Meet Browning

Back in mid-November I acquired an Angora doe from Spinning Moon Farm in southern Michigan. Goats seem to travel well in the backseat of my car and Britches (aka Peaches) was no exception. Give 'em a little hay, turn on some music and away we go.
Britches has adapted well, and today she gave birth to a 7.25 lb little buckling. Prettiest color so far here among the goat herd.
Little Browning seems to be in a daze about this whole birth situation. I get the feeling he doesn't quite like the place to where he's been transported.

Browning, Angora buckling 4-24-14

Britches, 9 yr old Angora doe

Brown Eggs

After cutting the oval and painting my new egg sign I was able to hang it up today. 

What do you think?

Fresh squeezed brown eggs

5 Things To Do Outside During Rain*

Below is a post from a year ago. It seems rain is popular at this time of year.

I'm trying to look at the wet situation outside in a more positive light. Even though the light out there isn't all that positive. It's more like a dim light in a dark closet. Stupid clouds!

So, in an effort to exude a more positive outlook on this stinkin' Michigan weather I have come up with five things a person could actually do outside in the rain. Now, keep in mind, I'm not saying such a person would be in their right mind, or they haven't been smoking something illegal in most US states.

1. Take a shower.
2. Wash your clothes
3. Give the cat a bath
4. Dig little trenches to drain off the water
5. Put little leaf boats in the trenches and watch them go bye-bye

* Disclaimer: Please do not attempt if you live around neighbors. Check local ordinances for any required permits.

16 Uses For Baling Twine

Oh, what a beautiful day it was! 

Peacock Sr

Waking up to sunshine can’t be beat. Add in the welcoming sounds from the animals and a good cup of coffee and you‘ve got a pretty good start to the day. And, its a toss-up as to who is the loudest in the morning. Between the horse, goats, chickens, peafowl and ducks, I think Ducky is the noisiest. In fact, she gets rather excited when she sees me first thing: she sneezes after she quacks. I find this trait of hers funny. Why would a duck sneeze? It made me think of the expression “nothing to sneeze at“ and where it originated. Take a look here because I’m sure you’ll find it quite interesting. I know I did, and now I’m beginning to think Ducky isn’t so cute.

Ducky & Dizzy

Trouble & Sandy sunbathing

As I sat in the sunshine for a bit this afternoon untangling baling twine that I refuse to throw away, knotting it together and then winding it onto a hose reel I got to thinking of the reasons why I was taking the time to bother. Well, let me count the ways:

1. Use to tie the lid down when hauling something in a vehicle trunk
2. Make braided lead ropes with clips for the horse, goats, cat, etc
3. Use it to make a straight fence line, seed rows or plant a straight line of bushes
4. Weave a floor cloth
5. Tie newspaper bundles
6. Crochet a rug
7. Use it to tie packages.
8. Make a fish net
9. Use it for temporary clothesline
10. Use it for tying down tarps 
11. Hang the chicken feeder
12. Use it for tying down tents
13. Make a string trellis for morning glories
14. Use it for string beans to climb
15. Use wood and baling twine to make a trellis panel
16. Use several strands together to make a hammock

I’m sure there are more uses, and I know there are some who would consider my reel of twine an eccentric habit. But it got me to wondering if anyone else would use my reel of baling twine after I’m gone. Naturally, I will leave it to my son. And I would hope he would gladly use it and think of me. But who would use it after him? He and his wife don’t have any children. Who is going to remember it was me that started that reel of twine? And why am I thinking of this baling twine as one of the two things I'd be leaving to posterity? Do I really want to be remembered as that crazy old woman who had a reel of twine and a sneezing duck?