There was water in the canal today, which puzzled me, as our irrigation was yesterday. I followed the flow back upstream to find where one of the properties was taking water, and immediately felt regret.

I installed a gate just past my neighbor's lowest port so that we wouldn't need to use leaky checks in the canal to divert water into our yards. The neighbor receiving water this morning was using a leaky check, and water was flowing around his check and down into the canal, pretty much to wash away or evaporate. I've been considering installing a tank and small pump to gather this wasted water, useful when I overflow my berms or decide to plant trees on the property.

Today, however, I simply watched, a little sad, as the water flowed, burbling quietly, reminding me of Salt Creek on a lazy childhood summer afternoon.

"I don't understand why you bought a [clothes] dryer if you never use them."

"I don't understand why you think I don't use a clothes dryer."

Well, it's not like Melissa didn't warn me.

I was out in the east pasture with the herd, same as I had done a dozen times before. I was careful not to turn my back on the sheep, walk along the edge of the pasture so that the sheep were always in front of me, and always carry a stick. Jack told me he carries a stick, very important to carry a stick. I was carrying a stick.

However, I wasn't carrying a big enough stick.

After holding down a tree for the sheep to eat the leaves, I was walking back to the gate when I noticed the ram backing up. I looked over at him and realized he was going to charge me. The stick I had was about a foot long, not enough to scare away or even mildly deter the ram. I had let my guard down, and this damn sheep was going to ram me.

Which he did. Despite my yelling, "No. No! NO!" and shaking that damn, small, completely inadequate stick at the sheep.

Oh, fuck off, Apple. My daily goal is 330 calories.