August 18, 2009

Tuesday. We finally got the rest of the hay up today. It did dry enough so that it will be usable. We have it all undercover and will put it in the loft when we get a chance.

August 15, 2009

Saturday. Donny and Dusty did not have to work today. Donny left early to run some errands. I let Dusty sleep in since he is not feeling well. I got the house picked up and did some of my typing. Later, I went to the barn and fed the horses. I cleaned and re-arranged the feed room so that we can put the sheep stand up and Dusty can start shearing. The sheep are too hot and we have no idea when the shearer will be here. All the animals thought it was time to eat so it was quite loud in the barnyard until they figured out that they were not going to be fed.

I dehorned 3 of the goats and gave them their vaccinations. They did their share of screaming but where fine once they were out of the box. Dusty came down and let the horses out and I made sure the geese had water in their swimming pools.

Donny came in for lunch and after that we went to the carding studio to get my mirror set up so that I can see the wool roving coming off the carder. I still have some work to do but hopefully I can get it done this next week. Dusty went to the hayfield to kick the hay again and then came home for lunch.

Donny and Dusty both left again for the hayfield. Hopefully the hay will go up today. I finished my typing and fed all the animals. Kodiak and Emma Lee enjoyed being outside again. Hopefully we can get their pen put up so they can stay out but I can still see them.

August 14, 2009

Friday. I got up early and got the house picked up. I worked on the nursery area and my carding studio until the afternoon getting it cleaned up and ready to work in after Donny put up the partition. My studio is much smaller but I will not have to share it with babies in the winter. I now need to get the upstairs studio cleaned up.

Dusty went back to the hay field and kicked it again. No rain yet. If it stays dry, maybe it will go up tomorrow. The hay will not be that great but the it can be used for other things and the goats and cows don't seem to mind it that much.

I fed early and came on in. I think I have caught whatever Dusty has.

August 13, 2009

Thursday.

I went out in the morning to get some MSM for Flash and run some other errands. Flash has been getting some muscle cramps and hopefully the MSM will help. I got in around noon and and got the house cleaned up. Dusty was up and out to feed the horses and feed the neighbors horse. He is not feeling too well today.

Dusty got feed and went by the hay field the hay will have to be kicked back out again. Of course it rained again.

August 12, 2009

Wednesday. I did the wash today and worked around the house. Dusty was up and out to feed the neighbors horse and check on the hay.

I put Kodiak and Emma Lee outside in the pen for awhile. Kodiak is doing much better and is walking well. He is now strong enough that Emma Lee does not knock him down if she walks by him.

Feeding went well and everyone seems to be doing okay.

It rained again on the hay field so who knows if the hay will go up. Donny got in late today due to a SAFF meeting.

August 11, 2009

I did some grocery shopping in the morning and got back home around noon. Dusty left to get feed and check the progress of the hay. It got rained on again so there is not much we could do today. Hopefully it will clear up soon and it can at least be round baled for the horses and goats. Hopefully we will be able to get a good second cutting off it the field.

I waited until Donny got home and the rain slacked off before going to feed. Everyone was doing fine. Kodiak is now trying to stand on his front feet. I have some soft splints on him that is helping to provide some stability.

Dusty ran back out to feed the neighbors horse and got home early. I think he is getting a cold.

August 10, 2009

Monday. Dusty went to rake the hay today. He got it all raked up and came back home to get the baler. It began thundering while I was typing so I went down and got the horses up and fed. It did not rain here but rained on them at the hay field so the hay did not go up.

August 9, 2009

Sunday. No sleep last night. One of the dogs had an upset stomach and I was up and down letting him in and out. Donny left early to check on the hay at the hayfield and pick up hay and silage for the day. Dusty and Tony slept in a bit.

The geese have figured out where the pools are and are making the trek by themselves. I will get a hutch in a day or two so that they will have some shelter. Donny put Emma Lee and Kodiak outside in a pen for the day. I am going to have to splint Kodiaks legs so that he will walk on them instead of going around on his knees. I will give him some Selenium today too.

Dusty fed the horses and let them out for the day. Hopefully it won't rain since we do have the hay down. We sat outside in the swing and kept an eye on Kodiak after the splints went on. He doesn't like them and will fall over on his side.

After lunch, I went out and mowed the grass. I will save the push mowing until the morning when it is under 90 degrees. George came down with his tractor and helped Donny and Dusty get the tennis shoes off the power line that Tony threw up there on a dare. They finally got them down after a week.

Donny and Dusty went to get the hay rake hooked up so that it will be ready to go in the morning. Rain is supposed to be coming in around Tuesday so we have to get the hay up tomorrow.

August 8, 2009

Saturday. Everyone was up early. Donny and Dusty had to work at the store today. A neighbor will kick the hay today.

I got my morning work done along with some typing and went out to do some spraying around the house. I also filled all the bird feeders. The birds go through the feed very fast and the Hummingbirds will drain a feeder in a day or two.

The afternoon was getting hot so I came in and worked on my typing. It came a little shower here but I don't know if it rained on the hay. When I went to let the dogs out, I noticed the fire trucks and ambulance going up the road to a nearby state forest. When I went to let the dogs back in I saw the fire truck and another truck in the hayfield and figured that they were preparing a landing site for the air ambulance. I knew that the helicopter would scare the horses and livestock so I went to the barn to make sure nothing broke through the fencing etc. The helicopter came in and went right over the horses and livestock flying very low. The horses did okay but the goats and sheep were pretty frightened and ran to the barn. They stayed around the barn until the helicopter took off again. The cows did not seem to mind.

Donny and Dusty came in later. The hay did get rained on a bit but it will be okay. We finished feeding and Donny fed the geese. Dusty, Tony and Courtney went dancing but got in early.

August 7, 2009

Friday. I had to go out this morning and pick up some stuff for the farm and find some swimming pools for the geese. As I went down the drive, I counted around 40 Canadian Geese visiting with my geese. Dusty had left earlier to take the tractor to the other farm and hook the hay cutter up. He will be cutting hay most of the day. On the way back home, I went by the pasture and took some lunch to him.

I got back in around noon and let the dogs out. After putting everything away, I went to the barn to fill up the pools and feed. I made sure everyone had water and went ahead and fed. After feeding, Spud, BB, Bisquit and I went to check on Dusty and take him something to drink. He was just about through with the cutting.

I got back home and started supper. After eating I began working on the typing for the day. I sent Donny, Dusty and Tony to the pasture to move the geese up to the swimming pools so that they would know were the water was. They could go to the creek but I would rather them stay in the pasture and use the pools.

August 6, 2009

Thursday. I got everything done in the morning that needed to be done and then ran some errands. I got back a little after noon. Savannah and Debbie brought me a dozen geese that needed a new home and 3 chickens. We got the geese settled in the pasture and the chickens put in a hutch. I made sure that the dogs were up so that the geese could have a peaceful few hours before they had to meet the dogs. We visited for a while and talked about the upcoming trip to Missouri to pick up some weanlings.

We went down later to feed. The geese stayed in the lower part of the pasture so the dogs did not pay that much attention to them. When I went to feed them Spud and Bo went with me. Bo did very well but Spud liked to herd them around.

August 5, 2009

Wednesday. I was up early to feed the dogs. I got the house picked up and some work done on the computer. I went down to check on the water and turn on the fans for the livestock. The pastures were full of Canadian Geese.

I fed early since it looked like it was going to rain again today. The feed gets wasted if it rains before the goats and sheep it it. I spent the rest of the day working on some knitting and quilting. After supper, I did my typing until bedtime.

August 4, 2009

Tuesday. Today was my day to clean the house and wash clothes. In between that, I also canned some hot pepper. I also baked a pound cake and put a roast in the crock pock for supper.

Dusty had to do several errands and try and get some sawdust for the stalls. Since business has been slow for the sawmills, saw dust has been hard to come by. He did get a little bit for today and a friend left one of his trucks at the sawmill so they could load it with shavings when they had some. Dusty then came back to work on cleaning stalls. When he came back to the house, I went to the barn to feed. I noticed that he must have left a gate open and Calamity, Cobio and Patrick were in the sheep and goat pasture. It began pouring rain while I was down there so I just left them where they were since they were not hurting anything. After the downpour, I finished feeding and Dusty came down and put them back in the lot.

August 3, 2009

Monday. I picked up the house, fed the dogs and ran to the grocery store. Dusty was trimming horse feet when I left. Since it was close to lunch, I picked up something for Dusty and me to eat. When I got back in, Dusty left to run some errands for Tony. When he got back in he began working on more fencing.

I mowed the grass in the afternoon and finished in time to fix supper and start my typing for the day. Donny did the feeding when he came in since I did not have any corn. He gave Emma Lee and Kodiak their bottle which they enjoyed very much. I finished everything up around midnight.

Aug 2, 2009

Sunday. Dusty came in early from spending the night with a friend and went back to bed for a while. When he got they all left to go get a welder for Dusty to use around the farm and to work on horse trailers. It was a bit rainy so I did not let the horses out.

Feeding went well and everyone seemed okay.

August 1, 2009

Saturday. Donny left early to move the round bales around. We need to cut more hay but rain is in the forecast so we will have to wait. I picked up the house and went to the barn to let the horses out since Dusty was not home yet.

Dusty, Savannah and Tony came in later in the day. We will cook hamburgers on the grill tonight. Donny brought in the last of the beans and we fixed them too. Donny went to feed while I finished up supper.

July 31, 2009

Friday. I ran some errands this morning and got home around lunch. Dusty went to help move some furniture for Carolyn and run some errands.

I went to feed in the afternoon. Everyone seemed to be find. Emma Lee and Kodiak got there bottles. It was not that hot but very humid so I turned the fan on for the sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas.

Donny and Dusty fed silage when they got home and Dusty left to spend the night with friends.

