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We're Expecting! and other Fun Stuff
Posted 5/23/2011 11:48am by Sharon Kinsey .
RUBY
The really, really, big news is that Ruby (our white standard donkey) is expecting - maybe in the next couple of months. We were beginning to think that Dude did not have it in him but he came through. I am so excited and nervous. Have started to read up on caring for baby etc. Will post pictures of Ruby in all her pregnant glory very soon. If it's a girl (it had better be!) the name will be Pearl - if it is a boy - the name will be Jasper (a very beautiful gemstone).
UPDATE ON JONAH
My city slicker friend Rebecca came to visit me in April and after introducing her to Jonah and showing off his neat trick of flopping over on his back for belly rubs - Rebecca had the nerve to tell me that Jonah was a SHE not a HE. Well, I may not be an expert in pig anatomy but it did not take her long to convince me that she was right. It does not matter of course - but I suppose she got tired of hearing me refer to her as "him." I will not change her name. There is a lady at church whose name is "Jonna" - so Jonah is just fine thank you.
CHICKENS, CHICKENS EVERYWHERE!
Let's face it, a farm is not really a farm unless you have chickens. And we now have chickens. They are Salmon Faverolles - a french breed known for good egg laying and extreme friendliness. Unbelievable how fast they are growing! Eggs are in my future....
EASTER FUN
What is Easter without an Easter Bunny. Guess who? I got to make a fool of myself twice this year - once at church and again at Woodview Nursing Home - I actually had a good time....
SENIOR CITIZENS AND GOATS
I love visiting Woodview Nursing Home and I especially enjoy creating smiles when possible. Periodically, Woodview schedules a patio day where they take a number of the residents to a side patio and engage in some activity. This time I brought Cain, Abel and Barnabas. I'm not sure who had more fun - the residents or the goats.
SHEEP SHEARING 2011
I was a bit worried we were not going to get it done this year. It has gotten near impossible to find a shearer - at least where I live. But someone came through and everyone got their summer coats. Of course not all were happy about it. The shearer this year would not trim the hooves so I had to do that. It was not fun - my back and butt still hurt!
SOME DAYS ARE MORE OF A CHALLENGE THAN OTHERS
There is nothing that ruins my day more than when I head to the barn and see that all of the animals from the ewe pasture are out. This has happened more than once and it is usually my fault for leaving a gate or door open. This time, however, I am innocent and I'm suspicious of a certain 800 pound cow named Annabelle who can reach over the door.
Anyway - as I approached the barn at 6:30 am today I first noticed Golda out and then the goats. The sheep and the cows were down the back road a piece. The sheep were easy - I just held a flake of hay over my head and yelled "sheep, sheep, sheep" (that's the universal sheep call :-)) They all came running and I led them back into the pasture. Golda went back in with some reservations - after all, she does not often get to walk about the place. Next I tossed the three goats back in - they are easy - they stick together and they stay where the hay is. Now for the cows - they don't have halters on so I jumped into my RTV (the one without a windshield - see below) and took off after them. I got behind them and rode their butts until I got them back close to the pasture gate. Annabelle is easy - all I needed to do what stick a bowl of sweet feed under her nose and she followed me into the pasture like a puppy. Pattilabelle is not so easy - she does not like sweet feed - so I jumped back into the RTV and herded her as close as I could to the pasture gate and then shoved her in. Bongo was not to be found but about 10 minutes later he came sauntering up from the direction of the pond. He likes his occassional walkabouts. I thought I had everyone until I spotted two sheep (Leah's twins) in Babe's pasture. I can't even imagine how they got there - and it took me a good 30 minutes to lure them back to the other side of the barn and into their pasture.
I used to panic when this happened - now I just take a deep breath and start collecting.
GRAPEVINE 1 - SHARON 0
I give Jim a hard time because he's just an accident waiting to happen on the farm. I won't go into all the particulars but there are a number of holes in the sides of our barns that did not get there by themselves. Then there are the crushed downspouts - oh well- things happen. It turns out I am not immune to farm mishaps. As you can see from the photos - my beautiful Kabota RTV no longer has a windshield. I guess I didn't need one anyway. Somehow I managed to snag a grape vine (a 100 year old grape vine I should add) as I passed by and it just shattered the windshield. The view is so much clearer now! And I don't have to worry about fog or smashed bugs or anything!
AN UNBELIEVABLE BIRTHDAY PRESENT
As some of you know - I am blessed to have two wonderful best friends in my life - Rebecca on the West Coast and Dee here in Virginia. I love them both more than I can say. Both have incredible talents. One of Rebecca's somewhat hidden talents is her artistic ability. She doesn't talk about it or show it off much but she's incredible. About two years ago she asked me to send her a plain blue workshirt because she wanted to make me something with my farm animals on it. I knew she could embroider but I was not prepared for what she gave me when she came to visit in April. The picture here hardly does it justice and it is only the back. The front is embroidered as well, as are the cuffs and the collar. I'm bummed that it is now summer and I cannot wear it 24/7. This was truly a special gift.
A SAD NOTE
You may recall the picture I posted of our farm sign which my best friend Dee's husband made me for my birthday last year. Well - sadly, Paul passed away in April after a year long battle with cancer. I'm so happy I have the sign to remember him by. I'm also glad he'll have an easier time finding the place any time he wants to drop in for a visit :-) We'll miss him.
Well - that's all the big stuff. Obediah (my yearling ram) is suffering from what we think is Polio (the sheep variety) - if he responds to treatment he'll be perfect in a couple of days. All the other critters are doing well.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Spring and I pray you will have a safe and happy summer. Keep the notes coming - I love to hear from you.
Sharon
I am not happy with Dude...I know you are but he took advantage of Ruby - way to go Jade for keeping him away! :-)
I didn't even think to check Jonah's underparts - good catch Rebecca!
Love the chickens, so stinkin cute!
I wish I was there to take the goats with you! I bet that was a hoot.
I never like the pictures of sheering - the sheep look so unhappy but I know they are happy once it is done.
Beautiful shirt Rebecca!
Indeed, Paul will be missed.
I love your heart for others.
I love you!