Can you do without a weather report?

I have been considering doing without a weather report as my next personal challenge.  But maybe not. At least not in the Mid Western Winter. There is some kind of storm in the offing for tonight but we will see.  And the sun shone all day yesterday. Every single animal on the farm was basking in it. They know about Vitamin D. The real stuff  –  the stuff that comes from Sunshine.  So maybe I should keep using this particular modern tool. Wait lets try that one again. Godot is so shy  we need more than one image of him with his delicate train up.  Entertaining the girls. 

How he keeps that tail  clean I have no idea.

The moment he sees me he does that whole Transformer fold away thing. So, it was a lucky find for Camera House.

Minty.

Great News! I have been asked to be a speaker for Press Publish in Portland, Oregon in March. Here is the link.  I am thrilled to be able to speak. Speaking I can do. But once it was announced in the interwebs I went into a tail spin. We all worry about being judged – SEEN. However,  I gave myself a good talking to about holding to the truth of who I am and who my farm is. My promise to you is the Truth from the last 24 hours.  One cannot fancy that up. Thank goodness.  And thank you to those of you who suggested this blog for the honour.  I won’t let you down.

This is why I was casting about for the favourite blog post and your suggestions yesterday were marvellously helpful. I love our Lounge of Comments. And I love welcoming new people to the Lounge as well. Don’t forget to pop into Join Us and tell us a little about yourself. 

Today I enticed both Lady Astor and Elsie, our new Dutch Belted cows, one at a time, into the milking parlour to begin their milking training. (Though their previous owner said they should be due to calve in late spring so we have time to get all familiar). They both pooped immediately, which was interesting. However both accepted the bar closing beside them, with the chain behind and as they ate their oats I brushed them both down so they got used to being handled. Lady Astor came in first. Her Ladyship will also take a carrot from my hand, Elsie still throws her head around in fright.  Both are cows – they have had calves before – but (though a milking breed) they raised their own calves and have never been milked by a human, so I am starting to train them early so they are comfortable in the milking shed and I can  anticipate any troubles.  Preparation is key to almost any successful enterprise –  do you think? We will do this every day that we can.

Queenie is being such a bully that I fed her separately yesterday.

This way the lighter cows get a better chance at a calm meal.   I am very close to finding a new home for Queenie.  With the money I get from selling her I hope to buy two well bred yearling Herefords, heifers, probably in the spring. It will be sad to see her go, but she will not breed for me again.  She needs to be in a herd.  I will start afresh. Giving up is not an option. Not in my nature I  suppose. LuLu. 

The kittens are ranging further out now. They were playing in the barn when I was working in there yesterday. And Marmalade is hunting again. 

Poppy.

Sheila seems to have forgiven me for going away and came on a walk with me after her breakfast. Actually she will forgive me anything as long as she gets to go for a walk. 

Good morning. The kunes spent all day wandering about, sleeping in the frozen gardens, taking the sun, wreaking havoc in the verandah. Do you see Tima’s bald patches, she has lost even more hair. Tane looks positively lush next to her.

But she is still as naughty-sweet.  Kune kune’s are such dear wee piggies. 

I hope you all have a lovely day. Isn’t it nice to be home! Especially on a sunny winter day.

Love your friend on the farmy,

celi