Well, Clover pulled the last straw out from under herself. As Emily and I pulled up the driveway on the way home from church Sunday she happily greeted us from the garden. I think she said something like “Hey you should try this, its REALLY good!” She smiled as she happily munched away on what was apparently thee last ear of corn in the garden. Yep, the corn that she ate the top off weeks ago, the same corn that I nursed back with lots of manure and water. Yes, the same corn that was within a week of being ready to harvest. Yes, all 75 or so ears of it. Of course she ate the peas again too. They were just loaded. I’m surprised they came back after she ate them the first time. Em and I had a handful just the day before. She also ate off all the strawberry plants and she trampled over the tomatoes as she harvested the corn. I marched up the steps and she took off for the far corner, knowing good and well that she was trespassing on sacred ground. I caught her and tired to maneuver around the rest of the still standing veggies dragging her through the gate. She ran down the steps tooting all the way, seems LOTS of fresh vegetables can have that effect on a goat! Belle ran crying behind her. Mama is teaching her the tricks of the trade.
I promptly followed her down the steps and into the house for my camera. After a few pictures and several minutes at the computer, she is now a listing on Craigslist. Off and on over the past several weeks I had thought of selling her because we have plenty of milk and I don’t need to be putting out money for feed for her. But then my heart would melt and I’d change my mind. But no longer, she is free to go pursue someone else’s garden. To eat the labors of their hard work; their blood, sweat and tears. To trample their tomatoes in search of one more ear of corn. To toot down their steps.
I spent Monday making a pen out of hog panels and she is no longer a free-ranging scrub goat. Not so thrilled at the lack of freedom, she is enjoying the $6.25/bale alfalfa I have to feed her. Hopefully she will sell quickly. Sooooo, anyone need their garden destroyed? I have just the answer.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Goats 2.1
Well, Clover is a mom. I see her as sort of a teenage mom, at least she acts like it. Belle made her debut July the 16th at about 6:30 in the evening. She weighed in at 8 lbs 11 ounces. Em and I watched her come into the world. For days after, she commented, "Wow, that was really cool, Mom." I'm glad she got to see a live birth. I grew up watching calves and piglets born each spring on our farm in Nebraska and I've never tired of the miracle of new life.
Moma has done a pretty good job, as long as you don't consider the fact that food and friends rank above baby. Or that she seems a bit absent minded, to the point of three or four times a day forgetting she even has a baby. She left baby in the barn for a couple hours and frantically searched the garage for her the day after her arrival. I was a bit panicked as she is small enough for a hawk to carry off, but a quick search around the house and barn revealed her safe and sound snuggled up in the pen. Mom wanders off eating her way up the mountain and across the fence onto the neighbor's property. All the sudden, brain cells begin to fire and thought occurs to her that she has a baby...somewhere. Head jerks up and she begins to call and frantically turn in circles looking for baby. I told Steve, at this rate, Belle needs to be in the foster care system as a ward of the state. Moma did sit on her once, but was oblivious to the fact that the cries were coming from baby. She tries, she really does, but I don't think motherhood is instinctive to her. Maybe next time around.
I thought it was cool that after Belle was born, as mom was licking her off, she ate lots of strong scented plants and continued to lick baby till she smelled like wet grass. I guessed she was trying to disguise her from predators. Pretty cool. But then again, she could have just been hungry...baby can wait after all. All in all she is doing a pretty good job as a mom. Belle is old enough to follow Clover now, so getting left behind hasn't been an issue since the first couple of days.
Gretel weighs 47 lbs now. She is just 6 weeks old. I must say I have really enjoyed all the new life around here. I have two more hens that have gone broody. One set to hatch her clutch of 10 eggs next Sunday. The other has been hanging around Clover too much, playing mom when it is convenient and fun. But I think she has finally decided to set for good. She has just 5 eggs, they won't hatch for at least 2 weeks. Somehow I'm sure 5 chicks will be more than enough for her to handle. Funny, she didn't go broody till I reintroduced the first broody hen and her chicks back into the coop. Guess she thought it looked fun to sit uninterrupted for 21 days with little food or water. I shouldn't criticize, I apparently thought it looked fun to spend 9 months feeling sick, fat and ugly and at the end, as a reward, to pass something the size of a watermelon. 21 days, no labor...doesn't seem so bad after all.
Belle just 5 mintues old.
Moma has done a pretty good job, as long as you don't consider the fact that food and friends rank above baby. Or that she seems a bit absent minded, to the point of three or four times a day forgetting she even has a baby. She left baby in the barn for a couple hours and frantically searched the garage for her the day after her arrival. I was a bit panicked as she is small enough for a hawk to carry off, but a quick search around the house and barn revealed her safe and sound snuggled up in the pen. Mom wanders off eating her way up the mountain and across the fence onto the neighbor's property. All the sudden, brain cells begin to fire and thought occurs to her that she has a baby...somewhere. Head jerks up and she begins to call and frantically turn in circles looking for baby. I told Steve, at this rate, Belle needs to be in the foster care system as a ward of the state. Moma did sit on her once, but was oblivious to the fact that the cries were coming from baby. She tries, she really does, but I don't think motherhood is instinctive to her. Maybe next time around.
