The Price of Love

For many of you who read my blog and posts in FB you know this amazing guy as "Sherlock" my all grown up bottle boy who is a kind, proud and very attached to me Cashmere billie.  He is father to many of my best here and comes from the most impressive and loving male who lived here "Thor".  Sherlock loves to lick my neck if I sit down, talks and walks with me all over the farm while I do chores.  I would have never believed that I could be so connected to a animal as I am with him.

Lately, I have let him out of the fenced pastures and gates to go nibble down the driveway weeds, select some mint that is like candy to him and just spend some time away for all the pee faced young men.  So  Sunday evening I heard on the TV that a storm was moving into Colorado later that evening and I realized I better get the business packages down to the mail box before the weather turned cold.

Slipped on my shoes, grabbed the packages and out the shop door I went.  It was already dark but still not that cold.  I sprinted out the door and down the driveway I went.  I was about 3/4 the way to the box when it hit me - BOY it is getting cold quick.  I put the packages in the box and walked a bit quicker on the way back to the house.  About half way there I realized I heard some movement in the tall grass and saw a shadow.   I saw out of the corner of my eye it was a coyote shadowing me.  I was not worried just keeping present with it's movement and then out of the glow from the barn light in the distance I could see this fast dark shadow running towards me.  I could hear a faint call in the cold crisp air - it was SHERLOCK to my rescue.

To see this big fellow RUNNING... WOW Sherlock is not a runner unless he feels it is really required.  He passed me with such speed and determination and that Coyote took off running to the forest like his butt was on fire.  I whistled and Sophia started barking which sent the Coyote farther into the woods.  I called out Sherlock's name and he stopped, turned and walked back to me. With those massive horns he has a swagger and I love seeing him do that - that is his happy walk/

He took his large horns and wrapped them around my knee's.  I stroked his forehead and he spoke softly back to me.  We slowly started walking back to the house as he kept talking softly.  I walked him through the big gates and then bent down and hugged the pieces out of him.  I am one lucky gal to have such a friend, protector and champion.

Now on the down side.  This gal was only going to the mailbox so I had my silk Long Johns on which was going to be my PJ's for this chilly night, my lovely socks on to keep my toes warm at night and my favorite snuggle sweater that was to cover my aching back as the temp's dropped.  Scrap all that because now every inch of them and my goose bumped body smelled like a big billie.  I guess a small price to pay for such love and protection. Hate to admit this gal crawled into bed with freshly washed jeans and a sweatshirt - looked more like I was going to clean a barn or dig a ditch but lucky for me I do not need to impress anyone in bed.

Typical MONDAY for Grace

I know you will not believe me but this is my life.  In the early am I heard the mouse trap snap and this gal on the way to make a cup of tea threw the dead mouse out the kitchen door into the cold dark mourn. I flung it with such skill and purpose that it easily sailed through the cold air easily over 40 feet.  As I crawled back into bed and tried for sleep about an hour or so later something told me "Wake up Grace and Check"  I looked out the bedroom curtain and the fog was thick as soup I could not get a clear view of the sweet ones.

Down the stairs I drug myself, into the chore clothes and out the kitchen door this gal went.  Now last time this thick fog was at the farm I got ran over by my Dot (the Llama) as he was trying to find me in the white weather curtain.  So as I reached the last step and placed my foot on the frozen hard ground I made sure he was far away.  I then with the other foot stepped onto something hard, slick and SHIT - down I went... Yep, Graceful Grace looked like those folks who slip on a banana peel.  In slow motion I hit my back, butt and coconut - almost knocking myself out.  I quickly rolled to get to my knees because here came Dot at a full run to help me and trust me I did not want any more PAIN if he was unable to stop on this slippery ground...

I got up and now felt like the cartoon gal with the stars and birdies flying around my head.  I stood till I could walk forward.  I walked slowly and checked on each animal in the fog all the while wondering what in the heck did I slip on.  When I got back to the steps you would not believe what this gal slipped on - THE FROZEN DEAD MOUSE ...

How could this be?  I threw that sucker an easy 40 feet away so what in the heck brought it back to the house???  Was someone in the universe trying to tell me something??  OH FORGET the questions - there is not going to be an inch of this gal that is not going to be hurting big time.

I went up the stairs into the house and I admit it I turned into a puddle for a moment and cried and then was so pissed off - SERIOUSLY - SLIP ON A DEAD MOUSE...  There has to be something way wrong with the universe to do this to me...

So if anyone can tell me the cosmic purpose of this event I sure would appreciate it... I am SO DONE....

My middle name is BALL BUSTER

It has been a bit since I wrote last but I have not been standing around peeing on myself - unlike so many here at the farm.....

Half of my farm is smelly, sticky and in a all out fighting mood... O.K. Maybe I am like that!!!

