Climate Change Weather

This summer has been a testament to climate change.  Like much of the country we’ve had many days with poor air quality.

Bright sunset caused by the smoke in the air

For me, I can tell when I’m out hiking in the hills that it is bothering me.  I have allergies to begin with, so the poor air quality has really made that worse.  I feel like I need to hibernate in the air conditioned house.  I feel really bad for all my outside animals.

Cutie, Trace, and Sidney

Even after out three-inch rain last week, we are still listed as abnormally dry with the newest drought monitor.  That is a little concerning because we really don’t have much of a chance for rain in the coming week.  I need to go water my garden.  Hopefully, my delaying making hay until Squishy is bigger doesn’t backfire.

We’ve had pretty nice weather the last week or so looking at the temperatures.  Interestingly, our nights have been pretty cool.  One night this past week, we were only one degree above a record low overnight temperature.  What that means is that my goats are coming into heat.  They usually don’t come into heat this time of year, and I still have my little boys out there with them, so I’m going to have to make sure I see them come back into heat or give them shots to keep them from settling.

Maisie is retired (Xerxes behind)

And next week, we’re looking at a heat dome and having triple digit, or close to triple digit, temperatures for the next week or so.  That always makes it a challenge to care for the ones outside as well.

Maybeline does not do well in excessive heat.

I think I need to plant some trees.  You know, they say that is one of the best ways to combat climate change.

Just Some Thoughts

Sometimes, I see a goat or llama and panic because I think they are dead or stuck.  One example of that happened when I was going through the barn the other day.  See Flower.

Tansy in the doorway; arrow pointing to Flower

Well, she looked horrible.  But, she was actually just hanging out back there.

I don’t know why they like to stand behind that door, but there’s several of the goats who hang out there.

I’m not sure he’s looking good, but Mr. Peacock is looking naked.

one long feather is still attached; the rest are just lying there.

It only took about a week for the majority of his feathers to fall out.

He’s still handsome.

In good news, the stinking chamomile that I’m so allergic to is dying down.  I’m hoping the birds will keep it eaten down next summer.

brown leghorn

Sometimes I wonder why goats don’t like me.  I worked so hard to tame down Ostara.  She does like being petted and butt scrubbies, but most of the time she prefers not to be touched.  She’s a gingerbread goat (run, run, as fast as you can; you can’t catch me; I’m the gingerbread goat).

Ostara enjoying betting petted and looking annoyed at the same time.

Then, there’s Brigit.  I would pet her sometimes when I was trying to tame Ostara, and she’s actually nicer than Ostara.

Brigit

And Zora is still as wild as can be.

Zora is even beyond a gingerbread goat; she just wild.

Goofy goats. Whatever.  I need more wild goats, don’t I? No. I don’t. I want nice goats.  In fact, if Trace doesn’t get bred this year I’ll think about selling her.

Trace

I really am tired of wild goats.  And she used to take a bottle from me!  Seriously.

Come On Spring

I am truly ready for spring.  I mean real spring.  Last week’s nice weather has made me greedy for warmth and sunshine.

Maybeline

Unfortunately, in my greed, I brought home flowers to make the house more cheerful.

With strong south winds and getting my face (eyes and nose) full of hay, the flowers and their wonderful scent was the final straw that pushed me into some serious allergy issues.

peacock

At least our cold and north winds are keeping my allergies from getting worse, but I can’t seem to shake the cough and congestion. I stayed home on Monday and Tuesday, and I went to the doctor this morning. He made me do a covid test, so I’m home until I get the results (I’m 99.9% sure it’s allergies).  I’m hoping I’m better before we start kidding.

Dolly Ann Street

That’s what I get for trying to enjoy flowers. And the flowers were also too much of a temptation for some kitten.  He dumped the vase because I had to put them as far away from where I spend time as I could.

Salem

Now they get to sit in my sink.

I swear.  This is NOT how I wanted to go into kidding.  Thank heavens there’s only six girls to have babies.