I stood staring at the Xrays of my feet, during my first ever Podiatrist appointment. I am no foot expert but even I can see the nasty little bone spurs hooking out from the bottoms of the heels. My heels. Both my heels.
By the time I leave the foot doctor's office I have a follow up appointment, a cd of my Xrays, exercise and instructions which include doing what I have already been doing the past year (motrin, ice, splints at night, good supportive shoes.) I also am told to keep my foot elevated and rest tonight while the injection begins its work.
Yep, an injection. I have a very high pain tolerance but even I battled nausea after getting the excruciating injection into my foot. I sat out in the Blaussmobile battling the waves of bile that threatened. Whether I felt sick from the inejction, the pain, the Lenten fast, or the realisation that once again my body has challenged my good cheer, I am not certain. But I must admit it did take a few minutes to absorb the latest in my litany of physical woe.
But really why wouldn't I have bone spurs in my heels? I already have them along my spine and the bottom of my feet take much more stress than my back.
The good news is most people avoid surgery and I fully intend to be one of the 'most' people.One of the hardest parts however was not the actual physical pain, since pain has been my daily companion since 1991. Instead I am struggling to come to terms with a ban on bare feet. Yup, no more kicking off my shoes to relax for me. Supportive footware is a must at all times.
I go back in 3 weeks and get fit for the over 200$ orthotics. Naturally insurance does not cover this but our taxes are in and bills all paid up. I shall purchase the orthotics and do everything else I am suppose to do.
I meant to ask her when I could take long walks or run but the Xray results caught us both a little off guard I believe. I will have to remember to enquire during the followup and I am keeping fingers and toes crossed that the injections and shoe thingies will do the trick.....Filing down bone spurs sounds positively icky....
What did Gilda Radner use to say? "ITS ALWAYS SOMETHING."
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Irish Whiskey and Socrates
Knappogue Whiskey is a single malt 12 year aged whiskey that has a smooth taste and is made right in Ireland, using Irish traditional pot stills. It is named for a pre -Cromwellian castle that has been lovingly restored. Very Irish, wouldn't you say? Of course the owner, restorer, and booze maker is a former Texan and his wife.
It is this sort of minutia that makes me adore the Internet. Every day I have the opportunity to learn some little tidbit that keeps me going until the next day.
The problem is I am currently in a Master's program in Special Education. There is therefore, a TON of information I need to learn about, in depth. But I am also studying for the General Curriculum MTEL (March 3rd.)
For that test I need to know everything for the Iliad to photosynthesis, to the American Revolution, to finding the percent of change. I have pretests to do in preparation for the test and I have a Youtube series called Khan Academy which helps explain every mathmatical question. I also have a math MTEL book as thick as a New york City phonebook, and What Your Sixth Grader Needs To Know.
I am studying like a madwomen but I keep getting distracted. For instance as I read up about Socrates I suddenly found myself trying to remember just why he was forced to kill himslf, and was Plato his famous student or Aristotle? Then I remembered Aristotle taught Alexander the Great so he must come after Plato who came after Socrates. Of course I was correct. (It is this sort of minutia where my true genius lies! Why my mind squirrels away these tidbits of random information I have no idea. There must be some evolutionary survival reason for it, but its current application has always alluded me.)
Meanwhile an hour has gone by before I relaise that the 3 pages of Greek Philosophers that I need to know for my MTEL has turned into 60 minutes of exploring internet sites about, well everything! Because of course I can not just stop at why did Socrates die? No, I need to know the plays written about Socrates, where Plato lived, how Aristotle was chosen for Alexander the Great, and what exact territory did he conquer, and what is the modern day equivilant?
I should keep carefully on track and simply learn what I need to pass the test, but my magpie mind is so curious. Plus, always- alwayswhen I am reading something historical I become curious as to what else was going on in the world at that time and how did it impact whatever I am learning about.
