Well, first off: I found me goats! They reappeared a month later, about 200 ft. from where they first disappeared from. I had quit searching for them; after talking to some of the other locals who have much larger herds, the common consensus was that they went high, and would be down (those that survived) when the snow came. Actually, they all were okay - Daphne was limpimg a bit, but recovered within a week.
Gardens: i gave up on the corn patch; just can't afford to run the pump that much. Hot, dry winds every day (unusual for hereabouts) that just sucks the moisture out of the ground. The squashes, basils, etc. are doing well, but not many customers - not enough things to haul all the way into market. The tomatoes, eggplants, etc. are all growing well, lots of flowers...but not much setting of them. No one around here is having much luck - just too hot. Single-digit relative humidty & triple-digit heat. Even one of the chickens has quit laying. I've got fresh and dried Italian and lemon basil ready for sale. Firewood - by the cord and for campfires (for those heading down the Salmon or over to Pittsburg landing - stop by & get some!).
Getting rid of Tugboat & Kiss - these two dogs just won't quit killing chickens. New homes or a bullet is all that's left as options, for these two.
Just not a good year for the farm, so far - but there's still 4 1/2 months left to this year!
I found some land I can get into - own my own land! - near Culdesac, which is much closer to larger farmer's markets, if I can get about 10 cords of firewood sold soon. Current landlady is wanting me gone - realtor told her it'd sell better if the land's unoccupied, now that I've improved it somewhat. So this next couple of months can be really troublesome...or a great opportunity, depending on how it all works out. I'm looking at it to great, 'cuz looking at the downside too long doesn't help, ayuh?
Well, I'm back to splitting firewood...stop by if ya wanna.
Oh - and I've got 6 free puppies, if you're interested!

Hello, all! Still haven't found me lost goats, although I DO think I heard at least two of them up a draw the other day...will go back again in a day or two. Kiss (my hound) dug a den in the field & whelped her pups - I haven't pushed her to let me in to count/check on them...can see at least 3, and she's a really good mama = comes out for a quick bite, some water, do her 'duty' (or is that "dooty"?) and back inside the den. Pulled at least 50 lbs. of radishes - the Grangeville farmers' market isn't opening until mid-August, so I gave a bunch away, fed a lot to the chickens and rabbits - will compost the rest if no one comes down and picks up the freebies. Spinach, spicy salad mix & lettuce have only a few days left on them. Melons, corn, squash are all doing fine - we had a hail storm with a 'micro-burst' (a severe wind burst of about 60 mph) that did some cosmetic damage to the tomatoes & the leaves on many plants. Several neighbors had damage to their homes, although one neighbor had 3 trees fall on her trailer...but so many small branches & a twist of wind, only very minor damage done! Heat in the 90s, supposed to cool down by this weekend.
Hope you all are staying cool!
I'm trying to get ahead enough to get a day to go up near Culdesac to look at some land I'm thinking of trying to buy...
Peace.

Well, it's been an unusual Spring and early summer: rain and cool weather until about a week ago, then BAM! - no rain, dry lightening/t-storms & triple-digit heat...with a relative humidity index (RH) of around 16 or 16%. The goats escaped after a t-storm knocked a limb down onto their netting...took 3 days to find them, but all were healthy, until...they got out again, with no sign of how or why, and I haven't seen hair nor sign of them since - it's been 2 1/2 weeks, now. The chicks are almost grown, now - some are trying to figure out how to crow - funny stuff - it sounds like a teenage boy's voice cracking in choir practice! The 3 grown hens are still pumping out the eggs, and although not much money coming in, I've been able to maintain a steady supply of ice cream. The hound pup ended up pregnant (@#%$#% neighbor dog needs to be kept on a chain or at least out of my pup and the garbage!).
So, I've got some good produce coming on - spicy salad greens mix, 4 types of radishes, peas, some hot peppers, a few tomatoes, chard, lettuce...not enough yet to go to market, but you're more than welcome to come on down to the farm & get some! I'll even pick it while you wait in your air-conditioned vehicle... only the Pirate-Farmer has a drive-thru window on his farm!
Got L'il Bit's hooves trimmed, finally...couldn't do it right myself, with the shape they were in...still not good, but better. Jenny-Mae's doing well, and I haven't had time lately to work her training in (I've had to haul water from the river & water by hand, at times, lately, which takes several hours), but that's about to change! Pump motor has been replaced, and if the cash flow works out okay, I can afford the fuel - the gas price is coming down - YAY! - so I'll have a bit more time for firewooding and getting Jenny-Mae on the cultivator. Gonna try to keep this blog in better shape & current, as well. Got my issue of The Brayer, so I'll take the time this evening to catch up on the happenings in the donkey world!
Well, time to grab some ice cream (and some groceries while I'm at it, I guess) and head on t'home. See ya on (or in) the river!
Stay cool, BE cool, and if you don't have a good day...steal one from your neighbor!

Back at it!

Hello, again! It's been a while - I moved onto one of my garden spot, which is off-grid, and have somewhat limited computer access.
  I'm in the middle of putting in the garden - I am only doing the one now, but it's tripled in size! I've got chickens on the way - will have pastured poultry for sale (butchered for your convenience), and eggs in about 5-6 months. I had a lot of loss last year due to grasshoppers...with the chicks coming in, all I've got to say to those nasty 'hoppers: "Bring it on!!"
 I had a friend over with his huge Belgian draft geldings to plow up some of the garden; my largest donkey will be doing the cultivating work this summer = drops my own  weeding down to about 20% of what it was last year.
 I'll have firewood for sale soon, as well. Lots of melon types this year, as well as chamomile for herb teas & lots of the usual - and some new (to my farm) - as well, so check in and see what's going on here, please. I'll be posting photos of Jenny-Mae at work, showing all the nay-sayers that, yes, in fact, you really CAN farm effectively with donkeys!
 Well, I've gotta go - need to meet some people who want to buy a baby goat or three...
 Yup! I've got babies for sale - check out the "store" for details.