Memorial Day

Arlington National Cemetery "Photo Of The Week 5/3/2010"

"Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment “The Old Guard” march alongside the caisson as part of a funeral with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Photo courtesy of Jerry Hughes"

Arlington National Cemetery "Spring 2010"

Arlington National Cemetery "Spring 2010"

Birthday Week/Weekend

On Wednesday, 5/26 the goats Kalan and Sage turned 1 year old. Today, Sunday, 5/30 is Jett and Isaac's 1st birthday, and tomorrow Skye and Lily celebrate their 1st birthday. So, needless to say, we've been singing Happy Birthday a lot lately. It seems hard to believe a year has passed since these fine beings were born and came into our lives. All their personalities, are so different, and yet they share the common thread of being so loving with us. Wow, the memories of a busy kidding season last year, and watching them grow up has been most precious.

Throw Off The Bowlines

I love quotes, and this is one of my favorites.

Throw Off The Bowlines

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore.

Dream.

Discover.

– Mark Twain

I'm A Perfect Fit

Vivian just loves this banana box that was placed in the pen for hay. Her idea for its use is much better according to her.


She started to jump out, because the other goats were moving around, but she stayed.


Thank goodness she did, because then I got this cutie patootie picture!

Pictures Via The Barn Camera

These special moments are often hard to catch in person. That dash for the camera only to miss it. Thank goodness I got a barn camera, because I'm sure we've missed a lot already. This is Ellie and her kids, Meg (right) and Silas (back) sleeping in the early evening. Such a happy family!

Meg has graciously offered herself up as a pillow for Momma Ellie.

Pronounce Your Words Clearly With Goats

Sometimes when it's time to eat, Gabby seems to get frustrated with Lily and Skye, and she might push them away. Also, if she really likes the hay, I think she simply doesn't want to share. Usually, if I see Lily looking for another place to eat, then I know something is up. So, one day when this happened, I asked “Is mummy sharing?” Lily stopped and looked at me with what really seemed to be a puzzled look. It was as if I had said, “Is mummy Sharon?” I swear she gave me a look like I should know better, and her response was “No, mummy is Gabby.” So I learned a valuable lesson that day, pronunciation is very important with goats.

Why Did I Start A Blog?

I have a confession to make here. I did it to enter a giveaway at Momma Hen's ...everyday ramblings... Giveaway that I learned about through a tweet. Oh sure, I could have just registered at www.blogspot.com and entered the giveaway, and left it at that. After all, I’ve never thought I had enough to blog about. Then, all these ideas for posts starting flowing in my head, so I decided to go for it, and my blog was born. Now every time I think of an idea for a future post, I write it down. It really feels like this is going to be great, and I have every intention of keeping it up-to-date. Please check back often, and see, if it stands the test of time.

"Chicken Nest Box Giveaway"

Please go to HenPals Chicken Nesting Box Giveaway for a chance in a giveaway for a "made here on the farm U.S.A." chicken nest box. Also, if you're discovering these wonderful nest boxes for the first time and need one right away, be sure to visit HenPals Chicken Nest Box store site.

The Nicknames

I suppose it’s almost always inevitable that we give goats nicknames. Molly's boy, Isaac, is often called "Professor". This in part comes from his philosophical personality that he gets from Molly. You can see it in his face and eyes, that he is deep in thought. Also, both Isaac and Jett are referred to as "the mafia boys". I know, not politically correct, but it is what it is. It’s funny to see them walking side by side casing out their territory. Zoe and her two kids from last year were called "the trio", but she has two more kids, so time for a new one. Gabby and her girls, Skye and Lily, are referred to as "chickaboom girls". That has a lot to do with how they walk together in a group. Lily is called "china doll", because she was the smaller of the two when born. My husband also likes to call her "chicken legs". Ellie and her kids, Silas and Meg, are known as "the crew". Silas on his own becomes "Silas bug", because I played a game of spider with him, when he was little. The spider game went, because he really didn't like it, but the name stuck. Also, my husband calls him "Rooster", the explanation for that will come in another post. So, those are the quirky nicknames we have given some of our goats, someday I’m sure they’ll get us back for them.