So by days end yesterday I finished the homework for my Social Studies class and my Reflective Practice class and I studied sentence structure, world history up to the Fall of the Roman Empire, philosophers, gods and goddesses, myths, poetry structure, and Judaism and Christianity.
But I also detoured to explore information about past and current map lines which is riveting. I also looked up a few words, checked out information on Ireland, and Jamaica, and of course read up on smooth Knapopgue whiskey and how to drink it.
You see a good whiskey should not be rushed in a quick shot. You need to pour it into a whiskey glass and move it a bit in the glass and warm it a bit with your hands then take a tiny sip to swish in your mouth and let the flavors blossom. Then sip it and enjoy the notes of the...well I forget what the notes exactly are, something oaky or fruity I imagine. I still condfuse some of my whiskey research with my wine research.
Oh, Scotch(whiskey) can only be called scotch if its from Scotland and its whiskey has to be aged at least 3 years. Bourbon which is also scotch which is also whiskey can only be called that if its from Bourbon Kentucky and it uses corn not barley like Scotch or Irish whiskey. Then of course there is Rye which is whiskey but made from rye and shoot, I forget who gets to call it that because right around there the whiskey kicked in and it occured to me that perthaps I should stop looking up stuff on the computer about whiskeys.
So now my head is full of information, a good deal of it which will not be on the test, I imagine. Nevertheless I thought you might like to know and so I have jotted it down for your amusement.
I am now moving on to The Enlightenment...
It is this sort of minutia that makes me adore the Internet. Every day I have the opportunity to learn some little tidbit that keeps me going until the next day.
The problem is I am currently in a Master's program in Special Education. There is therefore, a TON of information I need to learn about, in depth. But I am also studying for the General Curriculum MTEL (March 3rd.)
For that test I need to know everything for the Iliad to photosynthesis, to the American Revolution, to finding the percent of change. I have pretests to do in preparation for the test and I have a Youtube series called Khan Academy which helps explain every mathmatical question. I also have a math MTEL book as thick as a New york City phonebook, and What Your Sixth Grader Needs To Know.
I am studying like a madwomen but I keep getting distracted. For instance as I read up about Socrates I suddenly found myself trying to remember just why he was forced to kill himslf, and was Plato his famous student or Aristotle? Then I remembered Aristotle taught Alexander the Great so he must come after Plato who came after Socrates. Of course I was correct. (It is this sort of minutia where my true genius lies! Why my mind squirrels away these tidbits of random information I have no idea. There must be some evolutionary survival reason for it, but its current application has always alluded me.)
Meanwhile an hour has gone by before I relaise that the 3 pages of Greek Philosophers that I need to know for my MTEL has turned into 60 minutes of exploring internet sites about, well everything! Because of course I can not just stop at why did Socrates die? No, I need to know the plays written about Socrates, where Plato lived, how Aristotle was chosen for Alexander the Great, and what exact territory did he conquer, and what is the modern day equivilant?
I should keep carefully on track and simply learn what I need to pass the test, but my magpie mind is so curious. Plus, always- alwayswhen I am reading something historical I become curious as to what else was going on in the world at that time and how did it impact whatever I am learning about.
So by days end yesterday I finished the homework for my Social Studies class and my Reflective Practice class and I studied sentence structure, world history up to the Fall of the Roman Empire, philosophers, gods and goddesses, myths, poetry structure, and Judaism and Christianity.
But I also detoured to explore information about past and current map lines which is riveting. I also looked up a few words, checked out information on Ireland, and Jamaica, and of course read up on smooth Knapopgue whiskey and how to drink it.
You see a good whiskey should not be rushed in a quick shot. You need to pour it into a whiskey glass and move it a bit in the glass and warm it a bit with your hands then take a tiny sip to swish in your mouth and let the flavors blossom. Then sip it and enjoy the notes of the...well I forget what the notes exactly are, something oaky or fruity I imagine. I still condfuse some of my whiskey research with my wine research.