July 30, 2009

I got up and checked on the typing that I was supposed to do last night. The doctor's office was having problems with their computer and did not get it to download until this morning. I got the house picked up and then began typing.

Dusty worked around the barn in the morning and continued to work on the shearing. He quits when the sheep get too stressed or hot.

Just after noon, the power went out. Thankfully, I had just sent in the files to the doctor's office. The house got pretty stuffy. The humidity was really high and it was warm outside.

Dusty left to get silage and corn for the feeding. I went ahead and fed. While I was feeding, it began to rain so I had to wait until it quit so I could finish feeding.

The power finally came back on around 5pm and I got supper ready before beginning typing. Donny and Dusty went to the horse auction and I typed until close to 11pm.

July 29, 2009

Wednesday. I got up and did the normal things before washing clothes and putting the last round of beans into the canner.

It has been raining off and on all week so we have been having to do the outside chores around the rain. The horses are staying up out of the rain and they are getting restless.

Dusty went to get silage and corn and he ran some errands while out. When he got back, he worked in the horse barn and sheared a sheep.

July 28, 2009

Tuesday. I did not go to the Cradle today. I picked up the house and then began breaking beans. That took most of the day. Feeding went well and everyone is doing the same. Dusty began shearing some of the sheep since the shearer has not been here yet. He is using hand shears and doing a pretty good job.

I canned one round of the beans before going to bed and I will have one more round to do tomorrow.

July 27, 2009

Monday. I got up and fed the dogs. I picked up the house and then started freezing the corn. I worked on that until noon and then began canning the green beans. By the end of the day I will have put up around 300+ ears of corn and and 45+ quarts of beans.

Dusty worked around the barn rebuilding a partition between the stalls that Flash (his barrel horse) had kicked a hole in. The hole started out pretty small on Saturday but by the time Flash chewed on it, it was a huge hole that she could stick her head through. Dusty put up a double wall so maybe this will stop the destruction. After he got through with that, he went to get silage for the night. I fed and went ahead and put the horses up.

When Dusty got back, he went to the garden and picked more beans. Donny worked on breaking them when he got home. We had left overs tonight since the kitchen is full of canners and such.

July 26, 2009

Sunday and Tony's birthday. I got up and started cooking and cleaning for tonight's birthday dinner for Tony. Donny went to do the morning feeding and spread some shavings in the barn. Since it is hot, the sheep, goats and cow lay in the barn with the fan and it does get messy in there. Donny worked on the beans while I got a run going in the canner. Some family came over to visit and Donny took them to the barn to see all the animals while I stayed in the house with the canner.

Later on, Donny went to get the silage and pick some fresh corn for tonight's supper. I got the house cleaned up and most of the meal prepared while they were gone. When they got back, they worked on the beans. Savannah came early and helped finish up the beans.

Dinner was ham, chicken, beans, potato salad, squash, corn, cake and cupcakes. We had a nice time visiting.

July 25, 2009

Saturday. Donny and Dusty were off today so we got up early and began farm chores. Donny went and picked up more corn for us to freeze while he was out getting the silage and groceries. I got the house picked up and went out to mow the grass and pick up around the yard. I was hot and muggy. Donny and Dusty got back home and picked a bushel of beans. We will be working on beans and corn tonight and tomorrow.

I went to feed in the late afternoon. The wind picked up and it began thundering so I went ahead and put the horses up since they do not like to get wet. While I was at the barn, I cleaned all the feed bags up and picked up around the barn yard. The potbellied pigs, Priscilla and Presley played around the yard. Spud got in trouble chasing them around. I think he likes to hear them squeal. Priscella was feeling under the weather but she is fine now.

Dusty's friend Savannah came over and they went dancing.

July 24, 2009

Friday. Worked with corn and beans today. Dusty worked around the horse barn and ran some errands. Feeding went well with no surprises. Kodiak and Emma Lee continue to get their bottles and are quite happy about it.

Dusty finished up early so he could go the horse show.

July 23, 2009

Thursday. I fed the dogs, picked up the house and then began working on the beans. I got all of them broken and canned by early afternoon. I also put a pot of the beans on the stove for supper. It kept looking like it was going to rain all afternoon so I went to feed early. Everyone is doing okay. Kodiak is still the same but is eating better. I have put him back on a bottle and he is really enjoying that. Dusty and Courtney left in the evening to feed the neighbors horse and go to the horse show. Donny brought home another bag of corn so we shucked and silked that before going to bed.

July 23, 2009

Wednesday. It rained on and off today. I cleaned up the house and began washing clothes. I also froze a batch of corn. It rained on and off all day. Dusty spent most of the day moving round bales of hay and got soaked in the process. We waited until the rain stopped before feeding. Donny picked beans before it got dark and we started working on them.

July 21, 2009

Tuesday. I went to the Cradle and did some quilting. The mice are chewing a bit on the threads so we will have to do something about that. After leaving the Cradle, I stopped by the grocery store before coming home.

Dusty spent the day working on the horse ring and riding. He then worked on their feet for awhile.

Donny came in after work so we fed, had supper and spent the rest of the evening shucking corn. Dusty went to the Saddlebred Horse show.

July 20, 2009

Monday. I cleaned house today and put up more squash. Dusty and Donny left in the morning to to and bale hay.

I fed early in the afternoon and did some typing. Lanie was very weak and would not take her bottle. Dusty came home later in the afternoon and found her dead and buried her.

Donny finally got in at dark. The hay baling did not go very well but they finally to it all up, around 100 round bales. We will feed this to the cattle, sheep and goats. We have one more field to go and we will be through with the hay for awhile.

July 19, 2009

Sunday. It was cool when we got up and expected to stay cool so I opened the windows and turned the air off. I got the dogs fed while Donny went to check on things at the barn and feed hay. Lanie seemed to be okay this morning.

Donny left to go to the hayfield and Dusty went to get the silage and grab a few ears of corn. This corn is a little different than what we usually freeze so we will try some tonight to see if we like it. I got the house picked up and a mess of squash put in the freezer. I then went out and planted my Daylilies and worked in the yard a bit.

I put Emma Lee and Kodiak out in a small pen to get some air and nibble the grass. Emma Lee is still not happy, she still thinks she should be in the house with me. I fed them their bottles and gave Lanie her bottle before feeding. They seem to be doing okay so far. I got everything fed and let the horses out to play. I filled the bird feeders while I was out. I have about 10 feeders and the birds can empty them fast.

Dusty came in later in the day to finish up feeding and shuck the corn. Donny was having troubles with the baler so he was late getting in.

July 18, 2009

Saturday. I went down to Donny's store and picked up 30 more Daylilies. I think that this will be enough for me to finish the side garden. I also got them to bring me home a couple of hanging baskets. I came in long enough to unload that and turn out the horses before running to Lowes for a couple of things. When I got back home, I let the dogs out and did some typing before going to feed. Dusty and Donny had to work today. Dusty came on home after work but Donny went to the hayfield.

When I went to feed, Lanie did not act well at all so I gave her a shot of antibiotics. I will just be wait and see. She did finally take her bottle before I finished feeding and seemed to have perked up.

When I finished feeding, BB and I went to my parents. Dusty and his friends were going to a dance.

July 17, 2009

Friday. I got up and got the house cleaned up and the dogs fed so that I could run a few errand. I got some Tagamet and Geritol to start Kodiak on. Hopefully the Tagamet will soothe his stomach and the Geritol will give him some iron and energy, it is worth a try.

I got back home later in the afternoon and started on the typing that was due for that day.

I fed later on in the evening. Kodiak is drinking his Gatorade and taking his Geritol and Tagamet. Emma Lee is getting a little bottle so she can take her preventative medicine and so she does not feel left out. Lanie gets a little bottle with her antibiotic in it. It looks like I am going to have someone on a bottle all year.

Donny went to the hay field after work to start cutting the hale for round bales. I hope it stays dry long enough to get it up.

July 16, 2009

Thursday. I worked around the house all day and then did some work outside. Dusty worked on the horse stalls. Later on when we went to feed, we found Puddin dead. I think she had some heart problems and she just gave out. Kodiak and Lanie are now our only sick ones; although Priscilla the potbellied pig is not acting like she feels well. It seems like problems come in clusters.

July 15, 2009

Wednesday. I got out early to do some work outside before it got to warm. I planted some Jewel weed in my garden. Hopefully it will grow and I will have something to help with the poison oak and ivy that I always seem to get. I also put out some Day Lilly plants in the side yard. I fed the horses while I was out and checked on everyone.

Back in the house I finished up the washing. A friend came to fix the pump last night so hopefully it will be okay. I fixed a cheese cake for supper while I was in the house.

I went down a bit early to feed since I knew I would need to type in the evening. Puddin is still droopy and I noticed a little drainage from one eye so we will put her on PCN tonight. Lanie's foot seems a bit better but she now has a not around her umbilical cord so she will definitely go on antibiotics.

Roxy was not doing well at all in the evening and died quickly. Kodiak is still holding on but remains a bit weak. I will start him on Gatorade and put him back on the iron. I think he may also need some Vitamins.

July 14, 2009

Tuesday. I was up early to get my morning jobs done so that I could go to the Cradle of Forestry and quilt. The quilt was set up in one of the houses and ready to go. This quilt will be both tied and quilted. I noticed that the mice had also found the quilt so it will have to be covered while not being quilted on. The room was fairly dark so I did not quilt that long. I will have to bring a lamp with me next time I go.

I run in the grocery store and picked up lunch on the way home. After lunch, I started typing on the days work. I fixed a quick supper in between typing and waited on Donny to come home before going to feed.

Roxy is still scouring and Kodiak is still weak so we will continue treatment on both of them. Lanie the lamb has a sore foot so we worked on it a bit. She has had this since she was born so I don't know if it will ever be normal. We will start her on antibiotics just in case it is some sort or infection. I also noticed that Puddin, a Nigerian goat kid is looking sluggish. She always looks droopy eyed but I think that her white eyelashes make her look like that. We may start some sort of treatment on her.

