wow, what a crazy week. yesterday and today I was up in Estes Park volunteering for the fleece show. I was there yesterday from 8am-7pm and today from 7am until 5pm, on my feet the whole time. (did ya notice yestrerday's blog was at 6am?) It was really amazing to see all the fleeces (161 total) and to be with the judge as she went through them all. When I came home yesterday, I was just bouncing and had a hard time going to sleep. I learned so much about what to look for and what is good and what is not good. Super cool.
Getting up at 5:15am wasn't really all that bad, and it RAINED! Hooray for moisture :) My main job today was as the scribe for the judge, so I really got to be her right-hand girl. Next time, I'm bringing up my good calculator...I hate using the dinky ones that you have to really punch to get the numbers to register.
I'm really glad I volunteered, and I'd like to do it again next year. Maybe next time I'll even have some fleeces entered in the show.
But now I'm home, and starting to crash...and only one month until my b'day when I'll be 29.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Thursday, June 15, 2006
flooding and curling
so remember how we irrigated on Tuesday, and how Michael was in charge of the water from dark until 7am...well I had a really interesting day yesterday.
Michael had a big day at work, so we tag-teamed again, and I was supposed to stay home in the morning to wait for our vet to come check out the new baby. When he left at 7:30, I went and fed the animals. When I came back into the house 5 minutes later I heard a panicked voice on the answering machine saying "6 inches of water in my barn, and I can't even open the barn doors to get my animals out, could you check your dams and please call me...". shit. so I called up the neighbor who was supposed to take the water over at 9am and said "take it, take it now!" and called the neighbor who's brand new barn we had flooded to say that I'd check on the dams and see what I could do.
The vet came (yay Dr. Tim) and checked out the new baby and got a blood sample to send off to test for the dreaded bvdv. Then I trecked out into the pasture to see what was going on. Oh, yes, there was clearly a problem. There was so much water that it was flowing off the end of our property and making a straight path down the small slope to the neighbor's barn. I checked the dams in a few places, built one new mud dam to hold back some of the water flow from one ditch, and across the property line I created a new pseudo dam/earth wall/new ditch by digging the heavy clay mud. While I was doing this, I could see my neighbor at her barn, and I asked her if I could help her out...
so I went to my neighbor's barn where I learned that we got lucky that we didn't electrocute their horses. There were several inches of standing water in the barn, and in the middle of the barn was a fan that was plugged in (partly submerged). She said that when she did get the barn doors open, she saw that the fan was still on even though it was partly underwater.
So I helped her move her stack of hay bales, the pallets the hay was on, the bags of stall bedding that were soaked, and then worked on getting the water out of the barn by using a push broom to force the water out. After we got the bulk of the water out, she pulled out the hose with the high-pressure nozzle and as she sprayed the stall-mat covered floor to get rid of the layer of silt/mud, I pushed the water along. Let me tell you, the center of their barn was the low spot, so it was like pushing water up from the center of a bowl...you need a lot of momentum to really get it up over the lip.
So their barn got clean, their animals didn't die, and there was only a small amount of damage to the hay and bedding. And I got a new appreciation for Olympic curlers. (my whole back is SO sore today)
I'm heading up to Estes Park to assist the fleece judging for the wool market. I'll be up there all day today and tomorrow...more farm tales to come.
Michael had a big day at work, so we tag-teamed again, and I was supposed to stay home in the morning to wait for our vet to come check out the new baby. When he left at 7:30, I went and fed the animals. When I came back into the house 5 minutes later I heard a panicked voice on the answering machine saying "6 inches of water in my barn, and I can't even open the barn doors to get my animals out, could you check your dams and please call me...". shit. so I called up the neighbor who was supposed to take the water over at 9am and said "take it, take it now!" and called the neighbor who's brand new barn we had flooded to say that I'd check on the dams and see what I could do.
The vet came (yay Dr. Tim) and checked out the new baby and got a blood sample to send off to test for the dreaded bvdv. Then I trecked out into the pasture to see what was going on. Oh, yes, there was clearly a problem. There was so much water that it was flowing off the end of our property and making a straight path down the small slope to the neighbor's barn. I checked the dams in a few places, built one new mud dam to hold back some of the water flow from one ditch, and across the property line I created a new pseudo dam/earth wall/new ditch by digging the heavy clay mud. While I was doing this, I could see my neighbor at her barn, and I asked her if I could help her out...
so I went to my neighbor's barn where I learned that we got lucky that we didn't electrocute their horses. There were several inches of standing water in the barn, and in the middle of the barn was a fan that was plugged in (partly submerged). She said that when she did get the barn doors open, she saw that the fan was still on even though it was partly underwater.
