Goat Hooves Update

The goats’ hooves are looking a little better. They keep getting manure caked on the bottom of their hoofs’. Strawberry keeps pawing at the ground after I treat her front hoof. I imagine the medicine I am using is getting to a raw spot inside her hoof.

The other goats seem to be okay with it. Well, not when I try to pick up their hoof. I’m glad I only have 4 goats instead of 40. This spring I will start getting ready for winter. Building dryer lots for the animals is top of my list.

Molly update

Our little female mule is getting bigger. She runs around kicking and jumping. She is starting to eat grass now. It is time to put a halter on her and do a little groundwork.

Hoof Rot

Yeap, my goats have it. I feel bad for this happening to them. I have been trimming their hooves and applied some medicine. They aren’t cooperating very well. I am a little out of my element trimming hooves. There is a couple that lives down the road from us that have a herd of goats. I am going to talk with them on hoof trimming and treating hoof rot.

Goats out of Control

I’m sitting at my desk (away from home) and the phone rings. Christine, my wife, is on the other end. “Your goats are out” she says. I respond with, “okay, but what can I do”?

The goats had gotten out of their pen by pushing a board out of their way at the edge of the electric fence. They were grazing over by the pond enjoying their new found freedom. Christine’s uncle Rich put them back in the pen. Claudia secured the board to prevent any future escapes.

I can’t blame them for wanting to get out and explore the area. It has been raining for the past 3-5 days (I stopped counting). The top of the pond dam is torn up from the horses coming over and getting their water. The ground is so saturated.

My legs are so sore from walking in the mud. I sink to my ankles. I am so tired of this weather. It wouldn’t be bad if I didn’t have to go out in it. The animals don’t care if I’m tired, they want food. Rain go away.

Get Ready for Spring

Time to rid the garage of all the trash accumulated during winter. Start the upkeep of the fences, pens, and coops. Get the mowers and other machinery ready to work. The most important task is prepping the garden.

We are planning a large garden this year. We are still eating veggies from last year’s garden. I think we’ll do more beans than Tomatoes, unless we get a dehydrator. Perhaps I can build a solar dehydrator. Note to self- surf web for plans.

I am going to build a breeding pen for my chickens this week. I am going to incubate a couple dozen. Keeping the girls from opening the lid on the incubator will be the hardest part.

Our farm is turning into a commune. I have mixed feelings about that. Seems like too many decision makers in the mix. Everyone has their own way of doing things and there all different. We’ll see how this year plays out.

Vacation Do Over

Can I have a vacation do over? Contrary to popular belief, I have a great time on vacation.
The girls rode an airplane for the first time. They both did great. We had a few more potty breaks than I was wanting, but overall they were good.

We landed at the Phoenix, AZ airport around 9:00 PM. Kathy and Randy picked us up. It took about 2 hours to get back to the RV Park. We basically just changed clothes, put the girls down and went to sleep.

In the morning we were rested (well as much as we could be) and headed out for some sight seeing. We went to the Sonoma Desert and looked at cactuses. I didn’t realize how many different types of cactuses there are. Surprisingly enough the girls didn’t get stuck once. Great job girls! We came back and the girls, Kathy, and Christine went swimming in the Park’s pool. They had fun. Later the girls fed the fish that are in a converted concrete pool by Kathy and Randy’s RV site.

We stuck around on Friday until Christine’s parcel package arrived. We hit the road around 1:00 PM Friday. We drove all day and pretty much all night. GET ME OUT OF TEXAS!!! It took forever to get out of that state.

Saturday we had to stop and get a room. That was a gaggle in itself. Christine was on he cell phone trying to find a hotel that had an indoor pool and hot tub (this was for us). She found an indoor pool but no hot tub (bummer). I took the girls swimming so they could burn off some energy. Christine stayed in the room (I drew short straw, just kidding). We ordered pizza and ate in the room. In the morning we were good to go.

Sunday we woke up refreshed. Threw the luggage in the van and headed out. Cheyenne decided she was car sick and puked while we were getting gas. She was really mad becaus she was told to quit kicking the back of the seat and worked herself up to puke. We arrived at mom and dad’s around 11:30AM. I cleaned the van and had a beer.

We left for the Mardi Gras parade around 1:30 PM. We got to our standing spot and met up with Heather (my oldest daughter), Brian (son-in-law), and William (our grandson) and Amber (my now next to the oldest daughter) & Jeremiah (her fiancé). We had a good time and got plenty of beads and stuffed animals for the floats. My sister Lisa and Aaron (her son, my nephew) was on a float and unloaded a ton of beads and other items on the girls. We all headed back to Mom & Dad’s house for supper.

