Red Dirt Farm and Studio

just a day after my mother-in-law turned 81, she tested positive for COVID.

Day five and she remains asymptomatic.  One of her caregivers and two other patients in the memory care unit are also positive.  We remain hopeful for a good outcome for all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just as so many others our holiday was different this year.  My sisters and I have felt strongly about practicing social distancing and felt it was necessary to make changes to our family traditions in order to protect each other.  It hasn’t been easy.

Mr. Red Dirt grilled steak and I made crab cakes for our Christmas Eve dinner.  It was so delicious.  We felt quite fortunate to have such a nice meal.  We have felt the pinch this year too and worry about the future.

Christmas morning Mr. Red Dirt made the most awesome breakfast of blueberry pancakes and sausage and eggs.  Then we did a few porch gift drop-offs.  The remainder of the day was home alone with the fur and feathery children.  All the regular traditions of family gatherings gone.

We had a nice day together spending time watching classic Christmas movies snuggling under soft blankets. We had snack food for a mid-day meal and  I made punch, enough for the entire county. For dinner, I roasted a chicken and made mashed potatoes and a carrot soufflé that turned out yucky.   We had way too much to eat.  Yesterday I made chicken pot pie and chicken soup with the leftovers.  In-spite of everything, we had a very nice holiday.

The same day we received news about Alice testing positive, two of my girls became ill. Little Red girl passed away immediately.

 Amber Ale, I brought in the house to try and nurse her. It seemed rather hopeless as I did all I could and there wasn’t an improvement. For two long days, she didn’t eat and had horrible violent seizures. I resorted to using a syringe to get water with electrolytes into her, which is rather tricky with a chicken as they can easily drown this way.  Finally Christmas Day she started improving. Wet cat food watered down was the first thing I got her to eat.  Then I shredded carrots and broccoli and chopped blueberries and strawberries.  She also gets oatmeal with a bit of bacon grease.  Considering how sick she was and still is, it feels like a miracle that she is doing as well as she is.  She is preening today, that is a very good sign.  Amber is also feeling well enough to walk around and explore the house a bit.  She spent the first couple of days in the bathroom where it was quiet and peaceful for her to rest.  So good to have her out and about.   She has decided that sleeping on the dog bed with Boo is her favorite place to be.

 

I hope that you were able to find peace and love during this difficult holiday season.

 

Until next time, be safe and well.

xo, kim