What a difference a day makes!

I didn't see the "last momma due to calf" with the herd last evening. So we took the mule and one son and I did a driveabout/walkabout in the farthest reaches of the pasture. Yep....there she was standing in the most unsuspecting spot...with that far away look in her eyes. I walked her back to the barn and had son go open corrals so I could lock her up in the barn.

It was a walk...and with that I noticed all the signs along the way. Runny poop...lots of stopping to pee and a very noticeable disinterest in grazing ( and yes I am talking about the cow, not me). and yes...cows are just like goats...just alot larger!

I checked on her at 3 AM and no change..just snoozing and still nothing at 7AM. Went to work this morning and called young son at noon to go out and check her. He called shortly and said...she has stuff.

Well, I had to make the call to the "expert" calf puller now (son who lives down the road) and told him I am heading home and to meet me there.

When I arrived, he had her confined in a pen and we quickly made a plan to tie her to a pole on the barn and squeeze her in a makeshift chute. (that means we took a gate and made a V with the wall and the Gate. Seems simple....but cows are pretty massively strong.

We got lucky, and once I had the chains on the feet it only took a matter of several very long minutes. Again, I do NOT have the proper puller for cows, just chains. Seems my son will demand a very good puller next time. He will have muscles sceaming at him tomorrow and I think this time he may just write up a bill. It's gonna cost me on this one! Its a Girl and to date now, I have 9 boys and 3 girls. Too bad my cows don't all calf in the same month like normal ranches!! Someday I will have this down and get this right and whether my son knows it or not, he will be repaid someday...it just might be in beef!!

div>

Soap, soap and more soap

I have a head start for the weekend Farmers Market, and soaped up a storm.

Good thing for rainy days and storms ....because that is the only way I can be found inside this time of year!!

I made Orange peel soap and Red raspberry and Blue Jasmine and a really nice scent of Lemongrass and Macha Tea, which is just incredible. Lavender was a new one to me also and I added some lavender buds to that.

I also have a green spearmint and and really interesting experiment of Coffee Grounds/Cocoa and Morroccan mint!! The mocha coffee one looks like blended oreo cookie blizzard and I will definitely be using that one as soon as it cures! I especially have fun with the experiment soap, so if anyone has any ideas on mixing different ingredients, I would love to try it and who knows ...you could earn yourself a really nice bar of goat milk soap!!

summer blogging is just plain hard!!

I traveled to the cities to do a little cancer followup, then saw some sites. We've been having a fair amount of storms...but nothing severe. Planted a good share of garden, bottle calves are out in big pasture now. Chickens are growing...and starting to look pretty cool!! Got the second batch of chickens but they are freezer chickens...Sorry! The highway close to me is being redone and I have renters from the road crew staying in my back yard. I have finally mastered "Chevre"...Thank you Shanster!! I sent for some starter and it really is just that Simple! I am dog sitting for some good friends while they are in Washington DC (..he sure blends in with the bottle calves though...he is one big boy!) I have gotten to see my granddaughter only a couple times so far these last several months...and I need to travel alot more...I miss her!! The little girl who stayed with us this last winter is growing into a huge girl and is just as sweet as ever....I even think she remembers me!! and a million other goings on that are happening as I blog...so hopefully I get back to posting sometime soon. Believe me though, I check everyday on what everyone else is doing, and really enjoy seeing those. Good thing others blog better than me, I so enjoy reading everyone elses updates!!

Skywatching in SD

doesn't get any better than this!

A Memorable Weekend

Started with my first attending of the local Farmers Market.
I was nervous......

So we set up and before I knew it...I was getting pretty nervous now that I didn't have enough soap!! I managed to make enough money to put a little in my pocket and still go buy a fancy Awning.....(like everyone else had). I know..I know...but I have to keep up with the neighbors!

There weren't many vendors yet, as there isn't alot of goods to sell this time of year. But I met alot of people and had a Wonderful time! Also..Shanster if your out there?? Goat milk shaving lotion, that is the hot ticket! I had a conversation with a gal who is going to sell next week at the Market, she converts junk into neat junk..(well thats her explanation anyway). She uses the Goat milk shaving lotion and it sounds like something very interesting...so lets find a recipe!!??

Also, http://shanstergoatsnmore.blogspot.com/ sells some incredible lotions also. They are really well packaged and just the best deal all in one!!

p.s. Shanster...the left click thingy on the mouse and pasting didn't work all that well....darn...am I slow or what!!

First baby of the summer..

and he was a Baby alright...note the yellow cord...well thats an extension cord.

Funny I even saw him, but he was sunning on the entry of the baby chicks house. Just 1 button on his tail, but I don't allow them to grow around the house....so he's history!

Steam Roller!

It didn't seem like it was moving all that fast...and I had time to get to the water tank down across the pasture before she arrived....Just! Sure makes a person feel pretty small when you see the power of one of those go through. I have a birdseye view somedays, but often I forget how exposed I am. Tornado Alley is my stretch of the road and I sure hope they stay aloft and no touching ground this season. I still love this time of year!!