Frankly speaking...... change is never easy

Autumn is supposed to be all about change - school starts, a fresh new world is promised for spring as the earth goes to sleep for the winter.  We've had a lot of changes here on the farm in July, and I'm having a little difficulty reporting them all  - I hate to sound negative or be the bearer of bad news.  So, we'll get it over with quickly and then move on. In July we lost our treasured bunnies Layla and Julianna.  Mother and daughter, this team really put our rabbitry on the map.  Julianna took best colored senior doe at Nationals in Iowa in 2013 which is huge for us; plus a best in show, etc., and was trying to have a litter when she passed away.  Wench was pretty devastated.  Just a couple of weeks later, her momma, Layla, laid down and died, for no apparent reason other than she was about 5 years old or better. Layla was the foundation of our french angora herd, and the mother or grandmother of most all our grand champions.

Also in July, wench came to the difficult decision to not send Hope up to Pennsylvania.  Hope is becoming more frail as the weeks go by, and she is unlikely to make the trip north with ease.  For this reason, her twin kids, Neptune and Hera will most likely stay here, to comfort her as we think the end is near.  She moves slowly and can't keep up with the herd.  It is a beautiful thing to see her babies (especially Neptune) stay by his momma to make sure she's ok.  Quality of life is still good, she eats and enjoys her family, but you can see she is an ancient goat.

Everyone ages, and our Hunter is having difficulty with his eyesight.  He'll be going to the vet this week to determine if something can be done to help him, but his cataracts may have gotten the best of him for now, as he bumps into things and is being careful to stay in familiar places.  It's hard to watch, but we are hopeful there is a supplement or something to help him.

In happier news, our litters of bunnies continue to be cute and grow up; trying to adjust to being groomed regularly and all that - it's looking like three bucks and four does for the KerryMegan/Aramis pointed litter (one buck is REW); two bucks and three does for the Mikimoto/D;Artangnan litter; three bucks and four does for the Ultana/Casse Noir litter; and three bucks and two does for the Bronwen/Angus litter.  We now have another litter, Duncan's Delanna x Clems Aramis.  Delanna is a seal doe and Aramis is, of course, pointed.  We expected to get really dark pointed babies, but instead got two sables and three seals.  It's ok.  We like those colors, too.

so, if you are in need of a french angora, these should be ready for new homes in a few weeks.  We won't let them go before 12 weeks, so get in touch with wench or see her at a show, and we'll hook you up!

In other news, the chickens are all grown up now and are beginning to lay eggs.  Pullet eggs are pretty small, but every day we get bigger ones.  Not everyone is laying yet, but they are on their way.  One day we'll get 9 eggs, the next 12 or 13... our two roosters are keeping a good eye on the girls.

As you know, builder has been working on a new pasture for us.  This one is rather depleted:

and this one is rather lush:

however, it is down the driveway and across the access road, which, for goats, can be a challenge when there is no bridge to cross.  (wench tried to convince builder to make a bridge, but he wasn't falling for that - although it might be fun).  Anyway, some of the flerd didn't get the memo, and besides there was great grass on the way to the new place, so we had to try it!

we will make quick work of the areas around the barn and then be on to the new place... yummy.  We appreciate the variety in our diet.  Speaking of variety in our diet, wench came home from the store the other day with three cases of swiss chard, which was not restaurant quality any longer, but goat quality for sure.  Me and Geronimo made pigs of ourselves. oink oink

(Willis tries to get in there, too, but he just isn't big enough sometimes).

We were glad to see the staff photog this month, Dan and his family came down for a little vacation.  We like it when Dan comes for several reasons - #1 being that it keeps wench out of our hair for a few days.  She's busy with them and so takes care of us but doesn't bug us much.  Of course one day we had to stay in the barn while they all went off to Asheville for the day.  I heard they had fun talking to some of the brass farm animals in Pack Square - how silly!

Hailey, who is the same age as me, is my new girlfriend.  She fed me animal crackers, and told wench I could have as many as I wanted.  That's because I'm the boss.  and we don't let anyone forget that fact.

thanks for reading Frankly speaking.  I have more to tell you, but I'll save it for later...

Frankly speaking..... I'm speachless

I understand that I am a goat.  (well, sort of, I'm a special goat, but more on that later)  Goats are livestock.  We are virtually SLAVES to people and go where they tell us.  Sometimes, the people are the slaves, and that's usually the case around here, but... I digress.  In this month's news I have a disturbing announcement.  My sister, MISS MAE has gone to live over in Elk Creek.  I can't believe it.  Well, yes I can believe it, for several reasons: This is not a 1000 acre farm.  So that means that not everyone can be born and live here forever (like me).  When babies are born, they grow up and move on to start herds for other fiber artists.  It's what we do.  So, this year, a fiber farm over in Elk Creek needed a couple of does, to go with the buckling they got from us last year.  We had four doelings born this year:  Bluebell (a/k/a Sapphire)

and Ruby:

and Hope's little Hera:

and Venus:

Ruby and Sapphire are destined to stay here, replacement does (if you will) for Hope and Faith.  So that left Venus and Hera.  Hera, who is the daughter of Hope, is so TINY that Wench won't let her go without her brother, Neptune.  These two could start a new line of angora goats called miniatures, they are so small.  We think it is because their momma, Hope, is rather elderly, and this is her last hurrah for the motherhood department.  She'll be moving to Pennsylvania next month to join her babies from previous years, Pinky and Gary, at the farm of our friend Charlotte, where she will live in the lap of luxury for her golden years.

ANYWAY, so that left us a new dilemma.  Wench is pretty particular about where we go and how we live, and one doe on her own never leaves here... we are very family oriented so we have to go with a buddy.  (bucks are the exception because they have one mission in life, and can stand alone, although a friend is nice)  So Mae was it.  She went with her daughter Venus to live in Elk Creek and start a new fiber farm over there.  The folks that bought them are very nice, and they have four little girls to love my sister and niece, so, I'm ok with it, but I'll miss them.  So long, Miss Mae and Venus..... you are already missed:

but probably not by Hope, because you never really liked Hope, and were always trying to boss her around.  hehehe.

