Outfitting a donkey for fly protection and life in Germany

I hate the flies that specifically seem to attack Bellis' legs. Leaving them sometimes bloody! This year I decided to do something about it. I bought leg-fly-wrap things. They're very soft and have a fine mesh. 

Last night I put them on her and stepped back to take a look. And then the donkey did what donkeys never, ever do. She flipped out (like a horse!). She just took off running. Mag and I blinked in the wave of dust she left behind and quickly decided to chase her to see if she was serious enough to run through a fence. 

Thank God she ran out of juice and when we joined her, she was doing the high-stepping dance of a horse unfamiliar with something attached to its legs. But she's a donkey, she shouldn't be wasting energy for such situations. 

Fascinating. 

This morning I was happy to see her in a practically fly-free state, with her fly fringe (?) and wraps, and annoyed that Mag had gotten out of his fly mask.  

We had a long talk about it, as he rubbed his face against his legs every 10 seconds, whether flies are better or worse than wearing a mask. I put it on and I hope he agrees with me that it's better. 

And 10 minutes ago I ordered him a fly fringe (?) on Amazon so on bloody heat dome days like today he can have a little more air on his face. I told him I have to wear a bra no matter the weather but he doesn't seem to care.

Yeah we're having the hottest June in history and it's so humid my laundry won't dry. Going outside to do chores is actually dangerous. My husband overheated yesterday so badly he turned all red, and after a cooling shower he was still sweating so much, lying on the couch, I couldn't get him dry. 

But he's fine, and today came home with a farm implement that I know we do not need. After 17 years hoisting hay bales without one, he decided we needed a pitchfork. 

My first question was how did you get it home without damaging our brand new Yaris. He demonstrated. Very nice. 

My second question was why do we need one. I'm not convinced we do.

My third question was "You know American Gothic? Can I please take your picture?" (He did not know American Gothic and therefore did not have a stern look on his face, rather the opposite.)

My fourth question was, "Do you think either of us are strong enough to pitch a bale of hay up into our loft with it?" Ummmm...no. 

I told him when Germany goes to war, and since we own no guns, it will be a great asset to have, against the enemy: 

 Also, yesterday marked the day of the return of fireflies in Germany. We have not seen them for years. I was delighted, they are so magical. Just, "NOT SO CLOSE, YOU! BACK OFF!" Magical though!

 The hay is ready to be mown, but sadly we had to reschedule cuz a bit of rain is coming. Dangit. 

The circle of life. Sadly a deer chose to die in our paddock area and the rangers came to get it. They assured me it had died of old age, even showing me its teeth when I asked. Bellis was very upset about it, nudging it repeatedly, so sad! I was also very upset. The horse was like, "What is wrong with you two? It's the circle of life!" 

Waaaay back in May, when you could go outside comfortably. The Holunder/Elderberry trees were so prolific that two people came to us to harvest them. I love that, making use of our otherwise useless trees. I put this photo on Quiver and someone said, "Is your horse camera shy?" 

"Yes, yes in that moment he was avoiding the camera. Just like I do." 

Not sure how we'll survive this heat wave. I took my cool pack out of the freezer and put my feet on it, and it exploded and blue goo went everywhere. 

On Monday I had to work at a Red Cross blood drive and was worried that I might get in trouble for wearing sandals. Then I looked around and a lot of us had sandals on. But as I had suspected, our boss said, "You know, I have to tell you, you are not allowed to wear open toed shoes on duty here." 

And Elke snapped at him, "I know, a knife could fall and slice off a toe." I cracked up cuz I foresaw the situation. Our boss is kind and said, "No worries, just, I am supposed to mention it." 

I, being the American, went and got a piece of paper and made a sign, "384 days since the last knife falling on toes incident." (Sorry to admit my German was for crap on this sign.)

No one laughed, cuz this is Germany. I'm sure as soon as I went home they ripped it down. Oh well. I'll never give up my American ways, trying to make people laugh in official situations.  

 

Hey Germany, how bout some AC!