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12 May

Memories of Mama

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: beautiful memories, precious years, wonderful memories. 3 comments

This is my Mama. After visiting her, this is exactly how she would look when you were ready to leave. She would walk you out, after kisses and hugs, she would talk and laugh until you got into your car. She would wave goodbye and wait until you were out of sight before she would go back into the house.

Mother’s Day is always bittersweet. I miss her so much.

I would have to say that I also smile everyday thinking about her. Maybe something she said or did. Sometimes I see something I think she would enjoy, or something I would like to tell her. I miss not being able to spend time with her…laugh with her…look her in the eyes and tell her I love her…and give her a GREAT big hug. I was blessed to have such a great Mom. I am still blessed to be able to have wonderful memories of her. She provided us with a fun childhood and adulthood too. I have so many precious years of beautiful memories.

I remember Mother’s Day 2004. I told Billy that I wanted to surprise Mom at her church that day. We all have different churches that we are involved in. Therefore, we didn’t always attend church with her as we got older. We would usually gather together for lunch or something afterwards. I just wanted to go…sit with her…worship with her. When I arrived I was fashionably late….meaning Mom was already in the pew. I slipped in beside her. I can still see the look on her face. She was, needless to say, pleasantly surprised. I held one side of the hymnal….she held the other. I don’t remember the songs we sang on that particular day. But many times when I sing today at my church, it is as if I can hear her singing with me. It is all those familiar hymns that we sang together as a family for many, many years. She would also sing them as she busily worked around the house while we were growing up. I cherish them to this day.

I am so glad I felt that extra tug on my heart to go see her on that particular Mother’s Day at her Church. I had no idea that would be the last one I would celebrate with her. The look of joy she had on her face when I joined her that day…..will forever be priceless to me.

I smile even now….as I think of her.

Memories of Mama

Memories …Oh, how great they can be

For they can put you here with me

Sometimes I see you clear as day

Singing a hymn, bowing your head to pray

You could talk to Jesus… in such a sweet way

I saw it all the time….not just one day

Being a good example, you didn’t even know

How much you were teaching, your children to grow

You taught us how to put Christ first

Watched you do it, when times…. were at their worst

Like, when Dad died….you were so strong

Held onto your faith…your whole life long

With a memory it doesn’t take much

To hear you, see you, feel your touch

When I see a Jonquil…. in the Spring

Oh!….How pretty!!…I hear your voice ring

And that fig tree… that you loved so much

We would pick and pick….until we had enough

Fig Preserves…. is what you would make

Hot buttered biscuit, man…. it tasted great!

Sometimes when…. I hear a child cry

I think of the times….you wiped my eyes dry

You kissed my boo-boos and bandaged my knees

It always ended with a hug….. and a squeeze

Putting on lipstick, blot it with a tissue or two

Kissed me goodbye, followed with an…I LOVE YOU!

Home cooked meals….every night

Fried Chicken, Mashed potatoes…what a delight

Sometimes at school….I would see you come in

My heart felt….. like it would burst from within

I was…. SOOOOO…. very proud of you

I really hope….. somehow…..you knew

Drinking morning coffee, outside on your porch

Reading a good book, I still remember…. how you looked

When I needed to talk….be day….or night

You made me feel…. like everything was alright

Isn’t it neat how great a memory can be

In just a second you can be here with me!

Each time I reflect, a new memory I pull

I have so many, this page would be full

I love you Mama, that is what I would say

I love you too baby, is how we ended each day

Memories are good…. when someones away

Thank you God…. for those you give me…. each day

Proverbs 31:28

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

My Mom will forever be with me…..in my heart.

I surely do……Love my Mama!!!!

9 May

Little Tug…..

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: animals, motherhood, nature. 3 comments

I am writing this story with great hesitation. It is actually embarrassing.

Why? You might be asking yourself………

Because we are feeding TUG……..

I know…..another animal that we are having to bottle feed. Sometimes I think that our critters just know that we will…..so they have them….and leave the feeding up to us.

The whole labor and delivery was very different with this heifer. This is her first calf. Maybe you remember that she had it almost three weeks ago. When I found her in labor she was with all the other cows….which is unusual. Normally a cow will go off to herself to have her baby. Later she rejoins the group….sometimes with the baby..but usually she will hide the baby in the woods or high grass. She returns to feed it throughout the day. That usually goes on for about two weeks or so. The baby then starts to join the mama in the field laying down while the other adults graze. The baby will get up ever so often to move with the herd then lay back down. They are like newborns and nap a good bit for the first month or two.