I thought it was cool that after Belle was born, as mom was licking her off, she ate lots of strong scented plants and continued to lick baby till she smelled like wet grass. I guessed she was trying to disguise her from predators. Pretty cool. But then again, she could have just been hungry...baby can wait after all. All in all she is doing a pretty good job as a mom. Belle is old enough to follow Clover now, so getting left behind hasn't been an issue since the first couple of days.
Gretel weighs 47 lbs now. She is just 6 weeks old. I must say I have really enjoyed all the new life around here. I have two more hens that have gone broody. One set to hatch her clutch of 10 eggs next Sunday. The other has been hanging around Clover too much, playing mom when it is convenient and fun. But I think she has finally decided to set for good. She has just 5 eggs, they won't hatch for at least 2 weeks. Somehow I'm sure 5 chicks will be more than enough for her to handle. Funny, she didn't go broody till I reintroduced the first broody hen and her chicks back into the coop. Guess she thought it looked fun to sit uninterrupted for 21 days with little food or water. I shouldn't criticize, I apparently thought it looked fun to spend 9 months feeling sick, fat and ugly and at the end, as a reward, to pass something the size of a watermelon. 21 days, no labor...doesn't seem so bad after all.
Belle just 5 mintues old.Friday, July 11, 2008
Save the chicken, save the world.
Yep, I’m a hero, a chicken hero. Never saw myself as a chicken hero, but I find myself there today. Yesterday I went up to milk goats and to my dismay found a chick floating in the goats’ water tank. It has happened a couple times before. They hop up to roost on the side or they decide the goat water is better and in they go. Hershey is always happy to take care of disposal. I try to only fill it to the point where the chicks can hop back out in the event of an unintentional falling in. But this chick was inexperienced and little, Broody Hen’s chick. Obviously mom wasn’t doing her job and let little chicky swim in the deep end without her water wings.
I scooped the lifeless white body from the water and looked around for the dog. Then something inside me said “try CPR” Um ok, I’ve had opportunity to perform CPR on a few occasions...do I have to admit only on animals? Ok well, back to the story. ....but never on a chicken. Ooooookay, where to start?
I grabbed her by the feet and swung her around side to side to in attempt to clear water from her lungs. Lift up her wing, hmmmm no movement, no heart beats or breathing. Ok, I look around suddenly feeling like I’m on candid camera or something, but begin to compress her chest. After a minute or so it dawns on me, I should probably be giving a few puffs into her lungs. I stop and assess the situation, no movement still. I give a small puff into the nose holes on the top of her beak, then back to compressing. After 5 minutes of breathing and compressing, I assess again. Still nothing, the sun is getting hot on my back, in sharp contrast to the cold, wet, lifeless body I hold in my hands. I think about stopping, but continue on. Another 10 minutes passes, I assess things once again. I see a slight twitching of the muscles in her chest, but no breathing. I continue for another 10 minutes, all the while thinking if any of my friends saw me they’d send the guys with the white jacket. Then I feel some movement in her neck, she slowly pulls her head up, I figure its just nerves, but then it happened.
A short sneeze. Then nothing. My efforts are continues with renewed enthusiasm. By this time her feathers have begun to fluff up and dry out. After a few minutes, another sneeze and a shake of her little head. Her head begins to move slowly back and forth against her back in a rhythmic fashion. Eyes closed, back and forth, back and forth her head stiffly moves and her legs begin to shake. Great, she’s brain damaged, I think to myself. I lift her wing and check for movement. I see her chest rise and fall as she takes a breath, followed by water bubbling out her nose. I wait for another, after what seems forever she breathes again. Then another sneeze. Its been a half hour now, but its obvious she is fighting for her life. I continue to hold her and warm her still cold body. Her legs begin to show signs of strength, After 5 minutes I set her down in the sun and proceed to milk the goats. When I finish I notice she is still in the same spot I left her in, but eyes closed she is holding her head up. Looks like she will pull through. I approach her and she tries weakly to walk away. I leave her to recover her strength.
An hour later I go to check on her and she is gone. I find her down in the creek happily scouting bugs. So you see, I’m a hero, chicken hero. Not many can make that claim. I may have to start wearing my apron around my neck, after all every hero needs a cape. Gotta run, I think I hear a chicken calling.
The little white chick nearly died. She's not at all appreciative of my efforts either. Thought the hero at least got a hug or kiss.
I scooped the lifeless white body from the water and looked around for the dog. Then something inside me said “try CPR” Um ok, I’ve had opportunity to perform CPR on a few occasions...do I have to admit only on animals? Ok well, back to the story. ....but never on a chicken. Ooooookay, where to start?
