tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31667309981441462952024-03-12T20:08:51.530-07:00Life at the farm and moregoatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-37373829758729918392013-01-15T22:37:00.001-08:002013-01-15T22:37:32.595-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8FVHNZsCALLHklvtqY_xM9Hy2wOd9NeO-hcFVbpoRDgljPSUZPs8KtXYu84R2IRGlV6Zb1RHtPKfzafkHVsh0NqIR_XaMVLiiC5dpJN5CRqozaSnyrWoY4djLEK63ac9LI8qcHN7Wys/s1600/IMG_2177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8FVHNZsCALLHklvtqY_xM9Hy2wOd9NeO-hcFVbpoRDgljPSUZPs8KtXYu84R2IRGlV6Zb1RHtPKfzafkHVsh0NqIR_XaMVLiiC5dpJN5CRqozaSnyrWoY4djLEK63ac9LI8qcHN7Wys/s320/IMG_2177.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">OUR 42 ACRES OF PARADISE</span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It has been a heck of a ride for the last 7 months. I had such good intentions of doing this blog through this journey to share what we are going through so others may take some comfo<span style="font-size: small;">rt from it. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The one thing I learned fast is cancer turns your life every which way but loose! And the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I just now read the <span style="font-size: small;">comments from </span>the previous post. </span>And belated I thank all who commented. I can tell you all that some days <span style="font-size: small;">just getting <span style="font-size: small;">through the day takes all I can give. And emotions can come to call at the oddest times. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am giving <span style="font-size: small;">strong consideration to getting back to blogging. I have taken to face<span style="font-size: small;">book as it is a quick way to keep family and friends on board with our situation. I go days sometimes without even turning on the laptop. Phone calls are limited mostly to family. I have gone out on my own to do something other than marketing only three times since we began this journey. <span style="font-size: small;">There is a measure of safety <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">and comfort spending my days here at our "42 Acres of Paradise" with Geoffrey and the critters. I am not able nor ready to change that.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We are at the "breath holding" phase no<span style="font-size: small;">w. On the 25th we will meet with the <span style="font-size: small;">Dr. to determine if the original diagnosis was correct. And then if it was <span style="font-size: small;">is the CLL now in remission and where do we go from here. If it isn't and he has what is called Mantel Cell Leukemia what that will mean. I have read the press on that one and it is cause for concern. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So once again I ask patience. I hope to get more serious about this blog again as I said. Prayers for you <span style="font-size: small;">and yours. Check back again and we will see how my new blog pledge is going. Or friend me on FB and keep us with us from there. </span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span>goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-54771894739488282472012-07-25T19:13:00.001-07:002012-07-25T19:13:35.523-07:00CLLMMMMMMMMMMM alphabetical skills have been lacking. Acronyms too. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/CLL/Patient/page1">http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/CLL/Patient/page1</a><br />
<br />
This is life folks. My husband Geoffrey is in Mercy Hospital in Redding with the above. It is a sneaky bugger, slow growing, by now more then a decade but who knew?<br />
<br />
We eat well home grown, organic for the most part. We work hard with a herd of LaMancha dairy goats, chickens and such. But when my husband was young in New Jersey and each week the truck went through the neighborhood spraying a fog of DDT the parents encouraged the children to go "play" in the fog. It was the fifties who knew?<br />
<br />
So maybe the take home from this is if it kills anything then it isn't good for anyone? I will try to keep blogging but some days between the farm and daily visits to the hospital it is hard to even keep eating. <br />
<br />
This sharing isn't about "poor me, or poor us" it is sharing. Get up breath, one foot in front of the other and make it through the day. We are all human, all of us put our jeans on in the same fashion. Isn't it about time to take into consideration that we are all the same, down in the core?<br />
<br />
Have a blessed evening with the ones you love!<br />
<br />
A bit of love for you all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIazT0ouqxxaSA151_W-Kt3sTttbqDtZeNrNKkLJkMVKD4GG8B4VlRQ3YPBrRYH87euOtE8sog9cSnEnML4xcrtXmVaBkFageXyRiVNWxxko98Io6wOMx-_96GY1BUh7NG_EMQ_zzwaUI/s1600/IMG_1961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIazT0ouqxxaSA151_W-Kt3sTttbqDtZeNrNKkLJkMVKD4GG8B4VlRQ3YPBrRYH87euOtE8sog9cSnEnML4xcrtXmVaBkFageXyRiVNWxxko98Io6wOMx-_96GY1BUh7NG_EMQ_zzwaUI/s320/IMG_1961.JPG" width="227" /></a></div>
<br />goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-49053695223668171932012-07-17T22:49:00.000-07:002012-07-17T22:49:56.418-07:00Oregon shuffleTrip made. Critters exchanged. Camera in truck. Pix and commentary later. Time for bed. Mark this space!goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-29382842065288944622012-07-09T16:36:00.000-07:002012-07-09T16:36:05.416-07:00Pompier First in Heart 'n Barn<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Poste de Pompier First In Heart 'N Barn</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>aka Spinner</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>October 13, 2000 - July 9, 2012</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>"Go rest high upon that mountain for your work on earth is through</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Go to Heaven a shout'n but for the Father and the Son"</b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57BTbxz_wVIHlD5QmeT6yvJsAZci65Bcvt6jHbbBdkjsboSfly_-YIDVygUrymtcEp-ulCuWiJIh_Vn7Ci6PJxqV5Q_Z4WTzT0zsJxKbyceoMe-pn3rhf2ldWt7frdOz_sYgj0EiRvxc/s1600/spinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkR9cMPBVc7uVhhe9N6IxHKxVL6py5DOBeM7Si6XEJa5wVHh5c8EtBxYEZ7tmx3pqniYYeiduRBE637zSVUtqoOal3F0S307wXRonWDN5mKYwFqKxFmzXysaEW0julPdIotOVzB3py6U/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEl4lKE6duwIkZVq1BUUmsbMAlbk9vJlo1ij30KkRC7D6G3O3X6IIxTp-yqiEgbGywxLrgZBUMlL108HHvSmmMeWIIP5Wa0jGlXqUGoiS9Ir2UVKRv5pnPmWbBHcwGsgAvKiEfVBw_D0/s1600/Spinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEl4lKE6duwIkZVq1BUUmsbMAlbk9vJlo1ij30KkRC7D6G3O3X6IIxTp-yqiEgbGywxLrgZBUMlL108HHvSmmMeWIIP5Wa0jGlXqUGoiS9Ir2UVKRv5pnPmWbBHcwGsgAvKiEfVBw_D0/s400/Spinner.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkR9cMPBVc7uVhhe9N6IxHKxVL6py5DOBeM7Si6XEJa5wVHh5c8EtBxYEZ7tmx3pqniYYeiduRBE637zSVUtqoOal3F0S307wXRonWDN5mKYwFqKxFmzXysaEW0julPdIotOVzB3py6U/s1600/001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkR9cMPBVc7uVhhe9N6IxHKxVL6py5DOBeM7Si6XEJa5wVHh5c8EtBxYEZ7tmx3pqniYYeiduRBE637zSVUtqoOal3F0S307wXRonWDN5mKYwFqKxFmzXysaEW0julPdIotOVzB3py6U/s400/001.jpg" width="318" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57BTbxz_wVIHlD5QmeT6yvJsAZci65Bcvt6jHbbBdkjsboSfly_-YIDVygUrymtcEp-ulCuWiJIh_Vn7Ci6PJxqV5Q_Z4WTzT0zsJxKbyceoMe-pn3rhf2ldWt7frdOz_sYgj0EiRvxc/s1600/spinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57BTbxz_wVIHlD5QmeT6yvJsAZci65Bcvt6jHbbBdkjsboSfly_-YIDVygUrymtcEp-ulCuWiJIh_Vn7Ci6PJxqV5Q_Z4WTzT0zsJxKbyceoMe-pn3rhf2ldWt7frdOz_sYgj0EiRvxc/s400/spinner.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-19849667928400263082012-07-08T16:59:00.000-07:002012-07-08T16:59:59.282-07:00This is ShermanWe knew when we bought 42 acres for our farm we would need more help on the livestock guardian front. Spinner is almost 12 and not in good shape, in fact we don't expect her to make it through the summer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRP4B7nUQ0Ajed6ngdxv0vnXAV-GyZ7wJpufzQ069XgvdzpLQrLNju6LKamD5rhU1D6Hk4SbYMPPt5IfPll7JlsPx5o-gAJ7cMFTBdMNNgx7lNHkMat6XxXuIxN2GsfIt35R01enIaR8/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRP4B7nUQ0Ajed6ngdxv0vnXAV-GyZ7wJpufzQ069XgvdzpLQrLNju6LKamD5rhU1D6Hk4SbYMPPt5IfPll7JlsPx5o-gAJ7cMFTBdMNNgx7lNHkMat6XxXuIxN2GsfIt35R01enIaR8/s200/IMG_1788.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