So I helped her move her stack of hay bales, the pallets the hay was on, the bags of stall bedding that were soaked, and then worked on getting the water out of the barn by using a push broom to force the water out. After we got the bulk of the water out, she pulled out the hose with the high-pressure nozzle and as she sprayed the stall-mat covered floor to get rid of the layer of silt/mud, I pushed the water along. Let me tell you, the center of their barn was the low spot, so it was like pushing water up from the center of a bowl...you need a lot of momentum to really get it up over the lip.
So their barn got clean, their animals didn't die, and there was only a small amount of damage to the hay and bedding. And I got a new appreciation for Olympic curlers. (my whole back is SO sore today)
I'm heading up to Estes Park to assist the fleece judging for the wool market. I'll be up there all day today and tomorrow...more farm tales to come.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
farmer...me!
Today I was really Farmer Jennie...it was our day to irrigate our pasture (about 4 acres get irrigated).
We get to flood irrigate about once a year, twice if we're really lucky when there is lots of extra water. This has been a particularly hot, dry year, and our pasture is really suffering because we really haven't had any rain. This time last year our pasture was so lush and fabulous that the grass was up to my chest (seriously). When we cut our pasture last year we got nearly 200 bales of hay. This year, we probably won't cut it at all because is just isn't tall in the places it is growing, and hasn't even come up in large patches of the pasture.
So today was our irrigation day. Michael had to go to work because of some crazy busy stuff happening, so I stayed home all day and was totally in charge of the irrigation from 9am until 6pm when Michael returned. I've never done this before myself, eventhough Michael and I have worked together on it the last 2 years.
The way flood irrigation works is this...there are ditches that run the perimiter of the pasture, and in some places ditches that run through the pasture. when it is your turn for the water, you go to the main dam switch and open and close the right dams so that the water flows down the ditch to your propery. Then, at your property you need to set up dams along your ditches to get the water to flow out into the pasture and then throughout the day, you need to move the location of the dams so that you end up flooding the entire area. The idea is pretty simple, but the land is not 100% flat, so you've got to figure out how to trick the water into flowing onto the high spots and how not to flood your neighbor's lawns, and on and on. The dams are big pieces of tarp that are attached to long 2x4 boards that you can set wherever you want along the ditch (there are no pre-set locations).
So today I was the farmer walking around in my knee-high waterproof muckboots with shovel in hand (for shoving the fabric of the tarp-dams into the mud). I would go outside on the hour to move the dams that needed to move and then check the dams that were stationary to make sure they hadn't blown a leak. Each trip out would take 20-30 minutes, then I would come inside, do some work for 30min or so, and then back out...a long, long day.
But I think I was successful, and Michael and I played tag (he's it) after dinner, so now he's on ditch duty throughout the night (we get the water for 24hrs). 4 eggs today.
We get to flood irrigate about once a year, twice if we're really lucky when there is lots of extra water. This has been a particularly hot, dry year, and our pasture is really suffering because we really haven't had any rain. This time last year our pasture was so lush and fabulous that the grass was up to my chest (seriously). When we cut our pasture last year we got nearly 200 bales of hay. This year, we probably won't cut it at all because is just isn't tall in the places it is growing, and hasn't even come up in large patches of the pasture.
So today was our irrigation day. Michael had to go to work because of some crazy busy stuff happening, so I stayed home all day and was totally in charge of the irrigation from 9am until 6pm when Michael returned. I've never done this before myself, eventhough Michael and I have worked together on it the last 2 years.
The way flood irrigation works is this...there are ditches that run the perimiter of the pasture, and in some places ditches that run through the pasture. when it is your turn for the water, you go to the main dam switch and open and close the right dams so that the water flows down the ditch to your propery. Then, at your property you need to set up dams along your ditches to get the water to flow out into the pasture and then throughout the day, you need to move the location of the dams so that you end up flooding the entire area. The idea is pretty simple, but the land is not 100% flat, so you've got to figure out how to trick the water into flowing onto the high spots and how not to flood your neighbor's lawns, and on and on. The dams are big pieces of tarp that are attached to long 2x4 boards that you can set wherever you want along the ditch (there are no pre-set locations).
So today I was the farmer walking around in my knee-high waterproof muckboots with shovel in hand (for shoving the fabric of the tarp-dams into the mud). I would go outside on the hour to move the dams that needed to move and then check the dams that were stationary to make sure they hadn't blown a leak. Each trip out would take 20-30 minutes, then I would come inside, do some work for 30min or so, and then back out...a long, long day.