Back to the delivery story…the cows stayed with this Mama…Bailey….the whole time. Once delivered the Mama licked him a couple of times….but oddly enough some of the other cows came over and started licking him. Mama’s lick the babies to clean them… This also stimulates them to stand up. Tug took a little while to stand. Mama didn’t want to get up either….Billy and I pushed and pulled….but it was the encouragement and pushing of another cow that actually got her to stand. Once on her feet she walked away. She wouldn’t come back and feed her baby. That is not good, because the baby has to have the colostrum within so many hours after delivery or it will die. By night fall she had not fed the baby…..it was weak and could hardly stand. We got Bailey and tug into an enclosed fenced area so she would more or less have to feed him. Besides, we had a lot of rain headed our way and this would be the best spot for them. Apparently delivery had been stressful and long for both of them. Our neighbor said that sometimes if they have been stressed the Mama might act weird like this for a little while. Especially a first time Mama. So we just watched and waited.

Bailey still wouldn’t let the baby nurse. He was able to get a swig here and there…but she would kick him off. The next morning when we checked in on them we saw her bag was so full she was dripping milk….but she would not let him nurse. This went on for another couple days. He was just getting a swallow here and there. Mama was wanting out of the fence….oddly the other cows would come up to the fence and moo at her. Not all of them at once, but one every so often. I don’t know what they were saying…but it was different. It was a different kind of mooing that was going on. I promise you it was if they were scolding her.

Billy and I finally decided to just let her out into the field. Keeping her contained was not giving us the results we had hoped for. She still was not being the kind of mother she needed to be to this baby. Sometimes new mothers just need to learn….but it was obvious….she doesn’t want to take care of this baby.

I opened the gate and she bellowed a big moo and took off to meet the other cows in the next field. Baby went too, but he slowly walked away…not knowing what to do. He found a section of brush to lay under. Bailey greeted the other cows, but they were not very happy to see her. They all started pushing her around. Especially the black cows. They head butted her a couple of times. That is not normal for our girls. They pushed and shoved for a little while….and then they kind of shunned her. She eventually walked off by herself. The other cows went up to the baby and all started licking him. He was hungry of course and tried to nurse on each and every one of them, except for Punkin who is already nursing the other baby Rey. I was totally amazed at how patient they were. He even checked out the donkey. Throughout the day I saw that she still was not going to feed him and the only cow that has milk right now…wasn’t going to share. After much deliberation…..Billy and I eventually decided that it looked like we better feed him.

I know….we even discussed it with some other farm people here and they said that they would feed him too if he was theirs. Sometimes…just like with humans….you get one that just doesn’t want to be a Mama. I think that is extremely sad.

Still, when he is in the field with the others….he goes up to them and tries to nurse. Later, I give him a bottle when they aren’t paying attention. I hope they think they are satisfying him. Brandy is Tug’s grandmother, she will be delivering soon herself. It is my hope that she will let him nurse with her new baby when she delivers.

Meanwhile, we are soaking up the sweet affection of this baby. It is rare….and although I hope he will be taken in and fed by one of the others…..I am enjoying this rare opportunity.

He is really friendly and enjoys being petted. I try not to baby him too much…but every once in a while I have to love on him.

At least I hope this will be a rare opportunity…….we really want them all to be raised by their Mama’s.

He is precious….precious.

6 May

Loco Pollo

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: animals, nature, plants. 1 comment

Well….I don’t speak Spanish…but I tried to say…crazy chicken.

These girls act like they were raised in a barn.

This is what the coop looked like when I first got them. I had fresh plants in the planters to welcome them to their new home.

But they picked at their plants and knocked over the wheelbarrow until they broke the wheel off.

I fixed that and moved it over to MY front porch, with fresh flowers in it.

They either ate all the flowers and greenery off the plants or just sat on them….until they died.

Although that is frustrating….they are just chickens.

I will have to admit that it is pretty cute seeing them spread out, enjoying their porch.

Especially when I happen to pass by the coop and see one enjoying the rocking chair.

I walked by these girls when I went inside the coop to check for eggs one day.

There was not a single egg in ANY of the nesting boxes……

That was most unusual.

While I was inside I scooped some feed into one of the feeders, which is by the window. This little lady began to give me a tongue lashing. She made all kinds of chicken noises…..at the top of her little chicken lungs.

She kept peering at me through the window…..and then she would sound the alarm again and again. She had that CRAZED look in her eyes!