So I began a search for a puppy. It was beginning to look rather hopeless. No one had a litter yet or they were crosses not 100% Pyrenees. Not to be confused with being registered. We just wanted a dog that was all Pyr. After having four of our own and fostering or transporting close to 100 we are head over heals with the breed.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Finally the breeders who sold us Spinner as a pup had a male to offer. Evidently the first offer had to back out due to family issues. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Enter Pompier Magical Mystery Tour aka Sherman. He was then old enough to leave Mom but we had a few things in our way fencing and barns still to finish.Then it rained and rained we got woefully behind. Finally the end of January things were a go and plans were made for me to travel to White Dog Ranch in Potter Valley <a href="http://www.whitedogranch.com/">http://www.whitedogranch.com/</a> That was to be early February. But the trip was not to be I fractured my patella (knee cap) three days before the trip. So the four month old puppy waited some more, sigh. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Finally in early May I got the go ahead from my Dr. and I made the three hour trip to the ranch bringing home Sherman. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZJGa3f7MaSkjo6zHY8DgUIrxHa7UnZcp3356Lhzedem4BKEGQJ9h-vBfdYONeH5ze23Stjo5_tV_OT7RVoCkKoSA52CeckmRiLF7aUXaJSmrqK2npX7HlJWhoTe8XWXxUdzt2XNLDMA/s1600/IMG_1801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZJGa3f7MaSkjo6zHY8DgUIrxHa7UnZcp3356Lhzedem4BKEGQJ9h-vBfdYONeH5ze23Stjo5_tV_OT7RVoCkKoSA52CeckmRiLF7aUXaJSmrqK2npX7HlJWhoTe8XWXxUdzt2XNLDMA/s200/IMG_1801.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He bears a resemblance to Spinner when she was a pup. But he is his own dog. He is a bit of a rascal I attribute that to the "boy' parts.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And did I mention ? He climbs. Despite our best efforts Sherman defeats us and climbs over just about everything.So for now we have tossed in the towel. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Every afternoon about 1 - 2 p.m. he climbs out of the yearling pasture and cruises. He visits Geoffrey in the garage and then does a drive by Spinner.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
She has always been an alpha bitch but now with her physical issues she tolerates no nonsense and our young "bucket
head" gets his face "eaten" and he then goes over to lie down with the
senior does who go out foraging daily.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6vUU5Q6YhBv8bqrhoRxsOaSOx55K4Hk8dJBgwZrEQvTrIO6ZKblN2eYrYvgYQjPcWTFBjLUijTBh4uxOSDkML_6BOuyoRzIutDB4EFQVdJXB6158Zjx9Tn9T8SXOo9RM-_d2mmrIk74/s1600/kingston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Part of our plan in getting this daily escape to come to a halt is giving him a partner. In a week to two weeks I will pick up a 3 month old female from a friend in Oregon. We have high hopes supplying him with a buddy will be helpful in curbing his daily climb overs. Spinner was very happy for about 6 years with her partner Kingston(below with Claire on left and Emmy on right) until his untimely passing. Crossing all that dangles the adverse effect won't happen, he teaches her his tricks. We still have 5 strand barbed wire for perimeter fencing around all the 42 acres. Not exactly Pyr. fencing but it will be a bit before we can afford to fence the perimeter with 47" field fencing . So cross your fingers and dew claws for us that the cute young thing from the great state of Oregon turns this California boys head!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6vUU5Q6YhBv8bqrhoRxsOaSOx55K4Hk8dJBgwZrEQvTrIO6ZKblN2eYrYvgYQjPcWTFBjLUijTBh4uxOSDkML_6BOuyoRzIutDB4EFQVdJXB6158Zjx9Tn9T8SXOo9RM-_d2mmrIk74/s1600/kingston.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6vUU5Q6YhBv8bqrhoRxsOaSOx55K4Hk8dJBgwZrEQvTrIO6ZKblN2eYrYvgYQjPcWTFBjLUijTBh4uxOSDkML_6BOuyoRzIutDB4EFQVdJXB6158Zjx9Tn9T8SXOo9RM-_d2mmrIk74/s200/kingston.jpg" width="173" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-23224334991325631982012-07-06T15:29:00.000-07:002012-07-06T15:29:30.542-07:00Farmer's Market Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRsEYAtkXFaOb3uRsp6PZG-OQVoTipmtR444LlgrK0JT8h0ttTzBFkOj47giONOM38RB1j7T_3E_rzYj3QfVfEEhXLSu0i69yGlgHIJIOYwFoqvk4nY5J8k0S-iosd6TgooOrgdrg1Z0/s1600/IMG_1828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One of the things that I have started since we got somewhat settled in is selling our eggs and goat milk soap at the Anderson Farmer's Mkt. on Thursday mornings from 7:30 am to 1 pm. I don't do a rousing business $$ wise every time but I do an amazing business otherwise. That would be the business of sharing. Sharing the whys and wherefores of sustainable living. I borrowed my status from my FB yesterday which explains a bit more. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is my table at one of the first markets I attended. I have branched out and will get some new photos to share next week. I am a member of the Shasta Growers Association and plan on becoming involved in Mountain Growers Association also which will enable me to attend two other markets as we grow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRsEYAtkXFaOb3uRsp6PZG-OQVoTipmtR444LlgrK0JT8h0ttTzBFkOj47giONOM38RB1j7T_3E_rzYj3QfVfEEhXLSu0i69yGlgHIJIOYwFoqvk4nY5J8k0S-iosd6TgooOrgdrg1Z0/s1600/IMG_1828.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRsEYAtkXFaOb3uRsp6PZG-OQVoTipmtR444LlgrK0JT8h0ttTzBFkOj47giONOM38RB1j7T_3E_rzYj3QfVfEEhXLSu0i69yGlgHIJIOYwFoqvk4nY5J8k0S-iosd6TgooOrgdrg1Z0/s320/IMG_1828.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRsEYAtkXFaOb3uRsp6PZG-OQVoTipmtR444LlgrK0JT8h0ttTzBFkOj47giONOM38RB1j7T_3E_rzYj3QfVfEEhXLSu0i69yGlgHIJIOYwFoqvk4nY5J8k0S-iosd6TgooOrgdrg1Z0/s1600/IMG_1828.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Facebook Status 7/5/12</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBeavJnPiug5nNgKe2xR-2uJnH9l0gv-TtsUrjBuLKD5xOfJrFC7r1ePRewvnZu_6q4EfEd-w09n97-cdmH1e7bw9Ogt6sKuS9017o7geeHeCuygV0by3yEtRZN_kMkUkC13qH377xt0/s1600/512LVRLVEwL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBeavJnPiug5nNgKe2xR-2uJnH9l0gv-TtsUrjBuLKD5xOfJrFC7r1ePRewvnZu_6q4EfEd-w09n97-cdmH1e7bw9Ogt6sKuS9017o7geeHeCuygV0by3yEtRZN_kMkUkC13qH377xt0/s200/512LVRLVEwL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="126" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My new read "Folks , This Ain't Normal" Joel Salatin, I love the whole
deal family farm, pastured pork, chicken. Humane treatment of animals
who give their all to feed us. My vision is getting food of this nature
to people who need it but can't afford it because of the cost. This is why
, one of the whys, I am at Farmers Mkt. in Anderson every Thursday. Yes
I love selling my products but more so I l<span class="text_exposed_show">ove sharing the vision. <br /> <br />
And while reading Joel Salatin's book tonight this caught my eye and I
could relate to it . I love farming and here is what he has to say.
