Barb Home Alone /3

I have decided to write No. 3 in English from the beginning, as I never made it to translate No. 1 and No. 2

Saturday, 9th February 2008

Wolfgang is going to leave for Germany tonight, for about 2 1/2 weeks. This trip starts to get exciting already at the Bus station. The bus is 40 minutes late due to heavy snowfalls, and closed roads up North. Would it come anyway? Did they cancel it? Have we missed important information? Finally, there it comes around the curve of the Highway, and we jump outside to get the baggage off the truck.

The busdriver is  obviously  "a real Canadian"...  He walks around outside in a shortsleeved shirt, loading Wolfgang's suitcase. I'm nearly freezing just looking at him... (No Gina, the South isn't any option to me, as I wouldn't want to miss "my" four seasons, and I'm glad and happy where I am! In addition and as to  our phone conversation on March 13th: No again, neither Australia would be any option... I would not want to have to check my shoes or jacket before putting them on! I do like  animals, but preferrably from a certain size on. But - hey - send me a card from Ayer's Rock!).

My husband enters the bus, waves good-bye, and off he goes. This is, where my third adventure of "Barb Home Alone" starts, and our little red tractor is going to be ALL MINE for almost 3 weeks!

Sunday, 10th February 2008

I take our guests out on horseback this morning, and we have an awesome ride through our Winter Wonderland for almost 2 hours. It is always lots of fun, watching the horses plough through the powdery snow, snorting, and enjoying the ride as well as the riders do.

After the guests have departed in the afternoon, I go and clean up the guest house. Washer and dryer are going to be my best company for the next 2 hours. After that it's time for some work outside, and then I to go and feed the horses, and the goat (who still thinks that she's a dog...).

This day goes by like nothing.

Monday, 11th February 2008

Time flies... I hardly can believe it's been 2 weeks since we almost lost our dog. Feeling so helpless, rushing through the house, looking for him in every corner, coming across his filled and untouched bowl and hoping, that he might be back, soon, and well.