Speaking of Hope, her two little monsters have discovered what cookies are.  The problem is that they are so tiny they can still fit between the gate and the barn door, so, now they can come looking for cookies whenever they feel like it.

So Jupiter is now on his own, and hopefully he'll be going to live on an alpaca farm over in Dobson, with Hera and Neptune.  We'll see.  If not, the three of them will be for sale.  Wench wants to keep Moondancer, and make him a wether (like ME) but she and builder are continuing to discuss this.  Builder, you see, is rather opposed to castration (can you blame him?) but wench is trying to convince him that the fiber stays so nice for so long..... just look at my fleece.  You don't get much better than what I've got.  just sayin.

In bunny news, we have four litters of french angoras now about 3 weeks old.  Bronwen has five torts, Kerry Megan has seven whites, some pointed, some REW, Ultana has some torts, some brokens and one solid; and Mikimoto has five as well, one sable, one blue and three pointed.  Up next is Julianna (yeah, I know, fat chance), Duncan's Delanna and Clems Sophia; they get nestboxes on July 5th.  Then we have Sparkle, Tolinka and miss Daisy on the July 11th nestbox date.  So, we'll see.

With any luck, my August report will be FILLED with rabbit pictures - babies!  yay.

Until then, stay cool, and thanks for reading Frankly speaking!

Frankly speaking......................slow down, you move too fast

got to make the mornin last?  old song I seem to remember.  A more appropriate theme for us, around here on the mountaintop.  The people that is, not the goats.  Goats have one speed.  Their own.  Unless there is food involved, then all bets are off. Let's see.....................It is time for the first of the month report.  I contributed 20% toward a blend of fibers recently made into yarn (laceweight) which has been nicely received for it's luxurious properties.  This started a little something going on in wench's head (not again) that there should be a fiber co-operative around here, where farmers could contribute toward a blend which would make a unique and local yarn.

We are working on a logo, business plan, etc. to make a fiber mill here a reality, along with the ten billion other projects we have.  So, be on the lookout for some new announcements, probably this fall.

In the meantime, and as the full moon comes about again, we welcome new litters of bunnies.  Clems Bronwen (lilac tort french angora) x AC Angus (black tort, french angora [and her son]) produced a litter of mostly torts, with a pearl or two in there on the 29th of May.  This is line breeding at it's height, so we'll see what comes of these little ones.  No two headed rabbits, don't worry.  There are seven all together.  Momma Bronwen is pretty particular and very protective.  She didn't like the nestbox she was provided, so she made it clear and flipped the box over spilling the babies all over the wire.  Wench zip tied the box to the cage, but that didn't stop her, she chewed through the zippy and did it again.  Once the kits were deposited in the nestbox she wanted, all was right with the world (according to Bron - what a diva).

On a sad note, Clems Lennox, American Chinchilla doe extraordinaire, delivered a healthy litter of six, a few not quite right and then she laid down and died right there.  Len was a great doe, raising some satin angoras for aunt June a while back, and so her kits were farmed out - two to Amanda, two to Hesper and two to Bronwen.  Won't Bron be surprised when they come out of the nest.  They are already twice the size of her own.

Speaking of babies, our goat babies are doing well, growing up and will soon get their first haircut.

In a day or so, wench is driving up to NY to see our staff photographer.  She is going to be back on Saturday or Sunday, and then will go up again in a few weeks when she can stay a little longer.

In May, our enhanced fleece was displayed at the Middle Tennessee Fiber Festival and everyone there had a good time.  It seems as Geronimo will be saying good bye this month, which will make me sad.  Moondancer and Klondike will be put up for sale too.  Wish we lived on a thousand acres so everyone who is born here never had to leave. sniff.

So, a mid-month report in June maybe, but until then - thanks for reading Frankly speaking!

Frankly speaking..... summertime.. living is EASY?

Well, I promised a post after nationals was done, and so here it is.  Summer is coming and the livin is supposed to get easy.  Wench promised that after May was over she'd be around some, take it easy and rest a bit, but....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO now she's made plans to drive to New York twice in one month!  There is this issue with dental work needing to be done, which will require two appointments.  Not one to let any grass grow under her feet (she doesn't know what she's missing, grass is pretty tasty) she is offering rabbit transports along her route, and delivering a rooster to family.  The Clemens family has a thing for chickens (thus, whenever there is a family get together the conversation ALWAYS reverts to chickens in one form or another) and so, they have been known to do an in-family chicken swap type thing like you'd see at a tractor supply.  Now that builder and wench are 800 miles from home, the chickens get to travel too. This guy is going to go live with the Doctors Hodson, and will have a pampered life if he behaves, and if not, well, who knows: He is a polish rooster, who looks pretty cool, but, does not fit in with builders breeding schedule of pure bred black australops which hopefully will be available next spring from the farm.  Since something wiped out our entire flock of egg layers, we are putting lots of stock into these 18 young pullets to start our egg business off in July.

So, Wench and Aunt June went to the Powhatan Festival of Fiber (2nd year) and set up their tent in the beautiful northern Virginia sunshine.

by the next day, it was drizziling; by 1 PM it was pouring, and by 3 PM they had closed down the show (note Aunt June's purple raincoat).  Sales were good in spite of the weather, so they will be going back next year, but, things learned at this show include:   (1) a larger, more sturdy tent is needed (and has been acquired); (2) feet for the grids would be a good thing (it's on builders list to do); (3) festival vending is HARD WORK (they need the exercise).  Not to be discouraged, the worker bees (wench and aunt j) packed up the wet things and drove about an hour, checked into a hotel, had a couple of drinks and a nice dinner, and were good as new.

The following weekend, Angora Nationals took place in Ohio.  Lucy and Ethel (wench and june) were on the road again, and caravanned to Ohio with Deb McCormick and the Heart Felt Hares.  A good time was had by all, especially Ultana, who escaped from her locked cage and went 'walkin after midnight' just like the old song.  No significant wins for the Mountain Top, but hey, we took the colored senior doe class last year, and so you can't expect to win all the time, right?  Speaking of last year, Julianna is bred again, so HOPEFULLY we'll get an heir this time.

Next weekend, the traveling road show is going to Raleigh, NC to participate in the Got to Be NC food and wine festival, as a part of the rabbit exhibit (not food, just fancy) and to try to sell the shirt off my back.  The weekend after that, it's the Middle Tennesse Fiber Festival.

