First, I need to tell you something. I've been kind of putting off telling you this because I really don't like to disappoint. (I'm a bit of a pleaser -- my yoke to bear.) Anyway, I'm afraid that we are going to have to . . . ummmm . . . put off Fall Open Farm. I don't like the word "cancel" -- it seems so harsh. Let's just say it's postponed until Fall 2016. At the spring Open Farm, we hosted right at 200 folks. With the new farmhouse under construction, it is just not safe for us to have so many people here at once. We should be settled into the new place by this spring, though, so we do hope to have a Spring Open Farm sometime around Easter -- exact date TBD.
Moving on. I thought you might get a kick out of this photo. I call it "Frustration."
Doyle the Rooster has discovered the laying flock . . . all 100+ of them. But, because of the portable fencing, he can't get in to make the moves. Poor Doyle.
Meanwhile, the goats are frustrated as well. Two of the mommas were in heat last week and had little interest in anything other than hanging out in the part of the field nearest the boys' field. Whereas they are usually at the barn waiting for me at milking time, last week whenever it was time for milking, I had to go out into the field and walk them back up to the barn. And, much to Zander's chagrin (he prefers the goats to sleep all snug as a bug in their shelter), they even camped out in this part of the field all night long. But, I'm standing my ground. October will be our breeding month and not a week before. If last year's weather plays out again, that week could be the difference between birthing in a snowstorm and birthing in 50 degree sunshine. So, they must endure their frustrations until next week.
Side note: If you've been planning to bring your kiddos out to the farm this fall and haven't yet scheduled your visit, maybe consider the upcoming week. Otherwise, plan on them getting a farm education while they're here. ;) On a similar note, if your kids are in school with my kids, just accept my apologies ahead of time. They find the animals' antics highly entertaining and are likely to make them the topic of fall journal entries, playground banter, and the like. Such is farm life.