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Matriarch of the Herd

2/28/2023

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This is Ginger.  She was the first goat in my herd to carry the Sliceofalmostheaven herd name.  She was a really great goat, just a little too aggressive.  When she was 2nd fiddle in the herd, there were no problems, but when she became herd queen, she ruled with an iron hoof!  She gave me some great kids, the best being Lois, but her time to move to another herd came.  On the new farm, she kidded from breeding on my farm and gave me my second-best kid who was Corvette.  Unfortunately, she passed away just after the kids were weaned.  I acquired Corvette back from the new farm.  

I give you this background information to understand what happened to Ginger.  The greatest thing Ginger gave me was her two daughters, Corvette and Lois.  These two are the basis of my herd now.  Even though Ginger herself was aggressive, she did not pass that on to her offspring.  Lois is the herd queen and retired from kidding, and her daughter, Vicki, has picked up the mantle.  I also have 2 great-granddaughters of Ginger in my herd and two granddaughters from Corvette.  

So as you can see, Slice of Almost Heaven came from just one goat, and a great goat she was.
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Pen to Paper Revisited

1/1/2023

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In my post last year this time I wrote about putting pen to paper and drawing up plans for the new barn. We broke ground on time. But the engineering challenges with this project have been immense. For such a small building it has been a fight. From drainage issues during the foundation work to lack of time to put into the project.

We had planned to be completed by the end of October. This would be before the weather closed in for the winter. Well it has not worked out that way. We are still working on the barn. The beginning of March when new goat kids hit the ground keeps creeping closer. 

Over the last few days our area has been experiencing the very deep cold snap. Temperatures dropped 20 degrees in less than an hour. With wind chills over -25 below zero, working on the barn is out of the question. 

But, the days are starting to get longer and the weather is getting ready to break. We should have enough good days to finish.

If I had known what an arduous project this would have been would I have done it? I can not answer that question. But is that not what faith is about? Not knowing what lies ahead but trusting in the Lord? Without Him this barn would not be here!

Merry Christmas from the farm!



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Mind Your Manners!

12/15/2022

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​Michelle has a new tool, it is called a hot shot. Imagine it as a hand held fence charger. She needs it since the bucks are in full rut (breeding season), and the guys have only one thing on their mind, girls!  Correct that, if it moves, it is fair game.  

The boys this season have been exceptionally lusty. The usual deterrents were not working so that is why Michelle had to pick up the hot shot device.  It is a really simple device, it is about the size of a cell phone and has two prongs that deliver a shock that is actually a little less than our electric fence.  It is powered by 4 AA batteries.  You have to flip a switch to enable the device (keeps you from shocking yourself) and it has a button that you depress to give the shock.  When you press the button it beeps and if in contact with flesh it will deliver the shock. 

Now to how the bucks took the deployment of the device.  With anything new, goats are VERY inquisitive!  Thunder, the Mini Oberhasli is the most persistent of the 3 bucks so he was the first to meet the hot shot.  He reacted just as if he shocked himself on the fence, he ran away!  Stopped about 10ft from Michelle and just stared at her.  You could see the little gears in his brain trying to figure out why mommy shocked him, she is not a fence.  So what is a red blooded horney goat going to do?!? Why of course, try it again. It took three times that day for him to figure it out.  But bucks have short term memory problems when in rut, so there was a learning curve.  Finally, now that we are in December the bucks have it figured out.  They hear a beep then head the other way! Occasionally will someone get the business end of the hot shot.  It has now gotten to the point that Michelle only has to hold the device, no button pushing necessary, well rarely.

So Michelle holds the hot shot, gives the bucks their treats and pets without being harassed and all is good in the buck pen!  

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Thanksgiving

11/24/2022

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​Each year at this time Michelle and I bow our heads and pray. We do not pray and ask for anything, we give thanks for what we have been blessed with. It is a time when we put away our present concerns and think back on the year we have had. We both have walked as sinners redeemed by our Lord's grace for most of our lives.

As I get older I look back, we have had some very dark times in our lives. But, even in the pits of despair, one thing we both knew, the Lord was with us and his plan would be done. Looking back, I see his hand in everything.  I have at times wanted to give up the Lord encouraged me through the voice of Michelle to keep going and I am so glad I did not lose faith. 

So remember, even in the darkest time. The Lord watches over his own...

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Mommy's Little Helper

10/31/2022

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This picture is of one of our cats, her name is Honey. She comes by her name honestly, she is extremely sweet. She always tries to help you, it makes no difference if you need help or not; Honey is on the job!

When either Michelle or I are getting ready to go outside she is there to help.  If you happen to get just a little to low putting on your boots, like a flash she will be on your back.  Thank heavens we have a coat on as she sinks her claws to hold on for the ride. She is not trying to be mean, she is just asking for her required pet before you go out.

Need to vacuum? She will help you, she will watch closely to keep you safe.

Stressed or sad? She will glue herself to you. It would be best to not try to decline her offer, she does not take no well! 

In the end we just smile and love her for the sweet bundle of joy she is.

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$2 Dollar Tip

9/30/2022

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PicturePhoto by Connor Hall on Unsplash
The subject of tipping can be a contentious one. I will not engage in the merits of either side of this debate.

I would like to tell you the story about the biggest tip I have ever received.... 