When shearing was done this spring, wench discovered that our little Carmella was apparently expecting.  This was a surprise because she didn't LOOK knocked up, just a little bit tubby, and considering the grain she eats, not unusual. WELL, we knew that Greta was ready when she was acting rather blatty and out of sorts, so wench kept her inside that day.  Soon, she brought forth the cutest little blue and white doe kid with blue eyes.  Carmella was out with the flock.  About an hour later, wench looked out the window and say Carmella with something standing underneath her.  VIOLA! a little red baby girl.  These two are so close in age and size, they could almost be twins... so their names are RUBY and SAPPHIRE:

Welcome to the world little girls --

There are rumors going around that Geronimo may have found a new job.   sigh.  I always hate to lose them, but Willis is poised to take over so I guess it is inevitable.  He did pretty good with these two cuties, so.... we'll see for next year.

Willis being poised.

Well, that's about all the news from the mountain top.  Thanks for reading Frankly speaking!

freshly shorn frankie!

Frankly speaking......................for Pete's sake, stop the insanity!!!

For my many devoted fans, I must address the craziness currently being spewed all over the internet - it is a timely message with so many events going on this weekend - the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival - (I don't get it, why don't they call it the GOAT festival, hello?) Angora Nationals in Ohio - the other angoras, bunny types, not goats, and of course May Day, also known as the Irish Beltaine, Fire Festival - and wench and builders anniversary..... anyway, it has come to my attention that there is a group of crazies putting out that shearing is inhumane. Well, let me tell ya..... get your facts from the SOURCE.  Me. Frankie the Goat.  The Authority.  I have fleece, people don't.  Does getting a haircut hurt people?  NOOOOOO, well it's the same thing for us.  Twice a year, it is necessary and good for us to get sheared.  We like being naked and it's like having a entire new flerd to play with - because we look so totally different!

Each of us has a different fleece.  My fleece is (of course) particularly fine and shiney because I'm so awesome, but like Willis' fleece is so dense it weighs about twice what mine does, even though he is about 1/4 my size.  a real midget.

I let wench know when it's time.  I jump up on the shearing stand and wait.  Sometimes it takes them a day or so to get to me, like they have anything else to do, but, when I say SHEAR they say YES SIR.  hahahah.  I know exactly what to do and am a very good boy.  I stretch out my neck and bow my head, all those things to make it go smoothly.  Some of the youngins jump around and act crazy which can lead to cuts or scrapes, although builder is pretty good with the clippers and wench holds us so we aren't scared.

Wench and builder aren't as young as they used to be, so they shear about 4 goats a day which is all they can handle. but eventually they git r' done.  (did I just say that, oi vey!)

In any event..... lots of news to report, but it'll have to wait - gotta get wench out the door for angora nationals.  I promise... pictures next week of new babies!

Frankly speaking.....who's fooling whom?

Good morning and Happy first day of the month!  April fools day is a great day for several reasons - the best of which is Spring has pretty much arrived here in North Carolina - oh, we may have a chilly day here and there - we had a couple of 30 degree nights recently, but, for the most part - this is it, winter is over!  Soon our coats will come off (spring shearing) and the grass will green up and grow, all that happy stuff.  I'm looking forward to it. Spring also brings the show season for the bunnies.  As I previously reported, Bronwen went to Hickory in January and took a Best in Show.  This year, wench took some rabbits down to the Dalton, GA show - Mutiara went and did very well.  She is one of our more elderly does, being almost 5 years old, but still lovely in her show coat:

She  didn't want to go to more shows this season; she is already granded, so while it's fun to travel once in a while, the grueling road show of the spring season is better left to the younger buns, so Mutiara will stay home and keep the rest of the buns in line while the youngsters go to the shows.  At Greensboro, here's a photo of Windchaser's Daisy, who earned her first "leg" toward her grand championship there.  In this shot, she is chatting with her neighbor, Windchaser's Peppermint Patty. (owned by Aunt June)  Seems the girls discovered they both were born at Windchaser Angoras!  what a small world.  This weekend, Patty's brother Schroeder will be coming to live here.

Next up, Shelby, NC for the Gaston County Triple show.  This is just a day trip.  Here, DJ's Toblerone will get a try at the Satin Angora table, see if he's ready for Nationals.  The pointed satin does, Tolinka and Sparkle are arguing about who will go to this show - with all these breeds to show, choices have to be made - so two french, two satins and two giants are all the spaces available.  Well, in addition to the American Chins for Shelby.

After that, Powhatan's Festival of Fiber near Richmond will be April 25th, but no bunnies are going to that.  Angora Nationals are in Ohio on May 1st, then Got to be NC festival on May 15 through 17; then Middle Tennessee Fiber Festival at the end of May.   phew!  I don't expect to see too much of wench in May.

These Satin Angoras may be for sale at Middle Tennessee.  Two are already spoken for, and of course wench will decide who stays here, we're thinking a chin will need to stay:

Probably around mid-May there will be 11 angoras bred.  This will take most of the adults out of the show lineup for fall.  It may be that bucks are the only ones getting shown for the fall season.  We are REALLY hoping Julianna decides to have some babies.

But ENOUGH about rabbits.  Lets talk serious here - GOATS are so much more important.  We said so long to an old friend this month - Faith - went to live with Tim and Joyce down on Route 18.  She was a little confused, and I'm sure she didn't understand, but it is for her own good, even though we miss her terribly (she could be cranky) there will be no more babies for Faithy.  She has a big pasture now and two boyfriends who can do no harm (they're fixed), and wench can catch a glimpse of her whenever she goes to Sparta.

Here are some random snapshots of the flerd for your enjoyment:

and of course, the baby shots:

These photos are only the random shots taken by wench throughout the month.  We have a nice collection done by the staff phtographer (Dan of Forty6 Photography) but AS USUAL, wench is technically-challenged and can't figure out how to get them onto this page.  sigh.  One of these days she might figure it out.  Until then, you'll have to be satisfied with my regular beautiful face, because let's face it ... there is no bad picture of frankie.

