tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89913497048580160312024-03-13T11:34:56.540-05:00El Rancho Asno BlancoMy reflections on building a place in the country, raising donkeys and goats, and pushing a Kubota's envelope. It all adds up to unexpected adventures in Burleson County, Texas.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-66075770981013111692017-05-09T06:57:00.003-05:002017-05-09T06:57:43.994-05:00Howdy!<br />
<br />
Been off the the blog for a couple of years.... and a couple of really busy years they have been! I regret not blogging during that time.<br />
<br />
I have moved everything over to my new webpage, including current blog<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.elranchoasnoblanco.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">El Rancho Asno Blanco</span></a> website has pictures of herd sires, kids, sales goats. I will be copying an moving the old blog over...<br />
<br />
Please join us!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75_XJ5WETol9HgKWZEyHgfzGnpAKhFX-2cnDEk6WFRL2yox0jFrPCslFmolFqv7QcV2smyJTzug_C2LvL3I7su-ms0HIOSfZcregbJWmtUaH1GKETt8GtENAaz7csFg-18xciL0mfTGg/s1600/IMG_8362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75_XJ5WETol9HgKWZEyHgfzGnpAKhFX-2cnDEk6WFRL2yox0jFrPCslFmolFqv7QcV2smyJTzug_C2LvL3I7su-ms0HIOSfZcregbJWmtUaH1GKETt8GtENAaz7csFg-18xciL0mfTGg/s640/IMG_8362.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-13188144786894816052015-03-31T21:05:00.000-05:002015-03-31T21:05:32.299-05:00Our dog Agatha, the beautiful white husky, has been dognapped.<br />
<br />
We are pulling out all of the stops and are willing to pay a hefty cash reward for information that results in her return. She is an important member of our family and our ranch team.<br />
<br />
She had on her collar with her Snook Vet Clinic rabies tag and another tag with two phone numbers. She is microchipped. Finally, she has startling blue eyes (hard to tell from these pictures.) and a pink nose. Please help bring Agatha home!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu6hpC3S2hHxJSwF_fR2tJ8v6mDCD8TS48dl_tIaSaGz8LFsghvH0yBVamvQDpKCPsoedCp-8kExxCLmLr5MGP-pe5h421XDPp71BuJMlj9moZHBK8XxXQ-4Txhp4crvhvd4aWcdCxb4/s1600/agatha1..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu6hpC3S2hHxJSwF_fR2tJ8v6mDCD8TS48dl_tIaSaGz8LFsghvH0yBVamvQDpKCPsoedCp-8kExxCLmLr5MGP-pe5h421XDPp71BuJMlj9moZHBK8XxXQ-4Txhp4crvhvd4aWcdCxb4/s1600/agatha1..jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgIF5nJEMgpGOzPLUvy22KGCE1jcB9zNYKsHT8buzYu4o8FmeqpfUQ9deKuq09D7yJGn1ZTUby7EWa0F6qwLJObGU8JkuLPNmcDHw_V69dWyUfaCOD79l8Z9t0Qe07cz3yK1yYHqVzYQ/s1600/agatha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgIF5nJEMgpGOzPLUvy22KGCE1jcB9zNYKsHT8buzYu4o8FmeqpfUQ9deKuq09D7yJGn1ZTUby7EWa0F6qwLJObGU8JkuLPNmcDHw_V69dWyUfaCOD79l8Z9t0Qe07cz3yK1yYHqVzYQ/s1600/agatha.jpg" height="320" width="269" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-81610970564066799152014-08-02T09:16:00.000-05:002014-08-02T09:24:22.240-05:00Stones and Sticks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUTEMIFr79Xd3peGXgHYce_xhNkdRYjGaIFhTrwmeD-IIqoBTzTfQhplAalNp3vw4XZPnc_9lWz23sNkvKwLkScMP2xl9b65yQq6y8jNWT-ld92pKabvvrDXZ7y4V8aPXSkjr-orVHnY/s1600/IMG_3658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUTEMIFr79Xd3peGXgHYce_xhNkdRYjGaIFhTrwmeD-IIqoBTzTfQhplAalNp3vw4XZPnc_9lWz23sNkvKwLkScMP2xl9b65yQq6y8jNWT-ld92pKabvvrDXZ7y4V8aPXSkjr-orVHnY/s1600/IMG_3658.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Finally, the workers are all gone, the contractor paid, the gates are locked at night. Our Barndo now enters the next phase-- interior framing and finishing. We have been blessed with rainfall this summer, something we have not had the past few years of the drought. Well, when it rains, some things have to wait.<br />
<br />
One of the things that had to wait was our driveways. We had to wait for most of the big heavy trucks to be done before we started putting down rock, or it would just get smashed to the center of the Earth. <br />
Once all the big trucks were done, here came the rain! Two things. First, you cannot move wet dirt or gravel as your tractor will sink. Second, if it rained at the gravel pit, the gravel is full of water, too, and gravel is sold by the ton--- who wants to pay for water?. For a while we had a cycle of rain, then, just enough time for things to dry, then rain again before the gravel trucks could make it out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QauUKSev_5cfWB3Uu-8YxsYejfkZ9RDc_EwgLdwqvbrc4z7swvogZD_qybJzuIbACeSIbrpQK0XhFxrd674O6AChMNLrA8rIt0aHR04pI_bBsT82wu9LACoYL1WtfeCOJZRVk5O-Vwg/s1600/IMG_3805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QauUKSev_5cfWB3Uu-8YxsYejfkZ9RDc_EwgLdwqvbrc4z7swvogZD_qybJzuIbACeSIbrpQK0XhFxrd674O6AChMNLrA8rIt0aHR04pI_bBsT82wu9LACoYL1WtfeCOJZRVk5O-Vwg/s1600/IMG_3805.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Finally, we had a clear spot and they brought over 100 tons of crushed limestone. That's a lot of rock! Using his front-end load on his tractor, Dan 'smoofed' the gravel around and built the beginnings of a driveway to the 14' gable end door, and most of a driveway up to our parking area by the west porch. Remember what your <a href="http://www.kubota.com/" target="_blank">Kubota</a> dealer tells you--- your front end loader does not make your compact tractor a bulldozer (ahem).<br />
<br />
Then, on Sunday, July 20, 2014, the skies cleared and the driveway firmed up. "Secure the camper! We're moving <u>today</u>!"<br />
<br />
Old Blue (<a href="http://asnoblanco.blogspot.com/2012/06/working-with-old-blue.html" target="_blank">you've heard me talk about the wonder truck often</a>) squared up his fenders and backed up to the RV, squatted down and drug it down the road to the oil field, turned around and headed uphill to our new Barndo! Big Dan backed the trailer up to the door, with young Dan carefully directing. Right before the trailer entered the doorway, a bump in the driveway caused it to lurch left. Immediate stop!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6__jH0LJKnNnXQYH-xt7PqjJnZSWApgh_uiUxP3AZyfuP63KYn_dm-jEMrtBxnKhz0DQrGndOpE-BwvUUJJitVzdQO48jnsCMjbbPQwdu4tKSXHfAdnWs5gVXhrNnp-In7KpGNDf7LQQ/s1600/IMG_3797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6__jH0LJKnNnXQYH-xt7PqjJnZSWApgh_uiUxP3AZyfuP63KYn_dm-jEMrtBxnKhz0DQrGndOpE-BwvUUJJitVzdQO48jnsCMjbbPQwdu4tKSXHfAdnWs5gVXhrNnp-In7KpGNDf7LQQ/s1600/IMG_3797.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>After two or ten times of straightening and backing, the trailer was finally inside! Wow, what a difference. Although I love my son dearly, living in his backyard had gotten old. Neighborhood dogs had built forts under the RV and stored all manner of dog treasures there; everything from sticks and stones, to paper and bones! Major clean up job ahead! Then we can level the ground and he can have a proper yard.<br />
<br />
What an improvement being on concrete makes! We moved our refrigerator out of Danny's house into the Barndo - <i>right outside our door!</i> It's the little things that make life go round. Like being able to get something from the freezer (did someone say <a href="http://www.bluebell.com/" target="_blank">BlueBell Ice Cream</a>?) or a gallon of milk, without going into someone else's house!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Wvu2GVx_rBx7Um3VKz2m1B7o9VEFvpJxlPi3IWbh5EFX_sRD5FZczel5dE_KzkgulUk-ZaubYzByW8yyPYFJpPu1kEmdBLITMpo4qdcJdsA8epSMGfiCefazxBKOqZovlqGeRAQD9bI/s1600/IMG_3796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Wvu2GVx_rBx7Um3VKz2m1B7o9VEFvpJxlPi3IWbh5EFX_sRD5FZczel5dE_KzkgulUk-ZaubYzByW8yyPYFJpPu1kEmdBLITMpo4qdcJdsA8epSMGfiCefazxBKOqZovlqGeRAQD9bI/s1600/IMG_3796.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Last Sunday, the guys began framing up the guest suite and got two walls up. In a Barndo, the metal 'perlins' make the walls really thick when you add wood framing. Our window sills will be at least 8 inches deep!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41la1AIHp7L._SY100_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41la1AIHp7L._SY100_.jpg" /></a>Once all four walls are up, Lonestar Plumbing of Caldwell will be out to install the on-demand <a href="http://www.ecosmartus.com/" target="_blank">tankless water heater </a>and all the pipes on that end of the barn! Then my work really begins as I install the shower, tub and toilet. A real bathroom is on the horizon!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74EPTCNq1H5T9O0mfUsbBZWLq3MaFu4pc6bN6MXoqA_gTXE1uti9zqj42nS412yoPOknjhdq-qxkJnz-wNOPu6_TpUY6ojIgOHzqIIvH236SJIYfMxcKqYYGefFNul6I47PuWCoqiiSI/s1600/IMG_3798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74EPTCNq1H5T9O0mfUsbBZWLq3MaFu4pc6bN6MXoqA_gTXE1uti9zqj42nS412yoPOknjhdq-qxkJnz-wNOPu6_TpUY6ojIgOHzqIIvH236SJIYfMxcKqYYGefFNul6I47PuWCoqiiSI/s1600/IMG_3798.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHD51StUp8gEeBOdspNIC5V-NHm5XGH4HPTE46q2JVDGLE60o8n9Yr63J89vnCWsArQ2YP31o0e-CxpY_95WaeAfd4L0zSzDwyEd_MSB4AsoEoJHMZ8YkOxNQLMJoHlRAK0TrV7HWrFI/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHD51StUp8gEeBOdspNIC5V-NHm5XGH4HPTE46q2JVDGLE60o8n9Yr63J89vnCWsArQ2YP31o0e-CxpY_95WaeAfd4L0zSzDwyEd_MSB4AsoEoJHMZ8YkOxNQLMJoHlRAK0TrV7HWrFI/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy5OZDbwZS66m8SecVY3Vf9s13DJUIqGd1niKU0YPEDdImht1vyVCFqc541gL-M-II8dueAG9xId_gZQxt6NCNJLyb70PhdNG52WxgT4JdtBRGtC0WXMR_Ky9DCc1vX3hGwIY4Wc3rg0/s1600/IMG_3794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy5OZDbwZS66m8SecVY3Vf9s13DJUIqGd1niKU0YPEDdImht1vyVCFqc541gL-M-II8dueAG9xId_gZQxt6NCNJLyb70PhdNG52WxgT4JdtBRGtC0WXMR_Ky9DCc1vX3hGwIY4Wc3rg0/s1600/IMG_3794.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hedy does NOT like the pneumatic nail gun sound AT ALL. The first day we started framing, she got into the trailer and climbed up onto the dinette. We could see her through the window. Not sure if she was using the computer to search for help, but anytime we start framing, she either goes in the trailer or runs down the trail to Danny's house.<br />
<br />
One of our next projects (in our spare time!), will be to construct a dog/goat alley from Danny's house to our barndo.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-64591001124705744392014-04-26T20:10:00.006-05:002014-04-26T20:11:41.317-05:00The next breeding season and dog archeology<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlJFKQL7vN6xSXaply5bBzoEnap6PrrUKubI2hxdn-jDB3tHmVylcfRon7uppC4gJ8fAlu3eYRTysjBv7h2nmAul3GqFxzvbt8N2uCFiEK_v62mciIxbJhHgtI4wnKCZ-y6Dn4Ycc8lo/s1600/IMG_3368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlJFKQL7vN6xSXaply5bBzoEnap6PrrUKubI2hxdn-jDB3tHmVylcfRon7uppC4gJ8fAlu3eYRTysjBv7h2nmAul3GqFxzvbt8N2uCFiEK_v62mciIxbJhHgtI4wnKCZ-y6Dn4Ycc8lo/s1600/IMG_3368.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>Three weeks ago, we began synchronizing estrus on two adult goats and five yearlings. This way, we will have a five day window on when they will kid, rather than a haphazard guess. Yesterday, we <br />
separated them into two groups. Z1 and her two yearlings, Two Bits and Caped Crusader, went to the lower pasture with Melonhead. Great Red Spot (the goat with a false pregnancy), Caligoat, Little Momma (no relation to Big Momma), and #5 are in the Maternity Ward with Jupiter. We should hear the patter of little hooves again in late September!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/image-files/porch-swing-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.front-porch-ideas-and-more.com/image-files/porch-swing-1.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a><br />
Not a lot going on the Barndo. More fill dirt was delivered this week and they have been packing it <br />
down in preparation for forming and pouring our porches. I think the porches are going to really be used and worth the cost. Fifteen feet deep, they'll be perfect in any weather. More than enough room for permanent tables and chairs, even a swing or hammock!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScd94JDiihaSS2RuUwTlOBlK2dZkyRjIOU3_igvtMbs6S1vkOm5sfSUW5ywsYKrwg_THetK9HphHqn4Oi-c5RLIC1nSZs1ppjmtM-O2vcu8sXyT-8rRPY8enHzvFNg_oWR2_JVVRe4yI/s1600/IMG_3405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScd94JDiihaSS2RuUwTlOBlK2dZkyRjIOU3_igvtMbs6S1vkOm5sfSUW5ywsYKrwg_THetK9HphHqn4Oi-c5RLIC1nSZs1ppjmtM-O2vcu8sXyT-8rRPY8enHzvFNg_oWR2_JVVRe4yI/s1600/IMG_3405.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Finally, the dogs have been industrious. We know they range onto the neighbors' property, but they typically stay close to home. A few weeks ago, they began bringing home 'souvenirs' from their travels. One day, Agatha came trotting into the yard, proudly carrying a cow skull. Yep, the whole thing. Hedy brought us turtles, both past tense and still kicking. Even Maddy gets in on the game, toting around cattle scapula and tail vertebrae. This morning, through the camper window I saw Hedy on a beeline for the trailer with yet another cow skull. They brought another large skull which is either a big dog or a mountain lion!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBOvuYr7F2NyIcrYX4aSlOl1yNVUKBNOHGHDs30S2xUaISvoK4e_ZunWKi6lH4fPTX_E49nZ3N0jn2n5lz1bs6e-NpkP6MDKf4Cix33flL9y8gJ8L7CQuo38iGQN8ArI9s6o72hx4CDU/s1600/IMG_3408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBOvuYr7F2NyIcrYX4aSlOl1yNVUKBNOHGHDs30S2xUaISvoK4e_ZunWKi6lH4fPTX_E49nZ3N0jn2n5lz1bs6e-NpkP6MDKf4Cix33flL9y8gJ8L7CQuo38iGQN8ArI9s6o72hx4CDU/s1600/IMG_3408.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And our dogs have nicknames: Dirty, Sturdy and Flirty. Agatha is definiately a pigpen type of girl. Hedy is big and strong, immovable. And little Maddy, with the gleam in her almond shaped eyes, well, she's got me under her paw!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLINP1ApG4JA2_1wDbECnNY-s_eHLc2r5rRZKd_DNVKRBwGLfVVCFGns5jYozENTOn3fO4CNZ0lBZEWUbuLHgE6rphhEqOneNmQzWuhUfSbxQZ0Smvx0-BS5JrdxFrVR2tTH9JIZ-1Tc/s1600/IMG_3285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLINP1ApG4JA2_1wDbECnNY-s_eHLc2r5rRZKd_DNVKRBwGLfVVCFGns5jYozENTOn3fO4CNZ0lBZEWUbuLHgE6rphhEqOneNmQzWuhUfSbxQZ0Smvx0-BS5JrdxFrVR2tTH9JIZ-1Tc/s1600/IMG_3285.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-84550326795496808072014-03-30T17:33:00.002-05:002014-03-30T17:33:35.309-05:00Spring Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLbTJ1B8fHKOsfxGprh6BEQgO_YK6y65bkZbQYRHhmhyeyCpXAUu7f6HdR2PvDJ6vD0ol1tHK77HmAIOayfaCkklbD9NCM5f17iOkVB-z68oNZnvcKE92ZAmcOCySVW82mhej87Yk-OM/s1600/IMG_3289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLbTJ1B8fHKOsfxGprh6BEQgO_YK6y65bkZbQYRHhmhyeyCpXAUu7f6HdR2PvDJ6vD0ol1tHK77HmAIOayfaCkklbD9NCM5f17iOkVB-z68oNZnvcKE92ZAmcOCySVW82mhej87Yk-OM/s1600/IMG_3289.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiJavT7lnBAbBPMAtfKUqgGSLdJyAHm2KqHQ4nS0ZBeHH7Dy72KWFJ0EtskwSdkkqtvl4vBsRdFpJLlkpeYGrvbhOCIQvFJviSHxO0DhewRd2UySms8Bpl7PR0U3DIqlgMps3ciNcmE4/s1600/IMG_3270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiJavT7lnBAbBPMAtfKUqgGSLdJyAHm2KqHQ4nS0ZBeHH7Dy72KWFJ0EtskwSdkkqtvl4vBsRdFpJLlkpeYGrvbhOCIQvFJviSHxO0DhewRd2UySms8Bpl7PR0U3DIqlgMps3ciNcmE4/s1600/IMG_3270.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Things are busy at el rancho. In the last week, wildflowers and bluebonnets have exploded onto the scene. The elms are pushing out leaves and the post oaks have grown catkins about six inches long! I love when the soil warms enough for plants to push through and deliver their visual treats for us and their nutritious treats for the goats and donkeys.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All but two does have kidded, so we are surrounded by bouncing, springing. baby goats. They can't help it, they just have to bounce! The oldest kids are now six weeks old and developing some independence from mom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbmnOrar94aTPeYKzrtfe3jhvwjxcUJVcRxAV8GzUHH74XmHMOP5OX6DS0_BOcCB0t05SUEnjZUIxCrQ_8cR0KVej-ttrgqDJmPwe3nb429qdGA_LHZEMYcoDf9NXuCrRR-1fFeKJJ04/s1600/IMG_3268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbmnOrar94aTPeYKzrtfe3jhvwjxcUJVcRxAV8GzUHH74XmHMOP5OX6DS0_BOcCB0t05SUEnjZUIxCrQ_8cR0KVej-ttrgqDJmPwe3nb429qdGA_LHZEMYcoDf9NXuCrRR-1fFeKJJ04/s1600/IMG_3268.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Mh6g7ogim5Xvjp379-NsX1QNQrxBXHeKjn1oIteMTaknZfrjdiYjA1CI6-qUL0F31HXNWbhzWYW2Qz2H_zmNZpvYFKwI2JMA54AjXu7RF2uue74rSY5uA2Bi9ekoNtM3LdeCdgOCInw/s1600/IMG_3280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Mh6g7ogim5Xvjp379-NsX1QNQrxBXHeKjn1oIteMTaknZfrjdiYjA1CI6-qUL0F31HXNWbhzWYW2Qz2H_zmNZpvYFKwI2JMA54AjXu7RF2uue74rSY5uA2Bi9ekoNtM3LdeCdgOCInw/s1600/IMG_3280.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Today, we decided to move the goats in the Maternity Ward over to the Lower Pasture so they could eat up the rye grass and weeds which are thriving on the fertilizer we put down for the bermuda seed. We will only leave them there for a few days. The bermuda sprouts are so short they won't eat them, so the goat are earning their keep by weeding! Normally, we move goats between pastures with a bucket of feed; they follow along wherever we lead. This time, we weren't so lucky. The Maternity Ward forage is pretty picked over. Once they left that pasture, they found plenty to eat at hand. nice green stuff, and couldn't care less about some goat chow in a bucket. Some of the kids (feeling a little independent) didn't follow their moms, so then the Dans had to chase down kids and hand them over the fence.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9JFKHVTO-wcE_tTkiWb6IPETp97RjHbJa5KClfDLl-hFa18crxlw8FDeqgfXUAFKBx518H1SWLPXXFiIJhFBKfyc4YVAwZNVPzc2J86yp7377QKvThkZlwe85rCRK00xz1Bvvhpf1f8/s1600/IMG_3273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9JFKHVTO-wcE_tTkiWb6IPETp97RjHbJa5KClfDLl-hFa18crxlw8FDeqgfXUAFKBx518H1SWLPXXFiIJhFBKfyc4YVAwZNVPzc2J86yp7377QKvThkZlwe85rCRK00xz1Bvvhpf1f8/s1600/IMG_3273.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
