Well fans, it's been a busy summer around the mountain.   If you follow the wench on facebook, then you know that she recently traded in the CR-v for a new Honda Pilot.  The reason for this is two fold.  First, that wench is a spoiled brat and needs a new vehicle every few years (but i love her just the same) and second, the a/c on the CR-v was shot which would require a hefty repair bill, and the folks at Flow Honda in Winston Salem were so nice, they decided to give her a new car for less money, so it was kind of a no brainer.  Besides, you can fit more rabbits in a Pilot than you can a CR-v, so it was practical for the farm. What I didn't count on, though, was that this would also be used as a GOAT AMBULANCE and so soon!  The Hondas in this family are accustomed to transporting goats, especially when new (remember when wench got the blue CR-v and the very next day drove Abe (our rent a billy) back to Rome in the back seat?  the lady at the McDonald's drive through wanted to give the doggie a bone, until she found out it was a goat!) hahah anywho, I digress.

This time, it was me.  I suppose it was time for my visit to the Twin Oaks Veterinary Hospital anyway, but, this is slightly embarassing........  I was uncomfortable in my private area, and I told wench about it on Wednesday (two weeks ago).  The situation did not improve overnight, so, I hung around the barn, asking her to DO SOMETHING to help me out, and so I finally got on the shearing stand and she took a closer look.  My sheath was swollen and it HURT.  Off I go in the goat ambulance

At Twin Oaks, they took my temperature, shaved me (down there) and then I got weighed (152.3 lbs... my svelte self) I got a shot of antibiotic and one to take home and a dose of antibiotic (down there) and one to take home.  I'm glad to report I am now good as new and it seems the protein in my grain was a bit much, so now I'm on a lower protein grain.  It's ok, I don't want to go through THAT again.  If we hadn't taken care of it so quickly, it could lead to PIZZLE ROT and we don't want that!!!!!!  Makes me shudder just thinking about it.

In other news, be looking for my article in American Livestock Magazine in October (their fiber issue) where I explain the differences between mohair and angora, and give a little education to those who may not know.  The best part of the article, of course, if the "about the author" at the end, which features this photo of ME

many thanks to Dan of Forty6 Photography for this publicity shot.  I really am quite handsome, don't you think?

Now that I'll be "published" it will give me the confidence to continue my writing plan... more on that to come.

I am thinking of sending wench to the Rural Retreat farmers market.  This is held on Wednesday afternoons, so it will depend on builder's work schedule (which he now has reduced to 3 days a week).  Exposure is good.  You can find our eggs (well, not the goat eggs, the chicken eggs) at Becca's Backwoods Bean in Sparta, NC  and of course you can see us each month at the Independence Farmers Market and as an on line presence in the off season.

Well, time to get to work.  Thanks for reading Frankly speaking!  stay tuned for updated baby pictures!