Bittersweet Goodbyes

Today would have been a great day to work outside if I had felt better. The villains that have caused my head misery is still falling, coating everything a pale yellow. I know that the yellow we see is coming from the pines and don't really cause allergy symptoms. But they are a good gauge to all the microscopic pollen we can't see with the naked eye. As long as I see the yellow glow on things I know that all of the pollen hasn't finished falling yet. We would be amazed I am sure if we could see all the little particles, as well as the yellow that is dusting all over my house. Just thinking about it makes me want to sneeze.

Our goat family decreased by 2 today. Dwight came to pick up the 2 bucklings we had promised to sale him. Pepper and Buckshot left late this afternoon on their way to a new home. They are the first of our babies that I have had to let go of. Even though I knew we would be finding homes for them, their leaving has left an empty place. Which makes it a bit bitter to face. The sweet part is they are not that far away and are going to a home where they will be loved and care for. I can go see them if I ever choose to. I've gotten so used to their presence that now I will have to retrain my thinking not to look for them. I am quite sure we will miss their spotted coats out in the pasture, flashy as they were.

Our bees are ready tonight and a friend is going to pick them up for us, as Lon is working overtime. Setting them up in their permanent home will take place in the next day or so. I am looking forward to their pollinating activity, but not the possibility of stings if I should get too close. It will take a full year before we can harvest any honey. As they will need everything they collect this year to build up the hive and feed themselves throughout the winter. We have never raised bees before and will have to count on the expertise of our bee friend/mentor, Clyde to help us do things the right way. There has been a widespread illness going through bee hives for many years now. There are a couple of speculations as to what is causing the colony collapse of bee hives. Studies are now being done and individuals are striving to keep their own hives healthy and functioning. These winged wonders are a VERY important factor in growing our food supplies that we need to survive. If we, as a society loose them due to neglect or improper care, where will we get our food? I would like to think that by raising a few hives we could in some part help their comeback and gather a little honey for our efforts.

The farm door will always be revolving with someone leaving and others coming to stay.
Such is life on a farm. . . .

Deborah

Separation Woes

Today began the process of separating the kids from the does. We had hoped to accomplish this at an earlier time after they had spent a couple of days with their Moms. But life doesn't always follow our plans. Does it? We decided to start milking the ladies 3 times a day to start with, as each one was quite engorged with milk. They needed some relief in a bad way! So the bottle brigade began with feedings of freshly squeezed milk, heated to a comforting level. All of the babies took to the bottles with a little coaxing except Sugar's little girl. Glory would have nothing to do with nursing from a bottle. She would go hungry first and proved in on two separate occasions. I couldn't let her get weak from hunger or she might get really sick. After all, she was a baby and this foreign object felt nothing like the warm squishy one that mom had. So we decided to let her nurse from mom till the new nipples come in. Hope it's soon!

Well, you would have thought we were committing murder down at the barn. With all of the hollering going on, which was bad. But the heartbreaking sound was when they started wailing! I could imagine what they were feeling and hated to cause them such grief. By having the babies on bottles we could get them use to human contact, necessary as they become milkers next year and monitor how much each one was taking at each feeding. Plus we need to make sure the does were being milked out, one for comfort, two to check for infection, but also to keep milk production up. The babies only nurse for about 2 months or so, then all of the milk will be used for our own consumption. We drink the milk, cook & bake with it and I plan to try my hand at cheese making this year. I've already had a few request from some friends to let them know when I have some ready.

Last feeding of the day was the end of a tiring and stressful day for all. The girls were still calling for their babies. We were sure the neighbor up on the hill was probably mad at the noise that had been going on all day. Going back to the house to wash bottles, process the milk and eat our own dinner at such a late hour, did me in. As the does cried outside, I was crying inside over a sink of soapy water. Lon wasn't quite sure what to do, but keep ckecking on them and letting me know they were getting a little quieter. I know it will get better with time and everyone will adjust. I am just not sure how long I can take the stress of the separations. A mom's heart will breaks at the cries of other moms and babies. Regardless of whether they are two legged or four.

Thankfully silence is all I hear for now,

Deborah