On the house front, we finished installing Danny's entire kitchen! Cabinets, counters, sinks and appliances. What a great feeling! The final outside soffits are going in today. After that is done, Danny will finish up the trim work and painting on his own, because Dan and I will be building our apartment inside the Barndo! Hopefully in the next two weeks they can begin welding steel and installing panels! We have elected to hire electricians and plumbers to do all of the initial work so that we can start living in the Barndo sooner and get out of Danny's backyard!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OaHNMC7hu2todp4_-6hrqOs0YAXoAt6vC8y_Qov5H4s8JqHqUraNcHkIdkQ0U7rFlE8t-4RbU-iwNNCr_MZTYlgMh_eUPY6gaxaRurXzovM9r_GJimKMBsLjSoev1s0WfnH3OptBFu0/s1600/IMG_3276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OaHNMC7hu2todp4_-6hrqOs0YAXoAt6vC8y_Qov5H4s8JqHqUraNcHkIdkQ0U7rFlE8t-4RbU-iwNNCr_MZTYlgMh_eUPY6gaxaRurXzovM9r_GJimKMBsLjSoev1s0WfnH3OptBFu0/s1600/IMG_3276.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDqi0-eitePGS10r0rZQlPbw1knaBbhSLnJnqMhm2ia8ITcVCCJNVJbGaFQeeg3TuVnYDzmZfxoLkOa4bB8FX09VfKYtU34q16M7rj9ST1_2-aMusFD186uFRMSbAPZv_kOYcxNAHcK8/s1600/IMG_3285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDqi0-eitePGS10r0rZQlPbw1knaBbhSLnJnqMhm2ia8ITcVCCJNVJbGaFQeeg3TuVnYDzmZfxoLkOa4bB8FX09VfKYtU34q16M7rj9ST1_2-aMusFD186uFRMSbAPZv_kOYcxNAHcK8/s1600/IMG_3285.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>The big question will how the dogs will respond to living apart. Right now, they sleep in separate houses, but play in the same yard, I don't know if our girls will come down to Danny's during the day, or if Agatha will come to our house, but I am pretty certain that they will find a way to be together!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-57445712824626453332014-03-15T12:32:00.001-05:002014-03-15T12:36:56.257-05:00Dogs make Life Better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The last few months have flown by in a whirl. Between trying to get work done on Danny's house, getting fences built, and trying to design a barndo, and taking care of the critters. (let's not even talk about real jobs, too!). I found time to go to <a href="http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/GoatCamp/" target="_blank">Goat Camp</a> at the end of October, and helped cook up some yummy meals for the campers. While I was out in West Texas, Danny fell in love with a puppy at the <a href="http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/TX359.html" target="_blank">Brenham Humane Services</a>. A little white 'wolf' with blue eyes. He named her Agatha.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZ9SHKuYXmmxam5GmYiqU70jl_918y8SiaUifrE6T2Pz_KvFpThqOHzVrj6buin9mjUqgtij9HvUCbyP-QzpqOyGGfTecIZqgiX4hNiTb9chauLqH6u0kFyfjkJuP8fMcM3ptNyD1M1Y/s1600/agatha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZ9SHKuYXmmxam5GmYiqU70jl_918y8SiaUifrE6T2Pz_KvFpThqOHzVrj6buin9mjUqgtij9HvUCbyP-QzpqOyGGfTecIZqgiX4hNiTb9chauLqH6u0kFyfjkJuP8fMcM3ptNyD1M1Y/s1600/agatha.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agatha when she first came home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Agatha was found estray hear the highway and was dropped at the shelter. Danny was doing some volunteer work there and realized that this was the perfect dog for him. So when I came home from Goat Camp, we had a new family member.<br />
<br />
What a great thing to have a dog in the family again!<br />
<br />
Agatha quickly learned about being a farm dog, crawling under gates, hanging out with goats, and staying out of donkey reach. She reveled in the joy of drinking from a muddy hoofprint, or just chewing on hay and sticker vine. I think she really believes she is a goat!<br />
<br />
To solve this identity crises, we realized that she needed a buddy, a canine companion, a partner in grime. Dan and I both wanted a dog, but the thought of training a puppy while living in a camper seemed a bit daunting. But by the middle of December, we knew we <u>needed</u> another pup.<br />
<br />
I'd been scrolling through the webpages, full of hopeful faces, wanting fur-ever homes. Dozens of pitties, and chihuahuas, terriers and poodles. Old dogs, young dogs. Beagles and dachshunds. Some had long hair, others short. Dogs with three legs, or one eye, or chewed ears. How to choose?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqnDIYL1cxOIffIFpu3KvuMcYUnthXMgRdNAhJyZa9L9ssXAM2GM3OKYktZN0kPVOCV-wr0SnEQI27VWnxD5sKJQjw9EkgH_sAWrHy2B4PAz4LOrytJPu6g-kp-Z6iS9E9la_IVDOS3g/s1600/IMG_2602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqnDIYL1cxOIffIFpu3KvuMcYUnthXMgRdNAhJyZa9L9ssXAM2GM3OKYktZN0kPVOCV-wr0SnEQI27VWnxD5sKJQjw9EkgH_sAWrHy2B4PAz4LOrytJPu6g-kp-Z6iS9E9la_IVDOS3g/s1600/IMG_2602.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Hedy is the puppy at the top of the frame.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, one Saturday morning, Danny and I went to Brazos County to look at some possibles I had found on the webpages of the <a href="http://animals.bryantx.gov/" target="_blank">Bryan Animal Shelter</a> and the <a href="http://aggielandhumane.org/" target="_blank">Aggieland Humane Society</a>. Most of the dog selection factors centered on Agatha, her personality and size. Not too big, not too small. Slightly younger, but not too young. Not aggressive, not yippy, shorter hair. Well, we met many dogs that day, who hopefully became great pets for someone, but didn't seem to be right for El Rancho. After seeing the shelter dogs and marking a couple of possibles, we went to the big box pet stores. At PetSmart, the Aggieland Shelter was holding an adoption event and had a corral of big puppies about three months old. One caught our eye, but we decided to visit Petco first, where a rescue group was displaying dogs for adoption. We returned to PetSmart and looked at the three puppies. A volunteer said they had been fostered in a home since birth and were Black-Mouth Curs.<br />
<br />
The yellow girl seemed to have a little sparkle, so we filled out all the paperwork, gathered up some supplies, including a huge zebra toy, and headed for the farm. Agatha was a little rough at first, but in no time, the two BFFs were ranging around the farm, with a constant ''dog game" in progress. You know the game, where there is much gnashing of teeth, wrestling, chasing and hugging. Agatha began<br />
developing confidence and assumed the mantle of head puppy dog. We named our dog Hedy (that's Hedy, NOT Hedley).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTS9DfXetRmpLEFE5h6HMXtBC3jGvBJRxx5hjHXGhu6z6hTKZGVtXSDuEztaOAYPvS-66zGIYCd0nTluqx3oFtaksJ5e8B9fKXehwSu1oTU1F1IUZOpLnTjyqrOZgOLmoMxXp-OYtZ6zY/s1600/IMG_2634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTS9DfXetRmpLEFE5h6HMXtBC3jGvBJRxx5hjHXGhu6z6hTKZGVtXSDuEztaOAYPvS-66zGIYCd0nTluqx3oFtaksJ5e8B9fKXehwSu1oTU1F1IUZOpLnTjyqrOZgOLmoMxXp-OYtZ6zY/s1600/IMG_2634.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_Eu594XdEXPc3eZpgRHl86FpxIDR7igpGu4aYel8TgU9kTdb9bEW2dneiKI1ZUDHNf8f_egBsUrEHO0CzYmFpSLHm6e5ZYx9vVg3ggKhYKUGhpJgNJ3gHHj8ofJSaZuIsjpUdTvSfik/s1600/IMG_2612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_Eu594XdEXPc3eZpgRHl86FpxIDR7igpGu4aYel8TgU9kTdb9bEW2dneiKI1ZUDHNf8f_egBsUrEHO0CzYmFpSLHm6e5ZYx9vVg3ggKhYKUGhpJgNJ3gHHj8ofJSaZuIsjpUdTvSfik/s1600/IMG_2612.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7vyQS-I0snuoMJwLMORGOyBX093k7LmgoyVL2yYZHdMWwaky1Gv9zN4dqgGkU9_5um01PoJPLcaALnWt_2fH4nW2WqPJNOfnPprpkjX4AuiR_6-tqXjTKBX_UlxiodzFgdf4CW6gMXY/s1600/IMG_2642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7vyQS-I0snuoMJwLMORGOyBX093k7LmgoyVL2yYZHdMWwaky1Gv9zN4dqgGkU9_5um01PoJPLcaALnWt_2fH4nW2WqPJNOfnPprpkjX4AuiR_6-tqXjTKBX_UlxiodzFgdf4CW6gMXY/s1600/IMG_2642.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkN1c7wANlRyn7Ckh4K5q9Usd-s26scGMmBC2wVY5c6B3UFg4dXeKuRWCFPGg0thiGDPHdfUD7dUQngmNEYZJdfRi2vxNoQS6BNZPshfojP5hjyfO2JEy-G0NvrgYvUaEtc-41EGiNTrA/s1600/IMG_2627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkN1c7wANlRyn7Ckh4K5q9Usd-s26scGMmBC2wVY5c6B3UFg4dXeKuRWCFPGg0thiGDPHdfUD7dUQngmNEYZJdfRi2vxNoQS6BNZPshfojP5hjyfO2JEy-G0NvrgYvUaEtc-41EGiNTrA/s1600/IMG_2627.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Well, over the winter, the two pups grew and grew, spending all their days together and retreating to their respective homes at night. It's been a cold winter for the Brazos Valley, and kidding started in mid-February. Several ice days, snow storms and downright frigid windstorms had us prepared to do whatever needed for the livestock. On freezing March morning with deep mud, I saw Sister, a pregnant yearling, limping and unable to keep up with the herd. I enlisted Danny's aid and we went to move her from the Big Pasture to the Maternity Ward.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.milkbone.com/assets/0/88/89/176/311/312/318/79a420f2-5193-480f-bab1-c107250d67d1.png?n=6873&width=370&height=370&crop=false" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.milkbone.com/assets/0/88/89/176/311/312/318/79a420f2-5193-480f-bab1-c107250d67d1.png?n=6873&width=370&height=370&crop=false" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
Across the pasture, I spotted something small and white, like a kid. At that time, all the goat kids were still in the Maternity Ward. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a small white dog. I called her over and she came to me, cold, wet and alone. I brought her in the trailer where we dried her off and got her some food. Hmm. No collar, or collar mark. I thought she looked about eight months old, a cute little Parson Russel Terrier mix. We realized she looked just like the dog on a Milkbone box in Danny's house!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-frc3/t1.0-1/p200x200/1380197_497035243725896_899293700_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-frc3/t1.0-1/p200x200/1380197_497035243725896_899293700_n.jpg" /></a>We posted 'found dog' notices in five Facebook groups for Burleson County, Brazos County and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/findtexasdogs" target="_blank">Lost Dogs of Texas</a>. Danny took her to Snook Veterinary Clinic, but Dr. Stein found no microchip. Caldwell Veterinary didn't recognize her and posted her pic on their page as well. Left word at the shelters, posted in TexAgs. I entered her info online in all possible places.<br />
<br />
Nothing. Eventually we decided that our worst fears were true: someone had 'dumped' this pretty little dog in the country. Now, I could rant for hours about city people who dump all sorts of animals in 'the country' like it's public land or natural habitat, a place where animals can live in harmony. Yes, and where animals can starve or be eaten.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUEglRaiPLNJEZiGEgnVWB4c6GjL_JduUqVc-6mi7L9mJS2MSSwWrmhKr_J3899iwD0y6DeiypMhwM9oa73jnskdj7ranlYrqMd7wEzhe7m9kdp1ZGLPDBj21rIJZYYizjEtrpL1q3mU/s1600/IMG_3068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUEglRaiPLNJEZiGEgnVWB4c6GjL_JduUqVc-6mi7L9mJS2MSSwWrmhKr_J3899iwD0y6DeiypMhwM9oa73jnskdj7ranlYrqMd7wEzhe7m9kdp1ZGLPDBj21rIJZYYizjEtrpL1q3mU/s1600/IMG_3068.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So, little Madeline became the third member of the Severn pack. From the first day, she seemed to blend in with the other two dogs, and they LOVED her. The "dog game" now has infinite combinations and possibilities. We took her to Dr. Stein for a wellness check and shots this week, and the good doc found a spay incision scar! We are dumbfounded that someone would throw away such a perfectly lovely dog, but have assured her that her home with us is secure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqtMoCU-OnYDN8BxgNc4JzlzZS77aSJzJiq5qonxdeduYfgivtO62McaX8q2CmxhS9NdguBtlp0B_I2aSVwFJ1JOc-vb8z0zsu4bib0TAMuoLdhzwB34eaCxfeS_Ad7P63T5cDURrUqQ/s1600/IMG_3153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqtMoCU-OnYDN8BxgNc4JzlzZS77aSJzJiq5qonxdeduYfgivtO62McaX8q2CmxhS9NdguBtlp0B_I2aSVwFJ1JOc-vb8z0zsu4bib0TAMuoLdhzwB34eaCxfeS_Ad7P63T5cDURrUqQ/s1600/IMG_3153.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-9725402736060769872014-03-08T16:39:00.001-06:002014-03-08T16:39:51.978-06:00Seventeen Kids in Eighteen Days<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hh5WaPMjkB5iV4QoSHYcUEbN9hhdlvYfy484XDoQxQk8gvdUDQ8Bm0I1LHSrvr9OU3auBWjqD-TBZsC-BQ4TGYoqQsJNEHJpXldGz1uaQHjyHoQxoUdWsBSEl-6Ub0NGMklYQhhGw1g/s1600/flowergirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hh5WaPMjkB5iV4QoSHYcUEbN9hhdlvYfy484XDoQxQk8gvdUDQ8Bm0I1LHSrvr9OU3auBWjqD-TBZsC-BQ4TGYoqQsJNEHJpXldGz1uaQHjyHoQxoUdWsBSEl-6Ub0NGMklYQhhGw1g/s1600/flowergirl.jpg" height="262" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stella!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is our second year of kidding at el rancho. Last year we were total newbies and learned some valuable lessons. One of the lessons was that we decided we needed a more secure place for the does right before kidding. The other was that we decided to be more deliberate and timely in our breeding.<br />
<br />
After buying the second property, we planned for a Maternity Ward. Danny chose to put it near his house and last year he plowed, disked, tilled, improved and fertilized the soil, then planted bahia grass. The area is securely fenced with goat wire and barbed wire, top and bottom, and two sixteen-foot gates. There are water taps and shade. Dan moved three goat huts into the pasture and two of them are enclosed into small private areas. So far, so good.<br />
<br />
Well, our breeding program was really broken this year, in part because we didn't get the fencing done sooner. In late summer, all the girls were in the lower pasture and the boys were in the Triangle. Separated by two electric fences. Now, generally, the electric fences work pretty good for interior fencing, especially with an empty field between. However, on September 18, we found the gate between the Triangle and Middle pastures was open! Donkeys? Clever goats?<br />
<br />
Well, it didn't matter, any 'damage' was done. We caught Jupiter with Riker (a goat formerly known as Baby), and Billy BA was strutting around. In my notebook, I wrote down the names of does I suspected of being bred and (in large letters), "We'll know in February." Most goats are pregnant for 150 days, so if they were bred on September 17, <a href="http://www.boergoatshome.com/Kidding.php" target="_blank">they would be due on February 14</a>-- Valentine's Day!<br />
<br />
