Frankly speaking....................settle down, settle in, settled. period

Well, it's been a while since my last update.  It's been biz-zee around here.  The wench went to Harrisburg, PA, in mid-October for the 90th annual ARBA convention, and she took Julianna, Lillianna and Bronwen for frenchies, and Momma Cass for the American Chinchilla side of the equation.  Samson went too, but not to show, just to be a part of the Youth Contest and then he went home with our friend Melissa to have a hot date with her American Chin doe Dela.

Speaking of hot dates, Geronimo is being an obnoxious teenage boy.  You'd think he had a death wish the way he has been behaving.  I've heard of going both ways, but this guy goes ALL ways.  First he bred all the angora goat does.  twice.  then he started chasing ME around.  I kept hiding in the barn to get away from him (this is the both ways part).  Then, the other day, I caught him trying to breed DAISY, the sheep!  Nigel was not impressed.  Either was Wench.  Either was daisy.  hahahah

But hopefully things will settle down here now as winter approaches.  It's 45 degrees today, which is perfect weather.  If you are a goat.

Sorry, no pictures this time.  I just wanted to bring you all up to date so you didn't think I'd fallen off the earth.  We are fine, just trying to keep away from the adolescent billy goat in his quest to breed everything in sight. What's next, the trees?

I promise to get some pictures of the progress on the barn. It's pretty impressive.  Thanks for stopping by!

Frankly speaking.................kids say the darndest things

Conversation overheard in the barn last night: Moose:  it feels GOOD to be nekkid

July:  I got a little cut, now my face is all purple where I rubbed it on my cut (sniff, sniff)

Hans:  Well, among the three of us, I've got a set - you other two look like GIRLS so you better watch out, because I'm the toughest!

June:  hey, cut it out.  I want to know what they DO with all that fiber after they put it in the bag

Ahh yes, it's shearing time, and these little virgins had their first clip.  They jumped around and carried on and were quite surprised to see themselves all shaved, so, Uncle Frankie had to tell them the facts of life.  Yes, virginia, that wench sells the shirt right off your back.  They use that fur to make YARN so people can knit it all together and make sweaters.  really.  seriously.  why don't they just grow their own fiber like us?

Of course Geronimo, the horndog, had to make sure the girls were all the same girls, because, gee, he mighta missed somebody (NOT).

Nigel was not amused when Daisy came home naked.  He kept beating on her to the point where wench had to referee the grain time.  That'll teach her.  Nigel is a once a year sheep, Daisy gets sheared twice because she is awesome and grows so much fleece.

Soon, all of our coats will go to Echoview Fiber Mill down in Weaverville, NC to be made into products like rovings and yarns and then those will get sold and the money will buy our hay for next year and the cycle continues.  Ahh, the circle of life.

As always, thanks for reading Frankly speaking.  Wench and builders kids are all coming today, so we'll have some great new pics!

Frankly speaking.......love is in the air

and so, your spokesgoat is looking for other things to do.  As you all know, I have no role in the breeding around here, and that is why I am such a good Chief Executive Goat.  No hormones to cloud my decision making.  SO, I thought I'd share a post with y'all to bring you up to date.  

Geronimo is getting a little stinky; he takes his job seriously and the girls seem to like him, too.   I don't concern myself with such things until the babies start coming, then I have just so much to do around here.  Job security I suppose.  In any event...

Recently, we have had some changes.  Pinky and Gary went to live with our friend Charlotte; and the three boys born this year have now found a home.  Moose, July and Hans will be moving to Pilot Mountain NC to live with a very nice fiber artist who I interviewed yesterday.  They will be going to the doctor for their snip snips, and the shearing team will do their thing, and then in November we'll be saying adieu.  I'll be sure to get some pictures.  Here are two of those boys hanging out by the barn.

Builder is building, the roof is on now and I'll get some pictures later on this week; yesterday momma bear came to see us with her cub; but she didn't come in the barn, was just passing through.  No pictures of that.

Wench has been readying the rabbits for the big convention in October.  Hopefully we'll get some nice comments.   Probably two or three french angoras, one or two satin angoras and one American Chin will go represent the Mountain Top in Harrisburg.   Wench has also been attending some fiber fairs, selling the shirt off my back because she does that sort of thing.  We were lucky to receive a photo this week of the artwork made with our products.   Just look at this basket made with our rug yarn by talented artist Karen Carney

Here's the litter of Satin Angoras, first ones born here..... that chin buck is a keeper.  Builder named him Skeeter, but we need to come up with something a little more regal for this guy:

ok, that's the quick news.  I know no post would be complete without a picture of my lovely face, and so, I say... thanks for reading Frankly speaking:

Frankly speaking......... where did July go?

Ok, so here it is AUGUST the 16th.  I can't believe it.  Where did the summer go? oh, wait.  we didn't really HAVE summer here, just Monsoon Season!  Good thing we live on a mountain top.  We have had ten times the normal amount of rain so far this summer.  Builder, of course has been building, but not an ark (although that might be a good thing actually).  

