Down on the Farm

Rich reporting!

Down a country road is a tree-lined lane . . .

that leads to an historic house over 100 years old.

Next to this lovely home is the original two-room, one-and-a-half story prairie home built circa 1869.

Surrounding these lovely homesteads are country acres upon which are mature trees, red barns, livestock pens and corrals, and the remnants of this year's seasonal garden.
Casey, the canine farmhand, is a steady companion. She has the instincts to shepherd a herd of goats with skill. She loves to nuzzle up close, make a game out of watering the plants, and beg for attention. It is uncanny how Casey can run to the road and all around the property and still show up in time to enter a livestock pen or to tug the hose to the next watering spot!


There are four show goats ready for showing at the county fair the beginning of August. Their noisy reception and eager interest intrudes the prepping of their grain feed mixture. Without Casey to nip their heels, I am nudged from all sides in my attempt to get the grain-mixture to the feeding trough.

In yonder pen the breeding goats have gathered in anticipation of their "goodies." They crowd onto the feeding platform and competitively vie for a favored position. They will just have to wait their turn, despite their bleating pleas.






Now that the show goats are preoccupied at the feeding trough, I get the chance to place a combination of alfalfa and brome in the crib.






There are seven goats in the breeding herd. The pecking order becomes readily apparent. Size and temperament seem to be factors.








A special feed is prepared for the breeding goats. It is a challenge to distribute the feed when the feeding platform is crowded with animals. It seems that no attempts at "faking out" the goats are successful. So I just have to start pouring. The "king" of this harem gets his fair share, for sure!





Alfalfa wedges are separated and distributed. The goats snort and I sneeze! :)







During the summer's hot weather, watering the annuals and potted plants daily becomes essential. Casey likes to make a game of it by snapping at the water streams and lapping up a cool drink. The wetter Casey gets, the dirtier I get. When I sit for a momentary respite, Casey nuzzles me and puts her front paws on my legs and chest with the expectation of a good rubdown.


Carolyn accompanied me two mornings. She watered the remnants of the family garden and then picked tomatoes. She even pulled a few weeds from around the corn stalks. The soil is so rich. We wished we were as blessed at our house!



Freshly picked tomatoes are so yummy. After working among the tomato bushes, the scent remains on one's hands and clothes. We enjoyed BLT's at three meals that week. Yum!

We shared the bounty of the tomato harvest with family and friends.


My week on the farm was a great experience! One particular day, there was a roll of thunder in the SW. A breeze whipped up, and I just felt a wonderful contentment to be in this special setting. Life couldn't be better. I thank the Lord for His blessing!