Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

frustratedearthmother

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Well, it's Thursday. Waiting on the deluge...predicted rain is anywhere from 2 - 4 inches today depending on location. My location - storm central, lol.

Even though she's not due for several more weeks, I brought K'ili in from the pasture. The poor goat is a walking skeleton. Of course, she's been a walking skeleton since the day I got her. She's not wormy and she's got a healthy appetite so I guess she's just a naturally skinny goat. I know 'dairy' goats are never going to be as hefty as a pygmy (which is what I'm used to) I just can't get accustomed to it. I like Nubians - but I like big hefty Nubians! She's a wonderful milker, so I'll probably keep her around. I guess the final determination will be her kids. This will be the first time she delivers for me even though this will be her 3rd freshening. She's got a lot of qualities that I like...great topline, great angulation in the rear legs, really nice udder and a big ol' beautiful roman nose... it's just all set on a skinny little body.. argh! But, she's up in the front pen where she can munch to her hearts desire. I think she needs the extra nutrition towards the end of her pregnancy. Don't need any problems!

I know I keep sayin' this, but I need, need, need to butcher. It's just so hard to get everything out and set up to do chickens when there's no dry place to set up. I'm seriously considering pouring concrete under one of my sheds so I don't have this problem in the future. But, right now it's gonna have to be SERIOUSLY considered because of the cost involved. Wonder how much it would be to pour a 20 x 30 slab? Maybe I can butcher some quail - they're not nearly as much trouble.

Also need, need, need to move some bucks. I don't need 8 bucks! That's crazy! And, 4 of them live in the area that is going to be my new garden, so it's imperative that they get outta there.

Guess I'm all done whining now... Hope everybody is warm and dry!
 

Denim Deb

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I hear ya on not having time to butcher. I took 5 roos to auction, and am kind of wishing I had taken the 6th as well. I still don't have time to do him, and it's going to be bitterly cold next week.
 

frustratedearthmother

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It was a really pretty day today - would have been a nice butchering day but...

We went to visit grandkids instead! Can't go wrong with that. Butchering will happen when it happens I guess.

Glad I brought K'ili in to the front pen. She's starting to make some definitive progress. Her udder is really showing some good growth and her ligaments are starting to really drop. I don't think she's due until the end of February, but maybe I need to recheck the calendar.

The missing goose hasn't come home for several weeks now. I still think she's on eggs somewhere and I really hope she survived the deluge Thursday. I'll take another walk tomorrow in a different direction and see if she'll reveal herself. Hope one of my crazy neighbors didn't eat her... YIKES!
 

frustratedearthmother

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78 degrees today! Bliss, total bliss! Sun was out, wind was soft, temps were great. Hard to complain about that! Only gonna complain about the upcoming weekend.... cold and rainy again. But, I intend to enjoy the next couple of days before it hits. Tomorrow's predicted high is 80! Whoop, whoop!

Picked up some seeds at Wally world today and a couple packs of started lettuces and chard. I had some greens going pretty well, but left the gate open and chickens pretty well cleaned up my greens! Stoopid chickens.

Everything else is quiet around the farm. Goat bellies are growing! K'ili and Spooky should be due within a few days of each other. I like it when multiple does deliver close to each other. It gives the babies a choice of playmates and if, heaven forbid, I lose a doe there's another one in milk right at the time I need it.

Hope ya'll are warm and dry!
 

frustratedearthmother

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happy birthday to me... ugh.... even my own mother didn't call.

Nevertheless(!)+, it's been a pretty good day. I found someone on Craigslist selling empty cattle protein tubs that I will use in the garden this year. I'm thinking that my entire garden will be container grown this year. I paid about 5 bucks a tub for them. That's much less than buying a comparable sized garden pot. I do believe that I have been a victim of 'killer compost.' Last year's garden started well, but after a few weeks (and heavy mulching with hay) things started going downhill...Not taking any chances this year.

Wish I had more interesting news.. but... eh
 

frustratedearthmother

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Happy Sunday ya'll.

I picked up my containers yesterday and I think they will work great. I'm anxious to get started, but now I need to go spend another chunk of money on soil/compost to fill them up with...ugh. But, at least I will know that I'm not sabotaging my own garden with mulch made from herbicide hay.

We took our students to the Holocaust museum in Houston yesterday. What a somber, but moving experience. When you see teenagers walk into a place and come out crying over the horrors that they had just learned about - it was so very touching.

Supposed to rain again this afternoon. Guess I'd better get busy and use up this sunshine before it disappears again.

Ya'll have a good one!
 

goatgurl

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FEM, i knew a dear little lady many years ago who was a holocaust survivor, she didn't talk much about it but you could feel not only her pain but her strength. in my opinion it is so important for this new generation to learn about the atrocities so history does not repeat its self.
on a much lighter note, i use 55 gal. barrels cut in half to make big tubs to garden in. works really well for me. hopefully you won't have killer hay mulch this year.
 
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