July 13, 2009

Monday. I got up and fed the dogs before starting to clean the house. I froze some more squash in the middle of cleaing too.

Dusty left to run some errands and pick up feed.

While washing, I noticed that the water pressure was low so I turned all the water off. We have been having trouble with something on the pump so I will have to wait until Dusty gets home to fix it.

I started typing when the files came in and continued doing that off an on until bedtime.

Feeding was normal as usual. The dogs can't wait to go so they can hunt for mice. Someone always seems to get one. Everyone seems to be doing okay but I did notice that Roxy is having some scouring so we will have to start treating her.

July 12,2009

Sunday. Up at the usual time. The dogs were fed and the house picked up. Donny and Dusty left to pick up tractor that they need for cutting hay and took it to the field.

I mowed the lawn and cleaned up the yard. I checked on my raspberries and weeded them. I may have some in the fall if I am lucky and I can keep the goats out of them.

Donny and Dusty got back later in the afternoon. Feeding went well and we worked around the house until dark.

July 11,2009

Saturday. Up at the usual time. BB had been sick during the night so we were up with her. She probably at a frog which she has been known to do. I got the house picked up and the dogs fed. Donny went to the meat locker to get some meat for us. Dusty went to help some friends with their truck. When they got back they left to tow one of our old trucks to the mechanic.

I took the dogs and went to do some work at the barn. I cleaned out the feed room and picked up all the old bags. Donny will try to plug some more holes so the rain cannot seep into the feed room. While cleaning Hope and Spud killed a rat and BB did to. Spud is learning but he takes his hunting seriously. BB killed a rat just about as long as she is.

I let the Nigerian babies and mamas out of their pen. I will put the little boys in their pen since they are getting big enough to be interested in the girls. I went ahead and fed while I was out since it kept acting like it was going to rain.

I got back in the house and started some typing that needed to be done. I also fixed supper. Donny and Dusty finished up feeding, ate and left for a barrel race. Dusty decided he was still a bit too sore to run barrels tonight so he would just watch.

July 10, 2009

Friday. I got up and got things picked up and the dogs fed so I could run some errands. I did not get home until afternoon. Dusty worked in the pastures this morning getting rid of weeds before they went to seed. He went to get silage and feed for the weekend.

Feeding went well. Everyone seems okay. All the babies are doing well. Emma Lee is still very upset about being away from me and she wiggles all over when she sees me. She can got to the lot in a couple of days.

July 9, 2009

Thursday. Dusty went for his checkup today and was released to go back to his old routine. The little lamb was in bad shape. I brought her in and tube fed her but she died soon after. The mama ewe was very upset that I took her.

I worked in the house and froze squash until time to feed. The mama ewe was still fussing about her baby. I turned her back in with the other sheep so hopefully she will soon forget. Everyone else was doing okay.

Donny and I will go to the Cradle of Forestry tonight for supper. Dusty is going to a horse show and to look at a trailer.

June 8,2009

Wednesday. Up to morning routine. One of our old ewe had a lamb this morning. We will have to watch her. I put Emma Lee in the stock trailor with two other bottle babies that we are keeping an eye on. This will give her a chance to bond with them before going out in the lot. I think if I just put her in a lot, she would get out and come to the front door. She has been crying some especially when she hears my voice.

I worked on the computer some until and put a roast and vegatables in the oven so supper will be done before going to feed. My father is having sugery today so I have been keeping in touch with that. I started on the typing for the day.

When I went to feed, I found the baby very weak so I went back to the house for a bottle for her and also one for Lanie, the other lamb. Both lambs drank but I am not sure if this newest one will pull through. All the other baby lambs and goats are doing fine. I will leave Emma Lee and the other goats feeding for Donny to do so Emma Lee will not get so upset if she sees me.

Donny came in and he and Dusty went to finish up feeding. The neighbors horse had eaten too much clover and was having some trouble so they went to see about him. I went back to the barn around dark and fed the lamb again.

July 7,2009

Tuesday. I got up and fed the dogs and Emma Lee then ran to the store. Dusty was up early to get to the horse barn and wait on the farrier. I ran to the grocery store and got back just at noon.

I put a roast in the oven and started on some typing. When Donny came in we went to feed and found that the pygmy had had twins. They seemed to be doing very well. Feeding went fast and we got back in to eat. Donny and gone to eat with Tony and his grandparents so he came in later.

July 6,2009

Monday. I got up and did the usual morning routine. Emma Lee is getting into more stuff in the house so I will have to start preparing myself to let her go out with the other goats. We moved two young bottle babies into the stock trailer for awhile so we could make sure they were okay and I believe I will put her in there with them for a while. If I put her anywhere else, she will just get out and come to the house. It is time for her to start being a goat.

I started typing in the afternoon and stopped long enough to go feed. Everyone seems to be doing okay. Mamas and babies are doing fine. The horses are enjoying being able to be out some. It has rained some but not enough to really hurt them.

July 5, 2009

Sunday. We were up early as usual. The dogs were fed and Emily had her bottle. Donny and Dusty left to pick up silage and run some errands. It was raining a bit but not enough to really wet the ground.

We spent most of the day just resting until it was time to feed. When we went to feed, we found that one of the Nigerians, Sasha had delivered a little boy. He was up and running around. We put her in with Cecily, Shelly and their babies. We keep getting these little surprises all along. It has been an unusual year for lambing and kidding. The black ewe that had her baby on Friday was feeling poorly so we put her on antibiotics. She seemed better today. Her lamb did not really want the bottle we offered so hopefully she is getting enough milk to fill her up.

July 4, 2009

Saturday, the 4th of July. Dusty and Donny left early to help put up the neighbor's hay. I did some cooking for the evening and cleaned the house.

They got through with unloading the square bales in the early afternoon so Donny ran to the store to get some things for the cookout. Dusty went back and helped a bit with the round bales.

We went to feed when Donny got back and noticed that one of the goats, Goldie, had had two bucks. She was taking very good care of them so we left them alone. After feeding, Donny and Dusty went back to finish up with the round bales.

We cooked hamburgers on the grill and watched the fireworks display from our front porch. The dogs are not really thrill with the noise but Spud did watch as long as someone was holding him. Dusty and Tony kept a close eye on the horses to make sure that they did not spook.

July 3, 2009

Friday. Donny and Dusty left early for work today. They will be hauling hay to a horse customer.
I got the house picked up and turned the horses out and made sure everyone had enough water. I planted some flowers and mowed the grass. Dusty came in and went to the hay field to help with the neighbor's hay.

When I went to feed I found a ewe in labor with a large lamb. I helped her deliver it and got the lamb cleaned up a bit and put it beside the mother. She must have had a hard delivery since she seemed wore out and would not get up. I left them alone while she bonded with the baby. I got through feeding and the ewe had still not got up yet. I went on the the house and started supper. Donny came in for a minute and went on to the hay field. I went back to check on the sheep and baby and she was up and the baby seemed to be nursing. This sheep is fairly old and does not have the best udder so I went back to the house and fixed a bottle for the lamb. She really did not want to take the bottle and tummy was full. I will keep offering it to her every now and then just in case. I got all the dogs back in the house and went to help unload hay. We got a small portion done so the rest will have to be done tomorrow. Dusty left with friends to to to the rodeo.

July 2, 2009

Thursday. I picked up the house and ran out to do some errands. I picked up some groceries and a couple of plants while I was out.

One of the old Boer does seems sluggish so I mixed up some molasses, corn oil and corn syrup for her and Dusty gave her a dose. We will also give her some Vitamin B to help stimulate her appetite and get her going again.

While feeding, we noticed that Puddin, one of the Nigerian babies was a little sluggish so we checked her out. She seems a little bit bloated so we will watch her. I may give her a bit of Kaopectate if she still has a tummy ache.

Donny found a box of chicks up in the barn loft. I had been hearing them when feeding so he went to check them out. The hen wouldn't let him get that close so I guess they will join the rest when they are able.

After feeding I began the typing for the night. Donny and Dusty worked on the well. I heard a siren and got to the window in time to see the ambulance coming up our road. Our neighbor had been shoeing a horse and was kicked in the face. Donny and Dusty were there and got the rest of his hay unloaded with friends while he went to the hospital.

July 1, 2009

Wednesday. After the dogs were fed and Emma Lee had her bottle, I went to the side yard to work some. I upset a bee's nest and got stung several times so I decided to wait on that for a while. I had to take Benadryl for the stings so I know that I will feel sleepy the rest of the day.

Dusty ran errands and I cleaned and washed the rest of the day. It would have been nice to take a nap but I never got around to that.

Feeding went well. Everyone seems healthy and happy. Calamity has finally learned how to take treats out of my hand and she has decided that she really likes the Peppermint treats. The other horses love them to and so does Lilly the sheep.

June 30, 2009

Tuesday. I did the usual routine in the house then worked in the yard. I got most most of the Daylillies planted but will save some for the side yard. I will probably pick up some more for some other places on the farm. I also got my Muscadine grape plants in and started up the trellis. I weeded the raspberries while I was out and checked to see if the weedkiller was starting to work.

Dusty left in the afteroon to help with hay. He will be supervising and driving the truck. I think it will all be baled today and picked up.

June 29, 2009

Monday. I got up early fed the dogs and gave Emma Lee her bottle. I picked up the house and left to run errands. While I was out, I picked up 20 Day Lilly plants to set out. I got back home in time for Emma Lee's second bottle of the day. She is picking grass and weeds well plus eating grain when she goes to the barn so I am cutting her milk in half and adding more water to it. She really does not need the bottle but she is spoiled and does need the water.

I went down in the afternoon and fed the animals. I gave the horses their Peppermint treats that I had bought earlier in the day. Calamity doesn't really know how to take them from my hand but she will learn. Everyone else took their share.