Oh, Scotch(whiskey) can only be called scotch if its from Scotland and its whiskey has to be aged at least 3 years. Bourbon which is also scotch which is also whiskey can only be called that if its from Bourbon Kentucky and it uses corn not barley like Scotch or Irish whiskey. Then of course there is Rye which is whiskey but made from rye and shoot, I forget who gets to call it that because right around there the whiskey kicked in and it occured to me that perthaps I should stop looking up stuff on the computer about whiskeys.
So now my head is full of information, a good deal of it which will not be on the test, I imagine. Nevertheless I thought you might like to know and so I have jotted it down for your amusement.
I am now moving on to The Enlightenment...
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Almost Maine and Community Theater
Last night I went to see the wonderful performance of Almost Maine, at Camp Kiwanee in Hanson. The play (which runs this weekend and next) kicks off the start of our 40th play season. The season also includes Midsummer Night's Dream in March (where yours truly has a small roll as the Manager of Mirth) and a middle school performance of Cinderella.
I have been lucky enough to be involved in the plays since almost the beginning although there have been years in between when I have missed performances. I adore going to watch my friend's when I am not in the play and I recommend EVERYONE to go see this year's offering of Almost Maine which is a series of vignettes, of love stories.
Sitting in the audience however is VERY hard because of course I am wild with jealousy and can imagine myself kissing Jimmy, upstaging Tex, or making the heartbreaking soliloquy. As different actors enter and exit I imagine what it is like to hang out backstage left with just Micheal, or how much fun Peggy, Tina, and Deb are having backstage right whispering in the dark with Mitchell the props guy.
Although, one of the benefits of being in the audience is sitting surrounded by old play friends, some of whom are just taking a break from acting and others who claim to be retired from it! Last night the Fishes sat behind me and I remember how Ray Fish and I stood backstage left at the beginning of My Fair Lady. He was Col. Pickering and he had this marvelous great cape as part of his costume. It was hot as heck however so he always waited until the last moment to put it on.
I stood behind him waiting for my cue to come on stage as a flower girl with one line of dialogue. I was a little peon in that play! But even though Ray was an IMPORTANT personage he always treated me as one of the key players and I suppose in our little corner of the acting world I was. We kept each other company, I distracted him from being nervous, AND I got him into that darn great cape seconds before he was required to be onstage. Our timing was impeccable!
That camaraderie, that interdependence on each other and shared experience of the play is what is so intoxicating, not just the thunderous applause from the audience.
When I first performed as a middle schooler there was a decided clique of who was IN and who was not in the group. When I came back to the plays as a junior in high school and stood backstage with Ray however, I realised the importance of treasuring all members of the group. Now as an adult player I make sure to be inviting and helpful to the oldest and youngest, the greatest and the least in the shows...and this includes backstage!
The ladies who make the refreshments always have my popcorn ready to hand off to me during Intermission. Then there are the ticket sellers who are key people to express appreciation to, as you never know when you might wish to squeeze in another chair for a friend who is trying to sneak into a sold out performance!
I have had large roles, like in Our Town, and small ones like in My Fair lady. I have also been the person who makes sure the lightning and thunder sound effects go off at a key moment and I have been in charge of the murder weapon prop. Sometimes, like with Ray, I make sure a costume for another character is just right. I have been a key dresser or stripper for an actor who needs to make a quick wardrobe change between scenes, and take this job very seriously.
It takes a lot of people to make those onstage look effortless and I value my experiences as both the giver and receiver of such things.
So last night I watched the play and felt surrounded by love and nostalgic memories. Having had the chance to act with my parents, siblings, children, and friends is a unique experience. This years anniversary performances and last night's opening night in particular are dedicated to my friend's husband. Al was always one of those critical backstage guys, the one who made the money, not only work out ok, but always come out ahead by a few bucks. The lights purchased in his memory will cast a cheerful glow over all we players for years to come. Such a nice tribute to a lovely guy.
