Thursday, August 15, 2013

Zacchaeus and Expanded Field Fencing

I woke this morning with more energy than I have felt (and faked) these past months. By 7am, the milking had been finished, the milk strained and its weigh recorded, and all the equipment sterilized and ready for tomorrow. My brain has been simultaneously processing many lists of things needing to be accomplished in the next few days; preparing new jewelry pieces for the Belfast Art Market on Friday, deep cleaning this disaster of a home, ordering lumber and supplies for the barn leveling and 2nd floor construction, clearing the debris from the yard, catching up on writing about the happenings... On that note, I have been capturing video and images of life on the homestead, even though I hadn't the time to actually edit or post any of them.

Zacchaeus 2 days old 2013
Starting today, I will write and post some "catch up" images and video. And, as things happen around here, I'll record those for you, too. It is not my intention to give you all whiplash, but I did take the time to capture images, it seems wasteful to keep them to myself.

Today's installment is mainly about Zacchaeus. Remember him? He is developing into a sweet, sweet lad; very friendly, Zac always comes running to me when I enter the field for some snuggles. Well, I want snuggles. I suspect he wants the grain and/or treats I usually carry on my person.

It is difficult to video or photograph our goat herd because they do not respect personal space. The minute I drop to a knee to snap a shot, their interest is piqued and en masse they run towards me. Then it becomes a matter of maintaining my balance while multiple inquisitive goaty noses are thrust into the crock of my arm, the nape of my neck, or some other random spot on my person. That being said, this video was captured at the end of July after Sean, Justin and I fenced in part of the woods to double the size of the doe pasturage.



Thanks for visiting, Friends. See you tomorrow. ♥

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

A Change in the Wind

The house is quiet, excepting the hum of the overhead fan, the rain dropping softly on the roof, and the regular peeping from the seven chicks living in our piano room. The girls are all still in bed. I considered waking them, but having just returned from a busy five nights at Nana's house and in view of the work I want help with today, I am letting them sleep in a little longer. Besides, I am quite enjoying the peace of the day.

Sitting in front of me is a table strewn with the makings of my new career; newly printed labels and empty boxes awaiting finished pieces of jewelry... watercolor paint tubes and paint brushes sitting impatiently ready to work... wooden forms cut, painstakingly mosaicked and ready for the magic of color... and a pineapple, the mail, my cell phone, a slinky... I have got to get this space into order! And, I will.

Our family has been working towards this goal of my being home with our girls through these last high school years and after 3 years of planning and laboring, yesterday was my first day home in my "retirement". Not retirement so much as a change in vocation. Working from home, tending our herds and flocks and the girls full time. Now that the goal has been realized, I realize I am scared. No. Not so much scared, really as TERRIFIED. Where were these fears when I was working two full time jobs determined to make this a reality? Perhaps they had not time to surface between the work and the seemingly unending task of fending off the well-intentioned opinions of, "You're crazy. That will never work." and "In today's world, you can't farm and make a decent living." or "You have a good job. Why leave that?" and my personal favorite, "You can't make any money if you refuse to cull unproductive animals!" Maybe we can't.

But maybe, we can. The farm has paid for itself this entire year. I guess it is time to see where the chips fall. Place your bets, folks.

Sonja ♥