Foggy Oak Paints

I'm very greatful to be alive and to have only sufferd some bumps and brusies. I'm glad my little chihuahua is fine and that she is doing good other then being a little stiff.

I don't remember anything about the wreck. This is what I have been told: I hit a deer. I handed my dog to someone and gave them my vets cell phone number. I gave the police my cousin's phone number.
I remember waking up in the hospital with them putting my socks and boots on me and telling me that I'm okay to go him and that I will be stiff and very sore for a few days.

John Henry Giacomini

John passed away Wednesday, October 21 in Eureka. He was born February 9, 1919 in Ferndale. He was the eldest of Henry and Rose Giacomini’s 12 children. He graduated from Fortuna High School in 1937 and soon after joined the family dairy business.

John married Lois Nelsen on October 18, 1941. Shortly after their wedding, they bought the ranch at Elk River where they lived until Lois’s death in September of 2002. John continued to live on the ranch until he moved into a care home late last year.

They raised their family at Elk River where they operated the dairy and bred and exhibited their Jersey cows. At one time or another, John showed at nearly all of the major dairy shows in the United States. He was deeply committed to improving the breed and grateful for the livelihood that his Jersey cows allowed him to enjoy.

John’s farming career spanned a time frame that covered horse powered agriculture all the way up to the beginnings of the computer era. He often talked with nostalgia about his draft horses and what it was like to farm with them. He was particularly proud of winning a pulling contest with his team at the Humboldt County Fair.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his bothers Francis, Gene and Ed; sister, Lucille Young; as well as his wife Lois, and his son Clint.

He is survived by brothers Joe, Don (Elsie), Ernest (Nathalie), Harold (Laurel); sisters, Mary Laffranchi, Rose Beall, Leona Vertrees (Bill); sisters-in-law Gwen Gossett, Evelyn Giacomini; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Tony and Lily Mello; son Walt (Becky); grandson Karl Giacomini (Stephanie); granddaughters, Sarah Albin (Andy), Mary Barbano (Jeff) and Tiffany Holmes (Dennis). He is also survived by great grandchildren Abigail Albin, J.T. Albin and Michela Barbano and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Rosary service at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 29 at Assumption Catholic Church in Ferndale. There will be a visitation period from 5:30 to 6:30 preceding the Rosary. A funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 Friday, October 30 at Assumption Church. Interment will follow at the Catholic Cemetery in Ferndale.

Pallbearers will be Karl Giacomini, Andy Albin, Jeff Barbano, Dennis Holmes, Bob Laffranchi and Ken Christen.

The family would particularly like to thank Suzanne, Kent, Mary Lou and the rest of the staff at Cutten Care Home for the wonderful care provided John in these last months. They also ask that in lieu of flowers you make a donation in John’s memory to your favorite charity.

Care is under the direction of Pierce Mortuary, Eureka, California 707 442-3751, www.piercemortuarychapels.com.

Had a run in with a badger tonight.....

The dogs and I where walking over to turn the water on and I saw something in my empty pasture. I thought it was just a cat. I was headed towardsn the dog kennels in the other direction and had a funny feeling. I turned around to realize that it wasn't a feral cat, it was a freaking badger runing towards us!

It stopped at the fence. I grabbed my 2 minpins and started yelling at the 4 border collies to get in the truck. I put the little dogs in a crate and headed towards the truck. The badger went around the other side of my house and when I walked around the corner and it was laying alongside my house.

Called my Dad(not like he can do anything from 6 hours away, plus he didn't answer his phone) Sent him a text with a picture of the badger laying next to the house saying "Need gun, Badger by house!"

Called my vets husband and told him to come over now because there was a badger next to my house and I can't get into my house. He came over and after about 30 minutes(trying to get him away from my door) the badger is no more. It is now bagged and will be sent off to be tested for rabies. Rabies are not common to this area but I don't want to take any chances.

My dad texted me back and said "saw one by the barn but when the badger saw me it ran away and went down a hole." I texted him back saying "DEAD now!"

It has been just over a month since I got Nana. For the most part everything has been going well. She did give me a scare when her BG droped. I woke up to her trembling beside me, I was able to get her to eat a little and called the vet at 3:30 in the morning. She lives 2 minutes away and came right over. Of course when she gets here Nana is doing better and just wants to go back to bed.

The next morning at the clinic her BG was 74 before giving insulin. 4 hours later it was 16!! Of course this is happening when I'm trying to head out of town. THe Vet Tech took Nana for the weekend. No insulin friday night and Saturday her BG was in the mid 100's. Reduced her insulin from 5 units to 2.5 units.

Nana did great through the weekend. We tested her BG levels yesterday and 2 hours after insulin she was at 191, 4 hours 248, 6 hours 243, and at 8 hours still in the 200's. Vet recommended tring her at 3 units.

Waiting for payday and then buying a meter!!

Took pictures of the dogs today enjoying the hot weather.

Nana is a 9 year old, diabetic, Chihuahua. Her owner brought her into the clinic to be put down because she had to hectic of a life to deal with the diabetes and becuase Nana wasn't getting her insulin she was having a lot of accidents in her house. We removed her right eye on May 7th because it was small and sunken. She was hit by a car in Dec. 2007. She is very sweet. Nana is doing great now that her diabetes is under control.

Good news is that Dolly's leg is looking awesome. It is coming along great.

Bad news is that Page is open. She absorbed twins. Now to get her started on regumate and scrounge up $$$ so that I can get another shipment of semen.

Pulled up to the mail box and was looking across the field at my mare and noticed that her leg was cut pretty bad. It is the inside of her left front leg.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05082009/news/regionalnews/moo_ving_day_168187.htm

There is nothing wrong with a good steak!!! What else are bovine's for besides producing milk.

At the moment Page has shoes on backwards. Page has her good days and bad days. Bad days she is practically sitting on her hind end and throwing her front feet way out in front.

We will re-shoot x-rays in 3 weeks. I will have my farrier pull Page's shoes, we will take x-rays and then put shoes back on her.

My Page mare gets to have x-rays of her feet done tomorrow. Depending on what the x-rays show she will either be bred for a 2010 foal, retired from the broodmare band, or my least favorite thought, euthanized.

I was pretty shocked this morning when I wen out and saw all the white.

This mare is 18 years old. I will be taking her into the vet on friday to do x-rays of her feet and decide where to go from there. If x-rays look good she will most likely be bred to Barlnk Macho Too.

Born March 27th at 6:15 am. Sorrel tovero colt with 2 blue eyes. I was shocked to see all the white. The last 2 crosses resulted in solids with just a blaze.

One mare left to foal this year.

http://www.al.com/press-register/stories/index.ssf?/base/news/1238058931296030.xml&coll=3

What am I missing??? The article states that the animals were "in good condition and well taken care of" so why were they charged with animal cruelty????? I agree that 91 is a little excessive but if all were in good condition, surely they can't be charged with something they weren't doing???