At play's end some of my friends wanted honest critiques and others expressed concerns over parts of their performances. Everyone begged me to come to JJs to drink and eat popcorn and go over it all. As the Manager of Mirth I am expected to come to such things whether I am in the play or not. I even have a tiara dedicated to such an important role. Sadly I had to go home but I am sure before the final performance I shall manage to find my way there, to listen to stories of near misses, and backstage antics, and other such things.
The Play maybe the Thing, but it is the People who are the Treasures.
I have been lucky enough to be involved in the plays since almost the beginning although there have been years in between when I have missed performances. I adore going to watch my friend's when I am not in the play and I recommend EVERYONE to go see this year's offering of Almost Maine which is a series of vignettes, of love stories.
Sitting in the audience however is VERY hard because of course I am wild with jealousy and can imagine myself kissing Jimmy, upstaging Tex, or making the heartbreaking soliloquy. As different actors enter and exit I imagine what it is like to hang out backstage left with just Micheal, or how much fun Peggy, Tina, and Deb are having backstage right whispering in the dark with Mitchell the props guy.
Although, one of the benefits of being in the audience is sitting surrounded by old play friends, some of whom are just taking a break from acting and others who claim to be retired from it! Last night the Fishes sat behind me and I remember how Ray Fish and I stood backstage left at the beginning of My Fair Lady. He was Col. Pickering and he had this marvelous great cape as part of his costume. It was hot as heck however so he always waited until the last moment to put it on.
I stood behind him waiting for my cue to come on stage as a flower girl with one line of dialogue. I was a little peon in that play! But even though Ray was an IMPORTANT personage he always treated me as one of the key players and I suppose in our little corner of the acting world I was. We kept each other company, I distracted him from being nervous, AND I got him into that darn great cape seconds before he was required to be onstage. Our timing was impeccable!
That camaraderie, that interdependence on each other and shared experience of the play is what is so intoxicating, not just the thunderous applause from the audience.
When I first performed as a middle schooler there was a decided clique of who was IN and who was not in the group. When I came back to the plays as a junior in high school and stood backstage with Ray however, I realised the importance of treasuring all members of the group. Now as an adult player I make sure to be inviting and helpful to the oldest and youngest, the greatest and the least in the shows...and this includes backstage!
The ladies who make the refreshments always have my popcorn ready to hand off to me during Intermission. Then there are the ticket sellers who are key people to express appreciation to, as you never know when you might wish to squeeze in another chair for a friend who is trying to sneak into a sold out performance!
I have had large roles, like in Our Town, and small ones like in My Fair lady. I have also been the person who makes sure the lightning and thunder sound effects go off at a key moment and I have been in charge of the murder weapon prop. Sometimes, like with Ray, I make sure a costume for another character is just right. I have been a key dresser or stripper for an actor who needs to make a quick wardrobe change between scenes, and take this job very seriously.
It takes a lot of people to make those onstage look effortless and I value my experiences as both the giver and receiver of such things.
So last night I watched the play and felt surrounded by love and nostalgic memories. Having had the chance to act with my parents, siblings, children, and friends is a unique experience. This years anniversary performances and last night's opening night in particular are dedicated to my friend's husband. Al was always one of those critical backstage guys, the one who made the money, not only work out ok, but always come out ahead by a few bucks. The lights purchased in his memory will cast a cheerful glow over all we players for years to come. Such a nice tribute to a lovely guy.
At play's end some of my friends wanted honest critiques and others expressed concerns over parts of their performances. Everyone begged me to come to JJs to drink and eat popcorn and go over it all. As the Manager of Mirth I am expected to come to such things whether I am in the play or not. I even have a tiara dedicated to such an important role. Sadly I had to go home but I am sure before the final performance I shall manage to find my way there, to listen to stories of near misses, and backstage antics, and other such things.
The Play maybe the Thing, but it is the People who are the Treasures.
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Skyping a lesson to middle school
Today I am taking time out of an ever revving schedule to blog because sometimes you just need to breathe slowly and deeply. I also wanted to share with you a very fun experience.
I missed my teens' parent teacher conferences because I had too much homework to do. But partway through the homework I got to take a break and Skype with a young middleschooler who was working on a report for school, about Cheesemaking.