I grabbed her by the feet and swung her around side to side to in attempt to clear water from her lungs. Lift up her wing, hmmmm no movement, no heart beats or breathing. Ok, I look around suddenly feeling like I’m on candid camera or something, but begin to compress her chest. After a minute or so it dawns on me, I should probably be giving a few puffs into her lungs. I stop and assess the situation, no movement still. I give a small puff into the nose holes on the top of her beak, then back to compressing. After 5 minutes of breathing and compressing, I assess again. Still nothing, the sun is getting hot on my back, in sharp contrast to the cold, wet, lifeless body I hold in my hands. I think about stopping, but continue on. Another 10 minutes passes, I assess things once again. I see a slight twitching of the muscles in her chest, but no breathing. I continue for another 10 minutes, all the while thinking if any of my friends saw me they’d send the guys with the white jacket. Then I feel some movement in her neck, she slowly pulls her head up, I figure its just nerves, but then it happened.
A short sneeze. Then nothing. My efforts are continues with renewed enthusiasm. By this time her feathers have begun to fluff up and dry out. After a few minutes, another sneeze and a shake of her little head. Her head begins to move slowly back and forth against her back in a rhythmic fashion. Eyes closed, back and forth, back and forth her head stiffly moves and her legs begin to shake. Great, she’s brain damaged, I think to myself. I lift her wing and check for movement. I see her chest rise and fall as she takes a breath, followed by water bubbling out her nose. I wait for another, after what seems forever she breathes again. Then another sneeze. Its been a half hour now, but its obvious she is fighting for her life. I continue to hold her and warm her still cold body. Her legs begin to show signs of strength, After 5 minutes I set her down in the sun and proceed to milk the goats. When I finish I notice she is still in the same spot I left her in, but eyes closed she is holding her head up. Looks like she will pull through. I approach her and she tries weakly to walk away. I leave her to recover her strength.
An hour later I go to check on her and she is gone. I find her down in the creek happily scouting bugs. So you see, I’m a hero, chicken hero. Not many can make that claim. I may have to start wearing my apron around my neck, after all every hero needs a cape. Gotta run, I think I hear a chicken calling.
The little white chick nearly died. She's not at all appreciative of my efforts either. Thought the hero at least got a hug or kiss.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Where did June go?
Well, June was an extremely busy month. We took the kids on a trip to Florida for a week. In Orlando, visiting Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. We had a great time. Ha, we stayed at a Super8 in Orlando that was pretty much an adventure in itself. The bathroom door wouldn’t close tight so no one could lock it which proved to be a major fear factor to Em. A previous person had set the drapes on fire and they still hung in the room, burned up at the bottom. I should have brought a chicken or two along to clean up all the crumbs and nasty stuff from the floor. To top it off, since it was a tad depressing to be there, we stayed away every night till 11 or so and one night when we got back the maid had left the door propped open…apparently all day long. Oh ya, then there was the intentional overcharge I had to call customer service to get reversed. Lets just say Super8 wont see our $ again. Did I mention the light fixtures didn’t have covers, just bulbs hanging from the ceiling? Yep that was an interesting 3 nights.
The rest of the week was spent at the Hilton in Melbourne, much nicer! We went to the beaches along the space coast every day and swam in the ocean and picked up shells. It was so relaxing. The kids enjoyed the beach more than the theme parks.
We were home for less than a week, just enough time to do laundry and pack up again and Steve & I headed to North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia to celebrate our 22nd anniversary. We visited my brother John and his family. We hadn’t seen them for almost 2 years, so the kids had really changed. We spent a day and a half visiting the Biltmore house, boy was that cool! On the way home we stopped for some dinner and Grant showed us his cool trick of swallowing a piece of spaghetti and then hacking it back up in one piece. Pretty cool trick to a 4 year old! We laughed so hard we were crying.
After hanging out with them for a couple days we drove up into Virginia to Monticello and the Walton’s museum. We had fun just flying by the seat of our pants; deciding each day where to stay the next night and what to do the next day. No preset plans, just doing stuff on a whim.
After flying home and doing laundry and such we packed up again and headed to Omaha to visit family over the 4th. The fire works were great, too bad we didn’t stay long enough to even see all the immediate family.
I’m ready to stay home for a couple years now. All that going is a bit much to someone who doesn’t even leave home for weeks at a time! The animal caretaker I had hired left the garden gate open and the goat had a heyday! I think some stuff will survive, but she sure enjoyed her time in there. Thankfully I dried a bunch of spinach before she trashed things.
I’m so behind on housework and work in general that I feel like I’m barely treading water! Not to mention my wallet shrunk as well as my pants. Let’s just say we were very patriotic and did our part to stimulate the economy. Now to buckle down and get back on track around here. So much stress I think I need a vacation, wow, what a vicious cycle. :o)
May 29th Tigris had her baby, a darling little doeling we named Gretel. The dairy we bought her from seemed certain she had twins, so we had Hansel and Gretel picked out, turns out she only had a Gretel. She weighed in at a whopping 12 lbs 9 oz. now 5 weeks later is over 40 lbs! I think she’s a keeper! She has a great personality as well. Cheddar is giving over 4 lbs of milk a day now. I’ve got folks lined up to barter milk with. I may sell goat shares.