My brother Chris and his family (Amy, my sister-in-law, Christopher & Tyler, my nephews) came over. It was a whirl wind for the rest of the day. Monday was family photos. I’ll post some as time permits.

Tuesday Christine & I took the girls to the beach. I don’t think they had ever been to the beach before. They ran around in the sand, built a sand castle with Christine, and walked in the water a bit. They had a good time. We then went to Ocean Springs to the Conservation Park. We walked the trails and visited the visitor center. The girls enjoyed the park. We then headed to were I grew up. The casinos bought the area and cleared off the lots. I got out and walked where the house used to be. I found a couple of marbles. I kept them. Back to mom’s house. The rest of the family came over after the parades ended. Wednesday morning we headed out. Time to head home. That's another story.

Sickly House

I am still hacking up this cold or whatever it is. I go to the doctor today. I haven’t been able to sleep for the past 2 nights. I’ve been up coughing to the point of puking. Time to go to the doctor.

Lexi has pinkeye. We have her on antibodies. Cheyenne has a cough that sounds horrible. She is on meds also. I go in to the doc today and should get some thing for this stuff in my chest. Christine seems to be doing better after her bout with pneumonia. I hope we can get well enough to get on the plane for vacation.

Coworkers are starting to hack and cough. I hope I’m not responsible for it.

Tragic Story

I have been following Bob Skelding’s blog http://www.wagonteamster.com/ for a while. He has set out to travel by horse and wagon south from New Hamshire. He has visited many communities and schools along the way. He was in a terrible accident that lead to the death of two of his horses and him being critically injured. The accident happened in MS. http://www.cdispatch.com/index.asp What a tragic turn of events for Bob and his team of horses.

From us at Knotty Creek Farm, we wish the best and a speedy recovery for Bob, his animals, and his family.

Still Sick

I am still fighting this chest cold or what ever it is. I go to the doctor Friday. Hope it gets better before our vacation. It’s Christine & my anniversary Saturday. I think we are going to spend a little time together.

We are looking forward to our vacation. It should prove to be interesting. Three+ hour flight to AZ. Spend a day there, then a 20 hour car ride to MS.

ARE WE CRAZY? You’ll be the first to know.

Aniamals Don't Care

I called in to work sick Tuesday. I still had to do morning chores. My animals don't care if I'm sick. They want their food and water. They still bowl me over, knock me around, or jump on me to get to their tasty food. They don't care if I don't feel good.

After chores I went back inside to relax and let this Bronchitis run it's course. I slept a little, drank fluids, and had a nice hot lunch. Then the evening came.

It was 15 degrees out, chores had to be done. Christine was busy with the daycare kids so I went out to do chores. The animals didn't care it was 15 degrees out and I was under the weather. They had to eat. I feed the chickens, goats, and horses. Since the temp was supposed to get down into the negatives, I had to bring the rooster in. He is still recovering from the last cold snap. Back to the chicken coop. I got the rooster and bought him to the garage. I got inside around 5:30.

Back to work I go.

Daycare Blues

It’s Monday
I woke up feeling like I was beat with a stick. I got dressed, did chores, went to work. Christine calls, all the kid’s came to the house. They were supposed to go to Claudia’s. Amy drops hers kids off and says she is in a hurry and can she just leave them there for Christine can take them over to Claudia’s.

Christine brings Lill to preschool only to find out it is closed today. The teacher inside said they sent home a calendar, but we haven’t seen it. Amy should be the one telling us when school is closed. We are changing our transport policy at the daycare. We are no longer responsible for other children’s transportation to school.

Sick House

What a weekend. Christine has pneumonia. She is feeling like death warmed over. Lexi has bronchitis. I’m coughing my butt off. I think I have pneumonia also. Christine is doing more than she is supposed to. She isn’t getting any better. The doctor will probably insist she goes to hospital.

The girls were really acting out Sunday. Cheyenne was marking on her bedroom walls and catching attitude with Christine. Cheyenne & Lexi were sent out to me and I had them help with spreading straw from the goat pen. I think they miss their former family.

Lexi starts school today. I wonder how it goes. Cheyenne got a card pulled Friday. Christine just happened to find it while she was going through Cheyenne’s bag.

Starting Monday the daycare kids are going to Claudia’s. She will keep them until we get back from vacation. We will keep the part time kid’s. The present full time kids will stay with Claudia.