I thought he'd be with Wolfgang, riding on the tractor (which he loves!) to the hayshed, and Wolfgang thought he'd be around the house. We missed him after our tasks  were done when we met inside. It took us quite a while to recall, when or where we had seen him last, and we found that it must have been about an hour ago. He had been in the house with us in the afternoon, and when time came to feed the horses, and the goat in her shed, we remembered him going upstairs almost hesitantly. He usually is first at the door. At that time nobody had paid attention to this, as Bart has a problem with these stairs anyway. He quite often climbs it in a kind of clumsy way, because it is a little steep.
We started our search by checking every room in the house and guest house, then we rushed over to the shop, looked for him in the stable, always calling and whistling. Nothing. So we got the headlights  and the flashlights out, searched around outside, followed the fence line, checked the railway tracks, illuminated his favourite spots, called. Nothing. We started to get seriously worried. It was dark, it was cold, and we had no idea where to look for a missing dog on 160 acres. Maybe he had missed Wolfgang leaving with the tractor and followed him, had missed him again, got sidetracked, whatever? Not typical of Bart, but you never know. So we mounted the tractor and drove up to the hayshed. Same procedure, same result; nothing! On our way back, we tried to recall everything that had happened within the last 2 hours in exact sequence. We came to the conclusion that the dog must be outside, and as he had been climbing the stairs in such a strange way, he might not be doing so well. Suddenly I remembered having heard an unusual sound. When I was emptying the wheelbarrow after having cleared the drive way from the monkeys' (horses') droppings there had been a faint rustle in the dark outside of the fence in the back corner. I had called for the dog right away, but of course he hadn't been able to come, as he was on the tractor, "helping" his boss to get some hay from the hay shed... That's what I  thought. I waited a few moments and listened into the dark night, but no more sound or rustling had come up.
I told Wolfgang, and we started our search from zero, right from the rear gate beside the manure pile. It hadn't been too long since we had had quite a nice load of fresh snow, so it was not too difficult to follow any tracks. It was just "soooo easy"; we only had to distinguish old tracks from new ones... sort out Bart's tracks going from East to West from the ones that go vice versa. The snow was fresh and very powdery - and out in the trees more than knee-deep. My Gosh! I remember all those adventure stories I had read about skilled trappers, smart hunters, sharp-sighted guides, and never-failing head hunters, all reading any tracks so easily, finding any game, and any hidden bad guy... All I want is my dog! Why doesn't he respond at all? This was worrying us the most. He always, ALWAYS comes right away.  The coyotes (we hadn't heard them for weeks) called for dinner. What a timing! We really were done in by that time! The search had been going on for 2 1/2 hours now. Horrifying pictures started to rise before my eyes, while I pointed my flashlight under each and every bush or twig, half crawling my difficult way towards West, where all the dog tracks led me. Wolfgang searched through the trees eastwards. So we drifted apart, never stopping calling or whistling, listening, hoping. I had reached our fence from the backside and was about climbing it, when I heard Wolfgang whistle. I froze. There he whistled again, and again. "Coming!", I shouted. Another whistle calling me. He couldn't hear me, as he was deep in the forest, and the snow absorbed most of any sound. There again Wolfgang whistled and called. "MAN! I'm coming!" I yelled, jumping off the fence and sprinting on the inner side (the ploughed one) of the fence  as fast as I could, back to that little passage. Beyond the gate, through that deep snow, there was everything possible except sprinting; so I waded, and plodded, and tried hard not to fall over hidden obstacles. Another whistle, urging! "I -  am - on - the - wayyyy!" I gasped. All of a sudden,  silence! I tried to keep direction, as far as possible. After a while I shouted, "Give me directions! Where  are you?" Nothing. I stopped and listened. Finally I heard him call: "I'm over here, I've found him!" Oh, holy adrenalin, I was there in a second. "Is he alive?" was all I wanted to know. Thanks to mother nature that the eyes of a dog reflect the light, when shone on them; otherwise Wolfgang would not have seen him, rolled up, half buried in the snow, under an old broken tree.
Bart was delirious and weak, so we carried him home. Back in the house we slowly put him on his feet. No way. He tried to take a few steps, staggering drunkenly, breaking down again. We took his temperature, his vitals, packed him in blankets, and offered him some water in our hands. And then we went on the internet, to see whether we could find out anything about these symptoms. What had been different today? It must have been the deworming! After some more search online, we found that our dog was poisoned by a chemical in a deworming, due to a defect in his genes! It can affect Collies, Border Collies, Bearded Collies, Australian Shepherds, English Shepherds, Longhaired Whippets, McNabs, Silken Windhounds, Bobtails, Waellers. In Europe it is called the MDR-1 defect. So be forewarned: When your dog is due for the next deworming, read carefully what it contains, or get your dog tested!

We had 3 awful days and nights, watching him and hoping for the best. We were happy and thankful, that the dog at least drank the water we offered him.  On the second day he slept all the time, except the few minutes we tried to make him walk outside for a few steps, even if it's only for doing his 'business'. On the third day, he ate (or drank) the broth I had made, and on the following days he slowly started to recover. When he kicked off the blankets, we knew, he's going to be fine. He usually is too warm and prefers to stay in the garage over night. On the fourth day, he made it crystal clear to the horses that once again they would have him to deal with...

That was close!

Tuesday, 12th February 2008

Definitely not my day... After my chores were done I try to start the truck. No chance, so I go for the charger. For today I have to cancel my English lessons. Too bad, because since the last meeting I have accumulated so many questions I want to ask my tutoress. Ain't there any pocket tutors available man could carry with him all the time (every situation only brings more questions up)? Oh, I am supposed not to use "ain't"... After I had got a list with all the slang words which I should not use, I became speachless (nice thought, you say? Wait...!!), as they (among countless no-no-words of course) were the ones I learned first - AND I'M ABLE TO REMEMBER MUCH EASIER.

