windthread

used a saucepan to take almost all the walnuts and water out of the kettle,   into 2 buckets and the other copper pot,  just to be able to lift it onto the stove burners,   where it came to a boil and then simmered for 3 hours.   will repeat tomorrow.   Instructions say to remove ALL from atop burners  when lighting  to allow for proper  air flow.   So that means scooping out with saucepan again.    Pic is of  the water just from the overnight soaking.    at end of the Simmer,  much darker.  I put a commercial cotton print in,  to see if it would Sadden .   then,  couldn't find it.   Tomorrow.   more patience needed.

and then,   Goat Update

out of the Blue,  a few days ago,   i turned after feeding to see Black IN Jack Flash's Catch Pen where his food bowl is.  Where he eats.     Black is IN there with him.    !!!   Since  Sunny Ray was moved out,  he has been alone which is never the best choice for a Goat.   But if you remember,  he was all of a sudden aware that he was stronger than the aging Sunny Ray and began enjoying becoming a bully.    So….EEEE…..now what?    There was rearing up and head butting going on for a while but then  they just ate and soon,   Black   jumped over the 2×4 fence and was off.    This was repeated some days in a row and then for whatever reason,  no more.   Goats are Goats.

As happens this time of year,  the Doe Goats are feeling,  well,   Everything.   There's a lot of head rubbing on tree limbs,  chairs,  each other,  rocks,   vehicle bumpers,    a lot of snarky pushing and shoving of each other,   testing of the order of dominance,  AND

many long hours along Sunny Ray's fence.   Tail flagging,   pressing against,  rubbing.   All while Sunny Ray hops back and forth with his gimpy peg leg  uttering all manner of Goatly Love Sounds .    He is VERY popular.   and Thrilled.

and then….Nogal.   Who is not popular at all.    ?????    He has always been a gentle buck.   Father of Minion and Black 2 years ago.    But….no one goes along his fence.    no one.    ????     

but ever since we created the catch pen,  he has become more and more gentled and trusting.   Letting Emrie and i come in and sit  as he comes close to be touched.   And more and more.   As he has come to trust the 3 tortilla chips at morning and evening feed,  look forward to them,  come for them and then as days have gone on,  wanting TOUCH  even more than the chips.  He will stand,  eyes all half closed and dreamy as i scratch him through the fence,  rub his chest and front legs.    Today i went in to move his calf hutch shelter.   It was in line with the  widened  path of water when i empty his tub.   He watched as i drug and pulled,  moving it about 5 ft to the side.    When i was through i just stood there talking to him and he CAME.   Up against my leg and stood for what seemed like forever being scratched and petted all over,  ALL OVER,   never flinching….just standing with those dreamy eyes.   ?????      In the past,   he was skittish.   Would RUN upon approach….no reason for it,  nothing in his life,  but just the Theater.   Same Theater that Karma and Arctica carry on,   for NO REASON,   are No Touch.   

So all is Well.   Knock on Wood,   another season with no Evacuation.  This will be two.   It's not over yet,  but so close.  So close.

it was a BeautyFULL day  and i am grateful for so so much.