On September 24, Billy BA had a planned breeding with Big Momma, Khaki, and Little Sister. (That would be February 21). Finally on October 9, Billy and Jupiter AGAIN got through the fences (due date of March 8). After we finally got our fences erected, Billy BA was with several ladies from November 3 to December 15 ( this give us April 8 - May 15).<br />
<br />
The kidding storm is much anticipated. How many kids will a certain doe have? Will she have enough milk? What color will their eyes be and will they be white or some other color? So, I really thought that Curly and Maggie would be first. I was wrong! Of course, the mystery of 'when' is all covered in the <a href="http://goatsinthegarden.blogspot.com/2009/02/doe-code-of-honor.html" target="_blank">Doe Code of Honor</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdtwzdSzz-uOFyV-kntGzbQCLKiJHkTaXHHQUMgKSXmyYJr7aRAc26cTCQtiC4507ud1QLXhCQmLoqVdy8GYzp96Q_sJxUfmXS9vYt2LxMfUxW7mZrqTZnE24NGIx2DFxniDJDKtQ8UI/s1600/IMG_2937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdtwzdSzz-uOFyV-kntGzbQCLKiJHkTaXHHQUMgKSXmyYJr7aRAc26cTCQtiC4507ud1QLXhCQmLoqVdy8GYzp96Q_sJxUfmXS9vYt2LxMfUxW7mZrqTZnE24NGIx2DFxniDJDKtQ8UI/s1600/IMG_2937.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><b>Feb 15</b>- Flower had a single chocolate doeling. She developed severe mastitis so the doeling was getting supplemental bottles. Being fed three times a day, she picked up the name 'Stella' for the white star on her dark head. Father? Billy BA.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgut_gsrzjeg_dPsDiX9qSXuw29xD_bU8v2lng2KCIu5F8jcfLN1guEDvhsUn-RGTLoU49P_9FzO3fM83hX5eZkbvjCb84sDlGVNNJKTwZ54GhR2gFxRewMMxnCemqRWlWsYKiEaUN_TI/s1600/IMG_2873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgut_gsrzjeg_dPsDiX9qSXuw29xD_bU8v2lng2KCIu5F8jcfLN1guEDvhsUn-RGTLoU49P_9FzO3fM83hX5eZkbvjCb84sDlGVNNJKTwZ54GhR2gFxRewMMxnCemqRWlWsYKiEaUN_TI/s1600/IMG_2873.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Momma a week before having triplets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Feb 17</b>- <i>Z2</i> had triplets in the afternoon! Two doelings and one buckling.<br />
<br />
<b>Feb 19</b>- <i>Big Momma</i> had triplets! Two bucklings, one doeling. One buckling looks just like Billy BA, so he immediately was named Minime. the other buckling has a red head and cape, and dark brown feet, ergo, Spats. No doubt their dad is Billy BA.<br />
<br />
<b>Feb 21</b>- <i>Belle </i>had twins about noon, both white with black heads, one boy, one girl. About 5 p.m., her sister, <i>Doll</i>, kidded and had one huge buckling and one preemie looking buckling. We were unable to save the little guy. Based on eye-color, we see Jupiter's first three kids!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZnkXlBQ3-9eXmTGmEqMa2FgaFf9ANRBLTRjKwuFeZu26vj7b3uBG_G4R1etnoxaDrXOO5zQgoddxuSScNgpXAdFC1kX8wdtcF312lFgJzZZstPDqOd36_VmptT6q_Cgg_HA7DpwR3yw/s1600/IMG_2869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZnkXlBQ3-9eXmTGmEqMa2FgaFf9ANRBLTRjKwuFeZu26vj7b3uBG_G4R1etnoxaDrXOO5zQgoddxuSScNgpXAdFC1kX8wdtcF312lFgJzZZstPDqOd36_VmptT6q_Cgg_HA7DpwR3yw/s1600/IMG_2869.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie and Curly, goats-in-waiting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Feb 22</b>- <i>Curly</i> finally kidded! This was her first time,so were both nervous. The first kid presented with one leg and a snout. I was unable to get the other leg forward, but Curly managed to have the baby. The second boy arrived smoothly. Their names? Larry and Moe. Again, blue-eyed Jupiter was the papa.<br />
<br />
<b>Feb 24</b>- <i>Maggie</i> delivered two doelings and again Jupiter is suspected.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Feb 28</b>- <i>Khaki</i> had one huge single doeling in the large pasture across the street. Did not think she was so close. Fourteen pounds! Wowzers! Khaki was 'due' from the breeding with Billy BA on Feb 21, but this might be correct as that kid was giant! She looked a week old when born!<br />
<br />
On<b> Mar 5</b>- <i>Riker</i> had two doelings, parentage unknown. Riker is also a first timer and I was glad to see her cleaning up the kids and making milk. Haven't gotten a good look at her girls yet, but she and Jupiter were always tight, since they were kids last spring.<br />
<br />
So, all of these does got pregnant BEFORE the herd went to pasture with Billy BA. Who is left to kid? Fea, Heifer, Z1, maybe Red Spot. I think Fea and Heifer will kid in the next couple of weeks. Z1 and Red Spot will be due in the middle of June.At the end of the kidding storm, we got by accident what we wanted to plan! A short kidding window for a large number of goats.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRWhfq1jwL0EJumr3abzME-4g-A0X5ywE7Qt4sIhp-btgJ7t04OyTlevAlO32NpBGej7jHMkh8gLuHOCT0iShirXciQY3Qtwy8wLYtu4cMtcr6f8VLcgSU6nSLlkdzUvbvhlQiwGMWJc/s640/blogger-image--1342156664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRWhfq1jwL0EJumr3abzME-4g-A0X5ywE7Qt4sIhp-btgJ7t04OyTlevAlO32NpBGej7jHMkh8gLuHOCT0iShirXciQY3Qtwy8wLYtu4cMtcr6f8VLcgSU6nSLlkdzUvbvhlQiwGMWJc/s640/blogger-image--1342156664.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-84169985971507774402014-03-01T20:49:00.000-06:002014-03-01T20:49:58.906-06:00We're Back!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiVVmCKM3Q499JSgnMHdYCu9FF95zZqmfRCb2vAHcMfGlF44vCRHIDdtE0XTNuop5-9b_4G_AOybpfFSjcn-CxGEkkjwD_qZBqhEaJS7-089vk6-njdNrND_U-XLm_me50R2RkctbA6k/s1600/IMG_2246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiVVmCKM3Q499JSgnMHdYCu9FF95zZqmfRCb2vAHcMfGlF44vCRHIDdtE0XTNuop5-9b_4G_AOybpfFSjcn-CxGEkkjwD_qZBqhEaJS7-089vk6-njdNrND_U-XLm_me50R2RkctbA6k/s1600/IMG_2246.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a>For those who follow (or used to follow) that Asno Blanco blog, we're back! In the past five months, we have been really busy, but almost standing still in some ways. I wrote a couple of half-baked entries that I never published and they will just quietly have their electrons erased.<br />
<br />
So, I'll try to catch up on what has happened:<br />
<br />
<b>September</b>- The water well was drilled at the 4041 homesite and we had the electricity turned on. The guys erected a fence and gate to separate the lower pasture in two. Billy and Jupiter got the gates open and visited the ladies in the lower pasture. I noted it down in my composition book. Now, this notebook has saved me many times. You can run livestock well unless you know what happened and when. Note-- the boys got in the lower pasture on September 18 (these dates will be important later).<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkizKYpk82XkOon96MWeiPgppLS-bZ82c-wRnzhpmXYbVlIxTguOkeemMTzTeEDPJwMJxmSKaJWfwCBdGwxJfvfhpi0Ynm8K_m7kUYxaraeAUw7guJIkkJrTkcgDbn_Rtfhn9Bg-PhUD8/s1600/IMG_3036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkizKYpk82XkOon96MWeiPgppLS-bZ82c-wRnzhpmXYbVlIxTguOkeemMTzTeEDPJwMJxmSKaJWfwCBdGwxJfvfhpi0Ynm8K_m7kUYxaraeAUw7guJIkkJrTkcgDbn_Rtfhn9Bg-PhUD8/s1600/IMG_3036.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<b></b><br />
<b><b><br /></b></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><b><br /></b></b>
<b><b><br /></b></b>
<b><b><br /></b></b>
<b><b><br /></b></b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJktwWgWzrx865EzeSwZlHqXjakEFEopLCFN-y9B4KhhQMuwc3itQnpmE9hq42M_SMEFO_1VbAu4gTus0Gd2ecDnjIIfC7iJNBYWooPghFZ5jrdljPdyl1wPv1IKaO9ezYmL9XQF8vNIM/s1600/IMG_2271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJktwWgWzrx865EzeSwZlHqXjakEFEopLCFN-y9B4KhhQMuwc3itQnpmE9hq42M_SMEFO_1VbAu4gTus0Gd2ecDnjIIfC7iJNBYWooPghFZ5jrdljPdyl1wPv1IKaO9ezYmL9XQF8vNIM/s1600/IMG_2271.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><b><b><br /></b></b><br />
<b><b><br /></b></b>
<b>October</b>- Ahem. Billy goats got down to the ladies again (October 9). We hired a fence builder to erect fence at the 4057 property. Great fence! Best of all, it was done in a few days. Our 'Goat Alley' system is starting to take shape, whereby we have alleyways to and from pastures and can move goats in them. Once we improve the fence between us and the neighbors, we can turn goats or donkeys out in the alleys to keep them 'mowed.'<br />
<br />
I attended Goat Camp 2013, once again learning about goats and <br />
cooking for the paying customers. While I was gone, Danny met a dog at the Brenham shelter who he knew needed to come live with him. Tiny little white shepherd. Her name is Agatha.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/p526x296/554086_560103614045527_960786511_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/p526x296/554086_560103614045527_960786511_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>November- </b>With the new fenced areas, we turned Billy BA out with does of breeding age, and put the younger goats in the Maternity Ward pen, which is adjacent to Danny's house. They quickly ate all the yaupon and sticker vine.... in a month!<br />
<br />
I prepared Thanksgiving dinner in the camper! The local VFD sells fried turkeys, so that solved my oven problem. I bought pies at HEB, and cooked the rest (dressing, gravy, green bean casserole) in the camper. I am thankful that I get to live in the country and that both my guys were there.<br />
<br />
Agatha got very sick and after the vet ran blood tests, she said that the liver enzymes were off the charts and that Danny should just feed her whatever she wanted and give her a lot of love. Found out later that the vet (Dr Marsha Stein) truly thought that Agatha wasn't going to make it. However, we DID baby her, cooking ground beef and other tasty treats for her.<br />
<br />
<b>December</b>- Dan and I started getting serious about our Barndominium plan. We decided to go with Willis Custom Homes as our contractor. Now, it's not just ideas, but a plan! We ended up with a 40 x 80 foot metal building, 16 feet high. At one end, we have a large one bedroom apartment, with two baths and a dream kitchen. At the other end we are going to build guest quarters with a bedroom and bath. Above the apartment will be (in the way future) a super large craft room on the second floor. Three sides will have 15 foot shed roofs and a lot of that will be porches. Looking out over the land!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2Di8B5RWPqQ0tf-aLOpI-7UVeC9t_3J5Dbxr4uIs6O9LkVvoom1FE0Arj_hPhyphenhyphensvifFHTKmgaOyv9dl5lrNcIZrV6w9t2n_Oq5EsE8LHoLrY2VkAZI4RlRNkuuNWdKF_xkVrdS8sCn8/s1600/IMG_2658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2Di8B5RWPqQ0tf-aLOpI-7UVeC9t_3J5Dbxr4uIs6O9LkVvoom1FE0Arj_hPhyphenhyphensvifFHTKmgaOyv9dl5lrNcIZrV6w9t2n_Oq5EsE8LHoLrY2VkAZI4RlRNkuuNWdKF_xkVrdS8sCn8/s1600/IMG_2658.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>Billy BA went back to the bachelor patch in the middle pasture in the middle of December.<br />
<br />
Agatha is very healthy, but very bored, and somewhat cringe-y. In the middle of December, we decide she needs a friend. Danny and I got in the car one Saturday and went to four different human society locations. We found a puppy from Aggieland Humane Society at PetSmart and she seemed to fit the requirements-- slightly younger than Agatha, big like Agatha, and cuddly. Her name is Hedy. Yes. Like Hedy Lamarr. She a beautiful blonde. Her mom was a Black Mouth Cur, like Old Yeller, and they think her dad was a lab, but I suspect some kind of hound.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>January - </b>Cold Winter! Wow! In the camper, we have a Super Slide, which means our dinette and couch area can slide out, creating more room. However, it also means the floor is really cold! So happy I bought space heaters to augment the propane central heat in the trailer. Danny's house is well-insulated and two little space heaters keep it warm. The water supply for the camper is a garden hose, so a couple of times, our water froze in the hose! Dan buried the hose under dirt, hay, and old carpet and that seems to have done the trick. With a three gallon water heater, it's still challenging to wash my hair and my body in the same shower...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebru6HE9GAgysVfCrauKZvSDkcEXNntxefO65Tom2NxCx_J6NbWRfZuSeYfSzqRLskRHD7updjokFTpsHFD3UD7q4zQexm69F4QRJ5OOKH8fGcycI7tq6Ervwr0aBms_5rw3DUSMiVwE/s1600/IMG_2843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebru6HE9GAgysVfCrauKZvSDkcEXNntxefO65Tom2NxCx_J6NbWRfZuSeYfSzqRLskRHD7updjokFTpsHFD3UD7q4zQexm69F4QRJ5OOKH8fGcycI7tq6Ervwr0aBms_5rw3DUSMiVwE/s1600/IMG_2843.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>We had a couple of ice days at the University, where I just stayed home rather than attempt to drive across some major bridges. Odd how much colder it gets in Burleson County; I guess since there is a heckova lot less people and buildings, it just freezes!<br />
<br />
Even though it's cold, critters must be fed. I don't envy my town friends at all, with their cozy fireplaces and gallons of hot chocolate. I gladly get up early and brave stinging winds and bust up frozen troughs to take care of everyone. Living in the country is definitely for me!<br />
<br />
In January, we also finalized our Barndo plans, signed contracts, and started planning what to build on the inside first. I vote full-size shower first! I can't wait to have unlimited hot water and room to turn!<br />
<br />
February was full of goat news, so I'll leave that for the next installment (which won't take five months!).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyscA7OwmWZf9DUpE6M92OXk2Zy-1H_oPEuRxDTjg2wocrmnmKeV_INqEdlY764o9ESMnCJYhcthavfwb-VuTIHGsBX0UnU2neWIGTcWEFi3rDDSRDTNj0-pAPayWrWmZQzF73MCsq24/s1600/IMG_2826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyscA7OwmWZf9DUpE6M92OXk2Zy-1H_oPEuRxDTjg2wocrmnmKeV_INqEdlY764o9ESMnCJYhcthavfwb-VuTIHGsBX0UnU2neWIGTcWEFi3rDDSRDTNj0-pAPayWrWmZQzF73MCsq24/s1600/IMG_2826.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-25557692823428922242013-09-19T11:40:00.002-05:002013-09-19T11:41:37.916-05:00The livestock go for a stroll.....<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2kgvYgkjE-KMPemvn_X9TYReFBXOmozbft9bd3bLAbahF2I7Gm3BdCDRTY8XEal2mt0MODPDfEPVwVp7N9FzMxzL-Ri71QJBOBLu1qt82AccnHvnOvxZ4u7zlgKuraCUs4WHykVANF8/s1600/Fancy2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU2kgvYgkjE-KMPemvn_X9TYReFBXOmozbft9bd3bLAbahF2I7Gm3BdCDRTY8XEal2mt0MODPDfEPVwVp7N9FzMxzL-Ri71QJBOBLu1qt82AccnHvnOvxZ4u7zlgKuraCUs4WHykVANF8/s320/Fancy2.JPG" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy our huge donkey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yesterday, I came home from work and a neighbor hustled to the door, panting that they needed help with the donkeys. Fearing the worst,I looked for my vet kit and he said, No! They are loose! Two neighbors and my son had been chasing the donks through the ten acres of brush we have yet to fence.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXb0HgKLrC7FM9IMj7HogDoHrZZsvD2O7l1xTAw_s9Gcgc-P13Cc7vajmwey62SeLXNuB4M257sG3shiIfOLgmWyrQQcO7BadQB01nlkv1voLkkuLjSKf9TgKDO3llO3iFHlLaqqZsaU/s1600/mollyfiona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXb0HgKLrC7FM9IMj7HogDoHrZZsvD2O7l1xTAw_s9Gcgc-P13Cc7vajmwey62SeLXNuB4M257sG3shiIfOLgmWyrQQcO7BadQB01nlkv1voLkkuLjSKf9TgKDO3llO3iFHlLaqqZsaU/s320/mollyfiona.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly and Fiona, awaiting dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, someone (ahem) managed to open the gate to our lower pasture and all the girl goats and girl donkeys were roaming the countryside. Goats are easy-- shake a little feed in their direction and they're yours. Donkeys, well, a little more challenging<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluYPK8lP7KyAxWUyvQMfNjxYIjRYhsn6ui1_j1wU4qMbx3mX3-fQmmFz0db7aLeTh_tNzz8U4t6EpEv9AqyfAU59AGG-t6vE5VpfVWqrntHDOUOO_rUBdY8o9CzG-Suyoo_xD3g5XS8E/s1600/eatinggoats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluYPK8lP7KyAxWUyvQMfNjxYIjRYhsn6ui1_j1wU4qMbx3mX3-fQmmFz0db7aLeTh_tNzz8U4t6EpEv9AqyfAU59AGG-t6vE5VpfVWqrntHDOUOO_rUBdY8o9CzG-Suyoo_xD3g5XS8E/s320/eatinggoats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My three jennys have had very little training in any consistent manner. They do loves hugs, the dears, and will allow brushing, hoof picking, and haltering. I eventually want to teach them to lead and pack, maybe even ride Fancy. But right now, their main job is discouraging predators like coyotes and bobcats from eating the baby goats, and, boy, do the jennys love baby goats!<br />
