Carol of the Cows

We began gathering the cattle on Sunday, thinking it would take us a couple of days. But they are becoming quiet trained and they were a bit hungry for some alfalfa, so we were able to get all but 4 on the first day. That is a first for us. Yesterday Jo and I got the hiding cows with the horses, and on foot, as they went in an area that was too dangerous to ride into. This morning we sent in the 15 calves that were born last spring and today all 22 cows that have not yet calved got preg checked. They didn't like it much and refused to sign the waiver to let me photograph the experience. But honestly, I can't really blame them. Can you? Unfortunately, 12 were not far enough along in their pregnancy or not pregnant, so they will be going on a little road trip to the auction. I am a bit sad. On a funny note we brought in the old lame cow and her month old calf and she wasn't as crippled as we thought as she chased Johanna and Eric around the arena a bit. Apparently, she follows much better than being pushed. She wouldn't fetch us much at the auction and she is still producing milk for the calf, so she will be my winter lawn ornament. Or maybe our new guard dog.

Thanksgiving to Christmas

Our thanksgiving is over and now let the Advent season begin.

Today is the first Sunday in Advent and we lit the first candle of Hope. Advent is a Latin word meaning, "the coming" and these 4 weeks before Christmas we try and think about what the coming of the baby Jesus means to us as well as looking forward to His future return as King of Kings.

Hope, Peace, Joy and Love to all of you this holiday season.

This week in photos

Thanksgiving Meal with Family and Friends

Dirty Shirt Classic

Cow Pie Throw

Icy Mornings

With occasional Fog and Rain

And One Cow With a Lump

Does any of my cowy friends know what this could be? It is a first time for us. I am thinking it is an abscess of some sort. Starting Sunday we are bringing all the cows that have not yet had a calf in for a preg check and we will bring her in too, although she has a newborn. We are also going to be sending all of our spring calves to auction. Last year we ended up having a little more than half of our cows calve in the fall and the rest in the spring. It was kind of strange, but we are thankful that they calved in two distinct times and now are hoping that the spring calves do well at Wednesday's auction. We'll keep you posted.

Mushroom Season

Our friend Dylan, the spring time poesy picker, has been out collecting mushrooms. Chanterelles, oysters, slippery jacks and ringo something or another.
These are chanterelle mushrooms he is putting into the dehydrator.

Many pounds of mushrooms were gathered and he ended up with only about 8 oz worth. Of course, after re-hydrating they will be yummy in many recipes.
He sauteed up some fresh for eating as well,
and made a delicious beef strogonaff.

Moon and Clouds

But often, in the world's most crowded streets,
But often, in the din of strife,
There rises an unspeakable desire
After the knowledge of our buried life:
A thirst to spend our fire and restless force
In tracking out our true, original course;
A longing to inquire
Into the mystery of this heart which beats
So wild, so deep in us-to know
Whence our lives come and where they go.

Matthew Arnold, part of "The Buried Life"

Mice, Bucks and Slugs

It seems we are being overrun with all three.

The mice have apparently moved into our house due to the inclement weather. We told them they did not have reservations and would they please depart. They just ran over our feet. We brought Kate in and they decided she was the recreation leader. We got high pitched devices to plug in and they just put on ear muffs. I am afraid we may have to enlist the help of some assassins. They don't charge much they only want to eat what they kill. Oh my.

The bucks are in rut. Super charged with male hormones and on the scent of a doe they stumble and stagger in front of us as we walk or drive our vehicles. They act pretty retarded. A neighbor blogged of 2 who got in a fist fight over one of the doe eyed beauties wandering these hills. Check it out here.

We see the pacific banana slugs have returned with the wet weather. They are everywhere. On our porch, heading to the dog food, eating our lettuce. What the one on our hitch was looking for we will never know. But he did get a ride. I am not totally sure how it ended, but I think not good.

Sidetracked

Kate says, "Woman, what you doing? Get back in the house there and get back to work on the bookkeeping. "
And instead I let myself get sidetracked and shoot random, not so good, photos from my porches.
Sometimes, I crack myself up with ways to procrastinate.
And my back is hurting from sitting so long today and I think I will make a pot of tea now and enjoy the view.

China Town Shoppers

San Francisco Walk About

We drove some friends to the San Francisco Airport this weekend and took the opportunity to explore the city a bit. It was a gorgeous day and we walked our legs off, but none of the photos really capture the sparkle of the sky or the glimmer of the sun or the fresh scent of the ocean air. I think our camera needs fixing. The scent button doesn't seem to be working.

Random

I have been wandering around enjoying the warm sunny days while they last. My eye is drawn to small tiny things like these wee ferns that were growing in the moss on a big rock perched under a golden maple tree.
Or the large of expanse of sky. This area had burned over and the trees that are left standing have few branches and they stand tall and slim and vary in type.
Of course, I love wandering amongst our now free roaming horses. That is Sequoya in the front. Behind him stands 16.3 hand Sweet William so you can really tell that our yearling is a big boy. Actually, he now is Johanna's yearling as a trade was made.
These are now bare buckeyes on a hillside and it looks more like a winter photo to me. I like starkness and a sense of the lonely in photos.

I bend back down to catch the tiny. A last dance of a some kind of moth. There were two doing the tango but one was shy, I guess, and it flew away.


Happy fall and day after elections. I hope you voted. It is the least we can do for this country. Of course, Mark and I often just cancel each other out, but still.....