Not a Profit

We did a little garden prepping yesterday. The garden will not be as big as it was last year, due to the fact that I won't be here to tend it. The ground at the farmstead hasn't been worked. Ad will take this summer and the winter to get the grass problem under control. My husband will tend the garden here, while I build a house and other things needed on the farmstead. He will bring ready to can produce up on the weekends when he comes to visit.

I was chatting with the neighbor across the way. The one that can't make up her mind if she wants to be in the country or the city, and is raiding sheep for butcher sales. She informed me that she now wants to get into Dairy cows. I must say that this caught me off guard, and I was speechless. I know! Can you believe that one? I did manage to say something. I asked her if she realized how much more work Dairy cattle were compared to sheep. She said yes. I asked her if she realized that she had to milk them everyday. (she wants me to milk her goats for her) she said that she was going to pay someone that knew how to do it. At that point I didn't know what else to say. I guess I should say good for her. But my gut says, she trying to step on my toes. I know I shouldn't feel that way. I should be happy that she wants to do these things. I feel bad that my mind went to that bad place, but I live and work out here, she is only out on the weekends to check her birds and sheep. And the lack of work ethics, and the caviler way she treats animals as profit bothers me. I know, I know, get over it. Competition never hurt anyone, but I already have decent competition so that doesn't bother me in the least.

Jack and Betty, the baby goats, are super active. They are official into everything and have tested every single fence on the property. Their horns are coming in, and they are the chubbiest dairy goats I have ever seen. Spoiled little buggers.

Murrial and Courage are doing well. Courage has her full run on, her little tail curls up as she books across the field. Unlike the Dexters, she isn't afraid to be more than a couple steps away from mommy, but she is starting to shy away from me. I expected that, but they come around again. The youngest Dexter heifer, Urth, seems to be suffering from OCD. My brother and I were stand out in the field talking, and she walks up and starts licking me, and didn't stop. She managed to take of several layers of skin. Those that have been licked by a cow can tell you about that. Their tongues are rough like a cat's tongue, an huge! It isn't like a sweet dog kiss. Yesterday Urth manged to corner my husband and began the licking process with him. She has a mineral block, but she wants to lick us. I guess she is just a big sweety.

Donkey the sheep is due for shearing soon. Right now he is a big ball of fluff, with legs. Sammy (horse) has accepted him as a companion. Poor Donkey, his legs can barley keep up with Sammy's stride. I have a feeling that once on the farmstead, I will be riding Sammy, with a desperate Donkey running behind us, everywhere.

I talked with Medium and Large yesterday about homeschooling. They are both for it. Medium however made it clear that we would be going to the library. I said yes, that we would. I thought we could make a day of going into town. There are several historic towns in the area, we can do the museums and go up into the oldest jail in the State, things like that. They both seem thrilled about it. I know Large has issues with school mates, and will be glad to get away from that.

With us headed into gardening season, is there anything you want to know about?