Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[frustratedearthmother]

This morning I'm kinda slacking. Not that I'll slack all day - but I woke up - had coffee - finished a book that I started a couple days ago and just contemplated the universe. (I didn't figure it out)

Today's 'to-do' is to finish canning dog food and think about grinding up some pig. Weather is totally awesome this week so I have to take advantage of it. Need to rebuild a pen behind the barn. Sooo many things waiting on my attention! YAY!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

What’s for dinner? Glazed salmon and garden fresh salad!

Y’all be safe!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I got a message from the English Shepherd breeder that I’m getting the male pup from. I’ve been moved up to having first pick on the males because the other guy hasn’t sent in his deposit yet. I’m thrilled because I’m gonna get just the pup that I wanted. He’s so darn cute!
This is Beau and we will pickk him up on 8-1.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I've lost track, how old are your puppies now?

Beau was born June 11 and is roughly 4 months and Raine's b'day is July 15 so she's 3 months. Time flies!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Well, I made a decision. A decision based on gathering zero chicken eggs for over a month now. It really ticked me off to have to buy store bought eggs for Thanksgiving deviled eggs. I decided to browse Ideal Poultry for a chicken breed that wasn't like all other chicken breeds. I didn't find any, lol. Sooooo, I went to Ebay and started looking at the "rare breed" hatching eggs. Biiiig mistake.

I don't even like to buy shipped in hatching eggs.... track record isn't all that great. But, I kinda, sorta thought it might be fun to put in a little bid on what are usually very expensive hatching eggs. This breed sells for $99 per unsexed chick from Greenfire farms. Would I ever pay that much for a chicken - heck to the no! However, I did manage to win an auction on 18 eggs for a mere $20. Deathlayers! They are "supposed" to be really awesome layers. IF I can get a couple eggs to hatch I might just find out.

And then - well - who wants to run an incubator that's only half full? I looked for some eye-candy chickens and found them in the form of Chocolate Laced Orpingtons. Got a few of those eggs headed my way also.

I don't mind raising chicks this time of year. Generally, by the late spring/early summer my winter chicks will start laying. Fingers crossed for a decent hatch!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Got started cleaning out that last raised bed finally. It’s muggy and yuck but its definitely better than rain or snow!

Yesterday wasn't the best day. AC window unit in the bedroom died in the wee hours of the morning. It was barely 3 months old. Ugh. It’s now been replaced. Dishwasher also decided it was tired. Barely 7 months old. Repairman scheduled for Monday. The Maytag repairman won’t be lonely then, lol.

Saw something I don’t see often hanging out under one of the sheds.

It’s not crazy wild because it didn’t fly away when all its other feathered friends did. I put out some food and water in case it doesn’t know how to get those on its own. It can fly some but it’s not interested in going very far at this point. It also has a little blood on its beak. Hope it hangs around- I doubt it’s capable of caring for itself.

Break over - back to work.

 

[baymule]

I'm gonna have lambing strung out all over the place. I just kept adding girls to Ringo's harem. Haven't even counted lately, don't remember, maybe 8 or 10? I am afflicted.

Not sore from all the barn cleaning, guess I'm in better shape than I thought.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Actually, only 3 kiddings so far, lol. It just seems like more. Next kidding(s): today possibly, tomorrow probably. Thankfully, no overnights so far. My does typically kid during daylight hours. Doesn't stop me from checking on them after dark and before sunrise though.

Yep, @baymule is correct. For milking I pick a doe that has a baby I want to retain, and we share milk with that baby. When I need milk, I pen the baby overnight and I milk. When I don't - the baby gets it all. So much easier than being forced to milk to keep the mama producing.

I've got 6 babies on the ground right now and I like one of them enough to possibly make her a keeper....so far. I've got at least two mamas on the "gotta go" list. Might just try to sell them and their babies as a package deal. I'll give it a couple weeks to be sure all is well and then list 'em.

Cowboy is in his element. This morning I opened gates to kidding pens and he didn't think they were all ready to explore the wide-open spaces so he placed himself in the doorway and got quite comfortable, lol. I had to convince him to move out of the way.

Fun times with the Myotonics this morning. They are spending their quarantine time in the trailer. When I went to feed them they were waiting right at the door for me and when I opened it - they both fell right out....and fainted! I feel so bad for them when that happens, but I'm kinda glad they did because it was pretty easy to scoop 'em back up and put them back in the trailer. Any other goat would've headed for the hills!

Off to build new hay racks for the kidding pens. Always something...

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Luna’s girl/girl twins:

The gray spotted baby on the left is a possible keeper.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Weird I know - but this is the first time I've ever made ham and bean soup. Beans with a hambone - yes. But today is the first day for actual soup. It needs lots more flavor than what the recipe called for. I'll correct that tomorrow before I can it.

Not much else got done today and I'm ok with that.