary cancer lower in spayed female, but prostate cancer rates are actually a tiny bit higher in neutered male. Moot point for your current residents! But in a situation like yours where they get to spend a lot of time outside I don’t think it would ever be a viable option.
Now this is a different story:
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/13_12/features/Safer-Spaying-Methods_20144-1.html
October 6th, 2012 @ 4:48 am
i didn’t read thru all of the comments, someone may have already said, but if you need another time inward day this winter…downton abbey season 2 streams on hulu plus, just fyi.
October 6th, 2012 @ 9:12 pm
I understand that Charlie is “stranger shy”, but who besides you and Mike does he feel comfortable around?
October 7th, 2012 @ 8:52 pm
I so agree – fall cleaning makes so much more sense. And what is up with Netfix and season 2 of Downtown Abby?! Thanks for the Q&A – i’m really enjoying the reading – excited to hear of plans for a 2nd book.
October 8th, 2012 @ 4:22 am
Mady, from what I (just a reader of the book and blog) understands, Charlie is comfortable with NO one but them. It’s still a wild animal in that sense. He can’t be around other people, both for their safety and his. (He could attack other people, which could lead to him having to be put down.)
So people who think they can just pop over for a visit really threathen his life and his well-being. From what I understand, Shreve has been very strict with enforcing the ‘no other people’ policy, and she should be. Charlie’s needs come first!
October 8th, 2012 @ 8:48 am
Hi Shreve,
what does your living situation look like these days? Do you still have the rental house, or are you in the cabin/trailer full-time? Or does it depend on the season?
I also wanted to let you know how much I love your blog and book, and how much you’ve helped me get through some very hard years. You are by far the one web presence who has had the most positive impact on my life, and I want to thank you for being such a wonderful example of a strong and beautiful woman. You are truly an inspiration…thank you for all you do!
October 10th, 2012 @ 8:29 am
Shreve:
I lived in the foothills of Sierra when I was a kid and raised cattle on a small ranch dotted with oak and digger pine. Your wonderful blog reminds me of the peace and joy I got from my steers. They were my confidants, my friends and a warm place to snuggle when fall was in the air.
October 11th, 2012 @ 10:06 pm
Totally enjoying these Q&A posts. Interesting and fun to read! And, yes, why the heck is Downton Abbey season 2 not on Netflix? O_o (This girl “ain’t got” cable!)
Much love to the farmily,
~L
October 17th, 2012 @ 2:16 pm
FYI…you can watch all of Downton Abbey directly via the BBC! In fact, last year I watched Season 2 that way & was several weeks ahead of my co-workers who were waiting for Season 2 to air on PBS.
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