We have had a lot happening here.  We have experienced some real heartache here - first we lost our 22 year old cat Eve.  If I may indulge myself a tad, no one ever eulogizes an animal, so let me start:

Eve Maguire Johnson Clemens, arrived to live with wench as a kitten, after being rescued by that Maguire guy I never met.  By the time wench went to live with her dad (the first Clem), Eve was expecting.  She had two kittens who did not live, but adopted two abandoned kittens thereafter.  Eve loved to hunt. and sleep. and eat, especially 9 lives cat food and Hollywood Stars liver treats for dogs (and special cats).  Eve lived first in Verona, then Rome, then Lowville and then Ennice, NC.  She loved her family and was a good kitty.  She was predeceased by Tigger, her friend and companion, and many other kitties and dogs.  She left to cross the rainbow bridge at the age of 22, a good life for a cat.

Then we lost our girlfriend Rapunzel.

Rapunzel Johnson Clemens was rescued by wench as a pup in 1999.  It was love at first sight all the way around, with Dan and wench and punzie.  Punzie was a party girl and loved when Dan had a party at the house, especially when Rome PD showed up.  Punzie also loved Emily White who lived next door, and she and Emily would have conversations through the hedges when Em was just a little girl.  Punzie loved to hunt, too and would put a muskrat UP A TREE and then wait there all day for it to come down.  Once she killed a guinea when she channeled her inner wolf, and got hollered at.  She never did that again.  Punzie loved to eat Mary Kay hand creme when she was a puppy, only trying to help wench's business so she'd have to place another order.  She was predeceased by Lizzie, who I vaguely remember, and Eve, her favorite cat.  I think Eve was waiting for Punzie to cross over that rainbow bridge together.  There is so much more to say about Rapunzel, she was such a great dog, but, I just can't talk about it that much.  We miss her a lot. She was 15 when she passed away, a shadow of her former self, but loved so much.

In between, our own Glory went to the rainbow bridge as well.  She was fine one day, sic the next.  Doctor said it was listeriosis which is a bacterial thing (like tetanus) in the ground.  Some goats are fine with it, some aren't.  We didn't want her to suffer, so made the hard decision.  Her brother Gary was broken hearted.

To cheer Gary up, we sent him on a mission.  He and his full sister Pinky went to Pennsylvania to live with our friend Charlotte.  Gary is very protective of Pinks, so that's a good job for him.  We wish them godspeed, and good fiberations for Charlotte!

so, enough sad.  Now on to the building part.  Here is the progress of the building - in between raindrops that builder gets a lot done in a day!

as you can see it's coming right along...

so, enough about that.  We have baby bunnies!  A litter of Satin angoras, a litter of French angoras and three bunnies from Layla x Moonshadow.  These guys are keepers - and so I present:

and

of course anyone who grew up with wench knows WHY she would name a blue point Kerry Megan - it's Irish, first of all, and Kerry Turner and Megan Miller were like the coolest people in Blue Point who were Irish and not Italian... ok, so it gets complicated.  hahahah

In any event, rabbits come and rabbits go, but goats go on forever.  and we have the cutest goats.

how can you ask for cuter than that?

and then, we also have TALENTED goats.  How many goats can do the goat dance?

and then of course there is me. Frankie.  I am the CEG and spokes goat of Mountain Top Fibers.  I am thinking of writing a series of children's books, explaining life as I see it.   The working title of the first book is  Frankly speaking... corn doesn't grow in a can!  what do you think,.... good idea?

and thanks for reading Frankly speaking!

Frankly speaking..................what a difference a week makes!

As I previously reported, we are currently under expansion here on the Mountain Top.  Builder has been busy doing what he loves to do - build.  I posted this picture last week:

and so, about a week later and viola!:

this will be the area for the rabbit does.  Underneath this area is the man cave:

I hope to post progress once a week here so you can follow what is going on.  In the meantime, builder continues to drop trees so that he doesn't run out of lumber.  Some of these guys are pretty big, so he calls his friend Junior Bear (who is beginning to be my favorite visitor... every time he visits we get tree tops) and they dump a few over so builder has wood, we have food and the pasture has sunshine in order to grow grass

Wench, in the meantime, is busy making rabbit cages to hold fryers... 11' long, with five cages in each section.  The area where we are now will be taken over by these cages and we'll move into the cool basement where the does are now.  Confused? join the club.  I can't keep up with these two - always changing things, building stuff, moving it around, yada yada -- owell, I'm glad I'm a goat and all I have to do is be awesome.

ok, gotta jet - there are trees down!  Thanks for reading Frankly speaking - see you next week!

Frankly spehttp://wordpress.com/#!/my-stats/aking..... seems summer is finally here - or is this the rainforest?

Well, after about a month of rain, it seems we are down to about every other day showers.  I was about to ask builder to make an ARK for us, but now it doesn't look as though we'll need it - not yet anyway. I have posted here before about food, and how important it is to a goat.  This --

makes a goat unhappy.

This - (look closely, you can see the wagon right between the studio and the hot tub) makes a goat VERY happy.

Many thanks to Robbie Killion and his awesome crew who made hay for us again this year and delivered it so we wouldn't starve to death.  I am sure you were all concerned that I was getting enough to eat.  Anyway, we appreciate his efforts in getting us hay in between the rain.  I hear the rest of the stash will arrive tonight if the weather is nice.