But I think I was successful, and Michael and I played tag (he's it) after dinner, so now he's on ditch duty throughout the night (we get the water for 24hrs). 4 eggs today.
Monday, June 12, 2006
(Another) New Alpaca Baby!
Today we came home from work to discover that Angel had her baby! The baby boy had been born sometime earlier in the day, and was totally dry and up and walking around when we found him. And he's beige with darker beige/brown spots!
I am just googoo over this new baby. He looks so much like his brother, the alpaca baby that died last year of a bacterial infection when he was 1month old. Throughout the evening I kept checking on him and staring at him...and praying that this little guy will have a long and healthy life. I don't pray often, and thinking about it in this moment, I'm not really sure who I was praying to...maybe just setting the intention...but seeing his face--the same face I was googoo over last year...I just want this baby to live! I've already got some photos of him posted in my myspace photos. If you have suggestions for names, I'll be glad to take ideas!
Sunday, June 11, 2006
the barn at the end of the world
You know it is summer when....
...your house is invaded by moths...lots and lots of moths. Moths that fly at you when you turn out the lights when you go to bed. Moths that swarm at all the lightbulbs in your kitchen. Moths that are swift and furious and are hard to swat. Moths that like to buzz past your ear when you are writing your blog.
...you get to eat the strawberries from the garden that are the most ripe (about a dozen each day for the last 3 days, and more green ones that are turning pink). The best strawberries ever, by the way!
...Buffy the Chicken (she's a Buff Orpington) decides she will sit on the nest for days and days and days trying to hatch eggs that we keep taking from her. The eggs aren't fertile (we have no rooster). 3 eggs today.
...your vet calls to say your entire herd is BVDV free (HOORAY!). Ok, so this isn't a sign of summer, but we got the call today that none of our animals has to be destroyed, so that is pretty exciting.
...Jennie locates her shorts and actually wears a pair of shorts out in the world. Jennie usually wears shorts 2-3 times total in the summer, so this is a big deal.
...tomorrow is the first veggie pick up from Cure Organic Farm. I belong to the CSA at Cure (community supported agriculture) and starting this week, every wednesday for 20 weeks I get to go to the farm and pick up my share of fruit and veggies!
Currently reading :
The Barn at the End of the World: The Apprenticeship of a Quaker, Buddhist Shepherd
By Mary Rose O'Reilley
...your house is invaded by moths...lots and lots of moths. Moths that fly at you when you turn out the lights when you go to bed. Moths that swarm at all the lightbulbs in your kitchen. Moths that are swift and furious and are hard to swat. Moths that like to buzz past your ear when you are writing your blog.
...you get to eat the strawberries from the garden that are the most ripe (about a dozen each day for the last 3 days, and more green ones that are turning pink). The best strawberries ever, by the way!
...Buffy the Chicken (she's a Buff Orpington) decides she will sit on the nest for days and days and days trying to hatch eggs that we keep taking from her. The eggs aren't fertile (we have no rooster). 3 eggs today.
...your vet calls to say your entire herd is BVDV free (HOORAY!). Ok, so this isn't a sign of summer, but we got the call today that none of our animals has to be destroyed, so that is pretty exciting.
...Jennie locates her shorts and actually wears a pair of shorts out in the world. Jennie usually wears shorts 2-3 times total in the summer, so this is a big deal.
...tomorrow is the first veggie pick up from Cure Organic Farm. I belong to the CSA at Cure (community supported agriculture) and starting this week, every wednesday for 20 weeks I get to go to the farm and pick up my share of fruit and veggies!
Currently reading :
The Barn at the End of the World: The Apprenticeship of a Quaker, Buddhist Shepherd
By Mary Rose O'Reilley
Sunday, June 4, 2006
Mrs. Biglopper is gonna smash your ass
Hooray for 3 day weekends. Here's some highlights
Friday I spent most of the day at home working on redoing our business website...it isn't done yet, but I'm close. In the middle of the day I went to Boulder for a leadership seminar for managers and had a blast (seriously, I really liked it!) Then back home for more fighting with dreamweaver. Back down to Boulder in the evening to catch the X-men III movie with Michael and John and Kate. 4 eggs.
Saturday I went to an alpaca organization meeting in the morning and then spent three hours in the afternoon with Michael weeding the garden and then transplanting the pumpkins, okra, and cukes. We have a tremendous amount of volunteer dill...which is perfect since we have three pickling cucumber plants (dill pickles!). Later this summer, I'll have to get some books on pickling...I've never done it before. 4 eggs.
