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Naming the Farm

Where did the name Five Feline Farm originate?

Five cats call this place home. There was no deliberate plan to get five, it just happened. Of the current group, Snowball

20130609-094220.jpgand Phantom

20130609-094549.jpgcame first. Their mother started hanging around when we lived in town and delivered these two boys. Although there were some limited attempts to find them new homes, they stayed.

Snowball then brought home a tabby we called Thumper.

20130609-094714.jpgAt first she was fearful of people and would not permit touch for the longest time. She had three kittens before her operation. Sassy

20130609-094838.jpgremained in the family while her brothers found a new home.

In 2005, after the Farm was purchased but before the house, we made a stop to pick raspberries on the way to a local campground. A loud gray kitten came out of the barn and right to us. No other cats were around. We couldn’t just leave her alone with the rats and foxes, so she went camping that night. After a brief supervised introduction, Reine

20130609-094938.jpghas become a permanent member of the family.

So here we are with five cats and a hobby farm.

The farm has become an expression of our interests and creativity. Business opportunities abound. But everything needs a name. We started with just referring to the place as “the farm” even before the house was built. After living and working on the property for awhile and the cats being such an integral part of the family, we decided on the name Five Feline Farm

How To Achieve Sore Muscles in 3 Easy Steps

The large goldfish pond needed an update with an improved water feature and pump/filtration system. It has been losing water and the cattails were out of control.

Step 1. Cut out cattails.

This is easier said than done. Cattails develop a gnarly set of roots that entwine anything in their path. Imagine 18 inch thick water laden roots wrapping around softball size rocks. Add in a 40 degree air temperature, 25 degree windchill and cold water. We cut, we tugged, we pulled with a winch. The cattails are now history.

Step 2. Dig holes.

The skimmer and waterfall basin were dug in, leveled and plumbed. This required pulling back the liner, excavating a cavity just the right size for the equipment, installing and attaching plumbing. See #1 above for air temperature and windchill. At least this step did not involve being in the water.

Step 3. Move rocks.

Rocks around the pond were replaced and arranged to cover the liner. These rocks range from basketball to golf ball size with weight varying accordingly. Picture yourself (or us) kneeling and bending to move rocks. First out of the way, then back into place. Some of these moves gave a whole new meaning to the term “rock and roll”.

Bonus Step 4. Refill

Now that the equipment is in place, holes in the liner sealed, and pond plants back under control, the pond is ready to bring the water level back up. One final step to complete before full operation is to seal the waterfall. Minimum required temperature is 65 degrees, so that will wait a few days.

There you have it. Sore muscles abound, but the end result will be worth the effort.