Glowering Skies

We are expecting more rain today, and we ask you to pray for those in Kansas, Missouri, and points east where heavy rains this week have caused flooding and loss of homes and lives. 

We also pray for those being affected by more wildfires out west. 

Right now, our skies are leaden, and Keith has just called at 10:45 to say that it is raining in Topeka, where he is attending a meeting and took a break to call and warn me. 

I have done all the chores, and topped off all the waterers inside and out, as well as all the feed. 

Yes, we will loose some feed in the henyards... unless I go move it under the tarp, which I will probably do in a minute. 

Here is Kelly last night, stealing a few bites of feed while the other two boys were busy. 

They are still bullying him, though he follows them like a little lost lamb.  We are making sure he has chances to eat... and believe me, I was sitting in the doorway of the haybarn whose corner you see here, IN THE HUMIDTY dripping sweat, waiting for him to have a nosh. 

While we still can't handle him, he is getting tamer and more used to us. 

Kelly and Kody were both scavenging sunflower seeds on the ground around the feeders. 

I spent some time after supper digging potatoes.  I'm going to clean these today and store them. 

They are red potatoes, but don't look very red in this photo. 

Here's my little Gardening Helper. 

I spent over an hour digging out and cutting out baby trees in the bed, and getting rid of some of the mint that ran crazy this year.  Now the caryopteris bush can "see" again... and I am on my way to digging up and re-doing this bed over the next two months. 

Those are what's left of some struggling mums in the bed on Abby's left (our right) that should now be able to bloom because I got the tall mint off them. 

And now I'm off to lunch with a friend, bearing eggs, tomatoes and potatoes for her! 

Gardening and Goats

I planted more stuff today, and in an unusual container, one which we discussed moving around the yard.  In the end, I left it where it has sat the last year, since we don't have horses anymore. 

This trough was always a pain to fill and a pain to clean, and I was glad when I could quit using it, finally. 

Not going to tell you what's in it... it's going to be a surprise for you, and for Keith. 

I planted the same seeds in the garden, too. 

I have to pat myself on the back... see the marker?  I've used them all season. 

At least four of the tomatoes are flowering now.  Yayyyy!  I can almost taste them. 

The lettuce bed is going bonkers, and the birds are getting as much as we are.  I'm taking a big bag to my friend Jill tomorrow. 

I cleaned the henspa out and re-bedded it with fresh straw... and everyone was very happy. 

Including everyone outside, because I put fresh straw down there, too.  In the fall I am going to have GREAT compost. 

These guys continue to crack us up.  I spoke with Carol Abramovitz tonight, the lady whose goats I looked at in April.  Her doe that she thought was due May 1st was actually due tomorrow... and I am going to go over and look at those babies, too.  She asked me how many times a day I was feeding these two here, and I told her "three or four"... she gasped.  I just added it up... they are getting fed six times, and have access to fresh hay, a tiny amount of feed, goat minerals, and fresh water.   I'll reassure her when I see her Saturday or Sunday. 

They played for a long time tonight with Aunt Abby, who got worn out. 

I swear she thinks they are dogs. 

Abby proves here that she still has the moves!

And there went my seed packet! 

Scenes from around Calamity Acres

Wanna-Be Mom... wrong time of year

 

 

The Range... with his crooked muzzle from abuse as a young dog

 

 

 

Muffy, a Mille Fleur d'Uccle hen

 

 

A Porcelain d'Uccle cockerel

 

 

Gertie, on Pasture Patrol