Dealing with boy goats in rut season has it's moments and issues but this gal is not new to the rodeo.  Trust me at times it is like deal with bucking bronco's or in a bull fighting ring.  I have had two break outs of hormonally challenged guys in the past 5 days and as the phrase comes to mind "Herding Cats" that can be what I am facing when you are also having hormonally challenged goat girls sticking their butts through fencing or calling from the locked barn.  I can not blame any of them because it is what keeps their blood lines alive but I again am not planning to breed anyone.  Before the eye rolling starts I know I have two babies that where complete surprises to all here but I work my best not to have any.

So with all my bag of tricks that I have gathered from 17 years of hormonal issues, a great farm layout that helps in this uncontrolled running and running that can happen on 35 acres and the understanding that this is all part of the deal I have made - at least for today.

This would make a great chapter or two in the book everyone states I should write and I think I might call it - "How NOT to think with you Private Parts" Who knows it might also work for the two legged hormonally challenged.  I won't bore you all with all the ways I do this (at least not for now unless someone has specific issues that need addressing) but I will say the day I can not out think them is the day I know my brain has failed me.

I will talk about the second event where I had all the 3 and 4 year old out and they ran me more then I liked but also their behavior needed some retraining.  Now before everyone gets all hot and bothered this is how in nature this would occure so trust me I follow Mother Nature in almost all I do.  Once I got the 3 and 4 year old back into their pen I went to work on their retraining.  The girls while I was working on getting the boys back were locked into their barn.  I turn on the radio in the barn loudly which makes them sit down and shut up.  See it is really hard to get the boys to listen to me if those gals are calling them.  Next, I put up the hens and shut their doors because running billies do not care if they step on little feather girls.  Then I followed by wiring shut gates that normally just use their latches because trust me 9 billies can break that if they wish.  Then I went into the house, went to the ladies room, put on heavier clothes and the serious gloves - left the CD player in the house and got ready to rumble.

I then centered myself and let the retraining begin.  What the young billies did not realize is I have enforcement team.  I whistled to the dogs and they got out of their nap time and anchored their spots.  I talked with Llama Boy and Dot about watching my back.  So once after getting them into their pen I stood in the center and started running them.  Hand signals and whistles got them to move in the directions I wanted - they knew this but again hormones get in the way.  I ran them through this over and over and over - almost an hour.  They were getting tired and wanting me to stop but just when that point happened I ran them again.  Then I stood and they came over as if to say "Mom, we get it" but this gal is not done.

Just when they thought the lesson was over I walked over to the next pasture (which houses the older breeding billies) and opened the gate.  I whistled and they walked nicely in.  I shut the gate and wired it shut.  The young guys looked at me like "What is wrong Mom, did you know you wired the gate?" - just then I whistled and out of nowhere the big guys appeared.  You should have seen the young boys faces - eyes bugged and they started calling to me...  Yes, Monk started making short work of the young ones.  No, I am not wishing anyone to be hurt but they really needed their life lessons.  I went and got a chair and sat there as I watched over the retraining.  I know my big guys and if someone got a bit too aggressive all I had to do was call their name and they eased off a bit but not letting up until all figured it out. 

I checked on everyone through the night to make sure all was well and each time I came out the young one's asked to go back to their pen but the answer is NO...

It has been two days and the ranking is restored and they now know who REALLY does have the BIG BALLS at the farm.  When I walked into the pen today all remembered it is THIS GAL WHO WEARS THE PANTS AND CAN BUST YOUR BALLS IF YOU FORGET THE RULES...

Photo issues arise

Getting pictures taken around here is a bit of a challenge because it is just me and as you can see Dot loves me and protects me the whole time I am within his presence but I can not even out run him to try to get a picture so it is up to you to figure out which one I am...

Another case in point - I was trying to get some pictures of a few of the goat girls who are shy and before I knew it Mishka saw me and ran like she was on fire and beat the crap out of the girls who where close to me - You see I am all hers and no one is to be next to me.  That is what happens when you are a bottle raised soul - no matter how you try to do it they know you as MOMMY....  On a high note do you see those locks - Yep, she knows she is a beauty and don't let her know this but I have a soft spot for that pushy gal. 

Not to complain but then we have the "SNEAK A LICK" issues.  Yep, sounds weird but true - this is Lilly who is so quite that she could be a Ninja.  You never hear or see her until she is right on you and trying to lick or nibble.  This sweet soul has been the reason for many falls for me - one second she is clear up in the pasture and next she is under foot and I am trying to catch myself before doing a face plant.  She is such a kind soul that I LOVE HER to pieces but some of my biggest bruises are because of her stealth mode.  On the good side she also is the first to know when I need a snug or hug and always sits with those who are lowest on the totem pole even thou she is much higher up in the ranks.  Lilly gives some UBER soft fiber to go with her UBER soft heart. 