I got back in and started supper and typing. Dusty had left to run his errands. He is driving a bit but he is still getting tired really easy. Donny went to fix the kicker and rake after work so he could start putting up more of the hay. We are supposed to have a long dry spell so I am hoping that we can get most of the hay up now and have a good chance at a second cutting if the rain continues.

June 28, 2009

Sunday. Donny found my Nubian dead this morning. She had refused to eat since the time we bought her and I think her inadequate nutrition plus nursing too babies just ruined her rumen. Hopefully her daughter will do well and can become my milker.

Donny left early to cut hay. Hopefully some of it will go up today. Dusty will drive the truck and and boss everyone around since he cannot lift yet. He let the horses out before he left and they are picking on each other over the fences.

I went out and planted flowers, sprayed weed control and weeded my raspberries. There is one young Nigerian goat that is getting out of the lot and nibbling on my plants. He is the only one that does that and I am hoping that he will get big enough and not be able to squeeze through the fence.

I came in during the hottest part of the day and picked up the house. Emma Lee is going in and out. She cries to be let in and when it is time for a bottle.

I went out later in the afternoon and planted some more cucumber plants and watermelon plants in the garden. Everything is growing well including the weeds. I fed alone tonight but everything went well.

June 27, 2009

Saturday. I was up early to feed the dogs and Emma Lee. Donny left to cut more hay and fluff what he cut yesterday. Dusty slept until noon.

I got the house picked up and did typing most of the afternoon. Dusty put his horses out and went to see his friend Courtney's new horse.

Donny came in later and we went to feed. The sick lamb finally died. We believe it had some digestion problems and it just got weaker and weaker. Everyone else is doing okay. We are treating one of the new Boer goats for pregnancy toxemia. She is so big and since she had inadequate nutrition before we bought her, we are hoping that this will help. It was also time to worm some goats so we did that.

After feeding we went across the drive to the neighbors for a cookout.

June 26, 2009

Friday. Another hot day. I run some errands and dropped by Donny's store to pick up some Day lilies. Dusty spent most of the day in the bed. I think going out and around yesterday was too much for him.

One of the newborn goats was found dead this morning. This was the weaker of the twins and I think that there may have been something wrong with it. This heat doesn't help matters either. So far it has not rained so maybe hay can be cut today.

June 25, 2009

Thursday. Dusty made it through the night with little pain. He got up and showered and redressed all the puncture wounds. He left to go with his friend Courtney to look at some tack. I told him that I thought it was to soon for him to be out and going but he went anyway.

I got the house picked up and went outside to mow the grass and work in the yard. I let the horses out and went ahead and fed while I was out. It was getting pretty hot by the time I got through with all that so I headed for the house. Dusty came in soon after and took a nap. While working on the computer, I noticed that the sky was getting dark and I heard some thunder so I went to put the horses up. I did not make it in time and got soaked in the process. I stayed around the horse barn for over a half an hour while it stormed. We got a good inch of rain.

It had not rained at the hay fields so Donny went and hooked up mowing equipment after work. Hopefully he can start cutting hay tomorrow evening if it doesn't rain.

June 24, 2009

Wednesday. Up early to get Dusty ready to go to the hospital. He showered in his special soap and then he and Donny left. I stayed behind to take care of the animals, pick up the house and wash his linens so he would have a clean bed to come home to. I left for the hospital around 11:30. When I got to the hospital he was already in surgery. He was out of surgery and in recovery by 1pm. Mom and Dad came up to see how he was doing. He was groggy but not really in pain and he was able to come home around 3pm. Donny had left earlier to pick up prescriptions, horse feed and silage.



After getting him in the house and settled, Donny and I fed. Gillee, our old angora cross that was sick had died so she had to be buried. We got everything fed and the horses turned out. We turned Cobio, Patrick (miniature donkey) and Calamity out together to see how they would do. They did fine together and Cobio who is 35+years old will be able to go back into the barn to get out of the heat.



Dusty felt well enough to take a walk to the barn and to the neighbors. He came in later and finally got to eat a hamburger, something he had wanted. Everyone got in bed early.

June 23, 2009

Tuesday. I got up early and did the usual. I started washing clothes and then run to the grocery store. I cleaned up the house and continued washing clothes. Dusty picked up feed and silage, ran errands and worked around the farm.

I worked in the yard and the garden a bit. It is getting pretty hot and humid during the middle of the day. The garden is doing well and we are getting peppers, squash and cucumbers now.

Feeding went well. Lilly, her baby Lanie and the new lamb Lizzy are all doing well together. Lanie continues to limp on one leg but time will have to heal it. I have stopped her bottle and she is not to pleased but she would only take a few sips and then go and nurse. She is old enough now to pick at the grass and eat grain so I will see how she gets along without the bottle. The new babies are still hanging in there.

June 22, 2009

Monday. I got up and fed the dogs and gave Emma Lee her bottle. Dusty had to be at the hospital for his pre-op visit around 9:30. He got his blood drawn and the instructions he needed before surgery. That did not take very long so we were at home before noon. He decided to try and get some things done around the farm that he knew he couldn't do after surgery. I worked around the house and did some outside work too.

I moved the new mamas and their babies into a lot in the Nigerian pen. I am still not sure about one of the babies. He just doesn't seem to be that strong and he refuses to take a bottle. I will have to keep an eye on him. Everyone else is doing fine except for the two remaining sick ones.

June 21, 2009

Sunday and Father's Day. We woke up to rain. Donny went to the barn and made sure that Cecily and her babies were in shelter. I got up and fed the dogs and Emily. They all then went out to play and go to the barn with Donny.

I finally decided to close up all the windows and put the air on. The dogs were restless last night and it was too uncomfortable to sleep. I would rather have the windows and doors open but with the high humidity and temperatures right now, I will keep the air on.

Donny worked in my carding room so I could do some carding today. The wool was a little sticky so I will try spraying some fabric softener on it and card later on.

While I was carding, Shelly, a Nigerian dwarf had twin boys. Dusty pulled the first baby because we thought it was presenting wrong. She was not sure what was going on but after the next baby was born she had figured out what to do and was talking to them and licking them clean. We will probably just leave them where they are.

We got everything fed and Donny and Dusty worked on the horse barn some. He is working on the feed room, tack room and his office now.

June 20,2009

Saturday. A hot day. I got the yard picked up yesterday but decided not to mow since it was so hot. I worked in the house getting it picked up and the food started. Dusty and Donny both worked and did not get in until close to 5pm. I had everything fed before they got home.

Cecily and her babies are doing okay although they still seem a bit fragile and not very active. The heat may be slowing them down. She is very protective of them though.

We had a nice cook out despite the heat. The dogs were laying around on their backs with their feet stuck up in the air and their tongues hanging out so I guess I will put the air on soon. It was up in the 90's today with no rain.

June 19, 2009

Friday. I got up early, got the dogs and Emma Lee fed and run to the grocery store and Lowes. I picked up some flowers and birdseed. I have neglected the birds for some time but there has been a hawk around that was using the bird feeders to pick up his meals. I have not heard him or seen him in a couple of days so maybe he has moved on. I picked up the food we would need for cook out tomorrow and hurried home.

The dogs and Emma Lee were ready to go out when I got home but did not stay out in the heat too long and were ready to come in and lay in front of the fan. I have not turned the air on yet but I don't know how much longer we can hold out.

I finished up some angels that I was working on and started another quilt square.

Feeding went well. Everyone seems to be adjusting to the heat. When I went to feed the Nigerians, I found that Cecily had twins. They were a little weak and she was unsure of what to do. I moved her down to the shade and offered the babies a bottle. By the time I was through feeding, she was catching on to what a mama was.

I moved one of the lambs that was sick back outside. She seemed to have recovered and I wanted her out of the sick pen. I put her in the barn yard where Lilly and her baby Lanie are. Hopefully she will stick with them. The Nigerian babies and Dusty's two little Boer goats will also keep her company.

June 18, 2009

Thursday. Dusty got up early to get the horses fed and then left to get silage and feed. I worked around the house this morning. We went to the surgeons office in the afternoon. His surgery will be scheduled for next week. We got home in time to feed and I fixed a quick supper. At least it did not rain today.

July 17, 2009

Wednesday. I got the house cleaned today and the wash done. I got Donny's new weather station hooked up so we can keep track of the temperature and the rainfall. It seems to rain a bit each day and stay very humid in between the rains. I ran some errands and did some grocery shopping. It is hard to buy food right now with Dusty having such few choices. We will see the surgeon tomorrow about his surgery.

The animals are doing okay. Feeding takes longer since all the feed pans have to have water dumped out of them and then cleaned.

Emma Lee remains in the house. She is perfectly happy living with us and the dogs. It will be a big change for her when she has to go to the barn. We take her to the barn with us when we feed so that she can get used to all the other animals.

June 16, 2009

Tuesday and Donny's birthday. It turned out to be a pretty day. I got the house cleaned up and some things done in the yard. My Nubian goat seems to be doing better but is still very picky about what she eats. Her two babies seem to be doing fine though. We thought about moving them but we were afraid it would stress her too much. We still have 3 sick in the Nursery/infirmary but they are holding their own. Everyone else seems to be doing okay. The sheep and goats stay in the barn during the hottest parts of the day. I will have to get them a new fan. The cows stay in the shade most of the day.

The garden is doing well and we will have squash and cucumbers in a day or two. The rain keep the weeds growing as well.

June 15, 2009

Monday. Fog again. Dusty was feeling okay today. I picked up the house and got the bills and computer work done. I made an appointment for Dusty to see a surgeon on Thursday. I ran to the grocery store for a few items and then came home.

Dusty ran some errands and began working on another cross-section of fencing. He then went to get some feed. He started working on the horses feet so they will all be done before he has his surgery. He will not feel much like doing that after the surgery.