Clover is ready to drop her kid(s) any day now as well. I’ll post pictures when she does. She has been showing signs for 2 weeks now, I’m growing impatient!
Family at Cocoa Beach. I'm behind the camera.
My handsome son. Isn't he a cutie?
At the Enchanted Forest in Florida. Making sure his sisters stay cool. What a thoughtful guy.
Gretel, just hours old. Oh my gosh, isn't she adorable?
John and his family. We had a wonderful time together. The empty spot is for thier daughter. She is in China with her school band getting ready to play in the olympic's opening ceremony.
Slidig Rock, in DuPont State Forest in NC. Kids were hiking up and riding it down, using it like a slip n slide! Mama woulnd't be happy.
Monticello. We spent the whole day there. Very interesting, and oh yeah, it's on the nickel.
A stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The buildings were almost 200 yrs old!
Garden Pre-goat. Spinach is in the foreground. Peas are in the back right.
A close up of the spinach patch.
Spinach. The leaves were huge. Wow, what a great crop this year!
Drying some of the harvest. Getting ready to make Spinach egg noodles.
Spinach patch post-goat. I was pretty much ready to make goat sausage on the spot. Her only redeeming quality is that she is ready to kid at any moment. Saved by the kid!
Peas post-goat. They were loaded too, literally hundreds of pods. Now not a pea on them. Oh well, next year!
Corn. Not sure how that will turn out. May get a few ears? Hoping so anyway. Guess I'll have to hit the farmer's market to fill the freezer this year.
Making spinach noodles. Not all was lost! Getting healthy...using our fresh goat milk and fresh eggs. Even ground my own wheat.
Some of the finished product hanging to dry. Can't wait to eat it with a bit of goats cheese and goat butter. Hmmm..... a little goat sausage could add some nice flavor!
The rest of the week was spent at the Hilton in Melbourne, much nicer! We went to the beaches along the space coast every day and swam in the ocean and picked up shells. It was so relaxing. The kids enjoyed the beach more than the theme parks.
We were home for less than a week, just enough time to do laundry and pack up again and Steve & I headed to North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia to celebrate our 22nd anniversary. We visited my brother John and his family. We hadn’t seen them for almost 2 years, so the kids had really changed. We spent a day and a half visiting the Biltmore house, boy was that cool! On the way home we stopped for some dinner and Grant showed us his cool trick of swallowing a piece of spaghetti and then hacking it back up in one piece. Pretty cool trick to a 4 year old! We laughed so hard we were crying.
After hanging out with them for a couple days we drove up into Virginia to Monticello and the Walton’s museum. We had fun just flying by the seat of our pants; deciding each day where to stay the next night and what to do the next day. No preset plans, just doing stuff on a whim.
After flying home and doing laundry and such we packed up again and headed to Omaha to visit family over the 4th. The fire works were great, too bad we didn’t stay long enough to even see all the immediate family.
I’m ready to stay home for a couple years now. All that going is a bit much to someone who doesn’t even leave home for weeks at a time! The animal caretaker I had hired left the garden gate open and the goat had a heyday! I think some stuff will survive, but she sure enjoyed her time in there. Thankfully I dried a bunch of spinach before she trashed things.
I’m so behind on housework and work in general that I feel like I’m barely treading water! Not to mention my wallet shrunk as well as my pants. Let’s just say we were very patriotic and did our part to stimulate the economy. Now to buckle down and get back on track around here. So much stress I think I need a vacation, wow, what a vicious cycle. :o)
May 29th Tigris had her baby, a darling little doeling we named Gretel. The dairy we bought her from seemed certain she had twins, so we had Hansel and Gretel picked out, turns out she only had a Gretel. She weighed in at a whopping 12 lbs 9 oz. now 5 weeks later is over 40 lbs! I think she’s a keeper! She has a great personality as well. Cheddar is giving over 4 lbs of milk a day now. I’ve got folks lined up to barter milk with. I may sell goat shares.
Clover is ready to drop her kid(s) any day now as well. I’ll post pictures when she does. She has been showing signs for 2 weeks now, I’m growing impatient!
Family at Cocoa Beach. I'm behind the camera.
My handsome son. Isn't he a cutie?
At the Enchanted Forest in Florida. Making sure his sisters stay cool. What a thoughtful guy.
Gretel, just hours old. Oh my gosh, isn't she adorable?
John and his family. We had a wonderful time together. The empty spot is for thier daughter. She is in China with her school band getting ready to play in the olympic's opening ceremony.
Slidig Rock, in DuPont State Forest in NC. Kids were hiking up and riding it down, using it like a slip n slide! Mama woulnd't be happy.
Monticello. We spent the whole day there. Very interesting, and oh yeah, it's on the nickel.
A stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The buildings were almost 200 yrs old!
Garden Pre-goat. Spinach is in the foreground. Peas are in the back right.
A close up of the spinach patch.
Spinach. The leaves were huge. Wow, what a great crop this year!
Drying some of the harvest. Getting ready to make Spinach egg noodles.