Christine & I checked Black Beauty’s bag, no milk yet. Maybe she won’t have the fold until we get back. The chicken’s are laying a dozen+ eggs a day.

I picked up a bale of straw for Black Beauty (BB). She should be having that fold pretty soon. Her milk bag is forming two sides. It hasn't started seeping yet so we have a little time. We are moving her to the barn either today or tomorrow.

The girls will like having a new colt out at the place. I feel there is going to be a fight over ownership of this colt. Story behind this.

My in-laws bought the horse (I think Christine gave them some $$ towards it) because it was gentle enough for the two grandkid's to ride. (This was before we got our new daughters). They told the oldest grandkid they were buying the horse for him, when in fact I don't know whose horse it really is. So he rightly believes the horse is his. When that colt comes out, who's it going to be? My in-laws, the one grandkid's, our girls', or will it just be passed around? Who knows. The whole ownership of this horse is in question. I do know we have been feeding it through the winter. Going out in the cold, rain, sleet...just like the U.S. Mail.

Who knows. When Spring gets here things will change again. This place is morphing into something I don't even know. That's life on the farm.

I've Heard Better

I was informed this morning that a project I have been working on has been put on hold indefinite. The other project has been pushed back to June. It doesn't look good for the Home team. Layoffs are looming over our heads. I want to scream, "Come on already"!

Which Rooster Is It?

The rooster in the photo titled “Hostile Take Over” is the one that has frostbite. Since the weather is getting down to negative degrees tonight and tomorrow, the rooster will stay inside a little longer.

He will be "Big man on campus" when I reintroduce him to the flock.

Rooster Update

The rooster is doing well. His wattles (flesh on the side of his face) are turning black and shriveling. His comb is black and he is trying to knock off the dead points. He is active and enjoying his time away from the hens...I think. As soon as the weather cooperates, I'll put him back with the flock.

This Weekend So Far

Turned out to be a good weekend. Our older daughter spent the evening with a friend out here on the farm. Christine & I spent a good deal of time with our younger daughter. It was time well spent. We really got to know her as a person. We went out with friends last night. Our daughter was well behaved.
We went to Fellowship this morning and again she was extremely well behaved. Our older daughter finally came home a little after noon. We were glad to see her. She seemed to be in a good mood. We'll see, she has homework to do later.

Wow This Weather

The weather has been horrible. We have been in the negatives for about 4-5 days. Down to -25 to -35 and lower. The horses seem to be dealing with the weather okay. The goats were sneezing a bit. I am keeping an eye on that. The chickens are doing well. Overall the animals are okay. The water pipes in Claudia’s house froze. That’s Christine’s grandparent’s former place.

We have a lot of snow here. The kids have been inside all this time. My temper is short and my patience is thin. I need a few days away. Another day on the farm.

Holiday Sickness

Let me bring you up to date. Yule came and everyone was sick. My in-laws came for a visit and got sick. They didn't get to do much. The girls were coughing and hacking. Christine came down with the flu bug a bit.

We took the girls and nephews to the waterpark at Funcity. We all had a good time. The slides were awsome. I forgot how much swimming wears me out.

Christine calls me one night before New Years and tells me the wind jsut ripped the debt card out of her hand. It is 9 PM and windy & cold out. I cancel the cards. The next morning We get a call from a business were the incident happened. They found our card by their entrance. Too late, I already canceled the cards. I pick up the card and head to the bank to order new cards.

I move the tractor out of the barn so I can do some work inside the barn. As I walk around the back of the tractor I notice one of the back tires are flat. I pull the tractor inside the barn and put some air in the tire. The fluid in the tire starts straying out. Nice! A hole in the tire from age and wear.

The lane leading to our house is horrible. Pot holes everywhere. We are looking to expand our children at the Activity Center. We are going to have some exciting activities this summer.

I got my tooth fixed. The dentist visit wasn't bad at all.

The chickens have started laying again. I think it's the young ones coming of age. Anyway it is nice to have them earn their feed.

I'm still sitting in a cube. I should be greatful I have a job. I feel like I'm wasting away in this cube as the world goes by. That's life on the farm.

Holiday Happenings

Wow, where to begin. Saturday Dec 21st I was in the barn building a shelter wall for the goats. I was pulling out a nail and the nail came back, hit my front tooth and cracked it. Since it was on a Saturday at 4:00 PM the dentist office wasn't opened. Since the nerve wasn't exposed I decided to wait until Monday to go. After thinking more on it I couldn't see paying the deductible for 08 when 09 was just around the corner. I am going to have it looked at Jan 5th.