Donny came in and we went to feed. As usual, the rain began again just as we went out the door. We got close to an inch of rain in less than 20 minutes. It began to flood the horse barn but since I was there, I was able to divert it some so it did not cause much of a mess.

A hen had her baby chick out in the rain and it did not make it. We got it buried but the hen will not let anyone around that spot. I felt so sorry for her. Hopefully she can start setting another bunch of eggs soon.

June 14, 2009

Sunday. Up early to the usual fog. We were going to our friends the Hawkins to deliver some goats. Donny and Dusty got them loaded while I got the dog's fed and Emma Lee's bottle. She has become one of the dogs and has her favorite places to lay around the house.

We got up to Sandymush a little before noon. The shop looks great with all the crafts and such. Her llamas are doing well and I visited the llama that I will get soon. Her donkey's will have babies soon.

While we were in Sandymush, Dusty called and said he had a terrible stomachache and Tony was going to take him to the ER. We finished up there and went on to the hospital. He has gallstones and is going to have to have his gallbladder removed. He had quit hurting and since it was not an emergency, the doctor let him come home and we will make arrangements for the surgery. He will have to really watch what he eats until he can get this done.

We got home and got everything fed so me could make an early evening of it.

June 13, 2009

Saturday. Hopefully it will not rain today until I get the grass mowed. It looks like the weed killer is working. I still see spots that I missed. Donny was off from work today so he ran to pick up silage and do some errands. He called to check on Dusty and make sure he made it into work.

The bull is walking the fence and eyeing the neighbor's cows so when Donny got home he ran a strand of electric fence. Hopefully this will deter the bull and keep him at home.

Dusty came in around 4 and we went out to eat, something we rarely do. We got home early so that we could get the feeding done. It rained a couple of showers while we were gone. Feeding went well and everyone is doing okay. Lanie, the lamb, is still getting a bottle but she is nursing her mother and she is finally getting a little tummy on her.

June 12, 2009

Friday. Dusty was up and out to run errands and pick up some feed. He had some unexpected things come up so he did not get home until later in the day. He found out from the Diagnostic lab that the goat died of liver failure. Before the herd came to us their nutrition was questionable and they were suffering from that. We will have to continue tweaking their diet and work on getting the rumen back in shape. So far, everyone else is eating well. They have all been wormed twice. We will start them all on a mineral and Probias.

We got fed early, before the usual rain of the day and Dusty left to spend the night with friends. He has to go to work tomorrow so hopefully he will get some sleep.

June 11, 2009

Thursday. Dusty worked around the farm today and finished up on some fencing. One of his Boer goats was not doing too well in the morning and died later on in the day. Dusty took her to the Diagnostic lab so we could see what was going on with the goats. My Nubian is just picking at her feed. We will start her on some injectable vitamins and try to find something that she will eat. Everyone else is doing fine. The Nigerian babies are all over the place and Dusty's two little Boer kids think they have the run of the place.

I got the house picked up today and the typing done. I spent the rest of the day working on some items for the shop. It rained again as usual.

June 10, 2009

Wednesday. I cleaned and washed most of the day. It was hot and humid with some rain. Dusty went to help Carolyn and he took Spud with him. Spud does very well and loves to go places but he is wants to beat up other dogs even though he only weighs 17lbs. He went after a Catahoula Leopard today.

When Dusty got back home he started on another section of fence. He put on sunscreen and kept his shirt on today since he did get sunburned.

I fed early to dodge the rain and worked on my quilting. I try to stay close to the house on wash day so I can get it all done.

June 9, 2009

Tuesday. I got up early and after picking up the house and taking care of the dogs and Emma Lee, I went to run errands. Dusty left at about the same time to do his errands. I got home around noon and had some surprise typing to do. Dusty began working on the fence again. This fence will divide some of the pasture so we can use it for rotational grazing. We are getting alot of rain now but it could dry up just as fast.

I went and fed a bit early today because it looked like it was going to rain. Everything went well at the barn. The three babies were running around and exploring. I had forgotten to take Lanie's bottle to the barn and she was not too happy about that. Donny can take it later on.

Dusty got done with the fence just in time for the rain. He thought that he would just leave the horses out since it didn't look like it was going to last too long but after it started hailing, he decided to get out in it and put them up. I had to close all the window on one side of the house because the wind was blowing the rain in so bad. All the dogs get nervous when it thunders so we move around the house in a unit.

After it quit raining, Dusty went to get some hay for the horses. Thankfully we got one patch up so we have some hay. Hopefully it will quit raining in a bit so we can get more hay up.

June 8, 2009

Monday. I got up and picked up the house after getting everyone settled inside, I went out to spray weeds. I kept my fingers crossed the whole time that it would not rain. It was pretty hot so hopefully the weed killer took. I finished that about noon and came it to start some typing. I made a cake to take to the neighbors tonight for a cook out. Dusty picked lettuce and onions to take too.

Dusty began working on a fence in the cow pasture. He had his shirt off and I warned him that he would get burnt. He said that he had sunscreen on but time will tell.

Later in the afternoon, an airplane crashed at a nearby airport. Two people were killed. The weather was bad in places but not here so I don't know what caused it to crash. The sky was black and it was thundering all around us but we only got a drop or two of rain so the cookout was not ruined.

June 7, 2009

Sunday. We got up early today to get some work done outside since the is little chance of rain. I got the dogs fed and gave Emma Lee her bottle. I picked up the house and got some potatoes and eggs boiling for potato salad makings.

Donny and Dusty got the mama's and new babies moved to the outside pen. With three little ones in one pen, they will be all over the place. They can go in and out of the fence but they do not venture to far from mama. The Nubian and her babies were moved up into the Nigerian lot so I can get her on a better diet. We are still waiting on Shelly to have her babies.

I cleaned out the feed room and let the pigs out to play. Spud loves to run the pigs because they grunt and squeal. After a couple of warnings and smacks he calmed down a bit. Dusty worked on his run in barn for a bit and then went swimming with friends at a local lake.

Later that evening, Donny and Dusty worked on the beans putting up strings for the runners. Emma Lee enjoyed running around and playing while we were out. She still has to come and find me every now and then. I finally went in at dark and got everyone ready for bed.

June 6, 2009

Saturday. No rain today (I hope) I have too much to do outside. I weeded my raspberry patch and did some trimwork while Emma Lee and the dogs played. I put the dogs up and mowed the grass. I do not like to mow with all of them outside since I can't watch them very well. Rabbits were jumping all over the place while I mowed.

We moved Gillee up to the nursery so she will be more comfortable. She is still not up and is just happy to sit there and eat.

PollyAnna, an Oberhalsi mini, had her baby today. She is a stocky little girl I named Prissy. PollyAnna is very strict with her and will not let her out of her shelter right now.

Dusty brought in 3 calf hutches for us to use with the goats. I am going to do some rearranging tomorrow and hopefully free up some space. I need to move my new Nubian and her babies up to the Nigerian lot so I can feed them better and get her ready to milk.

Feeding went well. Dusty is working on a new run in barn for the horses. He got some of the posts set today.

June 5, 2009

Friday. It started raining during the night and continued all day long. It finally quit in the early evening and turned cool.

I stayed in the house most of the day working on my quilting. I need to work on rug hooking but have not got that far yet. Dusty had to go into work for a while then he loafed around since it was raining here.

We went to feed after the rain had stopped. Emma Lee and all the dogs went. They were happy to get out of the house. We visited with neighbors after feeding.

The horses had to stay up again today. I know they are getting tired of staying up. Calamity is finally eating her grain and putting some weight back on.

June 4, 2009

Thursday. I had to run some errands and get some dogfood and milk for Emma Lee today. It is very humid out and looks like rain.

Feeding went well. I did not put her horses outside due to the threat of rain. They do not like to get wet.

Feeding went well. I am still feeding the little sheep, Lanie, a bottle and she expects it. Emma Lee is going to the barn with me. She likes to look around and play with Ellwood, Blueberry's baby.

Gillee, the goat that has been sick is still not up. She is scooting around but unable to stand. We will have to try something else with her.

The barn swallows are busy with their nests and will just about knock your head off coming in and out of the barn. With them and the roosters flying out of the loft, you stay busy trying to dodge everything.

June 3, 2009

Wednesday. I was up early to get the dogs fed and to give Emma Lee her bottle. I had to go to the Cradle of Forestry this morning for the last school group. It got hot later in the morning with my dress on and the fire in the kitchen.

I got home and let the dogs out. Dusty had to go into work today so they had been up in the house for a while. Emma Lee likes to go out with the dogs and nibble on the grass. She does not know that she is a goat.

A man we knew was killed in a farming accident over the weekend. His funeral was today.

Feeding went well. The sheep and goats are staying in the barn more during the heat of the day so it is getting pretty dirty. Hopefully we can get that cleaned out soon. The babies are doing well. I will get them outside soon.

June 2, 2009

Tuesday. I ran some errands this morning and worked around the house. It has not rained yet but it is humid today. Dusty left early to rake the hay. We are keeping our fingers crossed that it doesn't rain. They will hopefully start raking and baling by late afternoon.

I went out in the early afternoon to let the horses out and feed. There were dark clouds in the sky and I could hear it thundering. I went ahead and fed while I was there. Blueberry's little boy is running all over the place. He can get through the holes in the fencing with ease. Blueberry fusses at him but he does not listen. Angel and her baby are doing fine. The baby, Puddin, is fat and active. Angel seems to be doing okay for her first time but she is a bit rough with the baby.

The rain held off and the hay was baled and put under cover. They decided not to cut anymore right now because is it supposed to rain in the next couple of days.

June 1, 2009

Monday. No rain so far, we will keep our fingers crossed.

Dusty left early with a load of lambs. He did not want them to get too hot on the trailer so he left pretty quickly after loading. He will go and kick the hay after he has done that.