I got tickled…none of them had ever acted like this before. When I went back outside she had moved over enough for me to tell that she was sitting on some eggs. She didn’t want to be bothered, so I left her alone. I check the eggs daily….so I knew she couldn’t have been sitting long. When I went back at bedtime….she was in the coop asleep with the others and the planter was full of eggs. From what I read often one will lay in a nest and the others will lay there too. I suppose she was wanting to hatch some babies….but I do not have the fencing for that right now….nor the patience. Goodness, we were feeding baby goats at the time…..I didn’t need a yard full of baby chickens running around….not right now anyway.

However, if she had stayed on the eggs….you know I would have let her hatch them. I would like to do that process one day…..just not right now.

Each day she and the others would lay their eggs in that planter….but each night they would all go into the coop, so I continued to gather the eggs.

The round planter became the popular hangout spot.

I don’t know how they could both get on that planter…. move around…. and not knock it over….

They made a king size mess. Everyday I would sweep up the dirt, only to find the porch in the same shape the next day. I didn’t want to draw predators to the coop by having the eggs outside like that. So, I removed the planter….while they were running around in the grass one day.

On occasion I will still get one in the window box…..but for the most part….they went right back to laying inside the coop. They seem to be alright.

I will have to say I was really glad….I felt like I was on an Easter Egg Hunt everyday there for a while.

I have plans to replant the boxes….maybe with artificial flowers. Removing all the dirt…so no more dirt on the porch…maybe….just maybe….I can have that coop looking cozy again.

The other day the rooster came after me…..

Instinct told me to kick him away….and I did. He did it again…I kicked again as I was backing away onto the porch. He came at me again….I was kicking and screaming for Billy to help me….. I sounded like a WILD Woman. I had a little decorative brush broom hanging by the door. I grabbed that and started trying to back him down. All the while I was screaming for Billy. But Billy never came. The rooster finally let me scoot past him and I darted out of the fence. When I walked into the house I asked Billy if he heard me screaming. He said no…..ALL I CAN HEAR ALL THESE BABY GOATS SCREAMING TO BE FED! And they were…they were screaming at the top of their lungs. I had to laugh…it is like a zoo around here some days.

I suppose Roo was just protecting his girls….but he better watch it. I can get that crazed look in my eyes too!

Matter of fact we may all may be a little wild and crazy around here….

but we have fun.

30 Apr

Winter Nap Is Over…..

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: gerbera daisy, knock out roses, nature, open roses, porch rockers. 1 comment

I love this time of year when the plants pop up from a long winters nap….and seem to be smiling.

Like my yellow Gerbera Daisy…

And the red one….

The Iris

The Hosta’s

The Clematis…..

both kinds….. I had to alternate down the fence row with….because they were on sale and didn’t have enough of one kind….

but that is alright….because I think that they are both beautiful!

And the knock out roses….

Which seem to be the only roses I can grow…..

Open roses fill the shrubs…all season long…..

and lots of buds….bringing hope of more….

The Phylox in some areas, are just now showing off…..

Even the trees are full and bright with their new leaves…..

Like this plum tree….

and even “Willow” by the pond has grown her hair long once again….almost overnight.

Critters are crawling…..

And porch rockers are calling….

And I’m ready!

Genesis 1:31 (in part)

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.

28 Apr

Never a dull moment….

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: animals. 1 comment

They had forecast rain for the whole weekend. Billy and I had made plans to do a list of inside things.

However when we woke Saturday morning….the skies were clear, we found ourselves hurrying to do some outside things before the rain made its way to us.

I started with the normal routine that comes whether it rains or not…bottle feeding the goats, feeding the chickens and opening the coop door. Billy had some things he had to check on too. About an hour later we both came back in for some breakfast and to get ready to head off to do the indoor chores at another location. I finished my breakfast before he did…so I made my way to the farm to check on the girls.

Once I arrived I saw that they were all near the back tree line. I zipped on over on the four wheeler. Everyone was tucked in among the trees, some laying down and some standing. I always do a head count….so that was what I was doing when I noticed that Bailey, who was laying down, was actually in the process of having a baby. Thank goodness for cell phones. I called Billy and said…better come on…bring some towels just in case….Bailey in labor!

I had been watching her….but, I watched the other one too and she had it two weeks later than I thought. Matter of fact Billy has text me several times this week asking if any of the girls were doing anything. He laughs because I check their pregnancy status a couple times a day if possible. This is Bailey’s first baby….so I really wanted to be around.