In the meantime, there has been a lot going on here lately.  Wench finally got off her butt and did a couple of craft shows and farmers markets.  The reception has been warm and the products well received, so it's onward and upward in the fiber business.

In keeping with the no-nonsense journalistic reporting you've come to expect from me, I must tell you that we had a natural disaster occur in the rabbitry.  None of the Angoras were affected, just the chins, but we ended up losing three very valuable brood does, one adolescent buck and several baby rabbits.  Study, vet consultation and necropsy revealed we had a cocci problem, so that has now been corrected and we are back in action. Everyone is feeling just fine, and all of the rabbits have received a new vaccination called BunnyVac which will protect them from pasturella.  They also are getting Ivomectin every three months as a preventative treatment and Corrid in their water twice a year.  We never had a protocol for the rabbits insofar as deworming goes because we never had a problem.  This has been a wake-up call and we are grateful to be on track, and will remember the sacrifice made by Harmony, Pepper, Anne Hibbins and RocketMan on the next bunny memorial day.   Wench is hoping to get a microscope soon so she can get up close and personal with all of our poop and know how to deal with whatever might ail us.

Speaking of aliments, little Gracie developed pneumonia last week.  She had a high temperature and we were all very worried, but thanks once again to the folks at Twin Oaks Vet Hospital, she's right as rain and feeling frisky again.  They are so wonderful there.  And they all think we are cute.  Which we are.  But I'm the cutest, right?

Anyway, back to the news.  So, you know how the builder loves to build, right?  and You know how much fun he's been having making lumber with his new toy the sawmill, right?  Well, this is a recipe for fun, and so..... it's a lumber yard around here:

These are the piles of lumber he's been making all spring, and he plans to put them all together to make a two story addition to the barn, right here:

This will be a two story "porch" which will be open-air and will house brood does for our rabbit operation.  We should be able to add another 50 to 75 does.  YOWZA.  Wench will have a full time job just shoveling the poop.

anyway, builder hopes to be "in" by winter.  He's an ambitious guy.  but we knew that.  I hear that when the rabbits move upstairs, new goat quarters will be made in the main area of the barn, downstairs where the does are now.  Never a dull moment around here.  It is closer to the hay chute, so it's ok with me.

Now that I've brought you up-to-date on the do-ins around here, I suppose you want some pictures of the babies, huh?

here you go -

Welcome to our newest French Angora buck -

He has already made a litter with CT Layla (one blue, one tort and one white); and has moved Nimbus to his harem this week, so we'll see what happens there..

Speaking of baby rabbits, may I introduce

ok, so that's about all the news.  We are looking forward to seeing Deb Willis this week, she'll be coming for a visit on Wednesday.  We saw Aunt Pat and Cousin Andrea for about a minute a couple of weeks ago, and Cousin Andrea made the observation that wench was certainly her father's daughter.  Truer words were never spoken.  She misses her dad.  Goats don't miss their dads.  We sometimes don't even know our dads - but that makes it easy on father's day - don't have to get a card.  hahahahah

Anywho - thanks for reading Frankly speaking!

Frankly speaking.....farm fest and farm test!

Well, last week was farm fest in Mt. Airy, NC, better known as Mayberry USA.  It began on Friday night with the tractor parade.  I sent the wench and the builder to scope it out, because they needed to set up our display for Saturday's doins.  However, they got there a little late and only saw the kids riding their tractors.  Pretty cute from all accounts, but, it's hard to get good help around here, ya know?  

So, in concert with wench, I selected two goats to represent the farm, and two rabbits.  We sent Greta and Gracie for the goat reps and Dexter and Atticus for the rabbit reps.  Ember had originally been the choice, but, he matted up his butt and had to be cut back, so Atticus stood in for him, and no one knew the difference because they are both black french angoras and represented the breed rather well.

Greta and Gracie were awoken at 7:00 a.m., a full hour prior to their regular breakfast call.  They got new pink and purple collars and leashes (we don't need no stinkin' leashes) and were promised a big adventure!

They weren't afraid to tell me that they breathed a big sigh of relief when they drove PAST the Mt. Airy Stockyards and onto Aunt June and Uncle Todd's house, to pick up Mishi, Data and Sky - oh, and Aunt June, too! (they have been promoted to Aunt and Uncle status because I have selected them, and I make all the big decisions around here)

So, they got there around 8:30 and spent the day being gawked, poked, prodded and stared at, everyone calling them SHEEP, which isn't as bad as being an alpaca and being called a llama, which I understand happened a lot that day...

So Wench and Aunt June had fun, met a ton of people and sold some stuff, farm products and quilt raffle tickets, and made plans to do a few more shows.

The farm "test" noted above is some gastric troubles moving through the bunny barn.  All shows have been put on hold until we get a handle on it (the handle is really on it, we just want to make sure) and so you won't be seeing us at rabbit shows for a while.  Just as well, wench needs to get to work doing fairs and craft shows and quit trying to ride the coat tails of the rabbits around here.  After all, she drives the limo to get them, but after that, they do all the work, right?