I worked around the house and got everything ready that I needed to take to the Cradle of Forestry. They are having an exhibit of the volunteers and the crafts they do so we will set that up this afternoon. I had to run to Wal-Mart before heading up there so I could get diapers for Emma Lee.

I did not leave the Cradle until close to 4pm. I ran into the Grocery store and picked up milk and supper. I have started feeding Lilly's lamb a bottle of milk a day. She just did not seem to be getting enough milk from Lilly so I thought I would try a bottle to see if she would take it. She was already several days old so I didn't think she would take it but she did. She now expects that bottle every afternoon. With Emma Lee and the lamb now taking a bottle, milk goes fast. I just feed whole milk to them after the babies get older and that is a whole lot easier and cheaper. They seem to do okay with the whole milk. When they are first starting out on the bottle, I use goats milk and then progress on to my formula and then whole milk.

Donny did not get in until late because he needed to get the hay rake serviced and ready to go for tomorrow. Dusty wormed all his Boer goats and helped me feed.

When I went to feed a couple of young Nigerian Dwarf goats, I saw that one was having some drainage and her udder was big and tight. She is a very young and little goat so I was afraid she would have problems. She wasn't supposed to be bred and had always been kept away from the bucks but something must have happened. I went and finished feeding and when Dusty and I went back to check on her she had had her baby without problems. I had already been planning on a C-section. She had a tiny little black and white girl who seemed strong and healthy. We put them in the pen with Sunni and her baby so Angel can learn from her. She seems to be a little confused about what just happened but she is talking to the baby and taking care of her. This was Donny's goat so we will surprise him with her when she gets home.

May 31, 2009

Sunday. Up early as usual. It was good to get up to clear skies and no rain. It was decided that they would try to cut some hay today so Dusty and Donny left to do that. I decided to go ahead and clean the house and wash clothes since the week was going to be busy.

Emma Lee is all over the place now and getting into everything. I will have to set the pen up in the backyard so she can go out some and pick the grass. She is going out now in the backyard with the dogs and does very well. She has the back porch to come on when she wants to be near the house.

I went and fed in the late afternoon. Blueberry and her baby Elwood are doing fine. He is bouncing around the pen. Donny and Dusty did not get in until late, as usual, things kept breaking down. It's hard to know what will happen after everything has been sitting unused during the winter. Hopefully there will be no rain.

May 30, 2009

Saturday. Our 27th anniversay.

Dusty finally got home around 4am. He had to be up and ready for work 7:30 so he had no sleep. After feeding the horses and checking the animals, Donny and Dusty headed off to work. I picked up the house and worked on some projects. I did not get a lot of sleep last night so I did not do anything much.

So far there has been no rain today. I am hoping that this dry spell will hold out for a while. The barn is finally drying out and the shavings Dusty put down yesterday is helping.

When I went to feed, Blueberry had had her baby, a little white and yellow buck. She is a very protective mother and will not let him out of her sight.

We went out to eat tonight and to the Saluda Mountain Jamboree. Dusty got out and clogged for everyone. He did very well for not having any sleep.

May 29, 2009

Friday. Donny took a day off of work. After picking up the house, we ran errands for most of the day. Dusty picked up a load of shavings to bed the horse stalls. Later in the afternoon he went to help a Vet work some horses in the middle of the state.

Feeding went well. Sunni and her baby Sierra are doing well. We are still waiting on Blueberry to have her baby. Gilee, the sick goat is still hanging in there. We are going to have to figure out a way to support her so she can stand. She has become very weak and is losing some muscle strength.

Dusty was not home by the time we went to bed so there was probably some emergency calls. He has to work in the morning so hopefully he will get in soon.

May 28, 2009

Thursday. I went back to Junes today to help her with the shop. We got a lot of the merchandise cleaned up. Hopefully she can open on the sixth of June. It rained some as usual.

Dusty ran errands and washed Biscuit the Border Collie.

I got home in time to take Biscuit, CC and Spud to the Vet's office. Biscuit had a skin allergy and had to be put on medicine. CC and Spud had their rabies shots. Everyone did well. Biscuit had to have a muzzle put on because he thought about biting the Vet. Dusty and I finally got them home and the feeding was done. I had a long night of typing ahead so I got started on that.

May 27, 2009

Sage was dead this morning. There could very well have been an underlying problem with her and that is why her mother, Sunni, did not seem to want her. She will be buried in the pasture.

Of course it was raining on and off again today. I got housework done and worked on more projects. I did some work on the computer too.

Dusty worked most of the day building a sliding door for the barn. It is really heavy and will be hard to hang. They may cut it it half and hang it that way. The horses are getting tired of staying in the barn but that can't be helped. Calamity is finally eating again and gaining some weight.

We all fed. The Guardian dogs had been in the barn and made a big mess so with that to clean up and the flooding feeding took a bit longer than usual.

May 26, 2009

Tuesday. Raining again when I got up. Sage is doing okay but you can never tell with one that is so little. She is eating and walking around. I fed the dogs and Emma Lee her bottle. She is getting to be a handful in the house. If it would stop raining, she could go out in the yard during the day. She needs to start eating some solid food too.

I got the house cleaned up and spent most of the day working on little projects around the house. Feeding was not pleasant with all the mud and such. The feed room is flooding and we can't really figure out where the water is coming from.

Later in the evening, Sage was not acting right and acted like something was bothering her. I held her for a while and then put her in her basket. I don't think she will be alive in the morning.

I finished up my typing for the day and went on to bed.

May 25, 2009

Monday, Woke up again to rain. I spent most of the day cleaning and washing clothes since nothing could really be done outside. They are calling for rain all week so I don't guess much will get done outside.

Sage seems to be doing okay. She is drinking about 2oz of milk at a time. Her size one diaper and preemie onsie swallows her up. She walks around a bit and tries to play. Emma Lee still is not sure about her and has decided not to pay any attention to her except when she is getting a bottle and she is not. The dogs have accepted her too. They are all used to babies in the house. When the baby is first brought in, they all have to inspect and lick it but soon the new wears off and she is just part of the crowd.

I worked on my knitting and wound up several skeins of yarn that I had washed today. I am trying to get some inventory built up for sale but it is going very slow.

May 24, 2009

Sunday. We woke up early to rain. I know we need the rain but this is getting to be too much. Sage made it through the night with her Mom but doesn't seem to be gaining much ground. She is always by herself while Sunni and Sierra are together.

Donny and Dusty went out to run errands and get feed. I picked up the house, got all he dogs fed and gave Emma Lee her bottle. She is getting to be a handfull running and jumping on all the furniture. Her favorite napping spot is the couch. I went down to check on Sage again.

Tony came by and stayed the afternoon. They all went to get some lumber to build troughs for the goats. I got out during a break in the drizzle and trimmed some more trees so you didn't get your head knocked off while mowing.

I went to feed just as they were getting the troughs finished. Gilee, the sick goat, is standing up now but is still very weak. Her appetite is great though. I got the new troughs while the Boer goats got the old ones. We noticed that some of the Boer does are getting close to kidding. That will be something else to watch out for. I also have two Nigerian Dwarf goats close to kidding, Blueberry and Shelly. Blueberry has had a baby but Shelly has not.

We brought Sage in before going to bed. I got a diaper on her and got her settled into the laundry basket. All the dogs checked her out and Emma Lee jumped in the basket with her. Emma Lee was not too pleased that someone else was getting a bottle. We got everyone settle and got to bed early.

May 23, 2009

We were up around 1am with Sunni. She had two little girls. One of the kids is tiny and not as strong as her sister. We will have to watch her closely. She probably weighs close to a pound. We got them in the nursery and Sunni's mother Sass came too. She will stay with Sunni tonight and help her with the new babies. Goats are very social and Sass will help teach her daughter to care for the babies. Donny was up and down all night checking on the baby. We will try our best to let her stay with her mother but if we see any sign of trouble, she will come to the house.



We were up early (still no sleep). Dusty had to go to work today. Donny will feed and let the horses out. I fed the dogs and Emma Lee then picked up the house. The little goat (now named Sage) is still with her mother but we aren't out of the woods. Her sister Sierra is doing fine and probably weight three times as much as her sister. I picked up the house and vacuumed before heading outside.



I took a bottle down to Sage and she did drink. She is stronger now but I am not sure how well Sunni is responding to her. She is really taking care of Sierra and Sierra lays with her but Sage lies by herself.



I mowed the grass and planted flowers . It was mostly cloudy with some sprinkles off and on.

Donny went to get silage and feed for the weekend. When he came back he trimmed some bushes and hauled off some brush.



I took another bottle to Sage and when I went into the nursery she was nursing her mother. I still don't know what to do about her. I guess it will be another night of getting up and down with her.

May 22,2009

I was up early again to get everyone fed so I could be at the Cradle of Forestry to teach a couple of classes. Dusty will be home today so he can watch over Sunni until I get back. I got to the Cradle around 8:30 and got the fires going in the house and everything ready for the kids. The fire felt okay in the morning but by noon the house was getting a little hot.

I left the Cradle a little after noon and ran to pick up diapers for Emma Lee and some supper for us. Dusty was working in the garden when I got back in. Emma Lee, as usual, was demanding her bottle and the dogs needed attention. Sunni still had not done anything and her udder was even bigger today.

I got supper in the crock pot and did some typing. We went to feed after Donny got in. Gilee is still down but eating and drinking. Calamity is eating better and hopefully will be gaining some weight.

I was hoping to get into bed earlier tonight but we will have to see about that.

May 21, 2009

I got up early and fed Emma Lee and the dogs. I am going to my friend June's farm to help her get her shop ready. Along with the Christmas trees she is planning on opening her shop year round. We will sell all that we make there and hopefully do some workshops.

I got home around 4:30pm. Dusty had to go into work that morning and he was still not home so the dogs were ready to go out and Emma Lee was demanding her bottle. I got everyone settled, the house picked up and then started in on typing since I new I would have a lot to do.

