Fall 2013

At the end of August, my house in Applewood was sold.  Moving from our comfortable home into a small rental that required selling and storing our belongings was one of the more stressful things I have done.  But, now that the house was sold I could begin trying to figure out what to do next. 

Things are beginning to fall into place on the farm.  We adopted 3 cats (see 9/17 post) for mouse patrol.  They are growing well and continue to be healthy and are learning to do their job. Yeller caught a small field mouse a few days ago, brought it in to show us and then and ate it.  I was so proud!  The girls were watching, so now they know what to do, too. 

On October 20 the ewes were moved back on the hill with the ram.  They all seem happy and it looks like Rambo did his job, because bellies are growing noticeably on several of the yearlings.  I don't see evidence in the spring lambs, but they aren't a year old yet so if it doesn't happen for them this year I'm ok with that.  By my calculations, we may see lambs after March 14.

In preparation for winter, and for a future house, a lot of dirt work followed by gravel took place.  It wasn't cheap, but it was necessary and things are looking better.  Now just have to live through the mud this winter until we can get some good grass growing. There will be a lot more mud to come when they start digging for a basement, etc.

We put up the portable garage for hay storage (December post).  So far its working out great.

Finally, in December, Carmen moved home and enrolled at MU.  I am so proud of her and happy to have her here with me  :-).   I don't know how much farming she will do, but hopefully she will learn some new things and enjoy it.