So, although I love to show my picture on this blog because I'm just so awesome, it IS spring and I think some spring stuff is in order.  Here are some blooming onion flowers that came from the bulbs our friend Joyce Seaman sent to us... aren't they pretty?  I bet they are also tasty, but wench won't let me try them. boo hoo.

So, my next post will be all about the big expansion that is going on around here.  Builder has been busy! (what's new?) Gotta get some pictures, you'll be amazed!  Thanks for reading Frankly speaking...................

Frankly speaking....................the biggest loser is the biggest winner...

Yes, once again, Mountain Top Fibers has produced a Best in Show winner.  This is pretty exciting stuff for us because it ain't easy getting there - just ask our reigning queens, Julianna and now EVA! We all can sympathize with our Eva the Diva because way back last year she was disqualified from competition due to her girth.  She was seriously over weight and as such was not taken too seriously around here.  WELL, about six months ago, she went on a very strict diet and was subjected to weekly weigh ins, lectures, counting points and all that other good stuff and, all that hard work paid off.  The day before the wench left for the Ohio Mini Convention, Eva stepped on the scale before she stepped in her carrier, and viola!  she was 10.7 (a whole ounce to spare from max allowed)

A six hour ride in the back of a pickup truck with Abbotts Rabbitts and Heartfelt Hares landed the diva in Columbus, Ohio.  Three shows.  Three best of breed awards and one best in show.  Her head is a little swollen and she is acting like the diva she is.  We are proud of all her hard work.  Here she is................................

and now, back to your regularly scheduled Frankly speaking.  BIG NEWS.  Craft Fair season is upon us, only slightly overlapping with rabbit show season, and so look for Mountain Top Fibers in the following venues:

May 18th at Mt. Airy Farm Days.  No, we are not participating in the antique tractor parade even though our tractor is an antique and so are the people running it (our tractor, not the parade)

May 24th at the Independence Farmers Market, Fiber day

June 1st at the Hale Wilkinson Carter Home in Hillsville, VA

Bunny ambassadors will be on hand to entertain the children.  I'll be holding down the fort here, keeping everyone in line, so may send Greta and Gracie to Mt. Airy to take care of the cute factor. Wench will of course be spinning yarn on her wheel at each event and helping folks get to know us better.  Builder will probably be here, too, because we he-man types shy away from these girly events. fiber fairs and all that.  We'd rather cut down trees, which, we've been doing in anticipation of the big barn expansion

More later.  Thanks for reading Frankly speaking... until next time!

Frankly speaking............................I AM large and in charge!

at least until the wench gets home..... gotta tell my fans about my week!!!!  You see, the wench and the builder will be married ten years on the beltaine, (May 1st for you non-heathens) so, to celebrate, they went to the coast for a getaway.  I can't imagine wanting to get away from your goats, but, WHAT-EVER, away they went.

Remember when we were watching Abbotts Rabbitts and that silly Mary Kay thought the service was sub-par? well.  payback, being what it is, June (of abbotts rabbitts) was kind enough to stay here for four whole days and take care of everyone!

June's rabbitts are just a tad bit spoiled, so we figured it would be easy to get away with stuff.  We all talked it over and, although the rabbits didn't want to go along with my plan,  I just had to challenge her on her first day and did we ever have some fun!  Eventually all of the goats and the two goat wannabes went to the right places, because let's face it, we come in to the barn for two reasons: either it's raining, or it's dinnertime.   or someone is in there - and we have to see what's going on - because they may have a treat or a snack, or nevermind, I digress.

On the second day I think June found it a little easier because her confidence was up.  To prove a point I think, she had the shepherd's crook in her hand when I came in.  I knew she wouldn't use it, so I came in the wrong door, went into every stall, wagged my tail and gave her a bit of a tude, and THEN, when it was looking like I had her right where I wanted her....., she walked away and pulled out the  grain.  It was over.   I couldn't play anymore, I had to eat.  Don't want to be wasting away you know.

I must say, we enjoyed having June here.  Rapunzel and Hunter love June, and you know what they say about dogs..... they are a good judge of character.  Except Hunter. He loves anyone who will throw the ball or go for a walk or feed him or lay down on the couch for a nap and accept a big black dog as a covering; or drive by in a golf cart and give him a ride on his personal trolley; but Rapunzel is a hard sell, and she took to June like the wench wasn't even gone.  Says something important.  Of course Rapunzel is getting up there in years and she could have just thought June was the wench, so, it could have been dog-heimers or something, but still, they both love June and we value their opinions.

In any event..... THANKS JUNE for being such a good babysitter.  Please feel free to put "Farmhand Extraordinaire" on your resume, and use me, Frank the Goat, CEG Mountain Top Fibers, as a personal reference.

There is other news in the making, our first craft show, who will attend, our shearing has been completed, babies are growing, bunnies expanding, never a dull moment.  But for now, thanks for reading Frankly speaking.  See ya next time!

Frankly speaking....... if spring has sprung, then why is it still snowing? --or-- who is the leader of the Breakout Kings of White Pine Drive?

