It has been quite some time since we have written anything here. It is not because there has been nothing to write. On the contrary, so much has happened, both good and bad. The issue is time; we are all allotted the same 24 hours each and every day, but we must choose wisely how we use the time given. 

Any of you who raise livestock know their care and welfare have to come first. We tend to their needs before our own. We have been entrusted with them and have a moral obligation to them. So with this, and with both of us working full-time jobs off the farm, most of our days are consumed.  That said, farm life does chronicle the passing seasons. We are now at the end of December. It is cold and wet. Mud is our ever-present companion. If not mud, the sting of icy air greets us as we venture out. Regardless, the animals need to be tended. 

In a few short months, goat kidding season will be here. This brings great joy, but it is tempered with a tinge of fear. We pray over each of our does before they give birth. We collectively hold our breath as it starts. Will everything go well? Being there has saved quite a few kids.  Then comes the more enjoyable part of caring for the kids. This last year, we had two sweet kids that did not make it. They were delivered fine and looked and acted normal. Then we sensed that something was not quite right. In past years, we had seen this happen before, after figuring out what was wrong, we were thankfully able to correct the issue, and the buckling grew into a fine-looking buck. This year, we had a buckling and a doeling that were acting a bit off. It took a while to realize what the issue was. Try as we might, we slowly realized that it was a fatal birth defect. You do not feel more helpless than when you know the problem and are powerless to solve it. The only thing you can do is make them as comfortable as possible with the time they have left, to love them and care for them till their last breath. This is a part of farming that never gets easy. If it does, that is the day we stop farming. As we close the graves that are watered with many tears, it is time to tend to the living. 

Also this year, our dog Brandy passed, she was 18. Our farm vet came and helped her pass. Peter was so very close to her. After she passed, this man held her and cried. The loss and pain are now mixed with the memories of all those years together.  We also also lost Xavier one of our cats, he was 16, he was a quirky fellow but we loved him just the same.

This year, we also lost some livestock to predators. At first, we were not sure what happened. Then we caught it on camera. It was heartbreaking to see one of our ducks taken. Now the question was, how do we save the rest? It took several days to design a plan to keep them safe. We now have a short-term solution and, in the spring, a long-term plan. We have to be consistently watching and listening, because there is always something watching our livestock. It is our responsibility to keep them safe. 

Being in the mountains of West Virginia has its advantages: cooler temperatures and wonderful views. But up here there is a price for this: sudden changes in temperature and weather, storms, and frigid temperatures. With this in mind comes our dependence on our farm equipment. We check and recheck to see whether this equipment will work or not. If it does not, what next? For the most part, we are on our own, make it work or go without. 

Farm life is hard. Would we give it up? No. In the quiet time at day’s end, we look back and see that we have been good stewards of what God has given to us. 

I hope to have more time to reflect and write here. To all of you who read this, we wish you well and pray God’s blessings and grace over you. 

It is the middle of July; it is hot and humid as much as it can be in the mountains. As Michelle goes back to feed the bucks, she sees them sticking out their tongues at her. As she gets close, she gets a small waft of a musky smell.
 
This can not be happening! It is July! She tells them it is too early to go into rut! She goes in and they start to blubber and snort at her. You see, the more stinky they get, the more affectionate they become. The problem is besides the smell, they get “greasy” and want to rub against you and show how much they love you!  They love you and want you to pet them. The problem is that just makes it worse. She just gives in and tries to find a less greasy spot to pet them.

GEEE GUYS!...breeding season will not start for at least three months.
 
On the flip side by January they will have calmed down and will be back to lovable fur balls, without the smell!