<br />
Anyway, I hightail it to the barn for halters and leads and returned to find my grown son with his arms around Fancy, the largest donkey (super large standard). Reaching around I get the halter on her and a lead rope. She is not happy. Thinking like a donk, I realize that the neighbors are what is spooking her. One of the neighbors had also caught a donkey, Fiona, and had haltered her-- but the halter was upside down, with the throatlatch over her eyes! Oh, boy. (Note: Sadly I had no camera handy...)<br />
<br />
Fancy had some glue on her hooves (that's donkey-speak for "I ain't movin'"), but I took the time to allow her to decide to be led and I did not allow the neighbors to whoop and wave their hands (obviously not familiar with equines at all). Eventually, I got Fancy ambling over the field towards the pasture gate. Fiona, blinded by the halter, came reluctantly behind us, praying, I'm sure, for release from the blinders.<br />
<br />
We get to the gate opened wide and Fancy calmly walks in, followed by Fiona. The third jenny? Well, that's Miss Molly, who is the mother of the other two. Being a bit older and some wiser, she came with the other two, unhaltered, and had a little grin, her lower lip trembling. Maybe a clue to who opened the gate? Nonetheless, all three were safely returned the goat herd, excited over their adventure.<br />
<br />
There was no danger of the donkeys reaching a road or danger, thank goodness. Good lessons all around. Although they do not have good lead manners yet, the donkeys do trust me, and trust and patience won the day. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Bq8kRcoW38?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In other news, Danny has a functional bathroom in his house, we still need rain, and we got a water well on the 4041 property. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-14900058756083454342013-08-11T17:23:00.001-05:002013-08-11T17:39:00.284-05:00Goats, Worms, and things that go bump in the night<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwVQBSTo74KIJCS1G9Du5ABUv7-xCNMK2vPuWvqmDYBRiwuua3qdmFmU0p4Pvk8nk_qAWn5NWE-Vd4xNKN1k-VcCxq6UyQGaudrUz2Y1kcdCTqGV9XzwIqZkxRqpFCtt7aJeOmhqopkE/s1600/IMG_1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwVQBSTo74KIJCS1G9Du5ABUv7-xCNMK2vPuWvqmDYBRiwuua3qdmFmU0p4Pvk8nk_qAWn5NWE-Vd4xNKN1k-VcCxq6UyQGaudrUz2Y1kcdCTqGV9XzwIqZkxRqpFCtt7aJeOmhqopkE/s320/IMG_1591.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doll-- taking a break from the kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We've been living at El Rancho for about six weeks, and I feel like this is where I am meant to be at this time in my life. My goats bring joy each day as they mob me during feeding. Each one has its own needs and complaints, and each is entertaining for different reasons. Before owning goats, I had heard and seen some goats with personalities and quirks, but assumed that was the exception. Well, goat dynamics are endlessly fascinating.<br />
<br />
First, you have the 'pet' goats, like Doll and Maggie, who spent a lot of time being handled when young. They seek ME out, mugging for the camera, begging for pets. But then others, of similar genetics and environment, are stand-offish. This describes Belle perfectly. She is Doll's sister and while she will be 'okay' with being handled or touched, she'd rather not.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENQMeFEfNJ6VEicNIpNzj0qJNflJn_d-ezPaOmiZNXlWquUp2MzcmrADs1g9beJeO4QDL7iGPRnHNPWIMEpGxqHiuyG7t-jbg0F8PZxG5ei7nne-80ifdtzLyt5dG4ww5tlhAYwdnfdY/s1600/IMG_1851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENQMeFEfNJ6VEicNIpNzj0qJNflJn_d-ezPaOmiZNXlWquUp2MzcmrADs1g9beJeO4QDL7iGPRnHNPWIMEpGxqHiuyG7t-jbg0F8PZxG5ei7nne-80ifdtzLyt5dG4ww5tlhAYwdnfdY/s320/IMG_1851.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dans socializing with kids and youngsters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As a management decision, we have decided that handling and working the 'pet' goats is far easier than are the wild goats. Last weekend while trimming hooves, I was able to trim Maggie without tying her up or having someone hold her. That's definitely what we want more of in our does! Our billies are mostly tame, too, which is really nice. We got lucky with buying Billy BA because he is very mild-mannered with people and enjoys a scratch behinds the horns as well as any goat. Jupiter and Melonhead are also mostly friendly so hopefully this means more friendly goats are on the way for our next kidding season. (I think Flower and Great Red Spot might kid in October; we'll see.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ7nRoj9gexOE3h6tXafo3jMbrg06BHN24z6vAlXaQwMeCVUmsw0bg7ELzGqrAH4HmC3gYk6UvdGPA-D2OG__mooFBExy_I44UxIQRjrH-dSO8gz7eJTAAJrceV3Z3tRSnXQm6h15f5M/s1600/564141_329541210443469_562452631_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ7nRoj9gexOE3h6tXafo3jMbrg06BHN24z6vAlXaQwMeCVUmsw0bg7ELzGqrAH4HmC3gYk6UvdGPA-D2OG__mooFBExy_I44UxIQRjrH-dSO8gz7eJTAAJrceV3Z3tRSnXQm6h15f5M/s200/564141_329541210443469_562452631_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>On Thursday, I attended a Goat Pest Management Seminar in Prairie View and learned a lot more about worms and how to live with them. The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IGRC.TX" target="_blank">International Goat Research Center</a> is located on campus and the staff and Cooperative Extension Agents put on a wonderful day for the attendees, which included dairy, meat and pet goat enthusiasts, one from as far away as Fort Worth. A lot of networking and 'see you next workshop' went on, and I felt like part of the goat family, a nice feeling.<br />
<br />
When it comes to internal parasites in goats,<i> <a href="http://www.goatbiology.com/animations/haem.html" target="_blank">Heamonchus contortus</a></i> is the bad actor, a killer, known commonly as the barber pole worm for obvious reasons. The bad news is that all anthelmintics (dewormers for those just checking in), lose their effectiveness over time and there are very few new products in the pipeline. So, management practices must be properly utilized in order to maintain the safety of the herd. Dr. Niki Whitley from <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sheep101.info/201/Images/barberpoleworm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://www.sheep101.info/201/Images/barberpoleworm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
North Carolina A&T State University was the guest lecturer and she kept us focused for hours. After lunch, we learned some lab techniques we can do ourselves on the farm in order to accurately assess the worm load on a specific goat. Like Dr. Whitley told us, you might have 20% of the goats shedding 80% of the worm eggs, so culling may be in order. I also finally understood the refugia concept and have a better handle on what to do at El Rancho for MY herd.<br />
<br />
On another note, we have finally found a plumber for Danny's house--- after trying about eight. All the plumbers are backed up and booked up, but <a href="http://www.holmansplumbing.co/" target="_blank">Holman Quality Plumbing</a> is coming through for us! Having the washer and dryer on site will save me hours each Saturday at the laundromat. The Dans are finishing the wiring in the house today, so once the plumbing is done, and some sheetrock is up, we can finish the bathroom and get started on the kitchen.<br />
<br />
For Dan and I, the wait to move into 'our' spot seems like forever. The big holdup is getting a well dug, which is currently another two to four month wait. With the demand for water wells in Texas skyrocketing, many new drillers are around, but we decided to wait for a really experienced driller from our area. Like I mentioned before, without water, you're nothin'!<br />
<br />
On Friday, I met with Steve Gonzalez from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Premier-Environmental-Designs/136754136393072" target="_blank">Premiere Environmental Designs.</a> He is a Registered Sanitarian and will design the drain field for our conventional non-aerobic on-site sewer system. Looks like things will be great and we won't have to move parking or driveways! Steve is a great guy and seemed to have a good sense of humor. At the bottom of his business card, it says,<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Crapper Mapper.</b></div>
<br />
And that's a wrap.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-65320360917456173332013-07-28T19:27:00.001-05:002013-07-28T19:28:25.740-05:00Close Quarters Cooking and Goat Sorting<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wWLVajgQ8MZJ4NECjC6YNAlOf8EqeNYHlq01-gVACyWnbnksj8kVFcHMtMOCWUnnsd78CWXCScq9ww016maEWp4TrjMgUKJHTrDaF-mr_XRQH4755d1MirsFLT4nEEmR8ddSAefSb14/s640/blogger-image--1566292004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wWLVajgQ8MZJ4NECjC6YNAlOf8EqeNYHlq01-gVACyWnbnksj8kVFcHMtMOCWUnnsd78CWXCScq9ww016maEWp4TrjMgUKJHTrDaF-mr_XRQH4755d1MirsFLT4nEEmR8ddSAefSb14/s400/blogger-image--1566292004.jpg" width="400" /></a>Here is my new kitchen! Prior to moving in, I thought my cooking would be severely hampered by the small workspace, but with a little ingenuity and a few workarounds, things are going well. I think we got a great trailer. All of the appliances and plumbing work and the cabinets are well-made with real oak doors. Finding where to keep everything is a work in progress, but we have adjusted our habits quickly-- washing dishes immediately after use is definitely the way to go!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I brought my large crock pot with me and it is stored under the seat of one of the benches at the dinette, I use it about once a week and cook beans, soup, or carne guisada. It's a six quart cooker, so I always have some left to freeze for later. The crock pot is really nice because it doesn't heat up the trailer like the midget oven or stove top does. I have one small counter space area and do most of my chopping and mixing there, but also use the dinette table for that. Of course, the dinette table is also the place where we compute! So there's is a bit of shifting while doing anything. I feel very fortunate that Danny's house has electricity as I have hooked up my full-size refrigerator in his 'living room'. This allows us to have a big freezer and a place to put extra milk and Gatorade. Outside, I have my trusty gas grill, which produces all types of yummy stuff.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9-1KcqgGrKRYZJyFMll5PI4knyX5zZUjw7M_pIdZUlts0lVKRoZKDHIjW7ONZ_vCFX760Rs8G_GLQCmRZuMGuJEB7X9GO7tshdJHH1R0lDckQ_IuixGWX4T5wCCxSkxcHfRxE9RuN50/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9-1KcqgGrKRYZJyFMll5PI4knyX5zZUjw7M_pIdZUlts0lVKRoZKDHIjW7ONZ_vCFX760Rs8G_GLQCmRZuMGuJEB7X9GO7tshdJHH1R0lDckQ_IuixGWX4T5wCCxSkxcHfRxE9RuN50/s400/IMG_2093.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does exploring their 'new' pasture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
Today, we did the monthly 'goat shuffle' a couple of days early. In July, we put Billy BA in the middle pasture with some of the open 'girls.' To do that, we put the does with kids and the doelings not old enough to breed yet in the Triangle with the donkeys. In the lower pasture, we put the young bucks and wethers. Well, that didn't last long as Melonhead and Doll's boys braved the electric fence to get back to 'momma'. (Geeesh. If you are so big you have to lay on the ground to nurse, it's time to give up the milk!)</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5va-P3gszZGcvs9-tBRA8-yIPu6FyyOEfNctT-kqUVXwXI5jluKm6RiTyjVT5_-lOPMEUylOyo-4A_8EYepWeaINXTalqgCi3b7PK70DwEigqPTlS6EdUm4ugIs2-O6r5cYj01p1_dUw/s1600/wethers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5va-P3gszZGcvs9-tBRA8-yIPu6FyyOEfNctT-kqUVXwXI5jluKm6RiTyjVT5_-lOPMEUylOyo-4A_8EYepWeaINXTalqgCi3b7PK70DwEigqPTlS6EdUm4ugIs2-O6r5cYj01p1_dUw/s320/wethers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crying for Momma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So we had a little goat rodeo today. Danny got all of the goats in the two connected round pens, then we segregated all nine of the boys from the girls. The boys got CL vaccine boosters, fly spray and a hoof trim before we all about passed out from the heat. Danny led all the boys to the Triangle with a bucket of feed, and I brought up the rear, driving the slow pokes. Dan had to carry Brownknee to the Triangle cuz he did NOT want to go! We got them all penned up and are now listening to Melon, Spot and Brownknee whine about missing mommy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
The three donkeys took over the Middle Pasture, and all the does and kids are relaxing in the lower pasture. July and August are tough on the goats and donkeys due to the forage not growing as fast. And donkeys eat a lot! This will be their first time without any goats in their pasture in several months, so I figure they can use the break. It will also allow us to feed them separately from the goats.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcX6lMx7GlKbIdCtzMKex6KOUlb-tXgWNa52G0p_LcspTeYdUoCC-KIXm0xOrovUvgKQPpLsnXXNhU1C9CFVnL8peMJ-bcV5JoR3NprvJoqKO9RxBa2cOt7pkGm8asv5Bc6diMGjZu35Q/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcX6lMx7GlKbIdCtzMKex6KOUlb-tXgWNa52G0p_LcspTeYdUoCC-KIXm0xOrovUvgKQPpLsnXXNhU1C9CFVnL8peMJ-bcV5JoR3NprvJoqKO9RxBa2cOt7pkGm8asv5Bc6diMGjZu35Q/s320/IMG_2094.JPG" width="320" /></a>If BA got his job done, we should have baby goats in December! Great Red Spot and Flower had been with him earlier, so they may kid out in October. In October or November (we haven't decided yet), we will set up all the eligible girls with one of the bucks. Jupiter should be raring to go by then... he's got the beard for it!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-29204547778817133792013-07-21T19:34:00.000-05:002013-07-21T19:34:15.285-05:00Living in a Trailer (or a New Slant on Life)We finally live at El Rancho full-time. A little sooner than expected.<br />
<br />
I had planned to have the house ready for viewing in April, but the sign didn't go in the front yard til the end of May. Throughout the spring, I took advice from a realtor friend about sprucing things up and about leaving some things be. Watching home selling shows a few years ago actually helped!<br />
<br />
And speaking of realtors, I interviewed three before signing a contract and strongly recommend it to anyone selling their house. I liked two of the three and finally chose the agent who I already knew. Of the others, one didn't seem that interested, but the other ran a close second to Trish, and ended up being a key player in the sale anyway.<br />
<br />
A month behind schedule, we finally got the house listed on a Thursday night and they started showing on Friday. Saturday, we had an indication that a contract was coming from the first couple to see the house and they were preapproved! Their agent was the third one I interviewed-- she knew the couple had been looking for a place like ours a few months before without luck and so she gave them a call. The inspection created no surprises, we already had a survey, and we were off to the races. We closed (which is real estate talk for 'we got the money, honey') just 32 days after listing the house. That meant we had to be <b>out</b> of the house!<br />
<br />
So May was very busy. Between moving and storing all of our stuff, we had to make sure there was a septic system at Danny's house, that he had a semi-finished room to live in, that Dan and I had a travel trailer to live in..... and the house was clean and the grass didn't die in the heat-- truly nerve-wracking! And buying a travel trailer is crazy-- some are junk and some are mansions, and some are cheaper to buy new rather than used! I finally bought a 29 foot Coachmen Cascade, 2003 model, from a part-time dealer in Caldwell. It boasts a queen-size bed in the front with a door, a big slide for the dinette and 'sofa', and a separate bathroom in the rear with a four-foot tub and a big closet.<br />
<br />