I waited until Donny came home to feed. Sunni, still has not had her babies yet. He udder is huge. We put Gilee in the feed room where she wouldn't get knocked around. She is eating and drinking well but is still very weak.

Donny picked up some supper on the way home and after feeding, they left to go to the horse sale. Another late night for me with the typing. It was after midnight again before I finished up.

May 20,2009

A pretty day. Dusty went to check on a job and run some errands. I spent the day making goats milk soap and doing some stuff around the house. I had alot of typing to do so I worked on it throughout the day. I washed up some yarn that I had spun from Mohair. I will probably use it to make shawls.

Feeding went well. Sunni, one of the Nigerians, looks like she could kid anytime now. We will have to keep a close eye on her since this is her first time and she is so little.

Feeding went well. Gilee, one of the mini goats looked a little weak so we wormed her along with a couple of other goats.

The Boer goat herd is doing well. Two of the babies likes to get out of the lot and run around. They are eating well and seem to have adjusted to their new home.

Calamity still is off her feed some. We now think that she may have gotten into some buttercups and ate too many. She has lost some weight.

After feeding I still had typing to do. I finally got that finished and then I had to get things ready for tomorrow. It was well after midnight before I got into bed. The dogs were not too pleased about that, they like to go to bed around 10pm.

May 19, 2009

Another pretty day but cool. We had a frost so I am glad that we had everything protected. It will be borderline tonight so we may decide to cover everything up again. Our farm sits in a valley so the cold seems to settle right on top of us. Dusty and Courtney went to pick up the goats. He got home and unloaded just in time for the farrier. The Farrier did Flash and Liz's feet today. Dusty usually does the rest of the trimming on the other horses. When they need shoes then Larry will do it.

The new goats look good. There are a couple who are getting pretty close to giving birth. We put them in their new lot and let them get adjusted.

I cleaned and washed all morning then worked on some sachets and crocheting to go in the new shop. Dusty let right after the farrier finished to run some more errands for Donny.

I fed fairly early today so I could check on the goats and get done before I had to type. Everyone seems to be doing just fine. Calamity, the horse still is not eating grain but Larry seems to think she is okay. We will put her out on grass again tomorrow.

We checked on the goats one last time before dark. Spud, the Jack Russel Puppy, is very interested in the goats and seems to want to stay with them. We covered the plants again tonight and went in for the evening.

May 18, 2009

A cool day but dry. I had closed all the windows yesterday and I turned on the heat for a while today. We are expecting frost tonight so we will have to cover the plants.

Dusty left to run errands, see about a job and look at some goats we might buy. I left soon after to get dogfood, pick up some plants and have some brochures run off. We both got home early in the afternoon. I picked up the house since I did not clean today, fed Emma Lee her bottle and did my typing for the day.

Dusty and Donny decided to buy the goats. Dusty thought they looked pretty good. They are mostly Boer with a couple of Nubians in the herd. I will probably keep the Nubian and her two babies so we will have cheese, ice cream and fudge this summer. Dusty will pick them up tomorrow.

I waited until Donny got home to feed. Bubbarina is still coming to the barn to be fed grain so I let her in. We will put the new goats in Fanny's (Belted Galloway) barn and lot so we will have to find a new place for her to eat her grain and silage.

After feeding we got the plants covered for the night. Dusty practiced his roping with the neighbors while we all visited.

Calamity is still not eating her grain. We will put her in one of the grassy pastures to see how she does there.

May 17, 2009

A rainy cool and dreary day. Donny and Dusty went to pick up a tractor but the weather was bad enough that they did not get it. I stayed in most of the day doing some things that needed to be done on the computer and working on my crocheting. The neighbors cows were out again and the llamas and Alpacas were not to thrilled about them coming around their territory. Several people stopped to tell us that they thought is was our cows out. The cows were getting too close to the road so Dusty went out to send them back home.

It stopped raining later in the afternoon so we went to feed. I decided to put Lily and her new lamb up in the stall since it was supposed to turn cool.

Calamity, my new horse does not want to eat her grain and Dusty thinks she is acting like she does not feel well. She never got grain at her old home so the adjustments might just be to much for her right now. She is eating hay and drinking plenty of water so we will watch her.

May 16, 2009

It was raining and dreary when we got up with a forecast of rain all day. It did clear around mid morning so Dusty did some weed eating and mowing. I got the house picked up and did some washing. I also worked on the triangular loom and crocheted some on the afghan.

When I went out I finished up some mowing and cleaned up the feed room. While we were at the barn a neighbor told us some cows were out on the road. Thankfully they weren't ours but Dusty went to see if he could help round them up. I fed and watered. Donny had let Bubbarina out of the barn so she could eat grass and get more silage. So far none of the calves want to nurse but we will have to keep an eye on that. She's getting a little bit of sunburn but hopefully she will adjust to being out. She still comes to the barn and hollers for me to let her in to eat grain. She is spoiled (just like a movie star)

We went with friends to the Saluda Jamboree. Dusty and his friend Courtney had a good time dancing. We got home in time to feed Emma Lee her bottle and get to bed.

May 15,2009

I ran some errands in the morning and got home around noon. The day was mild but looked like it could rain anytime. Dusty put the horses out before going to South Carolina to help some friends with a flat tire. As soon as he got home went to get a load of sawdust so he could finish feeding out the horse stalls. It has been so damp and rainy that the horses have had to stay up more than usual and there stalls were in a need for cleaning.

When I went out, I found a surprise in the Nigerian goat lot. Lilly the sheep had had a baby. She had had a lamb in November (Chunk) and must have gotten bred back. This time she had a girl. The lamb (Lanie) seemed to be doing well and up and nursing. It seems that lambs born later sometimes have problems but hopefully she will do okay.

May 14, 2009

It rained during the night and was gloomy and rainy this morning. After it cleared a bit, Dusty went to get a load of hay for the horses.

I went out and fixed the Gray Beard rootings. While out I decided that I would go ahead and feed since I needed to get my typing done and they were calling for afternoon thunderstorms.
Everybody was doing fine and ready to eat. My feed troughs are beginning to fall apart so Dusty built me one this afternoon. The goats and sheep love to stand in them and they tend to not last long.

June Bug, one of the last goats born this year has decided that she is going to be the pet so she finds a way out and comes into the feed room to eat while I am filling the buckets. Her mother did the same thing when she was little.

May 13, 2009

Dusty left early with a load of goats going to a new owner. I helped him catch the goats and then worm them. Hopefully they will keep the brush cleared and not get out of the fencing.

I spent the day at my mom's for a belated Mother's day. While there is got some cuttings off a Gray Beard tree that I am going to try to root.

I got back home in time to feed. Fanny the Belted Galloway had somehow opened the bottle baby stall and all the babies were out and crying when I went into the barn. I got them back up and fed. It is time to send some of the babies out and rearrange a bit.

May 12, 2009

I spent the morning running some errands before coming back home and working in the yard and garden.

I worked on the Afghan some and began getting items together to go in a gift shop.

Emma Lee's eye is doing better and she is really drinking the milk. She loves to jump on the furniture and run circles around the living room. She needs to start going out some but it has been pretty cool this week.

Feeding went well. Lilly, Chunk and Bindi have decided that they like living with the Nigerian Dwarf goats so I guess that is where they will stay.

Some of the hens out in the barnyard are already sitting on their nests. I guess we will be surprised with chicks pretty soon.

May 11, 2009

Monday-cleaning day.

I spent most of the day washing and cleaning. Dusty spent the day doing errand, helping out Carolyn and working some in the garden.

The potatoes are really doing well and growing fast. The rabbits are eating the broccoli so we may have to try them again in the fall. The raspberries are leafing out and the blueberries and strawberries have fruit on them.

Feeding went well. I let the pig out to run and play they enjoyed rooting around in the mud and running around.

May 10, 2009

Mother's Day. We were all up early today. I got the house picked up and fed the dogs and Emma Lee. Donny and Dusty left to go do some errands, pick up silage and get some gravel for the driveway. There is a dip in the drive that is causing the living quarters to drag a bit so they needed to fill it up before something got damaged.


I left to go to the Biltmore Estate. It looked like it was going to be busier today and it took a while for me to get on the Estate due to traffic. I spun mohair today and finished the shawl. It turned out to be really pretty so I will do some more to sale.

I got home later in the evening. Donny and the boys had supper ready and everything fed. They had also put in some of the garden and got another portion ready for the beans to go in. The weather turned cooler the later it got. This must be Dogwood winter coming on since the Dogwoods have just begun to bloom.

May 9, 2009

Dusty had to work today so he was up early and gone. He has a barrel race today so Donny will take Flash to the race and get Dusty signed in. Dusty will go up after work to run.

I demonstrated at Biltmore Estate today doing some spinning and weaving. It was a slow day. The storms probably kept people away. I worked on spinning up some curly mohair and worked on a triangular shawl. While I was there, I checked on the goats that I had dehorned earlier. They looked good and were playing around the barnyard.

Donny came back from the barrel race and got everything fed so we could go out to eat with friends. I came in and fed Spud and fed Emma Lee her bottle. She did not want to drink for Donny but she drank for me. She likes to be held when fed and I don't think Donny did that.

May 8, 2009

Rainy this morning with some clearing in the afternoon. I cleaned up the house and got everything ready to demonstrate at Biltmore Estate this weekend. I did typing on and off throughout the day so I could keep caught up.



I fed early between the rain. Since we let Fanny and her calf back out with the sheep, it is a race to get everything times just right so she will be eating while the sheep and goats are eating. If everything works all will be finished at the same time so there is no hogging the food. If Fanny gets through before the sheep and goats, she likes to go to their troughs and and knock them out of the way. The horses are getting antsy about having to stay up in the stalls so much but with the way it has been lightening and storming around here, it is not safe for them to be out.