Frankly speaking.......................lion or lamb... you decide

Mother nature has a warped sense of humor.  We retired to North Carolina because the weather was more suitable to goats - or at least that's what they promised... and we have been cooped up in the barn for more than two days at a time this winter due to cold or snow or wet or just yuk.  ENOUGH.  I'm glad I don't live in Boston, but still. I suppose I shouldn't complain.  We have our hay delivered and clean water and grain twice a day.  Now, if we can get mother nature trained as well as we've trained that wench...

In other news, all the babies are doing well.  Neptune and Hera are slow growing, but then Hope, their momma, is really  working hard to raise them right.

This is the last set of babies for Hope... she is retiring this year, and will join her kids Pinky and Gary up in Pennsylvania to live her life out in luxury.  Faith will be moving down the road to this really cool place that has goats on the roof of the shed.  She met her new parents, Tim and Joyce, the other day and really likes them, so let's hope she likes her new brothers, too.  There are two other goats there, both wethers, so she can be the queen.

We were glad to see Sarah and the kids over the weekend, it's always such a treat when they visit...

Amelia really loves us, and even loves the baby chicks - who, by the way, were living in the people barn due to the cold, but now are in the garage, getting ready to transition into the chicken coop probably the first part of May...

Wench is getting ready to go to Dalton, GA for a big rabbit show.  This will be Daisy's debut show and Mutiara's last show.  The weather (again) has not been too cooperative for growing angora coats, so Mutiara has the prettiest coat up there.  She will be the french ambassador, with Daisy representing the giants and Sparkle the Satin angoras.  Apollo is going as the only Satin satin, and then there is the trio of American Chins:  Zelda, Hey Jude and Lady Madonna.  Wench will get opinions on Jude and Madonna, and see if they stay in the show string or if they retire early.  Funny thing with those American Chins.... they develop slowly, so a not so great junior could be a spectacular intermediate or senior.  Just look at Zelda... she was about first off the table at convention and now she's doing just fine.

Looks like today's weather will keep us in the barn again today.  I know that wench has some torture in store for us - I saw the hoof trimmers out the other day.  always something.

Well, that's the report !  Three months in a row, and I'm in the first week of the month!! who says you can't teach an old goat new tricks?  social media? piece of cake!  thanks for reading Frankly speaking.... til next time

Frankly speaking.......a rose by any other name

Hi everyone!  Well, here it is the first of the month and AS PROMISED, a new post.  New Years resolutions being what they are (a joke) and all, I can handle it!  Let's see..... what happened since last time?  Oh, we have babies! Mae's babies, Jupiter and Venus are growing like weeds, out with the flerd every day and fitting in.  Little Venus has a set of lungs, let me tellya, and hollers for her grain just like the rest of us.

Hope's babies, Neptune and Hera, are very frisky.  They went outside yesterday for the entire day for the first time and were pooped when they came back in, but they've started nibbling on grain, too.

Gracie's baby, Moondance, is the newest addition.  He was waiting for wench to get back from Virginia before he made his debut.  He's doing well and Gracie is a good momma.

Wench was in Virginia visiting with Aunt Patty and Uncle Gary and family, and then visited with Melanie and Joe Hultman, where she brought home the newest addition to the farm (well, the second newest, if you count goats and rabbits in the same census.  I usually don't, just because).  Windchaser's Daisy is a giant angora doe and she is fitting right in!

Giant angoras produce a giant amount of wool, which comes in three different ways, which was explained to me by wench one day, but I was hardly paying attention and falling asleep (she does this to me a LOT)

anyway.  So, Daisy (the bunny) had a name (which is Daisy) when she came here.  Daisy is a fine name, but we already have a Daisy.  She is a sheep.

so, now we will have to differentiate between Daisy the BUNNY and Daisy the SHEEP.  Owell.  She better never bring home a rabbit named Frank. That's all I know.

So, that's what's been happening around here this month.  Oh, yeah, Clems Bronwen took BEST IN SHOW at the Hickory New Year's Show.  She was quite full of herself.  She sent her two daughters, Mikimoto and Barouque to Mocksville to that show, and Mikimoto got her 3rd leg, so she can retire now.

Bronwen and Julianna are going to PaSRBA next weekend, with Sparkle and Flash, the pointed satin angoras, and Miranda and Zelda, the American Chins.  Good thing for Gracie and Moondance their big day was this week, or wench would have had to stay home.

That's all the news so far - I'll see you again on the first of March!  till then - thanks for reading Frankly Speaking!

Frankly speaking ..... it's a new year .... new leaf?

So, I know I've made excuses before - about my lack of communication on a regular basis, so I'll make no excuses this time.  Let's just say that I've been a slacker and call it a day.  It is 2015 and I'm turning over a new leaf.  I will try to report more regularly, if I can get wench to settle down and take direction from me (she's a tad difficult in that department). Since my last report, which seems 100 years ago, I can say there has been some news... let's see..... oh, yeah, wench went to Texas to the 2014 ARBA National convention.  Our team did ok.  The boys, Manoah and Mr. Red were both disqualified because their nerves got to them and they lost weight on the trip, so, lesson learned:  only take the tubby rabbits on a long road trip.  By the time you get there, their weight should be perfect.  Not so much for wench.  Even though she's tubby to start with, she doesn't lose an ounce.

Clems Tolinka took 2nd place in the White Satin Angora doe class, and Clems Ember took 2nd place in the Colored Senior buck class.   Ember is a nice buck.  His dad is Smokey Lonesome, previously of this farm, but his mom is unpedigreed.  She is pure-bred french angora, but the paperwork never made its way here, so, his lineage is in question.  It's ok, we love him anyway.

At the New Years rabbit show, Clems Bronwen took Best in Show, so wench was pretty happy with that.    We have to work so hard to make that wench happy.  gawd. we should get extra grain for that.

On the goat front, last year's kids have all gone to new homes, except Willis, who will stay on and become herd sire next year.  Geronimo will soon be looking for a new job I fear.  Valentine and Brooks left this week.

Carmella continues to grow and be beautiful and is fitting in just great with the flerd.

In other bunny news, Julianna was bred (again) and on day 35 - way overdue - wench found her to be in labor.  She took Julianna to the house and deposited her in the bathtub with nest box available.

