Homestead Bound

Spring has officially arrived.  It's not a specific day on the calendar, and it's not even the first month on the calendar of our Creator, but rather; the end of winter dormancy has arrived.  The homestead is brimming with new life!  Tiny little shoots of green are springing up from the soil, everywhere!  The trees are budding.  New kids are frolicking, the hens are laying abundantly, and one is even already brooding.  The first outing of the hatchlings is such an enjoyable experience.  The bottle calves are now on the place and according to social media, names have been selected.

YHWH willing, I have three young doelings that I'll be keeping to increase the herd, so this will be the last year these bucks will be here.  I'm going to miss Jed and Buck.  For those who are considering raising goats, I recommend a good hearty cross bred herd.  Jed is 1/2 Alpine and 1/2 pygmy, so he throws small babies that grow to nearly full size adults.  I don't know how much longer I'll be raising pygmies and Nigerian Dwarfs, but having a small buck for all first time mamas has worked out very well for me.  Small bucks are just a bit more than a dime a dozen, so they are pretty easily obtainable and the kids are a nice cross breed, stocky males and does that give rich milk.  The first kid belongs to YHWH, so for those who are not trying to raise registered or pure herds, I like to offer the firstlings to new homesteaders.

In all this life and blooming, however; I am now officially homestead bound until July.  A short trip to town is as far as Ill get for the next few months.  Every morning, except Shabbat, the milkers have to be separated from their kids . . . the honor's system does not work when it comes to milk!  Milking takes place in the evening, so mamas and babies are reunited for the night and I' don't have to bottle feed to also have milk.  The calves need their bottles morning and night.   I'll be adding to the garden until the middle of April, and although some may see this as being tied down, I sing my own version of Simon and Garfunkel's "Homeward Bound."  Homestead bound, so glad I am, homestead bound . . .

I feel very blessed to and quite undeserving of this life.  As the soft spring breezes blow in this new season and first month of YHWH's calendar, I'm content to be where I am.