One of my FB friends (she is a friend of a friend we have met at a few parties and have bonded because we have adopted children in common!) emailed me asking if I would speak with this young man and so we set up a Skype conference. She was nervous as the boy was not necesarily reliable. My guess is, from what I observed during our Skype session, that he is in an alternative class. His classmates popped in and out of the screen and offered their opinions and questions and there were paraprofesionals and teachers in the room as well.
The boy had thought up questions which he carefully read to me from his paper. In addition my friend scribed answers for him as we spoke. He was fascinated by the goats and soon I had him out looking at Mama and Galaxy, via my laptop and Skype. It was such fun. I know nothing of this boy in particular of course but I am working with boys just like him up at our middle school now. He was so engaged in learning about goats and cheese making and I was thinking that whatever the outcome of his project, whatever his final grade was, that it would be something he would never forget. I also thought how lucky he was to have such flexible teachers who were willing to get creative to help this child learn.
One of the best moments was when he asked "So how EXACTLY do you get the mama goat to have a baby goat? What do you do exactly to get her pregnant?" I could see my friend in the background with this frozen look on her face and heard another teacher's quiet noise of distress. A couple of his classmates snickered as well, and I certainly had everyone's attention.
But there is nothing that a child can say that surprises me and I am well aware that kids often ask an interesting question when they are trying to understand something else and you have no idea what THAT is, so there is NO point in jumping to conclusions.
With a big grin I explained about billy goats and the need to keep them separate from mama goats (due to agression and odor) and I told him that when I need to get Mama pregnant I bring her to the billy goat farm and they mate as all animals do.
"Oh" he responded thoughtfully, " Well I saw a special with Larry the cable guy and on his farm they put some kind of chemical inside the mother goat to get her pregnant so I was wondering if you had heard of that."
"Ah, I see. You are talking about artificial insemination. Farmers do that if they have many animals to get pregnant or if they live far from a billy goat farm. But we have one in the next town over so I would rather go there and visit all the goats than have artificial insemination done."
He was very satisfied with this answer. Now if you were spreaking with a middle school boy and he asked you such a question would you answer him honestly or would you assume he was up to mischief and waiting for you to talk about sex?
Eventually all his questions were exhausted and I went back to my homework, but all afternoon everytime I think of his question and his intonation "So how EXACTLY..." I just plain smile.
I missed my teens' parent teacher conferences because I had too much homework to do. But partway through the homework I got to take a break and Skype with a young middleschooler who was working on a report for school, about Cheesemaking.
One of my FB friends (she is a friend of a friend we have met at a few parties and have bonded because we have adopted children in common!) emailed me asking if I would speak with this young man and so we set up a Skype conference. She was nervous as the boy was not necesarily reliable. My guess is, from what I observed during our Skype session, that he is in an alternative class. His classmates popped in and out of the screen and offered their opinions and questions and there were paraprofesionals and teachers in the room as well.
The boy had thought up questions which he carefully read to me from his paper. In addition my friend scribed answers for him as we spoke. He was fascinated by the goats and soon I had him out looking at Mama and Galaxy, via my laptop and Skype. It was such fun. I know nothing of this boy in particular of course but I am working with boys just like him up at our middle school now. He was so engaged in learning about goats and cheese making and I was thinking that whatever the outcome of his project, whatever his final grade was, that it would be something he would never forget. I also thought how lucky he was to have such flexible teachers who were willing to get creative to help this child learn.
One of the best moments was when he asked "So how EXACTLY do you get the mama goat to have a baby goat? What do you do exactly to get her pregnant?" I could see my friend in the background with this frozen look on her face and heard another teacher's quiet noise of distress. A couple of his classmates snickered as well, and I certainly had everyone's attention.
But there is nothing that a child can say that surprises me and I am well aware that kids often ask an interesting question when they are trying to understand something else and you have no idea what THAT is, so there is NO point in jumping to conclusions.
