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.

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.