First Week of September

Pull up a chair, this is a long one. . . . been busy.

Tuesday 9/1 our plans were to finish the fencing. You will notice that I said were. An opportunity for an overtime shift ended those plans. Pushing everything off a day or two. I was so looking forward to turning the goats out by the weekend.

We are loosing some of our Welsummer pullets some how. I could only count 3 hens, having only 6 left out of the original 10 is not good. We have no idea where or why they have disappeared. Considering the fact that we had planned to only keep one of the three roosters out of the bunch. It narrows our breeding pool considerably. But I have a contact that wants to swap one of my roos for one of his chickens. So I may be able to gain another hen for egg laying after all. They are a calm bird with beautiful markings, that lay lovely chocolate eggs if we ever get any old enough to lay.

Tuesday's skies were overcast and a cool breeze blew. Looked like more rain. . . . again. Crickets were chirping, a sure sign of rain. May even speak of impending changes towards Autumn's arrival. With the cloudiness it made for a good day to work outside. Though it did nothing to help dry my load of whites. But inside chores called to me also, what is a girl to do on a day like that. It is hard to believe the first day of September has arrived. I am curious to see how the trees will change around the farm. We have lots of them and a variety too, so the fall color should be great. I have heard it said that a wet summer makes for a brilliant fall display. Guess we will have to wait and see won't we. We've had the rainfall, now bring on the fall leaves. A couple of trees need to come down before any bad weather arrives though. If my memory serves me right, I think last year this area saw a couple of snow storms that left everything white. This brings up a certain element that we need to think through in regards to caring for our livestock in such weather.

The air was cooled enough to think that a sweater would feel good to my arms while working outside. Fueling my mind with thoughts of quilts and crocheting warm blankets. I even wondered if a crocheted sweater vest would not make a warm covering for barn chores on chilly mornings. I will have to do a search of websites for free patterns that fit this idea. Not that I don't already have plenty of projects ready for my attention that I can work on.


Wednesday 9/2 brought a cool crispness to the air again, as Lon and I sat on the porch enjoying our cups of hot brews. Cool enough that sweatpants and sleeves were needed by me. Just enough chill to stir up the internal fires of fall in our blood. I love Autumn for that very reason, waning warmth of the sun, kissed with a crisp chill in the air. We had a funeral to attend on that day, which lefts us with only time for a leisurely breakfast before having to leave the house.

Jason once more made the trek out to the farm to help with the fencing, which with all three of us working together we finished it. YEA! ! ! We turned out the goats for their first taste of freedom about milking time that evening. It will be interesting to see how they put themselves to bed for a change. Or where they will be come mornings now.

We were appreciative of the coolness that hovered over the day and lingered into the evening. Leaving the windows open in the house to catch it is a pleasure I enjoy ever chance I get. May even make the covers feel good at night, as the pleasant coolness seeps in the moonlit windows.


Having extra covers on the bed against the chill of Wednesday's lows almost made me oversleep on Thursday 9/3 they felt so good. Several challenges faced me on this day as I had to figure out how to feed the chickens and turkeys without having the goats join them. Having an opening to the nesting area that Sugar can't fit through is another one to figure out too. The goat's freedom which we have been looking forward to is going to cause a few headaches I believe before everyone settles into their new homes. Hopefully we will see the two extra hours that we gain from their freedom and not having to take them out to browse each day. Things are improving around here. Each project that we have worked on has served to make the farm run more smoothly. Freeing up more leisurely living for us in the process.


Friday's 9/4 chores went better than they did the day before. Long story short the goats discovered all kinds of new things to hold their interest. Like scratching on the side of the biddy pen and collapsing it's walls, finding the chicken feeder and helping themselves, and multiple other pleasures that made my morning difficult yesterday. A tearful call to my son brought him out to help me reign in the wayward goats and bring some order to the farmyard again. With re-enforced fencing today was an easier day of choring.

