Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[frustratedearthmother]

Thank ya'll. It still seems so surreal. She went from alive and eating to dead in a couple minutes. It makes me crazy that I couldn't save her and even crazier that I couldn't save the babies.... I've seen lots of death on the farm and it's never easy.

I've got three nubians and two Nubian/pygmy goats left to kid. I'll miss little Chocolate Chip - she was a total sweetie and pygmy milk is the best! I'm hoping the Nubian/pygmy crosses will have tasty milk too.

On to other farm stuff. I'm trying my hand at making sauerkraut in a Mason jar. Actually two mason jars so far - one half-gallon jar, and one quart jar. Six weeks from now I'll let ya'll know if it worked.

I took a stroll through the garden this afternoon - a windy stroll at that! A couple peanut plants are popping through. I'm afraid I may have 'weeded' the rest of 'em right outta the garden, lol. Just my luck, I've gotta re-plant my corn. I knew I should have waited until it got serious hot before I put it in the ground. Oh well, that's gardening.

Is everybody elses weather this crazy? The weather guru says we'll set a record for low temps tonight. And, in another month it'll behurricane season. Gee whiz - can't we catch a break?

 

[Denim Deb]

Yep, our weather has been crazy as well. Someone tried to tell me that it's cuz we're actually having a spring this year, but temps have been way below normal. And, we got a frost in late April. Normally, the last frost in this area is the beginning of April. Makes it difficult to know whether or not you should plant stuff or not.

 

[Wannabefree]

Yep, stupid weather here as well. I still need to plant my corn and more tomatoes, but the potatoes are growing like gang busters

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I planted potatoes in three different spots. Two areas of the garden and another few in a bug ol tub. The tub and one spot in the garden are doing great, but the other spot isn't looking so good. All the plants looked like they were dying, but after a few days they got some new leaves. When I looked at 'em they had ants all over 'em... I need to check on 'em again and see what's up.

Most of the tomatoes are looking pretty good, but corn is another story. I bought new seed this week and I swear I'm gonna wait until it's 110 degrees before I plant it again, lol. It's been cool and damp and that's just not good corn weather.

I'm still picking peas, but I think they're about done. We're having this wonderful green called 'cabbage collards' tonight. They've been going strong since last fall. I did notice today that one of the plants is going to seed but the others are still just growing like ganbusters. I sauteed some in bacon fat along with some onions and garlic and we're scarfing it up right now. I wonder what would happen if I saved seeds, cuz they're a hybrid.

I've got green beans a bloomin' and saw a squash plant with a couple blossoms yesterday. It's kinda crazy, but despite the weather some things are going pretty strong.

DH has the hots for traveling abroad. I'm not fond of flying so I'm not really excited BUT he's tapping in to my 'bucket list' as a way of enticing me to go. I have always been fascinated with the Lippizaner Stallions. DH loves Vienna, (he' been there once) and his way of getting me there is to tell me that for a mere $327 bucks you can take a private dressage lesson on a Lippazaner stallion! I may have to do it. Can you even imagine - riding a Lippazaner Stallion????!!!!

 

[Wannabefree]

Fem that sounds like fun, you better go girl!!!!

I need to make me one of them there bucket list doohickeys

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Doesn't it sound absolutely incredible??? The only thing I worried about is that the lessons are for "upper level dressage riders." Ummm, while I'm a totally experienced WESTERN rider - I've only been in an English saddle a couple times in my life. I would even consider myself an upper level western rider. I 'get' things about 'collection' and being on the bit...I've trained horses to side-pass across the arena, to change leads every other stride, to flex at the poll and to pivot and spin on an inside hind. I understand the concepts of dressage, and admire them greatly - but I'm a wesern rider...

However, if given the chance - I would try my best to fake it though, lol!!! And, hey...if I'm paying them ....

Mulched and weeded the garden after work today. I have to keep myself ahead of them darn weeds.

I've got an order for hatching eggs that I'll deliver tomorrow evening. I'll make $150 bucks and am thrilled to get it because I just spent a hunnerd bucks on some hatching eggs off ebay... geeze...

 

[Denim Deb]

Don't think I'd be able to fake as an upper level dressage rider. I'm a trail rider myself. While I enjoy watching dressage for awhile, can see the beauty in it etc, after a bit, it gets to me and I'm ready to leave.

A childhood dream that I had was to see the Lippazaner Stallions preform. They came to Philly a few years ago. My DD, some friends and I went. I've seen them once, don't need to see them again. Now what I would like to do is to go on a cattle drive. That's been a dream of mine for years! But, I'd want to ride Misty-not some strange horse.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Deb, I've seen them perform also - and I loved it!

DH and I have been tossing around vacation ideas that involve horseback riding for awhile now. We've talked about riding in Ireland. There's a vacation package where you actually ride horses to see the attractions and even ride from one destination to another. Sounds like fun - and you ride for 5 - 6 hours everyday.

Another option is near Glacier National Park and you can do a cattle drive! That also sounds like a blast! And while we'd probably still fly it wouldn't be an international flight cuz those are a pain in the patootie.

But, for me, to ride a Lippizaner would be more than incredible!

Speaking of horses - two of my mini's have been pulled off grass and stalled - again. Everytime they eat more than two blades of grass they get sore in the feet. I've got the farrier coming out this week. I don't know what I'm gonna do with those two. I don't have a dry lot to keep them in and it's so sad to keep them up when they deserve to have a life on pasture and not be confined all the time.

Today's chore list involves weeding and mulching and weeding and mulching and weeding.... If it weren't for those pesky weeds my life would be so much easier.

I should be having goat kids this week too. I've been checking ligaments and there is definitely softening going on there, but as of last night no one was quite ready.

Gotta get busy...

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Well, last night no does were ready, and this morning I could still feel ligaments on all the does - except Spooky who won't let me touch her butt. So, I felt pretty safe turning them out to pasture today since I was gonna be home all day to watch them. I noticed Spooky standing off by herself so I made a mental note to keep an eye on her. I'd glance over at her every few minutes or so and she was just standing there... looking at the other goats in the distance. This goes on for about an hour and the next time I looked over I thought I saw a bubble...so I start walking towards her.... yep...there's a bubble alright.... the I already had the kid and this is leftover gunk kinda bubble. Oh my, there was a nice big ol' buck baby in the grass. I bend over to look a little closer and Spooky puts her head down, grunts a little and plops out another one - while still standing, lol! All morning when I was watching her I was waiting for her to lay down - nope - not contrary Spooky - she does everything her way!

So, we've got a boy and a girl - right now she's being a real witch and not letting them anywhere near her udder. I'm not gonna get too concerned until she passes afterbirth. If she doesn't settle down after that - we'll be having a talk.... Geeze, sometimes she's just a pain...

 

[Denim Deb]

Ah, the pleasure of owing animals. Congrats on the goatlings.

Can you get grazing muzzles for the minis?
That way, you'd be able to leave them out at least part of the time.