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
The Kitchen's Garden 
78 responses to “Can you do without a weather report?”
So many lovely photos to peruse this morning! Oh, you mustn’t give up the modern day weather reports. Our forefathers would have been so grateful to have today’s technology in order to know how the day might unfold, and how to plan the weeks work. As a young girl I was always (and still am!) fascinated with weather and especially storms. I guess all aspects of nature have fascinated me all of my life. Oh congratulations on being chosen to speak in Portland. I think you’ll love the beauty and diverse area of the Pacific Northwest – if you have time to take any of it in. Portland is a very friendly and “hip” area. It should be a fun and exciting trip!
HIP! That sounds exciting.. c
http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/centgrtlakes_loop.php
i always look at this weather site first, then go to local tv website for local weather
but they got new, easily paniced weather lady, so most forcasts are exaggerated
Ah.. thank you ron.. i will check this one out.. thank you… c
I have no idea what the Oregon meeting is about, but the minute I saw it my thoughts were, “holy smokes, you’re only one state away from me, instead of … like… 49!!!” 😀
it is a wordpress thing.. lots of info on how to manage the technical aspects of wordpress and general getting together of bloggers to uplift our spirits and work.. however i will be THAT close!
Could you persuade them not to keep changing things just as we get used to them?
PS. I know you don’t watch tv C but if you can utube or download an episode or two on your computer of Portlandia…it is hilarious! The comedy team poke serious fun at the folks of Portland because sometimes they go overboard with their hipdom! I think I just created a new word! 🙂
Celi, if you can get out and around out of Portland, the vineyards and rose nurseries are fantastic. The Willamet river valley is lush farmland and if you should visit a garden center they have this mint compost that smells like heaven. Portlandia is where people in their 20’s go to retire.
Mint compost .. now that sounds impressive.. thanks Linnea!
Love the sun! We had slushy rain today. boo! Be sure to watch a few episodes of Portlandia to get a feel for the culture ;).
Clapping like mad here in Texas for your upcoming speaking engagement. How exciting! Just put on your teacher hat and speak your truth. You will be great. Wish I could go. I’ve never been to Washington State either. Lovely pictures today of all the critters basking in the sun. Perhaps the belted ladies were a bit nervous about the new thing in the milking parlour, hence the pooping. Just a thought. Weren’t there three kittens, by the way?
yes there are still three kittens, they scatter more now though.. very busy. c
Felicitations, Celie. I hope it will be warmer when you go to Portland to do your stuff! Godot is getting gorgeouser and gorgeouser, and it’s lovely to see all the animals again. I reckon Lady Astor is acting as an elder sisterly stabilizing influence on Elsie.
Love,
ViV
Congratulations C! This is so exciting, you will do AWESOME! And I must say the photos today are simply breathtaking, I can feel you absorbing all that is the Farmy that you missed when away!
Congratulations on your speaking engagement! Tima’s hair loss looks like Addison’s disease to me. It can occur in humans and animals and, in fact, a friend of mine and my own dog had it.
It would be terrible if she had Addisons. but All she has is a little hair loss which is not uncommon in pigs, in fact her mother looses her hair after giving birth.. no other symptoms of anything.. most definitely no appetite loss or digestive problems.. it should grow back) .. fingers crossed.. c
Hi Celi. Well done. I saw the WordPress announcement yesterday and your face was shining out from the line up. I was so proud for you. Exciting times. You will be fabulous. Cheers Sarah : o )
And the Farmy Army will be wanting t shirts ….perhaps simply a colored logo bandana. (Take some “business” cards and create a handout…people do so love handouts. Sorry, can’t stop reincarnating training sessions or marketing – it’s incurable)
Back on the stage Miss C. The spotlight has no doubt missed you! (What do your kids think?)
We love hearing about the weather – we all have weather. We can identify! (giggles)
Sometimes you need a herd…..which bring circles back to the first sentence?
Smiles sent!
Congratulations Celi! I couldnt think of anyone better.
Congratulations! How exciting for you. I know you will knock their socks off, and such a fabulous new beginning. It was lovely to open my mail and see farmy pictures again, NZ I can do myself 😉
((Laugh)) Yup back on the farm.. !.. c
Congratulations, Miss C!!! As for not talking or looking at the weather…it’s a huge part of farming and living on the land—just saying!
Linda ❤⊱彡
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
https://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/sherlock-boomer
I know, I would like to train myself to watch for signs in the sky and smell the air.. I can hear snow in the clouds today..
Hear snow! A peaceful sound. My mind thought I saw a sprig of green grass today.
Linda
Congradulations on your speaking engagement. Portland is where I live & I hope you get to see some of the sights while in town. The Word Press event is being held in a hotel right across from our Waterfront Park with walking paths that go along the edge of the Willamette River. You can walk anywhere downtown from your hotel. My favorite places to take visitors are the Japanese Gardens next to the zoo (you can catch MAX our lightrail & be there in 10 minutes or the award winning Chinese Gardens located downtown. There is a pretty interesting walking tour you can take of the downtown area & Portland has more wonderful restaurants per capita than any other city in the US, so get some good recommendations from your Word Press hosts. You’ll find many restaurants serve excellent local organic food. There is a wonderful farmer’s market downtown that is fun to visit right behind the performing arts center & you can walk to Saturday Market which has music, food & local crafts & artwork for sale. Hope you have some time to get out & see our unique city. March is when all the cherry trees will be blossoming along the waterfront & hopefully the weather will be as warm as this winter has been (60 degrees rather than the normal 42 today).
Beautiful photos of Gadot & his impressive feathers. Did the issue with his legs turn out to be mud rather than a medical issue? Good news that Shelia was more friendly towards you today. Lady Astor is a lovely cow with more of a tummy than Elsie. I hope Elsie becomes less skitish over time, but a good sign that both cows could be easily led into the milking parlor. Will the toddler cats be getting names? They have grown amazingly fast.
The Saturday of the conference will be a long one but i hope to get out of the hotel before dinner.. I am skint on time as i hate to leave the farm for too long at this time of year, but I would love to fill my suitcase from the farmers market, that would be a treat! Lady A and Elsie did well again today, walking in and out without incident..Yes it seems Godot was just filthy, his legs look fine now.. i think i get over anxious with him.. after losing Kupa. I think I might just call the kittens The Toddlers. Two are identical..they are very healthy wee things.. c