Is this weather crazy or what?  Snowflakes in the air at the end of March? WTF... this is the south y'all.  We do have a lot of sunshine, and as I've said before, we used to spend months cooped up in the barn when we lived in New York, and here, a couple of days in a row are unusual. This time our sequestration was not about the weather, though, I must admit.  It was more about the wether. As in neutered sheep. NIGEL.  Here's the story:

Remember a while ago I posted about the builder's plans to put more sun in the pasture and take down some trees?  Remember this guy?

Well, now you see him, now you don't.    A few weeks ago, in preparation for the toppling of this tree, the builder took down the fence on that side of the pasture.  We didn't notice as we're pretty happy just laying out in the sun and working on our tans.  Nigel, however, DID notice, and a few times, he would wander out into the road and then wind up in the mushroom garden and the wench would have to direct him back to the barn.

this is the mushroom garden.  About the fall it should yield some tasty mushrooms.  Anyway... Nigel kept up these shenanigans and would tell us about his adventures.  On Monday, we all decided to have a looksee for ourselves..... and off and down the path we went....

of course the builder knew what was up right away and called the wench who came down to collect us from the studio.  We were having fun...

here is where we got out:

SO, because we now had the run of the mountain, we got locked up in goat jail.  for two.whole.days.  while the builder cut down the tree.

Well, we are now back to normal, the fence is up and we are free!!!  We've had some babies around here, too.... pigeons and chickens.  Here they are!

So anyway, I'm hoping for spring some day.  I've talked the shearers into waiting until the weather warms a bit before we get shaved.....

As always - thanks for reading Frankly speaking.....

Frankly speaking...................it's an unveiling of epic proportions

Well, I know you've all been anxiously awaiting the unveiling of my official portrait as Chief Executive Goat of Mountain Top Fibers, and the staff photographer, Dan Johnson of Forty6 Photography in New York was on site last week to take some publicity shots. Oh, wait.  You were really waiting for the baby goats pictures?  SHEESH! well, ok... here you go.

Miss Mae had twins on Saturday, March 2nd.  Wench was down at Echoview Fiber Mill learning about mohair and the like, and builder told her when she got home that it was looking pretty close for ole' Miss Mae.  So, she went down and checked and viola!  twins.  One boy and one girl.  June and July (get it, Mae, June and July?)

Then, on Sunday, March 3rd, Faith had twins around 6 PM.  Two boys.  Unfortunately, one of the boys didn't make it, so the twin that survived is named Hans Solo.  We'll call him Hans for short

On Monday evening, March 4th, JUST when the official photog was arriving at the farm for our visit, Hope brought forth twins as well.  In all the confusion, the little girl got stepped upon, so she had to go to the vet for some healing medicine.  She'll be just fine, and her name is Pinky and her brother is Moose

So, you can see, we've been busy around here.  The official photog followed us around like papparazzi one day, but most of the time he just hung out with his mom, the wench.  It was great having him here, because she left us alone most of the time, just coming down to feed us!

Now, I know you've been waiting for this next shot, so, without further adeiux, here it is - my official CEG portrait!

revel in it. and thanks for reading Frankly speaking

Frankly speaking....................a spokesgoats work is never done

This afternoon I had a talk with Nigel, just to make sure his broken heart was mending...

and he assured me that he was ok.  Not too happy with that FarmGirl for cutting off his ramparts, but still, he is able to deal.

So, I get back to the barn, and what do I find in my stall? another note.  For a little background, you must know that we are babysitting Abbotts Rabbits for a couple of weeks.  There are two Jersey Woolies, one lionhead and nine french angoras, three of whom came from here, and one satin angora.  We are currently at full occupancy!

anywho, here is the note:

Dear Frankie,  I would like to lodge a complaint about the service at this spa.  I understand that you are the Chief Executive Goat around here and as such am in charge of things.  The brochure was not representative of the accommodations.  For instance - I have been on a (sort of)  hunger strike since arriving.  No one has begged me to eat, tempted me with yogurt covered raisins or put a mint on my pillow or a towel shaped like a duck on my bed.  Sheesh!  What kind of a place IS this?  Can you please speak to that haywench and get her to pay attention to me?  After all, my parents, Todd and June, promised me that I would have just as much fun as they were having on their cruise, and I can say unequivocally that I am not.  However, it is pretty cool seeing all my bunny buds from when I used to live here.  Anything you can do to step up the service around here would be appreciated.  Sincerely, MaryKay Abbott (nee: Clemens), representative at large, Abbotts Rabbits.

Jiminy Cricket on a stick.  Can't I catch a break?  I did speak to the wench about her performance and she promised to do better. (not really).  here is my reply:

Dear Mary Kay,   You are a rabbit.  Not a goat, or even a dog or cat.  Goats are the most important animal on the earth, and especially at this barn.  I spoke to the wench, but don't hold your breath.  She is too busy attending to my needs to pay you much mind.  If I were you, I'd suck it up because your parents will be home in a week or two and then you can go back to Mt. Airy where you are the queen of the place and even the dogs are small by comparison - you don't have goats to compete with, and that, in a nutshell is the crux of your problem.  Frankly speaking, you are barking up the wrong tree.  (can rabbits bark?)  Sincerely, Frankie - CEG Mountain Top Fibers

Now, back to relaxing in the sunshine.