A bonus to all the frustrations of yesterday is that I may have found a horse. Plans are to go see her and talk more with her owner to see if she is the one for me. I am excited and nervous since I do not know anything about the care of horses. But I didn't either about chickens, goats nor turkeys before I got them. Reading books, magazines and websites was the basis of learning how to care for them. So I guess a trip to the library is in order for Horse 101. I will have one safety net, as an retired fireman we know lives down the road a piece. He knows all about them and has offered to help me any way he can.


Our trip to check on the horse was an enjoyable trip for both of us. Sassie as she is called was apprehensive to start with. But with some gentle words and a bucket of grains tempting her, I was able to put my hands on her. All was going well until "Buckshot", her pasture companion interrupted our getting acquainted. From all appearances she has been bred by him and if all goes well she will produce a foal next July. Much discussion on the way home, led to a phone call to her owner to let her know we have decided to add her to our farm family. Plans were set to pick her up the first of next week. Wish I could have brought her home now instead.


Saturday 9/5 took us around the world on a journey to pick up some wooden fence posts I had found advertised at a good price. It was an all day trip requiring lots of riding and changing our plans to attend the "Founder's Day" celebration for the little hometown we have moved into. A generous offer from friends to come eat, spared me the job of cooking after such a long day. Good fellowship and meal helped to soothe our road-weary bodies. We haven't been out socializing since we started this farm back in April. It was good to get out for some fun since we had missed the festival and meet our neighbors down the street too.


The day looked promising on Sunday 9/6, with the gentle breeze caressing the air. The overcast skies may never clear as the forecast is for more rain. I love sitting on the porch in the early hours of the day. A needed reprise after Saturday's demands and a restless night of sleep. Anxious thoughts have invaded my dreams, stealing sleep from me in the early hours of the day. Centering mostly around bringing a horse into the mix of barnyard animals we have. Unknown variables fueled them I am sure. I would hate to cause injury to any of the goats from a horse frightened by her new surroundings. There is so much more we need to do just to secure winter housing for them, much less building a shelter for a horse too. Starting from the ground and building up a farm takes both time and money. All of which seems to be on short supply these days. The posts we picked up on Saturday will help secure fencing for another pasture to put Sassie in. But we will still need to purchase wire and the additional T-posts that will be needed to complete it. Then my thoughts wonder to how do I gain her trust, what do I feed and how much, and what type of hay will she need come Winter. Lots to consider, but I must take them one at a time or risk the chance of missing out on the fun of having a horse.

Live and learn they say. . . .I am certainly doing that. I knew there would be lessons to learn with farming and having livestock. Each day brings one or two for my daily workout. There will be many more to face, learn from and live through I am sure. As hard as it is sometimes, I am enjoying the process. You just can't beat sitting on the porch, sipping coffee, reflecting on life and thanking God for all He has blessed you with, as the sun rises higher towards a new day of possibilities.

Learning and Living the days I have been given,

Deborah

Start of a Busy Week

Jason, our son came out yesterday to help us with the pasture fencing. We would not be as far along without his help. It was a full day for all. Mine centered around piles of produce waiting to be processed. Along with the laundry, dishes, cooking and the ususal home chores. While the guys set posts, getting all ready to stretch the wire. Once done we can turn the goats out. While working outdoors we let them out to wander some. . . . they loved it. Though they still wanted to be where we were. While out Anna and Samson got into the grain sack in the barn and helped themsleves to a snack before being caught red-handed. I thought the gate was fixed so they could not get in. WRONG!

The cooler temperatures of the past two days still lingers around in the cool of the mornings and the shade of the evenings. Oh, how I have wished for an attic fan these past few days. After cooking dinner and processing produce I have had the house quite toasty on several evenings.