Spinach patch post-goat. I was pretty much ready to make goat sausage on the spot. Her only redeeming quality is that she is ready to kid at any moment. Saved by the kid!
Peas post-goat. They were loaded too, literally hundreds of pods. Now not a pea on them. Oh well, next year!
Corn. Not sure how that will turn out. May get a few ears? Hoping so anyway. Guess I'll have to hit the farmer's market to fill the freezer this year.
Making spinach noodles. Not all was lost! Getting healthy...using our fresh goat milk and fresh eggs. Even ground my own wheat.
Some of the finished product hanging to dry. Can't wait to eat it with a bit of goats cheese and goat butter. Hmmm..... a little goat sausage could add some nice flavor!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Goats 2.0
I awoke at 5:45 this morning, ready to get my morning chores done and onto the tasks of the day. Em had snuggled in bed beside me as she often does when her dad is out of town. She is just a week away from her thirteenth birthday, how time flies. I lay for a minute and listened to her gentle breath, a sharp contrast from Steve’s heavy snores. I stepped outside into 45 degree weather to fed and water the animals then headed up to the garden to get some hoeing done.
A thick cloud hung over the mountain and dropped down into the valley below. It has rained for the past two days now. The air was heavy with moisture. Drops of dew lined up from one end of the clothesline to the other and covered every blade of grass. This was a good morning to hoe the garden. As I set to work, I could hear the lonely cry of a train in the distance; amazing since the nearest tracks are two towns away. I could hear it steadily chug along, working its way across town toward its destination, the moan of the whistle slicing through the thick cloud. I steadily worked my way through the garden as well, leaving small piles of grass, dirt and weeds behind me.
As I hoed around a tomato plant, I unearthed a fork. Yet another piece of history from the old mining shack that once stood where my garden is. God must have known how much I dislike weeding my garden; He gave me the pleasure of unearthing artifacts along the way. It sure makes the job more fun. I picked up the fork and turned it over in my hand. I stood for a minute contemplating its past. If only I had the ability to give voice to inanimate objects. I wonder who it had the privilege of nourishing. I picture it setting beside a tin plate and cup on a primitive table, next to a fire that heats the meal about to be eaten. Could it have belonged to a family or perhaps a miner and those who worked along side him? Undoubtedly it silently took in conversation about the weather, the joys of a successful hunt and the sorrows of a loved one lost to illness or accident. I’ll never know the secrets it guards, but it will take a place in my growing collection, another piece of the unknown history and the unknown people that walked the very spot I do.
As I work, the new goats gently m-a-a-a-a-a in the background, hoping I’ll come spend some time with them. I feel like such a sissy farmer at times, I don’t have a tractor yet and I cry when my animals die. Last Thursday I lost Piglet to bloat. It was a warm, sunny afternoon, she was fine when I went to check on them at 3:30 and by 5 she was dead. I saw her on her side and ran down the hill to the pen. Her tongue was out and her face was cold to the touch. I covered her nose with my hand, hoping for the slightest of breath. But it was too late, she was gone. I yelled to Em to grab a knife. Too late to tube her or insert a trocar and cannula, I at least hoped that I could save her baby. Unfortunately, that also was not to be. The doeling was all black with a white blaze down her face and long white ears. She looked like a Nubian cross. I sat and cried, waves of failure washing over me as I held her lifeless body in my arms. It all happened so quickly. I felt the hot tears roll down my face and tasted their saltiness. Unable to bear the thought of her being eaten by coyotes, I grabbed a shovel and buried her, covering her grave with stones to keep the animals out. Although I should have, I couldn’t bring myself to dress Piglet out and put the meat in the freezer, so we took the 4-wheeler and hauled her carcass up over the ridge. Steve said he wouldn’t eat it, not 100% certain of what killed her, but nature will gladly take care of that.
Not one to give in to setbacks, yesterday the kids and I went to the goat dairy and got two replacements. Tigeris is Alpine Saanen cross and ready to drop her kids at any moment. Cheddar is Nubian Saanen cross and was one of the dairy’s top milkers last year. However she didn’t catch this year and they only breed once a year so wont spend the money to feed her for a whole year while out of production. I hope to get her bred this fall. Being the computer guy he is, Steve refers to the new ones as “Goats 2.0”. He commented that every time he leaves town, I get more animals. I think he is glad to be coming home tomorrow.
Piglet
Tigris, my alpine saanen cross. Every time I see her, I think Sound Of Music, "...High on a hill was a lonely goat yodel ay, yodel ay, yodel ay, he hooo."
Cheddar, my nubian saanen cross
The fork I found in my garden
The clothesline wet with dew
The broody hen hatched out 6 chicks last week. I love how they pop out of her feathers and can hide equally fast.
A thick cloud hung over the mountain and dropped down into the valley below. It has rained for the past two days now. The air was heavy with moisture. Drops of dew lined up from one end of the clothesline to the other and covered every blade of grass. This was a good morning to hoe the garden. As I set to work, I could hear the lonely cry of a train in the distance; amazing since the nearest tracks are two towns away. I could hear it steadily chug along, working its way across town toward its destination, the moan of the whistle slicing through the thick cloud. I steadily worked my way through the garden as well, leaving small piles of grass, dirt and weeds behind me.
