Maze Update

Welcome to Monday, dear reader. We begin yet another week in July. How can the summer months pass so quickly, and winter seems to linger on for eternity? Regardless, here on the farm, we are preparing for fall. Let's begin with the good news. The good news is that The Bean and The Bibbed Wonder have designed and cut the paths to the corn maze. The Bibbed Wonder and I walk it almost every day. He is simply giddy at the thought of the corn being too high for me to see over and losing me in the maze. He tries to send me down dead ends while he disappears around a corner, but he has yet to lose me. He says he is pulling a Chubby. Chubby, our senior pit bull, used to take Buster for excursions in the woods. Chubby would come home without Buster, and I swear he had a smug look on his face. As if to say, "Ha! I have lost that big red interloper. I now have my family to myself once again!" Bus would return tired, panting, but happy, a half hour to an hour behind Chubs. Chubby always looked annoyed over the fact that Bus had found his way home. This behavior is the reason the dogs were never permitted outside at the same time. Perhaps The Bibbed Wonder and I will not be permitted to walk together.

The Bibbed Wonder and The Bean did an amazing job designing the maze. It is difficult enough to be challenging, but not so challenging that it is frustrating. I suggested we build three to four emergency exits into the maze just in case someone decides they have had enough. The Bean is working on the haunted aspect of the maze. She is diligently writing, designing, and creating the script, the jump scares, and costume ideas. We are meticulously working on the maze's logistics and inner workings. It's all very exciting. As we walk the maze, I announce, "This is fun! I'm not just saying that because it's ours. You guys did a great job!" 

Now for the not-so-good news. To date, we have lost fourteen rows of sunflowers to the groundhogs. Yes, the groundhogs. I just assumed the deer would be our arch nemesis. Every once in a while, we see a doe in the field, but she is quickly scared off by us walking or riding the ranger. However, the groundhogs now have the advantage of camouflage from the knee-high sunflowers. Eric is setting traps like a madman. The groundhogs are so full of sunflowers that they cannot be lured into the live traps with anything. It's very frustrating. Two of the rooms we have designed and built into the maze will have to be moved closer to the interior of the field because the groundhogs continue to thin out the rows near the woods' edge. My little bib overall-wearing buddy is feeling a bit defeated. 

I told him not to worry. This year is a year of learning. We will work with what we have. Next year, we need a dog like our Chubby, who will annihilate the groundhog population. Buster is a lover, not a fighter, and with his heart condition, he would not be able to take on groundhogs. It gives one bib overall wearing Buster hater more fuel to denounce my delightful Heavy-B, who, by the way, is not so heavy anymore. I think his daily water pill disperses any water weight he may have carried. However, we need a good farm dog with a high predatory instinct, like our Chubs. Pitties are a bit hit and miss with their predatory instinct. We are weighing our options. 

So, dear reader, that is what is going on here at the farm. The sunflowers are about knee high. The corn is about waist high. I believe that is progress. If anyone has any suggestions for groundhog control, we are open to hearing them. Who knew those little buggers could be so destructive? If you don't hear from me for a few days, The Bibbed Wonder was successful in losing me in the maze. With my poor sense of direction, I could be wandering for days on end. On this July Monday, stay safe, be smart, take the wins, try to control the losses, know your enemy, and keep washing your hands.