Julianna will go to the vet this morning to make sure her one baby is all there is (he didn't make it) and perhaps she'll do some more shows this winter and try again in the spring. sigh. always sad when we lose one.

We lost a goat baby this winter, too.  Faith brought forth Mars, and then she didn't have any milk.  He lived two days before anyone figured out that Faith is over the whole motherhood thing.  She will be retiring this year and may be going to live in Pennsylvania with her neice and nephew, Gary and Pinky.  She can still make fleece but shouldn't be making babies anymore.

On a happier note, my sister Mae had twins.  Cutie patooties Venus and Jupiter:

On the Smidge front, she continues to grow (two cans of fancy feast DAILY plus 8 to 10 oz of kitten chow and all the mice you can eat) and terrorize the barn.  She thinks the dog's tail is her personal cat toy

and she sneaks around outside and is just generally a bundle of energy!  She makes me tired the way she plays all day.

We, on the other hand, are happy to sun bathe and eat most of the day, growing fleece and hanging out.

but of course, you DO have to investigate in case a tourist is about and they have cookies

So anywho,  I promise to try to do better.  I'd like get an intern around here - someone to do the social media and keep me in touch with the outside world - sometimes I feel like a cloistered monk - and wench gets busy and won't take dictation when I get the creative juice flowing (a trick I understand she used to pull all the time with that other Frank).  ahhh.  a goat can only do so much.

I digress - in any event - have a great start to your new year, and be looking for a post from me at least once a month... and thanks for reading Frankly speaking!

Frankly speaking........................good news, bad news

Just a quick note, I'm very busy these days getting ready to send Wench and the team to Texas.  They are going to Fort Worth on Wednesday to attend the 91st Annual American Rabbit Breeders Convention. On the show team this year..... Mr. Red, a red satin buck who has been busy munching his frosted mini wheats and is now up to weight.  Clems Manoah, sr. American Chinchilla buck, also doing the mini wheat things - it is a well known fact around here that the MALEs have a hard time maintaining their weight (this goes for the people as well as the animals) and the females have the opposite problem.  Clems Miranda was going to go to convention (she is an American Chin junior doe) but she topped the scales at 10 lb. (1 lb over the max for a junior) so she's staying home and another junior is going in her place.  We are sending three select American Chin does for sale there.

On the angora front, OS Kastanje is attending, a senior copper Satin Angora doe, who is looking just lovely.  Clems Tolinka, a pointed white sr. satin angora doe is also going.  On the french side, it's a toss up.  Either Clems Ember (who is entered) is going if his coat doesn't fall off, or Avillons's Casse Noir will take his place if Ember's coat blows in the next day or so.  Both of these boys are sons of Smokey Lonesome.

So, anyway, good news/bad news department.  Wench went to the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair yesterday.  She attended most of the goat show.  They have a wether class.  Guess who might be going to SAFF next year?  oi vey.  Just give me the ribbon.  You know I've already won.

I am a legend in my own mind. Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking.  I'll post pictures and a big update after wench gets back with her report.

Frankly speaking... just call me a one armed paper hanger

Seems to me that the word "busy" is a relative term.  Some folks are busy when they have to go to the dentist and the grocery store all in the same day.  Some just take on too much.  A lot of this can be blamed on always trying to please everyone.  I'm glad that I have the job I do and just get to tell people what to do to best serve me. Don't get me wrong, I'm busy, for sure, but nothing compared to my human caretakers.  holy mackeral.

As previously reported, builder has taken a part time job at Lowes.  This cuts into his building time.  A LOT.  So the progress on my suite of stalls has been slow. Good thing we live in the south, because it's not an urgent issue to get in before the big snows, because, well... we don't have many of those.  In any event, it's coming along and will be lovely I'm sure and  I'll post a picture when it is done.

Wench on the other hand, has been working toward building the business, selling breeding stock, contacting the yarn shops, doing farmers markets and craft fairs, and getting ready to go to Texas for the ARBA convention at the end of October.  I see her breeze through the barn a couple of times a day, bringing hay, feed and water, (thus the name Wench) but she doesn't spend the time sitting and stroking my cheek and giving me the admiration I so deserve because she is just too busy.  She is not complaining, I am.

I'm hoping we can get a little more on line presence so maybe she can stay home and take care of me better.  Oh, the basics are met - and exceeded - food, clothing, shelter, but the admiration is lacking a little.    ok, enough complaining

In other news, Smidge continues to grow, always getting in the way - she got stepped on yesterday and has a swollen foot.  We're keeping an eye on it, though to make sure it isn't broken.  She should stay up on her perch and not get in the way, ya know?

The babies continue to grow, now weaned fully from their mommas, our does are enjoying the peace and quiet, and the babes are bonding.  Here is a butt shot for your entertainment:

in case you aren't sure, that's Carm on the left, then Willis, Brooks and Valentine.  That Brooks is getting to be a big boy.  He may be going to live in Grassy Creek, but if not, then he will be up for sale.

Speaking of sales, look for our products for the last time at Fiber Day in October (17th) at the Independence Farmers Market.  After that we will be participating in the on line market.  Our yarns are available locally at Unwound in Blowing Rock, NC, Purl's Emporium in Asheville, NC, the Wooly Jumper in Floyd, VA as well as here at the farm.  You can always shoot an email to wench (deb@mountaintopfibers.com) to see what's available.  Our lovely fingering weight yarn made from mohair and angora with added merino, is a big hit with weavers and knitters alike.

This weekend coming up, wench will be at the Floyd Art show with some of our stuff.  Stop on by and say hey.

So friends, the people in my life can continue to be so busy busy busy... me too.  I'll be busy doing what I do best:

laying in the sunshine on our little mountain, growing my fleece for your enjoyment.  Till next time!  kiss kiss.

Frankly speaking....... updates abound

Well, where has the summer gone?  Seems like yesterday we were welcoming the new kids on the block - Valentine, Jett, Garbo, Willis, Brooks and Dunn..... and now, we are saying goodbye.  

