And so it begins...

I suppose that since I'm new at this, I'd best start with a mission statement. I hope to share a glimpse of life on a 10-acre farm in the foothills of northern California, where I live with 8 goats, 1 sheep, approx. 40 chickens, 1 dog, and 2 cats. I want to give hope to those who dream of country life, or perhaps to confirm the convictions of dedicated city dwellers. I'm a woman of "a certain age," a widow, and other women should know that limitations start with self...pull on your big-girl panties and give it (whatever "it" might be) a go. What's the worst that could happen...failure? So you try something else!

This morning started like every other morning...let the chickens (the little girls) out of their house. They come tumbling down their little ramp like kindergartners let out to recess. It's a pretty blustery day, so I shut their big door to keep the rain out and a little warmth in. Then it was down to the goat barn. The welded bar on one of the latches broke, so I had to innovate a latch with a couple of carabiners. Hey, it ain't pretty, but it works. Milked the three big girls who still produce, and cleaned the stalls while the nonmilkers ate their breakfast. Let the young wether and his sibling doe out of their stall. Of course, it started pouring rain while I was coming back up from the barn, and Bessie Anne (dog) and Frank and Pearl (sibling cats) beat me to the front door, yelling to be dried off. Animals first, me second. I strained the milk and got containers ready for my buyer, who comes tomorrow. Looks like it's going to be one of those days to stay inside by the woodstove. I might even get ambitious and dust...or not.

Welcome to my world!