Death and Taxes

I have passionately raised meat goats for the last four years. I have learned so much about these special creatures, their care, their benefits to farms, and their contributions to the dinner table. At one time, my herd was over 60 head. There were goats everywhere!

Goats in the field

Goats in the pen

Goats in the barn

Goats on the hay

Goats in the basement

Even in the car

And inside the house!

It hasn't been all cute and fluffy. It's been hard. Bone-chilling cold and puddles-from-my-sopping-clothes-wet hard. I've seen birth and death, sickness and health, profit and loss. And I have loved every moment. Farming may not be in my blood, but it is rooted deeply in my heart. Every goat has had a name, has taught me something about this journey, and has been a blessing in some way. Whether to provide laughter, comfort, meat, or milk, goats have fulfilled my dreams of being a rancher.

It is the most difficult thing I have had to do, to admit to myself that I am physically unable to be a true farmer at this point in my life. I have kicked and screamed and cried. But the reality is, I'm not doing myself any favors by torturing my body and my heart while I'm trying to focus on my health.

Since moving closer to town (but still in the woods), I have been able to cook for myself more often and keep my home more tidy. Sort of. I have been able to ride my horse and a friend's horse. Not often, but more so than I could have done when there were more goats and more farm chores. I've been able to spend time with dear friends who have been there for me through surgery and hospitalization and abandonment and the loss of everything I had worked so hard to attain.

Sophie Mae loves getting more one on one time

The puppies aren't complaining either

So, while I take a break from goat farming, I'm going to use those lessons I have learned from this experience to build a new dream, new goals, and new adventures. Nothing is certain in life except death and taxes. Letting go may be hard, but at least I'm still alive to experience it and make the most of it.

The Farm Panther

I have had a love affair with black cats since the year 2000. A young lady walked into the store I was working, with a little black kitten clinging to her chest. My new puppy needed a friend, so I took her in. She played with the puppy, she slept with my infant son, she nestled in my hair. Her time with us was too short, however, as I learned one Halloween night that other people have a problem with black cats.

After the tragic loss of yet another one of my dear black cats, Harold, I was ready to give up. I came back from a trip and my dear friend Mem asked me to take a look at what she had found while I was gone. What I saw that day made me tear up and my heart swell more than I thought possible.This handsome large framed cat was obviously underweight, no caretaker to be found, yet he was so friendly and agreeable to much of what the veterinarian put him through.

This guy was giving me the saddest, most soulful eyes I had ever seen. I knew he was supposed to come home with me. The day after the above photo was taken, he had a procedure to clean his swollen front paw, was given his shots and neutered, and was put on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine. 

He settled in very well, but within 24 hours of in home quarantine to allow him an adjustment period, as well as to heal from fight wounds, he darted out the basement door! I thought he was gone forever and I was ready to swear off black cats forever.

To my surprise and delight, this handsome fella came strutting back in to the yard just before dark, carrying a rat! I made him put down the rat before coming back inside, which did not go over very well. To him, he was thanking me for letting him out of the cage, for giving him attention and freedom to be himself. I finally decided on a name for him - Lafayette, after a character on a popular vampire series.

It came time to move, and Lafayette knew somehow what was going on. There was one point that I placed items in the trunk of my car and left it open. Lafay jumped in and laid on the items, refusing to move unless I physically scooped him up. 

I was worried before the move that he would not have an adjustment period indoors, since the home I was to stay in did not allow cats inside. So, I took Lafay to the ranch at a time I knew I would have a few hours to let him explore with me. I let him out of his carrier in one of my goat pastures, and all he did was survey the grounds, then follow me wherever I went.

Lafayette stayed in the tarp barn with the expectant mother goats that winter. He would sit on my shoulders during labor watch, and curl up with the babies while I was not there. 

Come spring, he explored much of the 96+ acres, but stuck very close to me whenever I made farm rounds.

He loves to lay atop of the vehicles to sun. I have also spotted him leaping from trees, from heights of at least 10 feet! When he lays on a branch, with his legs hanging down, he brings to mind a big black panther.

Another major life changed forced multiple moves within a year's time. Wherever we went, I knew he would be happy wherever I was. He is always happy to hunt and show me his kills, and he has taken on the job of farm protector. No outside critters are allowed in his personal abode, but he is happy to play with my dogs. 

Lafayette has been a wonderful and perfect fit for my little family since the day he arrived. No other cat has captured my heart, brought me more presents (rats, moles, squirrels, chipmunks, snakes, even adult rabbits!), taken on an active role in protecting our territory, or so courageously faced many changes while in my care. This "farm panther," as I affectionately call him, has added much laughter to my life through some very difficult times in the last 2 and a half years. I pray he and I have many many more ahead.

Llamas and Goats and Puppies, Oh My!

This morning has been a good morning. I woke up feeling rested, and not so achy and stiff. My fingers and hands weren't too swollen either! Six thirty and the birds were singing, the sun was climbing, and I woke up with a smile.

I went to feed a client's llamas, a job which normally takes me two plus hours by myself. Today, it only took 45 minutes! I did get in the way of a spitting llama, which I laughed heartily at. She sprayed the back of my neck and head with chunks of sweet feed because her arch enemy was standing too near her feed bucket, and I just happened to be in between the two.

Then off to feed my precious goats. Tia the Pia is my miniature LaMancha, which is an American breed of dairy goat. She kidded a very nice meat goat back in March, and after weaning him a little early due to his high growth rate and premature reproductive drive, I have been milking her. It really has helped to regain some of the hand strength that I have lost due to the arthritis. I've made yogurt with her milk, but it isn't really my favorite until I can tweak the recipe and get the flavor just right. My favorite to make so far is ice cream. Plain vanilla ice cream, with only four ingredients, no preservatives, using farm fresh egg yolks and natural vanilla. Yes, there is some sugar added, but not much since goat's milk is slightly sweeter than cow's.

This is Tia as a baby

Tia now... you might be able to see why her nickname is Pia

So, I got all eleven goats fed and one milked. Now I'm taking a short break to rest my feet before I carry on the rest of my day. My plan is to take advantage of a somewhat lower pain day and get some laundry done, unpack my suitcase from a recent trip to see family, and clean out my car. Just these simple tasks may cause severe pain in most of my joints, so I have to take it slow and concentrate on one thing at a time. If I get it all done, that's awesome! If not, it can wait until tomorrow. No pressure, no guilt.

I'll introduce the puppies in my life later, maybe tomorrow. They keep me laughing with their antics and help me to stay calm when I am feeling stressed.