Farm Fresh Blog

The arctic weather has pulled away, leaving milder temperatures, but a raging head cold on my part. Unfortunately, the farm doesn't slow down merely because Primary Caretaker is sick. Other Half is out of town and thus, the care of a hungry farm falls on me - and Nyquil.

We have streamlined most of the chores, but some things cannot be rushed. In addition to throwing feed at the animals, I must also socialize the baby goats. It's a tough chore, but someone has to do it! This involves feeding everyone else, and then collapsing on the ground in their pen. They find this vastly amusing and so they jump all over me for snuggles and pets. They also push and shove each other as they fight for who gets to be held.

Although this doesn't sound important, it really is. These aren't bottle babies, thus, if I want them tame like dogs, they must be treated like puppies regardless of how tempting it is to just feed the animals and go back to bed.

Because goats are definitely on the menu in Texas, it is paramount that the little boy is Pet Material. Semi-wild goats get eaten. Pet goats that are cute have better prospects than the dinner plate. Because the little girl is destined to be a milk goat like her mother, it's important that she is easy to handle and friendly. Wild dairy goats get sent down the road - and ultimately can end up on the dinner plate, so proper socialization is important.

When sitting on a bed of shavings, drunk on Nyquil, the mind tends to wander. My mind is constantly looking at ways to improve the current barn situation when we build again. For instance:

* New barn will have cameras and baby monitors. This will limit cold, midnight trips to check mommas and babies.
* New barn will have HOT water. This will help when trying to clean Momma's butt off.
* New barn will have television in the stall. This will allow me to watch the news with a baby goat in my lap.
* New barn will have a recliner in the stall. This will allow me to watch the news, in a recliner, with a baby goat in my lap.
* New barn will have a pharmacy. This will allow me to sit in the recliner, watch the news, with a baby goat in my lap, and get more aloe vera Kleenex and cherry Nyquil without leaving the house.

Yessirree. That new barn is gonna be a doosey! In the mean time, please pass me the Nyquil and another Kleenex.