This is Bailey….at the first of April. My brother and sister in law had Bailey before we did. The reason she is named Bailey is because the neighbor called them one day and said…hey, I think your cow had a baby in my yard today. The mother had somehow gotten out of the fence and made her way to his house next door and delivered her baby there. They all laughed and so they named the baby calf Bailey, which is his last name, in his honor. Bailey is very reserved. I have only been able to pet her a time or two, and that has been only recently.

When Billy arrived in the pasture we watched and waited. She had the hooves out….and she was pushing…but wasn’t making progress. Bailey isn’t real big herself, we knew that once the head was cleared it would be easy sailing.

One of the most interesting things to me is that when they are in labor….they will often…not always…but often let you get all over them without giving any objection. Bailey looked as if she welcomed the help. She never moved away from us or anything. There is really no telling how long she had been in labor. It was very odd that all the cows were with her, as they usually go off to themselves to deliver.

She pushed and we encouraged. We finally pulled here and there when she would push and was able to get the head through.

At 9:30 a.m. we had a baby boy born.

We decided we would name him TUG, because we had to tug on him to get him out.

Mama licked him a little….but she acted so tired. Billy and I stepped away and watched..oddly enough all the other cows came back in among her and some started licking the baby. They were concerned. I can not explain how cool it is to watch these beautiful creatures interact with one another. Baby tried to stand…but he too was weak….sometimes that happens with a long or hard delivery.

After waiting a while we started encouraging Mama to get up. I really think she had probably labored for a while before we arrived. We pushed her from behind trying to get her to stand. She wasn’t budging. Billy put a rope around her neck, he pulled from the front….I pushed from the rear. NOPE…she wasn’t even thinking about getting up. Clementine who is probably our oldest cow…and seems to be the leader of the herd…..eased over to her. Billy let go of the rope and we both moved out of her way. She gently, but firmly nudge her with her head. Then he backed up waited a second….and did it again. I will eat your hat if she didn’t slowly, but surely try to stand. Her hind legs were very weak and wobbly. She swayed to and fro for a minute….but she stood. Then she started walking away across the pasture…not in a straight line mind you….but she was walking.

Now….we had to get that rope off her neck. There are some parts of this country farm thing that we haven’t exactly gotten down to a fine art yet. I went after her….trying to quietly walk up behind her just close enough to grab hold of the rope dragging behind her. By now….she was done with us. She had the attitude of….Thank you for the help….now leave me alone. I finally was able to get the end….but I can tell you right now….she weighs a whole lot more than I do. She felt the tug as I tried to slow her down….and she didn’t like it. She started trotting….wobbly and all….and I still couldn’t keep up with her. She was all but dragging me all over the pasture. She would get way ahead of me so I would have to eventually drop the rope or fall face first. Then I would catch up and grab the end again. Billy was running across the pasture saying….hang on…hang on. Wrap yourself around that tree…that will stop her…..Yeah….right….I looked like a rag doll flopping around on the end of little girls swinging arm.

Billy finally got to me and I transferred the rope to him….WHEW…. Then I got to watch as she drug him for a while. It was pretty funny…. He was better at it than I was and was able to actually get behind the tree and use it to help stop her. You would never had known that she had just delivered a 50+ pound baby.

Once he tied her up to the tree and got a little slack….she let him take the rope off her neck. The look she gave us afterwards was priceless. He gently took it off and she just looked at him like…..OH….is that all you wanted? Hmmm…. OK…thanks…and she walked off.

Boy….there is never a dull moment around here….that is for sure. It is times like those that you hope the neighbors aren’t watching. If they are…then I am sure we have provided ample material for years of laughter.

Before the end of the day we rounded her and the baby up and put them in an enclosed area so we could make sure they were fine and had good shelter before the rain set in.

Tug is a cute baby…he seems to have a lighter coloring like his mother.

He has precious eyes….and likes for me to pet him….I really like that. Of course tomorrow….he may not let me touch him….that is the way it usually is.

Our plans were changed for the day…but we were blessed with beautiful weather until late in the afternoon. We were so glad we were able to be outside most of the day and that she delivered yesterday…because it has rained and rained and rained today.

It would have really given the neighbors something to laugh about if I had been drug through the mud on the end of that rope……

26 Apr

At the Cross

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: animals, religion, spirituality. 1 comment

Billy and I were born and raised in the city. We had the typical pets growing up. I had dogs, cats, fish, birds, turtles, rabbits….all those kinds of things. I admire my mom for being so open minded when it came to pets. She loved life and got a kick out of seeing the personalities in these little creatures as much as we did.