Today was a big adventure day. We started out with worming the two female llamas. We purchased these two girls in a semi-rescue situation. They weren't abused, but had been neglected. We've done a lot of work in the year and a half we've had them getting to trust us. I can now catch and halter Aquirius on my own! Merle, is another story. Poor Merle is a 400+ pound scardey cat. Any time we get her in a small enclosure, she starts trembling and shaking. We did an amazing job of teamwork today and really worked slowly and gently and she even stood still while I stroked her neck! Major success.
After llama wrangling, we decided to tackle the weeds that were growing along the side of the patio and driveway. These weeds had gotten a bit out of control and we had a ton of thistle that had grown 2 to 3 feet high. Michael used the short-handled pruners, and I used the long-handled loppers used for small tree branches. At one point, Michael said to me "Mrs. Biglopper, I need your help over here". So I came over to this particular monster weed and told it "Hello, I'm Mrs. Biglopper, and I'm gonna smash your ass." And I did.
And the final joy of the weekend...I made a vegetable and tofu thai green curry for dinner. And now everytime I go outside and come back in, the house smells like a delicious thai food restaurant. I'm going to have to make this a lot more frequently!
Oh, and 5 eggs today.
Friday I spent most of the day at home working on redoing our business website...it isn't done yet, but I'm close. In the middle of the day I went to Boulder for a leadership seminar for managers and had a blast (seriously, I really liked it!) Then back home for more fighting with dreamweaver. Back down to Boulder in the evening to catch the X-men III movie with Michael and John and Kate. 4 eggs.
Saturday I went to an alpaca organization meeting in the morning and then spent three hours in the afternoon with Michael weeding the garden and then transplanting the pumpkins, okra, and cukes. We have a tremendous amount of volunteer dill...which is perfect since we have three pickling cucumber plants (dill pickles!). Later this summer, I'll have to get some books on pickling...I've never done it before. 4 eggs.
Today was a big adventure day. We started out with worming the two female llamas. We purchased these two girls in a semi-rescue situation. They weren't abused, but had been neglected. We've done a lot of work in the year and a half we've had them getting to trust us. I can now catch and halter Aquirius on my own! Merle, is another story. Poor Merle is a 400+ pound scardey cat. Any time we get her in a small enclosure, she starts trembling and shaking. We did an amazing job of teamwork today and really worked slowly and gently and she even stood still while I stroked her neck! Major success.
After llama wrangling, we decided to tackle the weeds that were growing along the side of the patio and driveway. These weeds had gotten a bit out of control and we had a ton of thistle that had grown 2 to 3 feet high. Michael used the short-handled pruners, and I used the long-handled loppers used for small tree branches. At one point, Michael said to me "Mrs. Biglopper, I need your help over here". So I came over to this particular monster weed and told it "Hello, I'm Mrs. Biglopper, and I'm gonna smash your ass." And I did.
And the final joy of the weekend...I made a vegetable and tofu thai green curry for dinner. And now everytime I go outside and come back in, the house smells like a delicious thai food restaurant. I'm going to have to make this a lot more frequently!
Oh, and 5 eggs today.
Thursday, June 1, 2006
meat, apples, shopping and beets
Today's headline news: Jennie ate meat. Cousin Paul and I went shopping today and and afterwards we went to the new Jewish Deli in Boulder...and I had a corned beef and turkey sandwich. This is the first meat I've eaten in weeks. As excited as I am about a new deli, I'm not sure how much I can support them since delis are mostly about the meat. I really deliberated over the menu and kept thinking about the cows, chickens, and turkeys that I've met.
In other news, the beets I planted in the garden have sprouted! We also seem to have some volunteer tomato and dill sprouts. I'm very excited to see what other surprises we get (besides all the weeds).
When we came home today, we found two dogs in our big pasture, running around and barking at the alpacas (who were thankfully not in the big pasture today). While Michael was chasing them off, I discovered that the gate to the boys' section was open. Since the boys were still inside their run, I figured they hadn't noticed...unfortunately, we found evidence that the boys did go wandering in our backyard today. The apple tree in the backyard was really brutalized...branches broken, leaves chewed to bits, and a lot of branches with bark stripped. Oh those bad, bad boys!
AND, we've finally named our new baby girl. Her full name is SanchoPaca's Doña Brinca, just "Brinca" for short (say it breen-ka with a rolled R). "brinca" means jump...and she is a very bouncy baby.
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