With a big grin I explained about billy goats and the need to keep them separate from mama goats (due to agression and odor) and I told him that when I need to get Mama pregnant I bring her to the billy goat farm and they mate as all animals do.
"Oh" he responded thoughtfully, " Well I saw a special with Larry the cable guy and on his farm they put some kind of chemical inside the mother goat to get her pregnant so I was wondering if you had heard of that."
"Ah, I see. You are talking about artificial insemination. Farmers do that if they have many animals to get pregnant or if they live far from a billy goat farm. But we have one in the next town over so I would rather go there and visit all the goats than have artificial insemination done."
He was very satisfied with this answer. Now if you were spreaking with a middle school boy and he asked you such a question would you answer him honestly or would you assume he was up to mischief and waiting for you to talk about sex?
Eventually all his questions were exhausted and I went back to my homework, but all afternoon everytime I think of his question and his intonation "So how EXACTLY..." I just plain smile.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Sorry about the length between blog posts. Real life sometimes interferes with writing. Oh I have plenty to say never fear but I suppose not every moment of one's life can be public. Yet when there is much on my mind that needs to remain private, it makes it nearly impossible to write anything at all.
Still as some things have settled down, or perhaps it is more a question of adjusting to the new normal, the urge to write grows stronger. So tonight as the Super Bowl begins I shall tippity tap away on my trusty laptop and post.
I am sitting in my bedroom while season 1 of Upstairs Downstairs plays on my PC. I have a cozy fire crackling away in the fireplace. Joe was quite shocked that I could get it going all by myself and with one match to boot!
Don had filled the wheelbarrow full of logs and kindling for me before he left for his hockey game.He had the wood by the front door and Joe in some concern for my back and neck happily helped carry the wood in. He was stunned to discover that I intended to light the fire without his expert advice and insisted only a teepee would do, otherwise the house would fill with smoke.
I did not bother to tell him that I spent years teaching little Campfire Girls and their leaders how to light fires! Somehow I managed to light the fire without setting off the alarms and now Bambam and I sit comfortably near it.
He has never fully recovered from Lily the Beardie's passing and now acts like a much older dog. Of course he is ten years old and certainly has earned the right to slow down. But I do believe his heart has been broken over the loss of his playmate and it is sad to see.
Perhaps Bambam will be cheered by our- soon to join us- new family members. In about 3 weeks a little Seal colored girl and a little Orange boy, two kittens, join the family. Joe has been hoping since before Christmas for a baby cat to fill the shoes of PaleFace his beloved friend.
We had been offered a little Bengal Show cat...yes there is such a thing as cat shows! But Don had a friend who was to offer a free cat and so the little bengal went to another home. Then the free cat fell through and so on.
Thankfully on Christmas Eve we heard of an impending litter and today we got to meet the 5 little kittens. I was certain Joe would choose the one orange cat but I think he was too much of a PaleFace reminder. Instead he picked the smallest kitten, a solemn little seal, who he has named Rose.
I think I shall name the orange boy- because really who could stop at one kitten?- I think I shall name him Mr Brightsides, or perhaps Sheldon Cooper.... I have yet to decide.
We have been falling behind on our goat plans however do to an ever crazy life schedule. Mama should be pregnant by now or we shall have no milk! I am pretty sure we are not getting a baby sheep at least not until next year....and as much as we would like another Beardie that shall have to wait as well.
Chickens thankfully are just perfect...the 5 old ladies will be too old to lay this year but they are welcome to live out their life on our farm as thanks for their years of eggy service. The younger ones will lay more than enough for our needs so they shall earn their keep.
The rabbits however are going to be very exciting this season. Joe does have his Best In Show bunny in the house and he is determined to have her produce winning babies. We do not breed the outdoor ladies because frozen bunnies are too traumatising ot us all. This slows down our program but is easier on our hearts!
