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We made it through another year, thankful for the adventures and progress we've made. We've made mistakes, learned some lessons, and done a few things right. Now, looking forward to the new year with more to do. Finishing old projects and starting new ones, lambing, kidding, milking, egg laying, gardening, and growth. The Gang at Tangle Ridge Farm wishes you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, prosperous and most of all an adventurous New Year!                   See you on the other side!
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Alita's udder had been expanding a bit over the past few days. Saturday, she was huge. We knew it would be soon. Sunday morning as I walked up to the goat shed, the three other goats came running to greet me. I looked for Alita, and she stuck her head around the barn door, but didn't come out. She was making anxious Mama noises and looking at me eagerly as if to say, "come see what I have, a surprise for you. And by the way, I'm hungry." As I made my way into the barn, there they were, two little slippery babies still moist and wobbly. She must have given birth just an hour or so earlier while I was still drinking my coffee. She gave us two little girls this time :-). So far, they seem to be healthy and doing fine.
After another trip to Lowes for supplies and a few hours of work this weekend, the shed is almost done. All of the siding is on, it just needs the roofing applied and a few finishing touches.
 Thanks to family and friends, the horses will have their very own shelter in a separate field for the winter. It would not have been possible without the expert planning and direction of my dad. He has always been my hero, and always will be. The men worked hard all weekend from daylight till dark until they ran out materials. One more day of work, probably next weekend, to add the roofing and the rest of the siding, and it will be complete.  It took less than 10 days to realize sheep and horses don't mix. I suppose looking back it would seem logical, like we should have known it from the start, but I was selfishly thinking of myself and my workload, trying to make it easier to take care of them through the winter by having everyone in one place. After a week of rain, the paddock is torn to smithereens from heavy horse feet. The sheep and the donkey were intimidated and chased away from the hay feeders. Poor little Primrose was soaking wet standing out in the rain because she was too afraid to go in the shed with the horses. There was no choice but to move them back to the pasture away from the herd. Now, we are faced with building another shelter this weekend, with cold weather right around the corner. This seems to be normal for us. Every day, we live and learn through trial and error. If we live long enough, we may eventually get it right. Still, I know this is where I want to be.  Prim and the sheep having a party.
I guess it's what I get for complaining about MUD. This was the scene on Saturday after the morning downpour. Not surprising since the ground was already saturated from a week of rain.  No harm done, we're used to a little flooding out here. And, it typically only lasts a few hours. We are high and dry, and have an escape route with the new driveway (just no gravel yet). It was kind of nice knowing I had a good reason to stay home.
  It has rained for a week. The ground is saturated and melted into a slippery sloppy mess. The poor animals look like mud wrestlers, and after tromping through the mud up and down the hill to feed them, I feel like one too. We are in serious need of some sunshine.  |
AuthorMy name is Christy Franklin. Archives
February 2021
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