Today is my first day back milking after having several days off, due to a minor procedure. All was going well too until the 40+ yr old canvas stool I was using as I sat while the goats browsed this morning collapsed. Leaving me sitting in the hard gravel of the driveway. OUCH! ! ! The one good thing if there was one, was the fact that Amber came over to love on me while I was sitting at her level. Even Anna, our unsure one came by to push against me. In an effort to gain some attention and loving from me. A big step of trust on her part. The sky was a light blue with lots of cotton white clouds today. If the ground hadn't been so wet with dew. I would have laid back and just taken in the vast open space above me. While sitting at ground level I did notice a small vine of honeysuckle on the bank. It smelled deeply of the familiar fragrance of Summer. It was a sweet surprise to be found so late in the year.

The days are getting shorter and it is hard to believe that in a few more days Summer will be over. But the signs of Autumn are approaching every where I look. It is already later in the mornings before the sun rises and earlier in the evenings when it sets. Lon and I discussed the fact just this morning before he left for work. How very soon we will be milking in the dark, not only in the mornings but the evenings as well. A trusty lantern or light of some sort will be required for our twice daily commute to the barn for the animal chores.

Time is passing oh so quickly and soon we will find ourselves with more time spent indoors. Best make use of the fall like days coming to store up memories for pondering fireside this Winter.

Seasonal changes are here,

Deborah

Fencing Continues

The fencing effort is coming along well and except for a few troublesome holes, has been fairly easy. Although body aches from the efforts has affected all 3 of us. Our son has come out to help us for the second day in a row. Which has sped up the process considerably. The challenging part comes when we start going through the woods with it.

DAY 1 ~ First stretch down south side in the rain.




















Drive through gate area -

DAY 2 ~ Continued stretch on south side along 4-wheeler trail.

Clearing of trees needed for this side -

East side of pasture, next to driveway completed also on day 2.

We lost Pearl (Royal Palm turkey) and her eggs last night due to some unknown bandit. All that was left of her nest this morning was a few broken shells. Not one feather was seen anywhere around it. We hope she has simply run off from her attacker and will return unharmed, but that may not happen.

Looking more like a farm everyday,

Deborah

Fences Are Needed, But Not Vacations

I have been searching on a website lately for things we might have interest in or need of for our farm. It was on this particular website that I actually found Anna & Samson, our two newest goats. Through out my searching I kept seeing listings for horses. I have always wanted one, but never had the space before. I have been sharing what I have found with my husband, who is slowing warming up to the idea. It is for sure that pasture fencing would be a requirement for keeping one and lots of it. As the plans are to also have a few cows for beef and a milk cow for some yummy cream and fresh butter in the future. We have the space, just not the fencing to keep them in . . . . . yet.

(Samson)

Considering the amount that would be needed, I agree with my husband that for us to sell our 5th wheel camper would be a good idea. It's sale would put us closer to fulfilling our plans here, to establish a working farm. With all the care needed for the farm and livestock I doubt that we would have much need of the camper in the future. At least not for many years and by that time we would probably need a new camper anyway. Besides what better place is there to camp than under the wide open skies, dotted with the brightest stars to look at in your very own wilderness back yard. I imagine life for us in the next 10-20 years will consist of our vacationing here at the farm. Not a bad place to vacation I might add in my opinion!

Someone asked me just last week. . . "What about taking vacations, what will you do with the animals?" My answer to them was ~ I don't need to vacation, I sit on my porch every morning and drink coffee. But as I reflected on the question and the answer I gave them. I have wondered if the reason we take vacations is to get away from our work and daily lifestyle. If you love your work and life on a daily basis, then there is no need to escape from it. Stressful jobs and too busy schedules and lives can cause one to want to leave their everyday hassles. For a chance to relax in a different visual location and do something different from the perceived mundane. Think about the reasons in your own life. Why do you vacation? Let me challenge you to think of vacations in a different light. For me I see our lives differently now than in the past. Having moved to the country to live out a dream has opened a new door. It is all about our perspective. For us having a fulfilling work; in raising farm animals, living simply, growing beauty and nourishment using our own two hands, interacting with family and friends, serving God by using our gifts and talents, and breathing in peace and joy on a daiyl basis, all contribute to not having the need for a vacation off somewhere else. We simply get up and vacation every day that we get to live.

Enjoying the view and soaking up life,

Deborah