We may be having some babies soon.  I think Mae is going to be first, then Faith, then Hope.  Annie, I think, has escaped this round.

I need a nap.  I work too hard.  Thanks for reading Frankly speaking!

Frankly speaking...................what's love got to do with it?

On this lovely day, I'd like to wish all of my fans and friends a happy VD (Valentine's day, silly).  As a goat, and a wether at that, I don't get much romance in my life.  Oh, the wench loves me, but inter-species respect being what it is, she's ok and I'm ok, but the most personal I ever get is snapping her straps when she sits in the doorway to the pasture just reflecting on the flock. Who I feel sorry for, though, is NIGEL, our jacob wether.

Just the other day, I found this note in my stall:

Dear Frankie,   I hope you can help me.  I am SO in love with Daisy and she won't give me the time of day.  Oh, she's affectionate when it comes to sharing our grain and living in the same stall and all that, but I'd like to take our relationship to the next level and maybe make some little sheep... she doesn't seem interested and I don't know what to do.  Can you help me?  Sincerely, Nigel

Oh, the work of the spokesgoat is never easy.  I had to break it to him so I called the wench and dictated the following response: (wench used to be a secretary and can actually take dictation, but she uses literary license quite frequently which used to drive the old boss crazy..... now that she works for me, it's ok because sometimes I get grammatically confused you know ,being a goat and all)

Dear Nigel - GET OVER IT you are a wether.  You don't have the equipment necessary to make little sheep! We only have one baby maker at a time on this farm, and you ain't it.  Try to be content growing your fleece and giving it up once a year to blend with the mohair and angora.  That's your job.  You might consider meditation classes which I conduct each afternoon in the pasture.  Cud chewing also helps.  Your mentor, Frankie

So, as you can see, I give no nonsense advice to the lovelorn.  If you have a problem that you think I can help you with, please feel free to email or reply to this post, or, post on the Mountain Top Fibers facebook page and I'll try to straighten you out.  Because, after all, I'm Frankie and I'm awesome.

Frankly speaking......... the Carolina sunshine is pretty nice!

Please forgive me for being rather reclusive lately, but it's been busy here.  We are growing our fleeces in anticipation of shearing in March, and enjoying the Carolina sun on most days.

On days like today we are happy to be living here in the south instead of up in the frozen tundra where they had a ton of snow lately.  We spent A LOT of time in the barn when we lived in New York, but here, we get to hang out in the sunshine!

So, in the news department, we have some new bunnies in 'da hood..... and so I present:

isn't she beautiful?  This is a Satin Angora doe.  Our friend June has a buck she's going to be meeting when she grows up a little, and in the meantime she'll do some shows and get to know the rest of the gang.  We are calling her Ruby because she just looks like a ruby, all shiney and red and everything....

Mutiara and Brice's litter of two have been weaned and taken their place in the rabbitry, they are one buck and one doe, and very very cute.  Their names will be Tish and Tosh

The litter of pointeds is also weaned and put in their own cages, two by two... these guys will go on to other homes.

so if you are looking to add some pointed frenchies to your herd, speak up.

We are very happy to have CHANG back in the barn... he's been up in Pennsylvania working and came back this past weekend, not wearing his coat

We offered him a straw filled nest box to hang out in if it got cold, but he seems to be just fine without a coat or anything.  He is our traveling ambassador, he's worked in several other places, but we are always glad to have him home...

We figure new goat kids will be getting here in the next six weeks or so... the girls are looking pretty rotund

not daisy, she's just a heifer wannabe.  But see Hope in the middle and Faith behind her?  ya, that's what I'm talkin about... twins I'm thinkin.......

Oh, and an executive decision I've made since I became the CEG:  the rabbit part of the farm has had a change of name.  From this point forward, it will be known as Mountain Top Rabbitry.  So, all the rabbits live at Mountain Top Rabbitry, and some work for Mountain Top Fibers.

Making these decisions makes me tired.  So, until next time, thanks for reading Frankly speaking...

Frankly speaking.................... there are animal crackers in my soup!

Isn't that an old song... animal crackers in my soup?  Well, around the mountain, animals crackers are our favorite snack.  Of course everyone has their own preference, I prefer those shaped like bears, Mae likes the bunnies, etc. As the CEG (Chief Executive Goat, in case you didn't get the memo) I sometimes get called upon to do parlor tricks, which I do, because I like the rewards.  There is a photo of one of these tricks out there on facebook, but I have hidden the evidence and if you want to find it, you'll have to go hunting.  hahahah

In other news, I see a lot of folks publishing pictures of their goat kids on facebook, cutie patooties, all being born around this time every year.  We have a few more months to wait, because it doesn't get cold here in September like it does up north, so breeding season begins a little later.  The cool part of that equation is, we get to go outside almost every single day all year long.  We only stay inside when it's raining.

So, how about some other kinds of baby pictures?  Nimbus and Duckie's litter of 8 is progressing beautifully:

and Mutiara and Brice's litter of 2 are just beautiful!

We are pleased to announce that the former chicken area has been turned into more goat space.... and Geronimo has taken over this area.  He spends every other day here, and every other day outside.  The little girls get every other opposite day in or out - wench doesn't want them to be bred by Geronimo because they are too little.

