Animals
This morning started much the same as every morning on the farm. Our alarm clock is the first "wake up!" song of Mr. Cardinal (Mr. and Mrs. are year-long residents in the tree outside the farmhouse). Without fail, each day he sings the first stanza of his song and then, as if we've pushed the snooze button, he waits about 10 minutes before continuing. At that point Mrs. Cardinal answers him back and the avian forest chorus joins in. From this point on it is hard to think about going back to sleep. The sun has begun its ascent and with the brightening sky we know that hungry animals await our arrival. Out of bed, we pull on our jeans, muck boots, and this morning, a sweatshirt. The temperature is unseasonably cool which makes morning chores so much more pleasant.
Looking at our sweet goats I realize with a melancholy sigh that like our children it is impossible to keep them small. They grow up before their parents are ready. Our bucklings are adolescents and effects of puberty are quite evident. They have thick beards and proud horns. Their voices have deepened and they have started to show off for the doelings.....not so different from our own boys when they were teenagers. At least the goats will stay home...no worries of driving, or drinking, or mischievous pranks. 
On the way back to the house (after mucking pastures) we stop by the guinea house to check food and water. Oh my, how these babies have grown! Like all of the babies we have raised....you just can't keep them young.
- Tom Tom, Farm Manager
Each morning, when I arrive at the barn, Tom Tom is waiting for me and leads me into the barn...a reminder that hungry kitties are waiting. He quickly gulps down his breakfast (spoiled barn kitties get canned food twice a day and unlimited dry food available....amazingly...
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"One misty, moisty morning, when cloudy was the weather....." I was reminded of this nursery rhyme this morning when I went out to do the chores. A thick blanket of fog had settled over the farm since last night's torrential rain storm. Fog like this...
- Ah, Fresh Water
During morning chores, we filled the watering trough in the pasture. It did not take long for the horses and ponies to wander down and check out what we were up to. Ah, there is nothing quite as tasty as fresh water right out of the well....Ava and Donnie...
- Mutual Grooming
Last night's cold front left us with a chilly, foggy morning. The sun rose above the pasture in a misty haze. Except for the usual avian choir practice, things are rather quiet and peaceful. The chore menu reads the same as most mornings...feed the...
- Cold, Quiet Mornings
There is something so peaceful about morning in the barn. The air is crisp and cool. The animals have just woken up and are quietly waiting for hay. Morning is my favorite time at the farm. After taking hay to the goats and horses, feeding the chickens,...
Animals
You Can't Keep Them Young!
This morning started much the same as every morning on the farm. Our alarm clock is the first "wake up!" song of Mr. Cardinal (Mr. and Mrs. are year-long residents in the tree outside the farmhouse). Without fail, each day he sings the first stanza of his song and then, as if we've pushed the snooze button, he waits about 10 minutes before continuing. At that point Mrs. Cardinal answers him back and the avian forest chorus joins in. From this point on it is hard to think about going back to sleep. The sun has begun its ascent and with the brightening sky we know that hungry animals await our arrival. Out of bed, we pull on our jeans, muck boots, and this morning, a sweatshirt. The temperature is unseasonably cool which makes morning chores so much more pleasant.We are not the only ones that enjoy this break from the dog days of summer. The horses and ponies are so much more energetic...galloping around the pastures and kicking up their heels. This morning I am greeted by two hungry ponies at the pasture gate. After bringing them and the horses down to the barn for breakfast, we head up to feed the goats and chickens.
Looking at our sweet goats I realize with a melancholy sigh that like our children it is impossible to keep them small. They grow up before their parents are ready. Our bucklings are adolescents and effects of puberty are quite evident. They have thick beards and proud horns. Their voices have deepened and they have started to show off for the doelings.....not so different from our own boys when they were teenagers. At least the goats will stay home...no worries of driving, or drinking, or mischievous pranks. On the way back to the house (after mucking pastures) we stop by the guinea house to check food and water. Oh my, how these babies have grown! Like all of the babies we have raised....you just can't keep them young.It is 7:30 AM and the morning chores are finished. As usual, the reward for a job well done is a big farm breakfast with fresh eggs from our hens.
- Tom Tom, Farm Manager
Each morning, when I arrive at the barn, Tom Tom is waiting for me and leads me into the barn...a reminder that hungry kitties are waiting. He quickly gulps down his breakfast (spoiled barn kitties get canned food twice a day and unlimited dry food available....amazingly...
-
"One misty, moisty morning, when cloudy was the weather....." I was reminded of this nursery rhyme this morning when I went out to do the chores. A thick blanket of fog had settled over the farm since last night's torrential rain storm. Fog like this...
- Ah, Fresh Water
During morning chores, we filled the watering trough in the pasture. It did not take long for the horses and ponies to wander down and check out what we were up to. Ah, there is nothing quite as tasty as fresh water right out of the well....Ava and Donnie...
- Mutual Grooming
Last night's cold front left us with a chilly, foggy morning. The sun rose above the pasture in a misty haze. Except for the usual avian choir practice, things are rather quiet and peaceful. The chore menu reads the same as most mornings...feed the...
- Cold, Quiet Mornings
There is something so peaceful about morning in the barn. The air is crisp and cool. The animals have just woken up and are quietly waiting for hay. Morning is my favorite time at the farm. After taking hay to the goats and horses, feeding the chickens,...