A few years ago Billy and I moved here to our land….where there is a lot of life going on. It is around us all the time….even in the city…but for some reason…I tend to notice it more here. I have found that I see God in so many things like never before. I have seen the Bible come alive in a different way. In Scripture there are a lot of references to plants and animals. I think people many years ago could relate better than we do as a whole today. My family encouraged me to start a blog……intersting because I had already felt like that was something God wanted me to do too. I’m not a writer and I am not bold….but it is what was laid on my heart…so I did. And so that is why I share stories like this one today

We started our little hobby farm with four Holstein cows, now we have many different kinds of animals. Moses is one of them. He is our Jerusalem donkey, also known by other names as well.

He is very kind and calm. His previous owner said he couldn’t get to known him very well, Moses tended to stand off. When he first came to the farm…he was that way with us too. However, it didn’t take long before he would come up and seem to long for a little attention.

I was more than happy to give it to him….

so was Billy. Moses is still reserved, and calm today. I would have thought maybe all donkey’s were this way if I had only been around him. But his wife Zippy has shown us that is not true. She is very different from him.

There is something about his big brown eyes that steals my heart.

It’s as if I can almost see his kindness…..

Before Easter I had asked Billy if there was anyway he could construct a cross to put at the farm. It just seemed like the perfect place to put a cross.

He burned his hand the same night he had set aside to build it, so I assumed we would have to wait until next year to do it. I underestimated the determination of my husband. He doesn’t let anything stop him from accomplishing his goals.

The next day I was pleasantly surprised when I came up on the wood shaving where he had been working. He had indeed built the cross and placed it in the pasture.

It was then that I looked at the cross and Easter in a different way this year. I thought about the man that might have made the cross for Jesus. That was probably just his job. He more than likely made a lot of them in those days. But I wondered what he might have thought…after the crucifixion…looking down on the shavings of wood and knowing that he had built the cross that held Jesus.

Did he feel bad. But, he probably didn’t really know who Jesus was….did he?

I went on to the pasture. When I arrived I didn’t see any of the animals. But by the time I got to the gate…..Moses greeted me.

He actually placed his head through the gate opening to see me. I could have made him move back away from the gate so I could enter….but it was as if he just wanted me to spend a few quiet minutes with him…..so I did. There again my mind was flooded with thoughts of how Jesus arrived on Palm Sunday upon a donkey like Moses.

I can’t help but wonder why these creatures wear the emblem of a cross on their backs. Folklore….maybe so….but still…it does look like a cross. Maybe it is put there for us to remember…to reflect on our Lord, and the price that was paid for us.

After a few minutes passed I unchained the gate to enter. It was then that I noticed the post hole digger that Billy had used earlier. I flinched as I thought about his sore hand. Why just the night before he had sat with it in cool water to ease the burning sensation. It was now blistered and sore. Instantly I thought about the pain Jesus felt from scourging that he endured….before he even got to the cross. The pain must have been excruciating.

I draped a purple cloth on the cross…..representing Royalty.

Moses didn’t follow….which is unusual…he just stayed there watching.

I had brought some nails and a hammer so I could secure the cloth from blowing away with the wind.

I started to drive the first nail in….all I could hear was the sickening thud that it made. It was if all other noises around me had silenced….and this sound had been amplified. Tears filled my eyes and sadness filled my heart. How did the soldiers feel, the day they drove the nails into Jesus hands and feet. Surely they had done it before…it was their job.

What about at the end of the day…..after they saw the sky turn dark and the felt the earth quake. After they heard Jesus cry out…..Father forgive them….for they know not what they do…. WOW….I wondered what went through their minds, surely they didn’t really know. Did they?

On Good Friday, I placed a black cloth…..representing His death.

A ring of barb wire…represented the crown. Hmmm… you can know that I was very careful while I twisted the wire so as not to get stuck. I remembered the thorny bushes I encountered while picking black berries last year. Man……it just hurt….and the hurt didn’t quit after the stick…..yet, that was nothing in comparison. Once again I reflected on the fact that someone made the crown…..maybe they too looked down at their hurting hands and wondered about what had just taken place. Surely they didn’t know who Jesus really was…did they?

Sunday….was Easter!!!

Upon Waking….I made my way to the coffee pot when Billy asked me where the white cloth was…he wanted to place it before we went to church.

The White represented that the Lord had risen….the tomb was empty!

The next day I made my way over to the farm to take the cloth down, when I noticed all these prints at the foot of the cross.