We have been in the trailer for about three weeks and are settling in. After about a week, I noticed we were listing to port. Dan got some big jacks and tie-downs and leveled the beast, but now, after the rain, it is down in the stern. We'll go out in a couple of days to get her on an even keel.<br />
<br />
The hardest thing to adapt to has been personal space. We replaced the mattress with a new one, but trailers use shorter mattresses, so we have to kind of crawl into bed from the door because the end of the bed nearly touches the wall. No way to get dressed in there or in the bathroom, so the living/dining/kitchen is also the changing area. There is no washer and dryer out here until Danny's plumbing is finished, so I have gone each week to the Harvey Washbanger's, where you can eat, drink and do laundry. I've split my grocery shopping between HEB in Brazos County and Slovacek's in Snook.<br />
<br />
To save space, we each bought a Kindle, which has proven to be a good thing. We don't have any TV stations, so our usual entertainment is building on Danny's house, planning our barndo, and watching the goats. I must say that goat dynamics are a lot more interesting than I thought they would be. Such personalities! I'll hold those thoughts for next time.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-71386302595156577732013-07-06T20:23:00.000-05:002013-07-06T20:25:23.539-05:00WaterOver the past two years, I have become more water conscious as I have spent time at El Rancho.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/mufood/files/2013/04/Glass-of-Water-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/mufood/files/2013/04/Glass-of-Water-1.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
Water, without which life on Earth cannot exist. Our bodies are about 60% water and water covers 71% of the Earth's surface, yet less than 3% of water on Earth is freshwater, and a lot of that is frozen. Most Americans have access to clean, fresh municipal water, so sometimes water doesn't seem so exciting, unless of course you live in a Texas town that is running out of water (<a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/science/jan-june12/texaswater_03-20.html" target="_blank">Seventeen cities and towns are at critical water stages right now</a>).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://kcen.images.worldnow.com/images/15433334_bg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://kcen.images.worldnow.com/images/15433334_bg1.jpg" width="320" /></a>When we bought the first 19 acres of land, we were waterless-- no municipal, no well, no stock tank. In 2011, like most of Texas, we were in Stage 4 drought, thoughtfully labelled <a href="http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/monitor.html" target="_blank">"exceptional</a>" by the NOAA (I think they should have called it hellatious) and we could hear trees cracking in the wind, which sucked the moisture right our of them. That was the year of horrible wildfires, including the destruction of the Lost Pines of Bastrop, Texas. This all happened before we had our livestock, and, in fact, delayed out entry into animal husbandry... what would they drink? Or eat? Definitely a brown summer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/WaterBarrelPlastic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/WaterBarrelPlastic.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
While we built the perimeter fence, we drank pallets of water, sometimes working for ten minutes and resting for twenty. Finding someone to drill a water well or even get on a waiting list at that time was nearly impossible as everyone needed water, water, more water! When we brought our donkeys home in 2012, we first bought a used polypropylene container, which holds over 200 gallons. We trucked water from Brazos County. Then we bought more land with a well and trucked it a few hundred feet, later advancing to hundreds of feet of water hose. The friction in the water hoses slowed the flow down to a trickle, but it sure beat the heck out of toting water!<br />
<br />
A couple of weeks ago, we rented a ride-on trenching machine and laid out water lines to all the established pastures, even going across the road and stubbing it off for the new pastures. So our water only had to travel through 25 or 50 feet of hose to a water tank. Finally, this week I splurged and bought $10 automatic water fillers for each pasture... Now we only need to ensure that the tank looks full and clean. I think of our water journey and realize how hard it was for folks in early Texas. If you didn't have a spring, you dug a well (by hand), or toted water from a river or stream that was maybe clean.<br />
<br />
I am grateful for the good, tasty water in our well. So much better than muni water in Brazos County. (That water has a lot of sodium in it, which makes washing soap off really difficult). The animals seem to like it, too, sucking up clean, cool mouthfuls.<br />
<br />
Next on my water list is getting my own well drilled. Dan and I have already decided on a spot for the barndominium, so next is the well. Hopefully, we will tap into water like Danny has at his well. To increase our water security, we are considering running a line from one well to the other. Then, if one well goes down, we could tie in the other house to the other well.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00uMrtmlflZp4CD46UprMI-fgyx8TLJqQ8XLY2qE-U5OE9lSPnmboWD2AIqeal_B20R-1nQjaXk9OjHQKOOp7eEYpBseqFiLmDCRye0CFpCQ17lJItVd68eDDjitVwru1ssn3-lwENpQ/s640/blogger-image-711507475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00uMrtmlflZp4CD46UprMI-fgyx8TLJqQ8XLY2qE-U5OE9lSPnmboWD2AIqeal_B20R-1nQjaXk9OjHQKOOp7eEYpBseqFiLmDCRye0CFpCQ17lJItVd68eDDjitVwru1ssn3-lwENpQ/s640/blogger-image-711507475.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
On another note, Billy BA is busy in the middle pasture with the girls. We will be expecting kids in early December. This is Baby, a young doe who will be having her first kids this year. She was the first 'baby' goat we had at the place, bought as an afterthought at the Navasota auction. Although she wasn't born here, she has eartag number 00001. With her blue eyes and Billy's dark red cape, they are certain to have nice looking, stout kids!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-34815520754764995082013-07-03T19:03:00.000-05:002013-07-03T19:03:23.503-05:00Busy, BusyPoor blog. Neglected for four months with nary an update. Well, it's been really busy, with some exciting things going on! Since our last episode:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Danny has built most of his house with help from the folks and a fellow Marine</li>
<li>Tank,Spot and BrownKnee all got wethered.</li>
<li>Jupiter grew a beard.</li>
<li>Z2 had her baby, but it didn't make it.</li>
<li>Fea and Z1 each had twins which are huge! </li>
<li>Dan and I got our house ready for sale, with loads of help from Danny--- couldn't have done it without him!</li>
<li>Got an oral offer on our house the first day it was listed.</li>
<li>Tried to wean Melonhead, but hes a momma's boy and suffers the electric fence to get near Khaki.</li>
<li>Dug trenches and laid water lines to the house and all of the pastures. No more toting water</li>
<li>Bought a 29 foot travel trailer to live in next to Danny's house</li>
<li>Got burgled a week before we planned to move out. Lost my tablet and mini-laptop! Plus the welder, Dan's laptop and lots of tools</li>
<li>SweetTea, the little Lamancha doeling, disappeared and we fear the worst. </li>
<li>Bought a 12 x 18 metal storage building to hold farm stuff.</li>
<li>Closed on the sale of our house 32 days after listing it for sale.</li>
<li>Used a vet recommended wormer and lost a young doe within minutes. Life is fragile.</li>
<li>Finally, it's breeding season. Billy BA and his sidekick Quiz are pastured with some of the ladies. When August comes, we'll give the big guy a rest until October. Then, Jupiter and Melonhead might get a shot at doing a buck's work!</li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-88937451208529181462013-03-03T16:43:00.000-06:002013-03-03T16:43:06.742-06:00Kidding and Selling<a href="http://s1279.beta.photobucket.com/user/asnoblanco/media/ffb79fcf-cd25-40f4-a7e1-251159e1b69b_zps24290447.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/ffb79fcf-cd25-40f4-a7e1-251159e1b69b_zps24290447.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo ffb79fcf-cd25-40f4-a7e1-251159e1b69b_zps24290447.jpg"/></a>We've been a bit busy on el Rancho the past two weeks. As expected, Doublestuff kidded on Valentine's Day and Oreo followed on February 15th. Double did indeed have three kids, all bucklings, but one didn't make it. Oreo had a buckling and a doeling. I was there when Oreo kidded and all was uneventful Cute, cute, cute! Kids are so entertaining to watch!<br />
<br />
I had already decided that the pygmy girls would be leaving after kidding. Between getting my house ready to sell, helping D3 build his house, and, oh, yeah, my full-time job, I don't have time right now to acquire a new pygmy buck and keep the pygmy girls separated from the big bucks. So, when the kids turned a week old, I posted all six on Craigslist, offering bottle babies, or three-in-one packages of mom and two babies. Wow! my phone and email were on fire! I started meeting the potential owners on Saturday and sold all six to the first two buyers. <br />
<br />
On February 26, I went out to el Rancho after work to check on Doll who was confined in the kidding pens with Oreo. To my surprise, Khaki, who was in the Middle Pastures with the does, was about to kid! I tried to sneak her out, but Big Momma barged through with her kids, too. While I was trying to sort things out, Dan, my knight in denim, showed up and helped get goats where they belonged, brought loads of hay to everyone, and delivered about 15 gallons of water to the kidding pen. <br />
<br />
Khaki took a while getting ready and finally lay down -- not in the hay-filled goat hut I had prepared, but in the middle of the round pen! Eventually, I saw a hoof, a big hoof, and realized the other leg was malpositioned. Going in, I was able to push the baby back and pull the other leg forward. Wow, two big hooves. Big kid with a big head. Good thing I was there because it took me gently pulling and Khaki mightily pushing to bring that ten pounder into the world. Twenty minutes later, his seven and a half pound sister slid into the world uneventfully.<a href="http://s1279.beta.photobucket.com/user/asnoblanco/media/da13bd26-2e12-4ef3-8a9a-da3ddd07e113_zps24131aa0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/da13bd26-2e12-4ef3-8a9a-da3ddd07e113_zps24131aa0.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo da13bd26-2e12-4ef3-8a9a-da3ddd07e113_zps24131aa0.jpg"/></a><br />
<br />
Khaki stepped up as a great mom, cleaning up the kids, making sure they nursed and cuddling up in the hut. The next day, the two kids were bouncing and charming... <br />
<br />
On Saturday, DoubleStuff and her boys were picked up by their new owners while I was out-of-town for work. And Doll? Well, maybe she's waiting for the caprine midwife (me) to come home. Or perhaps she just wanted some pampering!<br />
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-16544559456513215132013-02-14T20:18:00.000-06:002013-02-14T20:49:40.980-06:00Boil, you darn kettle!Well, the maternity ward at Asno Blanco is full. Today, Double stuff started zoning into nanny hood. She's usually pretty elusive, but today allowed me to walk up and give her all manner of pets and hugs. She's locked into the round pen with her own goat hut, food and water. <br />
<br />
I really thought that Khaki would kid a couple of weeks ago, and now Doll and Belle are boasting huge udders. Sigh. <br />
<br />
So, they may all kid at the same time, which has some advantages. The donkeys seem ready for goat tending duties and I trust them with the little ones. <br />
<a href="http://s1279.beta.photobucket.com/user/asnoblanco/media/49ebfce3-22ec-4ec7-952a-480bad619af2_zps23ca6c00.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/49ebfce3-22ec-4ec7-952a-480bad619af2_zps23ca6c00.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 49ebfce3-22ec-4ec7-952a-480bad619af2_zps23ca6c00.jpg"/></a><br />
Right now, this is the youngest goat, sharing some chow with the Jenny's. Soon, after the kettle boils, we will have younger kids!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-52315083164311091352013-02-05T17:00:00.000-06:002013-02-05T17:10:08.798-06:00Intermittant Kidding, wethers on the way<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/asnoblancocardfront_zps1195e01a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="143" width="252" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/asnoblancocardfront_zps1195e01a.jpg" /></a><br />
The last month has been busy. Immediately after my last post, I ordered business cards online. A lot goes into the look and feel of a card--- color, fonts, placement, graphics and information. I used a cute little pic of After-You as my good luck charm. <br />
<br />
Sadly, a few days after I sold him, he died of quick-acting pnuemonia. As a rancher, I know that animals will die, but it was a bit hard anyway. He was too young for a pneumonia vaccine, but I'll always wonder if there was something I missed. He was a cute little fellow and I'm glad he's on the front of our cards. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/9c9c312e-64c5-4c0a-9192-d37584baf2f1_zps8eb78de8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="152" width="239" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/9c9c312e-64c5-4c0a-9192-d37584baf2f1_zps8eb78de8.jpg" /></a></div>Jupiter and Sister have been growing at a prodigious rate. I can barely pick that buckling up! He is a lot more social than the doeling. If you enter his pasture, he will run up to be picked up. A true goat puppy, gently pawing at your feet to remind you that he is there. He's definitely the 'adventure' goat so far, curious and fearless. He's got a protective streak as well, guarding Sister when she wants to nap. She's more shy about getting picked up.<br />
<br />
The donkeys are quite taken with the goat-puppies and provide good protection. Surprisingly, Fiona has turned out to be the donk most intrigued. When the kids are tired and lying down, she will hover nearby, keeping the grown goats away. I love watching her tiptoe over them, carefully placing her hooves on dirt, not fur. I've also watched delivered well-placed kicks to errant adult goats, reminding them of who is in charge. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/73265ded-5ba8-405f-91cf-411a8de201e0_zpse5f131ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="225" width="300" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/73265ded-5ba8-405f-91cf-411a8de201e0_zpse5f131ed.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So, last week I anticipated more kids from Khaki and the pygmies, Oreo and Doublestuff. As usual, I was wrong! But they are sure to kid this week while I'm gone. Maybe. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/71cfd705-6718-4ee2-a5cb-17518444ead1_zpsaa50c5c2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="241" width="205" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/71cfd705-6718-4ee2-a5cb-17518444ead1_zpsaa50c5c2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
