More Rain, Again

Is it global warming? The weather pattern has been shifting the last five growing seasons, of that I am sure.  Might I suggest 2011 be renamed to reflect its characteristics more accurately? How about Deluge, Mud Slinger, Torturer of the Farmer, Storminator, Calendar Mocker,  blah, blah, blah!  So, here we are, soaked again, highly INconvenient! There is field work to be finished, and not a trifling amount.  Ordering seed and drooling copiously while viewing four color spreads is a great indoor activity. But.........I NEED to be out in the field. This sort of house arrest makes me cranky.

On that note, I realize there are multitudes of humans suffering unspeakable cruelty, and even more animals who are subjected to sickening atrocities. It helps to get my petty frustrations into perspective. There are several rescue organizations I get news feeds from that sorely test my faith in humanity. Indeed it begs the question: Is evil triumphing over good? If I did not know better I would think so.

There are a few pictures from the day after Thanksgiving I would like to share. Patrick and his wife came to help us winterize the stables, equipment etc.

Here is Squirt, the buckling runt, who is slowly coming along and gaining a bit of weight.  He is still apart from the other goats as he can't defend himself.  Very sweet.

Snickers is recurling a heavy coat after his October shearing.

One of the Welsh Harlequins injured its leg and could not walk. We offered him some food away from the other ducks. In just 7 weeks look how big it grew from the picture in a previous post.

Beauty on the left, Miridian on the right, both growing out luxurious fleece. They are becoming quite tame since arriving in August.

Patrick and Aaron mucking out the stable. The duck brooder pen was in here before they graduated, and ventured outside.

Making Compost.  In the backround a low tunnel is being set up for early March.

Welsh Harlequins, Blue Swedish and Khaki Campbell ducks at eight weeks old.