Blizzard 2010

Well, that predicted 7 inches for the weekend ended up being 2 feet all over the mid-atlantic, and once again, the dogs (and us younger people) are the only ones delighted by the abundance of perfect powder. Preferring to hunker down, no driveways or porches were shoveled today, and the only track visible in the yard is the pathway to the barn and back to the house. Cows and sheep were clearly relieved (and thus immediately strident) at the appearance of relief, eventually mollified by grain and fresh hay. Unfortunately, the depth of the snow prevented the use of the tractor to move hay bales into the feeder, which necessitated a good hour of forking hay by hand for a pretty unruly crowd. Though an onerous prospect, it's actually rather satisfying and rhythmic work, pitching the mounds of hay, releasing the scent of summer into the crisp winter air. Today the barnyard is a small microcosm of life punctuated by steamy breaths and contented animal sounds in a world rendered silent and empty by the heavy blanket of snow.

Unexpected snowfall last night, only a few inches, but apparently a precursor for the 7 to 10 inches we're expected to get this weekend. The dogs are unsurprisingly the only animals which are delighted by this development; flock and herd spend the day hanging out by the barn, loudly announcing their displeasure, much to the delight of the neighbors. Days like this, the circus turns into a symphony with a three part chorus of hungry voices.

Just a reminder of what's waiting on the other side of winter...lambs!
Makes dealing with all the frozen pipes, freezing nights, and snow shoveling completely worth it, and by March, ALL of Luckpenny's inhabitants seem this ecstatic to be outside. including the people.

Elinor, gee I think you're swell!

Last Sunday, braved the icy January rain to drive the BGT (big girl truck) down to Windsor PA to pick up Luckpenny's newest members, two doe Boer goats, both under a year old. Boers are an African meat breed with compelling characteristics: hardy, parasite resistant (!), docile, and LARGE. Full grown females average 200-220 lbs...and the bigger the size, the bigger the appetite; as happy Boer owners have attested to this breed's ready consumption of thistles and other vegetative plagues, this makes our newest girls a very welcome addition to this three ring circus! Furthermore, the bigger the animal, the easier it is to keep contained within the fences. Theoretically. Unfortunately, there have been some rather worrisome rumors along the lines of "a fence that can hold water is the fence that can hold a goat." (Prior personal experience can attest to this fact, and the 'goats that shall not be named' will always have a rather tarnished place in the early annals of Luckpenny history... Obviously, the passage of time has worn smooth the memories of repeated orchard destruction and ravaged saplings, as well as the forays into the house conducted by the twins of terror). However, we remain eternally optimistic, and therefore have returned to the joys of goat ownership.

We'll be running these girls along with the cows and sheep in rotational grazing as the final cleanup crew for uneaten broadleaf and unwanted weeds passed over by the flock, as an organic and natural alternative to herbicides. No intention to breed at present, however their bloodlines would certainly enable this in the future. And goat kids are just SO darn cute, so it is

without doubt a very real temptation!

As we maintain a closed herd policy to prevent the spread of parasites and contaminants from other farms, Elinor and Marianne are quarantined for a month within the barn before being allowed free range. (yes, they ARE named after Jane Austen). Fortunately, their previous owner assured me the two of them are good buddies, and in fact she was very pleased to be able to keep them together. Early morning trips to their stall have found them curled up together in a corner, necks entwined. Adorable.