All three have good udders right now. Khaki is arranging the kids in their tight quarters, murmuring to them in nanny-speak. Oreo is wider than she is tall, and we might rename DoubleStuff to include a treble portion. Only time will tell. We have two pens set up for mommas and babies. I am hoping that the Cookie twins will bunk together, but you can never tell which does will be jealous or will steal kids. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm hoping to have a lot of bucklings v. doelings. I plan to keep the doelings from good mommas (mothering is a heritable trait), but sell all the wethers and other doelings. In March, Doll (multi-colored) and Belle (red) will deliver the first kids sired by Billy BA. He's currently relegated to the Triangle with Z1, ZeeZee, Fea and the wethers. That way, he won't bully the pregnant does or prevent them from eating feed. The three does with Billy should kid in May or June. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/e2434dd8-b296-4b3a-970a-83e3673d3a7b_zps67752e15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/e2434dd8-b296-4b3a-970a-83e3673d3a7b_zps67752e15.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Then there's Freakazoid, the screaming La Mancha. She is pregnant and should kid by May. I hope the father is not Stupid.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/293e7c0e-ecbc-48ce-8971-de92a98231b1_zps043d3265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="243" width="325" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/293e7c0e-ecbc-48ce-8971-de92a98231b1_zps043d3265.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-15093958790255986132013-01-06T20:23:00.000-06:002013-01-06T22:23:08.748-06:00Look! A baby goat!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/19C46CF9-A473-4067-801F-24B739DE6F86-11958-000012B64BBE0611_zpsf6ee688b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/19C46CF9-A473-4067-801F-24B739DE6F86-11958-000012B64BBE0611_zpsf6ee688b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The past two weeks have been pretty hectic. Big Momma has tried mightily to provide for three kids, but we ended up supplementing the smaller one with two bottles a day. Since we don't live at El Rancho (yet), we could either bring the baby home and let him stay in the backyard alone; bring a 'mini-herd' to the backyard, consisting of Big Momma, all three kids, and a wether; or leave the kid at the ranch and take the bottle to him. Since someone goes to the ranch most days, we elected to take bottles to the kid.<br />
<br />
What a sweet buckling. Big Momma and the kids would line up at the gate, ready to move to another pasture where I was serving grain and milk. The buckling began to thrive and we began to look at our options again. On Thursday, luck sent a buyer our way, a woman whose teenage daughter wanted a pet-- either a pig or a goat! We talked on the phone and I realized that she was aware of thrice daily feedings for a while, when he would need shots, etc. She lives 30 miles away from College Station and the ranch is 30 miles beyond College Station, so we decided to meet up at <a href="http://www.tractorsupply.com/" target="_blank">Tractor Supply</a> on Saturday.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/AfterYou_zpsbae28dcc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/AfterYou_zpsbae28dcc.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"After You"-- sold!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Danny rode with me from the farm to TSC, holding the soft buckling in his lap. We parked next to the buyers and made introductions, including the goat. He was an instant hit, making cute baby goat noises and snuggling his new owners. While standing there, a woman walked over.<br />
<br />
<i>"Is that a baby goat?"</i> she asked.<i> "Is it for sale? Do you have more? <b>Do you have a card?</b>"</i><br />
<br />
For a moment, I was speechless. Someone was approaching me, asking to buy a goat! I told her I was out of cards, but wrote down my number and email address, telling her I hoped to have more kids for sale soon, and what type of goat was she looking for? (Note to self--- print some business cards).<br />
<br />
Today, the whole family went to the ranch to check on the critters and throw some hay. Dan moved a round bale closer to the Triangle Pasture and I noticed one of the pygmy does looked closer to kidding (well, maybe). Half-hearted attempts to catch her for a physical exam failed, but Danny and I are going out tomorrow to work on the Middle Pasture, so we'll check then.<br />
<br />
On the way home, we called in an order for burgers at<a href="http://www.koppebridge.com/" target="_blank"> Koppe Bridge Bar & Grill</a>. It was early for dinner and we were the only customers, so I struck up a conversation with the barmaid. Naturally, the talk turned to goats and I learned she wanted to buy a pygmy goat (!!). Well, I says, I have two pygmy does, ready to pop within the next few weeks! I'm out of cards, but could I drop one off for you in a couple of days? (Second note-- Business Cards!)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/891CA4C0-D63E-4198-AA93-493AE230B182-11958-000012B670B9DE87_zps200c72b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/891CA4C0-D63E-4198-AA93-493AE230B182-11958-000012B670B9DE87_zps200c72b5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dubble-Stuft a pregnant pygmy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, a potential buyer lined up before the kids hit the ground. The Dans wanted to know how I knew the girl wanted a goat, how the conversation turned to goats, but my pathetic explanation didn't satisfy their curiosity. What can I say? It's the gift of gab.<br />
<br />
The farm needs to turn a profit, and selling goats is how that happens. I can always take goats to a livestock auction, but the price is uncertain, but costs are low at $6 per goat plus gas. I can also sell goats as pets, or as 4H projects (wethers), or as breeding stock, or as cabrito. There is also a buckling market for Muslim holidays. I feel that I will find my niche, which will probably include two or three of the markets. Now, for those business cards...<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-87251508855636359852012-12-21T11:45:00.000-06:002012-12-21T17:19:01.526-06:00Merry Christmas from el Rancho Asno BlancoAs we near the end of our first year in operation at el Rancho, I feel blessed. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/CC931351-AACE-4150-ADCC-C85157D35C9F-6251-000008AA6F713BE3_zpsd7ea6383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="300" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/CC931351-AACE-4150-ADCC-C85157D35C9F-6251-000008AA6F713BE3_zpsd7ea6383.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The animals are a constant reminder that simple things have value. The donkeys are always happy to see us, braying <em>a capella</em> in that mournful longears voice. The sound lets me know my presence is both valuable and wanted. The goats remind me that staying together and working together is both safer and more enjoyable-- it can keep the wolf from the door! </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The new kids remind me that when you need to bounce, bounce! </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
And sometimes you just need a nap.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/AFEAAD34-B422-4E65-BBA7-948A0B5045F2-5800-00000830EB9BA0F9_zps861982f8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/AFEAAD34-B422-4E65-BBA7-948A0B5045F2-5800-00000830EB9BA0F9_zps861982f8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.southernstates.com/catalog/images/Product/large/11401492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="200" src="http://www.southernstates.com/catalog/images/Product/large/11401492.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Some things have been really challenging, like realizing that I can no longer work straight through without a break for several hours, and that sometimes I just need to sit and rest my feet. Bending over to tie ground-level wire is a no-no, so I bought extra pairs of jeans because the seat of the pair I'm wearing is probably wet and/or dirty. I got a new <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=warsh" target="_blank">warshing machine</a>, so that's not a problem at all! I also sit on the ground to trim goat feet, but more importantly I sort the goats so that I can do the ones with the hardest hooves first, before my hand strength gives out. Work smarter, not harder. (I do<strong><em> try</em></strong> to heed my husband's advice!)</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://shop.gshom.org/prodimg/09001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 170px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 157px;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="200" src="http://shop.gshom.org/prodimg/09001.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Being at el Rancho, 10 - 20 miles from a store, also brings out the Girl Scout in me. <strong>Be prepared!</strong> Thus, the back of the car has my 'vet box' containing all types of med, syringes, needles, and tools for the goats and donkeys, as well as ibuprofen for me. There are halters, ropes and head ties, random tools, feed and treats. Extra t-shirts, towels and trash bags. Plus stuff that usually resides in a car! Recently the back seat has held bags of wood shavings for the baby goat house, a few sacks of goat feed, and Christmas presents! </div>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
And gloves, lots of gloves. I almost always have on gloves at el Rancho. If my hands don't hurt and I'm doing little things, I wear thin leather gloves (do the goats care that they are kid gloves?). I also have some thick cowhide gloves, Isotoner nylon stretchy gloves, cotton gloves, and Mechanix gloves with knuckle guards. A bad enough rap or twist on the fingers can find that hand out of commission for a day or two, so I am careful.</div>
<br />
At the end of the day, some of which are long, it's all worth it. My animals are healthy and content, the family is closer to making the big move to el Rancho, and I am still able to get out in the fresh air and work. Now is a great time to remember those you love and tell them so. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>And for heaven's sake, don't forget to hug the donkeys!</strong></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/215954_432997803444001_415386954_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="300" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/215954_432997803444001_415386954_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/523025_421057474638034_1051872892_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="237" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/523025_421057474638034_1051872892_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-43546378830655063962012-12-16T19:09:00.001-06:002012-12-16T19:29:27.310-06:00A kiddley divey too, wooden shoe?Our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ElRanchoAsnoBlanco" target="_blank">Facebook followers</a> know that things are hoppin' at el Rancho,. some good, some bad.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/E8C632C9-EF15-45A8-B6F3-7D9C92D6AD20-6753-00000983F9A381D6_zps2c9d679c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/E8C632C9-EF15-45A8-B6F3-7D9C92D6AD20-6753-00000983F9A381D6_zps2c9d679c.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
On Saturday the 8th, we arrived at el Rancho thinking we might have kids. Sadly, we found Red, a young doe bought at Navasota Auction, dead. No apparent trauma, illness or injuries. She was the loudest goat, always looking for attention. On Friday, she had been particularly clingy and, looking back, unloud. We did not do a necropsy, but sent Red to Valhalla on a pyre of yaupon and mesquite. Best I can figure is she ate something, ate too much of something, or just died. With the sale of Stupid, we were now at 16 goats.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, the Dans began building a large shelter for the critters, one tall enough for the donkeys. While they drilled and bolted and nailed, I took the goats to the round pen and trimmed feet. It sure is a long row when many of them had feet that had never been trimmed, so I am doing them in stages. In the afternoon, I made a supply run to Bryan and when I returned, the rain was fierce. We left for the house, driving 25 mph most of the way.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/Goat%20Triplets%202012/3E9734F7-3194-46AD-AD84-97E5280940E8-4634-00000601D5394717_zps883b93f4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/Goat%20Triplets%202012/3E9734F7-3194-46AD-AD84-97E5280940E8-4634-00000601D5394717_zps883b93f4.jpg" width="150" /></a>On Monday, Danny and I finished roofing the shelter. I noticed Big Momma was aloof and showing some signs of kidding. I went to work for the afternoon and returned closer to dark. I found Big Momma deep in the brush with one kid! They looked fine, so I left her alone for a while. When I returned with towels and feedsacks, a second kid was born and I helped get the goo off his face. It was really getting cold and the ground was saturated from four inches of rain on Sunday. Finally, kid number three slid out and Big Momma and I worked to get them dried off. I finally had to leave and go home, but Big Momma seemed like she was doing a good job.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/C5E9507F-3E7F-4FD5-8337-A0A0C9DA7903-6251-000008AA4B208E7E_zpsd27507c7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/C5E9507F-3E7F-4FD5-8337-A0A0C9DA7903-6251-000008AA4B208E7E_zpsd27507c7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Tuesday morning about 4:30, I went to check on the kids (it's 30 miles to el rancho). On the way, I spotted Jupiter in the sky, near a sickle moon. When I found the little family in the brush, I noticed that the big buckling had a circle and sickle on his shoulders and back, and, well, he got a name-- Jupiter. The doeling was noticeably smaller and had weak back legs, apparently not uncommon in a multi-birth. She didn't have a strong sucking reflex. I went to work for a while and came back, to find Danny trying to get the doeling to take some colostrum from a bottle. She didn't like the nipples either one of us had, so I tube fed her about 60 ml of warm colostrum and this seemed to perk her right up. We moved the mom and kids to the round pen and prepared the dog house for the kids to lay in .<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/05190DE4-E60A-4554-9E9C-429B55E07471-6753-000009845504F89A_zps7f261043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/05190DE4-E60A-4554-9E9C-429B55E07471-6753-000009845504F89A_zps7f261043.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magic Goat Hut and goat babies in dog house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On Wednesday morning, I again made the early morning jaunt and found all three kids doing well. Doeling was still shaky on the back legs, but I helped her get up and nurse a couple of times and was thankful I did not have to tube her. I also gave each kid a shot of CD antitoxin and one of Bovi-Sera since I did not know Big Momma's vaccination status and we didn't get hers complete until the 8th. Danny checked later in the day and I also went out at lunch. I weighed the kids by putting them in a cloth grocery sack and a hanging scale. Jupiter came in at 7#, 1 oz; buckling #2 weighed 6#, 2 oz.; and the little doeling barely hit 5# even.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/89B79977-8981-488A-92A0-2C451F27EF93-6753-000009843EFDD537_zpsc347b177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/89B79977-8981-488A-92A0-2C451F27EF93-6753-000009843EFDD537_zpsc347b177.jpg" width="240" /></a>Thursday and Friday, things were much warmer and the kids were starting to hop around. On Saturday after work, Dan built two Magic Goat huts. Each took two sheets of plywood and four 2x4s. They have a slightly sloped roof and about 16 square feet of floor space. Last night we put one in the round pen for Big Momma and one in the Middle Pasture for the goats.<br />
<br />
Apparently someone there was miffed and kicked out part of the wall in the larger goat/donkey shelter. Hmmmm. Wonder who?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/babygoats_zpsda1ee5fa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/babygoats_zpsda1ee5fa.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We ended the week on a high note. The kids each gained two pounds! In five and a half days!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/bigmomma_zps4cfcf734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/bigmomma_zps4cfcf734.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Good Momma.<br />
<br />