I wondered who all had been there…..

I had not seen any of the animals anywhere near the cross whenever I had gone to or passed by the farm, but obviously some of them came. Curious I suppose. Maybe it was the cows?…the ponies?….the donkeys?….or the goats.

I suppose it is a lot like that today for us humans. There are some people we may never see at the foot of the cross…..but they have come….quietly in the privacy of their homes and hearts. Maybe out of curiosity….maybe out of a heart that wants to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

We’ve debated….do we take down the cross and put it back up next year?…or just leave it year round.

Yesterday I saw Zippy grazing.

Time has passed since Easter, the grass is green…the ugliness of the mud has gone away.

When I saw her…… perfectly content….I was reminded that I often forget about the ugliness of the events surrounding Christ. I enjoy all the green pastures in my life and often forget to do the one thing He told me and each of us to do.

Go…and tell others…..all over the world. Maybe that is why I felt God wanted this blog to exist. This is one form of sharing all over the world.

Perhaps that is why He talks to me in the stillness of my heart and mind, with the things I encounter daily. Maybe it is so I can be reminded that nature proclaims His glory everyday….and so should I.

I’ve often wondered if I would have believed back in the days when Jesus walked the earth. Would I have really known that He was the Son of God. Sometimes it seems like it would have been easier to have believed back then…because you would have seen all the miracles and…..and possibly seen Him face to face…

But I’m not sure I would have…..

I was born on this side of history…..I think for me it is easier this way. I am fortunate enough to have God’s Word to tell me of the past and the future.

I suppose in either time of life…..it comes down to faith.

What now?

What did the cross maker do?….The soldiers? The crown maker? Me and You?

What do we do with the knowledge we now have?

I share this with you because I find that this scripture really bothers me…..enough in fact that I must share Christ.

Luke 13:28

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

There are many interpretations of this scripture. Every time I read it….I think about the end of time….maybe this will be the way the ones we didn’t bother to tell about Christ will look at us. Look us…straight in the eyes….gnashing their teeth…as they say…WHY…WHY didn’t you tell me how important this was? Why?

WOW

What will you do with Christ? Now that you know.

Maybe you have been at the foot of the cross. Maybe you have already accepted him….if not I urge you, do it today. Please don’t wait…..don’t walk away without Him.

His love is so wonderful.

If you have accepted Him…GO…..Go share with others…just as He has told us too.

It’s not just a story…..it’s TRUTH.

John 3:16

¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

23 Apr

Where there is a will….there is a way

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: nature. 3 comments

Feeding our precious little angels can get a little overwhelming to say the lest. The bigger they get….the harder it gets.

Viola is the vocal one of the group, and boy does she bellow. When she thinks it is anywhere near time to eat….she begins her serenade. She is also my little escape artist. She slips out every now and then. However when you put her right back in….she usually stays…unlike Lucy used to do. Lucy was stubborn….she would go right back to the spot she was able to get out of…and do it over and over and over. I would have to immediately fix that spot….then she would work her way down the fence row until she found another area where she could do it again. I can’t blame her….I would have done that too. It seems she has finally gotten to PLUMP now. Hallelujah…. Viola just seems to find a way out because she wants to come see you…but if you put her back in, it is like she says…alright then…I will go do something else.

Billy helps me with the goats a LOT. He usually feeds the older ones every morning, before he takes his walk.

They all know the routine and wait at the gate….and not patiently either….

It is near impossible to get into the fenced area without someone……. or everyone slipping out! Here Lucy is about to make a break for it.

Once in….they all follow him to the feed trough….even the babies. The babies aren’t real impressed with that feed though….so they head back with him…waiting for a bottle.

Meanwhile, I get the bottles ready.

These are 20 ounce cola bottles and Pritchard Teat Nipples….that fit nicely on most soda bottles.

I warm milk…..

We have tried a variety of ways to feed all these hungry babes.

I have fed them with four bottles, but most of the time I just fill up two 20 ounce bottles and feed two goats at a time, half a bottle each. That gives them 10 ounces. Then I put them back in the fence and take out two more and give them both the second half of the bottles. I have weaned Lucy off….so no more milk for her. She is browsing a lot…her tummy stays tight. From what I read they aren’t supposed to look like they just ate a basketball….but often…. she does. So, I have to keep an eye on her. Since she was the runt she is still little in size. Her mother is not a big goat…so Lucy may stay on the small side.

