A Slippery Slope

There is a fine line between too little and too much and we are definitely in one of those "be careful what you wish for" situations.  Six days ago, we all said, "We need rain, give us some rain!"  Five days ago, everyone was saying, "Isn't this rain wonderful?"  After days of steady rain, the cry is, "Enough already!"  My balancing act begins with the first step off the porch.  The chicken pens are the worst as a misstep could spell disaster.  I'm not sure if I would billed as a tightrope walker or a clown act as I c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y open doors, put down food and water, and tend the littlest kids.  Both pens are on a slight slope and there is nothing to grab in a fall.  The goat barn is at the bottom of the hill; you get the picture.  The girls have churned the mud into slurry in front of the milking room door and footing is treacherous, especially when both hands are gripping buckets.  With mud even in the sheltered areas, I had to leave the big rooms open for the girls yesterday.  By evening, the wind had blown in rain and only the back stalls were dry.  Chaos reigned at bedtime as the routine had been disrupted and no one but Poppy knew where she was supposed to be.  Big wet Poppy shouldered her way through the crowded hallway and headed right to her stall, then bellowed because her snack hadn't been put down yet.  Two sets of bibbies and a pair of sweat pants are waiting to be hosed down before they can go in the wash.

Heeding the weather reports, I had piled the porch rack high with firewood last week.  There is just enough left to light the wood stove this morning.  I'm hoping for a break today so I can restock it without a soaking.

It is raining.