As I hoed around a tomato plant, I unearthed a fork. Yet another piece of history from the old mining shack that once stood where my garden is. God must have known how much I dislike weeding my garden; He gave me the pleasure of unearthing artifacts along the way. It sure makes the job more fun. I picked up the fork and turned it over in my hand. I stood for a minute contemplating its past. If only I had the ability to give voice to inanimate objects. I wonder who it had the privilege of nourishing. I picture it setting beside a tin plate and cup on a primitive table, next to a fire that heats the meal about to be eaten. Could it have belonged to a family or perhaps a miner and those who worked along side him? Undoubtedly it silently took in conversation about the weather, the joys of a successful hunt and the sorrows of a loved one lost to illness or accident. I’ll never know the secrets it guards, but it will take a place in my growing collection, another piece of the unknown history and the unknown people that walked the very spot I do.
As I work, the new goats gently m-a-a-a-a-a in the background, hoping I’ll come spend some time with them. I feel like such a sissy farmer at times, I don’t have a tractor yet and I cry when my animals die. Last Thursday I lost Piglet to bloat. It was a warm, sunny afternoon, she was fine when I went to check on them at 3:30 and by 5 she was dead. I saw her on her side and ran down the hill to the pen. Her tongue was out and her face was cold to the touch. I covered her nose with my hand, hoping for the slightest of breath. But it was too late, she was gone. I yelled to Em to grab a knife. Too late to tube her or insert a trocar and cannula, I at least hoped that I could save her baby. Unfortunately, that also was not to be. The doeling was all black with a white blaze down her face and long white ears. She looked like a Nubian cross. I sat and cried, waves of failure washing over me as I held her lifeless body in my arms. It all happened so quickly. I felt the hot tears roll down my face and tasted their saltiness. Unable to bear the thought of her being eaten by coyotes, I grabbed a shovel and buried her, covering her grave with stones to keep the animals out. Although I should have, I couldn’t bring myself to dress Piglet out and put the meat in the freezer, so we took the 4-wheeler and hauled her carcass up over the ridge. Steve said he wouldn’t eat it, not 100% certain of what killed her, but nature will gladly take care of that.
Not one to give in to setbacks, yesterday the kids and I went to the goat dairy and got two replacements. Tigeris is Alpine Saanen cross and ready to drop her kids at any moment. Cheddar is Nubian Saanen cross and was one of the dairy’s top milkers last year. However she didn’t catch this year and they only breed once a year so wont spend the money to feed her for a whole year while out of production. I hope to get her bred this fall. Being the computer guy he is, Steve refers to the new ones as “Goats 2.0”. He commented that every time he leaves town, I get more animals. I think he is glad to be coming home tomorrow.
Piglet
Tigris, my alpine saanen cross. Every time I see her, I think Sound Of Music, "...High on a hill was a lonely goat yodel ay, yodel ay, yodel ay, he hooo."
Cheddar, my nubian saanen cross
The fork I found in my garden
The clothesline wet with dew
The broody hen hatched out 6 chicks last week. I love how they pop out of her feathers and can hide equally fast.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Old Man Winter
Old man winter is attempting to hold on as long as he can. We awoke to a couple inches of snow this morning. As I lay in my warm bed contemplating getting up, I could see a sliver of white peeking into the room through the small crack between the window and the blinds. I arose and peered out to see a steadily-falling wet snow had covered every rock, tree and blade of grass on the mountain. As beautiful as it was, I wish old man winter would relinquish his grip and let spring dress the mountain in all her fine splendor. It is mid May after all.
Thanks to a hefty gust, the Quonset hut I had setting behind the chicken coop was resting upside down in the creek. I tried to drag it back up and out, but kept sliding back down the slippery bank; mud mixed with snow caked onto my jeans as I slid down time and time again. The cold wet snow was still falling, making my hair wet and chilling me to the bone. I gave up, figuring I need a little mechanical help. I’ll hook it up to the truck and pull it out in a couple days once things have dried up a bit. What was I thinking? The banks are a good 15 feet high there. Easy in, not so easy out.
Steve took the day off and we headed into town to run some errands. I had a contract job to do and a Craigslist item to pick up. Steve had an interview to conduct, so I hit a couple of thrifts while he was busy with that. I’m happy with my recent Craigslist find, a Ralph Lauren, King-sized feather bed. Did I mention Free? I have one, but the kids usually fight over it come November; so now we have solved that problem. “It belonged to my ex.” she explained, the pain evident in her eyes as they peeked out between her long wispy bangs. “He moved out and didn’t take it along, I want it gone.” Happy to help unload a bad memory while simultaneously gaining a feather bed, I loaded it in the back of the jeep and we drove off to the next errand.
