Bouncing bounding beautiful Bella. Our little Jersey calf is thriving and, almost two weeks old, every moment of every day is an adventure. Bran the Border Collie has a new partner in crime as collie and calf play catch and chase between the sprouting raspberry canes and through the still sleeping grape vines. In the turkey pen, Tom the turkey is still unsure of the curious calf as she places her dewy black muzzle up against the wire. His snood turning from placid pink to furious red and brilliant blue, he loudly warns Bella that he is ready to defend his harem should the calf venture any closer. Tux the big black rooster angrily scratches the ground, his collar feathers fluffed up and his beady little eyes fixed on the inquisitive Bella who calmly appears not to comprehend that his angry warning signs had already gone from green through amber and were now firmly on “ no closer” red. Easily guzzling ten quarts of creamy frothy milk a day, half a gallon in less than two minutes, it is difficult to recall our earlier anxieties when we weren’t sure the shivering little bundle of skin and bone was going to survive.
I had a few moments with Misty moo her lovely gentle mom yesterday as Greg was milking her. In between the pulsating surge of the milking machine, Misty put her beautiful face up against mine, her big brown eyes so close….her big wet nose against my cheek. It would have been a perfect moment… BUT have you ever felt the bristles on a cows nose ?!!!
Little Shrimp the orphan lamb is still a little shrimp. Each day the tiny lamb goes out into the pasture with her larger siblings and each evening we have to catch her to give her a bottle. Shrimp may be tiny but that little lady manages to give us a whole lot of trouble.
Smoky and Bacon the two little piglets are loving life on the ranch. To be a little more precise, I think it would be a little (lot) more honest to say…those little ladies are loving their food ! Progress has been made in persuading them that we aren’t going to eat them ( yet !) and I have managed ( at serious risk of losing my fingers at least…or my whole hand at worst !) to hand feed those voracious little piglets. Kevin and Greg were building muscles on Friday, busily building the new pig residence which will be grandly known as “Pigville”. Kevin is having the weekend for some well earned rest and relaxation after his week on the ranch and we thank him for all his support through a very busy week.
Jaden our young grandson returned to the city on Thursday after a three day visit to the Ranch. It is always fun to have the grandchildren and we look forward to more visits…soon.
Got to get this entry posted. Take care, keep safe, M
I had a few moments with Misty moo her lovely gentle mom yesterday as Greg was milking her. In between the pulsating surge of the milking machine, Misty put her beautiful face up against mine, her big brown eyes so close….her big wet nose against my cheek. It would have been a perfect moment… BUT have you ever felt the bristles on a cows nose ?!!!
Little Shrimp the orphan lamb is still a little shrimp. Each day the tiny lamb goes out into the pasture with her larger siblings and each evening we have to catch her to give her a bottle. Shrimp may be tiny but that little lady manages to give us a whole lot of trouble.
Smoky and Bacon the two little piglets are loving life on the ranch. To be a little more precise, I think it would be a little (lot) more honest to say…those little ladies are loving their food ! Progress has been made in persuading them that we aren’t going to eat them ( yet !) and I have managed ( at serious risk of losing my fingers at least…or my whole hand at worst !) to hand feed those voracious little piglets. Kevin and Greg were building muscles on Friday, busily building the new pig residence which will be grandly known as “Pigville”. Kevin is having the weekend for some well earned rest and relaxation after his week on the ranch and we thank him for all his support through a very busy week.
Jaden our young grandson returned to the city on Thursday after a three day visit to the Ranch. It is always fun to have the grandchildren and we look forward to more visits…soon.
Got to get this entry posted. Take care, keep safe, M
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