This week, Dunn went to live over at Critter Capers by Raleigh, to be a herd sire.  We are sad to see him go, but the cruel facts are that we can't keep everyone.... also, Jett and June are going to live in Pipers Gap near Galax, tomorrow.  I can't imagine my poor sister Annie when she has to say goodbye.  On Wednesday, Garbo is going to Tennessee, and then Caramella will be coming home to the mountain.  I promise pictures of her when she arrives.   Brooks will be going to live in Grassy Creek soon, and Valentine and Willis are staying here.  So, with the addition of Caramella, we'll be up two goats.  I'm afraid next year it will be time for Geronimo to find a new job, and for Willis to become our daddy.

Speaking of pictures, you may have noticed that my posts of late (which, I admit have been few) are lacking in the photo department.  Well, wench got a new phone (an iphone) and she is having a bit of trouble transferring the pictures to the computer.  I swear.... nevermind.  So last week, Dan from Forty6 Photography came to stay a while and he tried to help out the old feeble techno-phobe, but I'm not sure it worked too well.  We did get a few older pics off the phone, so I can introduce you, at least, to our new member of the farm:

We actually got a mountain lion:  heeeeeerrreee's SMIDGE

It's Hunter s fault... he found her in the woods and she followed him home.  She was covered in fleas and her eyes were all goop-y and infected, etc.  so wench took her to the vet and got her fixed right up, and now she is queen of the barn.  Only about 1-1/2 lbs., she is gonna be a smidgen of a cat, (thus the name) and she tears up and down the three flights of stairs all day long.  She even tries to play with us, and seeing as we are afraid of mountain lions, it is rather un-nerving.

Anyway, wench is going to New York next week and hopefully we will have a new bunch of photos to share courtesy of our staff photographer, Dan, once his editing magic is done.  He took my portrait, which shows the beautiful carolina blue sky, and the angle is so perfect, my fleece doesn't even make me look fat!

Til next time... thanks for reading Frankly speaking!

Frankly speaking....... a new goat ambulance and other news

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!

Frankly speaking.......I have no excuses

I suppose I could make up an excuse for my elusive-ness lately, but I won't... you know me, tell it like it is.  The fact is, I've been busy!  Directing the goings-on of this place is a full time job for a goat.  So, since it has been like five whole weeks since my last post, here's what happening:  

Builder took an off-the-farm job at Lowes.  It's a good fit for him (IMO) because of the whole builder thing, but apparently they don't hire part time help right away.  First you have to do your time as a temporary seasonal worker (which is 39 hours a week)  until they see if you are worth putting on their part time staff (which is what he wanted, just a little something to keep busier).  So, anyway, he's away from the farm now for 39 or more hours a week, at least for now until he finds out if they'll keep him on for the job he wanted which should be by the end of summer.

Wench's activities off the farm have been restricted due to builder's new schedule.  This is not a bad thing.  She can be a bit of a gadabout, you know.  There were several things already planned before this all took place, so yes, she did the Powhatan Festival of Fiber (two days gone) and the Middle Tennessee Fiber Fair (three days gone) to sell the shirt off my back, and guess what?  She did GREAT.  Our yarns and fibers were warmly received and I'm becoming a celebrity, which is only right.  Here's the set up:

Of course the set up changes with each show because wench gets another bright idea and changes things around.  But, as you can see, it is colorful and showcases ME, FRANKIE because I am important.  Oh, and I started making hand creme too.  That's fun.

Around the farm, it's been pretty quiet.  The babies are growing up, eating like piglets... see?

They are learning to be goats.  Wench brings our grain each morning and each evening, to our separate stalls, (I get fed first, of course) and then each baby goat knows to leave their momma's stall and come out to the middle common area, where they all chow down together because, well, if they go live somewhere else, they will have to know how to fight for their food.  Not every place is like here where each goat is given their own space like we were horses or something (can you tell that wench grew up with horses? at least she doesn't try to ride us)  In the morning, if it's nice out - and it always is here in North Carolina - we take our hay outside.  In the evening, when we come into the barn, our hay is waiting for us in our stalls.  We have it pretty good here on the mountain top.

In bunny news, Kastanje and Ted had a litter of 9 and they are now weaned and ready for new homes.  Kastanje might be going to Texas for convention in October... Ruby and Ted had a litter of 6; Bellatrix and Ted had a litter of 6.  (Ted was a busy boy before he went to live in Virginia).  The planned breedings for this summer/fall include Julianna to Geordie (a buck from our barn now living with Aunt June) Bronwen to JT's Data (Aunt June's buck, home grown grand champion tort) Kerry Megan to Dexter - who, was suffering a bout with sterility, but we're gonna try him again now that we are on the third floor of the barn.   And of course the chins are popping out all over, having big litters, taking on foster kids, etc.  it's a busy place around here.

That's about all the news.  We have the Independence Farmers Market each month - the next one is June 20th.  We'll be there probably with bunnies for showing and fibers and yarns for sale.  In the meantime, we'll continue to grow our fleeces for your enjoyment, and, if I can work that wench any harder, I'll try to get her to put the yarns on line, but she's kinda slow, in more ways than one if you know what I mean.  From all the clowns up here on the mountain, thanks for reading Frankly speaking!

Frankly speaking......................POW a tan!!!

Hey fans and friends................... if you are in the Williamsburg VA area, take a lookie!  the Powhatan Festival of Fiber will commence on April 26th and Mountain Top Fibers will be there in Booth 67!  

This is our first MAJOR fiber fest and wench has been busy all week getting ready - my job was done when my coat came off, so I've been chill-a-xin and tellin wench what to do (she rarely takes good direction, much like when she worked for that other Frank) in any event... we are excited to see how our products are received.  Aunt June is helping out wench to try to keep her straight (good luck with that) and so look for them in Powhatan!

In other news, builder took Hunter for a hike yesterday and stumbled upon a den of coyotes!  Hunter was ready to say hello to the nice doggies, but builder was able to get him to follow him while he ran away.  A well trained dog is a wonderful thing.  Later, builder and one of the neighbors went back to the area on 4 wheelers looking to see if they could see anything, and perhaps remove the predators, but they were not showing themselves.  Of course Hunter was safely locked in the people barn (also known as the house).  Goats are safely in their stalls every evening about 6 PM, when coyotes are more likely to hunt, and that's a good thing... we've heard them at night, but never seen them before, so a watchful eye will be kept.

