Snow Moon Last Night

Every animal on the farm last night was full of excitement as the "Snow Moon" rose in the night sky.  I could not believe how bright it was in the pitch black cold sky.  I dogs were alert and the restless goats had been talking non stop. Llama Boy kept very close to me and Dot had his head wrapped around my neck when I came into the barn.  I must admit even I was unable to settle.  I wonder if you felt any thing different with this moon?  Is it only those who are wild in spirit who feel the pull?  Love to know if you had been HOWLING at the moon??

Houston We Have A Problem

SORRY!  I have been hacked or rather to say my blog has been hatcked.  For those of you who received an email from this blog it was not by me and as you might guess I have no fetish about medical procedures and sex.  Honest, I don't and I am not that clever to understand how to send an email to all who participate in my blog.

Needless to say I have had to put into place all sorts of hoops to jump thru to stop this behavior.  I regret that others have to pay for the crappy behavior of others but that seems to be the way the world runs these days and that is very very sad to say...

I hate to say it but this is  WHY I hate most of the modern technical crude.... WHY can't these folks put their talents to good use ??

Once again I am so sorry for this and if I could ever met the person who did this I guess I might try my medical skills on him or her.

Make it a good day and writing soon.

Snow Day Coupon...

That is right folks I am trying to give all you weather bound and weary folks a break.  I just posted a coupon in my Etsy Shop that will give all US residents FREE SHIPPING.....  With the new increases that the Postal Services have forced on us I thought it is time to give the little guy a break.  So just type in "SnowDay" (all one word) before you check out and with the magic of computer geeks behind the curtain you will have your shipping wiped clean....  Hope that helps some - I know I just about fainted when I saw the changes... 

HAPPY SHOPPING

What's Cooking?? Drama, Storms and Vet Kits

Have I got a recipe for you??   NOT...  Here are a few things that are always in my life and in my Vet Kits in the Barns... Yes I said Kits - trust me you will understand why.  First off I always have duct tape on me at all times even in the truck and I have a small roll in my purse but this is beyond Duct Tape.

I am often asked "What do you do during a blizzard to keep yourself busy?"  Silly Question ..  For those of you who also think I over prepare and worry too much let's just say you have not lived through what I have over the years. 

It seemed that during the worst of the storm dearest Sly (Cashmere Old Gent) did something to his left front foot AGAIN...  I almost want to rename him GRACE II..  As I was doing the check on everyone at around 4 am I noticed his foot was floppy and that he was not placing any weight on it.  I could not tell in the dark and the driving snow what was exactly wrong so I knew I had to get closer... 

As I was trying to dig out the huge gate to squeeze through I could feel my foot was slipping and before I know it the snow was giving way and I was going down.  This would not have been too bad except for the fact that Llama Boy who was glued to my ass and was slipping as well.  As that heavy guy fell on top of me my right shoulder crashed into the heavy gate and we both landed upside down in the deep snow drift.  Llama Boy was acting like an upside down turtle and I was trying with all my strength to get him off my legs.  The two of us are such a graceful pair but once up and  on our feet we checked each other out and continued on with getting to Sly.

Once reaching him I could see he was in a bit of pain but was thrilled that I am such a worry wart and walk the farm every two hours during a storm.  After getting my gloves off and onto his leg I knew a splint was needed.  I grabbed the fence line and walked back to the big gate and into the barn next to it.  There is a stocked vet kit always at the ready.  I grabbed what I needed and return to Sly.  By then all the Big Goat Boys had to be helpers....  I broke the paint stir sticks to fit his need and quickly wrapped with Vet Wrap.  The Sauce is to keep everyone from eating the wrap.  As I opened the bottle and started to sprinkle the liquid fire the wind changed directions and you guessed it.  The sauce went flying right into my right eye.  The universe has such great aim because I had my face wrapped up to protect from the bitter cold and wind and the only thing exposed was my eyes.  As I screamed and grabbed snow to rub in my eye I freaked out the boys.  There I had 8 sets of huge horns whirling around me and I could not see a thing.  After everyone calmed down. I had one good eye working and I finished the work on Sly's leg.

