The end of the world is about here, and no, I don’t mean those signs in town proclaiming the end of the world will arrive on May 21, 2011. As much as I looooove our fresh milk that is on it’s way, I kind of dread the work this year. Junie, Chloe and Jackie are all due starting the middle of February. I am excited to think of the joy of the goats kidding(with out a vet bill this time), but that also marks the beginning of mini farm life gearing up to full swing. We are ordering meat chicks this month, planning out processing day, plotting the garden and starting to look out the windows with mixed hesitation and anticipation. This year we will be incubating for a new layer flock of yet again, Leghorns, love them birds, little food, huge eggs.
Several of Mr. C’s beef cattle are due to calve this spring and there is nothing more exciting than going to that coffee pot early in the morning, peering out into the pasture and seeing a newly dropped calf laying in the grass or, better yet, a wobbly little stick legged creature, still damp and trying to nurse from it’s mamma.
The rabbits are due to kindle, the turkeys should start their egg laying soon, the hens go broody, the 2011 Petting Zoo, Frog Night at the J’s, more puppies are on their way, blossoming fruit trees…oh I can smell it now. I need to stop. I’m getting excited, it’s almost enough to make go out in the 28 degree heavy NE winds. Oh, yeah, it’s still January.
Back to managing fevers and walking around in a tired foggy brain. The last two nights Elijah is most comfortable until 2am in the rocking chair with the steamer going, snuggled on Mammas chest. Up and down he goes for the rest of the night, he’s feverish, pulling at both ears, snotty, coughy and just plain miserable. l feel terribly for him, but sitting upright seems to allow him to sleep. Makes for some looooong nights.
