I have started walking. Aug. 9th. I just woke up that day and said "This is the day I need to start walking." And I did. I have been going at least 1 1/2-3 miles a day. I have been through 4 pairs of shoes. Not really worn them out but just trying different shoes to see which ones are best for me. My left shin is really hurting about a half mile in so I need some really good shoes. I have been walking on my road in the evenings. But a friend stopped last Frday and said a group of ladies has started walking on a dead end road about a mile from here and I was welcome to join them. So I did this morning.

It was beautiful! I walked with a few other ladies closer to my age and could walk a little faster. We went down a gravel one lane road through trees and streams along the way. Nice and shady. So beautiful. This road goes to a little clearing where walking and horse paths go to the foot of Lookout Mt. Such a beautiful peaceful walk. So they meet 3 days a week. I will be walking with them again. I had a good time.

It is starting to get a little "fallish" feel in the air here. I am so ready for cooler weather. I love fall. I don't think I am ready for winter though. I wonder what it's like in the rest of the country.

My turkeys are getting so big. They are almost 12 weeks old now. They are outside all day now. They are so funny. They will follow me all over. It's like I'm a turkey herder. They are good turkeys. I feed them a little in the morning then let them out. In the evening they are ready for more feed. They follow me back in and I close them up for the night. I have named the biggest tom Harper. I wanted a Bourbon name. I like Harper. So he will be the one I keep plus the hens. I think there are at least 4 hens. That will be plenty to start my little turkey business.

I sold 2 of my milk goats last month. So I am now down to just 2. Abby and Sandy. They cannot possibly keep up with all the weeds. I need more. I think I am going to start looking for some sheep. I would like at least 4 ewes. Preferably old enough to be bred about Oct. for spring lambs. They will eat lots of things that goats or cows won't. So they will be an asset here. Since we don't have a bush hog or tiller.

Mazie is pregnant! She has been such a good cowgirl since she's been home. She should have a calf in March. I am already nervous. I hope the bull wasn't too big for her first calf. But she is a huge cow.

I also have 9 Bourbon Red turkey poults. They are about 2 months now. I have put them outside in a stall. Some of them have been getting out. They stay right around though. I guess they are very "herdy" animals. So tonight a little before sunset I went ahead and opened the door. One at a time they hopped out. They all stayed right near the door. Soem would hop back in then come right back out again. They were eating grass and bugs and just exploring their new world. Then all of a sudden they all went back in. I shut the door. I will start letting them out about an hour before sunset each day. Then gradually lenghten the time. I just love these little birds. I'm going to have a hard time deciding which to keep and which to butcher. I will probably end up keeping them all for breeding stock. We'll see!

It was a very hot day today. I took all 3 granddaughters to Chattanooga for a "free fun" day. We went to the sculpture garden in the Bluff View art district. then to a very nice art gallery. Then to Coolodge Park to play in the fountain. Then to the aquarium to play in the water there. All free so far! On the way to my mom's for lunch we stopped at Wendy's for Frosties. $3.00. Then to my mom's for lunch and to play in the stream behind their house. Not a bad day and only spent $3.00.

Mazie's still there and not here.

Our 2nd attempt to bring Mazie home has failed also. I feel like a bad cow momma. We had help. Our 2 daughters and one boyfriend were here for dinner. They volunteered to help. But they couldn't get her in either. So I think we need to bring in the big guns. A bigger trailor and some herding dogs and a few rodeo cow lasooers maybe? Or I could maybe just get a 5 gallon bucket of apples and lead her home. It's just about a mile from here. I'm so upset.

Anyway, dinner was really good. I made a chicken and rice casserole, corn on the cob, fried green tomatoes, cole slaw, sliced tomatoes. And made a banana cake for desert. It really was good.

Some of the turkeys have been getting out. I can't figure out how. Last night there were 6 out. Today there are 4. A tom and 3 hens. I will get them back in tonight. Just to be on the safe side. I'd hate for something to get them. They are so stinkin' cute. It will be very hard to put some of them in the freezer. I have a few picked out to keep for breeding so far. One of the toms (the one who escaped) is very friendly. I will keep him. I want to keep 1 tom and at least 3 hens for breeding.

I am hoping to be able to get the camper ready to take it to Chester Frost Park sometime this week. The grands have not been anywhere or done anything fun this whole summer. And school starts back in a few weeks. We did get the kitchen faucet fixed. So that's a little less money we have to spend on it. Hubby will spend the night with the kids while I go home at night. I have 4 goats to milk in the mornings. Then I will go back.