My about one year ago badly injured little finger on the left hand hurts like hell, the joint is swollen and hot. How am I supposed to practise  with a finger like that (Guitar)? My good old QiGong Balls come to my mind. I find them in the only one still not opened moving box...  Memories come up by taking all that stuff out. Has it really been five years since we've put it in there?

Wednesday, 13th February 2008

The truck starts right away and I put its horses (or alternator) to work by going to the post office in 70 Mile House. I'm going to spare a fortune by not buying all these  items offered on countless brochures, and flyers attached to the newspapers .

Our satellite internet connection - again - is almost driving me nuts (I somehow have misplaced my list with the no-no-slang-words...). On, off, on, off, on, off... Hmmmm... Xplorent assures satellite internet access no matter where in Canada. They just do not tell, for how long each session is going to last!

At least my finger is doing better today. The QiGong Balls find a new place on my desk.

Thursday, 14th February 2008

The truck doesn't start although I've had the battery on the charger all night. Do I really have to go somewhere today? Definitely not... I decide to be on a kind of  Oneself-finding-All-alone-Meditating-All-inclusive-Survival-Ranch-Holiday... I put the charger aside and turn to my daily tasks. Should I unexpectedly need a jump start, there still is the red tractor...

Friday, 15th February 2008

I ignore the truck.

This morning at 3:00 I was wondering about the light outside going on and off all the time. Having a look I find all our horses lingering in the yard, obvioulsy waiting for some extraordinary share of hay at that extrordinary hour. Penalty points to me; I hadn't shut the gate of the corral properly; it's a bit tricky. After following David Dundas' suit, plus the boots, and the jacket, I dozily shuffle outside, and put the critters back to where they belong at this time of the night.

Nothing exiting that day.
Before I go inside in the late afternoon I put the charger on the battery again. I would not want to miss the weekly practise at the fire hall tomorrow morning.

Saturday, 16th February

The truck ignores me.
No way to get it going. I do my chores, make a few phone calls, and later I find myself clearing out the yard from piles of horse droppings (so far about the oneself-finding part of my Oneself-finding-All-alone-Meditating-All-inclusive-Survival-Ranch-Holiday...).

After letting "the monkeys" (horses) out, I grab a metal brush and go cleaning the contacts of the batteries. New game, new chance! Two hours later I am on my way to town for some grocery purchases. Not that I'd need any urgently, but I thought it wouldn't be wrong to put the truck to work again. I'm badly missing the CD player which is away for repair...

In the evening I try to finally put the sorted, processed, and ready-to-send pictures of 2007 on our website. On, off, on, off, on, off...  - "#!!@*...!"

Sunday, 17th February

In the morning I've had a long telephone conversation with Ken, a friend who lives in Germany. He is well known (not to say famous) for his delicious Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel), and he just had some ready when he calls. It has been quite a while since I had some Apfelstrudel, and I visualized it right away.
Of course Ken does not miss to tell me every 2 minutes about what's cooling there on his baking sheet... Subtly and steadily he makes my mouth water... That's exactly how all the commercials work - to make people believe that they need all that crap shown on TV, if not for their self-esteem. Is 'crap' a slang word? For sure it is CRAP - literally. And where the heck is my list? After a little while I almost can smell that wonderful flavour of baked apples, and cinnamon, and raisins, and..., and..., and... - 'Barb, don't be stupid, you don't want any Apfelstrudel, just because somebody tells you about it!' Ken tells me that he is expecting Wolfgang for a visit, and that they are going to have...  He really catches me just at the right moment.

'I don't need any Apfelstrudel, I don't even like Apfelstrudel, I don't like Apfelstrudel at all, I do like Apfelstrudel!' - Excuse me???

After I have hung up I go and check how many apples there are in the fruit basket. While my off-the-cuff-project in the oven is baking to perfection, I quickly do the daily tasks to be 'ready when ready'!

Shortly after the house is filled with a wonderful scent of fresh hot Apfelstrudel, and fresh brewed coffee. I decide to celebrate outside after having a look at the thermometer: 17° (Celsius - and plus)!  So I make myself comfortable on the porch in the sun and enjoy, and revel...

