More Than One…

Back in March, an inner voice kept telling me “More Than One”. Of course I took it that I would be getting more than one orphaned fawn in the upcoming baby season, even though I had vowed to a few people that, with the COVID-19 situation, I would not be taking on any animals since we wished to keep our exposure to a minimum. Besides, Tukker deer was still hanging around, and did not seem in any particular hurry to join the local herd. Instead, he was quite content to hang out with his human family, and we enjoy having him nearby where we know he is safe and sound.

Then in April, expenses and repairs started cropping up. The trouble began with a leak in the main water line at the rock house. No sooner was that repair made, and the upstairs toilet cracked and was leaking. At least this time, Forrest only had to shut the water off to the toilet and drain the tank and bowl. Fortunately, we had no guests scheduled during that time, because that project would just have to wait. We were not yet prepared to start that kind of replacement or remodel at the rock house.

If the problems at the rock house weren’t enough, my washing machine decided to have a stroke and die the following week when the power came back on after a scheduled power outage by our city administration. So, we ordered a new washer from the local appliance center, and it was delivered to the front door by men with gloves and masks. Before COVID-19, the appliance center folks would have removed the old washer and installed the new one for us but, instead, Forrest and I had to wrangle it in the house and perform the removal and installation ourselves. Fortunately, Forrest was a plumber in another life so, while inconvenient, the task was nothing he couldn’t handle.

Two weeks later, Forrest mentioned our secondary refrigerator was running non-stop. That refrigerator had been repaired a couple of times before. It sits near the back door and is our beverage center when we entertain, plus the freezer space houses homemade bone broth, frozen garden vegetables and fruits, and pints of my roasted tomato sauce. We decided it was probably time for a new refrigerator, so I called the appliance center to make yet another deal over the phone. I can’t ever remember making a purchase like that without looking at the model in person but, given the pandemic situation, I did all my research and “trying it on for size” via the Internet. Fortunately, with this delivery, the masked men moved in and hooked up the new unit for us. Prior to that delivery, Forrest and I hauled the old model over to the rock house, thinking it would be a good fridge for guest use from time to time. Guess what? It’s been running like a top and shutting off properly since we moved it.

With all the above having rained down on us almost at once,  I was beginning to think the “more than one” message I received must surely mean replacements and repairs. The only thing I was unsure of at this point was just how many appliance failures were yet to occur, and it didn’t take long to find out just how many “more than one” actually meant.

I had been cursing my microwave for a few years. It worked fine, but the exterior shell continually cracked and the pieces that fell off were held back in place by clear shipping tape. My range had been a hassle for several years as well – the oven heated twenty degrees too hot, the rear right corner was always hotter than the rest of the oven so baked goods had to be turned from time to time, and one main burner no longer worked properly.  So one morning, after pulling yet another partially overdone sheet of cookies from the oven, I decided it was time to replace both of those appliances too. And the range would be another replacement where the old appliance would work fine at the rock house.

Having made up my mind, I began research on what kind of range I would order over the phone and have delivered in the same manner as the other appliances. This time when the new range and microwave arrived, the masked man in gloves was back to providing front door service only. So, once again, Forrest and I wrestled the heavy boxes in the house and installed the units by ourselves. After all this, I can promise you that COVID-19 and social distancing weren’t making any points with me – installing the microwave above the stove was an experience I hope not to have to assist with again!

COVID-19 kept delivery guys from performing the installation, so Forrest got stuck with the work. I helped with the chore of mounting the overhead microwave. Let me tell you, it was a job I hope we never have to do again!

My first choice in a new range would have cost 6K. So I settled on a less expensive true convection. I’ve been in love with its performance!

Meanwhile, in the midst of all the appliance mayhem, I received numerous calls about injured and orphaned wildlife. In the “orphaned” baby department, I declined to take in a baby badger (we have enough gophers without adding the kind of holes badgers dig), several baby raccoons (they like to kill chickens), a few young cottontails, and lots of newborn opossums. In the injured animal arena, there were a couple songbirds, a dove, and a young coyote. Instead of taking these animals on myself, I referred every one of them to Wildcare of Oklahoma, a large rehabilitation facility about an hour from here. But then on May 31st, I once again heard that inner message of “more than one” when I answered a call from an unknown number. A fawn had been observed wandering along a busy road and crying out a lot. Five days later, I got a call about a fawn that had nearly been run over by machinery where land was being cleared.

With these two babies now in our care, I was relieved to know my inner voice had been spot on all along. But still, something nagged at me and the number three kept swimming around in my brain. I felt strong about it, but the old Eeyore in me said, “You think too much. It’s all in your head. You are just dreaming things up”. Then Monday, I got the call about a third fawn. After that, I heard no more nagging or second guessing from Eeyore. Instead, I felt a bit thrilled and confident. Eeyore had tucked tail and slogged off somewhere, and I had listened and held confidence in my inner self.

Three fawns is a challenge, and yet Forrest and I couldn’t be more thrilled with our busy lives. “More Than One” seems to agree with us!

We drove to Clinton Oklahoma to fetch Scout. It was a beautiful Sunday to go for a drive and pick up this sweet girl.

Gracie adores Forrest. She will acknowledge me, but refuses to allow me to feed her. Forrest is enjoying his role as a mama daddy!

Gracie and Scout found comfort in the same room. Gracie likes corners and Scout prefers to to hide behind or under furniture.

Ruthie is the newest addition to the herd. She is in a room by herself at the time. She’s the tiniest of the three and she’s had a rough hill to climb. Hopefully, in a week or two she can join her sisters out in the deer pen!

© 2020 Day by Day the Farm Girl Way…