"What do you do out there on the farm? If you don't go to a movie, don't
get takeout, don't bar hop, don't spend most evenings at soccer
games-what on earth is there to do?" Oh, let me tell you. Each morning I
step out into dew-speckled pastures, each drop a rainbow-studded
diamond adorning orchard grass, red clover, white clover, plantain,
chicory-a whole salad bar bedazzled in morning's solar glory. I have
thousand of expectant animals waiting for a fresh salad bar. They love
me." <br /> <br /> We aren't close to the level of Polyface Farm. But the
vision is shared. If we can make a difference in the eating habits of
one family each time we attend market then the day is a blessing , a
gift to us and to them.<br /> <br /> I come from a line of farmer's my
mother's people. I sincerely believe there is a farming gene in the DNA
make up . I got it or it got me, no matter. But when one receives a gift
sharing it with others is what makes it special.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-56466835842776554632012-07-04T15:56:00.000-07:002012-07-04T15:56:30.468-07:00<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>GOATS GO FORAGING</b></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTOyF3IAlbUiQJVNdDHNeNqze12D0mlBMhV0SS3qRe4xRnUbejLtkK3AjQEC72G0k-mtQrygaFdeuchOV08eASklWBIQr1xbjVJFQggXJuloa7e-DqcnosZ_FG95gxnCVleCftcu3EmM/s1600/IMG_1785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTOyF3IAlbUiQJVNdDHNeNqze12D0mlBMhV0SS3qRe4xRnUbejLtkK3AjQEC72G0k-mtQrygaFdeuchOV08eASklWBIQr1xbjVJFQggXJuloa7e-DqcnosZ_FG95gxnCVleCftcu3EmM/s200/IMG_1785.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO ALL!<br />
<br />
I am attempting to set aside some time each week to resurrect my blog. So much has happened since the move to our 42 acres of paradise in November of last year. All of the sudden it was kidding season and my life went into overdrive dairy goat style.<br />
<br />
So check in occasionally, some of you do already, high hopes that by end of month I will be posting on a newly designed blog if not daily at least a few times a week. Our background is a photo of our wonderful view of Mt. Lassen out our "back yard".goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-17908925759277212022011-11-05T19:11:00.000-07:002011-11-05T19:11:29.006-07:00Moving day #1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Well they came and went. The movers. So here I sit for at the least 3 more days until the girls and I leave. I am in good company even if the furnishings are rather sparse at this time. Geoffrey took four of the house cats and all my goldfish from our pond and left this morning. He is now home. I have Ari , 2 yo English Setter, two of the house cats we thought would make the transition better with me. Also all my does and doe kids and last but never least Spinner. And it is raining! But the Son was shinning for our family today we are so blessed to be off on our next journey!</span>goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-71568337278232690832011-10-31T20:05:00.000-07:002011-10-31T20:05:10.901-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">On this date 6 years ago we put our home in Fresno on the market. On this date today we are officially no longer the owners of the house we currently live in. We have a contract allowing us two weeks to move stock and us to our new home. Please note the use of home ( A valued place regarded as a refuge) vs house (The physical structure within which one lives, such as a house or apartment) . </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Welcome friends and family to our new home. Trust you will visit soon and often!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9e7XWFmdh5Yewye-3g-NXelng5gIfE0dtkAeMXGoKunmTIgQKvV7f9anWmNnshi2SbCgVqCc-LnYdjBRw8AgJTie9cUutvOD8X3IG1JjwetTuBU3ourvoAjsP_wYYJbOA1cFArGzr7lM/s1600/Ash+creek+fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9e7XWFmdh5Yewye-3g-NXelng5gIfE0dtkAeMXGoKunmTIgQKvV7f9anWmNnshi2SbCgVqCc-LnYdjBRw8AgJTie9cUutvOD8X3IG1JjwetTuBU3ourvoAjsP_wYYJbOA1cFArGzr7lM/s320/Ash+creek+fireplace.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span>goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-28287033194105867512011-10-30T18:52:00.000-07:002011-10-30T18:52:30.096-07:00Sunday no rest todayEven though Sunday should be a day of rest when the farm is going home, finally by grace of God, there is plenty to do. Got the kitchen mostly packed up. We are eating out of the barn freezer trying to minimize both the cost of food in the next few weeks and using up what is there. Going off grid is going to be a lesson in transit so we are strictly living by less is more!<br />
<br />
Made more soap labels for the soap that will be sold at the goat ed. day in Red Bluff next Saturday. My dear friend Donna is going with her granddaughter and will bless them , be flying solo this year. Geoffrey will take the soap over on Wednesday when he goes to Ash Creek to start up the temporary shelters with Donna's husband Dallas.<br />
<br />
My lovely Onyx has recovered from her bloat and scours. She is the daughter of my PJ who is a stunning two year old this year and she is the cover girl for out blog. Razamataz had an insect bite that caused aggressive swelling of her neck and face, she too is now on the mend. Raz is special as she is my last Nubian , I intend to begin the Nubian line again with her. Her dam Berrie and sister (two years older) both passed this year. As I have said before it has been a rough five years for us in this location. We are eager to move on and the girls have been given instructions to be well and safe for the duration of the next 7 to 10 days.<br />
<br />
We will press on in our journey. Many angels have been placed in our path . God is good.goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-67476226970254137102011-10-29T16:20:00.000-07:002011-10-29T16:20:31.017-07:00It is Saturday take the chicks to chick sittersThis is the second time we have moved Walnetto Farm. The first was almost 5 years ago from outside Fresno and that makes a 5 hours drive in a vehicle. If there is a trailer behind more like 6-7 hours. Of course all is veritable due to traffic. This time the move is about 3 hours northeast without trailer, with more like 4 or so. Again factor in traffic.<br />
<br />
So I have learned the fine art of farming out the farm. Since there is nothing on our land except the solar/well house and the log home we need to leave some critters at various sitters. My dear friend Donna in Cottonwood is now buck sitting with our 2 y.o. LaMancha buck. The Polach family in the central valley are also buck sitting an 8 month old, Sundance Kid. In addition they were gracious enough to offer to have our 25 pullets and 1 cockerel shipped to them two weeks ago.<br />
<br />
Today my 9 senior chickens all hens went to my friend Patty about a mile away. She has an empty coop and is delighted to care for the ladies for a bit. Geoffrey leaves Wednesday next to get going on the temporary shelters for the does (who are still here with us and will go directly to the new home) the bucks, the chickens and so forth.<br />
<br />
I am anticipating that all of the farmed out members of the farm will be home by early December. Also by then will be our newest Great Pyrenees a two year male. Who will be helping Spinner out with the guard duties.<br />