All of the angoras are now residing on the 3rd floor of the barn, also known as the Angora Penthouse.  Queen Julianna has the prime spot, as befits her station in life, and can view the sunrise over the mountain each morning.  We have four litters in the nestbox, three satin angora and one french, and three does bred (hopefully).  If you are looking for a french or satin of particular color or parentage, be sure to get in touch.

When wench goes to Powhatan, she is hoping to obtain a red satin buck for pairing with our girl Glimmer.  Glimmer is coming of age now, so she is looking forward to meeting Mr. Red.  I'll post pictures when he arrives.

Sorry this post is sans photos, I'll be sure to get some shots of the booth at Powhatan and give a full report upon wench's return.

That's all for now - thanks for reading Frankly speaking!

Frankly speaking....... I'm ready for my close-up Mr. deMille!

In those famous words of the great Marilyn Monroe (I think), I posed for a picture with a gentleman who came to the Mountain Top to film a portion of a Heifer International documentary about local food.  He was very nice, and fed me cookies, which always makes me love someone:

His name is Steven Bailey and he came to interview my wench and builder about their role in supplying food to the local area.  I know it's not something we talk about openly in the barn, but, the American Chinchillas are primarily a meat breed of rabbit.  I suppose you have to be good at something, and they don't have fiber, so meat it is.  I will be addressing this phenomenon in my first book to be released later this year aimed at children, and telling it like it is:  your corn doesn't grow in a can.  We are in the research stage right now, so be looking for that probably around Christmastime.

When the film is ready, I'll let you know and you can look for me and my new buddy Steven

We've been busy here - having babies and watching them grow.  The last of this year's babies was born just this morning to Hope.  As of yet, he doesn't have a name, and either does Faith's baby.  Wench has been wracking her brain to come up with some suitable names, but we've had SO MANY BOYS born this year, her brain stopped coming up with cute names.  (doesn't take much for her brain to stop in any event...)(did I say that out loud?)

I'm sure if you follow us on facebook you've seen the pictures, but I'll recap:  Jett and Valentine:

Willis:

Hope's boy:

and finally, the one kidd who stands out from the crowd this year:  (although each kidd has its strong points and is very handsome and/or beautiful just because they are from this flerd and they are baby goats) Garbo:

I am really hoping someone wants Garbo for a herdsire, because he is just built beautifully.

In other news:  The rabbits are movin on up to the porch, and seem to be pretty happy up there!

they get the view of the mountains and the cool mountain breeze blowing their way.  When it's cold (like it has been these past few days) and windy, wench covers the ends of the cages so there is no draft.  Once the windows are in, this won't be necessary, but for now...

and so with those pesky rabbits leaving the downstairs, builder is making our stalls over on the other side:

each stall will be 4 x 8 which is considerably bigger than our current accommodations.

More and more happens around here every day, it's getting hard to keep up.  Wench is taking a few of the girls and going to the North Carolina Rabbit Breeders convention this weekend.  Eva the Diva, Julianna, Bellatrix, Janis Joplin, Manoah and Glimmer will be going to the shows, and Atticus will be moving on to a new home as will Leviticus, and the pair of sport rabbits sired by Brandon, the Californian who lives in West Virginia.  He's going back to his house after having spent six months with us in our meat program.  Thanks Brandon! 

Well, that's it for this edition of Frankly speaking.  I'll keep in touch, and hopefully next time I'll be posting some of the exciting yarns that just came back from Gurdy Run Woolen Mill.  They are pretty nice!  but then, they came from my fleece.  so, what. did. you. expect?

Frankly speaking.....a picture is worth a thousand words

So I promised some pictures of the progress on the barn, etc., and as promised... here ya go First, a bonus profile of me, in all of my glory

So today is pretty nice out and the gang got out to enjoy the snow (NOT)

So the builder was working inside, stringing lights in the second floor rabbit barn

and this is the view that I always show you - this time it has snow

Here is the front of the barn, the tractor will drive into the barn and be parked there instead of under the studio in the tarp garage:

Do you see that little shiny piece hanging off the left hand side?  That is the manure shoot for the 2nd floor.  There is one for the 3rd floor too; and big black pipe to be attached.  This will allow the manure to slide down beside the barn where builder can scoop it up with the tractor and then distribute it where it needs to go.  My suite will be on the other side of that wall.  Nigel, Geronimo, Daisy and myself will share an area, and the does and babies will all go inside where it's warmer.

Speaking of babies, my lovely sister, Mae:

and my niece, Valentine

I think she's got the nursing thang down pat, now:

So who will be next, could it be Annie:

we'll have to see about that... I'll keep you posted, I promise! Thanks for reading Frankly speaking!

Frankly speaking....................I've been quiet until now

Where, you ask, has Frankie been?  My last post was around Christmastime, and it is SO unlike me to be un-opinionated or quiet or not OUT there spewing my goatiness to all my fans.  Well, I'll tell you: 1)  It is winter.  A time for reflection and rest, to gather steam for spring and plan the garden, etc.  This year, we have had winter.  Call it global warming, climate change, what-ever............ it is usually 60 and sunny here by February but this year we actually have been locked up in the barn a few days due to inclement weather.  I go a little stir crazy, so, I was just hanging out banging my head on the stall door (it's a goat thing) and builder got annoyed.  He threw me outside in the snow so I could cool off.  NOT FUNNY BUILDER.  It was cold, and so deep, it came right up to my belleh.  ugh.

2)  It is winter.  Builder has been unable to build in the cold, so our barn is a little behind schedule.  Oh, he's closing in on it, but the fun stuff, the moving of the goats, rabbits and reconfiguring of space has been delayed.  When there is a nice day, he is hard at work, putting up siding, etc., but most of the time these days I hear he has been in the garage building rabbit cages.  Some of our cages have been in use since before I was born, so new ones are necessary.

3)  It is winter.  Wench has been scheming.  Moving  cages and stalls in her brain, coming up with new marketing strategies, trying to do things she has not been trained for... like for example - we have a need to expand this blog and add more pages, one for each breed of rabbit, etc., and an e-commerce store for our products, and wench is not an internet sensation by any means.  So, she flounders around trying this and that, when what she should do is... oh, never mind.  I always complain about her but really, she's trying so you can't fault her for that.  She'll get it right one day.

