Farm News

There are stories to be told but little time to give life to them now. Instead I offer just the news without any attempt to bring you to the level of laughter and tears as it all really happened.

We recently borrowed a ram.  It has been on our "to do" list for several weeks and months but it did not move to the top until my neighbor Beth came over and taught me how to properly prepare a lamb shoulder roast.  We had a memorable feast and the next day Paul made arrangements for the ram to join us. We are hoping it is not too late in the season for breeding to happen.

The kids know to stay out of the pen and pastures but have enjoyed getting to know him through the fence.

In other animal news it is confirmed that Yuleme (one of the goat ladies) is pregnant! We wanted to know for sure before drying her off so we performed a blood test.  It looked easy enough on a youtube video but the reality of drawing blood from an animal was another experience. I almost fainted once but was urged to keep trying. Finally I called a nearby vet to give us a good lesson in it.  Still not sure I will ever grow into that task, I even threatened to leave the entire farm life behind because of it, let's just say I'm glad that experience is behind us.

Now with only one of the does pregnant we are happy to still be getting 2 qts of milk a day from the other doe Arabella.  We are considering staggering their breeding so we will always be in  milk but really this is just a reminder that we really don't know what we are doing.  And the reality of baby goats due to arrive in a couple of weeks will be its own reminder and experience.  But aside from any outcome from these animals, I admit over all the farmyard, these goats have won my heart and maybe that is why the blood draw was too painful for me to perform.

Meanwhile we are all anxiously awaiting the return of sunshine.  We enjoyed one day of it but the reality is right now it feels more like January with fresh snow buzzing around outside our windows and a chill in my finger tips as I type.  So I'll stick with sharing pictures from that one beautiful day.

William's been working with Polar everyday. Except for chasing chickens he is proving to be a good dog.

I am reading more garden books than I ever imagined I would and find myself still questioning.  So the greatest lesson I am learning is the need to simply put the books down and turn to experience as my teacher.  That is not an easy thing for me because I'm really good at mistakes and even better at beating myself up after the mistakes.  

May these trees, the plants, this land, the animals and even my children be understanding and forgiving of my inexperience.  May I see the perfection in the imperfection, be unattached to the expected outcome and simply embrace the experience.

That is my way of saying I hold both a longing and terror for this upcoming garden season.

The children on the other hand see it all as joy.  With a chance to dig in the dirt they discovered rows unharvested carrots, they were the colorful ones ranging from yellow, orange and purple.  We tasted them and decided they were more fun to find than to eat so most will be left behind as food for the soil.  

As for "the stories", just know there was a close encounter with both a opossum and a skunk in recent weeks.  I am happy to report that Paul was in town during both these episodes and chuckled his way through them.  So grateful to be sharing this life with someone who holds a cheerful disposition and willingness to do the jobs that no one wants to do.  I also look forward to someday (soon) reading his record of it.  Because "farm news" actually has the power to make us laugh and touch hearts.