I hope everyone had a happy Easter. Two inches of gentle rain that came Saturday and Sunday was just what the doctor ordered for my garden. The rain also helped the morel mushrooms to grow. I can't look for them any more because of the hills and hollers on our property where they grow... I'd kill myself... but our grandson and his wife bring them to us. Actually, if I can't go look for morels myself, it takes a lot of the fun out of eating them; hunting morels is like a treasure hunt! But Arick has supplied us with enough that we've had mushrooms for dinner three times now. And I will say that I don't miss all the ticks that are after my blood in the spring.
Cliff and I finally went and picked up a billy goat to breed our two girls. The lady I bought my goats from loaned him to us for 45 days, and would you believe that my younger doe was coming in heat when we got him home? Her mother, though, was just in heat on Good Friday, so it will be a little over two weeks before she is ready again. As young goat bucks go, he's a good-looker, and very tame. Of course, there's the smell of a buck, which is like no other smell on earth; I'll be glad to have that gone when he leaves.
His owner is wanting to sell him, and she told me to spread the word. However, I don't know any people who would pay what she wants for a tiny goat. All of hers are registered, but I don't really care about getting mine registered. I have Thelma's papers, but not her daughter's.
It will be interesting to see how many babies come out of my two goats. Merck Veterinary Manual has this to say: Gestation length in goats is 145–155 days (average 150 days) and can be affected by breed, litter weight, environment, and parity. Generally, first-kidding does have one or two kids, and in subsequent kiddings, triplets and quadruplets are not uncommon.
My dog Gabe had his operation Tuesday to get the melanoma out of his lip. I did not ask the Vet if it would come back, although I imagine it will. With the state I'm in lately I have learned to live one day at a time, and not worry about what the future holds. I've learned not to make plans but to enjoy the moment, and I am closer to Jesus than I have ever been.
That's a good place to be.
He is a good looking goat, as goats go I suppose. I remember when we had goats. My dad wouldn't have a buck on the place, but my uncle had a doe that had a buck kid. Ha. They start stinking not long after they are born, if I remember correctly. I'm excited to see what babies you get, too.
ReplyDeleteThe older I get the more I value my faith and my relationship with Christ. It is what keeps me grounded and going forward in life.
Living in the city (Montreal, Canada) I know very little about goats. I love farm animals, though. Sweet photo, he looks like a fine goat. Warm greetings from a baby boomer.
ReplyDeleteNormally, I would have been out several times hunting for morels but I haven't been once yet. I've been busy on my woodworking project and just life in general. Perhaps this weekend.
ReplyDeleteSorry, for your misfortune with Gabe. When Phinnie’s brain tumor took him I decided he was my last dog. Now, there’s more varmints visiting my bird feeders. It’s like this phrase of life is filled with endings. One of the ending is ME.galla creek
ReplyDeleteWe added two pregnant goats to our little ranch in Mexico. Oh how I loved them! During the night a pack of feral dogs attacked them. One had a permanent head tilt. We beefed up security. Curley went. Into labor first and I helped deliver her son who she rejected for a couple of days. The second doe went into labor and even the vet couldn’t help. She and her offspring both passed away. The children were all sad. That memory showed me how much the Lord loves us. Curvey and little Ram sold well and gave us means to get sheep. 🐑 I am so much closer to Jesus as I age. He has filled me with joy and precious memories.
ReplyDeleteThat is a handsome billy goat; I didn't realize that they smelled. I've never had a morel although I know they grow around here. Ticks, NO THANKS!
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