A rough night and morning.

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Just one of those nights and mornings.  I did get to bed by 20:30.  By senses, I should have been to bed earlier, but the ducks weren't having any of going in earlier last night, and I still wanted the rabbits to have more time with the water, especially the bitty ladies... which had not sipped nearly anything earlier.  And, right I was.  They ended up nearly finishing the whole larger bottle I put out.  Paying attention could save your animal's lives.  I'm not good at that, and I don't always follow through... but this time, yes.

I did set the alarm.  Well, it has two times.  I have the first set for 08:00, the second for 10:00.  I almost slept through the eight alarm.  Finally waking, without a snooze buzzing, at 08:28.  And turning the stupid thing off before another one did sound.  I truly hate that sound.  If unfortunately that isn't enough to always wake me even so.  But it was rough.

Aches, pains, a generally sore body.  I don't know what the problem is.  A fistful of aspirin, to start things.  And I checked the temp outside first thing.  It was around 18 F.  While still chill, it's a lot better than zero or even 10.  I wonder if it will warm yet today?  It would be nice to hit thirty.  Never can tell until it happens or doesn't.

Now that I have the ducks and rabbits down, I need to begin doing more with them.  Including getting them to breed.  It isn't complicated.  But the young buck is yet to be tried.  As with three of the four does.  It's about time.  I also wish to check with folk, see if they will take rabbit, and if so, how many.  The requirement is help with butchering.  Though... to be honest, I can butcher as I go, so they are always fresh?  Maybe.  Still, having an half dozen to dozen feeder rabbits in the freezer is a good feeling.  I will send a few texts this morning.

In the mornings, I turn the heat up.  This helps make sure I heat the house enough to be operating at a better level, plus it warms their water for a longer useful time.  I know, they say warm water freezes faster.  Only if it has no flow.  The rabbits cause flow.  Further, warm water is probably easier for them to drink, and helps... as a cup of hot cocoa, tea, or coffee does for us in the morning.  Doesn't need to be scalding, just warm.  As in the summer, I may well figure out how to keep their waterers refrigerated.  Does that actually matter to them?  I don't know.  Is it even good for them?  It is an attempt at added care, mia culpa or not.

I called my mother, this time getting ahold of her, yesterday afternoon.  I will attempt to call my brother soon, as well.  I sent out a few texts and an email, with Christmas wishes.  All before sundown Christmas day, or... mostly.  It's as good as I can do.  This year is a bit rough, in a lot of ways.  And, yet, I did more than usual.  All good.  I hope you all had a Merry Christmas, or at least could put on a brave face and bear it, hopefully with a grin.  It's a tight season, usually I am immune to that.  Not this year.  It was... difficult.  Even an ogre has feelings... once in a great while.

Well, get to it people.  I'd best hike the thermostat, kick around the web, set an alarm for an hour or two, then game to wake up.  A shower and shave yet after chores?  The bathroom, dishes, and laundry later?  Working on the cages, putting the plow back in it's place, and more?  I can hope.  I will aim for such.  I love to work, when I can.  Be well, and good morning and day.  Now... get off my porch!