In the meantime, there is news to report, although not many pictures.  I really need to get the photo department on the ball, and I promise, there will be a photo array of all the progress SOON.  Yesterday, we met Glimmer.  She is a 4 month old copper (standard) Satin doe (rabbit).  She traveled from Ohio to be here with us, and she will go to the North Carolina state rabbit convention next month to get some experience in the show ring.  Once she is old enough to have babies, she will join the satin angora program or the meat program, or both, OR, if we can find her a suitable mate, perhaps she'll start her own program.

The day before yesterday, we met Valentine!  isn't she sweet?  She is the daughter of Miss Mae and Geronimo.  She reminds me of Annie when she was a baby, but now, Annie is ready to bring forth her own baby.  In any event, Valentine spent her first night in the house with wench and builder because she didn't quite get the whole nursing thing, but now she's fine and her and her momma are bonding.

There needs to be photos to go with the changes that have been made, so I'll get the publicity department on that right away and get a new post put together today or tomorrow, I promise.

Thanks for waiting for this issue of Frankly speaking.............................. I'll be back

Frankly speaking.......I've got some frankiesense and mhyrr

Not really, but 'tis the season to be thinking about frankinsence and all that jazz, so I thought it would be good to have FRANKIE SENSE which is just good old fashioned common sense, because as we all know, I tell it like it is, right?

It's been a while since my last post and I can't believe where the time flies off to!  Now it is four days before Christmas and am I ready?  Well, yes, I am ready because I'm a goat, and we are always ready for anything.  Christmas around here usually means a box of frosted mini wheats to share.  yummy!

I hear tell that wench got a microscope for the big holiday and so now we will be subjected to examinations all the time.  I just hope that she will allow us to volunteer the samples instead of trying to remove them with a scope or something. ick.     It's not a bad thing, though..... it'll be good to know we are healthy and only get de-wormer when we need it.

There's really not too much going on around here.  We are waiting for the blessed events to occur, which should be happening around February or March, so, as the old saying goes, Christmas is coming and the goat is getting fat.  or the goose, I can't remember.  In any event Miss Mae, Hope, Faith, Annie and Greta are expecting for sure.  We are not so sure about Gracie, but she could surprise us.  We could double the size of the herd by the end of March. YOWZA.

Builder continues to build, and this week the siding is going on the front and sides of the barn.  He's looking for flourescent light fixtures for the bunny barn and there are cages everywhere!  Once those wabbits are out of our space, we can move in and I'm looking forward to the new address.   Him and the wench went to the metal fabricator last week and invented a poop shoot so the rabbits will have a way to dispose of their droppings without flinging it out the side of the barn. which would be. gross.  anyway, I digress.

Wench has been cooking a lot, I guess they have a lot of parties to go to this time of the year.  Just so long as they don't forget to take care of US. which they won't.  Actually she's not in the barn all day which is OK by me.  I like her and everything, but sometimes she is just in the way of what a goat wants to do, ya know?

Frankly speaking....... photos and shameless self-promotion

Hey there frankie fans..... (maybe we should start a fan club, eh?) my last post was rather plain, and I promised new photos of the progress on the new house, er... barn, so here it is. First, however, I have to share some news!  As you know, the wench likes the sell the shirt off my back, and she does this at various places like farmers markets and craft shows, etc.  Well, starting right now, you can get the products offered from the Mountain Top at the Independence Farmers Market ON LINE!  How cool is that???!!??  Here's the link:  http://independencefarmersmarket.locallygrown.net/market  check it out!

Today, November 9th, wench and Aunt June are over at the Fancy Gap Elementary School hawking their wares at the Christmas Bazaar.   At the end of November, right after Thanksgiving, there is a special farmers market in Independence, so they will be set up there as well, AND you can find my yarns at Wooly Jumper in Floyd, VA and at the Fiber Artisans Studio in West Jefferson, NC.  We do get around.  One of these days she will bring me, frankie, the star of this show, to visit the folks who actually buy my shirts.  but in the meantime, I'm taking care of the flerd here.

Speaking of taking care of the flerd, Geronimo (the horndog) had a little difficulty this week.  I TOLD him not to be eating those oak leaves like a piglet because they are toxic to goats.  However did he listen??? no.  he never does.  I also told him it was not a good idea to breed daisy the sheep, but he had to try it.  Anyway, he pigged out and got a giant case of the soupy poopies.  Man, it wasn't fun being around him.  Wench gave him 2 oz of mineral oil and a shot of dura-pen and he seems to be coming out of it, but he was a stinky mess for a couple of days - even more so than the natural odor emanated by a billy goat this time of year.  The oak trees are in the pasture, and the leaves blow down when they die and a couple are ok, but not a lot.  Maybe builder will cut down all the oaks when he makes more huts.

So now, without further adieu, here is the regular progress shot of the barn:

pretty impressive, eh?

and here is the a shot of the upstairs:

and the third floor:

and so, you see, we really will have a tree house of epic proportions!  a skyscraper barn.

In other news, the guineas have been re-located in Phase I of the big move.  They are adjacent now to the greenhouse, and they don't quite get it.  Oh, they know where their food is, but are not quite sure they want to actually move in.  Tell ya what, I don't miss their squawking  in the barn.    We have a new resident french angora buck, his name is Mick Jagger.  So I think I'll name his babies after Rolling Stones' songs - Clems Satisfaction; Clems Hot Licks, you get the idea... Moonshadow's babies are getting irish names - (he's a Celtic Hare buck) Kerry Megan, Malachi, Fiona, Bronwen, etc.  Oh, and Moonshadow got his own wine this week.  Here's the photo we used for the label:

It's called Moonshadow's Shine Wine.  It has moonshine in it and is a dessert wine.  It must be the year of the rabbit around here - last years wines were named for us goats.  the year before it was the dogs.  this year it's the rabbits.  Buttons got his own wine, too.   owell, it doesn't take too much to amuse those two, wench and builder.

Ok, gotta get ready to start the day, it's almost 6 AM and wench will be down soon to feed us so she can go hawk her wares.  or my wares that she stole from me.

Thanks for reading frankly speaking - let me know what you think about the fan club idea (I think it's brilliant)