The siamese sable breedings (out of the last of our original line) look amazing!!! Joe's orange program too is light years ahead of last year. We are determined to get the blue eyed whites going and next weekend we are taking over a friends' Red line. All the different colors get very confusing and most breeders stick with one or two compatible colors. But we get too excited to stick with just one or two.
I am trying to keep thoughts exclusively on the livestock and not the agriculture otherwise I start the garden much too soon. I do know I am definitely growing potatoes again. I did not last year and I truly missed them.... Strawberries too! I never did finish the new strawberry bed, shoot I just remembered that! See....it is better I think of the animals and NOT the garden, at least until March.
I must leave you for a bit as my Nikki is home full of thoughts and adventures from her Quebec trip!
Still as some things have settled down, or perhaps it is more a question of adjusting to the new normal, the urge to write grows stronger. So tonight as the Super Bowl begins I shall tippity tap away on my trusty laptop and post.
I am sitting in my bedroom while season 1 of Upstairs Downstairs plays on my PC. I have a cozy fire crackling away in the fireplace. Joe was quite shocked that I could get it going all by myself and with one match to boot!
Don had filled the wheelbarrow full of logs and kindling for me before he left for his hockey game.He had the wood by the front door and Joe in some concern for my back and neck happily helped carry the wood in. He was stunned to discover that I intended to light the fire without his expert advice and insisted only a teepee would do, otherwise the house would fill with smoke.
I did not bother to tell him that I spent years teaching little Campfire Girls and their leaders how to light fires! Somehow I managed to light the fire without setting off the alarms and now Bambam and I sit comfortably near it.
He has never fully recovered from Lily the Beardie's passing and now acts like a much older dog. Of course he is ten years old and certainly has earned the right to slow down. But I do believe his heart has been broken over the loss of his playmate and it is sad to see.
Perhaps Bambam will be cheered by our- soon to join us- new family members. In about 3 weeks a little Seal colored girl and a little Orange boy, two kittens, join the family. Joe has been hoping since before Christmas for a baby cat to fill the shoes of PaleFace his beloved friend.
We had been offered a little Bengal Show cat...yes there is such a thing as cat shows! But Don had a friend who was to offer a free cat and so the little bengal went to another home. Then the free cat fell through and so on.
Thankfully on Christmas Eve we heard of an impending litter and today we got to meet the 5 little kittens. I was certain Joe would choose the one orange cat but I think he was too much of a PaleFace reminder. Instead he picked the smallest kitten, a solemn little seal, who he has named Rose.
I think I shall name the orange boy- because really who could stop at one kitten?- I think I shall name him Mr Brightsides, or perhaps Sheldon Cooper.... I have yet to decide.
We have been falling behind on our goat plans however do to an ever crazy life schedule. Mama should be pregnant by now or we shall have no milk! I am pretty sure we are not getting a baby sheep at least not until next year....and as much as we would like another Beardie that shall have to wait as well.
Chickens thankfully are just perfect...the 5 old ladies will be too old to lay this year but they are welcome to live out their life on our farm as thanks for their years of eggy service. The younger ones will lay more than enough for our needs so they shall earn their keep.
The rabbits however are going to be very exciting this season. Joe does have his Best In Show bunny in the house and he is determined to have her produce winning babies. We do not breed the outdoor ladies because frozen bunnies are too traumatising ot us all. This slows down our program but is easier on our hearts!
The siamese sable breedings (out of the last of our original line) look amazing!!! Joe's orange program too is light years ahead of last year. We are determined to get the blue eyed whites going and next weekend we are taking over a friends' Red line. All the different colors get very confusing and most breeders stick with one or two compatible colors. But we get too excited to stick with just one or two.
I am trying to keep thoughts exclusively on the livestock and not the agriculture otherwise I start the garden much too soon. I do know I am definitely growing potatoes again. I did not last year and I truly missed them.... Strawberries too! I never did finish the new strawberry bed, shoot I just remembered that! See....it is better I think of the animals and NOT the garden, at least until March.
I must leave you for a bit as my Nikki is home full of thoughts and adventures from her Quebec trip!
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