Gary used to hang out with Geronimo because he doesn't like to be alone, but, he doesn't know how to play nice, and poor Gary was getting beat up, so, Geronimo has to suck it up and be alone, the loser.

I know, he doesn't look too happy, but he really has a nice area, and at night, the sheep come in and keep him company.  If he knew how to behave, he wouldn't HAVE this problem

Notice the lumber used in these new stalls?  It comes from the builder's new toy, the sawmill.  He has been busy building (what else) and made a cute little train station thingy for his sawmill.  It has a roof to keep it out of the rain, and it is working out quite nicely.

This is at the top of our pasture, so I get to supervise what goes on in the building business.  I think the next tree victim will be this guy:

because builder's main goal is to open up the view without sacrificing every tree around here.  We don't mind, it should grow some nice pasture for us... right now we are eating hay, but in the spring expect there to be some green growin around this mountain.

We are busy growing our fleeces, and thought you might enjoy seeing how pretty we all are... two more months until shearing...

I think we all know the answer to that question.

Well, that's about it from around here.  Thanks for reading Frankly speaking -- until next time!

Frankly speaking...........................a year end report

Well, fans and friends, 2012 has been quite a year for us here at Mountain Top Fibers.  We said so long to Norman, our friend and herdsire, and hello to his son Geronimo who will be the herdsire for 2013.  Norman had developed into a very handsome buck, a perfect gentleman, who only gave me fits when it was breeding season.

We miss him, but, don't want him breeding his daughters, so, he got another job and moved to West Virginia (it's ok if he breeds his daughters in West Virginia... hahahah)

His son, Geronimo, is trying like the dickens to be the clean up buck, making sure everyone is preggers, and he is just acting like some obnoxious 18 year old boy

So, now, because he has to be SEGREGATED so he doesn't try to breed the little girls (he has no couth... acts JUST like a goat) the wench asked if I would try to teach him some manners.  Sheesh.  I have to do everything around here.  I told that wench that I would need more pay and a promotion to take on all this extra responsibility.

Therefore, I am pleased to announce that I, Frankie, have been promoted to CEG of Mountain Top Fibers (that is Chief Executive Goat for anyone who doesn't know).  Here's my corporate portrait:

notice, I have to wear a tie to work now.  Oh the price we pay!!!  I do get a little extra grain each day, and all the cheek scritches I want, and animal crackers, don't forget them.  THEY are my favorite.

I do take my new position seriously though, and consult with the wench and the builder on a daily basis about what is going on in this joint.   The builder is busy (what's new) with his new toy, the sawmill, building huts.  The first thing he built was a new chicken coop and pigeon loft and goat shed combination.  This edifice is located at the top of the hillside pasture

The chickens are out of the barn (thank God, they were SO MESSY) and will be working to assist the builder and wench with the gardening.  All of the uh, fertilizer, is dumped up by their new house and they rototill it, adding more fertilizer, eating the bugs, etc.... (everyone around here has a job to do) and producing eggs.  The actual garden will be fenced to keep the deer out and then the chickens will get the weeds, etc. in their smaller outdoor pen which is adjacent to the garden.  Twice a year they will get free range in the actual garden itself, to do their thing.

The pigeon area is in the first part, and a flight cage is attached.  Pigeons don't really serve a purpose, but the builder and the wench both have dads who always had pigeons, so, they wanted them to honor their dads.  I guess that's a good thing.

Over on the side, by the tree in this picture, is a little goat shed so, just in case someone is in this hillside pasture and it starts to rain or something, we can get out of the weather.

Thanks to Pam Williamson, our neighbor, who had some trees taken down and so she donated the logs to make this house.  We love Pam around here... she always comes over and pets me!

The other hut he built was a house for the sawmill itself, to keep it out of the rain:

In this picture it isn't exactly done yet, but he's working on it.

He also is making new pens for us, out of lumber this time instead of poles.  It will be much more comfortable when it comes time for babies, and will afford each momma goat some privacy.

In other news, we have some new stuff going on at the rabbitry part of the barn.  Welcome, please, a new breed of angora:  the SATIN angora, which is a rare breed, almost extinct, and so we are starting the conservation of this bunny.  Meet Gay's Josh:

he looks a little stuck up in this picture, but he's really very nice.  And his betrothed, Divine:

isn't her fleece just Divine?  so shiny. This will complement the french angora/mohair/wool blend we do here, very nicely.

Just for the "cute factor" wench brought home a few of these guys, too, a month or so ago

LIONHEADS.

Haven't we got enough cute around here?  Well, Elsa and Kimba are the does, and Aslan is the buck, and once we get a litter from each of these girls, they'll be looking for pet homes.  Any takers?

I think the cute factor is already covered around here between the baby goats and me. gheesh.  But, we do have some cute baby rabbits....

this is Abigail-Elizabeth's litter, just starting to come out of their nest.

and this litter was born to NW Nimbus and GW Duckie just last week!

This is Nimbus, being shy.  Her two daughters from last year are bred, too:

Athena

Aphrodite

Mutiara had a litter of two just the other day, but she wasn't having any pictures taken this morning.