<br />
We again are grateful to all who are helping make this move easier by giving them safe haven until we have somewhere to put them. In the Spring we will be breaking ground, God willing, for a post and beam wooden barn. Where there will be room for all and some expected additions.<br />
<br />
Also in the works is a revamped blog and web site. It will be good to be home finally. And we are so grateful to have been blessed by God with this gift. Have a lovely evening!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAbbFq0TqTx2C-iJqschOupuuWdWzhJtfOX6G1EzYomu0cAYpPDO5Dfy-LvCvcu0-oc9sDot_IiA7MfEzI141TvBIqv7mkYfDWrORl7ncVDySAVFAiDZrYmDqdB3nA08II_nm6cTjlEc/s1600/ash+creek+house+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAbbFq0TqTx2C-iJqschOupuuWdWzhJtfOX6G1EzYomu0cAYpPDO5Dfy-LvCvcu0-oc9sDot_IiA7MfEzI141TvBIqv7mkYfDWrORl7ncVDySAVFAiDZrYmDqdB3nA08II_nm6cTjlEc/s1600/ash+creek+house+photo.jpg" /></a></div> Almost Home on Ash Creek!goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-192534913215657792011-10-25T20:54:00.000-07:002011-10-25T20:54:52.594-07:00another amazing dayIt has been a heck of a day. Started with the usual barn chores. I am now drying off the girls in milk so we are milking only every third day. PJ, Spring, Cradle the first freshening two years old's are varying stages of drying off. Even with milking's three days apart they are still producing 1 gallon plus each. Beanie who is now 3 years old is milking very persistently like her Grand dam did . Milking her only once every 5 to 6 days and she is producing 2.5 gallons a milking still. I know from many years experience they will go dry but we are almost at a point of "watch out what you wish for you just might get it". <br />
<br />
At any rate we went from morning chores to the bank to wire the funds to get the home on Ash Creek closed. Then to Tractor Supply to pick up a stock tank to serve as a temporary home to our fish. They are feeder fish from Mendo Farm Supply but after three years are part of the family. No way will I leave them to chance so they will travel with us to our log home.<br />
<br />
After that off to the notary to get some title work done. Turns out that her hubby is an acquaintance who spins and knits from the LYS (local yarn shop), small world once again!<br />
<br />
The afternoon was spent taking one vehicle at a time into the shop for oil changes. Geoffrey cleaned the barn and got his paperwork with the title company done.<br />
<br />
Dinner was nachos , Geoffrey makes the best on the planet. I caught up with a few things, email, laundry and did evening feeding.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow is another day on the way to paradise. But right now it is time for bed. Have a blessed night! goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-77599291729442345442011-10-23T20:40:00.000-07:002011-10-23T20:40:44.710-07:00Been a long time comingWell if any of you have made it until now I will share with you the new farm. In 1.5 weeks we will be living at the Log House on Ash Creek. We will be off grid and starting from scratch. Temporary everything but house and solar/well house. It is a blessing from God, a dream so long dreamed. A place where we can house children and grandchildren if the future brings that. We have 42.34 acres. Be still my heart! I see goats, sheep, horses. I see a grade A milk barn and a cheese room. I see bliss, peace, love and we will finally after 5 years of lessons, lose and heartache-I see home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2BPBSd6FhBhDAQ3V2qSMrZ3kPZ_7nLs-PYvThVlCgL9qUhF2VeBITv3jy9DZrH440GEqbM65iVuIWklKJg4HnFWiaf_fzoU6BfUIELlW2hYDnnETeBZYnosQFtn26OT6upARbND29x4/s1600/ash+creek+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2BPBSd6FhBhDAQ3V2qSMrZ3kPZ_7nLs-PYvThVlCgL9qUhF2VeBITv3jy9DZrH440GEqbM65iVuIWklKJg4HnFWiaf_fzoU6BfUIELlW2hYDnnETeBZYnosQFtn26OT6upARbND29x4/s1600/ash+creek+house.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptc4BzMv6yQHM218yIBQcLI4GiYRgazxMP66nt8ha3E_1M8rdYtQe5V2hawNboMpkp9IanRF_c_D8f5pWu_U-ANOwjCkXeDp152Vr714T0cPKmKap9kFpTUi5Q2GsAawmDs8g1SXLBlg/s1600/Ash+creek+fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptc4BzMv6yQHM218yIBQcLI4GiYRgazxMP66nt8ha3E_1M8rdYtQe5V2hawNboMpkp9IanRF_c_D8f5pWu_U-ANOwjCkXeDp152Vr714T0cPKmKap9kFpTUi5Q2GsAawmDs8g1SXLBlg/s320/Ash+creek+fireplace.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGekyDGiyhA2eHeUtvoWmFGPHklFAxEPGTmHKn7CMLGJHpo8qv-gRB7Sw1ys47T31E8tJmyWKQu4VPXBoR3SFcEvk-5WxDF9S6yIWaEdICyG7i6tT3hdeIz5YCrDoLfuEQiOKcO9uM9JU/s1600/ash+creek+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGekyDGiyhA2eHeUtvoWmFGPHklFAxEPGTmHKn7CMLGJHpo8qv-gRB7Sw1ys47T31E8tJmyWKQu4VPXBoR3SFcEvk-5WxDF9S6yIWaEdICyG7i6tT3hdeIz5YCrDoLfuEQiOKcO9uM9JU/s320/ash+creek+kitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Stay tuned. May not be frequent at first but new things are happening!goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-35394235306105508872011-09-11T21:02:00.000-07:002011-09-11T21:02:47.966-07:00In their names we will never forget<img src="http://174.143.153.39/911/911_flag2.jpg" />goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-57949787472584045822011-08-27T18:24:00.000-07:002011-08-27T18:24:31.086-07:00"Be Prepared " a Girl Scout mottoHere at Walnetto Farm we are still thick in the process of hauling in winter hay. After tomorrows trip we should be in a fairly good place as far as having hay for most of the winter.<br />
<br />
Other happenings afoot. Barter, I love to barter. I truly believe if this world ran on a barter system we would have a more symbiotic existence. If we had no monetary system and relied on barter we would truly need each other in a way we don't now. With that said my bartering days are evolving into my vision.<br />
<br />
Today I bartered my soft herbed goat cheese for a healing salve. Next week a local organic farmer will pick up my excess milk to feed her piglets on. In exchange we will get her organic veggies.Also yesterday I set up a tentative agreement with someone to barter for her massage/Reiki sessions. And a local farmers market participant came over to glean apples off my trees in exchange for her jams/relishes.<br />
<br />
How does this play out in being prepared? My goats have feed for over wintering. I get those veggies that we can't or don't plant in our garden. And the most delightful fresh jams and relishes in return for the apples that grow on my land.<br />
<br />
Next installment? Our bees. On Tuesday with the help of a friend we will open the hive after one year and see if there is enough honey so that we can "borrow" some. And what of this honey? Dependent on amount some for us and some to sell to the local soap maker who already takes my milk for her goat milk / honey soap. If there is enough to share she will get some local honey too. And yes I do make soap, but this lady makes a delicious bar of soap and it is one more thing I can put by the way side to spend more time knitting, weaving or spinning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qzGEkntCeSwbobipEscB5AfmLkynez3Tn7I1vUSN8HH7nBcuTp3O6iJNcYk5Re5xsisXjDSo8_vWYyWmR2_D4RlCA9a8GsdNHsCY7SnRjSdmbJTM8WsvzajCx0fQhnS5_V3UHoAYFLI/s1600/MILK+BUCKET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qzGEkntCeSwbobipEscB5AfmLkynez3Tn7I1vUSN8HH7nBcuTp3O6iJNcYk5Re5xsisXjDSo8_vWYyWmR2_D4RlCA9a8GsdNHsCY7SnRjSdmbJTM8WsvzajCx0fQhnS5_V3UHoAYFLI/s200/MILK+BUCKET.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Think local, think barter. A win/win for everyone!<br />
