Here's to The Goats.

I think most of you have already heard about our tragedy this last week, but for any who haven't, we had a terrible attack by a family of mountain lions. We think that it was a mother lion teaching her two youngs how to hunt. But the end result is that we have lost our four Angora goats Olivia, Aspen, Reno and Laurel. I'm not going to get on my soapbox and go on about whether it was right or wrong, good or bad, whether the lions needed them for food or for education...all I can say at this time after almost 6 days, is that I miss them dearly and wish I could have protected them better. I'm sure most of you have lost "good friends" such as these and will indulge me while I offer a quick word about each of them.

Aspen was always one of my favorites because she was the one who really enjoyed a "good petting". I think she was probably one of the smartest and knew that if she succumbed to "the pet" then a treat was likely to follow. The fact that she was not shy made her a great photographic subject as well...although I usually got shots of her nose since she tended to get too close. She enjoyed hot tea, green onions and being with her best buddy, Laurel.

What can I say about Reno? When he first came to us he had "pizzle rot"...which is exactly what you would expect. Therefore, he and I became friends out of necessity, since every couple of months he needed to be thoroughly cleaned up. He was the most skittish of all the goats, but we came to a "through the fence" understanding. I loved his crooked smile...it always made me think that he invisioned himself "quite the man" even though he was really "womens' best friend" :) and totally harmless.

Laurel taught me a valuable lesson just recently. We had never been particularily close. She was a beautiful goat, but a little reserved. Well, about two weeks ago I noticed that her fur had become really lovely this last season. I couldn't resist touching her, so during their morning breakfast I would sneak up on her and give her a pet. As it turns out, she didn't mind the petting at all. It made me realize that some people want to be loved but just don't know how to initiate the process. Anyway, I'm glad that we became closer those last few weeks.

Olivia. I called her my "smiley goat". She had a wonderful attitude. It didn't matter whether she was stuck in a fence, being sheared, or getting a treat...she always had the same calm, accepting, happy demeanor. She was the most trusting of all the goats. When I called her, she came. When I haltered her, she walked. When I petted her, she stood still. When I photographed her, she smiled! Quite the sweetheart, and I will miss her dearly.

We had the llamas before the goats, and somewhere along the way we adopted the phrase "they're just GOATS" while trying to gauge the appropriateness of their food, their housing, their overall well-being. But they weren't JUST goats. They were individual beings with their own silly quirks, likes and dislikes, fears and foibles. They inhanced our lives immensely and will be greatly missed.

Olivia's New Clothes!

This weekend was Pedicure Day for the girl goats...I like to think of it as a day at the Angora Avalon Day Spa! First we have a warm foot bath (which I can assure you they REALLY dislike...goats hate water), then we have our nails trimmed (only slightly better), and finally a quick brushing (to rid everyone of unsightly stickers, poop balls and unidentified clinginging objects). The only bright side, in the goats' opinion, is that everyone gets a treat afterwards! Olivia did however, get a new jacket also. Her fiber has grown to about 2" since the last shearing, and her old one was getting a little "snug"...WE blame it on the Holidays, they blame it on fat fur...we all have our excuses :D

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! I guess New Year's Eve is really the designated time to review all that happened over the past year, and New Year's Day should be the time to look ahead...but it seems I'm doing both today. As is fitting, this has been a year unlike any other. It was my second year "home" after having semi-retired and I feel so blessed to have been able to spend this time doing what I love. I've been able to spend so much more time with my animals, and also with the grandbabies, who are my light and my joy! I've also branched out with my spinning, learning how to love the mohair (what an experience!) and becoming more adventurous with my dyeing and my art yarns. I found Etsy, which has been such a great learning experience, not to mention Mary Jane's Farmgirls where I feel so welcomed and so at home. I'm slowly learning how to "blog"...that's still a pretty intimidating venue for me! And in conjunction with blogging, I'm having a lot of fun taking pictures and journaling, neither of which have ever been my strong suit!

My husband joined me for my second season at the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Markets in Ashland and in Medford, Oregon. I brought my yarns and fibers and he brought his metal art. It was something of a learning experience and took some adjustment on my part, since I was used to "going it alone", but we didn't get a divorce or tear each other's hair out, or even our own...and we made a little money, so all in all I've got to call it a success!

The holidays were wonderful. We were so lucky to spend them with Les' parents, our two sons and my son's extended family, including my two grandaughters (shown here in their finery!) Bailie and Shyla. What would the holidays be without the little ones!? We made gingerbread men and decorated them on Christmas Eve, then had a wonderful dinner before Santa Claus came! Also, my Auntie June was able to come and stay with us, and we had such a good visit, which included a little too much wine and way too many giggles! I must say that a very good time was had by all!

It has been a challenging year financially, but I think we are lucky to be staying afloat with construction being what it is right now...so many of our friends and family are much worse off. Everytime I think of how much worse it could be, I am grateful. I'm convinced that it is doing us all good to be having to tighten our belts a bit. Both of the boys had to go find other employment when our business slowed up, but I am so thankful that they have both found jobs that they enjoy, and that can support them. I am a great believer in that good old Silver Lining!

Today, my husband and I built our brand new Goat Feeder! I told him that was absolutely the best New Years Present Ever! Yesterday we put the poles in the ground and today we designed and built it from just scrap wood and fencing. The picture is of Aspen and Laurel enjoying their new feeder but all of them were really quite excited! We had been feeding them out of troughs on the ground and it makes for a lot of waste. For some reason, every day at least one goat thinks that they have to be IN the trough in order to eat FROM the trough. Being in the trough, leads to pooping in the trough...which leads to peeing in the trough...which leads to a whole bunch of hay that isn't worth a hill of beans! Soooo....hopefully this will make for a more pleasant dining experience for all! Happy New Year to all the critters, and of course to you also!