All the adult goats got their final pneumonia vaccine booster shot today as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/5882D91D-4CBD-4321-ABF8-C0C4DAD8336E-6753-000009840D2B4D27_zps1ce97325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/6E7C9611-4F71-4206-B6B7-461DABA01F70-6753-00000984127522FD_zps95276ef2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/6E7C9611-4F71-4206-B6B7-461DABA01F70-6753-00000984127522FD_zps95276ef2.jpg" width="150" /></a><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/5882D91D-4CBD-4321-ABF8-C0C4DAD8336E-6753-000009840D2B4D27_zps1ce97325.jpg" width="150" /></div>
<br />
Fancy got a new toy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/7914C0D7-ADDE-4188-B67E-56AE67AE1D08-6753-0000098444A07660_zps2f48d576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/7914C0D7-ADDE-4188-B67E-56AE67AE1D08-6753-0000098444A07660_zps2f48d576.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billy BA's latest love, Fea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And Billy BA is making sure there will be many more baby goats this spring.<br />
<br />
<br />
Nineteen goats and counting.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-67069272252823427522012-12-06T18:24:00.001-06:002012-12-06T19:00:48.527-06:00Adios, Stupid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn4dmYmNQNof6GImATLlFgoIOZtHigVwmFkLfv5_HGQsM8C7cabmzz_yNyPxhm-PygfLxlpptSpAccLkSwXgpKWF0P4xNmWkaUVjklDfR16iLSLbI-McOfVwiahKhSYZ6Ed7Y4Rx9_jI/s1600/Stupid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn4dmYmNQNof6GImATLlFgoIOZtHigVwmFkLfv5_HGQsM8C7cabmzz_yNyPxhm-PygfLxlpptSpAccLkSwXgpKWF0P4xNmWkaUVjklDfR16iLSLbI-McOfVwiahKhSYZ6Ed7Y4Rx9_jI/s320/Stupid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On Tuesday, Danny took ole Stupid to the Caldwell Livestock Commission, and on Wednesday some lucky bidder paid $45 and took him home. So, I lost $11 on Stupid (if you consider that I paid $300 for the six pygmies/Nigerians). And I am ecstatic. He was an irritant.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The pygmies were the initial set of goats I bought and Stupid was odd from the beginning. He always seemed to be sniffing and shoving and bothering the other goats and the people. When we arrived at the farm, he would run up, asking for attention and being a PITA. The donkeys never cared for him either.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As the herd grew, Stupid became more isolated and ignored and a bigger PITA every day. When I vaccinated last weekend, I had Stupid removed from the round pen and was amazed by the serenity. This firmed my resolve to get rid of Stupid.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On Tuesday, I went to the farm after work to help Danny put everyone back in the middle pasture. I noted that all the animals seemed happy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/BBB1ACD3-F982-4692-A473-18C516663D1F-2571-000002A52658D839_zps15a0f859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/BBB1ACD3-F982-4692-A473-18C516663D1F-2571-000002A52658D839_zps15a0f859.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today, I got off work early and hopped out to the ranch to check on Big Momma (no kids YET!). I found everyone in the middle of the woods, munching on yaupon and crunching up brown oak leaves. Everyone was happy to see me, including does who had never willingly let me touch them. The brown pygmy ran up to me for pets! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/1D26EB04-E60C-4305-95EB-1926A3EA9B07-2571-000002A50CFE1AEF_zps64442f25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/1D26EB04-E60C-4305-95EB-1926A3EA9B07-2571-000002A50CFE1AEF_zps64442f25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
The does were enjoying climbing all over the stumps that Dan dug up, playing King of the Mountain, a popular goat game. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/88A1C61D-2409-448F-855B-66E24ED0BE6A-2571-000002A512642B23_zps5e9ac9b0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/88A1C61D-2409-448F-855B-66E24ED0BE6A-2571-000002A512642B23_zps5e9ac9b0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Fiona had a look but decided to keep it safe and stay on the ground.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And love is in the air. Billy BA is getting along quite well with the three new does I bought from the VanderMartins, so we will have babies next May for sure!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/499917B2-71A4-402E-8BDB-3DFDC4853B3B-2571-000002A5368DFDBC_zpsd18105d2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/499917B2-71A4-402E-8BDB-3DFDC4853B3B-2571-000002A5368DFDBC_zpsd18105d2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/FC28D372-03F8-43C0-B9F8-4CE76359B9AD-2571-000002A4EC31C18B_zps48546f7a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y539/asnoblanco/FC28D372-03F8-43C0-B9F8-4CE76359B9AD-2571-000002A4EC31C18B_zps48546f7a.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-50922679033390147962012-12-02T18:43:00.001-06:002012-12-03T07:11:13.635-06:00Intermezzo<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxu3AWOqTs2g3IFRo7WFnU6fbuR1DGCwXfrYjWxZJUYwO5vP1-d4QjTmDdJ-2EBW63S7kYzaadZwjXHX7Plt6ShkGsoYh0gzPA8GK89EtNN8x1kCCCP5aTTv7E-vSYEAMpTFfj5d28aQ/s640/blogger-image--793043696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxu3AWOqTs2g3IFRo7WFnU6fbuR1DGCwXfrYjWxZJUYwO5vP1-d4QjTmDdJ-2EBW63S7kYzaadZwjXHX7Plt6ShkGsoYh0gzPA8GK89EtNN8x1kCCCP5aTTv7E-vSYEAMpTFfj5d28aQ/s320/blogger-image--793043696.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Electric cross fencing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well we are at a spot where we can take a little breather.<br />
<br />
<u>We finished perimeter and cross fencing on the 4041 piece. </u>Dan estimates over 1.1 miles of fence, six gates, one solar charger, 10,000 feet of barbed wire. With the cross fencing up, we can manage the livestock and better control vegetation and worms.<br />
<br />
<u>We have utilities:</u> water (clean and cold!), electric, and now AT&T 4G service! Plus a fiberglas septic tank and some field lines.<br />
<br />
<u>We have livestock</u>: three donkeys and 18 goats. Yep, we have three more. Fred and Gwen, at <a href="http://www.rvbboers.com/" target="_blank">Rancho Volsas Basias</a> (<i>Guaranteed to have four legs and a tail or double your money back</i>) near Buffalo, sold me three large does, two are 50% registered Boer. Danny and I picked them up on Saturday while Dan put a rebuilt starter in Old Blue and he fired right up!<br />
<a href="http://asnoblanco.blogspot.com/2012/06/working-with-old-blue.html" target="_blank">(Blue is back on staff!).</a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCa9z_k96Nbw8Xf8Sz9s6L1q02WV5IwCQmMR-38jETArj5SuTQa9xg-pnou6qo_ufCFP8FpD-ebm91cnBPGA_qaJqzePW-0RUHABx3yOJohD1WpSQdaSzr_awWo0V5_rK_joZhYwGstg/s640/blogger-image-211007060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCa9z_k96Nbw8Xf8Sz9s6L1q02WV5IwCQmMR-38jETArj5SuTQa9xg-pnou6qo_ufCFP8FpD-ebm91cnBPGA_qaJqzePW-0RUHABx3yOJohD1WpSQdaSzr_awWo0V5_rK_joZhYwGstg/s320/blogger-image-211007060.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three latest additions to the herd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The new gals are open, so Billy has work to do. Hopefully they will be bred by January. None of the pregnant goats have had babies.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWahEkSCcpspT9lRXjTVgPUqhju8LtnF4ROoeeHWzdRFl0ID4Frp7Jwa5WLMFtM4vTzkBrQZpIDbP7pK40QoyCqyRfdb1IT0k9qQ4PiLUkT5-KIc6HDtMI0ppL1l1KiUEQYWB7eHx7Ak/s640/blogger-image-737142274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWahEkSCcpspT9lRXjTVgPUqhju8LtnF4ROoeeHWzdRFl0ID4Frp7Jwa5WLMFtM4vTzkBrQZpIDbP7pK40QoyCqyRfdb1IT0k9qQ4PiLUkT5-KIc6HDtMI0ppL1l1KiUEQYWB7eHx7Ak/s320/blogger-image-737142274.jpg" width="320" /></a>We bought some pipe goat panels and have used the 'round pen' a lot. On our first round of vaccinations, we got all the animals in there and worked them in the big pen.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We haven't had time to build or plan a permanent working area, but the Dans came through with improvising a darn good plan. They disconnected two panels and spread them apart about three feet. Then, they drove in pipes used for chain linking and hung a three foot gate. Then they took three panels to make a room off the little gate. Genuis!<br />
<br />
<u>We have a working pen!</u> This created an offshoot 'room' where I could put a goat, lock them in, and take care of them. Our only real problem is Stupid, one of the most ignorant animals I've ever owned. He's a polled pygmy buck whose ambition in life is to irritate all people and animals as much as possible. He is not long for this herd and we think he finally figured out we don't like him. Anyway, we herded the goats to the round pen and then escorted the donks out. We also escorted Stupid out. What a difference! The goats were all instantly calm, munching on hay, snoozing and ruminating. Very pastoral! In my little room I had a box with vaccines, wormer, ropes, and hoof trimmers. (Did you know a <a href="http://www.riceselect.com/texmati.aspx" target="_blank">Texmati</a> plastic box makes a great sharps container?). This confirmed a unanimous decision to take Stupid to Navasota Auction next week. The donks did enjoy chasing him when he got annoying with them...<br />
<br />
Danny helped me work the animals. First, we opened the little gate and amazingly, a doe just walked right in! I put a rope halter on her and tied her to the rail, gave her shots, wormer and trimmed her feet. Almost too good to be true! (I don't have a goat stand yet, but Dan said he'll build one later!). We turned her back into the round pen and starting working them one after another. The pygmy does were harder to catch, but overall things went great. Danny was a big help, holding horns and helping drive them in the little room. All of these goats were in dire need of hoof trimming. I didn't get all of them trimmed today, but will chip away at it this month. Plus, some needed a little trimming, followed soon by more because they were too overgrown to trim completely today.<br />
<br />
Oh, and we are official. We ear tagged 'Baby' with our official Texas <a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/scrapie/approved-tag-co.shtml" target="_blank">scrapies tag</a>. We are herd #TX 25843<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5nSWXJPyDHokUN_tKjZIna_8idpWx7ma0LNG6N0twtJSrBgWbijFSr9uIDnHNBm4LTDZ9oWvQYU1Hvxk1ZKJVlrGWoxTEfblb1N4tgOE_75BqHlUtDID5v4LbtcJIt3a7OBFeLZSALk/s640/blogger-image-1382004390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5nSWXJPyDHokUN_tKjZIna_8idpWx7ma0LNG6N0twtJSrBgWbijFSr9uIDnHNBm4LTDZ9oWvQYU1Hvxk1ZKJVlrGWoxTEfblb1N4tgOE_75BqHlUtDID5v4LbtcJIt3a7OBFeLZSALk/s640/blogger-image-1382004390.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby gets tag number one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, it's intermezzo, which only means we slow down a bit. Up next is building Danny's house, selling our Brazos County house, and fencing the 4057 property.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-22746630613040820772012-11-18T20:55:00.001-06:002012-11-18T21:16:37.632-06:00Water, electricity, and MORE GOATS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6ntdMtNYcOHoPqjpK_yMlfFLzsBWjkbMMYZMGJhg51RkkLKFhPWUE22FukTNUhuEufpcp6fR7GRyhAZ09uFYCr-t_y3s51o6-4Vwi0DBf4eS6C2uLZkyTvkgLWLKk8AKmwU6DyLAYVo/s1600/November+18,+2012+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6ntdMtNYcOHoPqjpK_yMlfFLzsBWjkbMMYZMGJhg51RkkLKFhPWUE22FukTNUhuEufpcp6fR7GRyhAZ09uFYCr-t_y3s51o6-4Vwi0DBf4eS6C2uLZkyTvkgLWLKk8AKmwU6DyLAYVo/s320/November+18,+2012+077.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
When we bought the 14 acres next door, we knew there was an old well there, but the seller did not make any guarantees on it. The cost of drilling a well is really steep, so we hoped we would end up with a well that worked... The well house is long gone, but they had put cattle panels around the wellhead to keep out livestock and deer. The yaupon, however, had completely covered the area. After we closed on the land, Dan began cleaning up the area and found that the pressure tank looked fine, but we still had no electricity. He also found part of an old septic system with field lines. In order to test the pump, we needed electricity, thus necessitating the services of an electrician. Doesn't sound too hard, right? Wrong!<br />
<br />
I think Danny called two or three electricians who siad they would call him back and never did. You'd think there was no recession going on. I finally did phone-a-friend on <a href="http://v4.texags.com/Forums">TexAgs.com</a> and "Dubi" came through with a great referral in Atlas Electric in Bryan.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3p7iXDACOQbOFxeh21I56VRtKvhSdtPhF1w1NysFOHJDJ21guFX_Aqd-kZgqQZNsdN22px7PPuhQZNm0kcFtv4CGaaGd6W6KOrppmsWbQFkBLX9jvBjosgXGO87iifjGS4BTXPTzDjzU/s1600/November+18%252C+2012+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3p7iXDACOQbOFxeh21I56VRtKvhSdtPhF1w1NysFOHJDJ21guFX_Aqd-kZgqQZNsdN22px7PPuhQZNm0kcFtv4CGaaGd6W6KOrppmsWbQFkBLX9jvBjosgXGO87iifjGS4BTXPTzDjzU/s320/November+18%252C+2012+078.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I spoke with the owner and described what we needed and then an electrician worked with Danny on setting up a time. On Friday, he met with the electrician and we got a 200 amp box, two GFI weather resistant convenience outlets, and, more importantly, power to the well! Danny called <a href="https://www.bluebonnetelectric.coop/home.aspx" target="_blank">Bluebonnet Electric</a> and the lineman came right out and connected power to our box. That afternoon,the Dans went out and started it up and the pump started pumping and the water started flowing! We needed about three dollars worth of plumbing parts and we were in business. Today, we ran the water into a gully for about an hour. The water is clear and cool and very tempting! However, knowing that the well has been open a while, we are going to have the water tested before we taste any of its goodness. Having water and electricity places us much closer to Danny building his house! We also won't have to haul water for the livestock! Amazing how handy first-world utilities are!<br />
<br />
Speaking of livestock, I've been scouring the Brazos Valley looking for does. I visited one place in Grimes County where the woman said she had 30 goats and needed to sell a couple to relieve overcrowding. Well, it was pretty crowded all right: eight cows, one bull, 30 goats of various breeds, ages, and sizes, seven turkeys, at least 50 ducks, two Great Pyranees guardian dogs, 12 guineas, three kittens, a llama, innumerable chickens, and a miniature weiner dog. Oh, yeah, and a macaw. All in one enclosure. Wow. One Boer doe had two kids, just a few days old, and they were being trampled by large dairy goats. The woman remarked that one was limping. Well, duh! Needless to say, I let her know the next day that I didn't think they would fit into my herd.<br />
<br />