<br />
<br />
goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-27484056551495093592011-08-22T15:33:00.000-07:002011-08-22T15:33:03.079-07:00Barn Hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmLCZQ-BDhCJbnBpD3UqUO1ovU4nHSi0vmLZupj820UCEynd59Um5hsgecY8ZF-xVN1GpBGeibqekYFOthkhHWexgYtmQY59qiJMudMTvO0JNppikwsqUNjOOZZo1EivMA20dpzpmAbo/s1600/Spinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmLCZQ-BDhCJbnBpD3UqUO1ovU4nHSi0vmLZupj820UCEynd59Um5hsgecY8ZF-xVN1GpBGeibqekYFOthkhHWexgYtmQY59qiJMudMTvO0JNppikwsqUNjOOZZo1EivMA20dpzpmAbo/s320/Spinner.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This was a pretty laid back day here. We don't get many of them especially at this time of the year. It was a cool morning , a hint that Fall is on the way here in Nor. Cal. After chores of milking and feeding I took our livestock guardian , Spinner for a walk. Spin has been our LGD for almost eleven years , her birthdate is 10-13-2000, and we have had her since she was four months old.<br />
<br />
Her partner Kingston passed about three years ago. Spinner and I began our tradition of walking not long after that when I stopped working at a local animal clinic as one of the nurses. She missed the interaction of her life partner and the activity of occasional play time with him. So we began to walk daily at the time anywhere from 2 to 5 miles. We both dropped some weight and she certainly seemed happier for the extra attention.<br />
<br />
Now that Spin is getting older, ok, me too! We don't walk as far a mile round trip being about it. She has some issues with her spine and some old dog things also. I have old goat lady issues so it seems to work well for us. She still lives with the goats 24/7 and probably wouldn't know what to do if she were not in the barn. She still guards but her ears don't hear like they used to and she is getting cataracts in both eyes. So her guarding isn't as aggressive as in her younger days. And we are fortunate that the area we are in now doesn't require her being fence line from 0-60 at this point.<br />
<br />
Spinner came from a wonderful breeder who has had the breed for 50 years. Their dogs go from field to ring and excel in both areas. They have also earned their good citizen awards. Her dog (sire) lived to be 11 when he was euthanized do to advanced liver cancer. Her bitch (dam) was still alive last year at 13. An amazing age for a giant breed. So we are hoping that God grants us another year or two with this amazing girl who has spent her life caring for our critters and keeping them from harms way.<br />
<br />
So until then we will continue to walk, not daily at this point but several times a week. And if you are ever in Mendocino county and see an old goat lady with a big white dog give a howdy honk!goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-79083304150194248072011-08-20T16:45:00.000-07:002011-08-20T16:45:07.695-07:00Preparedness Challenge #22 but only #2 for me!What did I do to prepare today? Began getting in hay for winter. I always try to buy enough hay to last from Sept/Oct until April. We don't have enough land to grow our own but do supplement with goat garden stuff as much as we can. But good milk demands alfalfa and my friends it ain't plentiful nor cheap anymore!<br />
<br />
130 # bale went for $5 in 1987 it now goes for , ouch,ouch, $15.50 to $19.99 and more often than not they aren't even close to 130# a piece . So today as luck would have it the fellow I often get hay from brought in 178 bales of pretty darn nice goat alfalfa. Fine stemmed and leafy. Not super green but then green doesn't always mean good. Price was right, so I came home with 10 bales. If they test out well by the "alfalfa test goat team'' I will get another 64 and hope that the weather cooperates and it is a wet winter, early dry spring and baling begins on time. Which would be early to mid April.<br />
<br />
I have a nagging feeling that with lousy economics in play, weird weather for two years running. Very late season for beginning to bale here this year. That hay will be very hard to find and very expensive. I wouldn't be surprised if it hit $25 a bale in my area. Since there are very few if any who farm it over here and most all of what is available here is trucked in from either S. Oregon/extreme N. Cal or the Sacramento valley. So that increases the cost.<br />
<br />
The thing I miss most about moving out of the San Joaquin Valley? Besides my grandbebes and kids. My hay man. Brett who grew high octane alfalfa, cut and baled to perfection, delivered it and stacked it with a retriever. Bless him he would also scale the retriever arms and knock the first two courses down as we didn't have a ladder that would work.<br />
<br />
Other than that today not much in the way of being prepared. But I just got a heads up the tomato's are beginning to ripen. Good thing I ordered extra jars from Azure this month! Have a wonderful rest of weekend.goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-17393011723337927482011-08-15T16:09:00.000-07:002011-08-15T16:09:43.630-07:00Barn Day . at Walnetto Farm that is everyday!A walking tour of Walnetto Farm. We are small only 4.3 acres but that is enough to allow us to raise livestock, have a garden and honey bees. We have been working on being self reliant as I spoke of in the last post for many years. It will never be perfect thank God as we would then be done and on a farm there is always something to do!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2Y7aUxQ0drsTWMDC2ajwLoocaIvkWTk88Bo09F1GD7Eyyn7_YbYrbSNHGuVV6RKiZMzxAoePoiRKCibe4jbu_vwCMaqR1pAtMK_rmm0L4Yzo5-Owf6hFB4_YfU37LJSQIMEB9o1pTBc/s1600/IMG_1455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2Y7aUxQ0drsTWMDC2ajwLoocaIvkWTk88Bo09F1GD7Eyyn7_YbYrbSNHGuVV6RKiZMzxAoePoiRKCibe4jbu_vwCMaqR1pAtMK_rmm0L4Yzo5-Owf6hFB4_YfU37LJSQIMEB9o1pTBc/s200/IMG_1455.JPG" width="195" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqzd3z5hY0BhT7HNstvcJLG5Bqu4OZX0VQs6Tb9CAe1pV7iH1LxvkFvWGlk5dlktI9aI2f24NeODUEj7okDchflBinnVZqKuMLH2Ps9yBE0kwQ_GwRljXoSLl7ZiK6ePjyMD1fzxxGMY/s1600/IMG_1456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqzd3z5hY0BhT7HNstvcJLG5Bqu4OZX0VQs6Tb9CAe1pV7iH1LxvkFvWGlk5dlktI9aI2f24NeODUEj7okDchflBinnVZqKuMLH2Ps9yBE0kwQ_GwRljXoSLl7ZiK6ePjyMD1fzxxGMY/s200/IMG_1456.JPG" width="200" /></a> This is P.T. one of our many cats, we have 8 including the house and barn. One of the "professional hazards" of being in veterinary medicine. P.T. is a 50/50 cat. In and out but most certainly in at night. The crew in the window are (L to R) Chloe, Monkey and far right Mollie.<br />