So, anyway, it's been a productive year, we've said so long to some friends and made some new ones.  2013 should be a good year - now that I'm in charge of things, maybe we'll sell some yarn!  So, as usual, thanks for reading Frankly speaking..... have a happy new year! kiss kiss

Frankly speaking............................ a Christmas wish for you

T'was the night before Christmas

and all through the barn....

The angoras were busy

spinning their yarn

Not of the kind that makes hats or mittens

but the kind that keeps you people smitten

Cause on Christmas eve, so long, long ago

the animals spoke to let the world know

that the child was born to bring them redemption

and the goats said the most cause they liked the attention

Now on each Christmas since, the animals talk

so be sure to listen and not take a walk!  (sorry that's kind of lame, but it does rhyme...) anway here at Mountain Top Fibers,  we talk all the time.  After all, how many barns have a spokesgoat?

We have FAITH

and we have HOPE

and GRACE

and we have GLORY

and we have Gary and Geronimo...

and of course me and my sister, Annie

and we all wish you a Merry Christmas!

Frankly speaking.............................Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm glad I'm not a turkey

but a goat of special stead

I'm snuggled in my barn today

all cozy in my bed

We celebrate our bounty

in this Country all so great

in other countries far away

it's GOAT they ate.. they ATE?

I'm thankful  I'm a special boy

A meal I'll never be

I wish for you

my fans and friends,

A thanksgiving blessed be!

Frankly Speaking................................Happy Trails my friend

Well, I knew this day was coming, but I wasn't looking forward to it.    I knew that my friend Norman had applied for a job up in West Virginia, working at the Grinlow farm, where there are a few nice does and a lot of pasture..... and today he got selected as their new herdsire, and decided to leave us, his buds, in his dust.  

I hope you have a great life and find your peace out there Normie..... we'll miss you.  However, I won't miss you pounding on me during breeding season.  I thought we had an understanding, but... we did get caught up together in my stall one day this week (don't ask) and I took a beating.  Not. funny. norman.  But, now that you're gone, I can be the chief goat again and pffft to you.  That wasn't very nice, was it?  sorry.

Norman got all spiffed up for his 3 hour car ride.  He selected the "lion-head" for his new do at shearing:

and he had his nails done and his de-wormer, so he's in good shape now. Geronimo, much to his relief, has been let out of his stall so now he doesn't have to cry all day like the baby he is.  Of course, he is trying to breed all the girls (who are probably already bred) even his MOTHER.  What does THAT make him?

(a perv, I'm tellin ya).

In any event.  I promised the big reveal of the latest in goat hair dos - and so................without further adieu................

I give you

and from the side:

Faith decided on the friesian goat look:

and then, of course, our token sheep, Daisy, decided on the holstein motif:

Nigel will get shorn in the spring, because he's a Jacob and they only are shorn once a year. Daisy is a goat wannabe, so she gets shorn twice a year with us goats.

So, that's the news for this weekend.  We will miss you Normie, but you did leave behind some pretty nice babies!

So, as usual, thanks for reading Frankly speaking

Frankly speaking..............your timing couldn't be worse!

You know me, I tell it like it is.  The "shearing team" finally got their act together this week and decided it was time to remove some fleece.  The fun part of this is that we got to choose our new "do" this year.  I decided to go for the 50's do-wop look, like Frankie Avalon or something; Mae went for the alpaca look, and Annie decided on the Chinese Crested dog look:

So far, all of the babies are sheared together with myself, Mae and Annie.  Here are a couple of the babes - before:

and after:

Daisy will be next.  Hope, Faith and Stinkbomb,er... I mean NORMAN, will be last because he stinks and has other things on his mind right now.

The babies all went to my old stall in the rabbit barn because once their coats came off it got cold and rainy here.  They can't go outside all nekkid, so they are hanging out together getting weaned and enjoying some baby time.  Gary, the tiny boy in the picture with Gracie, is going up to Ken & Sarah's place for a couple of months, later on this week, so he can try to breed Nora.  Nora came here last year, but Norman wasn't interested in her - he only dates the girls who are tall enough to be supermodels, not the itty bitties.  Anywho, he'll stay up there for a few breeding cycles and see if he can't have some jollies with little Nora. Then he's coming home to get NEUTERED and begin his studies with me, as spokesgoat underling.  I will teach him all I know, just like a master and a grasshopper.

Geronimo has to be locked up these days, too, because he's trying to beat Norman's time with the ladies and Norman is getting annoyed.  He even had the nerve to come after ME of all things, so I'm staying out of his way until everyone is bred and things calm down a little bit around here.  It's very cozy and warm in the barn now that the builder put up the storm windows - no drafts, and the wench just keeps bringing the food and clean water, so, who could ask for more?  Here's a hint for you, though... if you think your water is getting a little stale, just POOP in it and viola! the wench cleans out the bucket and brings you fresh water.  She grumbles a little bit, but it's actually pretty funny.  I do this often just for my own entertainment.  Of course don't do it unless someone is there to clean the bucket, because if you get thirsty when no one is around, it's not very appetizing to .. oh, never mind. Well, back to my nap.  That's all the news that's fit to print right now... thanks for reading Frankly speaking.