Duty left early this morning to go to Albermarle county to pick up some pigs which will be shown at the Mountain State Fair. He picked out the pigs and got them back home before too late.

May 7, 2009

Finally a pretty dry day. I got all the grass mowed today while Dusty ran errands.

Emma Lee, the bottle baby goat seems to be getting another infection in her eye so I put her on antibiotics again. This is one of the hazards of being premature and getting very little colostrum. She doesn't seem to feel that bad but her eye does bother her. The sun has finally come out enough that she has sunny spots to lay in. She enjoys following the sun and stretching out.

Feeding went well even though the Zeke is still trying to steal Lola's feed.

Dusty got the lamb pen up so we can now get the this years lambs up and begin feeding them. It is hard for them to compete with all the other sheep and goats and get their fair share of feed.

May 6, 2009

Very stormy today with Tornado warnings. We had heavy thunderstorms until noon. During the break in the rain I decided to go ahead and feed since the goats and sheep do not come out of the barn while it is raining.

Zeke, our Border Leicester ram has decided that he is going to eat Lola's, our livestock guardian dog, dog food and she lets him. He probably outweighs Lola by about 100lbs and so he gets it. He tried to take Tank's food but Tank will stand up to him. We tried to feed the dogs while the sheep were eating but Lola is evidently a slow eater and Zeke took her food again. Dusty had to stand with Lola and keep Zeke away from her food while she ate.

Dusty went to check on the creek and it is about a foot from coming over the bank. They went to check it last night and found an otter playing and eating in the water.

We had showers off an on all afternoon. The grass is going to have to be cut with a bush hog if we don't get it mowed. Tomorrow is supposed to be dry so hopefully it can be mowed then.

I spent the rest of the evening fixing and supper and typing.

May 5, 2009

Another rainy morning. After the rain stopped, Dusty left to feed a friend's horse and pick up feed. I cleaned up the house and went down early to feed since we were expecting more thunderstorms in the afternoon. I let Fanny and her calf out into the pasture after feeding her some grain. I gave the horses hay while in the horse barn. They are not pleased about staying up but they do not like the rain and the lots get so slick after the rain that we are afraid someone will twist a knee. After feeding I picked up the feed room and got a place ready for the feed. Dusty got back just in time and we unloaded the feed.

I walked around the yard a bit to see how things were looking. The grass is getting pretty high, hopefully I can mow tomorrow if it is not too wet. The Iris are blooming as well as the Clematis. The honeysuckle and Wisteria are beginning to bloom too. The little trees I sat out are leafing out. I got in just in time for another shower. The Canadian Geese are having a good time in the pastures but they sure are noisy.

It seemed to clear up late in the afternoon. If we get no more rain today or tonight, hopefully I can mow tomorrow.

May 3, 2009

Rain through the night and this morning with showers on and off all day long. We put Calamity out in the ring. We did not put any other horses in with her today. Sparky, the gelding was all out of sorts and reached over the fence biting the mares. Calamity is doing really well letting Dusty work on her feet, mane and tail. She seems to crave attention.

We found Beverly, our old angora goat, out in the barn area. I guess it was her time to go. A lot of our sheep and goats are getting very old and beginning to dye out. It seems like several go at one time. If we have an animal for a long time, we do not cull them and send them to the stock yard. We let them live out their days on the farm.

Donny spent the day working on the carding studio and getting the carder ready to process fiber. I will begin with that shortly.

I spent a lot of the day in the house working on the afghan. Feeding went well.

May 2, 2009

Rainy off and on today with clouds all day long. Dusty went to help at the horse show. I spent the day working around the house and working on the afghan. Feeding went as usual with no surprises today.

May, 1 2009

Little Bit (the Nigerian Dwarf goat) died this morning. Dusty buried her in the pasture. The days started out rainy so I picked up the house and worked on an afghan for awhile and then I made a cake for supper. I let the dogs out in the afternoon and Spud played in the pasture so that meant a bath for him when he came back in.

Dusty worked with Calamity some. She is leading pretty well although she is not used to all the animals around. Later on, Dusty and Spud went to pick up some hay. I went to feed and talk to Calamity some before fixing supper. Dusty left to go get ready for a horse show. He is working as a ring master and helping with the game classes.

April 30, 2009

Warm and sunny today. Dusty went to pick up my horse today. She has only been loaded once and had never been in a barn or stall so it took awhile to get her home and into her stall. She was pretty nervous at first but calmed down some when we put the other horses in their stalls. Her name is Calamity Jane. We will begin calming her tomorrow and work up from there. She is only 3 years old so we have time. Hopefully she will be an all around horse.

April 29, 2009

Up this morning and back to the Cradle of Forestry for the last school group. I will not have any more school groups until school starts up again. I am going to try and go up once a week to do some demonstrating.

Dusty spent the morning weed eating around the barn and down the fence lines. It is hard work but it does look a lot better.

I got back home around 1:30pm and rested a bit before typing. I had to wait until Donny brought feed and corn home so feeding was late. I fed alone since Donny and Dusty went to a visitation. Feeding went very fast and I was back in before too long.

I had to type for another doctor today as well as my own so typing took a little longer than usual.

April 28, 2009

I got up early and got Emma Lee and the dogs fed so I could go to the Cradle of Forestry to teach another school group. I got home around 1pm and Emma Lee was hollering to be fed. The dogs were anxious to get outside too. I got the house picked up and spent the rest of the day doing my typing.

We fed late today and all the animals were doing well except for Little Bit, one of our old Nigerian Dwarf goats. She is pretty old and starting to show her age and become weaker. The other goats were knocking her down so we put her in the stall with the bottle babies. She loves to love on the babies and she will not have so much competition in there.

I continued to type after we came back in. I cleaned up the supper dishes and went on to bed late.

August 27, 2009

Monday. Cleaning and washing today. It was pretty and warm outside. So far the electric fences are holding in all the goats.

Emma Lee is doing fine and taking about 5oz of milk 4 x day. She bounces all over the place.

All the livestock are enjoying the new grass. We are still feeding silage to the cows and the hay is getting low. Hopefully we can start baling hay soon.

April 26, 2009

We stayed busy today doing things around the barn and yard. Dusty and Donny put up the electric fence and let the sheep and goats back to the front pasture. No one tried jumping the fence but some of the babies figured they could scoot under the gate. We will keep it closed for a few more weeks so that the grass will get tall enough to give them plenty to eat.

I finished up my typing and Barbara came by to pick up some batting for a project at the Cradle. I gave her two dozen eggs to take home with her.

I mowed the grass in the afternoon and went to feed. One of the goats looks like she may have a cold so I will start her on some antibiotics. The dogs had a good time looking for moles and mice in the barn yard and garden. They will be wore out tonight.

April 25, 2009

We got up early to get ready for the Barrel race. Donny left to get silage for the cattle and Dusty went to get the tires rotated on the truck. I picked up the house and got things ready to go. We are taking two of the Jack Russell's (BB and Spud) and Emma Lee so I had to make sure I had diapers and a bottle for her along with leashes, Spud's food and snacks for us. I went ahead and fed early since I wasn't sure how late we would be. We got everything in the trailer, Flash loaded and headed out.

It was hot at the race but there was a breeze and the awning over the trailer gave us a shady spot to sit. Dusty did very well and Flash had a good run and left all the barrels standing. The dogs were wore out and slept all the way home.

We got home around 7pm and a neighbor said that a goat got hung up in the fence while trying to jump into the closed off pasture and had to be cut out. He said that he thought she had hurt herself. Donny and Dusty went to check on the fence and goat. They will have to put up a strand of electric fence tomorrow to stop that from happening. The goat was scratched up but able to walk fine.

April 24, 2009

I taught a large class of kids this morning at the Cradle of Forestry. On the way back home I stopped by Walmart and picked up some snacks for the Barrel race tomorrow. I also picked up a couple of preemie onsies and a larger size diaper for Emma Lee. She is growing some but still tiny.

Coming up the drive, I noticed that two of the horses were in a lot that they were not supposed to be in. I stopped and put them in their lot and watered while I was there. When I got in the house Emma Lee let me know that it was past her feeding time so I got her bottle ready and changed her diaper. When I sat down to do my typing I noticed that the Internet was down so I would have to wait on that.

Dusty cleaned out the horse trailer while I continued to wash up all the winter coats and overalls.

Dusty did most of the feeding so I did not go to the barn. The Internet finally came back on so I typed for a while instead.

August 23, 2009

A pretty day today. I spent the morning at the Cradle teaching more kids. I got back home around 2pm and picked up the house.

Dusty spent the day helping out Carolyn who broke her arm. He did some of her errands and cleaned her horse stall out.

I went down later in the evening to feed and water all the animals. I noticed that some of the some of the goats were jumping into the pasture we had closed off for rotational grazing. They came back pretty fast when they figured out that I was feeding. We are going to have to get the lambs separated from the ewes pretty soon. They are past weaning age and beginning to pull their mamas down a bit.

August 22, 2009

Back to the Cradle this morning to teach more kids about corn husk dolls and the way of life in the early 1900's. I run by the grocery store on the way home. When I got in the house, Emma Lee was hollering for her bottle so she was the first thing I tended to. After I fed her she found a sunny spot and laid down so she must be full. I went to the barn and let the horses out for a bit. Flash still is wearing her "pajamas" at night. I dehorned two goats for a friend this afternoon and then fed later on. It is finally warming up a bit but it is still breezy. It is supposed to be cold again tonight though.

April 21, 2009

I went to the Cradle of Forestry this morning to teach school kids how to make corn husk dolls and got back home around 1:30pm. The first thing I had to do was feed Emma Lee her bottle and change her diaper. She seems to be doing a lot better now and getting a little bit stronger. I then did some typing and went to feed. We are going to have another cool night so I covered my little trees. After getting back in the house, I fixed supper and finished up typing.