Both Monkey and Mollie are three legged which at least in Mollie's case illustrates why we prefer not to leave our cats out at night. We do live at 1000 ft. in the eastern edge of the coastal range in Mendocino Co. There often are things that go bump in the night around looking for an easy meal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SdqKirw91cglYJHFznvonfmjW3FDEl-bw6DA5mmgj4W_2F4Snh2px8s-3emFtcki1B2MZ8Rbk56IUxXlmVuyChiapQJZICso0etoVqRKRW5DGCSGs9Sn5yS80O6ygIc0BZR726yrpqk/s1600/IMG_1457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SdqKirw91cglYJHFznvonfmjW3FDEl-bw6DA5mmgj4W_2F4Snh2px8s-3emFtcki1B2MZ8Rbk56IUxXlmVuyChiapQJZICso0etoVqRKRW5DGCSGs9Sn5yS80O6ygIc0BZR726yrpqk/s200/IMG_1457.JPG" width="185" /></a></div>The beauty on the right is one of the many flowering plants that I have in locations all over the farm. This one lives on the front porch below my office window. I am the flower person here and Geoffrey is most certainly the "all business" veggie guy!<br />
<br />
<br />
Below left are the "teenagers" . These five girls Maggie Mae, Wonderlust, KC, Katy and Onyx are 5 month old doelings . They love to have their ears rubbed, Maggie Mae in particular , and will most likely all be staying in the herd a bit. We will see.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipBMu8UNe4_tmNGi78SU2ld7-UaJtkOiplixQysP9WhUjFKCU92wFerDfAlig6eH006xptExiO2YudAqarC_g8R48GWMJSGm4aVms4bonzii0o9j10EKDpm0IF6GqPsBVoCJ_jb_SacY/s1600/IMG_1462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipBMu8UNe4_tmNGi78SU2ld7-UaJtkOiplixQysP9WhUjFKCU92wFerDfAlig6eH006xptExiO2YudAqarC_g8R48GWMJSGm4aVms4bonzii0o9j10EKDpm0IF6GqPsBVoCJ_jb_SacY/s320/IMG_1462.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdROTi63kOUBviuj0ChtxmNsNwPjmXS7VzPDcNYYpuVY-QDUIDMtc2cCj0nvrZdX8C0USmDzQaqw5IqE09qzhY-Jysqkmd32ymrwiG_yKlmfp1bX5Xjhm8xLHF-mD8Fu-LVV-Yhp0nOI/s1600/IMG_1464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdROTi63kOUBviuj0ChtxmNsNwPjmXS7VzPDcNYYpuVY-QDUIDMtc2cCj0nvrZdX8C0USmDzQaqw5IqE09qzhY-Jysqkmd32ymrwiG_yKlmfp1bX5Xjhm8xLHF-mD8Fu-LVV-Yhp0nOI/s320/IMG_1464.JPG" width="97" /></a><br />
<br />
If these two look like impending trouble you are right. Justice followed by Liberty are the last kids born this year on July 2. They are 6 weeks old and full of it. Love to cuddle when they get their bottles and love to nibble on bare legs when one is wearing shorts. OUCH!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYE6eGo0YxomjWFGz8yls6QCDus3HF5urSYa0GOemMFHre9uXJwCMOUL68zRcoqSqBdq-9-HAIOGHFs4Xa63UgZQ6xLpJyuofYfoljZ46mrp4kQZezQyxl0pFK4otb4mYHU3dzixi5XRo/s1600/IMG_1476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYE6eGo0YxomjWFGz8yls6QCDus3HF5urSYa0GOemMFHre9uXJwCMOUL68zRcoqSqBdq-9-HAIOGHFs4Xa63UgZQ6xLpJyuofYfoljZ46mrp4kQZezQyxl0pFK4otb4mYHU3dzixi5XRo/s200/IMG_1476.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Some of the older does enjoying a mid afternoon snooze. The small ones are two wethers belonging to one of them who are almost two months old. Time to start looking for a new home of sorts for them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38pl3w15Tkqbg5BYiE0g_mc32hrbd9eSavkM8HS6aOjFWfpg0jJGcN5oTiyEM0BuLI5X7LSQRZyCEXXWyIDrhZ9ZCUlol8_rlObcMwzhxOynz48gfyoxAyEzd33kBrLNenpReddvKJu0/s1600/IMG_1474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38pl3w15Tkqbg5BYiE0g_mc32hrbd9eSavkM8HS6aOjFWfpg0jJGcN5oTiyEM0BuLI5X7LSQRZyCEXXWyIDrhZ9ZCUlol8_rlObcMwzhxOynz48gfyoxAyEzd33kBrLNenpReddvKJu0/s1600/IMG_1474.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We have had Great Pyrenees now for 21 years and it seems like only yesterday when our first joined the herd for predator protection. We have had five of our own but for many year worked with Great Pyrenees Rescue of Nor. Cal and have fostered and transported dozens more. They are wonderful dogs, hard working, intelligent and self motivated. Our current dog Spinner has been with us for almost eleven years. She will be eleven in November and she is slowing down but will live her days out doing what she has known all her life. Spin was whelped on a working horse/sheep ranch . When you are eleven and have worked all your life you more then deserve a good nap on a daily basis.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfkGS7YKEwBL10afEDXeH5u_lV5PTAJed6u69plGLfgQlTHF7iLL4WH91zASEY6bQ1gVTTN5fu9sdRt4oNQXFGqIX0j03Esg7MME4dH_pvtgngM7zCQ5Y_bOZyY9X4ZTuInEWJ89o9JU/s1600/IMG_1475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfkGS7YKEwBL10afEDXeH5u_lV5PTAJed6u69plGLfgQlTHF7iLL4WH91zASEY6bQ1gVTTN5fu9sdRt4oNQXFGqIX0j03Esg7MME4dH_pvtgngM7zCQ5Y_bOZyY9X4ZTuInEWJ89o9JU/s200/IMG_1475.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnw7fRV-ENMMIuzfSkpmhsS9PWbgYSFYBELI2dHsxS2I12KFLa6JCo8OH-c4pa83Pcv_K-1La3LLdOiCKD9PQZwseH41_7KAV7at0TnHsIJxiTBsSqz-sZTYKiAWoJq3ffnvNOPivhIM/s1600/IMG_1478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnw7fRV-ENMMIuzfSkpmhsS9PWbgYSFYBELI2dHsxS2I12KFLa6JCo8OH-c4pa83Pcv_K-1La3LLdOiCKD9PQZwseH41_7KAV7at0TnHsIJxiTBsSqz-sZTYKiAWoJq3ffnvNOPivhIM/s200/IMG_1478.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are ending our first year with our first hive. These bees came with the land. The original hive was over 60 years old. Over the years feral bees have taken place of the original deliberate occupants. We got rid of the old boxes and frames which were rotting and were lucky to have the bees stay with us instead of swarm after both a change of housing and the location of the hive. Visit an older post and see what we did to get to this</div><div style="text-align: left;">point. <a href="http://walnettofarm.blogspot.com/2010/09/first-full-day-of-fall-and-things-are.html">http://walnettofarm.blogspot.com/2010/09/first-full-day-of-fall-and-things-are.html</a> </div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oVzF6VNPcucErJmYBn_VFWs5Z1UIvVEMB45lM-ngfD3EMhwMYbvstgS17XOHwYpm_5n2jGdIN5cNpii6hzNk33DHS1GyvJ3_wvux9JMQIj89NN-f4-txu_-G8f-DeihKQg033bY8dt8/s1600/IMG_1483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oVzF6VNPcucErJmYBn_VFWs5Z1UIvVEMB45lM-ngfD3EMhwMYbvstgS17XOHwYpm_5n2jGdIN5cNpii6hzNk33DHS1GyvJ3_wvux9JMQIj89NN-f4-txu_-G8f-DeihKQg033bY8dt8/s200/IMG_1483.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div>A lovely plum tree is just one of many fruit trees we got when we moved here. These are a prune type and last year I dehydrated many of them . They are really sweet and great to munch when on the way to or from our barn. We also have multiple apple trees some over one hundred years old and various nut trees plus a persimmon and pears.</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMEJIU4zEOh1RHEcaNcnG-C_q5YdXo-0OHq5aImrkLyI5KOM6J60mlnPcE4cDDptAgWWExlhDajgdJFtTEGMJi8AUru_IG6Ts2FfhliT-l6mcXBazsgiDNzPvyQT4sJx_C7vjqIEuDH4/s1600/IMG_1484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMEJIU4zEOh1RHEcaNcnG-C_q5YdXo-0OHq5aImrkLyI5KOM6J60mlnPcE4cDDptAgWWExlhDajgdJFtTEGMJi8AUru_IG6Ts2FfhliT-l6mcXBazsgiDNzPvyQT4sJx_C7vjqIEuDH4/s320/IMG_1484.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Full circle now back to the garden area by the front porch. The sculpture below I purchased about 10 years ago at a stand in the central valley just north of Fresno. I enjoy it all year round and this goat is without question the easiest keeper we have! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-16183641418582195282011-08-14T13:59:00.000-07:002011-08-14T13:59:36.336-07:00Preparedness ChallengeWell I figured out how to link to the challenge but am still not really clear about how it works. Perhaps Amy can email me about that.<br />
<br />
I was a Girl Scout so I guess that qualifies me as being prepared. At least that is what our trusty leaders always said.<br />
<br />