Anyway, the system of feeding two at a time works great…the only problem is getting just two out of the gate. If you go in the fence than they all jump up on you and nudge your legs. There is no way that any of them are going to let the other one eat in peace. They nudge the bottle right out of the mouth of the one eating. It is a NIGHTMARE!!!!!! I come away from a feeding with muddy little foot prints all over my jeans….and still not have even fed anyone yet. The smell of goat and dried milk is a new perfume I seem to wear these days.

I was so aggravated one day that I almost sat down and cried. (Crying somehow usually makes things better) I felt like a mother of quadruplets. I shared my hectic feeding experience with Billy….and that made his wheels turn.

Soooooo…..he created the “POWER FEED”.

Ahhhhh…..now that helps!!!!!! There is some tweaking that has to be done….but it is a SWEEEEET system.

Everybody’s happy…..especially ME!

He’s so smart!!!!!

22 Apr

Watching the GIRLS

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: animals. 1 comment

I love when Spring time rolls around. With it comes the newness of life.

Of course I have been making my rounds in the pasture…

checking on the girls figures….from the front….

and from the back…..

They endure it……although they look at me as if to say….

alright….let’s get this over with.

I get a good look at each one so I can see how they are progressing with their pregnancy.

This is Punkin….almost three weeks ago….she was very round. I watch their tummy size and their milk bags, as well as a few other physical signs that help me to know when delivery is near. Between the calendar and the other signs, I get really close to figuring out the due date….other times I miss it by a week or so.

I missed this one by about 2 weeks.

We went on a Mission trip this past week….and I had hoped that she would deliver before we left. But she had other plans…..while away, we received a call from our neighbor saying that we had a baby in the pasture. I had no doubt who it was that had delivered.

I was most excited to hear that she delivered fine and that they both were doing well. I love being around when they deliver….but I am more than happy just to know they didn’t need any help. It is great when things go perfect in delivery.

When we arrived home yesterday morning….Billy and I couldn’t wait to check on them.

It’s a BOY!!!!! He is beautiful of course. He has a little white on his tummy and a tiny white spot on the tip of his tail.

I was able to finally get close enough to pet him last night. Mama was patient with me…..it is almost like she knows I really have been waiting for it’s arrival.

Anyway….his name is “Rey”….spelled that way because we were in Reynosa for a Mission trip. He seems very healthy.

During the day this is what you usually see when a new calf arrives. A black lump….if the mother doesn’t have him hidden in the tree line. They rest in the field, beside their mother, while all the others graze. When they work their way down the field, the mother will let out a little hum….and the calf will get up and move closer to her. It is fun to watch them. All the mothers have a little hum they talk to their babies with. It is different than other times when they MOO. Interestingly enough the babies seem to know what they are saying. A certain hum…and the babies come to them. Another hum…and the baby will stay…and not move from that spot until their mother calls.

Now…..we watch other tummies….and WAIT!!!!!

Its exciting!!!!!!!

13 Apr

Spring has Sprung!

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: nature, plants, plants and trees. Leave a comment

Woo Hoo!!!! The weather has been BEAUTIFUL!!!! Everybody has been outside.

The only problem has been the pollen. Earlier in the week it looked as if we got an inch of green snow around here. Of course it was due to all the lovely plants and trees that have bloomed. Even through the stuffed up noses you can’t help but love to see the beauty that Spring brings.

I believe these trees are blooming cherry trees.

They were absolutely beautiful. I knew it would be impossible to capture just how pretty they were….

but I tried.

And the pansies, even though they have been around all winter,they too seem to enjoy the sun… standing at full attention They are striking!

The wild phlox have added lovely color all through the woods…..

It seems that I wasn’t the only one who was enjoying them….

WOW….

They were so pretty in fact….I brought a few in the house to enjoy.

Meanwhile…. in the garage…. we have a bird that has decided to build a nest. I really don’t mind…except now I hate to close the garage door. I’m not sure if this bird is aware of it or not…but we have enough critters to take care of. I really do not want to have to tend to a baby bird. I appreciate her wanting to share this experience with us…but……

I think it is absolutely amazing how birds construct a nest. Just look at all the bits of pine needles, leaves, bark and moss that this industrious little bird gathered in order to make her new home. Incredible…..

With Spring…comes the fish man. Last month I was at a feed store when I saw the announcement that the fish man would be coming this month. We bought some year before last and so we wanted to stock our pond a little more this year.