This time I really needed the fence line to find my way back to the gate and into the barn.  Llama Boy had to check my eye out and then we both headed back to the house.  He walked next to me to guide me back to the house and then stood at the bottom of the stairs until I got into the house.  As I pulled off the layers of wet clothing and found me a wash cloth I again started giggling. It is what you will often find this gal doing after some strange, stupid or frightening event.  Over the years I have fixed many an animal in the worst of weather conditions but I do admit this is the first time I am wearing HOT SAUCE in my eye....

Sly's now has the split off and it applying a bit more pressure to it.  I still check on him and his circulation.  We all have aches, pains and old injuries that scream during this bitter cold and animals are no exception..  My right eye is mending, the skin around it is still red and puffy but we have lived through worse.  Llama Boy still comes up each time I come out the door to check on folks and places his soft gentle lips on my eye and blows softly.  That is a llama's way to showing love, concern and compassion.  You wont find that in any Vet Kit except mine. 

So what is your "GO TO" supply that you can't live without ??  You can't say Duct Tape because all of us live and die with our duct tape. 

Oh NO SNOW DAY

It has been a few days since I wrote and it is because I have had my hands full of the tasks at hand here at the farm.  As you can see we received some of that white stuff.  This storm was interesting and kept this gal on her toes.  Since we have had so little of this wet stuff the farm, the animals and even I worked a bit harder and longer to get back into the swing of things. 

First off this change in weather pressure did not aid in getting any of the goat babies born.  I swear they are just playing at this... If Only!  I still have puffy butts and utters but that is as far as we have gotten...  If you think you are bored with this just think how I am feeling.  Every two hours on goes three layers, two hats, snow boots and then the snow gloves.  Then it is out to the barn, through the heavy metal doors, over the pens and off goes the gloves, check someone's privates, gently handle the utter and then give tons of hugs and kisses.  On to the next one and then give all those others who want attention their dues and then back out the doors, on to the house, off goes all the layers and then try to get either a tiny bit of sleep or other work done within the house and business... 

Second, the goat girls who are not expecting are a bit tired of hanging out in the barn.  The snow was coming sideways for most of the night and day it  was making drifts in the barns so the doors had to be shut.  If you think having your children home on a snow day is trying well try it over 90 animals who have decided they are bored... All sorts of mischief and problem arise.  Remember hearing "Mom, she is staring at me" or how about "Are we there yet, are we there yet"  and my all time favorite is "She is too close make her move, she is moving closer MOM"....  Well, that is what I get out of 90 bord animals during a snow storm and they get louder with each two hour check...  Tons of fun..

I will write more about the recent events but it is time to go through the deep snow and check butts again.  Yep, I know what a pain but it is what it is...  Back in a flash - O.K. not a flash but I will be back.  Hold that thought

Life Goes On

Not to be such a downer in my posts of late but I have spoke with several folks in the past couple of days regarding "The Passing of Loved Ones" Most of you who have read my blog know that death is no stranger to the farm but you might not have known that it was because of the passing of my husband that this farm came into being.  In fact on Feb 15th, 1996 my husband collapsed and four days later he finished his path here on earth and started a new journey where I could not go.  Over the years my sons and I have dealt with different types of mourning and remembrances of this week.  My sons are skiing this weekend celebrating their fathers love of skiing and blowing out the cobwebs of their lives.   I on the other hand sat with a dear goat friend and shared the last day with her on her way out. While having her head in my lap I spoke softly of all the lessons I have learned over the years about myself and the bumps in my journey.   I have sat with many a human family members and friends in their last hours and count my blessings that I was able to be there for them.  Through all this pain, sorrow, loss and memories I know that I am the person I was meant to be today. 