After several more stops it was mid-afternoon and we headed home. The snow had mostly melted, making the road up the mountain a soupy mess. The mud was a good 6 inches deep in spots, had we not had 4WD we would never have made it up. It was a little unnerving as we slipped and slid around, knowing that in several places, just four or five feet away, was the edge of the road and a 200 foot drop. We made it safely home safely.
I tossed the feather bed in the cow tank with some homemade laundry soap and a small amount of bleach. I’m sure bleach is not the greatest thing for feathers, but I would just feel gross sleeping on or under it if I didn’t. I got out my antique laundry plunger and began plunging away. Steve came out with the camera and snapped a picture. He laughed when I asked “What’s with the camera? You act like you’ve never seen me do laundry before.” I thought it was heavy before I put it in the water…it was virtually impossible to get out of the tank once it was washed. Em and I wrestled it out inch by inch, wringing the water out as we went. It’s still sitting in the laundry basket draining. I’ll hang it on the line as soon as I can lift it!
Cleaning the feather bed. I don't look too happy about it. Intense concentration!
Some of my homemade laundry soap. Finely ground soap from the bars I made several months back mixed with a little borax
We had a brilliant, full double rainbow over the house, but I couldn't seem to capture it all in a picture. It stretched from one horizon to the other.
Thanks to a hefty gust, the Quonset hut I had setting behind the chicken coop was resting upside down in the creek. I tried to drag it back up and out, but kept sliding back down the slippery bank; mud mixed with snow caked onto my jeans as I slid down time and time again. The cold wet snow was still falling, making my hair wet and chilling me to the bone. I gave up, figuring I need a little mechanical help. I’ll hook it up to the truck and pull it out in a couple days once things have dried up a bit. What was I thinking? The banks are a good 15 feet high there. Easy in, not so easy out.
Steve took the day off and we headed into town to run some errands. I had a contract job to do and a Craigslist item to pick up. Steve had an interview to conduct, so I hit a couple of thrifts while he was busy with that. I’m happy with my recent Craigslist find, a Ralph Lauren, King-sized feather bed. Did I mention Free? I have one, but the kids usually fight over it come November; so now we have solved that problem. “It belonged to my ex.” she explained, the pain evident in her eyes as they peeked out between her long wispy bangs. “He moved out and didn’t take it along, I want it gone.” Happy to help unload a bad memory while simultaneously gaining a feather bed, I loaded it in the back of the jeep and we drove off to the next errand.
After several more stops it was mid-afternoon and we headed home. The snow had mostly melted, making the road up the mountain a soupy mess. The mud was a good 6 inches deep in spots, had we not had 4WD we would never have made it up. It was a little unnerving as we slipped and slid around, knowing that in several places, just four or five feet away, was the edge of the road and a 200 foot drop. We made it safely home safely.
I tossed the feather bed in the cow tank with some homemade laundry soap and a small amount of bleach. I’m sure bleach is not the greatest thing for feathers, but I would just feel gross sleeping on or under it if I didn’t. I got out my antique laundry plunger and began plunging away. Steve came out with the camera and snapped a picture. He laughed when I asked “What’s with the camera? You act like you’ve never seen me do laundry before.” I thought it was heavy before I put it in the water…it was virtually impossible to get out of the tank once it was washed. Em and I wrestled it out inch by inch, wringing the water out as we went. It’s still sitting in the laundry basket draining. I’ll hang it on the line as soon as I can lift it!
Cleaning the feather bed. I don't look too happy about it. Intense concentration!
Some of my homemade laundry soap. Finely ground soap from the bars I made several months back mixed with a little borax
We had a brilliant, full double rainbow over the house, but I couldn't seem to capture it all in a picture. It stretched from one horizon to the other.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Work, Work, Work
The weekend was spent working around the place. We walked the driveway hoeing and digging out Russian, Milk and Canadian Thistles, and Wooly Mullein along the edges. Its a half mile down and back. Originally, mullein was brought over from Europe by early settlers. It was used as a medicinal herb in the treatment of cough and diarrhea. As thick as they are around here, I think I’ll pass on the medicinal benefits. Unfortunately, the tiny seeds can germinate after lying dormant for many decades, so I guess we’re in for an annual chore. I will choose to look on the bright side; at least I have the comfort of knowing I’ll be well stocked if I ever run into a problem that way. Ok well, once I figure out what to do with it.
The does are fattening up on all the grass and weeds. Clover was quite scrawny, but now has a belly almost equal to Piglet’s. They have nearly cleared the front yard. Later this week they will be moved to the area around the septic field; lots of nice lush growth there as well. The goats seem to be keeping the eagles away. I had read they would in an on-line article, but was skeptical. Hmm, guess they may be right. Since they’ve moved in, I’ve only seen an eagle once and it was just passing by at a high altitude.