Many years ago while working at a condominium, an older gentleman approached me. He said "You do a good job here, I know it is not much." He then handed me two dollars. I did not even need to think. I replied, “Thank you, this is the largest tip I have ever received” with that he smiled and walked away. 

I did not lie when I told him this, I have received larger monetary amounts for a tip.  But this tip was different, it came from the heart.  The two dollar tip he gave me was money I'm sure he needed more than I did, but he gave it anyway.  The statement he made and the heartfelt attitude in the giving is what made it the biggest tip I have ever received.

I am reminded of the parable that Jesus spoke about giving. One gave from his abundance the other from his need. Which one was received?

Something to ponder as you go about your day… 

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A Place to Call Home

8/31/2022

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​One evening Michelle and I were milking the goats. It was a warm and sultry night. I looked up at a box pushed up on a high shelf. I then saw a flash of movement. After thinking about it we both realized it was a bird. Occasionally, birds fly into the barns, but this was different. I got a ladder and retrieved the box we saw the bird flew from, there was a nest with three small eggs in it. 

We were dismayed we may have scared off momma bird from her nest. A few minutes later she was back. Over the next week we would see the bird fly in, we would stand still as they would go to the nest. 

We were puzzled on how the birds went in and out when the barn was closed. Did they wait till we opened the doors? One day with the front door open and the back door closed, I saw one of the bird go out via the back door. Upon inspection I found a small gap in the door. This was how they went in and out of the barn. 

After a few more days we heard the babies chirping at feeding time. The parents grew more comfortable with us and would fly in and out without much bother. 

After few day of not hearing anything in the nest, I checked and all had left. We will leave this box there. Because we know they will be back next year.

​So the cycle continues...

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Someone Watching Over Me

7/31/2022

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Photo by Brynja Eldon you can see her other work at https://www.flickr.com/photos/brynja_eldon/
​I have had a keen interest in reading about the gallant men who fought to keep this nation free during World War 2. This is in large part from my late father being a combat veteran of that same war. At the end of one of the books I was reading, the author mentioned something that sparked a long forgotten memory. He said doing the right thing can be the sweetest when your actions are known only to God!

For me this started at a very young age. Culturally, Where I grew up, it was acceptable to play pranks on the night before Halloween (called Mischief Night). These were mostly harmless pranks, but one year it took on a far more sinister bent. Across from where we lived was an elderly couple. The husband was gruff and not very likable to the neighborhood kids. For some reason that year, these kids singled out his house for their pranks. It started off small, each time he would charge out of his house yelling at the pranksters as they ran away. This year it did not stop, it went on for weeks till the wee hours of the morning, I never knew for sure who was doing it. This went on until one night after taunting him, he stormed out of his house yelling and then went inside, collapsed and died. 

Even thought at the time I was only 7 years old. I understood what they had done to this man and his wife. For some reason I felt a sense of guilt for not stopping them. There was no way I could have stopped them. 

The memory of this event had faded from the local culture, and as I entered my early teens, I made a vow that no one would ever bother that house again. For many years I would stand guard over that house from the shadows of my parents property I would watch. If anyone approached that house to do the widow or her sister harm, a brilliant blinding light would strike perpatrator and they would run off. They never knew who was behind that beam and no one ever bothered them again. One day, years later, while taking over produce from our garden. I got up the courage to tell them why no one ever bothered them. The sisters did not say a word, but the gratitude they showed was deafening. 

Even though in the end I did tell them who was behind their hedge of protection for all that time before it was only known to God.  It was sweet to know that they were safe.
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A View from the Farm

6/30/2022

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If you look at this picture you can imagine the view we are greeted with many evenings. It is a sight that never get old. It changes from season to season, but all in their way are beautiful. As I stare at the view, I marvel at our Lord's creation.  We call this farm Slice of Almost Heaven for good reason. It is not big, but it suits our needs. It is a place we call home, a place to grow and mature. A place to live life with your soulmate on this side of heaven. 

What will heaven be like, my finite brain can not fathom. Considering this world in all of its beauty is fallen how much more can it be? Beauty beyond my understanding and comprehension, every sense will be involved, including some I don't know about.  What if you could smell the color purple?  Then to be greeted by my Lord and Savior, I may begin to understand what kept him on that cross. It was to pay for a dept that was mine and my alone. No man has greater love them to willingly give their's so other can live with the blessed assurance that they will one day be in heaven instead of just almost heaven.....  

Ponder this as you go about your day.
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Shocking Discovery!

5/31/2022

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​You have heard of the adage, "laughter makes for the best medicine". Well here on the farm that is so true. A few days ago, I was trimming the grass behind the goats area. As I worked I broke one of the "hot wires".  After I repaired the wire I went to check the voltage. 

I switched on the fence and for a moment the voltage drops. I say to myself good someone got lit up!  (I feel this way 
do due to the fact that goats being the sneaky creatures that they are will check to see if the fence is off so they can stick their heads through the fence and eat the much better grass on the other side).  After the third drop I hear a blood curdling scream, "TURN OFF THE FENCE!!!". I sheepishly poke my head around the corner.  My eyes behold my better half. One peek and I see that a cat dipped in hot oil would be less peeved. I ask her innocently, are you ok? She uses some colorful metaphors. I then start to laugh, first a small giggle, but then a big belly laugh! It is in all good fun and the only thing hurt was her pride! (she does not agree with this statement!)

Isn't love grand! 

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[Rom 8:28 NKJV] 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.

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