We have been leading a life of being self sufficient for a time now. Getting closer each time we tweak it. We have dairy goats for milk and all that brings. We have our own chickens. When we get moved to the next , and I pray final house, I would like to raise a calf for meat. We have done that in the past and with pigs but haven't recently.<br />
<br />
Geoffrey plants a wonderful organic garden. He is the Master gardener on the farm and I am the canner of the bounty he provides.<br />
<br />
As I learn more about the PC I can do a bit better on this. Oh, did I mention our bees? Year one almost to a close. Honey is on the way!goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-17548259997310381932011-08-13T16:31:00.000-07:002011-08-13T16:31:14.454-07:00Mountain Home Quilts is all abuzz about bees<a href="http://mountainhomequilts.blogspot.com/">http://mountainhomequilts.blogspot.com/</a> check out the bee keeping book give away!goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-4521864099241457412011-08-12T18:43:00.000-07:002011-08-13T12:47:25.910-07:00Food is love and love can be food and sometimes my food has a name!My husband brought me a bouquet today. Not your usual bouquet and not your FDA vase.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5huTWHUl700kIecqyV_n52LaW5aCPjN6HAbpwyatYyO1wDNIwth06QJxD952_eTRde6-JRIY2Wd9EnbuGZqHZdTMWk-Mtb6hNRwf0xtDVyPEURM5iZkwY-oZ1UVvkJU41G3SL42S8wBI/s1600/IMG_1450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5huTWHUl700kIecqyV_n52LaW5aCPjN6HAbpwyatYyO1wDNIwth06QJxD952_eTRde6-JRIY2Wd9EnbuGZqHZdTMWk-Mtb6hNRwf0xtDVyPEURM5iZkwY-oZ1UVvkJU41G3SL42S8wBI/s200/IMG_1450.JPG" width="159" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">A lovely arrangement of ? You guessed it carrots and delivered in a very stylish kid milk replacer bucket. I love a guy who thinks of details to fit the recipient! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDQX5P5x9Yn-jRj5DUZ23e41p__YLV8VNYQDwHjqESE6oIESk792bo6zk-tfMqb_VbYrlcu6LMe50E424hw0IJM79hk_xQLNf_DtLd6ZdZu4upRGn3VRdjJqa7WoN5qpy6q4rfVF8N-k/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDQX5P5x9Yn-jRj5DUZ23e41p__YLV8VNYQDwHjqESE6oIESk792bo6zk-tfMqb_VbYrlcu6LMe50E424hw0IJM79hk_xQLNf_DtLd6ZdZu4upRGn3VRdjJqa7WoN5qpy6q4rfVF8N-k/s200/IMG_1444.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">And this lovely bouquet became quart jars number 21 of homegrown organic carrots. When I think of carrots I think of so many things. Pot Roast, soup, salad, goat treats. But I also value carrots for their eye appeal, the interesting shapes that veggies grown in such as the couple below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRqDQJih1kLkOoaAZ5n8KWJChzYCJuNcz_7yPh_x0K7Wc2Y7sGaffYX7TkSkv3HD1T4RPBbLGhxFeHC1nDLVOUz2FyViwQXVvRXyI2GEUiaUKCY-wSXg37qvbgdj0YfYElhULO8Bisso/s1600/IMG_1451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRqDQJih1kLkOoaAZ5n8KWJChzYCJuNcz_7yPh_x0K7Wc2Y7sGaffYX7TkSkv3HD1T4RPBbLGhxFeHC1nDLVOUz2FyViwQXVvRXyI2GEUiaUKCY-wSXg37qvbgdj0YfYElhULO8Bisso/s200/IMG_1451.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Locked in sweet embrace as if they were in a movie say Casablanca, Titanic or Sleepless in Seattle. Yup chick flicks gotta love them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My food has names. I frequent two local Farmers Market Ukiah about 10 miles to the south and Redwood Valley about 3 miles east of me. I love knowing the folks who produce what we don't or can't but love. For instance tonight we are on round two of these lovely Yukon Gold potatoes who were grown with love and sweat by Jessie and her crew at Inland Organics. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKToIu9D5pZJUiM0AGNK3YZ6dJgqyjbqCeuCpSt46zuLwk2mrWFyqpI76sc1wzVwT_d5wzhgOgwtrPXTT_iozb41fjjPzjTQBVxNryJpuIb7BmVsVbvNosF5_J65NRvtQs8EpXDSOzp4A/s1600/IMG_1453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKToIu9D5pZJUiM0AGNK3YZ6dJgqyjbqCeuCpSt46zuLwk2mrWFyqpI76sc1wzVwT_d5wzhgOgwtrPXTT_iozb41fjjPzjTQBVxNryJpuIb7BmVsVbvNosF5_J65NRvtQs8EpXDSOzp4A/s200/IMG_1453.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">When cut for cooking they crackled and sputtered moisture as if they were pulled from the earth at Jessies farm this morning. And as so many of the veggies Inland produces they are wonderful! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSacPhmohETud_mzvog3EtCYg-KDhanCKINylU6IlSFez4W0l6t5BazY7FbAS0-VvZheHTAMeBTXR0yrorwvhcw3ZXnllSdSWaG4Zfdj9gHaG8Nymo_0bzSsdbwIM9mtS6D-Kbu-3J4E/s1600/IMG_1454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSacPhmohETud_mzvog3EtCYg-KDhanCKINylU6IlSFez4W0l6t5BazY7FbAS0-VvZheHTAMeBTXR0yrorwvhcw3ZXnllSdSWaG4Zfdj9gHaG8Nymo_0bzSsdbwIM9mtS6D-Kbu-3J4E/s200/IMG_1454.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The green beans to the left are Geoffrey. Planted from seed, nurtured and loved to the hilt. Geoffrey's vegetable garden is to him what the goats are to me. Beans picked only 30 minutes before cooking and eating. As intended.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And then there are items. Things I have used daily from friends. And every time I use them I smile because it reminds me of my friends. Friendship a scared ground. A place you can go an be accepted, not judged, supported not turned away. And loved and to give love back. A comfortable place each time it is visited be it in real time or in memory. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-3ZM7qLT0Z4l8rEjjWt1hNqV43FnWhhu3jDgZ38ldqACQQakO8xkSiiZQruTWWfMYq9jNSfoiorqUzODkQ0-Zzt4-DGMamCP6Mlq1IzCtG6Tom3AN503Sz2Ss3aR2XLRpVOUk-HK_XM/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-3ZM7qLT0Z4l8rEjjWt1hNqV43FnWhhu3jDgZ38ldqACQQakO8xkSiiZQruTWWfMYq9jNSfoiorqUzODkQ0-Zzt4-DGMamCP6Mlq1IzCtG6Tom3AN503Sz2Ss3aR2XLRpVOUk-HK_XM/s200/IMG_1452.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The basket above keeps important daily used items in one spot. I love it, the shape, the size , the handle. And I love the family who gave it to me several Christmas's ago. Tim, Pamela, Krista, Mariah and Jessica. They began us buyers of goats when their daughters were but wee and over the years have become treasured friends. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Take a look around your kitchen you might be surprised by who you find!</div>goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-91167764144307467512011-08-04T18:08:00.000-07:002011-08-04T18:08:47.491-07:00I am naughtyI find I am able to keep everyone up to date with my Facebook Page quicker and easier then the blog. It is just that busier than busy time of year. So for now if you don't see a current update here you can go to my facebook link on the right. I have a wealth of photos stored for when time and life slow down.goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-89949210826445572202011-07-23T18:19:00.000-07:002011-07-23T18:19:42.648-07:00Support neededPlease go to my Facebook page (link to the right on home page) and send your positive thoughts, energies and prayers. We are not in the habit of shouting out to the world to help us help ourselves but we need all the help we can get on this! Thanks.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-78960870413344146402011-07-08T16:30:00.000-07:002011-07-08T16:30:56.825-07:00We aren't in June anymore Toto!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOQ4UkYsMZn-NBN5hxX5ZK9RzR5zkC0bw3DPbvvAPdB9MlQOPB5VC4Y-QTHgbwGx99XyIFfBwpoApZS1Eu0Fpmrcr9Z9SeOPDJwH9SEbpxs2Hq4HFQSGoVTTZo7c7mOi_IOSIooNr0DM/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOQ4UkYsMZn-NBN5hxX5ZK9RzR5zkC0bw3DPbvvAPdB9MlQOPB5VC4Y-QTHgbwGx99XyIFfBwpoApZS1Eu0Fpmrcr9Z9SeOPDJwH9SEbpxs2Hq4HFQSGoVTTZo7c7mOi_IOSIooNr0DM/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