YUMMY!

Lest I forget: Thanks to the invention of digital cameras, computers, and the internet (as far as it works), I have taken a picture of my feast, of course! And for sure I'm going to  send it to Ken, and to Daniel, the younger son where Wolfgang is staying while he is overseas.

Monday, 18th February

No breakfast today... !

I feel much better after 'having exercised' by filling the horses' drinking trough with another 160 ltrs of water (no hose in winter, but twice 4x20 ltr canisters brought to the corral in a wheelbarrow, each one lifted up and tipped out over the fence). I go inside and make myself some coffee, get the thermos, my favourite cup (because it's be biggest one), my camera, and a blanket, and go down to the Old Barn. The dog's face speaks volumes, and I can almost see a big questionmark hovering over his forehead. I make myself comfortable, leaning against the old warm logs, and - finally - have my first coffee. It isn't long until I get some company: a moose is crossing right in front of me. It's not easy leaving and going back to my daily tasks quite a while later.

Tuesday, 19th February

Three of four rails of the upper corral gate are out of their place this morning. So is one of the mares; she is standing in the driveway, not really knowing what to do there without the rest of the herd. It's not a big deal for the "monkeys" to move the rails, when there is rime on them. I take a closer look at the corral and realise that the horses had felled another tree. They all must have a beaver somewhere in their pedigree. Although they get minerals and have unlimited access to salt blocks they still like to gnaw away at trees and fences.

Later, I was just about to enter the house when I heard an exceptional loud crack coming from what we call the sawmill place. And the sawmill place is right beside our hayshed... I grab the chainsaw, the drill, some nylon ropes, chains, some extra long screws, nails and hammer, and the bear spray, and mount the tractor. Bingo!  Mr. or Mrs. Moose had got into the hayshed and - after a rich meal - had had problems to get back out again, but then somehow had made it, breaking one of the rails in two.  I fix it quickly; a little repair and the nylon ropes will do for now.

It's well known, that our 'coffee pot is always on'; in the afternoon some neighbours drop by, and we enjoy a nice chat.

Wednesday, 20th February

About coffee one more time...

We had bought a new coffee maker weeks ago. Before long, we had to bring it back. The water went through like nothing and it needed an immense quantity of coffee to make the result taste like some. Not that I'd need a coffee maker right now; for myself I prefer to brew coffee the old fashioned way, but we expect our first guests of the season, soon.  So I take a close look at our very old one, an approximately 15 year old machine.  The filter part had been broken and glued together for, I think, a thousand times. The chance to last, when I fix it this way again, is zero; not with my star sign "Murphy"/ascendent "Clumsy", and a dexterity and fine motor skills that baffle all descriptions, at least before about  10:00 a.m....
An old ballpen which I had thrown in the garbage the other day comes to my mind. The hull, as black as the filter part, could have the certain diameter I'd need here. I measure the part, dig out the pen, cut it to the right length and go for some plastic glue. I find, much better than what I've been looking for; some remains  of plumbing glue in the shop.
Here we go. With a nail or screw as hinge pin it's  going to be rather substantial, and for sure it's going to be able to brave my star sign plus the ascendent in the morning hours between - let's say - 06:30 and 10:00. The guests can come!

Thursday, 21st February

If  I only could get the  pictures of 2007 online without being cut-off every minute... I hope, the segmentation of the images will look alright.

I already mentioned it in my last year's diary, when I had started about learning how to maintain our website by myself: I like the software I've been using  because of its easy handling. There is the editing modus, where you edit all your text and images; in the next folder there is all that is edited written in HTML,  and in the third folder, which is the preview modus, I can see what it's going to look like on the Web. And then I go online to check whether everything worked out fine, and that brings me to the surprise modus, because it's looking still different from what I wanted it to...

The reception is not the best one today, and I again postpone the project. I start the next one and create a little picture collection about our old gelding who had to be put down in October.

To be continued.