The chicks have adjusted well to the move to the big house. The hens seem to be leaving them well enough alone at this point. I’ve been introducing them to the hens for the past couple of weeks, so I think they will do well together. I did provide them a hiding place in the coop so they can feel secure when they need to. They spent half the day yesterday hiding out there peeking around the corner on occasion to size up the scary big guys running around them. But finally they came out and wandered around enjoying the grass and a few early bugs. Today they have really become curious about life outside the coop and have expanded their range. My broody hen seems to be doing well. The other hens continue to lay eggs in her next box, causing her difficulties in setting on them all at once. I’ve pulled a few more eggs out from under her that were unnumbered, being laid after she started setting. She has been good to let me reach under her and check a few of them. She mostly squawks a low growl and acts like she may peck if I linger. Hopefully she will have a successful hatch. I figure they should hatch around the 17th. Tonight I’ll be getting the new chicks back from the one of the kindergarten classes. They hatched out 26. I still don’t know how many hatched from the other class.
I decided to take my chances and plant my sweet corn, carrots and Zucchini today. Even though our official frost date is May 30th, the 15 day forecast puts us above freezing every night, so I figure I’ll take my chances. The carrots can take a light frost, and I can always water and cover the others if the weather looks sketchy. It’s supposed to rain later today, so I figured it would be good to get it in the ground and get a nice rain on it. Oh how I love the taste of home grown sweet corn. I’m planting four and a half 35’ rows of Kandy King Hybrid. At two ears per plant that’s 300 ears or 75 meals. I may need to get another freezer! I decided April 1st to quit grocery shopping and prepare meals from our stash for a while to make room for fall’s harvest and processed broilers. I’ve only made a small dent in my pantry so far, but my budget appreciates it.
Josh and his friend Cory moved the trailer up from along the driveway to behind the coop. It was a building trailer left by the previous owner and will make a nice place for a horse. It has a “tack shed” side with a window and enough room for equipment as well as many bales of hay. The other side will easily accommodate a horse. Now to jack it up, unbolt it from the trailer, and position it on a foundation and slab. That is a future project.
Peas popping up in the garden.
Getting ready to plant a row of corn. Potatoes are off to the right. Still waiting for those to show.
Two of the babies that moved out to the coop over the weekend. Both are half Araucana.
The broody hen. A bit unhpappy after I stole a few mislaid eggs from under her. She kinda looked like she was counting them.
My roo, a beautiful Rhode Island Red.
The does are fattening up on all the grass and weeds. Clover was quite scrawny, but now has a belly almost equal to Piglet’s. They have nearly cleared the front yard. Later this week they will be moved to the area around the septic field; lots of nice lush growth there as well. The goats seem to be keeping the eagles away. I had read they would in an on-line article, but was skeptical. Hmm, guess they may be right. Since they’ve moved in, I’ve only seen an eagle once and it was just passing by at a high altitude.
The chicks have adjusted well to the move to the big house. The hens seem to be leaving them well enough alone at this point. I’ve been introducing them to the hens for the past couple of weeks, so I think they will do well together. I did provide them a hiding place in the coop so they can feel secure when they need to. They spent half the day yesterday hiding out there peeking around the corner on occasion to size up the scary big guys running around them. But finally they came out and wandered around enjoying the grass and a few early bugs. Today they have really become curious about life outside the coop and have expanded their range. My broody hen seems to be doing well. The other hens continue to lay eggs in her next box, causing her difficulties in setting on them all at once. I’ve pulled a few more eggs out from under her that were unnumbered, being laid after she started setting. She has been good to let me reach under her and check a few of them. She mostly squawks a low growl and acts like she may peck if I linger. Hopefully she will have a successful hatch. I figure they should hatch around the 17th. Tonight I’ll be getting the new chicks back from the one of the kindergarten classes. They hatched out 26. I still don’t know how many hatched from the other class.
I decided to take my chances and plant my sweet corn, carrots and Zucchini today. Even though our official frost date is May 30th, the 15 day forecast puts us above freezing every night, so I figure I’ll take my chances. The carrots can take a light frost, and I can always water and cover the others if the weather looks sketchy. It’s supposed to rain later today, so I figured it would be good to get it in the ground and get a nice rain on it. Oh how I love the taste of home grown sweet corn. I’m planting four and a half 35’ rows of Kandy King Hybrid. At two ears per plant that’s 300 ears or 75 meals. I may need to get another freezer! I decided April 1st to quit grocery shopping and prepare meals from our stash for a while to make room for fall’s harvest and processed broilers. I’ve only made a small dent in my pantry so far, but my budget appreciates it.
Josh and his friend Cory moved the trailer up from along the driveway to behind the coop. It was a building trailer left by the previous owner and will make a nice place for a horse. It has a “tack shed” side with a window and enough room for equipment as well as many bales of hay. The other side will easily accommodate a horse. Now to jack it up, unbolt it from the trailer, and position it on a foundation and slab. That is a future project.
Peas popping up in the garden.
Getting ready to plant a row of corn. Potatoes are off to the right. Still waiting for those to show.
Two of the babies that moved out to the coop over the weekend. Both are half Araucana.
The broody hen. A bit unhpappy after I stole a few mislaid eggs from under her. She kinda looked like she was counting them.
My roo, a beautiful Rhode Island Red.
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