So, the other day was the day…fish day. We bought some fingerling catfish…

Isn’t that cute! Look at those whiskers… Our others have really grown….like…good eating size now. Billy likes to feed throughout Spring and Summer. He loves it when they boil the water….when he throws the food in. It is so much fun to watch.

We also bought some big mouth bass….

They are so little now…but it doesn’t take long for them to grow and when they do….those mouths get really big…and they are REALLY, REALLY fun to catch. (Notice Billy’s hand…he is still recovering from his burn…bless his heart) We also bought some brim….but they were too quick to get a picture. They are a really fun fish to catch. They put up a good fight…you feel like you have caught a whale when it is time to reel them in.

Some friends gave us another willow tree last year. We planted it by the lake, it is going to be perfect there.

It will be beautiful when it is full grown. Billy appropriately named this spot…Willow point.

Speaking of trees I noticed that they are beginning to green up.

At the cabin this past week I noticed just how green the grass and trees have gotten.

Billy placed some playground equipment recently…..and you know…

there is just something about Spring that brings the kid out in you. I thought this was priceless, Billy and his brothers…. enjoying a little time together.

The perfect thing to do when good weather arrives….to just get outside and enjoy it!

Psalm 8: 3-9 (NIV)

³When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
⁴what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?

⁵You have made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
⁶You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their feet:
⁷all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
⁸the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

⁹Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

4 Apr

Goat update….

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: animals, nature. 2 comments

Charlie and Lucy turned 2 months old yesterday.

I thought they looked a lot alike then…

But they both have changed so much. This was Charlie the day he was born.

And here….

Hang on….because you won’t believe how much he has changed.

This is Charlie now…..crazy isn’t it? I am amazed at the black markings around his eyes, they weren’t there before. His little horns are really growing.

Here he is with his mother. Billy and I held him a few weeks ago and he felt like he was about 20 -25 pounds.

This is Jed the father, May the mother and Charlie……

Lucy and the black and white goat were rejected by their mother. The black and white goat died before I knew she wasn’t tending to them. It was an extremely cold night that night. She must have only fed and warmed Charlie. He was the only one she was lying with when we checked on them the next morning. That is when we found the black and white one dead.

So Lucy came home with us…

and we have tended to her ever since. Needless to say…she was really pampered.

She has come a long way from that weak little baby who couldn’t walk and could barely hold her head up.

Once she gained strength….and got her gimp leg to work…there has been no stopping her. She is one tough cookie.

When she got really strong we put her in the fence during the day and let her come in at night. She liked the fence alright…until she became bored. Then she started escaping through any gap she could find. Being that she was pretty small…it was easy to find a hole that she could fit through.

One day I had left for about an hour while she was in the back yard. When I arrived home she wasn’t crying for me…so I thought that was odd. I went into the house to set some things down…when I heard a knock on the door. It was my neighbor across the street. I’m sure you guessed who she had in her arms.

She had said that Lucy came to their front porch and was playing with their new hound puppy…who also happens to be named Lucy.

They have a little girl…and she can’t say Lucy…so they call the dog…. woosy.

And since they have this little girl…they let our Lucy into their house….and believe it or not….put a diaper on her…until I got home.

Isn’t that a hoot.

She really hammed it up for me…as I took her picture.

Anyway….this is what Lucy looks like now. Her markings are still about the same…except she does have this black spot on the top of her head that she didn’t have before.

Since the new babies have arrived…Lucy has been much better about escaping. It might also have something to do with the fact that she has plumped up a good bit. She is still however, about half the size of her brother Charlie.

She is enjoying the babies. She now has someone closer to her size to play with. I hope that she will be the leader of these four new babies.

Here is Billy with all five of them.

They all play in the backyard if it isn’t raining. The older two girls….Viola and Frieda have spent several nights in the fence with Lucy and the big goats. We hope to move the other set of twins in the fence for good with in the week or so.

Meanwhile…Billy is really good about helping me take care of them. We give them five bottles several times a day and yes…sometimes you have to clean them like you do babies.

Lucy has even grown more since her last picture with the diaper. Her horns are becoming pronounced as well.

If you want to see them in action you can see this short video, of Lucy and the older twins…Viola and Freida.

It looked as Lucy was trying to show them how to get up to the porch and then how to jump….Viola is the vocal one of the group.

Have a great week.

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I've Gone Country A blog about a city girl learning a whole new world

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Memories of Mama

Little Tug…..

Loco Pollo

Winter Nap Is Over…..

Never a dull moment….

At the Cross

Where there is a will….there is a way

Watching the GIRLS

Spring has Sprung!

Goat update….

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