So while our journey is never without pain and sorrow please be kind to yourself and realize your are not alone in your tears.  I will be there if you need me.  Warning - I might have fine flakes of hay attached to me but I will understand your journey. I also wish to THANK all of those who send such love and kindness to me - most of which have never laid eyes on me and trust me right now that is a good thing - long work days, lack of sleep on baby watch and puffy tear filled eyes would frighten a ghost.  Good thing I don't know how to use the computers video thing...

Tonight I will give thanks for all the events that have brought me to this night - make popcorn and watch Downton Abbey while setting the alarm clock for my two hour puffy butt checks - LIFE GOES ON and I always try to make the most of the day I have because no one knows if they have tomorrow. 

The passing of Mother Goose

I am writing with sad news for those who do not read me on Facebook.  My oldest goat girl Mother Goose passed away in the wee hours of Friday morning.  I sat with her through the night awaiting the release that we all knew was coming.  She lived 21 years from what we can figure and at least the last 16 years she spent here  full of love and compassion.  It did not start out that way - she came from a kill barn and was not treated with much kindness for her first 5 years of her life but all that changed when she got here. 

Mother Goose was not a looker at all.  She blew out every year great Cashmere down but came to us with horrible hooves that looked more like curled slippers.  She always looked like she swallowed two basketballs even when she was not expect babies.  She would walk around grumping and talking with a deep harsh voice that was anything but lady like.  One the plus side, she was a fantastic mother, often she would take on someone baby when the mother just could not handle them, she watched out for bad beasties and would sound the alarm if the dogs happened to miss one.  Mother Goose also had the good sense to tell me quickly when I needed to slow down and smell the sweet cool air.  She was a honest goat friend to me...

I want to share how her passing was felt by the other animals on this farm.  As I sat with her in her favorite corner where she gave birth to everyone of her babies we were not alone.  Chief sat next to her and licked her eyelashes softly.  Chief has been with her since the moment he came onto the farm as a pup and he knew he was losing a family member.  Chief and Mother Goose had a working relationship but in the last 6 months they grew close and often I would find Chief curled around her keeping her warm from the cold and walking with her when she left the barn for water.  I saw him several times let her lean on him when she was not steady on her feet and many times he cleared a path for her when others got too close.  It was so bitter sweet.

Then the llama's girls came into the barn the day before and would not leave the barn.  This was so not how the are in their normal routine.  They sat next to us watching closely as the hours passed.  About two hours before her passing they started their song.  Many times I have witnessed my Llama herds sit and sing (a different type of humming) after the passing of one of their own but in the last five years they have included other members of this farm in that honor.  I broke into a puddle of tears when they started their song.  I knew they understood that they were soon to lose a fixture of the farm and in their own way a friend.  Now many a times the Llama girls and Mother Goose had words, spits and chases but in the end I could see they felt connected to another..

As the song continued I had 23 goat girls standing or sitting close to us watching and waiting.  As the hours continued and she became weaker they moved closer and closer until by the end I was covered with goats each touching her and then leaning on me as if to say "Good Bye"....  After her passing each goat touched her again and then walked to their spot in the barn.  I had already moved the sled up to the barn and so I picked her up and placed her in the sled.  As I left the barn with her the Llama girls followed to the gate all the while still singing..

As I crossed the farm I took her to each of her offspring so they could say their good byes.  Kasha said her gentle good bye and then placed her paw on the sled and held it there for a few minutes.  Llama Boy walked with us and stopped at each barn as the others said their peace.  Llama Boy stopped at the gate to the forest and then said his good byes.

Sophia was the last to see her and even thou she did not get alone much with Mother Goose she licked her eyelashes and pressed her head on her horns.  I pulled the sled out to the forest and laid my dear one to rest on the moss covered rocks deep in the quite forest. I sat with her for a bit and thought I had finished the last of my tears but not even close.  Even trying to write this it is with tears streaming down my face.  I know to some they can never understand and I do not even care if you do.  I have spent 16 years with this soul and she has a place always in my heart.  She may not had been a looker but she is perfection in my heart.