Continued Cooler Weather

Cooler weather, almost freezing weather, continued all week. Freezing temperatures arrived north of here last week. Thankfully, it did not freeze here. Warmer weather caused everything to begin to bloom; flowers, trees, and Bob's favorite, the blueberry bushes. I think, after much observation and scrutiny of all the plant life, everything has survived. I was able to plant lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard in the herb garden last weekend. Bob started several flowers and vegetables in the tack room/green house. Most of them have germinated and he placed them under grow lights on Thursday. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and marigolds are more successful if they are started inside. Paul Shetterly is coming next week to shear the sheep and trim their hooves. The one ewe continues to limp. Hopefully, he can look at her again. We were able to castrate both of the older lambs, the younger two need to be castrated next week. Most of the lamb's tails are off. I wiped all the tail stumps with disinfectant. Most of the lambs have some diarrhea as well. I am attributing this to the onset of green pasture grass. None of them are coughing or droopy, red flags to illness. Ruthie and Sweet Pea continue to wait for the birth of their kids. Their udders are getting larger, a good sign. Goats are curious creatures. They are interested in everything, pausing to investigate every inch of their environment. Always happy to see me. Ever hopeful for a bit of grain or a back scratch. Gentle souls. Sweet Pea will hold her ground however, when a lamb or chicken become too intrusive. Stomping or shaking her head, with an occasional head butt given to the offender. No nonsense, thank you very much, have a nice day. The barn needs to be cleaned, feed needs to purchased, gas for the equipment obtained, all today. A good day for all those things. It really is still too chilly and wet for garden work. Well, maybe just a little garden work today. Live well, Carmen