Last but not least is the issue of what hormones and Mother Nature can do to my lovely sweet ones.  No this is not mud alone - it is much more then dirt and rain - do I need to explain????  This power house is a all WHITE Cashmere boy named "Jack" and he is trying with all his might to catch the eyes and noses of the girls that are locked away behind four gates and two huge pastures.  In the eyes of the girls this is pure TOP MALE MODEL but for humans who might not understand the behavior they pinch their noses, shake their heads and walk quickly away.  For me I see pure beauty because this guy is really out to win the hearts and breeding rites - hate to burst Jack's bubble but not this year.  What is so funny about this guy is he loves the camera and each time I tried to take a picture of one of the other guys he would step into the shot..

Lick, Lick, Lick

Do you ever wonder why I don't stop too long???   That is right, I am a tasty treat and fights break out over me.... Bet you wished you had my life???

Mountain Lions and Bears Lay in Wait out of the Pouring Rain

 

It has been a very very bumpy ride the past four days with all the rain, flooding and wild beasts.  Sophia the other night broke lead and went nuts. That same time I had 8 big billies break a gate down and run like their asses where on fire.  As I was trying to get Sophia on a new lead and up to the house, then try to gather the billies and put them into another pasture I had Llama Boy screaming and alarm calling which then freaked this gal out.  I ran to the house in the pouring rain and grab the spot light and hatchet.  I came back to the gate, quickly wired it shut and then started after Llama Boy.  As I reached him in the corner of the pasture facing the forest I started searching with the spot light to see what had gotten everyone panicked and running.  There as the bright light hit the tree closest to me there was two mountain lions about a third of the way up in the heavy branches.  Now I was panicked and freaked but I kept searching as if that was not enough - I just knew there was more to see.  Sure enough in the camp ground area were two more sets of very large eyes - Bears - OH MY...  What could be next???  TIGERS?? Thank God NO but I think I had enough in my forest.

 

Llama Boy stood with me for the whole night as we made sure the line was held and that no one breached the fence line.  I kept thinking to myself  - I guess we all have to go out some how and this is going to be one way that will be in the books.

 

 

 As the rain gave us a slight breather and the sun slowly crept up along the eastern horizon this is what I found.  Something very large and very angry/hungry (the Bears) had crushed a trash can that only held small kindling in it - I still have not managed to locate the lid.  Then I took a picture of the tree that housed two sets of Bear eyes.  As you can see that tree is right next to the rocking chairs in which you might at times find this gal sitting in and enjoying a sandwich and tall glass of ice tea after a hard working day.  I am not sure if you can tell but I have bark that was been scraped off by some sharp claws.  We call this place "The Camp Ground" but trust me I never leave food, trash or personal items there because I do not wish to have unwanted guest but I understand that this is a great place for all to enjoy

This tree is the closest to the pastures where the big billies live and where Sophia works and lives.  When I put the spot light on this tree is the first to be seen.  This is where I could not only see the two sets of big eyes but also could see the Big Cats clearly.  I must say my heart leaped into my throat and stayed there for most of the night.  I would not say I am brave but I think I was frozen with fear for a short while but then was so worried that my sweet goats would never have a chance on their own.  Most wild animals want to stay away from lights, barking dogs and screaming llama's and hopefully a hatchet waving gal with a love for her animals that is beyond irrational

 

Since that night I am out there every night working the fence line with Sophia, Llama Boy and the Billies.  Each night we also have rain, rain and more rain.  It has been more then a challenge and not what this weary gal would have wished for but I promised my animals to do what it takes to keep us all safe and I am doing my best to keep that promise.  So again we watch, walk and carry sharp protection in hope that all will be safe.  I hope soon this will not be needed but for this moment it is our new norm.

I still can turn a guys head

 

 

Looks like Llama Boy and his son Dot are just enjoying the day

 

 

 

As I was scrubbing the big water containers where Llama boy and the juvenile billies live all was fine and relaxed.  I went thru the smaller gate, put on the lock and was walking to get the hose to fill the containers back up.  As I was listening to the hens chatter and thinking their house was next on the cleaning list I  dropped my guard and went miles away in this mush brain.

 

I was walking back with the hose in hand and began filling the container - just then Dot ran up behind me and started doing his head rubbing on my shoulder and face blowing - this is all signs of how much he loves me and is completely normal.  Within a blink of an eye I have my tall Llama Boy reach over the fence and on the other arm he started  rubbing his head on my other arm and blowing in my ear.  Now one would think this would be wonderful - WELL, WRONG!!  This is a set up where I have two males saying "SHE IS MINE"  I guess for human drama queens this might be what they want but with two male llama this is not what you want going on.

 

Before you could blink Dot pulled on my overall back pocket and Llama Boy grabbed the front buckle and each would not let go.  Lucky for me this is not the first time I have been at this dance so I raised the hose and Llama Boy got squirted in the face and Dot got flicked on the nose.  They both looked at me with shock and sadness but boundaries must be maintained because it could get dangerous quickly for me.  This long time ago happened and I was crushed between two half brother llama boys who I raised from being babies but when the hormones get going all beats are off if the lines get blurred.

 

After I filled up the containers I gave each of them time with me far away from each other and all is back to normal.  I guess it is great to be the object of someones attention - as the saying goes "Love Hurts"