Remembering Mom

It's been one year today since Mom passed away. I love her so, and always will. Some people just have this wonderful presence in life, and then are profoundly missed, when gone. I have selected this poem, because I think it best reflects how I feel about Mom.

Thinking Of Mom
© Catherine McGhee

When I think of Mom, I think of all things good.
I think of a time when I felt safe.
Nothing makes me feel as safe as she could.
When I think of Mom, my heart feels a little lighter and if the sun happens to be shinning it shines a little brighter.
When I think of Mom, I see her face so clearly in my mind.
The shape of her nose and her eyes.
Her smile was oh so kind.
When I think of Mom, the world is not the same. Just the thought of my Mom can ease some of this worldly pain.
So I think of Mom all the time, whether I am happy or sad.
My Mom is just a thought away and that makes me very, very glad.

http://www.familyfriendpoems.com

Goats Discovering Changes

I find it so interesting the responses from the goats, whenever I make a change in the barn. I have a board that I cover the door opening with, when I'm doing work, so the goats always know something is going on. They seem to know the difference between, when I'm cleaning the barn, and when a change is taking place. They take those first few steps into the barn, looking around at the pen to see, if they notice anything. Then they keep going, from pen to pen observing closely to see what's different. Finally, they spot the change. You can almost read their minds, "Hmmm, why did she do that?" Then, they might taste or chew it, or simply jump in and try the new feature. So depending on the change, after a few passes or tries at it, you can tell overall they approve. If I gave them an ink pad, I do believe they would give it their stamp of approval or disapproval. I must admit, it would be cool to see hoof prints all over the barn. Two hoofs up they approve, and down they disapprove.

Btrie

Well here it is the answer to what Btrie is, or in my case, what it stands for. I've used Btrie for an ID for various things. Ready, can't wait or thinking get on with it already? Btrie stands for Begin...the rest is easy! Another thing I need to fess up is where it came from. It was from a fortune cookie, yep, you read that right. It has a very special meaning to me. I was planning to raise cashmere goats and I was doing the research, but you know how you can get in that phase where you over think everything. You get stuck in all the details or second guess yourself. However, once I opened the fortune cookie and read it, I took it as a sign to go ahead with my plans right away. Also, when I shared it at a work retreat and a co-worker heard the story about its meaning, it encouraged her after much apprehension to go to college to become a nurse. So, if you've ever contemplated doing something, begin...the rest is easy!

Wishing Mom Happy Mother's Day In Heaven

This is my first Mother's Day since my mother passed. I thought it might be difficult, and then since it's been almost a year since her passing, I thought I would do okay. Then it hits you, and the tears flow big time. So, on your special day Mom, the winds will carry my Happy Mother's Day wish to you. I will always love you.

The Love Of A Mother...

Goat that is. I am so endeared with how much Molly adores her girl Vivian. When Molly was still in the kidding stall with her, she had no concerns to worry about. Then, when we started getting the kids out, her worries began. Vivian would zip around the outside pen and down below and Molly would call for her in concern. There was a period of time that Vivian started to spend more time in the barn. I'm not sure, if she did it out of fear she sensed from Molly, or she just simply didn't want to come out. Thankfully, Molly's over protectiveness is starting to ease and Vivian is out all the time now. I should explain too, that Vivian is Molly's first girl. Last year Molly gave birth to two boys, Jett and Isaac. She did a perfect job raising two boys, and the one doe with the right temperament to do so. Her boys have her easy going personality. I had a feeling Molly was going to have a girl this year, and I am so pleased she did. She is beyond happy to have Vivian by her side, and I am witness to The Love Of A Mother...goat that is.

Introducing My Goats

The names of my four does are Molly, Zoe, Gabby, and Ellie. My four doelings are Sage, Skye, Lily, and Meg. My four wethers are Jett, Isaac, Kalan, and Silas. My buck is Shiraz. Zoe and Molly are the two that recently kidded. Zoe had a buckling named Dash, and a doeling named Violet on March 30th, and Molly had a doeling named Vivian on March 31st.