At an impasse, I blindly contacted a guy with a $1000 buck for sale on Craigslist, asking for advice on where to buy does. He not only emailed me back, he gave me some leads on commercial breeders in Burleson County. I called one man who said he did not sell fewer than ten at $250 each because it wasn't worth his time. He suggested I go to <a href="http://www.navasotalivestock.com/">Navasota Livestock Auction.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.navasotalivestock.com/phototour/nls_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://www.navasotalivestock.com/phototour/nls_10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Of course! I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner. The auction is open most Saturdays and is well-attended. I went yesterday just for a little reconnaissance. I saw lots of goats, including goats that looked like they might fit into my herd. I hadn't planned to buy goats, but I did! They sold at least 35 goats on Saturday, and I got five of them. The auction starts with goats (lucky for me!) and the first two out of the shoot were two white dairy goats from the Grimes County place I visited on Thursday! I saw the woman sitting down front. The next goat out was a very pregnant Boer with a nice udder and I was the high bidder for her. The woman turned around and glared. Guess she was mad I didn't spend money on her goats! I ended up with five does: the pregnant traditional one, a white spotted LaMancha cross (can't miss those ears! Oh, they ARE missing..), a pregnant Boer cross, a red Boer cross, and a traditional Boer doeling. We picked them up on Sunday and left them in the trailer for a while, so they calm down from the highway ride. When I opened the door, they jumped right out, eager to eat and greet.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPF7iLgAs5f3N5SZtZmKzJ59vbzLb2oD88VAC7hV4b1Q5jyzPuHSQ1IA-eMYn45KEIgEQHPZWWMFtUAW8VmstF8ZPXFAkLgZL-KNMHC-5U8BQYxtr2VYvPxuwkT-eNqCDUHgjGwoNdiM/s1600/November+18%252C+2012+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPF7iLgAs5f3N5SZtZmKzJ59vbzLb2oD88VAC7hV4b1Q5jyzPuHSQ1IA-eMYn45KEIgEQHPZWWMFtUAW8VmstF8ZPXFAkLgZL-KNMHC-5U8BQYxtr2VYvPxuwkT-eNqCDUHgjGwoNdiM/s400/November+18%252C+2012+068.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping out at Asno Blanco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So now, time to plan the nursery. The new Boer looks ready to pop and should kid within the week. The agouti pygmies (I call them the Oreos) are both pregnant and are anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks out. I am pretty sure that the two young does I bought with Billy (Doll and Belle) were exposed in October. As for the others, only time will tell.<br />
<br />
Finally, I contacted the State Veterinarian's Office and was issued a herd number for the <a href="http://www.eradicatescrapie.org/" target="_blank">Scrapies Eradication </a>program. They will be sending me All-Flex eartags with my herd number and individual numbers. As soon as they arrive, I can start tagging the herd. My big question involves the LaManchas--- do I tag their <a href="http://www.lamanchas.com/ears.htm" target="_blank">ears?</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-16273090826880757442012-11-10T20:43:00.001-06:002012-11-10T20:43:51.523-06:00Goats!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEX2FIkV-gaioiq42qJaLkN285UDVw10NJMiqpn4HAf9i_gKWf4vwTj7hAuLpCDsf45V5P63yPa314-NAawsucVMovI_dsDV1vlzCblQgeAc4ApUHdF0xs4O62GgN-WdIFUfHfdTazUg/s640/blogger-image-173315832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEX2FIkV-gaioiq42qJaLkN285UDVw10NJMiqpn4HAf9i_gKWf4vwTj7hAuLpCDsf45V5P63yPa314-NAawsucVMovI_dsDV1vlzCblQgeAc4ApUHdF0xs4O62GgN-WdIFUfHfdTazUg/s320/blogger-image-173315832.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oreo and ??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We have a herd! Last week we picked up six goats and this week we picked up four more. I still need about four or five more meat does, but we are definitely in the goat business.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The first six were bought for cheap off Craigslist and are pygmy/Nigerian dwarf goats. One polled black buck, a brown nanny, two black agouti does, a white La Mancha wether, and a tan wether. I found them in Navasota, about a zillion miles down a narrow gravel road. The owner was selling them. He had a good perimeter fence, but was surprised that the goats were eating the wooden posts holding up the porch on his fake log cabin house. Duh. When we drove up, Dan noticed a horse standing on the front porch. We got a little closer and discovered there were two horses on the porch (the sorrel was camouflaged against the faux logs). I had to move the palomino to ring the doorbell, but they weren't home. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpH1MWY8VhTrEl47iVbFewEbZlsVvztrdVgritbuKmMf8Au_4qRmZyXiPtIrp7XHri1wXE4sBuZROo9b0GsOw5SEf4AxpyuuakgxDFAlhxOqC99JW2pg42aOq381cHM-3oYBVQ1sy8USQ/s640/blogger-image-913185221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpH1MWY8VhTrEl47iVbFewEbZlsVvztrdVgritbuKmMf8Au_4qRmZyXiPtIrp7XHri1wXE4sBuZROo9b0GsOw5SEf4AxpyuuakgxDFAlhxOqC99JW2pg42aOq381cHM-3oYBVQ1sy8USQ/s320/blogger-image-913185221.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown doe, Whitey, Stupid and wether</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Went around back and saw that one doe had jumped out of the three foot high pen he built. The palomino tried to help me corral her, but we ended up waiting for the guy to come home and help us shove them all in the trailer. Don't think this guy knew much about livestock. The wife said the horses get on the porch and ring the doorbell, which is kinda funny, but odd. This was a weeknight and by the time we got to the farm, it was very dark. We pulled in, opened the trailer and had to drag them out. The donkeys were not well-pleased. At all. No-sirree-Bob. We left the trailer at the farm with the door open to give the goats a place to hang out. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Things settled down a bit after a few days. This week, we picked up a boer buck, two boer-type does, and a huge white wether from a woman in Wellborn. I visited her one day and liked the two-year old buck. She also had the two does. I made an offer to buy the buck on the condition she sell me the does, too. I could tell she was attached to Belle and Doll, but she had decided to go with dairy goats instead of meat goats. The next day, she let me know that she would part with them. We rolled up to her mansion and loaded the girls in the trailer, thinking it would be easier to load the buck if the girls were on board. Dan backed the trailer to the gate in the buck pen and we got his large self loaded. At that point, the seller turns to me and says, "You need to take Billy (he's the wether). He's too rowdy for the dairy does and he'll be lonely." Uh, okay. So we loaded him, too. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONhsmfgnJEk7m57QaC0eRGgJw26y5HvpmWWLV8P6d03Njo7nc50e3U9_hEsFklJU7y4hmBlQ4odfoS89cmA7jSexs9Qj22JmpIHXx-BMUQpGm-RTDgkIINP1wv2QLBj-ekz8CvnMyTNs/s640/blogger-image-2052352840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONhsmfgnJEk7m57QaC0eRGgJw26y5HvpmWWLV8P6d03Njo7nc50e3U9_hEsFklJU7y4hmBlQ4odfoS89cmA7jSexs9Qj22JmpIHXx-BMUQpGm-RTDgkIINP1wv2QLBj-ekz8CvnMyTNs/s400/blogger-image-2052352840.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doll and Belle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This time, we got to the farm and it wasn't quite dark. The donkeys and goats were hanging out together in the picnic area like old friends. We opened the trailer and got the buck out. The two does are like teenage girls at a party who don't know anyone, all skittish and noisy. We stayed a while to make sure the two bucks would not kill one another.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_xlkn55_4UMy3t15xvM6neUZ5k2ZIkADH9BLghO5kWGewqsPFgkeM40vadJtNAUAb-m2ZI3tdMm39zchxv2rbtafeNRBYseOyAvkB4wPi4YjgrEcI78KsPtecAAXmh-ymO903YFfJ_8/s640/blogger-image--1877783590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_xlkn55_4UMy3t15xvM6neUZ5k2ZIkADH9BLghO5kWGewqsPFgkeM40vadJtNAUAb-m2ZI3tdMm39zchxv2rbtafeNRBYseOyAvkB4wPi4YjgrEcI78KsPtecAAXmh-ymO903YFfJ_8/s200/blogger-image--1877783590.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oreo and Billy Bad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today, I got out to the farm and saw the donkeys near the fence when I drove up. I rolled down the window and told them to meet me at the picnic area. They never showed, so I went looking for them. Found them guarding the goats! Convinced them to come with me and the entire herd followed me to the round pen. Gave the donks their boosters first and turned them out. I coerced the goats into the pen and shut the gate. For the first time ever, Molly McButter (momma donkey) started making donkey sounds! The donks were distraught, so I let them in the pen with the goats. Then we gave the first six goats their initial 8-way vaccine (the boers were already vaccinated). So thankful for the help from the Dans in catching and holding critters. I realize that I really need a goat stand/headpiece to use to do this work. Most need a hoof trim, so that's on my list of things to get.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh, the names? Well, they are acquiring names.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Stupid</b>-- what both Dans said when the little black buck walked up to the boer buck with an attitude.</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzElTcRXh9Lp_1_D5HC3vH_LNPg-OVgiVAMlx98FmPeDSe4R6Dk9uJ0PQ2w5BAPGUb2-7fQDlZFrPKcna3B7mSSjG27yRq4glU1qlWVxuIPPqDZKghZ5bTITULX8281-whZcaW8zydEI/s640/blogger-image-1498484621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzElTcRXh9Lp_1_D5HC3vH_LNPg-OVgiVAMlx98FmPeDSe4R6Dk9uJ0PQ2w5BAPGUb2-7fQDlZFrPKcna3B7mSSjG27yRq4glU1qlWVxuIPPqDZKghZ5bTITULX8281-whZcaW8zydEI/s200/blogger-image-1498484621.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stupid and Billy Bad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Quisling</b>- the large white wether-- D3 noticed he's always looking out for himself. </div>
<div>
<b>Billy Bad A$$</b>- the Boer buck. </div>
<div>
<b>Belle and Doll</b>- the yearling Boer does came with these names and answer to them.</div>
<div>
<b>Whitey</b>- the other white wether. Likes to lock horns with Quisling</div>
<div>
<b>Oreo</b>- original name of one of the pygmy does. She a black agouti with a white middle.</div>
<div>
So the three without names are the brown Nigerian/pygmy doe (<i><u>she</u></i><i style="text-decoration: underline;"> </i>is the head doe in this herd), the tan wether, and the other black agouti doe. <br />
<br />
I have applied for a Scrapies herd number and plan to tag all of them, especially the kids, who will NOT have names... </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991349704858016031.post-47797231735474638592012-10-28T14:40:00.000-05:002012-10-28T18:25:19.556-05:00Goat Camp Part II (or, Brooke the Cook)The biggest surprise at Goat Camp was the cooking, but it also brought us together. Early Saturday afternoon. Tim and Kale (who's 6 1/2 months pregnant, more later) helped Sasha and me load our many bags from HQ to our sleeping quarters. Later on, Brooke (who is Tim's mom) showed up and invited us to the kitchen and asked if we knew how to cook because we would be cooking for camp. Do what? Brooke sighs. Didn't Suzanne tell you that you would be cooking? Nope. Well, someone start chopping onions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thumbnails.illustrationsource.com/huge.28.142926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://thumbnails.illustrationsource.com/huge.28.142926.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
And so we started our cooking odyssey. We sat in the farm kitchen at an eight foot table, slicing chopping, sauteing, stirring and cracking. When you cook as a group, a rhythm develops. While doing prep, conversation flows and we were no different, running the gamut from where ya from, to what's your sign, how goat-y are you, and what do you do. Brooke was an Arizonan who had lived in Okinawa, Sasha was from Ohio, but had lived in Austin a few years before returning to her roots, and me, well, just your basic Texas woman.<br />
<br />
While Sasha and I chopped veg and meat, Brooke cooked rice and did a little stir fry for dinner. She gave us some info on OCR and Suzanne. We sous chefs also learned we would be in charge of breakfast as she would not arrive at the ranch until after finishing her bus route. Oh, boy. Waking up that early had not been part of my plans. But I was grateful Sasha was the other sous chef as we plotted how early we needed to get up to cook migas for 60, have it ready and at the classroom by 7:30. Early.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/535701_524666907562164_1707285619_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/535701_524666907562164_1707285619_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rayne and Tim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tim and Kale asked if we'd like to 'ride pastures,' so Sasha and I hopped in the back of the Kawasaki Mule and off we went. Each evening, someone rides pastures to check the perimeter fence, look at the goats to spot any sick or injured, and get a general sense of putting the ranch to bed. On a 250+ acre ranch, it takes a while to transit through all of the pastures, opening and shutting gates, but it was exhilarating, out on the Texas plains, with the gentle sound of goats bedding down, stars in the sky and plenty of fresh air. Tim and Kale are newlyweds, with a baby on the way. They have lived in the ranch house for under three months, but have known Suzanne for quite a while as momma Brooke has worked for her off and on in the past few years.<br />
<br />
And so our days were bookended with cooking. Up at 5:30 or so, then class with some morning cooking and then serving of lunch, then class, the cooking at night til 9 or 10. Brooke and Bonnie were there from about 8:30 to 2:30 each day (between their school bus driving duties), and then Brooke would return after finishing the afternoon bus drop off.<br />
<br />
We did not have a set menu, just tons of ingredients, plus Brooke brought us more stuff from the store nearly every 20 mile trip from Brady. Input from the sous chefs was always appreciated, and we found ways to use and repurpose everything that was left over or over-bought.<br />
<br />
<u>Monday breakfast</u>: migas, banana bread (some with nuts, cranberries and other yummys)<br />
<u>Monday Lunch</u>: chili with pork, black beans, and corn, romaine salad with Sasha's homemade ranch and Italian dressings, Sasha's green chile and cheddar corn bread, angel food cake, fruit.<br />
<u>Tuesday breakfast:</u> Breakfast bread pudding with leeks and fontina cheese, banana bread<br />
<u>Tuesday Lunch</u>: Shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches, Brooke's coleslaw, and pinto beans (Brooke thinks that Texans eat beans with everything). First sighting of pico de gallo.<br />
<u>Wednesday breakfast</u> Oatmeal cooked all night, with various toppings, fruit, and egg and cheese sandwiches (cheddar or mozzarella, white or whole wheat)<br />
<u>Wednesday lunch:</u> King Ranch Chicken (prepared by moi), corn, banana pudding. More pico.<br />
<u>Thursday breakfast: </u> Breakfast tacos, with grilled peppers and onions, bacon, cheese<br />
<u>Thursday lunch:</u> Beef and chicken fajitas, bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapenos, all the standard fajita toppings, MORE PICO. Peach cobbler and Peach Crisp for dessert.<br />
<u>Friday breakfast:</u> French Toast Casserole,white and whole wheat bread mixed together. One pan was plain and one was topped with a pecan/walnut caramel sauce. Biscuits, homemade syrups (peach, plum or apple). Syrups were made with leftover snack fruit or cobbler. Delish.<br />
<u>Friday lunch:</u> Grilled chicken and veg kabobs, with calabazos, onion, tomato, bell pepper, pineapple. Served with Japanese rice. Topped off with super brownies and even more banana pudding. Oh. Pico.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_Wpd5CapoMfV2aeSElFL0CKXP71KxQ5mkS6QeqzWSPVqCwDfdfo0rc0cbBa8vdI8g9D5VGcUjEnYYPLvyCbtP-V_GvgKIJkixdutK3a-TsofS2k_kVaM-2t76XYTbggfOr5CXhblQXQ/s1600/pico-de-gallo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_Wpd5CapoMfV2aeSElFL0CKXP71KxQ5mkS6QeqzWSPVqCwDfdfo0rc0cbBa8vdI8g9D5VGcUjEnYYPLvyCbtP-V_GvgKIJkixdutK3a-TsofS2k_kVaM-2t76XYTbggfOr5CXhblQXQ/s400/pico-de-gallo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, pico was consumed in mass quantities. We made about a gallon each time and they emptied the bowl. That's choppin' a lot of tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and cilantro. Bonnie was our jalapeno expert and remembered to wear gloves (important safety tip). One night, Tom came down and helped chop, too.<br />
<br />
From the first day, campers kept asking if we had a cookbook they could buy and they all assumed we had known one another for years. In fact, they were shocked when we said we had met just a day or two before. Guess that's what shared work and creativity does to a group of strangers-- makes them a team of friends. And that cookbook? Well, it's in the works.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167651429822297072noreply@blogger.com0