We have had snow flurries and winds and in Peru, Massachusetts they had 20 inches of snow already. Skiing season will be early this year.
THE SHEEP AND CHICKENS
The barn door was closed for the first time since last spring and the sheep are always anxious to go out in the morning now.
Now with the chickens from Patti and the two new ones I bought the coop is cozy. I have not started the hoop house and am hoping for a few days in the 40’s this coming weekend to get that up.
MAKING SOME FUN THINGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
I have been busy making lots of fun things for the holidays. A batch os Calendula Soap is wrapped and ready to go. Look for them on my etsy shop the end of the week or I will be in Buckland Friday night at McCusters Market for Moonlight Magic. It runs from 4-9 pm. Come visit me there.
Many thanks for reading my blog on this late fall day. Carole
We need rain so badly , today there is a chance but it doesn’t look like it will happen. Luckily the hay crops are good and garden still flourishes.
COSMO
Cosmo’s lump has grown larger which is a huge concern for me. Yesterday he went to Brookside Animal Hospital and he stayed overnight there and is having surgery this morning. With his FIV status these things happen. I am very hopeful that he will be okay. He really has been through a lot in his life and really hates being put in a carrier. It was very generous of the clinic to keep him overnight at no cost to me.
WATCHING PUMPKINS GROW
The pumpkin is an amazing plant. Watching the pumpkins form and grow is so interesting. They change every day, growing larger and larger. This year I used up all my pumpkin seeds and so now I really don’t know what kind is coming up. They look like Cinderella ones.
CATNIP
My friend Patti visited recently and brought up more catnip which I am now drying and some wonderful turf and turf houses. I will enjoy them this coming fall and winter. I love the smell of a turf fire. She visited with her two girls who are now integrated into the side yard flock. SHe and her husband are moving to Ireland in the fall
TUESDAY FARMERS MARKET IN GREENFIELD
If you live near the area and haven’t been you are missing a treat. Goat Cheese and soap, maple products, fresh veggies, mushrooms, honey and herbal products, Lamb, duck and pork products, all my stuff fresh home-made soups, farm fresh eggs and so much more.. There are always demo’s going on and many times samples of the products sold. This week Jill Horton Lyons was spinning from a rabbit and I was rug hooking. Come on down we are located in the alley way near Greenfields market Every Tuesday from 1:30 to 6:30 rain or shine.
SKELLIG BY LOREENA McKINNETT
Her voice is so beautiful. Haunting music on the cd The Book of Secrets.
Cosmo is home he will have to be quiet for a while. He was very hungry and glad to be home. He went around and around looking at everything and checking out his favorite spots. I won’t get the results of the path for a few weeks. I am hoping all will be well. Glad to have him home when one is missing its not the same. Thanks for reading my blog on this beautiful day. Carole
I am so glad that I didn’t put all my winter clothes away. It is so cold here today. The winds are blowing and temps are cold enough for mittens when feeding the outside chickens. Now I did complain about the hot weather but I guess we do need that to keep the plants growing.
FAMILY WEEKEND
Some pictures of Cindy’s graduation. Chris drove me back and on Sunday David and his family, myself, Chris and Lilly ad went to Wayland for Ricky’s graduation. Rick made all sorts of wonderful food and Ricky made Pizza on a new wood fired pizza oven. It was a wonderful day.
Chris.Cindy.Rick and Ricky
MY ROSES
I was so sadden this spring when my large Rugosa rose didn’t sprout leaves. How would I replace such a beauty. Recently I decided to cut it down and look for another one. Lo and behold there was new growth hidden by jewel weed.
CAT DROP OFF
I would love to know why people think that this is a wonderful drop off place for unwanted cats. I have rescued cats for years. I love taking in animals that need homes but there is a limit. How can these people live with themselves. There should be a law that every animal be chipped then the people who do these unspeakable things can be fined. There are three cats living at my son’s barn. I will trap the latest cat as it is small and probably won’t survive in the wilds long. A sadness comes over me when I think about animals and people in need. People think animals have no feelings. Its taken my Sammy some time to understand that there will always be food and water here. When a dish gets close to being empty he will stand by it till it gets filled. It also took him a while to understand that when I reach down to him I am not going to hit him I just want to pet him. I don’t have a lot of hope for the world. Yes there are a lot of good people in it but so many child and animals abusers. So many people hungry and homeless and we here in America can’t seem to do anything about it. It’s all about corporate greed and now the two people running for president are both corporate people. I would love to move to a country that cares about its people and animals. I could see my self living in Nova Scotia. Well I am here to stay and make the best of this life I have been given. I love taking care of the animals I have and am becoming more self-sufficient. I have distanced myself from the corporate world as much as possible and will try give back to people in need.
Many thanks for reading my blog on the cold, windy day, hope its warm where you are. Carole
On our way to get hay on Saturday Chris and I came across these two. Herself was on one side of the road squawking and himself on the other. We stopped and let her cross and all was well. They look like they had been out for a stroll and were headed back to the barn.
Last night was a beautiful starry night and Elliott passed away. It was such a blessing and he was in his barn with his sheep. Today we buried him and the sheep got to say their goodbyes. Marley spent the most time with him smelling him and looking, their protector is gone. Everything will change about the herd now, it will be interesting to see who steps up to the plate and tries to take Elliott’s place.
Last years shearing
VETS
I was very disappointed in my Vet who is not local but practices in another state.. When I called him Thursday he said he was too busy to come and would be here on MOnday. Compassion must not be important in that group. They have been here for the sheep and Elliott before, I would never recommend this group to anyone.
When living in Belchertown I went to Mill Valley Vets . Dr. Morcum was my vet. He is a compassion and loving person who cares deeply about the welfare of animals. Everyone who works at the clinic is kind and caring. My friend Renee has worked there for years. I wish I lived closer so I could still go there.
I will be looking for a new vet and will make sure that if there is an emergency they will come.
Many thanks for reading my blog today. So many changes ont he farm this past year, I hope that this is it for a while. Carole
Its a two blog day my first ever. I just wanted to share the wonderful story about these people helping all those wonderful dogs. I know a few of those dogs myself.
JUST OCCASIONAL FLURRIES!!!!!!
I turned on the weather first thing this morning and they said just occasional flurries.
Well there is an inch on the ground and I can hardly see the mountains across the way.
ONTO THE STATE SEMI-FINALS
What a great game and Belchertown won for the first time and now they will go on to play in the State semi-finals on Wednesday.
The played a terrific game and Tea’ scored 32 points in the game. Great job.
MY FAVORITE PLANT CATALOG
If you haven’t been to Andrew’s Greenhouse you are missing a real treat. Lots of bedding plants, herbs and roses, plus vines. I will make one of a few trips down to SOuth Amherst in mid April. its a family owned business and they are very knowledgeable about all aspects of buying growing and harvesting your plants. Get a catalog I have already picked out a few items including curry plants, and I want to get at least one more Bay Tree. The one I bought from them several years ago is doing great but I plan on freezing more soup mixes this coming summer so I will need at least one more plant.
After the holidays I put this squirrel feeder up and filled it with corn cobs. He finally found it and has been having a great time. We don’t have many squirrels around so it so much fun to watch him.
Many thanks for reading my blogs today and the sun is now shinning and I hope it is wherever you are. Carole
Whispering Pines Farm 