Time just keeps on keeping on. We had our last doe of the year kid on Saturday last with two does Liberty and Justice. They are most certainly lovely but then I am barn blind <bg>.Liberty is on the bottom with the white belly band. Topside is Justice a bit dirty white but as she grows will have more of her sisters caramel coloring I think. They are both quite spoiled (that is their job) and adored!</bg><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHoeZQeuFqHD77u41PObXhu8D2s88UIVelV-eg6tYcB6hSB3QeYlo-Lz40WcXDggrCQqIO3M3UBVtnTo34P0JxEun95FSw-vpx1wayv5LCBkbhln52ay_KfziO331RPSGT3K5T66sSZA/s1600/IMG_1410.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHoeZQeuFqHD77u41PObXhu8D2s88UIVelV-eg6tYcB6hSB3QeYlo-Lz40WcXDggrCQqIO3M3UBVtnTo34P0JxEun95FSw-vpx1wayv5LCBkbhln52ay_KfziO331RPSGT3K5T66sSZA/s200/IMG_1410.JPG" width="200" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOQ4UkYsMZn-NBN5hxX5ZK9RzR5zkC0bw3DPbvvAPdB9MlQOPB5VC4Y-QTHgbwGx99XyIFfBwpoApZS1Eu0Fpmrcr9Z9SeOPDJwH9SEbpxs2Hq4HFQSGoVTTZo7c7mOi_IOSIooNr0DM/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a bit of an interesting time span with Tawny who freshened in mid June with twin bucks not a week after kidding had a infection of some sort. We treated her with herbals and some traditional and she finally came round. Two weeks after recovering from that she decided to give her best impression of the HMS Titanic and had a whooping case of bloat. Crusty old girl she is recovered and has gone on to be fine. The one draw back is the back to back events left her milk poor so I am supplementing them several times a day. That is just fine as it gives me a break and some fun watching them be boy goat kids doing boy goat things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOQ4UkYsMZn-NBN5hxX5ZK9RzR5zkC0bw3DPbvvAPdB9MlQOPB5VC4Y-QTHgbwGx99XyIFfBwpoApZS1Eu0Fpmrcr9Z9SeOPDJwH9SEbpxs2Hq4HFQSGoVTTZo7c7mOi_IOSIooNr0DM/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOQ4UkYsMZn-NBN5hxX5ZK9RzR5zkC0bw3DPbvvAPdB9MlQOPB5VC4Y-QTHgbwGx99XyIFfBwpoApZS1Eu0Fpmrcr9Z9SeOPDJwH9SEbpxs2Hq4HFQSGoVTTZo7c7mOi_IOSIooNr0DM/s200/IMG_1374.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The days are getting cooler after a week plus of high 90's to l00 degree weather. It does cool off at night nicely. Which never happened in Fresno so when it was hot it was hot. In fact we are to be in the 80's in the next few days . Which will be a treat for us and our three oldest granddaughters who are coming up to visit next Wednesday for a week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I am so looking forward to it. They are growing up so fast with Aubrey being 13 now , Emily 12 and Claire 9. I don't know where the time has gone. But it went! We will have a trip to the coast and entertain ourselves with small things. Like swimming at the river, trips to local parks , making ice cream, eating ice cream and feeding baby goats! The girls can work on their knitting skills and I have dusted off the board games.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y_EZcZUJf0qswRTS6nl9XKHi72qrz8pCgaysaQR6sWYARrnLqRxaODvQ6W7vqIaCzTPwcldDsyCM3jOzrDuJ9FWACOp2hqGMZDZ8h5GcjeLQYHEBGHjli7oNvuRH6gPRUH1IGjOCrwM/s1600/IMG_1408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y_EZcZUJf0qswRTS6nl9XKHi72qrz8pCgaysaQR6sWYARrnLqRxaODvQ6W7vqIaCzTPwcldDsyCM3jOzrDuJ9FWACOp2hqGMZDZ8h5GcjeLQYHEBGHjli7oNvuRH6gPRUH1IGjOCrwM/s320/IMG_1408.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoRMyz0nMK_mjZ_DBQoUHSjFm_t8lkB0G5Jna2T_r2QNYVwzQZuymGSxTZYOyNMXqAQhDnzoGrDdw8afhZrZ2UY4VbGvoURNZhpbdUTTL2lvOwoPfiPh1Vc41oW0tWKgXWHSYgjIqs_s/s1600/IMG_1409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>I will leave you with the photo above of Helen. Doing what cats do best. She fell asleep on the mantel right under the sky light. Looking quite angelic but she is a calico so don't let that fool you. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3166730998144146295.post-64462773485460122112011-06-08T13:39:00.000-07:002011-06-08T13:39:24.711-07:00Soggy Sunday This was 6/5 post got lost until now.Someone , somewhere has my Spring. Could I have it back please? In the big picture weather wise I should be grateful that all I have is endless rain. But I am having a minor pity party over my goats ready to revolt due to "barn fever" from not being able to leave the barn for days. You may not know this but goats don't care much for water that isn't in a bucket. So the inside of the barn is beginning to look, despite our best efforts, almost the same as outside-wet and mucky.<br />
<br />
Then there is the baby goat factor. 20 baby goats times 4 the number of hooves they have equal 80. That would be 80 little hoof prints on me at least twice daily. I didn't know designer clothing was a beni of raising goats in a wet climate. Now I do and probably should be grateful I own a unique wardrobe.<br />
<br />
Now the goat below is not only lovely to look at but also an easy keeper!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tz5hyphenhyphenyM83KlEgHZhRO4vcb7hajKwHXct0n8R6cX2YYXMlWs8XJeOP2TWaaLhWNCPmxh3Qhj5hulhkF3pMXo5X9GADzJtODoIoLzqA9r7Ln7CZhtG9-MO1HKBwKHP9xJsIvLJvGLYAkw/s1600/IMG_1366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tz5hyphenhyphenyM83KlEgHZhRO4vcb7hajKwHXct0n8R6cX2YYXMlWs8XJeOP2TWaaLhWNCPmxh3Qhj5hulhkF3pMXo5X9GADzJtODoIoLzqA9r7Ln7CZhtG9-MO1HKBwKHP9xJsIvLJvGLYAkw/s320/IMG_1366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxsAX_Kh_lrj5hCRTNlLtomx6djgpYrhnw2O2cLCY6SKeazcnarnhjlvlQESvYGmIbmMeCmiRAPNSRA9T8nTnWB39owW1z5NXRhtjxj39LA3_KSwmzD0O1dn0wjl8fcqb3JjYww-snBk/s1600/IMG_1367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxsAX_Kh_lrj5hCRTNlLtomx6djgpYrhnw2O2cLCY6SKeazcnarnhjlvlQESvYGmIbmMeCmiRAPNSRA9T8nTnWB39owW1z5NXRhtjxj39LA3_KSwmzD0O1dn0wjl8fcqb3JjYww-snBk/s320/IMG_1367.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And I love the mini roses that live not too far from the goat and cart. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHH02zw2ZM5EKYqbd-h8oQbQp4VwIf8yGGLgQcPfpUrNZgWhzs0hfGLm8HlOqWEpY7po4kX_N_CP3iWlCyGrn9RFso3APAC2zp5qW9G3LwoU23raICwFV1x39Csz1HvS9GxqjnTDo0VM/s1600/IMG_1368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHH02zw2ZM5EKYqbd-h8oQbQp4VwIf8yGGLgQcPfpUrNZgWhzs0hfGLm8HlOqWEpY7po4kX_N_CP3iWlCyGrn9RFso3APAC2zp5qW9G3LwoU23raICwFV1x39Csz1HvS9GxqjnTDo0VM/s320/IMG_1368.JPG" width="156" /></a></div>Now you why it is called a "cat tree". Top to bottom Chole, Boot Scootin Boogie, PT (patient termination - wait not a grim nasty name- I saved her from exactly that when I worked at the Central Cal. SPCA as a tech.) Helen who also came to us from CCSPCA. Missing are Monkey and Molly who are otherwise occupied. <br />
<br />
We are suddenly having a break in the rain so I am dashing out to the barn to see if I can talk the a fore mentioned goats into stepping outside so I can put down more straw.<br />
<br />
Have a wonderful Sunday and HAPPY 34TH BIRTHDAY to our baby girl Annie.goatldihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09578007710288051720noreply@blogger.com0